Monmouthshire Merlin

SUMMER EVENING. Spiiit of evening! let me dream I see Some feature of thy form embodied forth Where'er 1 paze > for tnou art rome to be- A joy and blessing to our tainting earth Thy smile is on the water,—lighting too Its depths with radiance, whose translucent glow Reflects within Heaven's star-bespangled blue, Profoundest calm diffusing far below. Where wave the varied flowrets o'er the lawn, Alethinks I see thee, bounding in thy glee, More agile in thy mirth than playful fawn. Whose light-like speed asserts he will be free I hear thee in the shade, amid the leaves, Where echo holds remembrance of thy voice, And where the vocal streamlet, joyous, weaves Harmonious notes in which thy bards rejoice. I feel thee gently fan this aching brow, And with thy perfumed breath a balm impart; And oh with rapture deep, I feel thee now, Touch to new life this feebly throbbing heart. For this—for this. I woo thee, spirit pure! Would thou might'st stay, nor e'er give place to night; Nay—only briefly, I and thee endure, And we shall change to scenes more fan and bright. Woolloston Cottage, June 14th, 1845. LEON. +

THE PENITENT. There stands a lonely cottage on the shore Close by the sea which beats upon its sides;— Its frail walls tremble when the billows roar, As the heart trembles that within it hides. t ist, the small window on its hinges creaks, And, see, the Priestess of the place looks out- Flowers on her bosom, faded like her cheeks, And others twined her flowing hair about. Her clouded eyes give but a feeble gleam, Like dying tapers that have burn'd all night, And, from their sockets, raise a sickly beam Amid the opening morning's, golden light. Upon the flowers that 'neath her window stand She pours fresh water from her snowy hand :— Though from her heart all bloom has died away, She would not see her window-flowers decay. Then visits she her garden's flowery bed, Wreaths for the day of freshest flowers to bind One chapltt for the Virgin Mary's head, The other round her own loose tresses twined. And now she bends her bead and rosy crown, Between her pallid hands her face to hide: Like the rose, purple-bosomed, bending down Between the neighbour lilies at its side. Then o'er the sea she turns her gazing sight, And tracks the morning-star's departed ray, Where vanishes the ship's sail, snowy white, Like innoccnce so white !—so far away

MRS. CAUDLES CURTAIN LECTURES. Mrs. Caudle thinks it would look will to keep their Wedding-day. Caudle, love, do you know what next Sunday is 1 No, you don't 1 Well, was there ever such a strange man I Can't you gues3, darting ? Next Sunday, dear 1 Think, love, » minute— just think. What! and you don't know nowl H a! if I had n't a better memory than you", I don't know how we should ever get on. Well, then, pel,—shall I tell you what next Sunday is1 Why, then/it's our wedding-day What are you groaning aI, Mr, Caudle? 1 don't see anything to groan at. If any body should groan, I'm suie it isn't you. No I rather think it's 1 who ought to groan "Oh, dear! That's fourteen years ago. Yon were a very different man then, Mr Caudle. What do you say? And [was a very different woman 1 Not at all-just the same. Oh, you needn't roll your head about on the pillow in that way I say, just the same. Well, then, if I'm altered, whose fault is it J Not mioe, I'm sure-relhioly not. Ð!lo't tell me that 1 coulJn't hlk al all then-I could t¡¡lk just as well then as I can now; only then i hadn't the same cause. It's you who have made me talk. W hat do you say ? You've very sorry for it Caudle, you do nothing but iosult mc. Ha' you were a good-tempered, nice creature fourteen ^ears ago, and would have done anything for me. Yes, yes, if a woman would be always cared for, she should never marry. There's quite an end of ihe charm when jhe goes to church We're all angels while you're courting us but onre married, how soon you pull our wings off! No. Mr. Caudle, I'm not talking nonsense but the truth is, you like to hear nobody talk but YOUI self. Nobody ever tells me that I talk nonsense but you. Now, it's no use your turning and twisting about in that way; it'a not a bit of-What do you say 1 You U get up 1 No you won't, Mr. Caudle: you'll not serve me that trick again, for I've lock'd the door and hid the key. There's no getting hold of you all the day-time,—but here you can't leave me. You aeedn't groan again, Mr. Caudle. Now, Caudle, dear, do let us talk comfortably. After all, love, there's a good many folks who, I daresay, don't get on half so well as we've done. We've both our little tempers, perhaps; but ynu. are aggravating you must own that, Caudle. Well, never mind, we won't talk of it; I won't scold you now. We'll talk of next Sunday, love. We never have kept our wedding- day, and I ihink it would be a nice day to have our friends. What do you say? They'd think it hypocrisy ? No hypocrisy at all. I'm sure I try to be comfortable and if ever man was happy, you ou^ht to be. No, Caudle, no, it isn't nonsense to keep wedding-days; it isn't a deception on the world; and if it it, how many people do it. I'm sure it's only a proper compliment that a man owes to his wife. Look at the Winkles—don't they give a dinner every year 1 Well, I know and if they do fight a little in thecouree of the twelvemonth, that'i notbine to dp wjjit- it. They keep tb«-ir wedding-day, and nothing to do with anything else. As I say, Caudle, it's only a proper compliment that a man owes to his wile to keep a wedding-day. It s as much as to aay to tbe whole world—' There 1 it 1 had to marry again, my blessed wife's the woman I'd choose Well! I see nothing to gron at, Mr. Caudle—no, or to sigh either; bul I kDOW what you mean, I'm sure: what would have become of you if you hadn't married as you have done—why, you'd have been a lost creature! I know it; I know your habits, Caudfe and—I don't like to say it—but you'd have been little better than a raggamuffin. Nice scrapes you'd have got into, I know, if you ))adn t bad me for a wife. Tha trouble I've bad to keep you re. tpectable-and what's my thanks ? Ha I only with you'd had some women But we won't quarrel, Caudle. No you doo'l mean any- thing, I know. Well have this little dinner, eh ? Just a few friends? Now don't say you don't care—that isn't the way to apeak to a wife; and especially the wife I've been to you, Caudle. Well, you agree to the dinner, eb ? Now don't grunt, Mr. Caudle, but speak out. You'll keep your wedding day ? What? If I'll let you go to sleep ? Ha, that's unmanly, Caudle can't you say Yes'without anything else 1 I say—can't you aay 'Yes' —There, bless you I I knew you would. And now, Caudle, what shall we have for dinner? No— we won't talk of it to-morrow we'll talk of it now, and then it will be off my mind. I should like something particular—some- thing out of the way—just to show that we thought the day something. I should like-Mr, Caudle, you're not asleep? What do I want 1 Why you kaow I want to settle about the dinner. Have what I like1 No as it's your fancy to keep the day, it's only right that I should uy to please you. Wenever had one, Caudie so what do you tfeink of a haunch of venison What do you say ? Nonsense; mutton will do ? Ha that shows what you think of your wife: I dare say if it was with any of your club friends- -any of your pot-house companions—you d have no objection to venison. I lay if—What do you mutter? Let it be venismi 1 Very well. And now about the fi*l> ? VV hat do you think of a nice turbot ? No, Mr. Caudle; brill won't do —it sh.ill be turbot, or there shant be any fish at all. Oh. what a mean man you are Caudle Shall it be turbot ? It shalll Very well. And now about the soup—now Caudle, don't swear at the soup in Ihat manner you know there must be soup. Well, once in a way, and just to show our friends how happy we ve been, we'll have some real tuitle. No, you won't you'll have nothing hut mock Then, Mr. Caudle, you may sit at the table by yourself. Mock-turtle on a wedding-day Was there ever auch an insult? What do you say ? Let it lie real for once ? Ha, Caudle as I say, you, were a very different person fourteen years ago, Aud Caudle, you'll look after the venison ? There's a nice place I SHOW, somewhere in the city, where you get it beautiful You'H took 10 it 1 You will? Very well. "And now who shall we invited Who I like? Now, you know Caudle, that's nonsense because I only like who you like. I suppose the Prettymans must come? But understand, Caudle, I don't have Miss Piettyman I'm not going to have my peace of mind destroyed under my own roof if she comes, I don't appear at the table. What do you say ? Very well ? Very well be it then. And now, Caudle, you'll not forget the venilon 1 In the City my dead You'll not forget the venison? A haunch, you kuow a nice haunch. And you'll not forget tba venisoo ? Three times did I fall off to sleep," says Caudle, and three times did my wife nudge me with her elbow, eiclaiming — You'll not forget the venison? At last I got into a sound slumber, and diesmt I wns a pot of currant-jelly."

An elopement, attended with circumstances of a disgraceful •chaiacter, has eacited much leeliug in Sudbuty. The parties are, Mr. Watts Wilkinson, a young man about 21, son of the Rev. Walls Wilkinson, the cuiate 411 St. Peter's and chaplain to the union workhouse, and Miss Hannah Keningale Wilkinson, his tirat cousia, and the daughter of the Rev. Henry Watu WtI. kinson, perpetua) curate of St. Peter's and St. Gregoiy's in that town. The young lady is about 26 years of a«e, and the cir- cumstances of her case excited great interest a few years since, 10 consequence of a commission of lunacy having been issued against her by her father, which was successfully resisted en her behalf, and in the resistance to which commission allegalions of great ciuelty and improper conduct were made against her father and his wife, the stepmother of the alleged lunatic. The com- mission of lunacy was abandoned, and as the young lady was not then consideied competent to maoagc herself and her property, a bill was filed, by the advice of the Lord Chancellor, to place her under the protection of the Court of Chancery. Her property amounts to between £5,000. 1nd £6,000. and the interest has been appropriated to her support. Miss Wilkinson was on a visit at the residence of the Rev. Joseph Fenn, of Blackheath Park, one of her guardians, and on Saturday, the 24th ult., she was called upon there by her cousin, Mr. Watts Wilkinson, and permission was aaked and granted for her to accompany him on a visit tor the day to their aunt at Hoxton. They were driven in Mr. Fenn's carriage to the Greenwich railway, from which they walked to the river side, took a steam boat to Blackwall, and went from thence to Limehooie chulch, where the marriage cere- mony was performed, under the authonty of a licence granted to 4he bridegroom. After thecetemony was over the lady objected to sign the register, stating that it was not her intention to be married, and that her father would not consent 10 it. Being as. aured, however, by Mr. Watts Wilkinsou that her father bad given bis consent, she signed the register. They then went 10 Hoxton. The bridegroom took the ring from her finger before they arrived, and left her with her aunt, to whom the related all the circumstances, and the annt restored her the same afternoon to the care of her guardian, Mr, Fenn. Proceedings in tbe Eccleaiastical Court are being taken by the guardians to annul Ihe marringe.-Bury Post The Emperor of Russia bas presented her Majesty with tome cingle and double seated droshkys (favourite Russian carriages, with horsea and harness to boot), in which the royal family took iiyml excursion* during the past week.

-AN ANECDOTE OF WAR. I have somewhere read of a regiment ordered to march into a small town and take it. 1 think it was in the Tyrol; but wher- ever it was, it chanced that the place was settled by a colony who believed the Gospel of Chiist, and proved their faith by wotifs. A courier from a neighbouring village informed them that troops were advancing to take the town. They quietfy an- swered, If they will take it, they must." Soldiers soon came riding in, with colours flying, and fifes piping their shrill defi- ance. They looked round for an enemy, and saw the farmer at his plough, the blacksmith at his anvil, and the women at their churns and spinning-wheels. Babies crowded to hear the music, and the boys ran out to see the pretty trainers, with feathers and bright buttons, the harlequins of the nineteenth century." Of course none of these were in a proper position to be shot at. Where are your soldiers?" they asked. We have none," was the brief reply. But we have come to take the town." Well, friends, it lies before you." But is there nobody here to fight?" "No; we are all Christiaas." Here was an emergency altogether unprovided for; a sort of resistance which no bullet could bit—a fortress perfectly bomb- proof. Thecommanderwasperptexed. "If there is nobody to fight with, of course we cannot fight," said he. It is impos- sible to take such a town as this." So he ordered the horses' heads to he turned about, and they carried the human animals out of the village, as guiltless as they entered, and perchance somewhat wiser. This experiment on a small scale indicates how easy it would be to dispense with armies and navies, if men only had faith in the religion they profess to believe. When France lately re- duced her army, England immediately did the same; for the existence of one army creates the necessity for another, unless men are safely ensconced in the bomb-proof fortress above-men Honed.—Letters from New York,

THOUGHTS ON CEMETERIES. I revisited Greenwood Cemetery a few days ago, and found many new monuments; one of which particularly interested me, from the cheerful simplicity of its epitaph. The body of a mo. ther and child rested beneath the marble, and on it was inscribed the words, "Is it well with thee? Is it well with the child 1 And she answered, It is well.2 Kings iv.26. This gives pleasant indication of real faith in Immortality like the Mora- vians, who never inscribe on their tombs the day when a man was born and when he died, but limply" the day be came hither, and the day he went home Why Chtistians should have chosen a skull and cross bones for their emblem of death seems incomprehensible. The Greeks, notwithstanding their shadowy faith in a future existence, represented death as a gentle youth sometimes as a sleeping winged child, with an inverted torch resting on a wreath of flowers. Even Samuel, the awful death-angel of the Hebrews, resembling our popular ideas of the devil, was always said to take away the souls of the young by a kiss. If we really believed that those who are gone from us were as tiuly alive as ourselves, we could not invest the subject with such awful depth of gloom as we do. If we would imbue our children with distinct faith in immoitaliiy, we would never speak of people as dead, but as passed into another world. We should speak of the body as a casi-off garment, which the wearer had outgrown; consecrated indeed by the beloved being that used it for a season, but of no value within itself.—Ibid.

A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE. One of my father's brothers, residing in Bcston at that time, became a victim to the pestilence. When the first symptoms appeared, his wife sent the ehildien into the country, and her- self lemained to attend upon him. Her fnends warned her against such rashness. They told her it would be death to her, and no benefit to him for he would soon be loo ill to know who attended upon him. These argumenls made no impression on her affectionate heart. She felt that it would be a life-long satis, faction to her to know who attended upon him, if he did not. She accordingly staid and waiched him with unremitting care. This, however, did not avail to save him. He grew worse and worse, and finally died. Those "ho went round with ihedeath- ca.ts had visited the chamber, and seen th.«t the end was near. They now came to take the body. His wife refused to let it go. She told me that she never knew how to account tor it, but though he was perfectly cold and rigid, and to evc>y appearance quite dead, there was a powerful impression on her mind that life was not extinct. The men were overborne by the strength of her conviction, though their own reason was opposed to it. The half-hour again came round, and again was heard the solemn words, Bring out your dead." The wife again resisted their importunities but this lime the men were more resolute. They said the duty assigned to them was a painful one but the health of the city required punctual obedience to the orders they received tf they ever expected the pestilence to abate it must be by a prompt removal of the dead, and immediate fumigation of the infected apartments. She pleaded and pleaded, and even knelt to them in at agony of teais, continually saying, I am sure be is not dead." The men represented the utter absurdity of such an idea; but finally overcome by her tears, again departed. With trembling haste she renewed her tfforts to restoie life. She raised his head, rolled his limbs in hot flannel, and placed hot onions on his feet. The dreadful half-hour again came round, and found him aa cold and rigid as ever. She renewed her en. treaties so desperately, that the messengers began to think a little gentle force would be necessary. Tllty accordingly attempted to remove the body against her will but she immediately threw herself upon iI, and clung to it with such frantic strength, that they could not easily loosen her grasp. Impressed by the reo markable energy of her will, they relaxed their efforts. To all their remonstrances she answered, If you bury him, you shall bury me with him." At last, by dint of reasoning on the neces- sity of the case, they obtained from her a promise, that, if be shewed no signs of life before they again came round, the would make no further opposition to the removal. Having gained this respite, she hung the watch up on the bedpost, and renewed her efforts with redoubled zeal. She placed kegs of hot water about him, forced brandy between his teeth, breathed into his nostrils, and held hartshorn to his nose; but still the body lay motionless and cold. She looked anxiously at the watch in five minutes the promised half-hour would expire, and those dreadful voices woold be heard, passing through the street. Hopeless- ness came over her; she dropped the bead she had been sustain- ing her hand trembled violently and the hartshorn she bad been fwl^iflg .wM spiJUd oa tha pallid face, Accidentally, tbe position of the head had become slightly tipped backward, and the powerflllliquid flowed into his nostrils. Instantly there was a short, quick gasp-a struggle—his eyes opened and when the deathmen came again, they found him sitting up in the bed. He is suit ahve, and baa enjoyed unusually good health.—Ibid

MUSIC. Love or good is the inmost universsl essence of all things. Music, being disembodied tone, is the expression of love or the affections, in a general sense. Hence, it glides like a pervading soul into all things of titerature and art, giving painting its tone, architecture its harmony, and poetry its rhythm. It has been beautifully said that Music is the voice of God and poetry his language."—Ibid.

THE BROAD AND NARROW GUAGE QUESTION. The decision of the committee in favour of the Oxford, Wor- cester, and Wolverhampton project, which ia to be on the broad guage, and was arrived at after a very lengthened examination, has completely astounded the advocates of the narrow guage, and the success of the other party has, we believe, been almost equally unexpected. Much of the evidence from practical men, and which was entitled to consideration, went far to prove that the broad guage was decidedly the best for heavy goods, and, con- sequently, to a line from South Staffordshire, where the merchan- dise traffic would consist of coal, and other ponderous articles. It would place King's Winford (from which district 4,100,000 tons of ironstone are annually raised), within eighty-five miles of Oxford, by which communication coal and iron could be trans- ported at a cost of only td, per ton per mile. The popular feel- log appeared to be nearly equal, each party carrying on the con. test with that dogged perseverance, and cunning, and ingenious canvassing, which would do honour to a contested election for a member of Parliament. The various facts elicited, though not conclusive, are yet far from unimportant. It appears that, in extent, and connection with population, the narrow guage has a great advantage over its rival, having lines of 1,530 miles already formed, and of 1,264 miles proposed, passing through districts containing 12.000,000 persons while the broad guage has only 333 miles of lines already formed,and 600 miles proposed, and a population of only 3,000,000. How long this may be the case it is not easy to determine. It was stated by Mr. Stephenson, that no excess of speed was attainable on the broad over the par- row guage—which was not denied, so that we may assume it to be correct. The evidence of Mr. Brunei went to establish the fact that the transhipment from one guage to the other was not only an easy and safe process, but far less expensive than tbe alteration in un- favourable gradients. Notwithstanding this, and tbe other points in favour of the principle, there does not appear to be any ground for assenting 10 its greater superiority in general extra speed is not, as we learn from the statement of Mr. Stephenson, to be at- tained from It. nor is there any evidence to prove its general adaptability. In the early stages of the inquiry, theie is no doubt but that the impression on the minds of the committee was decidedly adverse to the broad guage but tbe evidence in favour of its capabilities for the transit of heavy goods, evidently turned the scale in its favour the fact, too, that the adoption of this line would give the northern manufacturing districts the benefit of a competing line, influenced, in noslight degree, the decision. We must not yet consider the battle ended. The London and Bir- mingham Company—as the so far defeated paity—are concen- trating all tlltâr energies find powers to renew the contest in the Lords, and, it is said, intend to move for a recommittal of the bill, pleading that the decision of the committee is not in accord- ance with the evidence, and, by every means in their power, ar- rest the progress of the Great Western Company's lines through Pailiarnent this sess on. The broad guage party are equally on the alert, and, elated with their present success, they will boldly meet their opponents, confident as to the tesults. A fierce and very expensive coolest may, therefore, be expected. With reo spect to any of the advantages possessed by either guage. in none of the voluminous evidence adduced, does it appear that its sup- porters uphold the broad one for any superiority, but the assumed one of being better calculated for heavy goods this we p.esume to arise from the necessary gleater strength of the vehicles in ibeir gtneial build, than those on the narrow guage; but its this increased streagih and weight involves a corresponding expense in the outlay-as the narrow guage has in all III details proved ample for tbe tiansil of every description of traffic, agricultural, mineral, and commercial, as it is more economical in construc- tion-wa. the original width adopted, and is spread over so large an extent of surface throughout the kingdom, we think the deci- sion uf the question is shown not to depend on the superiority of either in a scieotific point of view; but, under, common sense consideration of tbe subject, we cannot help thinking the broad guage an uncalled for innovation, and that it should have been prevented from extending beyond its present limits. — Mining Journal,

THE INFLUENCE OR IMAGINATION.—The great old writer, Thomas Fuller, relates a curious incident, which is truly charac- teristic, and shows how fancy will put life into young limbs. A gentleman, he says, having led a party of children beyond their usual journey, they began to be weary, and jointly cried to him to carry them which, because of their multitude, he could not do, but he told them he would provide them horses to ride on. Theo cutting little waods out of the hedge as nags for them, and a large one Jor himself, they mounted, and those who could scarce stand before, now full of mirth, bounded cheerfully home. -R, C. Walerstmle.. "Mother, why does Pa caU you boney 1" "Because my dear, he loves me." •• No, Ma, that isn't it." It ISD t. What is it then?" "I know." "Well what is it 1" "Why it's be. cause you have so much combe in your hair." AUCTIONEERING QUALITIES—An advertiser in a western paper, who rejoices in the various occupations of lawyer, doctor, justice of the peace, and diy goods merchant, adds the following to his list ot pursuits and qualities:—" Auctioneering of the loudest kind, interwoven with ventriloquism."— Philadelphia Gautte.

RAILWAY COMMITTEE-FRIDAY, JUNE 13. The Committee sat at twelve o'clock. Mr. Sopwiih, C.E., was cilled and examined by Sir T. Phillips. He stated that in the lower seiies of coal beds in the forest of Dean, there were about 16,000 acres of coal, and in tht middle series about 7.030 acres. The coal, supposing an annual consumption of 300,000 tons, would last for 600 years. There was also an abundance of iron ore and limestone in the forest. In his opinion, the proposed line of railway would confer great advantage ou the demenses of the Crown there; and he believed that this was also the opinion of the Comlliissioners of Woods and Forests. Mr. Carrow proposed to examine the witness on behalf of the Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company, against the preamble of the bill. Sir T. Phillips objected, and the committee intimated that Mr. Carrow could not be heard against the preamble, but might examine the witness with regard to the extent to which the in- terests of his clients were affected by the contemplated line crossing the Severn and Wye Railway. On the cross-examination of Mr. Sopwith, no point of impor. lance was elicited. Mr. Atkiuson, the deputy gaveller of the Forest of Dean having been examined, Sir T. Phillips informed the committee that this closed the case in support of the bill. Mr. Law, on behalf of Sir Richard Phillips, a landowner on the line, then examined 1\1r, Morgan Hughes, proprietor of a colliery at Tenby, for the purpose of showing that the branch to Pembroke, and a portion of the main line to Fishguard, as at present laid down, were not the best for the accommodation 01 the local traffic, and that a more eligible ioute might have been selected. It appeared, however, that any deviation would have the effect of increasing the leDgth of the line. The Rev. J. W. Hughes and other gentlemen were subse. quently examined on the same point. Mr. Fulljames stated that the fixed bridge across the Severn at Horse Crib would prove a serious obstruction to the navigation; and by thefofmattonof the new canal he believed the Horse-shoe part of the river would ultimately be choked up, and become almost entirely useless. Gloucester was the best point for crossing the Severn, but a rail- way bridge might be constructed at the Aust passage with much advantage to the navigation. Mr. Joyce gave evidence to the like effect. Sir John Reunie was of opinion that a railway bridge at the Aust feiry might be erected at the cost of £ 800,000. Its effect would be very considerably to improve the navigation of the Severn, by preventing the daogerous eddies which at present exist in the river. He did not know Hock Crib, and could not say therefore that a bridge at that point would have a similar result. Other witnesses having been examined with reference to this point, the committee adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY. On the part of opposers, Mr. Law called and examined Mr. Giles, whose evidence wetit to show that the main line and branches, in his opinion, might have been laid down with more advantage to the country through which it had to pass that a direct line across the Aust Ferry would be of more advantage to South Wales, and that a permanent bridge across the Severn at Hockcrib would materially injure the navigation at that very rapid pad of Ihe river. He considered also that the proposed canal at the Horseshoe would but little improve the navigation, and would be the means of causing a still greater deposit ot alluvial matter. He thought a bridge might certainly be thrown across the Severn which would not at all impede the navigation. The level of the ground on Ibe Bristol side was quite sufficient to permit of the construction of a suspension bridge of a proper height, but on the Chepstow side pier3 would be required. The engineering difficulties on the line were objectionable, but not impracticable, and the expense of construction had been under- estimated. He considered that a bridge of the magnitude which it was contemplated being made should not be constructed of timber, because the worm in tidal water invariably destroyed timber, and he knew maoy instances of limber biidges that had not lasted more than eight or ten years, owing to the ravages of the worm. It was called the augur worm, and it bored its way through the wood in every direction, and there were no means at present discovered to prevent its ravages. He thought the bridges should be built with stone abutments and iron iopi. The general estimate for the entire line was, in his opinion, too small; it should have been taken at £ 4,000,000. sterling,"I-hi,h was £ 1,200,000. more than was proposed to be raised. Looking at that line as 211 miles in length, and regarding also the different works connected with its construction, the bridge across the Severn, the tunnels, and other matters, it appeared to him that the cost of the railway would be on the average £ 20.000. per mile for a double line laid down on the broad guage. He would endeavour to shew the points which had induced him to come to that opinion for some of the particular works he would lake Mr. Brunei's own estimate :— The bridge and canal of the Severn £200,000 The Forest of Dean Railway 64,000 TheharbouT of Brlmshill 20,000 The harbour of Fishguard 60,000 Excavations. 582,000 Stations 100,000 Total £ 1,026,000 All these items had been taken from Mr. Brunei's own state. ments, and he was not inclined to say they were insufficient. The points which, in his opinion, would cost more than had been laid down in the estimates of Mr. Brunei were, in the first place, the tunnels. He (Mr. Giles) had estimated that there were altogether 7,719 yards, which would cost, on the average, £ 50. per yard, and not £30. per yard, as Mr. Brunei had stated, making a total of £ 395 9-50. for tunuelling. No estimate of the lauds necessary to be taken had been taken. He should uke it at about 200 miles, and looking at what had been puid for similar property by existine- railways, he should calculate the expense of the land at £ 3,000. per mile, the result of which would be £ 600,000. The permanent way, consisting of 204 miles, he had estimated at £ 5,000. per mile, which would yield a total of £ 1,020.000. The bridges on the entire line, with the exception of ihR Stockhill, would cost £ 2 500. per mile on the entire length of the line, making altogether £ 500,000. The gross value of these items would give a sum of £ 3.541.000., io wjjich 10 per cent, being added for coatinfifenctes, £ 354,000., the entire etttmate of the line would be £ 3,895,000., which was £ 1,095,000. greater than the estimate made by Mr. Brunei. Mr. Talbot cross-examined the witness on a few points, but nothing of a material nature was elicited. Mr. Law then proceeded to address the committee on the evidence that had been adduced. There was no doubt the exist- ing traffic between South Wales and through Bristol would be entirely destroyed, if the proposed line were made. The best line of communication for this traffic would be by the way of the Aust Ferry, and for the traffic coming from Birmingham and the manufacturing districts of the north the most favourable point of communication would be by way of Gloucester. The consent and approval of three public bodies had been given to the scheme; but he would contend that this was not sufficient. The jurisdiction of the committee, in dealing with the matter, was limited by an Act, 8th Victoria, which, in cap. 20, see. 17, pro- vided that where a railway compiny contemplated carrying a bridge over any navigable river, the consent of the Admiralty should be obtained previously to the passing of the preamble. Mr. E. Buller, M.P., observed that the Act prevented the construction of the works without the consent of the Admiralty but there was nothing in the clause to hinder the committee from deciding that the preamble of the bill was proved, and, further, the consent of the Admiralty might be obtained. Mr. Law (in continuation) said that it was compulsory on the promoters of the bill to get the consent of the Admiralty Srst, and as it had not been so obtained, it was evident that the part of the preamble which declared that the construction of a line from Standish, across the Severn, would be of great public advantage by opening an additional, certain, and expeditious means of communication" between South Wales and England, could not be legally tenable. It was clear, if the opposition of the Admiralty continued against the making of the proposed bridge across the Severn, that the intenlions of the railway com- pany as regarded Standish could not be carried out, and there. fore it would necessarily follow that the consent of the committee could not be given in the preamble. In the opening harangue of Mr. Austin he had observed that considerable difficulty had been experienced on this subject, and even had gone so far to say that supposing the line could not be continued to Staudish, it was still desirable to have railway communication to Chepstow. The learned counsel then shortly adverted to the various lines which had appeared in the course of evidence as preferable to the route laid down by the South Wales Company, and eigo briefly com, mented on the ineldequacy of the estimates for the construction of the proposed line. He concluded by calling ou the committee not to allow the preamble of the bill to pass. Sir Walter Ridele withdrew the opposition on the part of Co- lonel Lewis to the bill, a satisfactory arrangement having been arrived at between him and the promoters of the railway. After a few words frpm Mr. Davis, 0"1 behalf 01 Sir T. C. Bovey and the Rev. Mr. Jones, the opposition against the line having been brought to a conclusion, the room was ordered to be cleared. On our return- The Chairman said the committee were of opinion that it was unnecessary to trouble the counsel for the bill to make a reply, as they were unanimous in thinking that the preamble of the bill had been proved. After some desultory conversation between the committee and counsel, as to the meihod in which the opposed clauses should be proceeded with, the committee adjourned till twelve to-ioorrow.

TUESDAY. IMPORTANT ADJUDICATION. Soon after the reassembling of the committee this morning, the room was ordered to be cleared of strangers, and none but coun- sel and agents were admitted. Doring this interval, The Chairman announced that, in consequence of what had fallen from the Secretary of the Admiralty last night in the House of Commons, who had stated that the Admiralty were strongly opposed to the construction of a bridge across ihe Se, vern, the commitlee considered it necessary to consult the Speaker on the subject. On the return of the committee and the re-admission of strangers, The Chairman said the committee, after much anxious deli- beration, and having had the advice of the Speaker on the sub- ject, had come to the following decision, which he would lead— The Committee are of opinion that although the preamble all of the bill is proved, the success of the whole scheme of the South Wales Railway so entirely depends oo that part of the works to which the Admiralty have objecte.i, they cannot cnu. sent to proceed with the investigation of a measure which the promoters have not the means of accomplishing. The decision of the committee was ordered to be reported to the house to. Dig ht, Mr. Talbot objected to this course, and requested that the committee would delay for a period to report the bit! to the house, as it would be advisable to communicate further with the Admi- ralty, as some ulterior arrangement might be Aftei the great expense which the promoters of the bi I had been put to, a little delay should be accoided to them. A delay of a week, in order to ascertain more particulaily what were the views of the Admiralty on the subject, was highly desirable. The Chairman You mean for the committee to abstain from reportiog the bill for a certain period ? Mr. Talbot Yes, Sir. To delay ihe report for a week, and if by that time nothing should come before the commif.ee to alter their present views, they can make their report accordingly. Mr. Buller. M.P., observed that it was peifectly computent to the committee to instruct any member of the house to bring forward any motion on the subject, and the re-committal of the bill, if necessary, might be effected. After some conversation, Mr. Talbot withdrew his proposition, and the bill was ordered to be reported to night. The consideration of the Monmouth and Hereford Railway will come on next Wednesday.

=- Her Majesty has graciously recommended a pension for life of £ 1,500 a-year to Sir Henry Pottinger, for his important services in China,

HOUSE OF COMMONS. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, On the motion of Mr. T. Duncombe, ihe Arrestment of Wages (Scotland) Bill was rend a first lime. Mr. Law postponed, until the third reading of the Irish Col- leges Bill, his proposed amendment on that measure. His ob- ject was to pledge the house to reject any educational measure which did not involve provision for rehelous instruction. The Statute Labour (Scotland) Bill passed through committee. Mr. Liddell moved the second reading of the Dog Stealing Bill. Mr. Hume moved its second reading that day six months. Sir James Graham supported rhe second reading, though not prepared to agree to all the details of the bill. Afier a discussion and a division, the becond reading was car- ried by a majority of 67 against 23. Sir J, Y. Buller moved the second reading of the County Rates Bill. Mr. M. Gibson objected to amateur legislation on such a sub- ject. He thought the government ought to have takeo up the question. Sir James Graham complained, that whereas Lord J. Russell laltly reproached the government with discouraging legislation by private members of pailiament, Mr. Gibson now reproached the government with not taking this question out of Sir J. Y. Buller's hand. The Home Secietary Sdid this was a measure which would benefit the counties 10 a considerable extent, and therefore he w as favourable to it-i principle at the same lime he felt bouod to observe that the whole subject of local taxation should ere long be taken into consideration by the government. The bill was read a second time. The house went into committee on the Smoke Prohibition Bill, and was, upon the fiist clause, very soon counted out. THURSDAY, JUNE 12. A new writ was ordered for Edinburghshire, in the room of Mr. Ramsay, who has accepted the Chiltein Hundreds. On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Banking (Scotland) Bill was lead a third time and passed. On the motion for the second reading of the Poor Law Amend- ment (Scodaod) Bill. Mr. Rutheiford objected at great length to many of the details and to some of the principles of the Bill, and pointed out several alterations which he desired to see made in il. His object, he said, was not to defeat the Bill, hut to have it referred to a select commiitee, in order to insure to it, ere il passed into a law, due and deliberate consideration. The Lord Advocate s*id he would be quite willing to consider most attentively the objections and suggestions made by Mr. Rutherford whenever the Bill should go into committee. He entertained a confident hope that the Bill would be productive of great advantage to the pe«pl# of Scotland, and that there would be no difficulty when it was passing through the committee to adopt its clauses to such modifications as might be suggested so that it might completely accomplish the purpose for which i' wtsintended. t Mr. Hume believed the motion to be so surrounded by diffi- culties that it had better be postponed to next session. Mr. Colquhoun thought it might be so amended in committee as to effect some of the ameliorations that all parties had in view. Mr. S. Crawfoid, Lord Arundel and Surrey, Col. Wood, Mr. E. Ellice, Mr. Scott, and Mr. P. M. Stewart minutely criticised the machinery and enactments of the bill. Sir J. Graham deprecated any mock inquiry for the mere purpose of delay, and could not see what advantage would result from sending the bill to a select committee. If the bill inns principle were errooeous-If the bill were as faulty and defective in its details as it had been represented to be, it was the duty of the house at once to deal with the question, and to resist the second reading. Mr. F. Maule said he thought it would be impossible to devise practical remedies in a committee of the house to a subject so beset with difficulties as this, He therefore believed it to be in. dispensable to h»*e the bill referied to a select committee com- posed of Scotch members, all of whom would be acquainted with the peculiarities and defects of the exisiing poor law. Mr. Borthwick satd that the result of refening the bill to a select commitiee would be to throw it back for another session, which he should very much deprecate, after the statements which they had heaid of the condition of the poor in Scotland. Mr. Miles, Mr. HlIslle, Mr. Agl ionby, and other honourable members addressed the house, after which the bill was read a second time. On the motion that the bill be ordered to be committed, Mr. Fox Maule moved as an amendment, that it be referred to a select committee. Sir James Graham deprecated any division when all were agreed in a desire to amend the law. He proposed to fix Monday week for going into committee, which would give time to consider the several alterations suggested and he pledged himself that the Lord Advocate would, in the meantime, en- deavour so to shape the bill as to reconcile it to the members for Scotland. On this undertaking Mr. F. Maule withdiew his amendment, and the bill was ordered to be commitied 00 Monday se'nnight. On the bringing up of the report of the Banking (Ireland) Bill, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the addition of a clause giving to the banks established within sixty miles of Dublin the same privilege of suing, and being sued as those without the limit. Thectaute wasagfeed to. Mr. Redington moved the insertion of a clause to meet that pan ot the Act which prohibits the Bank of Ireland from lending money on mortgage or sale of lands, tenements, or hereditaments redeemable. The Chancellor of tbe Exchequer objected, and in a division the clause was rejected by fifiy-one against twelve. Mr. Smith O'Brien complained that due notice had not been given to the Irish members, and, as a mode of leslilying his opposition to the Bill, moved that it be recommitted. The Speaker having informed the hon. member that he was too late iu making his motion, Mr. Smith O'Brien moved that the debate be adjourned for a fortnight. The motion was negatived without a division, and the report of the bill was received.—Adjourned. FRIDAY, JUNE 13. A message from the Queen, similar to that presented to the Lords, was brought up by Sir R. Peel, and was ordeieJ to be taken intoronsideratton on Monday. In answer to a question from Dr. Bowring. Sir R. Peel stated that reptesentatives of the Five Powers at the Sublime Porie aod the Consuls at S j'ua had adopted every measure in their power to arrest the progress of the lamentable disorders which have taken place in Syria- In reply to Mr. Laboucbere, Sir R. Peel said that the Court of Spain had made a represenllllloo claiming that sugar coming from the Spanish colonies should be admitted into this country on tbe same terms as sugar the produce uf the most favoured nntions; but that no reply had as yet been given by the Government. On the order of the day for a committee of supply to take the preliminary resolution, charging the consolidated fund with the sums necessary for defraYing l'ie e*psnses of the lush Colleges, Mr. S. O'Brien rose to make he called "II few friendly suggestions to the Government. He said that the people of Ireland were unanimous in thinking that provision should be made for the religious instruction of the students. Oo that point ihe clergy of all denominations felt that the Education Bill was defective. The hon. member charged the Government with attempting to coirupt the mtellect and opinions of the youth of Ireland. The house went into committee. Sir J. Graham moved that the sums of £100,000 end £21,000 should be granted from the consolidated land for the purpose of defraying the expense of the new cotteget. Lord John Russel asked for an explanation of the way in which the sum. of £100,000 and ±21 000 (which had originally been only £18,00Q) were to be applied, which the Government proposed leluiive to the appointment 01 professors. The noble lord said he approved of the amendments of which the Goveinment had given notice, and thonght tbey would render the measure acceptable to the Irish people. Sir J. Graham promised to give the required information on Monday, when the Bill was to be proceeded with. The additional £ 1,000 a piece yeaily 10 the rolleges was intended to be applied to piizss aud exhibitions, which had not been consi- dered on the first proposal of the Government. Sir Charles Napier directed attention to the state of our naval ports and arsenals, and called on the Government to take a large grant for the immediate fortification ol harbours of refuge. The gallant commodore complained of the inefficiency of our ships of war, our tteatn aavy. IDd of everything connected therewith. Captain Boldero insisted that there was little cause for appre- hension for out naval defences. If any did exist, it was only in 'he imagination of the gallant officer. The Government weie endeavouring to strengthen and improve our ports, and remedy the defects which had been passed over during 1he last thirty years. Sn C. Napier might think it light to point out to foreign powers the weak parts of our defences, the Government would oot be justified in making known wherein his infoimation was in- correct. Hence C-ptain Boldero had been instructed not to say In "hat respect the allegations just made were unfounded. Loid Palmerston thought it quite absurd to say that debates in Parliament conveyed information to foreign powers. He pressed 00 the Government tbe necessity of improving aud forii- lying our harbours of refuge, and declared Ihat the armaments of France were such as greatly overbalanced ours. Mr. Hindley moved for a return of the names of persons re- ceiving the allowance granted to Protestant Dissenting ministers In England, with the names of the trustees administering the same. It was to clear the Dissenters of England from the stigma of receiving money contraiy to their professed principles, that he moved for their returns. The motion was resisted by the Government, and the House divided on it. The numbers were-for the motion, 3; against it, 54; majority against the motion, 51. The house went into a committee of supply, and a vote of £399,924 for ordnance stores was agieed to.—Adjourned. MONDAY, JUNE 16. The second reading of the Cambridge and Bury St. Edmund's Railway Bill was carried by a majority of 15; the numbers being—for the Bill, 47; against it, 32. Mr. Manners Sutton moved that the Cambridge and Lincoln Railway Bill should be recommitted. The motion was opposed and eventually lost on a division. The numbers were-tor the motion, 77 against it, 118 majority against the motion, 41. Mr. Roebuck then drew the attention of the House to a letter which, by implication, conveyed a challenge which he had re- ceived from Mr. J. P. Somers, the member for Sligo, in conse- quence of certain expressions which he had used with regard to the repealers of Ireland on Friday night. In the course of the debate one of those personal scenes ensued which always create an interest in the house. Mr. J. P. Somers, in the most frank and manly manner, withdrew his letter, and expressed his regret for what had oc- curred, and both hon. members were complimented for the course which they had pursued. In the midst of this discussion Mr. O'Connell entered the house, and was received with loud cheering from the opposition, and laughter from the Ministerial benches. Eventually a resolution approving of the conduct of M). lluebuclc in bringing the matter before the house, and also of that of Mr. Somers in apologising, were agreed to. Sir R. Peel moved, in answer to the Queer.'s Message, a grant to Sir H. Pottinger of £ 1,500 per annum, to commence from the day on which he ceased to be her Majesty's Plenipo- tentiary in China. In the course of the discussion which followed, the conduct of Sir H. Pottinger was highly eulogised by the membeis on both sides of the house, and the motion was agreed to. The order of the day foi the third reading of the Irish Banking Bill was then read. Mr. Smith O'Brien then moved the amendment of which he had given notice. A long discussion ensued, and eventually the amendment was negatived. The order of the day was then read for bringing up the report on the Academical Institutions (Ireland) Bill, when Sir James Graham postponed entering into details upon the bill until Thursday next. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the house adjourned.

Corn Trade. The extraordinarily fine weaiher expeiienced throughout the week has put a lotal stop to the unfavourable rumours so prevalent a fortnight back, respecting the appearance of the growing wheat crop. That more or less injury was done by the extreme se- verity of the winter and the backwatdness of the spmig, cannot be questioned but, after careful inquiry, we feel satisfied that the mischief was quite partial, and that our prospects in respect to the future are fully as promising at present as is usually the case at the corresponding period of the year. The plentiful rains of May have been of immense service to the plant on all light soils, and this description of land promises to yield a far bstrer produce than it did last season allowing, therefore, thai the wireworm and the frost may have injured the crop to some extent in the eastern c. unties, the probable deficiency from this cause is likely to be more than compensated by the superior yield in other quartets and without going so far as to predict such another abundant produce as that of 1844, we are fully convinced that, with auspicious weather for bringing what is now on the ground to matuiity, and a favourable in-gathering, a full average may besafetyreckonedon. The only drawback istheprobahitttyot the harvest being somewhat late; this may cause slocks in the growers' hands to be reduced into rather a narrow compass before the new wheat can be made available but, should nothing oc. cur to create uneasiness, the supplies from the farmers will, we doubt noi, hold out. The trade has, since our last, under the influence of the fine weather, and the improved reports received from all quarters in regard to the aspect of the country, become excessively dull; hithetto, however, holders of wheat have not been able to make up their minds to accept lower terms, and the fall in prices has consequently been trifling. Purchasers have, on the other han't, manifested very little confidence in the present value of the article being maintained, and have generally confioed their operations to as narrow a limit as their immediate wants have permuted. The transactions at Liverpool were, on Tuesday, on a strictly retail scate former terms, which were firmly insisted on by sel- lers, being paid with evident reluctance. Later in the week there were symptoms of giving way, and the trifling business transacted on Friday was at a reduction of about Id- per 70ibs. Flour was also easier to buy at the close than in the commence- ment of the week. The principal towns in Yotkshire have been spaiingly sup- plied with wheat, and though the inquiry has been far from active, holders have exhibited considerable firmness. At Leeds, on Tuesday, needy buyeis had to pay very nearly former rates for good qualities and at Hull, on the same day, superior 5amples were actually held al an advance of Is. per qr. the rise was, however, more nominal than real, as it checked the in clination to buy. The Wakefield market, on Friday, was thinly attended but sellers of wheat were not generally disposed to accept lower terms, and the transactions were, consequeutly, on ttstrictlyretaitscate. From the southern, the western, and north-western parts of the kingdom, the leports of the appearance of the crops on the ground are almost universally favourable; still no material decline in the value of wheat has taken place at the principal markets in any of those parts at some of the ports on the east coast, however, a small abatemeut has occurred. That the trade should have become more depressed there than elsewhere may be attributed to ihe suddeD cessation of the orders from London, and other large consuming towns. During May, the demand for free on board cargoes was so great, thai prices rose rapidly in the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire maikets; some reaction was, consequently. to be expected. By our advices from Scotland it appears that the weather there has been equally auspicious as in the south, and the aspect of the country is described as promising in the extreme; the shortness of the supplies of wheat and oats from the growers seems, however, to have enabled sellers 10 obtain full terms; indeed, at Edinburgh, on Wednesday, an advance of 6d. to Is. per qr. was, in partial instances, realized on wheat, whilst oats were generally Is. per qr. dearer at some of the other principal towns the case has, however, been widely different, and at Glas- gow buyers had decidedly the turn in their favour. From Ireland the accounts of the weather, and the appearance of the crops, are almost without exception of a satisfactory na- ture the staple article, oats, has nevertheless been held with very great firmness there, owing partly to the smallness of the deliveries from the growers, andpaitly to the encouraging advices from this side of the channel. The arrivals of wheat coastwise into London have been large, 15,652 qrs. having been reported up to Saturday evening. The quantity exhibited at Mark Lane by land-carnage samples, has on the other hand been remarkably small since Monday tast indeed, the Essex, Kent, and Suffolk stands were nearly bare, both on Wednesday and Friday. The smallness of the show of samples has, in some measure, counteracted the influence of the fine weather, inasmuch as it has led factois to insist on previous prtces but the demand has throughout the week been languid in the extreme, and to have succeeded in making sales of anyim. portance it would certainly have been necessary to have submitted to lower terms. The London average, published on Friday, (52s.), was IOd. per qr. higher than that of the previous week but the recent fall in prices will ere long calise the returns to come rather lower. The transactions in free foreign wheat have been of a strictly retail character; holders have refrained, how- ever, from endeavouring to force business, and no matenal varia- tion has occurred in the value of the article. The exceedingly reduced state of the stock on hand, the high prices current at all the continental ports, and the consequent improbability of large airivals from abroad, have no doubt assisted to maintain the con- fidence of sellen. In bond we have not heard of a single sJe since Monday, and in the absence of operations of importance, quotaiions must be regarded as nominal. The receipts from the Baltic have not been particularly large, and importers do not appear disposed at present 10 pay the existing duty, most of the cargoes latterly arrived having been landed under lock. The nominal top ptice of town-made flour has remained in the same unsettled state as before this, and the extreme heat of the weather, have caused the bakers to conduct their purchases with extreme caution. Of ship flour the arrivals have been moderate, and really fresh qualities have maintained their previous value, whilst doubtful marks have been altogether unsaleable. Flour in bond has met with some slight inquiry lor export, and the quantity in warehouse being smal), really good brands have been held at very full terms, English barley has come sparingly to hand, only 115 quarters having been reported during the past eight days notwithstand- ing the paucity of the supply, factors have been unable to realize any advance on previous terms, and by endeavouring to establish a rise they have circumscribed the sale. From abroad fair sup- plies continue to arrive but since Ihe duty has been 8s. per qr. very little barley has been entered for home consumption, an opinion prevailing that the scarcity of the article later in the sea- son will so far affect prices as to cause the duty to come down a step or two. Hitherto we have heard of no investments in bonded parcels. The inquiry for malt has been of a retail nature, but holders have declined IIccepting leu money, and the business done has been at precisely similar terms to those of last week. With oats the market has been very scantily supplied. From our own coast, only 1,503 qrs.; from Scotland, 1,995 qrs.; from Ireland, 6 q's. and from abroad, 5.999 qrs., have been received up to Saturday evening. The high prices demanded have been very reluctantly paid by the principal dealers but having had a fair country inquiry, sellers have succeeded in realising fully as taigh terms as those current on Monday. Tile averages are now beginning to show the effect of the steady enhancement which has taken place during the last month or six weeks in the value of this article, the last Londou return, published on Friday (23s.), being lOd. higher than that of the preceding week. The quantity of beans brought forward has barely proved equal to the demand, and the few lots exhibited have commanded a ready sale at last Monday's enhancement. For bonded beans lather higher terms have also been asked, in consequence of the fall of Is. per qr. in the duty on Thursday. Though the inquity for peas has been far from extensive, so extremely small has been the supply that needy buyers have been under the necessity of paying very full lerms. This article is now admissible at 5s. 6d. per qr., and a still further reduction in the duty is by no means improbable.— Mark Lane Elpress..

The grand fancy and full dress ball, in aid of the funds of the Literary Association of the Friends of Poland, took place at Willis's Rooms, aD Friday night. It was a magniifcentTtunion I of rank and fashion, and the looms were crowded almost to suffocation. The dresses were brilliant and tasteful, and every. thing wM conducted in tb. ver, best tasti.

THE WRONGS OF THE POSTMEN! We have received the following petition from an important section of the female kind namely, the wives of the postmen— (poor under. paid pilgrims!). The saili petlllon was, agreed to at a very numerous meeting, though we have not seen It reported In any contempornry columns. 7'0 Her GrucÙl/ls Mujesty the Quun: The Humble Petition of tit" IPives of the Pistmen. ,]\] adøm, May il please your gracious goodness to look with • smiling eye upon the hUlilJands of your petitioners. our gn- CIOU8 j/ooduess supplies 10 'em from Ihe Crown a coat, a waist* coat, and a hal, wilh a band which only Ihe ilJiterale multitude take for gold. Your petitioners play thai the Crown would not leHe off at Ihe waistcoat, but continue its bounty In the way of trousers, aod end it wit'11 shoes. Then would your Majesty's postmen be all of a piece. As it is, half of your Majesty's post- men belongs 10 the Crown-and half 10 the Jews, They get their coals and waistcoats (rom the government, and (saving your Majesty's presence), their trousers Qnd high-lows hoUl HolywelJ.street! If your petitioners' husbands were like mermaids, and never but half. showed themselves, your petitionels would not 8pploach you with their distressed tale; but as your peiitioners' husbands are often respectable about Ihe shoulders, al the same time thai they are seedy about the toes atid knees, your petitioners play that you will be graciously pleased to make Ilteir husbands all alike. Your petitioners humbly appeal to your Majesty's sympa- thies as a wife. What would be your Majesty's feelings to aee Prince Albert in Ihe fine laced coat of 1\ general (or a late two- penny), with ahabby trousers and boots not fit for any painter to lake him in ? Your petitioners would not distress your Majesty's feelings by dwelling on the dreadful sight, bul again el/treating Ihat your Majesty will give orders that all—instead of a part-of their husbands may henceforth be the care of a maternal government, 200 Ihat in fulure they may not complain of hair. measures on lhe pan of the tailor. And your petitioners will ever pray." [Here follows an army of øignatures,] Punch.

THE PECULIAR BURDENS UPON LAND, Mr. Ward haslat.ely broughl forward an unsuccessful motion for lin inquilY ioto this subject. We quile agree with the majo- rity that rejected it-there n no reason lor auy inquiry inlo the matter. W e can save the house Ii blue-book (so called (rom Íls effect upon the looks of honourable members while engaged in ils perusal) by a succinct account of these" peculiar bUldeDs" (or elicit of the three divisions of Ihe United Kingdom. ENGLAND. Imprimis, we should say a very peculiar burden upon the lanel in England is- 1. A sporting lanrllord, in whose eyes partridges are of more consequence than paupers, and who iu all 6chelues of aiuelioia- lion spells peasant" with a ph." 2. A n ill-paid overworked labourer, with 8 mind as bare a, his body, a dog-hole for a dwelling, and an union. house for a refuge. 3. An ignorant tenantry, with a confidence in Sir Robert Pcel, and a blind dependence on protection and the landlord. 4. A non. resident reetor, wilh a tasle for Cheltenham waters, and a notion that tbe working clergy are composed of curates at £ 80 per annum. IRELAND. 1. An absentee proprietor, who considers hedge.8hooting the natural amusement of the Iiish peasantry believes Ihe only genteel" residence for a man of taste to be an English watering- place, and hold. tbe duties of properly to be all on the siùe 01 Il1e tenant. 2. A Protestant ascendancy panon, who looks on Orange Lodges all a development of the Christisn church Boyne water" as a hymn; and a National School as a favoUfte parade- ground (or the Evil One. 3. A rack-renting agent, whose favourite argument is a po- liceman's bayonet. SCOTLAND. 1. A Highland landholder, with a preference for sheep-walks over small holdings, and a tendency to promole emigraliou on a Jurge scale by driviug oul forty families ill oue clearing. 2. A population of paupers depending on what the heritors like to give them. Let England, ireland, and Scotland, rid themselves of these burdeos respectively, and we should not despair of even more wondelful results than R Repeal of the Coin Laws, a millenium in which tht: Duke of Buckingham \lhould play in Mr. Cobdeu's drying-grounds, and Vrilliers Sporl over Sir John Tyrell's pre- serves when Sibthorp should exchange Ihe kiss of peace with Bowring; and Hume Ind Herbert 8it cheek-by-jowl on the Treasury Beuch, with the smile of brotherly love upon 1heir faces, and their arms round one another's necks.— Punch.

RAILWAY COl\1l\lITTÉE. The Chairman and committee sat on tbe Equinoctial line as usual, and proceeded with the engineeling evidence. The first witness railed was a surveyor. He rhought Ihele would be no difficuhy in surveying from China 10 Peru-which he believed waA a notion of the celebrated Doctor Johnson. The cultings presented no difficulty. The Chaillnan a«.ked if thete ,would be any difficulty In cutllng it sholt, and 00 this hint the wllnen retired. Tbe counsel for the bill thell opened at great length 00 the abject 01' Ihe tunnelling, wheo,he Wall interrupted by The Chairman, who asked tf, when Ihe tunnelling had been discussed, Ihe boring woulel ternllnale 1 The learned counsel said he should have to IIddress thecommitlee on fast trains. The Chairman remarked that counsel had as yet not at all gone into the fast trains, but had kept among the slow coaches. A wltoess was then called to prove the value of the lallway as a great trnnk-line. In answcr to a question from counsel, witness observed that a great hunk. line was betler than a carpet-line. The Chairman asked why; but as it wu announced that the Speaker was at prayers, lhe committee adjourned until twelve o'clock on the morrow.— Punch.

ASTRONOMY.—Pray wbat ill a remarkable latitnArV— Walking into a strange gentleman's house, ringing (or claret, and besiring Ihe butler to bring it froUl bin 53. FAT MEN AND LEAN MEN. Fat men leel cerlain of their existence. They hdve a tangibility not easily disturbed. Hen e their easy, quier, good-natured life. The thin man. on the con- trary, must make up io momenlum what he lacks in ponderosity. Hence his ceaseless activity, his bustling propensiiies. The fat man, notwithstanding hia bulk., isevei the readiest to make room in a coach; a proof lhat he íSII!llnuch a man in leeling 8!1 in size. The fat mlln is like the most perfect of figures-the sphere' the lean man, poor fellow, can only be compared to the piainest and simplest-I he fine. The fat man is all vivacity can laugh at any time and at all times. The lean man never laughs, but in hi. countenance eapressea the sentiment ol tbe poet when he says: — •f Woe to the lean and lanky man. The fieshless and the grim, The pleasantest smiles of merry joy May never light on him." Joe Miller the Younger. ♦

WOMAN'S EYE. A gallant knight with sword and bow, And bearing frank and free, Went out to fight the recreant foe, As bold as bold could be, He looked around with fearless glance, Then gave a coward cry, RefiQcted in his glittering lance, He gaz'd 011 Woman's Eye. But stm determined not to fail, He raised his vizor bright, His feather floated in the gale, He sought again the fight. lIe took his bow within his haud, And let an arrow fly. It shot above the hostile band, And vanquish'd Woman's Eye. Punch.

THE S TAT E S 1\1 A N'S DREAM. A TAl.E FOR SIR JAMES GR.UiAM. It chanced that on a night of late, Exhausted with a long debate. To bed a Statesman crept; His Settlement of Paupers Act Had been the theme; yet, though the fact Is strange to tell, he slept. He slept; but in a moment more This Legislator for the Poor Woke in the world of dreams That shadowy world of joy and pain, By fancy fashioned from the brain, With imaged thought that teems. He slept, a Minister of State, One of the wealthy and the great Mature in years—not old He woke a feeble aged mau, Whose days bad reached their utmost span, Poor, ragged, wretched, cold. An old wife, too, had he and thef Were slowly tottering on their way, A distant home to seek The only home that they had left, Of house, and goods, and friends bereft; The Workhouse, truth to speak, It seemeù an age of travail sore, Until they reach'd the Union door, j n sick and weary sort; A surly Beadle mock'd the tone In which they made their piteous moan, And bade them cut it short. And then they went before the Board, Who on their head reproaches pour'd, For lazy, worthless folk, The Statesman, in that dreamy maze, Some memory had of better dayj; His heart fdt nearly hroke, And then his wife was from him torn. And then his hoary head was shorn, And then they made him don The Workhouse dress, that every eye Might spe he was a pauper by The garb that he had on, They gave him, faint for want of meat, Some gruel and a crust to eat. Oh, it was sorry stuft'! But of that" coarser kind of food," When fer a little more he sued, They cried, You've had enough." And when his heart was sorely wrung, And bitter words came to his tongue Beneath his treatment hard, They lock'd him in a prison-cell, In lonely wretchedness to dweJl, For brawJini In the ward. The jarring lock his slumber broke, And to reality he woke, A warm and downy bed; Now will this Statesman's dream have taught One (haham an) thiu¡{-or nouaht 1- That's rnore than can be said. Punell. —♦

A GEOLOGICAL ODE. Ere Time at first began its rapid flight, And all beneath wai veil'd in sable night, Jehovah spake, the mandale was obeyed, The universe appeared, the seas' proud waves were st3y'd- Even then, the ocean cave lay unexplored, 'I'he angry billow's sound, a voice to man unheard The deep-wrought mine of thought had not yet traced A chart to guide him o'er the world's wide waste. The richer gems of eatth were hidden from his view- The precious glittering gold. the diamond's prizeless hue- Treasures II finite mind could never SClln, Till labour, toil, and care became the heritage of man: And then the Book of Nature opened wide- The child of science chos" it for his guide; Philosophy's deep search frllm age to age Bow'd with submission to Creation's Sacred Page. But now new earths are farmo¡d. ever and anon Philosophy of aloms wrote upon, Though Virgil and Orid live but in their name, The germ of Grecian theory is still much the seme. Philosophical reasoners tell us where and how The earth and heavens are propp'd, where end. their lofty pillar's brow, And how the sun and moon's attraction always guide The foaming billow's surge, or oceau's natIeu tide.

LONDON MARKETS. CORN EXCHANGE. MARK LANE, Mo». J.E 16,1845. The arrivals of wheat were lavi;e last, wet k, but we have only moderate fresh arrivals for this day's market. 1'lie fineness of the weather tended to check any advance, but the English wheat was generally cteaied at the prices of this day week and we have a letail demand for free foreign wheat at late prices. The sale is good for flour, and prices maintained. Grinding bailey is selling mote freely and the value of bar- ley, beans, and peas is without alteialion. j The arrivals of oats are small. and we have a steady demand t from the country and our own dealers, at last week's prices. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. WHEAT,Essex & Kent, new red 50 53 White 46 50 57 ) Old, red 50 54 Ditto 52 56 RYE,old 32 34 New 36 — BARLEY, grinding,25 27 malting 30 32 Chevalier..33 — Irish 24 26 Bere .25 — MALT, Suffolk and Norfolk 58 63 Brown .56 61 Kingstone and Ware.. 60 — Chevalier ..65 -> OATS,Yorksh & Lincolnsh,feed 22 23 Potato .21 -6 oughall Cork, black. 22 — Cork.white.21 23 Dublin 22 23 Westporl..2l 22 Waterford, white 21 22 Black .21 23 Newry 22 23 Galway 20 21 Scotch, feed 24 26 Potato .21 25 Clunmef. 21 22 Limerick 21 23 Londonderry 21 22 Sligo. 21 22 BEANS, Tick, new. 80 36 Old, small.38 40 PEAS, Grey 36 38 Maple .35 36 White. 38 40 Boilers .36 40 SEED, Rape 27/. 281. Irish..221, 261. per last. Linseed, Baltic38 44 Odessai3 ftlustard, white]2 15 brown. 8 II per bushel. FLouit. Town-made.42 Suffolk32 persackof280lbs Stockton & Norfolk 34 Irish ..34 36 i FOREIGN GRAIN AND FLOUR IN BOND. WHEAT, Dantzic 32 36 fine 40 Hamburg 30 32 Rostock 30 — I BAULKY 20 24 OATS, Brew 17 18 Feed 14 16 BKANS — 21 29 PI AS 28 32 KLOCH, American, per barrel.. 19 — Baltic.18 Official Corn Averages and Duly, JUNE 7. Wht..1 Bail. | Oats. Rye .1 BeansiPeas j Aggregateaverage s. d. I s. d.l s. d. s. d. s. d.| s. d of 6 weeks. 47 7, 30 2; 22 2, 33 0 38 0138 l qr. j nr. J ijr. J qr. or. } qr. Duly onFor.Corn 20 0 { 8 0| 6 0| 10 gi 5 6| 5 g SEED MARKET, MONDAY, JUNE 15. 1 There not being much doing in seeds to-day, the quotations f underwent little or no change. ) Linseed C English).. 52 to 58 Linseed cakes, 1000.. 240 260 Caraway 44 46 Hempseed, per qr 35 38 Coriander, per cwt.. 12 18 Rye Grass (English) — Musiaid,brown, uew 8 12 Tares, Winter,per qr 5 ti I'refoil (new) — — lares,old llaptseed (linglish) 480 520 | Canary, fine, per qr.. 53 56 IfOP INTELLIGENCE, BOROUGH, MONDAY, JUNE 16 I he hop market is without alteiation, at our last quotations, although in some parts fly siill prevails. The recent hot weather has caused bines to grow rapidly. A humid atmosphere would tend to inclease the flies, which have already left a considerable deposit. There has been nothing done on the duty, although it is laid at £ 160,000- in Sussex and Kent. Per cwt- 1 per cwt. s. s. s, s« j Sussex 140 to 165 Ditto bags 140 to 16a i Weald of Kent .140 to 160 East Kent pockets 147 to 165 Choice ditto —to — Farnham 200 to 215 M.d Kent U7tol80 PROVISION MAHKET, MONDAY, JUNE 16. SUGAR. BKISTOL, JUNE 1815.—We have had an unusually- animated demand for every description of British Plantation sugar this week,—the sales on Saturday reaching the almostliri- precedenied quantity of about 1500 hhds. and tierces, and for the two days amounting to 2010 casks,-on some kinds the ad- vance has been 2s. to 3s. per cwt. during the week, making from the lowest point of the market a rise of 5s. to fis. per cwt. The consumption in the countiy at present is enormous and likely so to continue. The arrivals last week from Ireland were 2,308 firkins butter and 1,897 bales of bacon, and from foreign pons 10 896 casks of butter. The transactions in butter continue of a very moderate character, and a further decline in price has been submitted to own.. to the free supplies and moderate price of foreign, and also the large make of English. There was little business 1 doing we cannot quote prices accurately they are nominally- ^° £ fh. l. n'i ^llcks. HOs- to S2s. Waterfords, 78s. U>"L Dutch, 76s. to 78s. landed. J V\ e have to notice a continued good demand for bacon, and I unng the week there was a large business transacted, and all uet-ciiptwus met a free sale at an advance of 2s. per cwt. We quote pi ices 43s. to 50s. landed, according to size, cure, &c on lwald, but little offering for sale. Lard remains flat. Hams improved in demand. Stocks and deliveries for week ending June 14. BUTTER. I 3ACON. ( Stock. Delivery. Stock. Delivery. 1843 3,280 3,260 18,580 3 910 1844 9,890 3,120 16,650 3>10 1815 4,540 2,140 19;380 4^900 BUTTER, BACON, CHEESE, AND HAMS. IRISH BUITI;K (new)» s. CHEESE, per cwt. s. a. per cwt. — — Double Gloucester 62 68 Callow, uew, 011 bid 88 — Single ditto 50 60 Sligo 86 — Cheshire 56 80 Cork, 1st 90 — HAMS. ENHLISH BUTTER. Irish 56 64 Dorset,per tii kin 50 — Westmoreland 56 — FOKCIGN. York 66 70 ENHLISH BUTTER. Irish 56 64 Dorset.pertirkin. 50 — Westmoreland 56 — FOKCIGN. York 66 70 Piiui, FcteuUnd, ct _J8 —> BACON, new 46 50 Ditto, Kiel -—| Middies TALLOW AND CANDLES. s" s. d Yellow Russia 42 3 White Town fallow 43 —. Mottled 52 „ Ditto Soap 48 — Curd go — Melting Muff 30 — Graves u Ditto Rough 19 — Good Dregs Q SMITH FIELD MARKET—JUNE 16. We have to report a dull inquiry for beef, at a decline on last Monday's quotations of from 4d. to 6d. per 81bs., the very highest figure not xceeding 4s. 4d. per 8lbs., and at which great difficulty was experienced in effecting a clearance. The droves from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambiidgeshire, comprised 1.200 short-horns, Scots, and homo-breds. From the western, midland, and northern counties, we received 400 Here- iords, Devons, runts, short-horns, &c.; from other parts of England 300 of various breeds and from Scotland, 400 horned and polled Scots. tor the time of year the numbers of sheep on offer were small -they .falling short of an average by upwards of nine thousand. The prunes! old Downs commanded a steady, though not to say I, /hTHrwflaI aSt W6,ek 8 Cuirencies but the demand for all other bieeds was somewhai inactive, at barely stationary prices. I he supply of lambs was small. yuiea. Calves moved off heavily. Per 81bs., to sink the offai s, d. s. d. I n s. d. s d. Coarseandlufenor Prime coarse wool- Btasis ,.2 10 3 4 led Sheep .4 648 Second quality do.3 6 3 8 Pi I me suuth Downs Prime laige Oxeu.3 10 4 0 ditto .4 10 5 0 Prime Scots, &c..4 8 4 4 Large coarse Calves!} 844 Coarse and Inferior Prime small ditto..4 648 Sheep 3 4 3 8 Large Hogs 3 0 3 8 Second quality tfo.3 10 4 4 Neat small Porkers.3 10 4 2 Suckling Calves, 18s. to 30s.; and quarter-old Store Pigs, 161 to 20s. each. Beasts, 2,395; Sheep, 25,670 CaJves, 193. Pigs, 230.

LATEST CURRENT PRICES OF METALS. LONDON, JUNE 14, 1845. 1. s. d. IltoN-Bara Wales ton 8 0 London 8 15 0 Nail rods 9 jy (j Hoops (Staf.) lo )s 0 ?l,eet •> U 15 0 warS, n',m: 10,0 0 bcotcu pig b Clyde 3 5 0 Russian c CCND. 000 PSI 0 0 Gouneff 0 0 0 Sweedish d, for arriv 12 0 0 on the spot 0 0 O Steel, fagt 17 0 0 keSse 16 0 0 COPVER I lie 87 10 0 Tough cake 88 10 0 litst selected 91 10 0 Ordinary sheets lb. O 0 10 bottoms. 0 0 11 TIN-Com, hlocksg .cwt. 4 10 0 bars 411 u Refined 4 15 0 Straits/t 4 4 0 Banca. 4 6 O TIN PLATES-Ch., Ie. i .box 1 15 0 IX .o .o 2 10 Coke, IC 19 0 IX 1 15 0 LEAD-Sheet k jg 0 Pig, lefined 20 10 0 common 18 15 0 Spanish, in bd 000 SPEI.TER-(Cake) I 2310 0 ZINC—( Sheet) m 30 0 0 QU(CKSfLVER n .Ib. 0 4 6 RLFINED MFTAI ton 7 2 6 a Discount 2^ per cent. b Net cash. c Discount 2$percent, d Ditto, e In kegs £ and f-inch. f Discount^ percent. Ditto 2^ per cent, h Net cash, in bond, i Dis- count 3 per cent, k Ditto 2J per cent, I Net cash boud. III DIscount Ii per cent. n discount IJ per cent. 4 RI.MARKS.—There is very little doing in Welsh and Staffordshire iron; for Scotch the demand is improving, and there are buyers at £ 3. In steel hut tittle doing.—An advance took place on manufactured copper on the 9th inst of 50s. per ton, and Jd. per lb. on manufactured, and our quotations are firmly iiiaintalned.The prices of tin are well'sup- ported, and stocks low. In Straits and Banca the quotations are nominal, there having been 110 sales. Iu tin Plates the demand is limited.—The demand for lead continues good. and these quotations are firmly adhered to.—In spelter sales have been made this week at £ 23. 5s., and an advance of 5s. to 10s. is now asked. PRESENT PRICE OF TIN PLATES. NEWPORT, JUNE 19. £ s. d. £ s d No. IC, per box j1' 0 Wasters.0 2 0 e No. IX. per box 1 0 0 3 0 „ No.IXX. per box. U „ 03o BRISTOL HAY MARKET, JUNE 11. Hay pei ton 3 0 0 to 5 0 0 Straw per Dozen 0 1 y (0 q 23 Vetches 0 0 9 to 0 Oil Newport, Saturday, June 21, 1845. Printed and Publishe(I '?r- the Proprietor, EDWARD DOWLINO, of Stow Hi I, m the Parish of St. Woolos, at t ie ME. ij- Oeneral 1 rintiUR Office, situate in Corn-street a the BoroughI ot New port,by WILLIAM CHRISTOPHERS, of No. 1, Chdr.es-stiect, in the said Borough. London Agents '-Messrs. Newton and Co., Warwick-square, R- Barker, 33, Fleet-street; Mr. G. Reynell, 43. Chan- eery- ane Mr. S. Deacon, Coffee-house, No. 3, Walbrok, near the Mansion House, where this paper is regularly filed.