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were 17 pairs in connexion with this debate; 8 Conservatives and 28 Liberals absent.

15.-Died at Paris, in his 77th year, the Count Pozzo di Borgo, a Corsican diplomatist, who in 1835 represented Russia at the Court of St. James's.

16.-Riot at Northampton on the occasion of burning Sir Robert Peel in effigy.

17.-Robbery of 1,500/. in sovereigns, and 500/. in Bank of England notes, from the boot of the Perseverance coach, running between Manchester and Blackburn. The robbery was effected at Bury, chiefly through the aid of a inan who had managed to put the bank box in the inside of his carpet-bag before the coach started from Manchester.

18.-Opening of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. For months back this event was looked forward to with extraordinary interest, and in the two cities it connected, as well as at all the prominent parts of the line, the greatest excitement prevailed. Tickets were issued by the directors to the shareholders, city dignitaries, and others, to the number of 1,100, and the whole party were safely conveyed along the line. A banquet in Glasgow closed the day's rejoicings. The line had taken about three years to construct, and cost fully one million and a quarter.

Came on for hearing the case of the Bank of England v. Tomkins, a claim for reimbursement founded on the negligence of the officials in connexion with the recent Exchequer Bill frauds. Defendant was one of the brokers employed by De Berkem, the agent of Rapallo, to borrow money from the Bank of England to the extent of 8,000/. upon the security of Exchequer Bills, which were among those the Government pronounced forged. Lord Monteagle was examined to prove the forgery; and he explained the mode of conducting the business of the Exchequer Bill Office, to the same purport as he had done before the Commissioners of Inquiry. He stated that there were five checks for securing the validity of the bills, the paper specially made for printing bills upon; the sealing or stamping with the Exchequer stamp; the numbering; the peculiar mode of cutting the bills out of the books in which they are put up, similar to bankers' cheques, to the number of 500; and the signature, either by the Comptroller or his deputy. The bills in question were valid with the exception of the signature; which was stated by Lord Monteagle not to be his, and it was also disowned by Mr. Perceval, his deputy. It appeared that the chief clerk, Mr. E. B. Smith, was entrusted with the entire superintendence of all the previous processes; and that he had (with the exception of signing the bills, performed by the Comptroller or his deputy) complete control over their production in all its various stages, without any kind of supervision. Verdict for the plaintiff.

19.-Earthquake at Jellalabad, destroying most of the defences thrown up by Sale for the defence of the garrison,

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Lord Auckland addresses his last letter to the Secret Committee: "Since we have heard of the misfortune in the Khyber Pass, and have been convinced of the difficulties at present opposed to us, and as in the actual state of our preparations we could not expect, at least in this year, to maintain a position in the Jellalabad districts for any effective purpose, we have made our directions in regard to withdrawal from Jellalabad clear and positive; and we shall rejoice to learn that Major-General Pollock will have anticipated these more express orders by confining his efforts to the same objects."

22.-A special meeting of the shareholders of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway called to consider the question of running a morn ing and evening train between Edinburgh and Glasgow on Sundays. After a long and some what bitter discussion, in which Sir Andrew Agnew and Mr. Makgill Crichton took a prominent part, the motion for running the trains, proposed by Mr. McNeil, was carried by a majority of 3,954 shares, or 554 votes. The Church newspapers wrote of this day as the most momentous which had dawned on Scotland for centuries. It was an object of interest in heaven and hell-the battle-field where the powers of light and darkness were engaged in a desperate conflict.

Came on for hearing in the Court of Exchequer the great betting case of Richard Thornton v. Portman and others. The defendants, for the purpose of protecting themselves and others, purchased the betting debts of a defaulter named Gurney, in order that by paying them in full they might secure his and their winnings. They accordingly required Thornton to pay his loss of 1,350/.; but that gentleman, having heard that certain parties had been settled with on terms of composition at less than 20s. in the pound, refused to meet the demand, unless the defendants would give him a personal guarantee to repay the sum due from him, in the event of their not having paid all Gurney's losings in full on or before the last day of the Houghton Meeting. The guarantee was given, and plaintiff gave them a cheque for 1,250/. and an order on one Atkins for 100. This latter sum, the plaintiff urged, was never received, and he now sued for the repayment of the 1,250/. on the ground that the defendants had failed to fulfil the condition under which it had been paid to them. The jury found for the plaintiff, who handed over the amount to Christ's Hospital This action gave rise to another, Thornton Byng, the defendant in this instance being one of the Stewards of the Jockey Club, who declared that the plaintiff had acted dishonourably, and excluded him from all places in the oc cupation or under the jurisdiction of the Club. The jury in this case gave damages for 500/

23.-Correspondence between Mr. P. Shaw, advocate, and Mr. Makgill Crichton, regarding insinuations made by the latter at the Sundaytrain meeting against Sir C. Shaw. Crichton

in his last letter writes: "I am now satisfied that the statements referred to by you were erroneous impressions, and are calculated to convey imputations against his character which are unfounded. I therefore retract them: I regret having made them, and offer to your brother my apology."

24. Conclusion of the debate on Mr. Villiers' motion for the immediate repeal of the Com Laws. Mr. Cobden, taking advantage of Sir Robert Peel's admission that it was impossible to fix the price of corn by any legislative enactments, said: "I would be obliged to him if he would not try to do it. It is a simple, open avowal that we are met here to legislate for a class against the people. There is no use in resorting to sophistry, no good in disguising the truth in a dexterous combination and shuffling of figures."-Mr. Ferrand, amid marks of great impatience from the House, read extracts from a series of letters, in which the manufacturers who had joined the League were charged with cruelty to their operatives, a systematic evasion of the Truck Act, and the adulteration of their cloth with "Devil's Dust" to an extent which made it worthless in foreign markets. In the division which took place, Ministers had a majority of 303 in a House of 483.

28.-Lord Ellenborough lands at Calcutta, and takes the oath of office as Governor-General of India.

March 1.-Surrender of Ghuznee by Lieut. Col. Palmer. "It is with much concern," he writes to the officer commanding at Jellalabad, “I acquaint you that I have been compelled to enter into terms to evacuate the citadel and forts within ten days. . . . In capitulating I have only acted up to the orders of Major Pottinger and General Elphinstone, who directed me to evacuate the citadel and city on the arrival of Rohilla Khan. This chief arrived, and promised to escort us in safety to Cabul." The garrison were hardly out of the city when the treachery of the Affghans began. Day after day their attacks continued, and the troops were reduced to the last extremity of hunger and thirst, under a galling fire from the surrounding emy. The Sepoys were the peculiar object of the hatred of the Ghilzies. Lieut.-Col. Palmer was seized and tortured, to make him give up treasure alleged to have been buried by the

British troops. None ever reached Cabul

except a few prisoners, kept alive for ransom.

Explosion of D'Ernst's firework factory, Lambeth, causing the death of all the workmen employed therein-four in number.

2.-The Bishop of London addresses a pastoral to his clergy, expressive of his desire to have a collection made in their churches for the Colonial Bishopric Fund, in conformity

with the resolution agreed upon at Lambeth Palace when the erection of Colonial sees was fixed.

2.-Lord Stanley intimates to Sir Charles Bagot that the English Government were willing to repeal the Imperial duties upon wheat from Canada if the Provincial Parliament imposed a duty on the same article from the United States. The Canadian Parliament agreed to accept the offer, and fixed the duty at 35. per quarter, ot about 51. per bushel.

Calcutta advices of the 11th January received, making mention of the hostile proceedings of the Affghans at Cabul, and the danger impending over the retirement of the British army. Accounts from Jellalabad reached to the 15th Dec., at which date the garrison were reported to be on reduced rations, but working with great eagerness at the walls of the fort.

3.-Lord Mahon obtains permission to bring in a bill extending the term of copyright in a book to twenty-five years reckoned from the death of the author.

The City of Edinburgh steamer drifts from the pier at Ostend, and becomes a con plete wreck.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer obtains the appointment of a Secret Committee to inquire into the recent frauds practised in the issue of Exchequer Bills.

4. The American Foreign Secretary instructs the British Minister, Mr. Everett, to demand indemnification in the case of the Creole.

Mr. Cobden draws the attention of the House to certain slanderous assertions made by Mr. Ferrand, to the effect that while calling for a repeal of the Corn Laws he (Mr. Cobden) was working his.own mill night and day, and by so doing had amassed a large fortune.-Mr. Fer. rand admitted that he had charged many AntiCorn Law manufacturers with so acting, but denied saying they were all guilty.-The Speaker ruled that it was irregular and contrary to the rule of the House to question the positive denial of the honourable gentleman.

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7.-Arrival of the Overland Mail with news of the dreadful disasters in Affghanistan. correspondent of the Morning Post wrote: "Cabul has fallen; the whole British force there, amounting to about 6,000 men, annihilated; one entire British regiment, the 44th, erased at one fell swoop from the Army list,

and five native regiments cut to pieces." The Morning Chronicle was equally alarming: "When last seen, the gallant 44th, or Queen's, was reduced to about 150, still in a body, struggling through the snow, and being picked off like snipes. Lady Macnaghten and the other ladies were sent to grind corn." The Times gave the intelligence in a more coherent form: "The worst can no longer be doubted of the unhappy troops at Cabul. Accounts have been received in town which can be implicitly relied upon, and from which the following is an extract: On the 18th January, Dr. Brydone staggered into Jellalabad, wounded and confused from suffering and fatigue. He relates that our people quitted Cabul, under the convention agreed upon by Major Pottinger, on the 5th instant. The cantonment was immediately occupied by the Affghans, and the English were almost instantly attacked. The march became, and continued, a constant fight. At Khoord Cabul Pass, about ten miles from Cabul, the ladies were sent back, under an escort of some of Akbar Khan's people, who promised to protect them. At Tezeen,

General Elphinstone and Colonel Shelton were made prisoners. The Native troops became disorganized and scattered. At Jugduluk, 400 of her Majesty's 44th, who had before kept well together, became disorganized also, broke and scattered. Beyond this the Doctor knows nothing, having with the greatest difficulty preserved his own life."" The Duke of Wellington was reported to be deeply affected at the news, declaring that in all his experience, or in all history, he had never heard of so lamentable a sacrifice of life in a British force. A letter from Lady Sale to her husband, the hero of Jellalabad, giving an account of the outbreak of Cabul, excited much interest and enthusiasm for her ladyship.

8.-Mr. Disraeli introduces, but withdraws without a division, a motion on diplomatic and consular establishments: "That it appears to this House that great inconvenience and injury to the public welfare have arisen from the civil affairs of her Majesty in foreign countries being carried on by two distinct services; and that, with a view of advancing those commercial interests which at this moment so much occupy our consideration, it is expedient that measures should be forthwith taken to blend the Consular with the Diplomatic body." In the course of his address, Mr. Disraeli took occasion to censure several of the appointments made by Lord Palmerston.

10.-General Nott repels an attack on Candahar with such effect, that the enemy broke up their encampment and left him in quiet possession of the place.

The Chinese attempt to drive the British out of Ningpo, but are defeated in the centre of the town with great slaughter. So terrible, it was said, was the destruction of human life in this case among the Chinese, that the bodies had to be laid in heaps along the sides of the

street to permit the further advance of our destructive artillery.

10. When the House met to-night, Sir Robert Peel, in reply to Mr. Stuart Wortley, said the Governor-General of India had received intelligence of the murder of Sir Wm. Macnaghten on the 22d January; and though there was no later official intelligence, private letters left no doubt that our forces at Cabul had met with a great misfortune. There was no occasion for dismay, however, and he had no doubt Parliament would give every support to the demand which it would be the duty of Ministers to make for the purpose of repairing that disaster.

11. In a speech of great length and minuteness Sir Robert Peel introduces the annual Budget, proposed in this instance in connexion with a series of comprehensive changes in the Tariff designed to improve the financial affairs of the country. He admitted the public accounts for the year would show a deficiency of 2,750,000l., and, with a frankness which alarmed some of his supporters, confessed that the country had arrived at the limit of taxation on articles of consumption. The additional duty of 5 per cent. laid on Customs and Excise had only realized 10s. per cent. The revenue for the coming year he estimated at 48,350,000/. and the expenditure at 50,820,000l. The yearly increasing deficiency Sir Robert proposed to meet by a tax on incomes calculated to produce 3,700,000l.; Irish equalized stamp and spirit duties, 410,000l.; and an export duty of 45. on coal exported, 200,000l. Of the surplus of 1,740,000/. thus obtained, 1,200,000/. was devoted to a reduction of duties in a revised tariff now submitted to the House, and the balance would be applied to the extra expenses likely to be incurred in connexion with the armies in India and China. The main design of the Budget was the taxation of wealth and the relief of manufacturing industry. 'We have applied ourselves," said Sir Robert, to the simplification of the Tariff-to make it clear, intelligible, and as far as possible consistent: and that alone, without reference to the amount of duty, is, I apprehend, a great public object. We have also attempted, speaking generally, to remove all absolute prohibitions upon the import of foreign articles, and to reduce duties which are so high as to be prohibitory to such a scale as may admit of a fair competition with domestic produce. There are instances in which that principle has been departed from and where prohibitions are maintained, and in those cases we justify departure from the rule upon special circumstances; but the general rule has been, to abolish prohibitions and reduce prohibitory duties within the range of fair competition. Our object has been, speaking generally, to reduce the duties on raw materials which constitute the elements of manufactures to an almost nominal amount; to reduce the duties on halfmanufactured articles, which enter almost as much as raw materials into domestic manufac

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tures, to a nominal amount; and with reference to articles completely manufactured, our object has been to remove prohibitions and reduce prohibitory duties, so as to enable the foreign producer to compete fairly with the domestic manufacturer; and I still entertain that confident belief and expectation which I expressed on first intimating the intentions of the Government with respect to this Tariff, that the general result of it, if adopted by the House, will be materially to diminish the charge of living in this country. The duties upon raw materials would in only a few instances exceed 5 per cent., on partially manufactured articles 12, and on complete manufactures the reduction in duty proposed would be about 20 per cent. There

were 1,200 articles in the Tariff, and on 750 of them a reduction was proposed; on foreign timber the reduction would be from 55s. to 25s. a load, with the exception of Canadian, which would be treated as an integral part of the island, and bear a merely nominal duty. The Income-tax, calculated at 7d. per pound on 150. and upwards, was to be limited to three years, with a possible extension to five years if the House should please to sanction its continuance." Sir Robert concluded the exposition of the Ministerial policy in these words:"I know that many gentlemen who are strong advocates for Free-trade may consider that I have not gone far enough. I believe that on the general principle of Free-trade there is now no great difference of opinion, and that all agree in the general rule that we should purchase in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest. (Loud cheers from the Opposition benches.) I know the meaning of that cheer. I do not now wish to raise a discussion on the Corn Laws or the Sugar duties: I have stated the grounds, on more than one occasion, why I consider these exceptions to the general rule, and I will not go into the question now. I know that I may be met with the complaints of gentlemen opposite of the limited extent to which I have applied the general principle, to which I have adverted, to these important articles. I thought, after the best consideration that I could give to the subject, that if I proposed a greater change in the Corn Laws than that which I submitted to the consideration of the House, I should only aggravate the distresses of the country, and only increase the alarm which prevailed among important interests. I think that I have proposed, and the Legislature has sanctioned, as great a change in the Corn Laws as was just or prudent, considering the engagements existing between landlord and tenant, and also the large amount of capital which has been applied to the cultivation of the soil. Under these circumstances, I think that we have made as great a change as was consistent with the nature of the subject.'

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11. While addressing the House to-night on the financial policy of the Government, Sir Robert Peel created some surprise by quoting a letter from a smuggler illustrative of his statement that high duties were a mere delusion, and in no sense a protection to the manufacturer.

After offering his services on goods from a certain part, the writer adds: "I am also able to forward to you every week blondes and laces (I mean articles manufactured at Lille, Arras, Caen, Chantilly, &c.) at a very low premium by the indirect channel. (Laughter.) The goods would be delivered in London the same week of the reception here, by a sure and discreet individual my means are always free of losses and damages, or I would not use them. Here follow the prices at which I might at present undertake the passage:-Blondes, by pieces, according to value, 9 per cent.; blonde veils, according to value, 8 or 8 per cent.; laces (Lille ditto) 8 or 8 per cent.; silk gloves, II to 12 per cent.; kid gloves, 12 to 13 per cent.; and generally all silk goods, as gros de Naples, satins, gros des Indes, gros de Paris, jewellery, &c., for which articles prices would have to be determined, but certainly a great deal under your Custom-house duties."

11.-Arthur Conolly writes: "From our prison in the Bokhara citadel.-This is the eighty-third day we have been denied the means of getting a change of linen from the rags and vermin that cover us; and yesterday, when we begged for an amendment in this respect, the Topshee-Bashee who had before come occasionally as our host to speak encouragingly, set his face like a flint to our request, showing that he was merely a vane to the withering wind of his heartless master, and could not help us thus, so that we need not ask him to do so. I did not think to shed one warm tear among such coldblooded men, but yesterday evening, as I looked upon Stoddart's half-naked and naillacerated body, conceiving that I was the special object of the King's hatred because of my having come to him after visiting Khiva and Kokund, and told him that the British Government was too great to stir up secret enmity against any of its enemies, I wept on entreating one of our keepers, the gunner's brother, to have conveyed to the chief my humble request that he would direct his anger upon me, and not further destroy by it my poor brother Stoddart, who had suffered so much and so meekly here for three years. My earnest words were answered by a 'Don't cry and distress yourself:' he also could do nothing.

We have risen again from bed with hearts comforted as if an angel had spoken to them, resolved, please God, to wear our English honesty and dignity to the last within all the filth and misery that this monster may try to degrade us with."

12.--Captain James Ross's exploring expedition in the South Polar Seas narrowly escapes destruction. During a heavy breeze

the Erebus and Terror were driven into violent collision with an extensive chain of icebergs. The Erebus was much damaged.

13.-George Lucas, Aldermanbury, murders three of his children, and then commits suicide.

15. Sir James Graham announces that, as the question between the Church of Scotland and the Government was simply whether the law was to be obeyed or not, it was the fixed determination of Ministers to insist on obedience to the law. It was the duty of the Government to see that the Veto Act of the General Assembly did not prevail over the law of the land.

Lord Ellenborough writes to the Commander-in-chief in India, that in the present position of Shah Soojah he did not think the British Government was any longer compelled to peril its armies, and with its armies the Indian Empire, in support of the Tripartite treaty. "Whatever course we may hereafter take must rest solely on military considerations, and have, in the first instance, regard to the safety of the detached body of our troops at Jellalabad, at Ghuznce, at Khelat-i-Ghilzie, and Candahar; to the security of our troops now in the field from all unnecessary risk; and finally to the re-establishment of our military reputation by the infliction of some signal and decisive blow on the Affghans which may make it appear to them and to our own subjects, and to our allies, that we withdraw, not from deficiency of means to maintain our position, but because we are satisfied that the king we have set up has not, as we were erroneously led to imagine, the support of the nation over which he has been placed." In consequence, apparently, of Engand's defeat at Hykulzye, this forward policy was abandoned for a few weeks, and orders were actually issued that Pollock should withdraw at once from Jellalabad, and Nott from Candahar. These timid counsels, however, were overcome, and an advance of both armies ordered on Cabul. An endeavour was to be made by negotiation to obtain a release of the prisoners in Akbar Khan's hands, though it is not clear that General Nott understood their release to be an essential part of the expedition.

Died, aged 82, Salvador Cherubini, an eminent Italian composer.

16.- Lord Francis Egerton's motion for leave to introduce a bill legalizing marriage with a deceased wife's sister, rejected by 123 to 100

votes.

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Came on at York Assizes the trial of Robert Goldsborough, indicted for the murder of William Huntley, at Crathorne, in the year 1830. In the month of July in that year, Huntley received the balance of a legacy due to him; he was shortly afterwards seen with Goldsborough, and then missed. borough said that he had gone to America. About that time Goldsborough was observed to have money; and two witnesses deposed that they had seen him carrying something bulky in a sack into his house. He subsequently left that part of the country; and the matter was forgotten until lately, when, during some improvements in Stokesley-beck, the bones of a human body were discovered, and the skull

presented such appearances as led to the supposition that it was the skull of Huntley. The jury were not satisfied of this identity; and a verdict of Not guilty was returned.

16.-Died at his town residence, St. James'ssquare, aged 77, Bernard Edward Howard, twelfth Duke of Norfolk, and the first Roman Catholic peer who took his seat in the House of Lords after the passing of the Emancipation Act.

18.-Income-tax resolutions opposed in Committee by Mr. F. Baring, Lord John Russell, and Lord Howick, on the ground that the tax was needless in times of peace, and oppressive in its operation.

19. Accident in Wombwell's menagerie, Stafford. A rash visitor, named Martin, reaching his arm into the tigers' den, was seized and mangled so severely that death ensued in a few days.

20. The Earl of Munster commits suicide, shooting himself in his house in Belgrave

square.

21.-Explosion of the Telegraph high-pressure steamer at Helensburgh pier, Dumbartonshire, and loss of fifteen lives.

Rossini's "Stabat Mater" performed at Bologna with an effect hitherto unmatched in magnificence; Donizetti conducting, Rossini himself giving the time, and Clara Novello, Ivanhoff, and Prince Belgiojoso singing the solos.

23. The Jellalabad garrison in the extre mity of their peril. Sale writes to Pollock, who had been long detained at Peshawur with the relieving force by sickness and insubordination: "I informed you definitely that I would, by God's blessing, hold this place to the 31st inst, by which time you acquainted me that you could arrive at Jellalabad with the dragoons. You now state to me your expectation that they will only reach your present encampment by that date. Our European soldiers are now on twothirds of their rations of salt meat, and this the Commissariat supply; on the 4th proximo that part of the force will then be without meat, not. withstanding every arrangement to lessen the consumption. I have this day directed all the camels to be destroyed with the view of preserving the hay for the horses of the cavalry and artillery.'

24. Trial of the Culsalmond rioters before the High Court of Justiciary. A verdict of Not proven was returned against all the parties charged, except Dr. Robertson, said to have been a leader in the disturbance, and now declared Not guilty.

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The Commander-in-chief gives the following as the causes to which he was disposed to ascribe our failures in Affghanistan :1. Making war with a peace establishment. 2. Making war without a safe basis of operations. 3. Carrying our native army out of India into a strange and cold climate where they and we

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