0070 nil 3\ mmi to mv& a. tfr m [ GRATIS.] PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1857. mimz T8ai MR WILLIAM CLEMENT, 170, STRAND. [ GRATIS.] THE DISPUTED OWNERSHIP OF GEMMA PI VERGY. COGHLAN v LA MEET. ( FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) This cause, which for some time past has excited great inte- rest iu the sporting world, was tried at Oxford oh Saturday last, before Mr Justice Willes and a special jury. Mr Whateley, Q. C., Mr Keating, Q. C., and Mr W. II. Cooke appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Sergeant Pigott and Mr Phipson represented the defendant. The case came before the court in the form of an interpleader issue, iu which Charles Coghlan was the plaintiff, and Joseph La Mert the defendant. The issue was directed by the Court of Exchequer, to try whether Gemma di Vergy, the well known race horse which was seized by the Sheriff of Berkshire in February last under a writ of fieri facias, was at the time the property of the plaintiff or of the Hon Frauds Lawley. Mr COOKE haviDg opened the pleadings, stating the above facts. Mr WHATELEY rose, and said he appeared, with his learned friends, Mr Keating and Mr Cooke, dn behalf of the plaintiff, and he undertook to prove, to the satisfaction of the jury, that the horse in question was the property of Mr Coghlan. His learned friend, Sergeant Pigott, had the task imposed upon him of showing that the horse was the property of the gentleman mentioned in the pleadings. Mr Coghlan was a gentleman who formerly lived iu Ireland, but who for many years had been m England, and engaged in Turf transactions. Like all persons so occupied, he was sometimes a great winner and at others a great loser, and the ups and downs of that kind of life were, as might be imagined, much greater than of any other. Of Mr La Mert he could give the jury no information— they would hear that from his friend ' Sergeant Pigott. It had been suggested that Mr La Mert was also on the Turf, and rejoiced also in being in some sort of medical capacity, under the name of Curtis and Co, but his learned friend would also doubtless enlighten them upon those points. So far as he ( Mr Whateley) was concerned, Mr La Mert seemed enveloped in a sort of cloud— all that he knew was that both plaintiff and defendant were engaged in Turf transac- tions, and he believed both had race horses at that time. Inde- pendently of that, however, he should state that Mr La Mert did a little business in discounting bills. He was one of those benevolent gentlemen who, if a young man of great expectations was iu want of a little money, would accommodate him with great readiness at 100 per cent. If a gentleman, as the slang ex- pression termed it, was going " rather fast," some such gentle- man, as he supposed Mr La Mert to be. was ^ introduced to him, and business was speedily transacted—" billtwo. months; do not distress yourself, I will renew it afterwards"— those were the sort of arrangements that were entered into, and that for a time reinstated the young man. Mr KEATING : It helps him along the road. , L , „ Mr WHATELEY : Yes, and ho very soon finds himself pitched into a ditch at the and of it Slaughter]. But to come to the case. The history of a horse was sometimes rather curious, and he thought the one in question Would prove no exception: It was called " Gemmy di Verky" [ laughter]. Mr. KEATING: No, " Gemma di Vergy?' ^ Mr WHATELEY : Well, I do not know which it is, it looks to me like Jimmy more than anything else—'' Jimmy the Virgin" if you like [ renewed laughter]; ; . Well, then, he supposed his learned friend was right, and the horse's naine was Gemma di Vergy. He did not know the Origin Of the word. Mr Justice WiLLES:" It is the name of an opera. MrWitATELEY was obliged to his Lordship. Itwas evidentthat his Lordship's pursuits were not. coufined exclusively to tile law [ laughter], but that his Lordship could give information about other matters. The horse, which originally belonged to that unfor- tunate man Palmer, who was hanged at Stafford, was sold at Tat- tersall's, and knocked down to a gentleman of the name of Har- greaves, who was what he ( Mr Whateley) believed was termed a " commissioner"— that is a man who had race horses of bis own, and betted upon commission; and heibelievedi- Mr La Mert had been, or was anxious to be,, in the same capacity. The horse then was sold to Mr Hargreaves in the month of February, 1856, for £ 100. Mr Hargreaves kept him for some time, and he was afterwards purchased by a gentleman who had unfortunately been obliged to leave thecoUutiy— butwhose, family they all well knew — he meaut Mr Lawley, the son of the late Lord Wetilock, The horse was a very promising one, aiid was very highly " tried," and Mr Lawley made an agreement with Mr Hargi e ives that he should give him £ 500 and a certain portion of the stakes which the horse won. Unfortunately, Mr Lawley fell into very considerable difficulties from his great attachment to racing, and its concomitant expenses. He ( Mr Whateley) could not but think that it was much to be regretted that gentlemen should suffer themselves to fall into such trans- actions, and he also regretted that the name of Mr Massey Stanley, another gentleman, who was engaged in these pursuits with Mr Lawley, would be brought forward in the matter. But ho must now give them an account of Mr Coghlan. ' He had lost a great deal of money on the Turf, insomuch that he was unable to pay his sporting debts, aiid, therefore, w. as what was called a " defaulter." He had been obliged to. take the benefit of the Insolvent Debtors' Act. He ( Mr Whateley) thought it always fair to the jury to tell them every, thing, whether agreeable or otherwise, aud he should conceal nothing about Mr Coghlan. He would appear before them as a witness— as a man who had lost a great deal of money— as a mail who had been an insolvent debtor, but beyond that he did uofc'think any imputation could be cast upon him. Mr Coghlau became acquainted with Mr Francis Lawley, and during that acquaintance he lent him various sums of money. Mr Coghlau won a large sum oh the last Derby, when Ellington won; he was in fact the winner of £ 3,000. At that time Mr Lawley was greatly iu want of money, and Mr Coghlan, on the 9th of June, 1856, lent him £ 450, and afterwards, on the 18th of June, another sum of £ 200; but before he did that Mr Lawley's affairs had become desperate. Mr Lawley then engaged" to sell Mr" Coghlau this Lurley's dam colt— as the horse was then termed— for £ 650 ; and the two sums that Coghlau had advanced made up that; amount, and the horse was transferred to Mr Coghlan. The colt was at the trainer's, Joseph Dawson's, and Mr Lawley gave Mr Daws-) n a written authority to deliver it up to Mr Coghlan, and from that time Mr Lawley ceased to have the least command over the horse. Mr Coghlan kept it still at Ilsle. v, and paid all its expenses. The horse ran, aud Mr Coghlan paid the stakes, and received the winnings. Mr Coghlan could not, however, run the horse in his own name becaus- e he was a defaulter, as by the rules of the Turf no one could run a horse in his own name who was in such a position, and accordingly he ran the horse under the name of " Walker" i'langhterT. ~ It was a vqry common thing to ruh horses under false names. * There was a gentleman who had several hor- es, and they ran undpr tlie fictitious name of " Howard," and he ( Mr Whateley) would b3 able to shbw to the jury it was no uncommon thing so to do. It appeared! that the defendant, Mr La Mert, had become engaged with Mr Lawley in some little bill transactions— the jury would hear what fhey were. MrLawley having left this country hi < J une last, Mr La Mert brought an action against him respecting those bills, which of* of course was undefended, and judgment went by default; under the most beneficial act that, perhaps, was ever pSSsed? the " Bills of Exchange Act." Upon that judgment ex- ecution was issued in February last, several horses., were seized, and among them Gemma di Vorgy. Upoii that Mr Coghlan said ' naturally, " This is my horse: you have no claim against him." Mr La Mert; on the other side, did claim him, and the question the jury had to decide was whether or not this horse was the property of Mr Coghlan at tlife time in question. There were, however,, some peculiarities in the case. Mr Coghlau would, no doubt, be an object of attack— that he must bo prepared for: he ( Mr Whateley) was quite prepared. It would be said, " This is very odd, that this man, who is insol- vent, should have the money to purchase this horse j" but he ( the learned counsel) was in a condition to prove, by the evidence of one of the most eminent bankers in Loudon, that Mr Coghlan had an account at thtir house immediately after the Derby of last year, and that he had a large sum. paid into the bank imme- diately after that race was run. He should prove that a check of £ 150 and another of £ 200 were presented at the bank and paid to a persoii whom Mr Lawley employed as a messenger— the crossing- sweeper [ laughter]. If necessary, he should call that mau before them. The learned counsel then stated the evidence he proposed to adduce, aud observed that, if he were not deceived in its character, there could not be a shado w of pretence for deuying that the horse was the property of Mr Coghlan. If that be so, the plaintiff was entitled to their verdict. Captain Lockhart Little was then called and examined by Mr KEATING : You have been iu the 1st Dragoon Guards ?— Yes. Are you now in the army No, I have loft. Do you know the plaintiff, Mr Coghlan ?— Yes. Have you frequently seen him upon race courses Yes. And have betted with him occasionally?— Yes. Do you remember the Derby being ruti for in 1856?— Yes. Upon that occasion did you lose to Coghlau ?— Yes, I lost between £ 1,500 and £ 1,600 to him. Was that sum paid to him?— Yes, shortly after tlie race £ 900 at one settling, aud I thiuk £ 400 at the second. Cross- examiued by Sergeant PIGOTT : You have left the army; what occupation do you follow now ?— Nothing. Except the Turf?— Yes, I back horses. Make a book, I suppose ?— No. But you laid £ 1,000 against a horse in this instance, did you not?— Yes, That is not backing ?— I backed him before and afterwards bet against him. I see. You have no occupation besides that ?— I have told you, no. Where are you residing?— In London. Did you put your name on a bill with Mr Francis Lawley at any time?— Never. Now you say you know this person Coghlan ; did he ever bet upon commissions at all?— He may have done. You have no doubt about it?— I do not know. Did you know his circumstances ?— Yes, I heard of them. Did you know he had passed through the Court ?— Yes, about two years before. How much money did you staud to win of him ?—( The witness was understood to say £ 300). Did you know ho had been a defaulter ou tho Turf ?— Yes, but he had always paid me. How long had you been on the Turf then ?— About five or six years. How long have you left the army ?— About that time. Now you say £ 900 was paid Coghlau at one settling; how was that paid?— To the man who had his account at Tatters- all's, Who was he?— I think a man of the name of Lambert. I do not know exactly, but it was a member of Tattersall's. When was the Derby run?— The end of May. Mr. Justice WILLES : I think the 28th, Mr. WHATELEY : I believe your lordship to be right; it is generally well known. Mr KEATING : Yes, the court always takes judicial notice of tho Derby [ laughter]. The House of Commons adjourns. Cross- examination continued: MR Coghlan is a defaulter— you know that?— I do not know that lie is a declared defaulter. What do you call a declared defaulter ?— One that has his name placed up iii the room. He did not appear at the settling at Tattersall's ?— No, Have you ever seen him in the yard at Tattersall's within the last two years?— No. Now with respect to the other sum of £ 400. To whom did you pay that?—! cannot say, but to whoever was there with his account. SDIIOOL H/ IFI Il. EiI. iflJ DoraSns ] J,- Did you pay it in money ?— Yes, or otherwise. Where ?— At Tattersali's or elsewhere— we sometimes settle on a race course. • Did he ever hand to you the name of any person to whom you were to pay bets you lost to hnu ?— No, but 1 knew he was a re- spectable man that I paid it to. Re- examined by Mr KEATING : No claim has ever been made upon me for the money since, Mr John Eobson, examined by Mr COOKE : I reside at New- castle- upon- Tyne, and am personally acquainted with the plain- tiff, Mr Coghlan. I have betted with bitn, and in 1855 did so upon the Cesarewitch. I lost and paid him on two races £ 2,737. That was in October of that year. Cross- examined: I do not know whether Mr Coghlau betted upon commission. I never heard him say he did. I paid the money to him personally, Mr Robert Hook, examined by Mr WHATELEY : I am one of the partners in the firm of Herries, Farquhar, and Co, bankers. Mr Coghlan began to keep an account at our house on the 17th of October, 1855, and on that day he paid in a sum of £ 500. On the 19th a further sum of £ 1,000, and on the 31st £ 300, Looking at the account ou the debit side in June .1856,1 find there is a sum of £ 450 paid out to a person of the name of Lawley, and on the 18th a further sum Of £ 200 to the same person, upon checks given bV Mr Coghlan, ( The witness produced the checks. Mr Lawley's name was written on the back of the one for £ 200,) 1 do not know in what amount of notes the sums were paid. Cross examined: In January, 1856, the total balance in our bands was £ 62. There was nothing paid in from that time till June. In the beginning of June £ 700 was paid in. _ Mr Justice WILLES : That would be just after the Derby. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : Yes, my lord. Cross- examination continued: We require au introduction of a customer to our bank. I suppose Mr Coghlan was introduced, but as I did not open the account with him I cannot speak posi- tively. I do not know Mr . Lawley. I knew Mr Stanley; he was a customer at our bank. It was not Mr Stanleys check that opened the account. j „„„ , Re- examined : The account was opened in October, 18oo, by a draught upon the Bank of England for £ 500. Two days after- wards there was £ 1,000 on the same. The account was balanced at the end of 1855, and in 1856 we begau a new account. We alwavs balance on the 31st. There was a balance of £ 62 on the 4th of June, 1856, and on the 5th we received £ 805. ( The witness detailed the various sums paid in and the dates.) 1 have no per- sonal knowledge whether Mr Coghlau was introduced or not; but I have no doubt there was some introduction. Mr Henry Hargraves: I reside in London, and have been for many years on the Turf. I own a great many race horses. 1 know the horse Gemma di Vergy. I purchased it at. Palmer s sale for 105 guineas, at Tattersall's, in January, 1856. It was then called the Lurley's dam colt. I afterwards sold him to Mr Lawley, and got £ 500 for him and contingencies. 1 subse- quently learned that the horse had been sold to Mr Coghlan. Mr KEATING: Did Coghlan tell you? ... Mr Sergeant PIGOTT objected to this form of examination as irregular. Mr Justice WILLES: It undoubtedly is not evidence of the sale. Mr KEATING : No, my lord, but I am merely fixing a time. I am not going to prove the sale by this means. Examination continued: The horse was then at Joseph Daw- son's. Had been there whilst I owned him, and continued there after I sold him to Mr Lawley. I " managed" the horse. I accounted for the winnings of the horse after I heard from Mr Coghlan that he had purchased it. I paid over the winnings to Mr Coglilan. The horse ran in the name of " Mr T. \\ alker. Mr KEATING .• That is supposed to be your name? . Witness: It is [ laughter]. It is a very common thing for horses to run in a different uame to that of their owner. It is a thing perfectly well known on tho Turf. At the time I learned Mr Coghlan had purchased the horse, £ 650 would have been a reasonable sum for him with the coutiugencies. The value of a race horse fluctuates very much— it depends upon a variety of circumstances. I have frequently known a horse that might not be worth £ 100 afterwards become worth some thousands. Cross- examined : 1 have been on the Turf many years. I am a betting man, as well as keeping race horses. I have no busi- ness. I make a book sometimes, and attend most of the great races. When I bought this horse it was not at Dawson's. I sent him there. Dawson trained several horses for Mr Lawley besides this one. I have kuown the plaintiff about ten years, through all his reverses. I should say he did not bet upon com- mission. I do, and it is a very common thing. I began to " manage" this horse when I bought him. He was mine from January to Marcb, but my management did not cease with my ownership. I had the principal, though not the entire, manage- ment of him in Mr Lawley's time. Coghlan gave some ditec- tions about the horse. I do not know whether the plaintiff was employed to get bills discounted for Mr Lawley. He never ottered me one. Gemma di Vergy is a valuable horse now, and with his present contingencies, 1 should say, was worth £ 2,000. The contingencies extend over the whole year. He was any- thing but a promising horse last June. He was more so at the beginning of the month. Ho was a very bad tempered horses. He ran a number of races last year. I generally entered him, and sometimes Coghlan did. I do not think I ever went to Weatherbv's with Coghlan. Tho horse was entered for some races before I bought him. I believe Mr Lawley owes me some mouey, but I am not certaiii, because I have a security, I and I do not kiiow whether it covers the amount. Tho 1 amount of my debt might be about £ 2,000 or £ 3,000. Since he has left the country, I Have had some property conveyed to me. Mr Coghlau owes me nothing, and owed me nothing in June, i The horse has won five or six times, and his winnings amount to ; about £ 1,400 or £ 1,500. I received the stakes from Messrs Weatherby. I have accounted to Coghlan for them. ( W itness here handed a. loose slip of paper to the learned Sergeant, which he said was a statement of his accounts.) „ Sergeant PIGOTT : Is this the way you keep your accounts ?— Yes, and a very good way it is too [ laughter]. Sergeant PIGOTT : What, sir ! do you mean to say you keep no books?— Witness: No, I do not. , , ,, Considerable laughter was here caused m the court by the endeavours of the learned sergeant to obtain from the witness an explanation of the items Upon the paper referred to, and a ded of time was occupied in this way, Mr Hargraves appearing highly indignant at the contemptuous manner in which his accounts were treated by tho counsel. The witness proceeded to say— Messrs Weatherby kept my accounts of the number of times the horse won. It is not here. Sergeaut PIGOTT : Give me one place the horse won at. Witness: I could refer you to every one. if you particularly wished. Sergeant PUJOTT : Well, I do wish.,:: Witness here called out: Has any gentleman a Racing Calen- dar f- [ laughter]; Mr WHATELEY You might as well ask an attorney if he had a law list in his pocket [ laughter]. No" one appearing to supply the required volume, the cross- examination was proceeded with. By " managing" a horse I mean entering him and so forth. I do not mean when he shall be allowed to win. 1 repeat Mr Coghlan owes me nothing. Re- examined : . I have a great many transactions on the Turf. The amount varies very much, but I dare say it is about £ 100,000 a year. Mr Charles Skirrow: I and nay partners act as solicitors for Lord Wenlock and his family. I remember being consulted about Mr Francis Lawley's affairs. I required from him, in writing, a statement of his liabilities. I received this letter from him ( producing one); it is dated 19th of June, aud the postcript is , da'ed the 22d. He left England on Saturday the 21st. I have seen him since then abroad. Mr CQOKE : Does my friend object to the letter being read ? Sergeant PIGOTT : Of course. I shall be very glad to see Mr Lawley himself. Examination continued: I never made auy claim by Mr Law- ley's direction With respect to this horse. The circumstances were, these; Mr Lawley had a great many horses, and he gave me directions, from time to time, with reference to those horses. Mr Lawley gave me his instructions. Serg « ant TPIGOTT : I submit my friend cannot sro into this. The letter cannot be read, and the contents, therefore, are clearly inadmissible. Mr Justice WILLES : Yes, I take this note— put in evidence by M r Cooko, objected to by Brother 1' isott, rejected by me. you can ask whether he made any claim for the colt after he received the lettor.. Examination continued: After the receipt of this letter I never made any claim for the colt on Mr Lawley's behalf. I have frequently heard Mr Lawley speak of this colt. I did not know Mr Coghlau before Mr Lawley's affairs came into my hands. I knew a crossing- sweeper of tho name of " Alec." He is a person whom I have known as Mr Lawley's confidential messenger [ laughter]. He has frequently been to my office in that capacity, and is" well known to the family. I remember whilst acting for Mr Lawley receiving a check for £ 450 on the 21st of June, a few hours before he' left. That check was sent by Mr Coghlan. I was told by Mr Lawley to bring the money to the railway station, and I think " Alec" went to Messrs Her- ries and Farquhar toget it cashed. I afterwards delivered it to Mr Lawley. Cross- examined : There were several horses besides Gemma di Vergy. I made no claim personally upon any of them. Some were sold upon executions levied by creditors. They remained at the trainer's until seized by the sheriff. I made no investi- gation with respect to this horse. By the COURT : Some of the horses were seized bylthe creditors within a day or two after Mr Lawley left, and the others, includ- ing the one in question, in February. Mr George Payne: I am a member of the Jockey Club, and have been so for many years. I have had many transactions on the Turf, and possess many horses. I knew Gemma di Vergy when the property of Mr Lawley. I would not have given more than £ 500 or £ 600 for him iu June last. Of course that is but opinion. He is worth a deal more now. Race horses are animals ; ' that vary a good deal in value. It is a common thing for gentle- i men to ruu horses iu fictitious names. I know Mr Cochian the ! plaintiff. He was a debtor of mine, but afterwards paid me in full. Cross- examined : The debt was for money won on the Turf. Until a man has paid his debts, if proved a defaidter before the committee, he cannot appear again at Tattersall's. Mr Coghlan paid me after the Derby of last year. It was a small amount— 1 thiuk £ 10. I have heard Mr Lawley speak in high terms of Gemma di Vergy, and I have no doubt he thought him a good horse. Re examined : Mr Coghlan was never declared a defaulter to my knowledge. I am a member of the committee before whom those things come, and I never remember his name being brought before us. Mr Chas. Coghlan, the plaintiff, was then called and examined by Mr KEATING : where do you reside, sir ?— 12, St Mary's- place, West Bromptou. You have been a good deal on the Turf ?— Yes, I have. From 1850 to 1853 did you sustain considerable losses on the Turf?— Very great; in fact, I was perfectly ruined [ ironical laughter]. Were . your affairs in the beginning of 1855 in a state to oblige you to take the benefit of the Insolvent Act ?— Unfortunately so, ( The witness hero appeared considerably affected, and shed tears upon making the admission.) That was in the beginning of 1855 ?— Yes. In October, 1855, you won a sum of -£ 2,000 ou the Cesarewitch? — Yes, a sum exceeding that, I thiuk. And oil the Derby, 1856, you won a considerable sum from Capt Little?— Yes, I did. Aud you opened an account towards the end of 1855 with the bank of Messrs Herries, Farquhar, and Co ?— Yes. Do you know Mr Lawley ?— Yes, I do. He was a good deal on the Turf?— Unfortunately for himself he was. Did you know this horse, Gemma di Vergy, whilst in the pos- session of Mr Lawley ?— Yes. He waskept at Joseph Dawson's, I believe ?— Yes, at Ilsley. Did you purchase that horse from Mr Lawley?— I did. When was that ?— The first circumstance connected with the sale occurred on the 9th of June last, but the purchase of the horse was on the 18th. What did you payjfor the horse?—£ 650 with contingencies. Did you take a receipt from Mr Law ley ?— Yes, I took this one ( producing receipt). Mr KEATING : We propose, my Lord, to read it. Sergeant PIGOTT : Let me look at it first. Mr KEATING : It is all right. It has a stamp. Sergeant PIGOTT : Oh, I am not looking for that, but it has, I find, no stamp. However, I will not avail myself of the objection. [ The receipt was accordingly read by the officer of the court. It was signed by Mr Lawley, and purported to be for £ 650 for the colt by Sir Hercules out of Lurley's dam.] Examination continued : The whole of the receipt is iu Mr Lawley's handwriting, eh ?— Yes. Did Mr Lawley at the samft time give you an order to Dawson for the delivery of the horse over to you ?— He did. The order was put in. Did you forward that order to Dawson ?— With as little delay as possible. Did the horse afterwards stand at Dawson's iu your name ?— Yes, up to the present time so far as I know. Did you receive his winnings ?— Yes, aud paid all bis expenses. Did you receive those winnings for your own proper| use.— 1 did. And the horse has continued yours up to the present time.— He has. Cross- examined by Sergeant PIGOTT : Have you ever followed any other business except the Turf, book- making, and so on ?— Yes, I have. What were you ?— I was formerly with a relative, a merchant at Dublin, and was apprenticed to him, but I have never fol- lowed that business. Then you have no other business but the Turf ?— No, but I have had very large assistance lrom my friends. Do you mean giving you money from time to time ?— Yes, their money and their bills when I required. That, together with your Turf occupation, has been your mode of living ?— Yes. When did you first go ou the Tuaf ?— About 1835, and I kept race horses then in Ireland. Did you, in the year 1839, win a large sum of money of a Mr Stratford ?— Yes, I did in 1840. How much ?— It is a very long time back; I really do not know. Well, itwas a large sum was it not ?— Yes, but it is a long while back ; however, 1 should think it was £ 10,000. ;* Where was that ?— At Strathfieldsaye. Iu a publick house ?— Iu an hotel. The Wellington Arms, eh?— Yes. Mr Justice WILLES : I know the case very well— it is a very remarkable one. Cross- examination continued : Was it a game called " blind- hookey ?"— Yes. You got some bills for the amount ?— Yes. Sergeant PIGOTT : Then Mr Stratford was the " blind hookey" [ laughter]? : •.:•••• . .,. •••.: „ The witness then addressed his lordship, and asked him whe- ther he was to be subjected to such questions? to which Mr Justice WILLES said, it is better to answer the questions ; it will come to nothing. I am very sorry to say I know all about the c^ se ; I wish I did not. Sergeant PIGOTT: Did you not hand a bill to a person of the name of Hill to sue for you?— Yes. Was he to pay that money to you which he got on the bills ?— He paid it. Did the money go back to him?— He gave a check for the money. Well, sir, did that check go back to Hill ?— Certainly not. Did you have the proceeds?— I had. ; And Hill never had them back ?— Certainly not. Well, Hill failed in the action ?— Yes. Mr. Justice WILLES: Yes; Mr. Stratford lost a deal of money, which he paid in bills, and those bills were not recovered. Sergeant PIGOTT ( to witness): How much money did you get of that affair?— Hill's check amounted to £ 3,000. IIow much, sir, did you realise altogether ?— You are asking me about some seventeen years ago. Yes, I know; but, sir, do you win £ 10,000 every day ?— I have never won anything siijce by cards or dice, and ( continued the witness with great emphasis aud with tears in his eyes) I never will play again. It has been a great moral lessson to me— to be brought before the public as I have been. I will never touch cards or dice again, and bitterly do I repent ever doing so. Sergeant PIGOTT : Well, then, if the lesion proved so effective, I should think it made an impression, and, therefore, I ask you again what did you win by that transaction of the bills?— To the best of my recollection about £ 4,000 or £ 5,000. And you have become virtuous ever since P— I hope so. Have you paid the money back ?— No [ laughter]. I have not been able. How much money did you get from Mr Stratford ?— None. Only bills ?— So far as I know I never got a fraction from Mr Stratford about this matter. Well, you kept the money you got for the bills?— How could I Never mind how you could— did not you get out of that trans- action between £ 4,000 and £ 5,000 for your own benefit ? Mr Justice WILLES here interposed aud said, upon considera- tion he thought he must stop further examination upon this matter,. It was simply for the purpose of showing that Mr Coghlan was not to be credited. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : Exactly. My lord, that is my aim. Mr. Justice WILLES: Well, then, the transaction is not altered by the mouey being paid— the transaction is playing at cards and winning a large sum of money. Mr. Sergeant PIGOTT said ho could not but think that the money not being paid was a question as to the witness's credit and honour. ( To witness) Did you keep any of that money which you did not pay to the persons who advanced oil the bills?— No, I paid it to a person of the name of Willingale, a creditor of mine. You wore insolvent in 1851 ?— Yes. Did you get discharged at that time ?— No. What was the amount of your debts then ?— I cannot say. I will rsfresh your memory ( the learned sergeant here handed the schedule to the witness). Now what is the amount ?— £ 800, What were your assets ?— I cannot say— very small, I believe. Why, sir, is not it nil, nil, nil, all the way down [ laughter].— Unfortunately, it is. You were rejected.— Yes. Did you continue unable to pass until 1855 ¥— It is necessary to explain. It was in consequence of a technical objection taken to the schedule that my petition was dismissed, but for no other reason Perhaps, now, you will answer my question. Did you con tinue until 1855 without passing the Court ?— Yes. In 1855 you petitioned the Insolvent Debtors' Court at Lan- caster ?— Yes. Where were you living at that time ?— I think at 10, Alexander- square, Brompton. Then what made you go to Lancaster to get passed?— It was previous to the Liverpool Steeple Chase, and I was arrested there. What did your debts amount to then ?— You seem to have taken great pains to bring my misfortunes before the court. Now, if you will show me the papers, I will give you all the evi- dence I can. Were you acting as the agent of Mr. Lawley ?— I was acting as his friend, and also for Mr Stanley, I got bills discounted for Mr Lawley. . Any bill discounted by the defendant for Mr Lawl$ y ?— No, it was Mr Lawley's acceptance, to the best of my recollection. It was drawnfor myself, and I think for £ 640. You did not take that bill up afterwards, did you ?— No. It was in May. I had a Check for £ 300, wishing to close the accouut. That check went, I believe, to Mr Lawley, and I never received it back. Mr La Mert was very anxious to get the com- missions of Mr Stanley and Mr Lavvley, and I went aud dis- counted the bills with him. The bill referred to was for the pur- pose of buying me a horse, and was accepted by Mr Lawley upon that condition. Finding that I could not carry out the arrangement for purchasing the horse, I thought it but honour- able to Mr Lawley not to take the money from him. Mr Law- ley had the money, used it, I suppose, for his own purposes, and I never saw a sixpence of it back. ( To tho learned sergeant) Is that to your sat isfaction ? Mr Justice WILLED sThat questiond ® simply impertinent,-, and I beg will not be repeated. The witness apologised, and the cross- examination was resumed. To what extent have you accommodated Mr Lawley ?— On one occasion £ 400, and on another I lent him £ 250. He has accom- modated me with bills upon two occasions, but I only made use of one. The amount of the other was, I think, £ 500. That was before May, 1856, and the bill is in the hands of Mr Solomons at this time. I got the money from Mr Solomons, I think, imme- diately after the Doucaster Meeting in September, 1855. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT: Well, you renewed that bill several times?— Yes. Do you remember going to renew it on 3d of June last ?— Yes. I did not tell Mr Solomons that 1 had not the money to take it up again, to the best of my recollection. Mr Solomons, a few days before that, had £ 300 for me ou a bill which he discounted. I should certainly say I owed Mr Lawley no money when I gave him the check, nor during the month of May. A great many transactions passed between us, but I should say I owe him no money at this time, I was in the habit of getting bills discounted for him to a very large amount. Mr. Sergeant PIGOTT : You are a defaulter on the Turf I be- lieve ?— I should like to make myself right. Answer my question, sir. Are you a defaulter?— If, my lord, a man is considered a defaulter that owes money, I am one ; but unless a man is proclaimed notoriously one he is not considered in that light. Mr Justice WILLES : It is something like excommunication de facto [ laughter]. Cross- examination continued: I have at tliis time a balance against me of about £ 1,600. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT: The only part you paid is the £ 10 to Mr Payne ?— No, you are mistaken. I have paid more, and I beg leave to state that iu October, immediately after I had a little success I offered 10s in the pound to settle with my Turf credi- iors. For instance, I had won a deal of morey from Mr Davies from time to time, and I paid him £ 300 on that occasion. Some of my creditors were, however, hostile to me, and so the matter re ted. I then went outside, rather than continue in the Ring when I could not pay my debts; but whenever I am able to do so I will return. I am an " outsider," to my degradation. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : Now do you mean '. to say you have re- ceived all the winnings of Gemma di Vergy?— Every fraction. Name any sum of money you have received'' 1— Here is Ruffs Guide ( producing the book) and, if you wish, I can give you the wliolo list. Never mind that, sir, but has it won, think you £ 1,500 ?— Yes, probably a little more, Mr Hargreaves paid me the stakes from time to time, and balanced his account with me at the end of the year. ( The witness was further examined as to the accounts, but nothing material was elicited.) He proceeded to say, in answer to further questions, that he went over to see Mr Lawley immediately after his departure, and a second time in July. He had business with Mr Stanley, who was staying with Mr Lawley. Re- examined: Mr La Mert wished to get acquainted with Mr Lawley through me. Mr KEATING produced a letter from Mr La Mert to the plain- tiff, which he wished to have read. Mr. Sergeant PIGOTT objected. Mr Justice WILLES : It is from the defendant to the plaintiff addressing him, ". Dear Sir," and signiug himself " Yours very faithfully." I suppose your object iii putting it in was to show they were on friendly terms. Mr Coghlan ( who was in the witness box at the other side of the court), hearing this statement of his Lordship with respect to the intimacy between himself and defendant, which was spoken in a rather low tone, said very loudly, " I deny it, my lord; I deny it" [ laughter]. Mr KEATING : It relates to a bill transaction, my lord. Mr Justice WILLES : But it is only admissible to show that the defendant was on friendly terms with the plaintiff. Mr Coghlau again exclaimed " That I deny." Re- examiuation continued : Does Mr La Mert do any business in the sporting line ? Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : Now, is thao, my lord, a fair question ? Mr Justice WILLES : No, you cannot put it", Mr Keating, strictly to any One but the defendant himself. Mr KEATING : Very well, my lord ; then we will wait till we get Mr La Mert [ laughter]. Joseph Dawsoli: I reside at Ilsley iii Berkshire, and am a trainer. The Lurley's dam colt came into my care last year, from Tattersall's. It then belonged to Mr Hargraves. I charged him with the expenses of it up to March. Mr Lawley then became the owner, and continued so up to the race week. I remember a paper being sent to me by Mr Coghlan, in Mr Lawley's hand- writing. I think I received it by post. From the time I received that letter up to the time that the sheriff seized the horse, I de- bited the expenses connected with its care and keep to Mr Coghlan. During the interval between June and February, when the animal was seized, it rau several times, and won, I had nothing to do with the settlement at Messrs Weatherby's about the stakes. I received directions from Mr Coghlau with regard to arranging where to take the horse to, & c, I engaged the jockeys for Mr Coghlan, and he attended most of the races at which the horse ran. No demand has been made upon me by the jockeys I engaged to ride the colt for remuneration. Cross- examined by Mr PHIPSON , I have no idea what the horse was worth when it first came to me, but in June L should say £ 700 or £ 800. He had improved, and I should consider him to bo worth 2,000 guineas at the present time. I received direc- tions from Mr Coghlau respecting the horse before Juue, 1856, sometimes from him and sometimes from Mr Hargreaves. Re- examined: At one time I had reason to complain of the horse kicking, but I have been able iu a great measure to cure him. I had directions before Juue from Mr Coghlan, but they were from Mr Lawley, and through Mr Coghlan. Alexander Hammill ( the crossing- sweeper before referred to) was then called by Mr WHATELE Y for the purpose of proving that the amount of the £ 450 check was paid to Mr Lawley, but Mr Sergeant Pigott admitting tho fact rendered his evidence unne- cessary. "^ Alec," however, appeared in the box, and the check being handed to him, he caused considerable amusement by pull- ing out a gold eye- glass in order to inspect the document. Mr WHATELEY said he had the evidence of the jockeys, & c, but he would rest satisfied with the case as it stood. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT having intimated that he should call no witnesses, Mr WHATELEY again addressed the jury, and said he was rather an old stager, aud it not a little surprised him, or else he should certainly be struck with astonishment at the fact that his learned friend did not mean to call Mr La Mert. If this had not been a Turf transaction, and, consequently, having a deal of dust thrown about it, it was most simple in its issues, aud ought not to have lasted a moment. There was the receipt pro- duced, which his learned friend could not deny ; there was the evidence of the check presented at the bank ; and there was the proof of Mr Lawley receiving the money, which he was com- pelled to admit. Accordingly, when Hammil was put into the box, his evidence was rendered unnecessary by , that confirmed the transfer of the horse to - Coghlaii, and who, had there been any doubt upon the matter, would not have ad- mitted the fact. With respect to the accounts his learned friend had asked so much . about, they might not be made up as a mer- chant would his books, but they were perfectly comprehensible to his lordship. Let them look at Mr Coghian's affairs. He was undoubtedly an insolvent? but let them take his explanation, that had it not been for a few hostile creditors ( which were always to be found in every case of the khid), he would have paid 10s in the pound. And tken, with regard to the affair of Mr Stratford. He ( Mr Whateley) was not there to justify the transaction; but then the jury should remember Mr Coghlau's observation, " I never touched cards or diCe since." He ( Mr Whateley could not help thinking, that if people were never to get credit for amendment, there was little encouragement for them to forsake their evil practices, and it was a much more wicked world than lie hoped for. In the course of his experience, he never would ask a witness respect- ing matters that had occurred twenty years ago. " Has the man reformed?" should be the question. " What is he now?" not " What Was lie twenty years since?" But his learned friend acted otherwise. The old sores were to be ripped up, and no mail; therefore, was safe. And tilth where was Mr La Mert ? He was not called. No, his learned friend knew that his case would not bear his cross- examination. There was ha doubt that this horse had, like others, greatly changed iu value. A race horse, when just making a first trial, was passed by another. See how he dropped, and the* columns at Tattersall's dropped too [ laughter]. That horse, however, shortly won some race, aud see how eagerly he was backed. There could be no doubt that Gemma di Vergy ( the leariied counsel appeared to pronounce the word correctly this, time) was in a similar con- dition. The question for the jury was whether or not this was a real transaction. If I hey answered negatively, they would im- plicate Hargreaves, Dawson, and others, and they must believe them guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury, but let them look carefully at the facts and see whether there was the shadow of pretence in defending this action, and they would return a ver- dict in favour of the plaintiff. Mr Sergeant PiGOii then proceeded to address the jury on behalf of the defendant. The question they would ultimately have to determine was whether or not the horse in question was the property of Mr Lawley on the 9th of February, 1857. His learned friend Mr Whateley had made a great deal of the de- fendant not being called, but he would ask them to consider what could Mr La Mert prove right or wrong in this contention. The transaction, be it real or sham, took place between Mr Lawley and Mr Coghlan, and whatever transpired was known to themselves alone. His learned Mend Mr Keating, with that theatrical maimer he so well assumed, said, " We will wait for the defendant." Mr KEATING: I am afraid I must wait a long time, too •[ laughter]. -' -... uo•:. •• Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : The defendant could say nothing per- tinent to that issue, and for that reason he w as not called. He begged the jury not to suppose that Mr La Mcrt was the only person interested in defending this action; the other creditors claimed, in conjunction with him, iii their respective shares a right to the horse. That was the question, therefore, they had to try. He agreed with his learned friend that it was a lamentable thing young men of education and posi- tion should suffer themselves to mix with men so disreputable as Mr Coghlau, for he was as good a specimen of the class as could well be found; and if they suffered themselves to become parties to such sham transactions as he ( the learned sergeant) alleged this to be, it was but a step in advance of those other acts of which Mr Lawley had been guilty. There was a very good reason why Mr Lawley should wish to put this horse in the name of Coghlaii, in order that his creditors might not be able to seize it, but that he might still have the benefit of it. That was the view the defendant took of this matter, and that was the view he submitted to the jury. Mr Lawley was obliged to leave the country on the 21st of June, and he would beg of them to bear in mind that this transaction took place on the 18 th'; and between whom ?' He had observed upon Mr Lawley and Upon what be had in view— let them see what sort of a man Mr Coghlan was, because one of those wor- thies might reflect somewhat upon the other. There was an old adage, but a very- true one, " birds of a feather flock together" [ laughter] ; and these two were in the most intimate connec- tion. But look at Mr Coghjan's history. His learned friend Mr Whately, saM, " Let the man repent." Ay, let him; but let him do so honestly and sincerely, and not merely shed croco- dile's tears as he had done in the7 box that day. Refer to the transaction with young Stratford, who had bieen fleeced out of £ 10,000. His learned friend said Coghlan did not benefit by it; but he ( Sergeant Pigott) considered his im- morality was doubled by taking the money from the holder of that bill; for he not only robbed young Stratford, but he went to London audgot about £ 5,000 from Hill, who failed in the action against Stratford. Well, he pocketed the money, and the penitent and contrite man remained at that moiherit in posses- sion of it. Let them not talk, then, about repentance— the man who wanted a place in Which to repent— the man who never entered into immorality since, but who never returned the pro- ceeds of his crime— he was the man the jury were asked to be- lieve that day, and to say that he was entitled to this valuable horse upon his own testimony. In a room, ou the 18th of June, then, Mr Lawley and Mr Coghlau transacted this business, and what was the transaction ? The horse w^ s at Dawson's, being trained , and the order, s were given sometimes by Hargreaves and sometimes by Coghlan, and that was being done on behalf of Lawley. They got a receipt, which, on the part of the plaintiff, was said to be given by Lawley to Coghlan, and in effect to vouch the transaction, and they pretended that Uoghlan had lent Lawley £ 450 a few days before, and that he was then giving him £ 200 more, aud that sum total was to be considered as the prico for tho horse. It was very easy for Mr Coghlaii to give a colour to this trans- action by saying the check was in payment of a horse, whereas it might have been for the sum of money due from him to Lawley ; for they found that Lawlpy gave theacceptance, and Coghlan got the check from Mr La Meet,;. but he came forward and said it was given to him to buy a horse, and as he did not buy the horse, there was an end of the matter. Then, with respect to the receipt, he could not help thinking it was written de- signedly, for it appeared to him as carefully a worded document as he ever saw. Coghlan had a sudden influx of wealth, and it was accounted for, because lie was one of those betting men whose property was always enveloped in a state of uncertainty. Coghlan was, however, at that day, a defaulter, however much he might dislike the word. He could not show his face in the Ring, but was obliged to bet outside. That appearanco of credit was admirably managed by his learned friend, and the witnesses had been very well marshalled, for they had nearly all come before the real person who was the subject of their evidence, aud upon whom the whole weight rested. Mr WHATELEY ; We could do without him. Mr Sergeant PIGOTT : Do without him? He thought the jury would think otherwise. Supposing he had not been called, would they not have thought it remarkable that he was kept back, aad naturally inquired among themselves the cause of his absence? And yet they " could have done without him." Well, then, he should next ask them, could they give credit to such a man as Coghlau, unsupported a* he ( Sergeant Pigott) sub- mitted his evidence was. Why was Mr Lawley not examined— he who was the other party to the transaction? His learned friend would say he could not come for fear of arrest; but then a commission might have been sent out; to examine him. That was not done, and Coghian's evidence, therefore, was uncon- firmed. Mr Dawson, the respectable trainer, told them that Mr Goghlan gave orders after the 18th June respecting the horse; but then, that evidence was rebutted by the fact that he had given orders before. It was no new thing, therefore, because he had always done so. But then it was said Coghlan received the winnings. But What weight could be attached to that? Law- ley was abroad, and Coghlan was the very person, above all others, to whom he Would confide the task of receiving them, aud for these reasons;— he acted as his agent in getting - his bills discounted, in lending him money, aud in giving accommodation bills, and therefore was just the very person suited to receive the winnings for him. Then with respect to the accounts Mr . Hargreaves had produced. They undoubtedly contained some items with reference to the Lurley dam colt, but they did not give the name of the person to whom they related. They might just as likely have been in connection with Lawley as Coghlan for aught the jury knew from the evi- dence. There was nothing whatever to show that Coghlan was concerned. It was quite as probable, and for the reasons he had stated more so, that it was between Hargreaves and Lawley. Even, however, supposing them to give credit to the accounts, they proved nothing; because Coghlan was the agent of Mr Lawley when abroad, and, no doubt, would continue as such with regard to the winnings. That was the whole of the case. It was very simple when divested of its, superfluous matter. The burden of the proof rested with the plaintiff, and that burden, he submitted to the jury, had not been borne satisfactorily. That Coghlan was paying money to Lawley was not at all surprising, because they Were working together. The circumstances of the case were all of a most suspicious kind. They had only Mr Coghian's word, and it was for them to judge whether his unsupported statement could be received with credit. £ 2,000 was at stake, and no doubt it was iu Mr GOghlah's estimation worth a strug- gle. Was not Mr Coghlan, then, a mau who would do a dis- honest thing for £ 2,000 ? In order to answer that let them look at his past life, and it would throW some light upon the matter. If a man would rob another or Commit au " immoral act," as it had been termod, and keep the money arising out of the conse- Quences of that act, was he not the man who would be likely to be guilty of such a fraudulent transaction as he ( Sergeant Pigott). had supposed to them. Look at bis conduct in the witness box. Twice he pulled out a modest looking cambric handkerchief to mop his eyes, aud of course had a very evident object in so doing. If that bo the fact it only increased bis guilt, and strengthened the defendant's view of the case, and he ( Sergeant Pigott) put it to the jury whether, judging from his history, Coghlan was not the last man to show any signs of emotion. As to the other parts of his evidence it was so inconsistent, so absurd, and so shame- less, that he ( the learnsd sergeant) could not help submitting it to the jury as a circumstance which ought to go against the plaintiff's testimony in addition to the rest of the character he had given of himself. He submitted that the transaction was a mere pretence for obtaining this horse— that Mr Coghlan was bound to make out his case, which was an uuusual one and not in accordance with the ordinary course of dealing,— that the creditors of Mr Lawley were entitled to the horse,— and that Mr Coghlau not having made out his ease in a manner to entitle it to credit— the defendant had a right to their verdict. Mr Justice WILLES, in summing up, said: The quostiou the jury had to decide was whether the £ 650 was paid for the horse by Mr Coghlan to Mr Lawley, and whether it was a bond fide transaction. If they found that question affirmatively, the plaintiff was entitled to recover, notwithstanding his previous bad character; but if they concurred in the view suggested by the learned sergeaut on behalf of the defendant, that the trans- action was a sham, and that tho horse still belonged to Lawley, in consequcnce of any arrangement made before he left the country with Coghlan, then Lawley's creditors were entitled to the horse. While, on the one hand, the plaintiff's antecedents, his transaction with Mr Stratford, and his insolvency, were matters which should not bo lost sight of, as affecting his credit; still, despite these circumstances, if he bought and paid for the horse, he was as much entitled to it as if he were the Archbishop of Canterbury. Then did he buy and pay for it ? They had heard his evidence, and, of course, looking at all the circumstances, would judgo as to the amount of reliance to be placed upon it, and, if unsup- ported, they might be disposed to look upon it with some sus- picion. Brit it was corroborated by Hargreaves, and in some respects by Dawson, and certainly, if they disbelieved the plaintiff, they must consider Hargreaves a party to the fraud. He ( the learned judge), however, saw nothing to justify such a conclusion with respect to Hargreaves, The jury must look at the pass- book, the receipt, and the two checks, together with the letter from Lawley to Dawson, and with these before them, they must answer affirmatively or negatively— was this a bond fide transaction such as the plaintiff had sworn to, or was it a sham as alleged by the defendant ? If they found that the evi- dence Of the plaintiff, corroborated as it was by others, was satis- factory, that the plaintiff bought and paid for the horse, they must return a verdict in his favour; if otherwise, they must find for the defendant, The jury, after five minutes'deliberation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff. His Lordship, upon the application of Mr Whateley, certified for a Special jury. The case— following as it did a dry investigation respecting a certain right of common— gave great relief to the previous dull proceedings of the court, and caused it to be crowded with spec- tators, amongst whom we observed many well- known habitues admission, yet with all this before the jury they were called I 0f the " Comer," anxiously watching the proceedings, which, in & h° atSwyast! tVS hTheere^ s^ Sf£ SiSfS ^ opinion, appeared to have lost much interest from the non- appearance of the defendant in the witness- box. AQUATIC REGISTER. VANDERDECKEN'S LOG- No. v.* MR, EDITOE : The extremely well- managed and pleasant regatta of the Royal St George's Yacht Club served to whet our appetites for the Corinthian matches of the Royal Westerns. There can be but one opinion relative to Corinthian matches, and that is that, when well organised and efficiently carried out, they prove an admirable school for yachtsmen. We all know that there are many men sporting royal burgees, who regard their vessels much in the same light as their carriages and horses, namely, as a luxurious mode of transit, and that they ought to keep such things because it is fashionable to do so. To such men tar is an abomination; to handle a damp rope would be to ensure them an attack of rheumatism ; and to know the stem from the stern of tho vessel would be a piece of un- pardonable vulgarity. " Pauvres gens,. je les plains, car on a pour les fous 1' lus cle pilie que de eourroux." The true yachtsman should bo neither above nor below his business; while enjoying his pastime Upon the ocean, he may be improving himself in the science of yacht sailing without at all demeaning himself before his crew. Let him not be too proud to receive instruction from a foremast Jack, or to ask for information even from a rough clad salt. He should ever re- member that the correct path to the quarter deck is through the hawse pipes ; and although it is quite true that he is master of his own ship, and her crew his paid retainers, bound to labour for his pleasure, yet what can be more absurd than to see a yacht owner a mere passenger on board his own vessel? Is it not a far prouder position to be enabled to walk that quarter deck with the feeling within you that you are able and willing to work your vessel as well as the dandiest skipper of them all; that the " woollen shirt" and the " middle watch" of a dark and stormy night has dwindled into nothing beyond pleasureable excitement ? and with the confidence begotten by practice comes that feeling of superiority which the theoretical pretender can never experience. I hold it to be . about the proudest moment of a yachtsman's life when he can command a thorough racing crew, a band of bold and daring spirits, who fear not air, earth, Are, nor water; the quick eyes and the brave hearts watching his beck or his word; courage, discipline, coolness, and resolu- tion marking their every movement. A gallant little vessel manned by such a crew ought to be the aspiration of every true yachtsman, and to accomplish which properly he must creep through the aforesaid hawse pipes first. " Who would not dare the battle fire— the wreck, To move the monarch of her peopled deck." Corinthian matchcs are therefore eminently calculated to make manv and good yachtsmen; numbers of our very smartest brethren are those who have commenced iu small boats, and I will venture to assert, without meaning the slightest offence, that. our very best and most practical yachtsmen will be found in vessels ranging from the open yawl up to the ten- ton cutter; these men handle their vessels themselves, and become practical sailors. Well, Mr Editor, our large and small brethren might never meet more intimately than a casual salute in the club house, or a passing dip of the burgee, but for Corinthian matches; the smaller gentlemen, as many of us do, lack the means but not the inclination, to become the possessor of a flying 50. A Corinthian match takes place, and lo! crews must be provided; then comes the moment when the practical yachtsmen require to be brought together, and they are so ; a spirit of emulation pervades all, those who with all the longing for it, together with ability to take their part, might never have had the chance of sailing a match in a perfectly appointed racer, are thus enabled to do so. So that, on all sides, it is calculated to foster and encourage yachting tastes and spirit. The wealthy yachtsman- is hereby enabled to promote the noble science to which he is devoted, by increasing the number of its devotees, and infusing fresh spirit in its pursuit. Many younger heads, too, that might never have bothered themselves about the sea or its pastimes, join a Corinthian match, and eventually become our leading yachtsmen. I trust, Mr Editor, we may yet see a club established to which none shall be admissible but known and tried yachtsmen, for we badly require a " Turf Club" afloat, to make rules and regulations for the better management of our aquatic affairs; and it would be an honourable source of ambi- tion to qualify for such a club. Considerable tact and judgment was evinced by the manner in which the crews were selected for the four vessels meant to go for the Corinthian Championship on Thursday the 26th of June. Between 70 and 80 good men and true wore assembled, North, South, East, and West of Ireland men; yachtsmen from the Thames, the Solent, tho Clyde, the Mersey, the Bristol Channel, the Menai, Plymouth, Manx Land, Cork, Galway, Derry, Belfast, Dublin, and the Shannon; even New York was represented by one of her best and ablest. To apportion the hands, without giving any particular vessel a picked crew seemed, at first sight, a matter of great difficulty; but a jovial- hearted, merry- eyed brother of the Wave— one who lias made; the banks of the " Namsen" ring before now— soon discovered another Alexan- der's sword, which speedily severed our gordian- knot, " Take two apiece, yer so wis !" ho cried, " and choose the remainder successively, according to your stations I" No sooner said than done. The Cyclone drew No. 1, and picked her two men; Coralie No. 2, and chose her mates ; Musquito No. 3, and Cymba No. 4, taking their two men each also. Then No. 1 claimed' a man, fol- lowed by No. 2, aud so on; so that in about ten minutes the whole affair was arranged. Thursday morning at length dawned, and at an early hour the Corinthians might have been seen hurrying on board their re- spective vessels. Seldom has more interest been evinced iii any race than was shown in this. A strong breeze was ardently wished for, in order that tho Cymba might test the sea- going powers of her formidable antagonist; but ' twas in vain. Tlie light westerly breeze held, and it was a " ton of shot" to a " pig of iron" that the championship would be carried off by the Mosquito. I do not know, Mr Editor, whether it has been before remarked, but, in my experience of iron vessels ( yachts), I have generally observed that they show their greatest speed either in very light or very heavy weather. Immediately, at guu fire, the, Mosquito glided off, like a greased streak of light- ning ;; the Cyclone and Coralie in her wake, with the Cymba abeam and to leeward. The most critical eye could not discover a fault in the handling of these four vessels ; everything was conducted with the order and regularity of well- trained and disciplined crews ; and when each craft had been properly laid down to her work, the merry jokes which were bandied from deck to deck, eliciting roars of laughter, the pressing invitations to inspect the " carving on the stern," aud tho seductive manner in which " main sheet falls " were held forth, with sundry engineering sugges- tions as to getting the " screw" in order," would certainly have bauishgd the cares of a kingdom, for the merriment was emi- nently contagious. The Mosquito held the lead, the Cymba lying well up, watching every flow and puff, and when she got a chance of wind decreasing the distance between them; the Cyclone and Coralie in company running a waiting race. In the second rounding of the course, as the vessels approached Howth it fell flat calm, and a very pretty piece of handling took place between Mosquito and Cymba to avoid being dragged to leeward of the north eastern flag- boat, the latter vessel closing up fast with Mosquito. At this moment the Coralie and Cyclone might be observed foaming up astern with a slashing breeze, the crews of each giving forth a wild cheer of triumph as they closed up with the renowned " cracks"— who were lying, most peacefully within a short distance of each other. At last there was a sharp rattle in the Musquito's canvas and she was away hand over hand, the Gymba waved her pursuers a courteous adieu, and shaking herself loose moved off after a fashion that seemed to imply " My time is come, I'll stand no more as lady in waiting!" Neither Coralie nor Cyclone appeared the least disposed to let their rivals slip through their hands so easily, and came along in beautiful style, the breeze freshening gradually; the Mosquito still maintained a strong lead, but Cymba, on nearing the last flag- boat, closed with her so rapidly, that it was evident she had her time, and many a lip that at other times would laugh to scorn a sailor's superstition, might be seen screwed up in the gentlest of " whistles" to woo the increasing breeze; the last flag- boat was at hand, the Mosquito shaved it to a nicety and laid in for the harbour— a second after and her well sailed match seemed irretrievably lost; there she was in the midst of a stark calm, whilst the Cymba was laying over to a fresh breeze and scattering the spray around her as if in playful triumph; the Cyclone and Coralie were likewise far too close to be comfortable, and altogether it looked as if the order of sailing was about to be reversed. This was about the most, and I may say the only, exciting part of this match; the poor Mosquito lay like a log upon the surface of a glassy spot, as if encircled by the spell of witchcraft, foaming, seething, hissing, careening to the blast; on every side the cats- paws played fitfully, but her canvas hung listlessly like the drapery of a beautiful statue; there was a sullen, ominous silence, per- vaded her deck, as that which characterises brave men in their extremity. Suddenly there arose a little fitful hiss from her knife- like stem, the canvas filled to sleep so gently as not to shake a butterfly from their folds, tho busy hum on the decks of her approaching rivals already resounded, when with a merry wave of her red cross banner she glided gently and swiftly from the fatal circle, where, in some few seconds after, her three rivals found themselves entrapped; aye, Mr Editor, after some fifty nautic miles of sailing, whereon every trick and spell of yachtsmancraft had been tried, there lay three as bonny clippers as ever swam salt water, displaying their abilities as " upright boats in a calm;" whilst the cunning Mosquito was speeding across a bare quar- ter of a mile of water to certain victory. ' Tvvas too bad— 50 miles to a quarter !— but old die- hards were there, who I hope will sail many a winning race yet; so, turning too with a will, they gave three hearty cheers, and made the " sun over the fore- yard 1" I am not now in the vein, Mr Editor, to write more, for sor- rowful— right sorrowful— do I feel, and no yachtsman that knew him could fail to drop the tear of heartfelt regret, for the early termination of the career of one who, by his courtesy, his gentle manner, his kindliness of disposition, and his thorough passion for yachting, won the best wishes of all who ever met Alfred Young. VANDEBDECKEN BIRKENHEAD MODEL YACHT CLUB. The usual monthly meeting of this club was held at the club room, Canning Hotel, Birkenhead, on the 4th inst, the Rear- Commodore in the chair. Three members were balloted for and duly elected, and several proposed for election at the next meet- ing. The next meeting of this club is the most important of the season, as the number aud value of the prizes have to be decided. Another most important matter is the place of starting, which it is proposed shall be between Woodside Pier and the Birken- head Docks, instead of Birkenhead Pier, as formerly. We doubt not that the change will be most agreeable to the specta- tors, as an admirable view of the start will be obtained from the promenade at Woodside and also of the coming in. BOSTON YACHT CLUB. The annual meeting of the above club was held at the club house, White Hart Hotel, ou Thursday evening, the 5th inst, Charles Anderson, Esq, Commodore, in the chair, when the accounts for the past year were presented by the secretary, Mr H, Bontoft, and were declared to be most satisfactory, after which the election of officers took place. G. Anderson, Esq, was re- elected Commodore; J. S, Wilkinson, Esq, of Lincoln, Vice- Commodore; Mr J. Marjason, secretary, Mr E. A. Hildred, auditor; J. Pilley, Esq, treasurer; and the following were ap- pointed the Sailing Committee :— Mr W. Howden, jun, Mr W. Wilkiuson, Mr H. Bontoft, Mr John Wrisrht, aud Mr John Megget. The utmost unanimity prevailed, and good prospects are held out for the summer. RGYALTLONDON YACHT CLUB. The monthly meeting of this club will be held at the Cale- donian Hotel, Adelphi- terrace, on Monday next, the 16th inst, at eight o'clock p. m. precisely. The election of officers for the ensuing year will take place at this meeting. The arrangements for the permanent club- room havo been completed, aud it is now open daily for the use of house members. Those members who have not already signified their intention of becoming a house member, and wish to do so, will be good enough to inform the Secretary, and send £ 1 Is iu addition to their usual annual sub- scription. The Sailing Committee will make their report at this meeting as to the alterations aud additions proposed to be made to the rules for the ensuing year. Members wishing to dine at the club dinner, at six o'clock on the evening of the meeting, are to give notice of their intention to Mr Elder, before two o'clock on that day. Each member may introduce one friend, upon giving such notice. The following gentlemen are proposed for election at the next meeting, viz:— Mr James Weedon, 14, Grove Hill- terrace, Grove- lane, Camberwell; Mr John Ball, Putney; Mr James L. Aspimvall, 62, Porche& ter- terrace; Mr Henry Schvrabe, Leadenhall- street; Mr Win. Bemiett, Sunder- land- terrace, Westbourne Park ; Capt Henry Wm. Burgess, 3, s Wm. Kirchner, Broad- ,^ reet- biuldlings and Sydney; Mr Henry Kayser, Manchester ; 11. South- bank, St John's Wood; Mr B. D. St John's Wood; Mr George Hughes, ^ orthumberland- street Straiid,- Mr Arthur Grattan Guinness snnf^ Yw. Frederick Dineley, 29, Alfred- place, Bedford- E? 1// Georgo lJurge, pin, Frinsbury, Rochester; Mr fhw iS iY? ti Maidstone ; Mr Richard Thur- J1:^ 106. Fenchurch- street; Mr Samuel Burrowes, ArSC ™ be ™ cll. The following yachts are for sale ;- S' 1", f ; BluoBell, 7tons; Gulnare, 24tons; Peri, 20tons; !> uakp, 20 tons; Whisper, 7 tons. „ 3? EIAT ^' I- I- EKS RACE BETWEEN PALMES AND ADCOCK.— A capital race was rowed on Tuesday last between two scullers, of whom much has been said of late, named Palmer and Adcock. ine distance was from Putney to Mortlake, for a stake of £ 20, to which was added a tolerably large amount in bets, the money naving been laid out mainly at evens. Preliminaries having been satisfactorily arranged, the men took their stations at rutiiey linage, at about an hour before high water. The start was very good, Adcock getting a trifle the best- of it, and then succeeded a most animated and gallant struggle. The men were soon scull . aud scull, and almost in this position they continued until nearing Craven Cottage, where Palmer showed a slight ad- vantage, but his opponent rowed with such thorough game, that it took a great deal of labour to shake him off. Palmer, however, succeeded in effecting this, gradually increasing his lead to half a dozen lengths,, by which he ultimately won. The winner rowed m a boat built by Ralph. fecuLLEBs RACE BETWEEN TEMPIE AND SHAID— A great num ber of persons assembled on Tuesday last/ to witness a scullers contest between Henry Temple, of Limehouse Hole, and George Shaid, of Stone Stairs, Ratcliff, from North Woolwich to . umeliouso Hole. After some delay, Temple made his appearance at the startmgplace, and after remaining there in the cold for naif an hour, started alone to row the distance, which he did. in vain the assembled hundreds looked for his opponent, and at length, after all manner of conjectures, the following explanation was given of the matter:— When Temple was ready there was no referee, and although many names were mentioned as eligible, Miaid s backers declined to make choice of any of them, and fcnaid, although afloat for a few minutes, returned to the shore, having referred Temple to'his backers. AU this arises out of the absurdity of leaving it to the last moment to choose a person mutually agreed upon as referee, and should bo avoided in future, especially below bridge. . NEW ROWING CLUB AT KINGSTON ON THAMES.— With a view to promote rowing on the Thames, also to increase the entries of competitors at the ensuing Kingston- on- Tliames regat- ta, an mfluentialmeeting was helcf on Saturday week, at the Sun Hotel, Kingston, for the purpose of forming a clOb, to be called 1/ lngai'i Club, the head quarters of which will be at Kingston. 1 he attendance being satisfactory, the club was formally esta- blished, rules drawn up, and a second meeting convened for baturdaylnext, at Seven p. m., at the St. m Hotel, for the purpose of electing members and of appointiiig'officers. JUNIOR UNITED ROWING CLUB,— This newly- formed club, which already possesses an influential number of members, will hold a meeting at the Pier Hotel, Gheyne- walk; Chelsea, on Thursday, the 19th iwst, at nine o'clock p. m., when the com- mittee will announce the arrangements they contemplate for the ensuing season. Gentlemen who are desirous of becoming mem- bers are invited to attend and enrol themselves at once, or any application for rules, & c, will meet with prompt attention by applying to Mr H, T. Heath, Hon Sec. STUNNER DIXON ( the Caulker) of Rotherhithe will row any Black wall caulker for £ 25 or £ 50 a side. Money ready at Mr Moore's, Horns Tavern, Cuckold's Point, Rotherhithe, any evening next week. FLETCHER AND GODFREY.— A match has been made between F. Fletcher and W. Godfrey ( both of Pimlico), to row from Put- ney to Mortlake, for £ 5 a side, on Friday, April 10. CRICKET. CEICKET IN THE EAST INDIES. RUGBY SCHOOL v CALCUTTA CLUB. The interest excited by this match was only inferior to that felt during the preceding one of Haileybury v the Club, the score of which, not being drawn up according to Our method, could not be inserted. The Rugbaeans, as will be seen from the list of players, comprised among their numbers gentlemen whose names are still mentioned with pride by Rugby cricketers, and who were confident of obtaining the success which they deserved. But, alas! it is not always the best side which Wins, and their confidence was the cause of. their defeat; a result which still would have averted had they not been obliged to forego the as- sistance of an eleventh man, who was unfortunately engaged in being married. It will be seen from the score that ruu- getting was the order of the day. This is to be attributed to the per- fect truth of the ground, aud the fact, which always holds where amateurs are unassisted by professionals, that the batting beats the bowling. The Glub went in first, and were not got rid of till they had run up the large score of 166, Sir C. Oakely mak- ing 81 in good style, and thus putting a worthy fiuish to his cricketing career in India. The Rugbseans by 110 means despaired of equalling this score, and Messrs Sandford and Cordery did their best to do so, but Mr Wynch, on whom the resuit principally depended, unluckily played forward to a short ball, aud retired without scoring. Still theRugbseaus were only 30 behind. But. again, in the second innings, the Club scored largely, Mr Ward and feir O. Oakely playing too well; and the 150 runs for which Rugby had to go in proved too much for them, even though this time Mr Wynch did his duty. The match would, in all probability, have been drawn, if Rugby had had an eleventh man. Their ninth wicket fell with the setting sun, and " the tenth would have prolonged tho innings beyond the time for drawing the stumps. Score; CALCUTTA CLUB. - T. It. Ward, b Haltiday. Sir C. Oakely, not out Capt Walton, b Halliday T. l\ Ward, bCordery Q. L. Harris, bCordery K. H. Truell, b Cordery ...,....... T. Rose, b Cordery..,.. ; iv.. » •.,•'., H. Alexander, run out ; Capt Palby, eHalliday, b Sandfordi.,.. x uv.„ » » .-.•..•.{„-. .. „ & MuJib SandW-- v/• - i • • 3 c Halliday, b Sandfor'd".'. 0 1st inn 2d inn .. 0 bWarrand... 17 .. 81 c Halliday, b Cordery.... 32 . » ..? b Halliday 0 .. 53 c Halliday, b Sandford .. 17 .. 0 oCurrie, b Sandford .... 12 ., 8 e Sandford, bWynch.... 7 » . 11 • !> Wynch 28 • A 6 bWytiCh 3 I notoiit. v...;.... 0 W. M'Pherson, b Sandford, Byes,& c ........; Total........ RUGBY. R. F. Curtis, b Walton T. D. Sandford, b Walton C. G. Wynch, c and b Walton.... F. M. Halliday, c and b Walton ,. T, G. Cordery, run out Capt Carrie, b T. R. Ward ...... R. M. Warrand, b Walton ..:... T. Cocksliott, run out ; R. M. King, not out A. P. Wis; ram, b T. R. Ward ... . v. T. Moultrie, absent...... . . ., Byes, & c Total 4 b Wynch 1 9 ' Byes, & c 21 .. .— 166 Total.. - 138 1st fun 2d inn ... S c Alexander, b T. P. Ward 8 ... 45 e Harris, b T. R. Ward.. 23 ... 0 not out...., 49 ... 3 c Alexander, b T. P. Ward IS .88 c Harris, b X. P. Ward ,. 2 ~ 2 .3 b T. l^ Ward....'. — 8 runout .... 5 b T. R. Ward.... .... 9 bT. R. Ward.... .... 0 bT. R. Ward..,. .... 0 absent ....,, .... 16 Byes, & o ....- 130 Total ... .... 2 .... 7 .... 0 .... 10 .... 0 .... 10 .,. — 137 MATCHES AT LORDS. MR EDITOR : In looking over the list of matches about to be played this season by the M. C. C., I was much struck with the absence of many matches ( from the list published a few weeks back), which, though not quite first- rate, are still most inte- resting, and some of them ought, I think, to come off every season at Lord's. I refer to the following, all of which have been played at Lord's during the last 40 years, and which now seem to have been abandoned altogether:— M. C. C. v Godalming M. C. C. v Bury, M. C. G. v Middlesex, M. C. C. v Sevenoaks Vine. M. C. C. v Norfolk, M. C. C. v Suffolk, M. C. C. v Hampshire) M. C. C. v Leicestershire, M. C. G. v Surrey Club, M. C. C. v Cam- bridge Town Club ( last played in 1847), M. C. C. v Manchester, M. C. C. v Petworth, M. C. C. vOxt'ord and Cambridge Universities ( combined as played in 1839). The Marylebone Club now, I be- lieve, numbers nearly 600 members, and many of them would be delighted and also expect to play in some of the above- named matches, though they do not feel themselves good enough to ask to play in the Gentlemen v Players, North v South, and such like matches. The following quite first- rate Contests have also, it seems, been given up, at least none of them are down this sea- son at Lord's:— Married v Single ( as played in 1849), Old vYoung, M. C. G. v Nottingham ( this used to be an annual match, and was last played in 1848), M. C. C. v Kent, M. C. C. v England, Fast v Slow Bowlers, M. G. C. v Western Counties ( as played iu 1844- 5). Also, as complaints are often made of the want of variety in the matches at Lord's, a match M. C. C. v Sheffield or Yorkshire would be quite new, as they have never yet played on that ground. The match, Old Etonians v Old Harrovians, as played 1111834, 5, 6, 7, and 8, would now be a novelty ; or if the Old Etonians could not collect an eleven, a perfectly new match might be made, namely, Old Etonians aud Wykamistsv Old Harrovians and Westminster. The Marylebone Club also have for the last two seasons given up playing a return match with Oxford and Cambridge, the cause being, 1 believe, because the United now annually play against Sixteen of Uni- versities. This is, however, I think, 110 reason why these really interesting return matches should not come off as formerly, esuecially as they had been played regularly for upwards of twenty years, and they would afford ( as I previously mentioned) an opportunity to several other members ( not quite first- raters) to have a couple of pleasant days of cricket. Nor would the expense be much, as the M. C. C. only play two professionals against them. Instead of the M. C. G. causing their ground to be employed ( as they intend to do this season) in playing other county matches not connected With the club ( I refer to the champion match and the two previous ones), it would be, in my opinion, much better if some of the above mentioned were again played, and the fame of this ancient club upheld. As the M. G. C. every season play Sussex, surely they are strong enough to play the other counties with equal chance of success, unless indeed they consider Sussex as not so strong as the others. I would endeavour to point out some inconveniencies that the members havo to put up with in the pavilion while at Lord's, but I will leave that matter for a more able pen.— Yours, & c, A CRICKETIEE. AN APPEAL TO CRICKETERS, & c. LILLYWHITE'S COLLECTION OE SCORES EROM 1746, IN PRE- PARATION.— The compiler of this projected work would feel par- ticularly obliged if secretaries of clubs or other gentlemen would communicate with him, in order to assist in obtaining correct copies of scores of old cricket matches, as well as other informa- tion relating to the game, such as the " alterations of the laws, aud size of stumps, from time to time," & c, & c. The loan of score- books, or notices of any remarkable events that have occurred in the game, will also be thankfully received and imme- diately acknowledged. All communications will receive instant attention, and the compiler trusts that this appeal for the pur- pose of publishing a " complete history" of the noble game will not be in vain. Bell's Life in London, from its first number, as well as the Marylebone Club books ( by authority of the com- mittee), have been carefully searched, and many important and interesting events abstracted; numerous other reprint and manu- script copies havealso been examined, which fully prove thatmany other good matches were played years back, aud he hopes the scores of them are still obtainable. Address to Fred. Lillywhite, 2, New Coventry- street, Leicester- square, London. ATTORNEYS TO BE ADMITTED.— The number of applicants to be admitted as attorneys in the forthcoming term is 95, including several who were " plucked" last term, wheu the extraordinary number of 30 were sent back. HEALTH OE LONDON.— The deaths registered in the week ending March 8th, were 1,175, as compared with an average of 1,276. Hooping cough carried off 70 children, measles 10, typhus 26, diarrhoea 12, while smallpox was fatal only in two cases. Bronchitis destroyed 136 persons, and pneumonia 100. A pen- sioner at Chelsea Hospital, died at the advanced age of 100 years. The births in the week were 970 boys and 888 girls— total 1858. UNADULTERATED BREAD,— The recent agitation which has taken place with regard to the adidteration of articles of food has not been unproductive of good results— we have at length at least one baker who comes before the public armed with the highest medical and scientific testimonials vouching for chemical purity of his bread. " The pure family bread," made by Mr E. Stevens, of the Cambridge- road, eminently possesses all those qualities which ought to speak for its purity and wholesomeness. It is light, extremely palateable, and, above all, it has not that intense whiteness, which does not belong naturally to the pure article, but which is only obtained by foreign admixtures. This is a fact worthy of being remembered by everyone, for it not un- commonly happens that bread haying a light brov, n tinge is re- jected by consumers as inferior, when in reality it is much more likely to be pure than the whiter descriptions. Mr Stevens has received testimonials of approval from Professor Taylor, Sir Henry Holland, Sir James Eyre, and almost every medical and chemical authority in the kingdom. 2 ANGLING ADIEUX- No. V. SUPPLEMENT TO BELL'S LIFE IN LONDON, MARCH 15, 1857. If I were iu the humour for showing off, I think I could dres- up any magazine of ethics, philosophy, and other things bssides, in somewhat captivating fashion. Had I been ( worse luck that I have not) bred a man milliner, or a counter voltigeur, I should have so baited my shop window that temptation, glistening many- hued withinside, should have dissolved at a leer all the economic homilies of Paterfamilias. Something worse than that might have happened— to wit, occasional shoplifting by female hands, and gentlemanly reproof ( not abuse, for the word is not in his expurgated nomenclature) of the seducing showman on the part of Mr Sergeant Ballantine. If I were in the humour for display I should attack the dreary tenet tha, t we are all " born in sin, and begot iu sorrow," or some such melancholy words, and prove that our begetting and coming into the world are gilded with pleasant memories and cheering hopes. " Oeh, the night I was born there was humour and joy If we wer To think that my daddy should get such a boy." vere born in anything, or to anything in particular, should fancy, judging by myself and by others, it was to disap- pointment, and I could so dress disappointment, put her in so pleasant a light that, though you may swear at her at first, you would end by wooing her again and again, the more ardently the more she cheated you. Disappointment is the veritable toad with the " precious jewel" iu its head. A bead of jewels, set in constancy, perseverance, courage, hope, surmounted by a cross, superscribed " Never say die till you're dead." Happy the disappointed! for them a good time is ever coming. Of all classes of men the angling class is the most subject to disap- pointment, yet of all classes it is the most hopeful. What though disappointment shivers piscator's hopes to- day; they reunite to- morrow more fixedly than before. Disappointment prostrates you momentarily. You fall upon the bosom of Hope, and she, acting like good Mother Earth towards Antaeus, forth- with lifts you up, filled with her elixir vita).—" Nil desperan- duni." Let any angler show his diary. How many blanks will we find in it ? Can any one of us say of his creel or his bag what Tityrus said of his hand ? " Non unquam gravis ® re domum mihi dextra redibat ?" No, no. Empty creels and bags are the rule, full ones the excep- tion. The angler's diary tells you so, but neither he who wrote it, or he who reads it, is cast down by its contents. The uncer- tainty of success is the great charm of angling. It converts it into an unwearying, ever- changing, never- endirjg love chase. On the second last day of the last month I had a morning of hope, followed by an afternoon, but not an evening of disappoint- ment. The day before ( Thursday, 26th ult.), I received an invi- tation from W. K. H., Esq, of " The Covers," Laleham, to meet him, should I be disengaged, next morning at nine, at the Staines station. He would then drive me to the water, where we should find punt, puntmau, tackle, & c, ready. I got disengaged, and met my angling Amphytrion at hour and place named. A pretty dark- duu pony and natty drag soon dropped us at the door of " The Bells of Ousley." Our punt was moored outside, and our puntman, the well- known Sam Harris, of Laleham, was moored within. He was breaking his fast at his ease. I described the aforesaid " Bells of Ousley" some fifteen or sixteen years ago, and I find nothing changed in it since— the same tidy little inn, the same attentive landlord and landlady, not so lithesome as then, but more portly and contented looking. Who could refuse their cheese and ale ? Not I, at any rate. Sam shortly appeared, rubicund from his refection, but there was a look in his sinister ogle that reminded me of the hoarse raven and the hollow oak tree. We were soon afloat, and fished both sides of the river— the likeliest- looking spots— crossing and recrossing, passing through the lock at Bell's Weir, and skirting the Surrey side of Penton Hook. Some three hours or more, abstracting half an hour for lunch, were passed ere W. K. H. cried " hold, enough !" Enough of what ? Of skill, patience, cunning conclusions exer- cised iu vain. W. K. H. was sole piscator. I would not try my hand until he drew first blood. He failed " to do so, and 1 seeing how artisti- cally he attempted, though in vain, piscatory phlebotomy, was no-, such an oat' as to try and do what a better man could not. Chub was the fish he sought for. The lure bleached greaves; ground bait unprepared ditto. W. K, H. is not a stand- still bottom- fisher. He pitches upon an apparently likely spot for chub, causes the puut to be moored some five- and- twenty yards above it, plums the depth of water, regulates his float accord- ingly, causes Sam to bait his hook, and throw in ground bait, observes the flow and sinking of the latter, aad then drops in his hook three or four yards ahead of the punt. Holding the rod a little above the winch with his right fingers, with his left he uncoils line freely, so as not to interfere with the downward swimming of the float, but not so freely as to prevent him from guiding the float, further from or nearer to the bank, pro re nata, by impending branches of trees, beneath them and close by their roots. When his bait has passed untouched the promising swim, he winds up and repeats the operation as often as necessary. Both wineli and bottom- line are exceedingly light, otherwise they would interfere with the progress of the float. When it bespeaks a bite, he strikes somewhat sharply with, of course, the right hand. If he hooks a fish he shifts the rod to the left hand and winds up, or plays the fish, with the right fingers working the winch- liandlc. He hooked three or four chub very slightly, but bagged none. No fault of his, I am satisfied, for he fished with experienced ease and faultless handling of line and rod. The weather, though sunlit and warm when I left London, be- came windy and overcast afterwards, and the water was cold as " snow broth." Under such circumstances chub are not upon the feed. They rest torpid in their lairs, forget gastronomy, palled by somnolency, or some other correlative condition. Although I said continually "' twas no go," piscator of " The Covers" would go on, until becoming tired of repeating " They won't come," told Sam to put up traps and set us on our own element. Bait- fishing with a running float is not only a pleasant way of angling for the carp tribe in rivers, but, taking it all in all, it is the best, whether you use worm, gentle, greaves, or pastes. You travel over more ground, and your bait must pass before the eyes of more fish when carried with the current by a running float than when you stand, or sit still, watching the dip of the sta- tionary float. When you get amongst a shoal of hungry fish you will of course stick to them steadily as long as they show any partiality for the lure you place within their reach. Perhaps I am wrong in saying that the running float was first introduced upon Thames, two or three seasons ago, by " Nottingham George" and a co- mate of his. At any rate their success with it has caused it to be adopted by intelligent Thames anglers, by those not wedded to old and faulty practices, and by those clever enough to fish any and every way which pro- mises increased sport- When an angler so thoroughly ac- complished as W. K. H.— who fly- fishes, spins, trolls, bot- tom- fishes, dibs equally well— whose experience is not limited to the waters of fine old Thames, who has fished those of Prance, and the best in the British Isles, changes ever so slightly his practice, you may be sure that he does so on good grounds, and you cannot err if you try to imitate him. Several years have elapsed since I saw the Thames, between Old Wind- sor and Chertsey. On Friday week my visit satisfied me from what I heard and saw that the river between the localities men- tioned abounds in due season with fish. It presents fine streams for spinning and fly- fishing for trout, goodly swims, deeps and holes, for perch, barbel, chub, roach, and so forth. I like the river's look about Egham, Penton Hook, and Laleham, so much so that if no contretemps occur, I shall pitch my tent for a month— that of May— at one or other of those places, most probably at Egham. I shall not then be far from " The Covers," have chances of enjoying the companionship and experience of the very pleasant proprietor of them, au occasional nice chat on books, scenery, flowers, and plants, with the amiable chate- laine, and ever and anon a repetition of the genuine, warm, and unaffected hospitality exhibited towards me by them 011 the oc- casion of my first visit. I must write more about the Thames than I have lately done, and verify, I hope, the statements of improvements caused by the exertions of the managers of " The Thames Angling Preservation Society." In early rivers trout- fisliing has commenced, with the minnow and artificial fiy. I have not seen as yet any river trout in any- thing like good condition. I have seen, at the famous shop of Mr T. Grove, Charing- cross, some beautiful baskets of Loch Leven trout, large, deep in the chest, and brilliant in general colour. His show of salmon for nearly the last three weeks has excited the admiration of many an angler. His Tay salmon are the largest, frequently weighing above 301b, but the best fish, to my liking, I have seen this year, was an Irish one he had a few days since, of the weight of 18lb. It was a Shannon salmon in perfect condition. Before 1 next write I shall have an inspection of the salmon market— not of Billings- gate though, until we have sun- rise at five o'clock. The follow- ing is a list of the best general trout- fly patterns :—- " No. 1. Olivefly.— Body of dark olive mohair ; wings, star- ling's wing- feather, to stand upright; tail, two whisks of a mottled mallard's feather ; tip, silver tinsel. Hook, No. 9. You may vary the body by a small mixture of yellow fur or mohair, and by tying with yellow silk. No. 2. The Red Spinner.— Body, brown silk, ribbed with fine gold twist; legs and tail, red cock's hackle; wings, a trans- parent light- brown feather. Hook, No. 10. No. 3. The Partridge Hackle.— Body, light and dark hare's ear fur, mixed with yellow mohair, and ribbed with yellow silk; wings and legs, the brown- mottled back- feather of the partridge. Hook, No. 10 and 11. A very good fly. No. 4. Rofland's Fancy.— Body, reddish dark- brown silk; wings, woodcock's wing; legs, red hackle; tail, the fibres of a red hackle. Hook, No. 10. A good general fly for the rivers near London. No. 5. The Cuckoo Bun.— Body, lightest part of water- rat's fur, mixed with yellow mohair ; wings, hen pheasant's wing- feather; legs, a dun cock's hackle, with dark bars; tail, the fibres of a grizzled hackle. Hook, No, 10. A good killer on dark days. No, 6. The Alder Fly.— Body, any dark claret- coloured fur; legs, dark red hackle; upper wings, red fibres of the landrail's wing, or red tail- feather of the partridge ; lower wings of the starling's wing feather; tail, fibres of red hackle. Hook, 9 and 10. No. 7. The Sand- fly.— Body, light sandy- coloured fur from the hare's neck, mixed with a very small quantity of orange- coloured mohair; wings, feather of the landrail's wing; tail, two fibres of the same. Hook, 10 and 11. A favourite fly of mine. No. 8. The March- brown, or Dun- drake.— Body, orange- co- loured silk, or deep straw- colour, over which wind some fox- coloured fur taken from the hare's poll; legs, a honey- dun hackle; wings, to stand erect, of the inner fibres of the hen pheasant's wing ; tail, two fibres of the same. Rib with gold twist for your tail- fly, and let your droppers be of a smaller size, and without twist. When the natural fly is well out, sailing down the water by hundreds, and fish are taking them greedily, angle with three flies, particularly if the water is full, on your casting- line, varying them slightly in size and colour. Hooks, 8, 9 and 10. No. 9. Blacker's March Broivn.— Body light and dark hare's ear fur, mixed with a little yellow- brown mohair, and ribbed with pale yellow silk ; wings, hen pheasant's wing- feather, or grey- mottled partridge's tail- feather; tail, two fibres of the brown mallard's feather. Hook, 9 and 10. Add to these flies, Blacker's winged larva, the Soldier Palmer, and the Cock- y- Bonddu, and you will have a dozen killing flies for March and April. If St Patrick do uot addle me on the 17th current with his shamrock, shillelagh, and small- still, I shall have a pull at fresh water. May be, the most noble the Marquis of Donegal, K. G., or the Right Hon the Earl of Clarendon, K. G., G. C. B., aware of my adherence to the Maine Liquor Law, and to Provost M'Laren's Edinburgh anti- potheen prohibitions, will feel in- clined to invite me on Ireland's saint- day to a dip in the Collie, by Denham or Grove Park. EPHEMERA. ' March 5. ILLEGAL FISHING IN THE THAMES.— Henry Ruff, of Hamp- ton, appeared before the bench at Staines, 011 the 2d instant, charged, upon the information of William Milbourn, with having, 011 the 26th ult, in the Thames at Hampton, placed a net across a backwater, and beaten the fish downwards into the net. Waterbailiff John Milbourn proved that from information he had received that Ruff was in the habit of doing similar acts, and learning he was gone out with his net, accompanied by a young man and a little boy, hid himself in a ditch and watched his manoeuvres, when he ultimately came to the place in ques- tion and placed his net, attached to two poles, across the water aud began to drive the fish into it. Whereupon Milbourn showed himself and seized the net. He further stated that at this season the fish frequented such places to spawn, and the destruction done to the fish was incalculable, they being at the same time unfit for food, to say nothing of the loss of the spawn and young fry occasioned thereby. The bench considered the case fully proved, and fined the defendant £ 110s. including costs, and condemned the net, which was burnt on the spot by the police. Mr. H. Farncll attended in support of the informa- tion.— N. B. The fence months for the river Thames commenced on the 1st March and will continue until the 1st June next. PEDESmiANISM. TRINITY COLLEGE ( OXFORD) SPORTS. The members of Trinity College, following the good example set by Exeter, Balliol, & c, had their first field- day at Bulhngdon ( kiudly granted for the occasion by Mr Edward Hurst), on Satur day, March 7. The sports commenced with a FIAT RACE OF 100 YAEDS— 10 entries. This was one of the finest races ever witnessed at Oxford, the whole of the compe- titors being well up throughout. Mr Bennet, sen, came in first, Mr Bennett, jun, being only a foot behind him, while Mr - Barker ran in a good third. , . , ., HIGH JUMP— 10 entries. Won by Mr Park, who cleared the extraordinary height of five feet, Mr Bennett, sen, two inches under. The jumping in this contest was particularly good. THROWING A CRICKET BAIL.— 10 entries. Won by Mr Wil- son. Distance 85* yards, Mr Park one yard behind. HUBDLE RACE.— Quarter of a mile, over 12 flights of hurdles 35 yards apart, 27 yards start, and 28 yards finish. Each hurdle was cleared in good style by the whole field, and after a good race Mr Bennett, sen, ran in a winner by three yards, Mr Bennett, who jun, being second. Time, lmin 3sec. . LONG JUMP.— 12 entries. Won by Mr Bennett, jun, reached 17 feet 3 inches; Mr Park second best, 17 feet. JUMPING IN SACKS.— 13 entries. Distance 40 yards out ana 40 yards in round a flag. Several fell at the onset, but were soon put 011 their legs again. Mr Brodrick, with the advantage of a full- sized sack, was enabled to run in a winner by five yards, Mr Gobat second. . „ , FLAT RACE OX? ONE MILE.— 8 entries. An excellent race between Messrs Waller, Barker, and Bennett, sen, the former ot whom won by about a yard ; the same distance between Messrs Barker and Bennett, sen. Time, 5min 57sec. , DONKEY RACE.— 10 entries. In consequence of the demanrt for quadrupeds in the vicinity of Oxford, only five donkeys could be found for the occasion. The race was therefore decided 111 heats. First heat: Five starters. Won by Mr. Streatfield. Second heat: Five starters. Won by Mr Brodrick. The final heat was between the winners of the previous races. Soon af ter starting Mr Brodrick was thrown, and Mr Streatfield won the race easily. , , , . ... The sports, which are the first that have taken place this term, wore well attended. PEDESTRIANISM AT ETON COLLEGE. On Saturday week, the 7th inst, the " grand heat" for the one mile race between the Etonians came off, as previously an- nounced, on the Eton Wick road. This race annually creates much interest among the students and others in the town, but 011 this occasion it was considerably increased by the presence of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, who was attended on horseback by Lord Charles Fitzroy and his tutor, Mr Gibbs. The ' heir apparent," on passing accidentally, aud observing so numerous an assemblage of persons congregated, stopped, aud inquired the cause of it. Upon being informed by Mr Baring, the captain of the boats, his royal highness, with his attendants, rode to the starting place, aiid in a most friendly manner shook hands with Lord Hinchingbrook and Van de Weyer, the Belgian Minister's son. This, of course, delayed the start for a few moments. When the competitors were prepared, and the gun fired by Mr Severrie, away started the following five ( Rawhnson, Van de Weyer, Patten, Atkinson, aud Lord Hiuchmgbrook) at a " splitting" pace. At the first half mile Atkinson showed ahead a little, the others close up. At the three quarters Van de Weyer breasted Atkinson; Rawliuson aud Lord Hinchingbrook next, Mr Patten being " all behind." From the Sanatorium to the 200 vards mark from the finish the struggle for supremacy between Van- de- Weyer and Atkinson was very severe and most exciting. Atkinson, however, obtained it, but slightly. Lord Hinchiugbrook, who was at least 20 . yards behind them, to show the spectators' that he was far superior in point of speed at the finish, came out with a most surprising " rush," and succeeded in passing between the pair under the arch of the Great W estern Railway, amid the most deafening cheers. The run- in was very sharp, but the positions were not altered, Lord Hinchiugbrook being declared the winner by a yard only ; Atkinson was second, half a yard in advance of Yan- de- Weyer ; Rawlinsou, who was fourth, was not more than a dozen yards from the winner ; Mr Patten was beaten off. Time, 4miu 57sec. The Prince of Wales gallopped with the pedestrians the whole of the way, and ap- peared to be highly delighted. DOINGS AT BELLEVUE, MANCHESTER. SATURDAY, MARCH 7— Attributable in a great degree to the East Lancashire Railway Company running cheap trains from Colne, Haslingden, Aceringtou, and other places, the attendance was large— upwards of 4,000 persons being present— and the programme gave promise of au afternoon's excellent sport. We subjoin brief notices of the contests. HIRST AND MEDLEY.— These pedestrians are Henry Hirst ( alias Careless) of Briercliffe and Robert Medley of Colne. The race was for £ 20 a side, distance 200 yards. The betting was 2 to 1 on Hirst, and Mr Jennison acted as referee. After Medley had left the mark, the favourite, who was turning round, fol- lowed him, whereby ho lost about seven yards start. This he could not recover, Medley winning by three yards— and thus Hirst justified his sobriquet of " Careless." SANDERSON AND SHARP— A " BARNEY."— This was the principal event of the day, and the result was anxiously looked to by the large assemblage present, as not less than £ 250 had been invested on the issue of the contest. The men engaged were J. Sanderson of Whitworth, near Rochdale, and G. Sharp of Portsmouth, near Todmorden; and the interest was increased by the fact of their having competed on two previous occasions, when, we believe, Sharp was victorious. The distance to be tra- versed was two miles, the stakes £ 25 a side, and Mr John Jen- nison was appointed referee. Both men were in excellent con- dition. The betting opened at 5 to 4 on Sanderson ; afterwards it became even ; then 5 to 4 on Sharp, and, at start, 6 to 4 was freely laid on him. Sanderson went away with the lead; when the third half- mile lap had been completed he had not been headed, and was then six yards in advance of Sharp. On going down the far side the latter began to gain ground, and 011 turning into the straight run Sharp was obstructed by some interested fellows, from whom, however, he released himself; but after he had pro- ceeded a short distance another man came into his track, stood in front of him, and thus prevented him having any chance of success, and Sanderson, of course, came in alone, upwards of 100 yards in advance of Sharp, having occupied lOmin 13sec in run- ning the distance. The scene that ensued baffles description, it being a perfect Babel; the referee was surrounded by a dense crowd, all anxious to hear his decision, but this, for a time, he refused to give. Shortly afterwards Mr Jennison ( the referee) retired into a private room, and called the pedestrians and their principal backers before him, when the facts, as given above, were coufirmed. The decision of the referee was that the men should run again, which Sharp agreed to do in three, four, or five weeks; but this uot being acceded to, Mr Hblden ( the stake- holder) returned to each party his owu money, and no fresh match, so far as we are aware, has as yet been agreed upon. Iu conclusion, wo may add that there was a strong expression of opinion as to the race course not being protected at the part where the obstruction took place, by either rails or ropes, and Mr J. Jennison, jun, admitted that such ought to have been done, but that he had 110 idea that so much interest would attach to the event, or that so large a sum would have been in- vested upon it. As to the race, we may say that had fair play been shown, our decided opinion is that Sharp would have won easily, and that he had it in hand from the first. Of course all bets were returned, which was a work engrossing no little time, and causing great confusion. RYDEK AND SHAWCEOSS .— T. Ryder ( alias Leater) of Denton and J. Shawcross of Gorton, ran 50 yards, for £ 5 a side. The race was a close one, Ryder winning by half a yard. QUICK AND KAY.— This was a spin of one mile, for £ 10 a side, between Richard Quick and John Kay ( both of Holcombe, near Bury), Mr J, Fenton of Oldham acting as referee. Kay, at the start, took the advance by a yard, and at the end of the half mile leap they were nearly together. In the final round Kay gained considerably, and won, without having been headed, by about 40 yards, Quick not proving quick enough. SCHOPIELD AND BAELOW.— Robt. Schofield of Wliitefield and John Barlow of Prestwich next entered the course to run a mile, for £ 7 10s each. The betting was 7 to 4 on Schofield. The non- favourite took a lead of two yards, but when a quarter of a mile had been traversed, Schofield passed him, and kept in front for some distance, but, at the end of the half- mile, Barlow was again leading. From this point 110 change took place in their positions, Barlow winning as he pleased, Schofield having given up 200 yards from the goal. HARTLEY* AND FIELDING.— This was a sprint race of 100 yards, for £ 25 a side, between J. Hartley of Burnley and H. Fiekliug of Colne, Mr J. Jennison officiating as referee. The betting was 3 to 2 on Hartley. Fielding obtained the lead, which he kept for 60 yards, where Hartley gave him the go- by, and won by three yards. NEW MATCH.— HARGEEAVES AND LAW— Thos. Hargreaves of Waterfoot and Matthew Law of Millgate have signed articles to run one mile, for £ 10 a side, at Bellevue, on the 11th of April. For this race Mr Holdenhas received £ 5 each, aud the remainder is to be put down on the day of the race. The gentleman just named is also selected as referee. SYDDALL AND SEVILLE.— On account of this contest, for £ 50 a side, distance 1,760 yards, between John Syddall of Radcliffe and John Seville of Oldham, Mr Holden has now received £ 20 each. The event is to come off 011 the 6th of April, at Bellevue. GIPSY QUEEN AND BETSY.— Another deposit, making £ 5 each now down, has been paid to Mr Holden for the race of 200 yards, for £ 10 a side, with W. Maddeu's Gipsy Queen of Man- chester and O. Buckley's Betsy of Oldham, the heaviest to give two yards to the lb outside. The race is fixed for the 28th iust, BOWMONT SIDE GAMES. YETHOLM, FEB 24,1857.— These games have now taken a first class position, and though Jedburgh aud Hawick offer larger prizes for some of their games, the competition and gymnastic powers which are displayed on Yetholm Haugh, are equal, if not superior, to any of them. Inducements have been held out, and intimation sent to Cumberland champions, but they seem to have a dread that their labour would be lost, as they have had individual experience of the huggings which the Bowmont and Cocquet lads can give them. Halliwell, Wright, and Scott have been thrown in succession by the winner of our wrestling prize, and it was hard work and protracted bouts ere the falls were all decided. The games commenced with— Throwing a201b stone— 4 competitors: Wm. Anderson ( Barrabuu) 1; James Davidson ( Cocklawfoot) 2; Richard Young ( Morebattle); Robt. Jerdan ( Yett). Hop, step, and leap— 7 competitors: James Davidson, 30ft 6in, 1; Jas. Sinton ( Cottenhope) 2; W111. Anderson; George Rutherford ( Longlawford); Thos. Mather ( Kelso); Geo. Mather ( Kelso); Richard Youue;. Running hop, step, and leap— 4 com- petitors : Jas. Davidson, 41ft 6in, 1; George Rutherford, 2; Jas, Sinton; Wm. Anderson. Standing high leap— 4 competitors: Jas. Davidson, 4ft 6in; George Rutherford, 2; Wm. Davidson, Thos. Davidson. Running high leap— 7 competitors: George Rutherford, 5ft 6in, 1; Jas. Davidson, 2; William Anderson; Thomas Davidson ; William Davidson; John Crag; Michael Anderson. Wrestling— 29competitors.— First round: Stood, Wm. Amos, Wrm. Davidson, Richard Young, Robert Ainslie, Wm. Ovens, Robert Jerdan, Robert Laidlaw, James Davidson, William Anderson, Henry Fox. Fell, James Sinton ( four severe rounds), George Hislop, James Watson, Robert Mel- rose, George Curry, Thomas Davidson, Thomas Anderson, Wm. Rutherford, Wm. Reid, John Curry. Second round: Stood, Robert Laidlaw, Wm. Davidson, Wm. Amos, Wm. Ovens, James Davidson. Fell, Robert Ainslie, Richard Young, Henry Fox, Robert Jerdan, Wm, Anderson. Third round : Stood, Wrm. Amos, Wm. Ovens. Fell, Robert Laidlaw, Wm. Davidson ; James Davidson odd man. Fourth round: Stood, James Davidson. Fell, Wm. Ovens ( third prize). Fifth round : Stood, James Davidson. Fell, Wm. Amos ( second prize). The best of three falls being obtained for the decisive fall, the excitement reached its summit when the two champions entered the lists. Davidson is a large and powerful athlete, bone, and sinews seemingly formed for exertion ; Amos, a short, stout man, his legs strong and muscular.— AshortFootRace—( four competitors): Donald Ross, Kelso ( first); Wm. Davidson, OocKlawfoot ( second); Wm. Heatly, Kelso; George Mather, Kelso.— The match of Foot Ball was keenly contested , and both foot balls belonging to the different villages, traversed the haugh and stream of the Bowmont in its circuitous course.— The Town Yetholm ball was played up through Kirk Yetholm, through the parish, Minis- ter's Policy, and garden. The match was given up undecided. The amusements of the day being over the parties retired to enjoy themselves at " dumpling feasts and balls." The com- mittee of the games and a few friends had a supper at Mr Wight's Inn, and enjoyed themselves very happily. The attend ance at the games was large aud respectable. 643 yards, is postponed until Saturday, April 25, and Monday, April 27. First prize £ 10, secoud £ 2, third £ 1. Each man winning a heat aud not getting a prize to receive 5s. The follow- ing additional prizes will be! given to be run for by those who run second in their heats:—£ 1 for the first, aud 10s for the se- cond; entrance, 2s each, to be paid before April 1, and accept- ances. Is 6d, by April 7. Second runners to run off on Monday, April 27. WM. FERGUSON of Bermondsey is matched to walk James Price of the same place two miles level, for £ 5 a side, 011 Easter Monday, at Falcon- lane, Battersea. £ 2 a side are in the hands of Mr Mason, and a further deposit of £ 1 a side is to be made to- morrow ( Monday) night, at the Antient Briton, Wild's- rents, Long- lane, Bermondsey. For Mr SADLER'S handicap, Garratt- lane, Wandsworth, on| Good Friday, April 10th; the distance is, once round the ground, or 580 yards ; first priz: £ 5, second £ 1, third 10s; entrance Is, and; Is more to accept. All entries to be made 011 or before Wednesday next, March 18th, at Mr Wilson's, Spotted Dog, Strand; or at Mr Sadler's. JAMES BARLOW of Prestwich and JAMES WHITEHEAD of Irlams o'- the- Height, Pendleton, are matched to run 880 yards, for £ 5 a side, at Bellevue, Manchester, on Saturday, the 28th instant. £ 1 a side is now down iu the hands of Mr James Westbrook. GREENWOOD SHAEP of Portsmouth, not being satisfied with his disputed race on Saturday last, will run Jas. Sanderson of Whitworth any distance from 100 yards up to two miles, for £ 25 or £ 50 a side, at either Bellevue, the Snipe Inn, Audenshaw, or Hyde Park, Sheffield. If a deposit of £ 10 be sent to Mr Jas. Hoi den, Mr Jennison, or the Editor of Bell's Life, and articles to Thos. Simpson, Jockey Tavern, Portsmouth, near Todmorden, a match can be made. JOHN PAENABY of Gilling, Yorkshire, will run Smith of Hutton 100 yards, or will take one yard in 100 of Blakeburn of Trimdon ; or run Somnerston of West Auckland 150 yards, or J. Dicks of Etherley 100 yards, or Mark Raine of Tow Law 150 yards ; or if Harper of Tow Law means running, he will accom- modate him with a spin of 130 yards. Any of these matches can be made for £ 5 a side. Money ready at the Victoria Hotel, Wilton Park. JOSEPH SEWELL of Newcastle wishes to inform Wm. Lees of the same place that if he is not satisfied with his late defeat he will run him the same distance, on Easter Monday, for £ 0 aside; or will take 10 yards start in 410 of II. Veitcb of the same place, or H. Ivirton of Gateshead. The match can be made to- morrow ( Monday) evening, at George Luke's, Sir Wm. Wallace's Arms, Stowell- street, Newcastle. JOHN BOOTH of Leyland will run Job of Bamber Bridge from 170 to 200 yards, for £ 25 a side; to run at Bellevue or Salford Borough Grounds; Mr James Holden of Manchester to be stakeholder and referee; the race to come off on Easter Saturday. Money ready at Thos. Marsden's, Rose and Crown, Farrington, near Preston. T. PEAGNELL of Newport will run any man in the Isle of Wight from 100 yards to 440, or give any Ryde man two yards start in 100, or 10 yards in 440, for £ 10 or £ 50 a side ; or he will give two minutes start iu a walking match of 10 miles, for £ 25 or £ 100 a side. Address 59, High- street, Newport. T. SIMPSON accepts the challenge of A. Thompson of Sunder- land to run 100 yards, for £ 25 a side, and will run T. Fenwick of Lanchester 200 yards, for the like sum. His money is ready at J. Oyston's, New Inn, Church- street, Durham. PHILLIP WILKS ( the Essex Wronder), age 64. will walk any man in the world of the same age, six to 10 miles, for from £ 20 to £ 50. Any communication to the Coach and Bell Inn, Rom- ford, Essex, will be attended to, H. VERNON of Mile End will run J. Heath of Twig Folly any distance he chooses from 100 yards upwards, for his own sum. A match can be made next Tuesday evening at James Puduey's, between nine and ten. C. DYKE of Paddington will walk young Bush of Portland Town three miles, for his own sum. An answer through Bell's Life will be attended to. JOHN PRICE of Birmingham will run George Crewder of the same place 120 yards, for £ 5 or £ 10 a side. Money ready at Jones's, Cottage, Lower Hospital- street, Birmingham. ROYAL BRITISH BANK. WHIST. PLAY V LUCK .— The subjoined letter from a correspondent may prove interesting to our whist playing readers :— MR EDITOR : The following account of au attempt ( to the best of my knowledge the first of its kind) to determine the exact advantage arising from skill at whist may not be without in- terest to such of your readers as are admirers of that scientific pastime. It will be observed that the great difficulty of the problem consists in separating the advantages due respectively to play and to cards. The scheme I am about to submit to your notice, besides possessing the greatest simplicity, almost entirely eliminates luck. In each of two separate apartments a whist table is formed, each table being composed of two good players against two confessedly inferior ones. A hand is played at 0110 table; the same cards are then conveyed to the other table, and the hand played over again, the inferior players now having the cards which the good players held at the first table, the order of the hands of course being preserved. The differ- ence in the scores will manifestly be twice the advantage due to play in that hand relatively to those sets of players; and, there- fore, supposing the disparity to be the same at each table, half the difference of the score will be the advantage due to skill on that hand at either table; by continuing the process an average can be readily found. The experiment was tried for six rubbers, and the result ( which was extremely interesting) will be presently analysed. It is necessary, however, to bear in mind that chance is not altogether eliminated, inasmuch as bad play might, and frequently does, succeed; again, some hands offer a greater scope than others for the exercise of talent. Still all that portion of luck ( by far the largest) arising from good and bad cards is, by this method, completely done away with, in the experiment under consideration, the scope for play was rather less than might have been anticipated, the cards running rather wild, and four by honours being often held. Still the good players at the first table ( holding more than average cards) won four rubbers out of six; with the same cards, at the second table, seven rubbers were played, three of which were won by the good players with the inferior cards. The good players holding good cards, won on the balance eighteen points ; whereas the bad players, with the same good cards, gained only seven points; making a difference of eleven points in favour of skill, or one point a rubber nearly. As the average of the rub- bers was five points, this would give a pull of about twenty per cent to skill. Lord William Manners used to insist that there was not a difference of five per cent between the two best and the two worst players; the preceeding results give a widely different per centage ; for neither were the good players of the same calibre as Lord W, Manners, nor were the inferior by any means the worst that could be found. In order to exhibit more distinctly where the difference took place the number of odd tricks gained in each hand was recorded at each table. A comparison at the conclusion showed some curious re- sults. Thirty- three hands were played at each table; in seven hands the score, by tricks, at each table was the same ; iu eighteen hands the difference in the score at the two tables was in favour of the superior players, while in eight hands the differ- ence was in favour of the inferior players; but the most startling fact of all is, that at both tables the skilled players gained a majority of tricks ; at the first table the excess of tricks gained by the good players with the good cards was nineteen, at the second table the good players with the bad cards gained a ma- jority of two.— Yours, & c, EXPEETO CEEDE. Ma rch 9. SUDDEN DEATH OF R. R. GUINNESS, ESQ.— With deep re gret we have to announce the death of this estimable citizen, which took place ou Monday afternoon, under circumstances distressingly sudden, at the King's Bridge terminus of the Great Southern and Western Railway. Mr Guinness, being a director of that company, happened to be at the terminus, en- gaged in some business in connection with the line, when he was seized with an attack of apoplexy, which terminated briefly and fatally. Mr Robert Rundell Guinness was well knowii and respected as an eminent man of business in Dublin. He was connected with several public companies, and was extensively engaged as a land agent. He was a warm and strenuous sup> porter of many of our public charities, and his loss will be bit terly felt by the poor of Dublin, to whom he was an untiring and practical benefactor,— Dublin Freeman, MILITARY PEDESTRIANISM.— Capt Mitford, of the 98tli depot, stationed in Fermoy Barracks, made a wager with some brother officers that he would walk from those barracks to the Imperial Hotel, Cork, and back, being a distance of 48 miles, in 16 hours. He accomplished the task iii 14 hours,. including two hours and 45 minutes occupied by rest aud stoppages, winning within two hours, and keeping an average pace of over four miles an hour He appeared quite fresh on his arrival, dressed, dined at the mess, and was ou parade as usual the next morning. We are informed that H. B. WALMSLEY", Esq, of Nelms.. Hornchurcli, Essex, backed himself at £ 12 to £ 10, to run 12 miles in one hour and a half, 011 a turnpike- road. On Tuesday morning last, he started from Brook- street to Stratford, and com- pleted the distance in 1 hour and 18 minutes. The stakes won were kindly given to the poor of the neighbourhood. Mr Walms- ley was attired in his usual dress while ruuning the 12 miles, and without previously training. SNIPE INN RACE GROUND, MANCHESTER- ROAD, AUBEN SHAW,— The handicap foot race, once round and 100 yards, or the week ending March 7, £ 10,81815s. ME MAYHEW AND TICKET- OF- LEAVE MEN.— In the White- chapel County Court, 011 Tuesday, an action was brought by one Wilkinson against Mr Henry Mayhew, whose praiesworthy efforts to assist in the reformaton of ticket- of- leave men are so well known, to recover the sum of £ 3 2s 6d, balance of a bill, for the board and lodging of a ticket- of- leave man. Mr H. Davies appeared for Mr Mayhew.— The plaintiff handed in two letters written by Mr Mayhew, in one of which that gentleman pro- mised to be answerable for the support of the ticket- of- leave man, to " a reasonable amount;" and the plaintiff admitted, upon being questioned by Mr Davies, having received two £ 5 notes from Mr Mayhew.— Mr Davies stated that his client had no objection to pay any amount that was fairly due, but he had reasons to believe this was a gross attempt at imposition, and he wished to put a few questions to the plaintiff.— Mr Mayhew's attorney then subjected the plaintiff to a severe cross- examina- tion, and elicited from him the following particulars-.— That he had kept a registered lodging- house, where men and womeu belonging to the " misfortunate classes" resorted, and that the ticket- of- leave man, for whose support he charged Mr Mayhew, had not lodged at his house " all the time."— Mr Davies stated he was instructed that the man had never lived at the plaintiff's house at all, and that was the reason why he ( Mr Davies) appeared there to resist the demand. If he was correctly informed even the £ 10 that had already been paid by Mr Mayhew had been shared by the plaintiff and the ticket- of- leave man, who, during the whole period which it is alleged he had been lodging at the plaintiff's house, had really been coha- biting with a woman in another part of the town.— Mr Davies ( to plaintiff): Are you married ?— Yes. What was your wife's maiden name?— Murphy. Do you know a person of the name of Ned Salmon, a ticket- of- leave man?— Not by that name. Mr Davies ( handing in a letter, signed " Ned Salmon," and contain- ing a threat to " garotte" his client and himself), do you know this handwriting?— No. Will you swear to that; be cautious, you are 011 your oath, and I warn you that your words are being taken down with a view to further proceedings.— Plaintiff ( in a whining tone): I can neither read nor write, Mr Mayhew knows that; and I leave it in the hands of the judge. His Honour: Do you mean to say you are entirely ignorant of writing?— Plain- tiff : Yes, my lord, I am.— Mr Davies said that he was prepared to hear the whole of the real facts of the case misrepresented by the plaintiff, and he would be happy, if his honour thought it necessary for the ends of justice, to place Mr Mayhew in the witness- box, in order to refute the plaintiff's evidence.— His honour proceeded to examine Mr Mayhew's letters to the plain- tiff, and said, taking the matter even in a legal point of view, he could not see that the plaintiff had made out any claim against the defendant.— Mr Davies begged to state that Mr Mayhew had offered the ticket- of- leave man in question a situation of 18s per week, but the man had said he could earn more by dishonest practices, and would not accept it.— The summons was accord- ingly dismissed. WRECKS IN 1856.— In the year 18561,153 ships were wrecked or met with casualties on or near the coast of the United King- dom, between 49 deg and 62 deg north latitude and mid- channel, and 12 deg west longitude. The aggregate burden of the ships was 229,936 tons, being worked tby 10,014 hands. Of these the lives of 2,764 were placed in imminent danger by the various casualties, and 18.85 per cent, or 521 of those so placed in peril were lost. It should be observed that all those returned as placed iu danger would have been lost but for external assist- ance rendered by life- boats or otherwise. The largest number of casualties occurred in the mouths of January, February, No- vember, aud December. Of the ships, 884 were British, regis- tered at home; 32 were British, registered in the colonies; and 237 foreigners; 546 were sailing ships over sea, 434 coasters, 139 colliers, and 34 steam- vessels ; 506 wrecks, & c, occurred on the east coast, 307 ou the west coast, 119 on the Irish coast, 12 off the Scilly Isles, 11 off Lundy Island, 5 off the Isle of Man, and 38 off the northern isles; 261 of the ships were commanded by masters of ships holding certificates of competency, 290 by masters hold- ingcertificates of service, 299 by masters of coasters not required by law to hold certificates, 95 by persons whose qualifications were unknown, and 210 by foreigners; 484 ships were re- ported as insured, and 179 as uninsured. The causes of accident involving total loss include 148 cases of stress of weather, 10 of mistaking lights, & c, 37, of unseaworthiness, 38 of fog or current, five of defective compasses, five of defective charts, 12 of errors of judgment, three of ignorance of coast, seven of errors of pilot, three of want of pilot, 21 of neglect of lead, 11 of want of caution, two of interference, and nine of general negli- gence. Among the causes of serious accidents to ships not involving total loss, 87 occurred through leakage, one injured by lightning, 13 for want of lights 011 coasts or shoals, 20 by missing stays, two from intemperance, one from improper stowage of anchor, and 10 from spontaneous combustion of cargo, chiefly arising from explosions of gas generated by steam coal under battened hatches. The remainder of casualties not involving total loss are attributed to the same causes as those men- tioned in the return of total losses. The wrecks of 1856 exhibit a decrease of 6' 38 per cent over those of 1855, and the collisions an increase of 27' 94 per cent on the last return. The great increase in the number of collisions is reported as fully ac- counted for by the facility with which returns are now obtained from the Coast Guard officers and receivers of wrecks, but mainly arises from the increased trade, and the consequent increase in the number of vessels in the narrow seas. The per ceutage of ships lost or damaged last year to the total number registered iu the United Kingdom up to last December is cal- culated at 3i per cent. The wreck experience of last year was, on the whole, rather favourable to life, as contrasted with the last five years, with the exception of last year, over which there is a slight increase. The number of lives lost this year were 399 less than in 1852,168 less than 1853,1,028 less than " 1854, and 52 more than in 1S55. DEATH PROM HYDROPHOBIA,— On Wednesday evening week, a labourer, named Ambrose Arnold, aged thirty- six, in the ser- vice of Mr Treadwell, of Hartley, died from the effects of a bite from a mad dog, which he received in May last. On Monday the deceased felt very unwell, on the following day symptoms of madness presented themselves, and 011 Wednesday he became so unmanageable, that he was conveyed to the union where he died in a raving state the same evening, howling like a dog. LONDON GENERAL OMNIBUS COMPANY,— Traffic receipts for EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES.— At a meeting in the Bank- ruptcy Court, on Wednesday, Mr Edward Esdaile, late governor of the Royal British Bank, was examined, and some extraordi- nary disclosures were the result. We regret we have only space for a summary of what oceurred, Mr Edward Esdaile, in answer to MrLinklater, who appeared for the assignees, stated that he was a director of the bank from its commencement to its close, and was governor of the court of directors from February, 1855. He could not say how much the bank had when they commenced business on the 19th of Novem- ber, 1849, but he believed the sum of £ 20,250 as standing to the credit of the bank in their books was correct. He was aware that by the terms of the act of Parliament, they should have had £ 50,000, being one- half of the paid- up capital, oefore they petitioned her Majesty in council for a charter of incorporation. On the 20th aud 21st of November, 1849, two sums of £ 5,685, and £ 3,110 were paid into the Bank of England to the credit of the bank, and on the same days two checks were drawn by Alderman Kennedy, Mr Cameron, and himself, in favour of Mr James, for the like amounts. Mr Linklater : Are you aware that the directors borrowed money in order to swell up the amount standing to the credit of the Bank of England? Mr Esdaile : That is not in my recol- lection.— Do you believe it to be true ? I cannot give au answer satisfactory to myself to that question.— I must repeat my ques- tion : Do you believe the directors paid borrowed money into the bank, and then drew it out immediately afterwards ? I can- not state what is my belief, as my memory is a perfect blank.— I observe that 86 shares, upon which the first and second calls would be £ 4,300, were allotted to Cameron, in exchange for his promissory note for that amount. Do you know if Cameron ever paid a single farthing for those shares ? I believe not.— The directors to obtain the charter, represented the paid- up capital to be £ 50,000. Did those 86 shares form part of such sum ? I was not present at the meeting of the 13th of July, 1849, when the report of the paid- up shares was made to the directors. I was present at the meeting of the 14th of October, 1849, when a loan of £ 7,500 was made to Mr M'Gregor, and a sum of £ 1,000 was divided amongst the directors for their services in 1849, aud which was represented as preliminary expenses upon the forma- tion of the bank in November following, and which amounted to £ 9,523 lis lOd before commencing business. I cannot recollect what proportion I took, but the largest sum was taken by the then governor. On the 19th of November, 1849, the sum of £ 500 was awarded to the governor for his important services, aud £ 600 to the directors. The total loss to the bank was, I be- lieve, from £ 8,000 to £ 10,000; but that was not known until after his decease. I was present at the meeting recording the talent and amiable qualities of Mr Mullius, on the 13th of De- cember, 1853. I remember Mrs Gooderich applying for some deeds which had been lodged as security for the advances to Mullins, and which she represented had been deposited without her authority, and they were returned to her. Mr Linklater here called the attention of the court to the petition to her Majesty in council, dated 2d of June, 1849, signed by John M'Gregor, M. P. for Glasgow, Apsley Pellatt, Alderman Kennedy, Edward Esdaile, Esq, and the other directors, repre- senting that £ 50,00o had been paid up 0111,000 shares, and upon which misrepresentation the Lords reported that the provisions of the 7th and 8th Victoria for regulating joint- stock banks had been complied with, and the charter was obtained.— Examina- tion in chief resumed: The directors had many applications for shares from persons residing at Newcastle- upon- Tyne, which had been canvassed by Alderman Kennedy and Mr Cameron. A check for £ 610 was afterwards drawn in favour of Mr Mullius to enable him to go down to obtain a transfer of those shares, as the depositors refused to sign the deed of constitution. Oil the 26th of October, 1849, the deposits were returned to the amount of £ 610. Mr Esdaile then proceeded to state that after he was elected governor, 011 the 1st of February, 1855, his attention was drawn to the ledger, and he found that accounts had been opened with several of the directors of the bank, and that Cameron was in- debted on his discount account above £ 15,000. In August, 1854, Cameron lent him £ 500 on his promissory note, which was paid by him in February following. The check was drawn upon the bank with which his promissory note was discounted. It was purely a simple transaction between himself and Mr Cameron, and ho might state iu explanation that it was thought desirable to double the qualifications of the directors, and he borrowed the money of Cameron to enable him to take up ten extra shares. He did not take the pains to apply to the finance committee to know if Cameron had applied for permission to discount his pro- missory note; he never had any drawing account himself at the bank. From the time he became governor, in February, 1855, to the closing of the bank, Cameron's account had increased from £ 15,000 to £ 19,146. Himself and the other directors had fre- quently taken steps to compel Cameron to reduce his account, but had been unsuccessful. That £ 19,146 was advanced on Cameron's personal security and upon shares. He was aware that by the deed of settlement they could not legally advance money on shares of the bank. Iu February, 1851, they ad- vanced £ 820 to Mr Thomas Chandler, one of the auditors of the bank, 01119 shares aud his promissory note, which had not been paid. Iu July, 1854, Cameron advanced Humphiey Brown, M. P., £ 1,000 on the deposit of some shares as security. From May, 1855, to July, 1856, the other directors and himself re- peatedly referred to Cameron's account, and they found it gene- rally increasing, but sometimes decreasing. At the half- yearly meetings of shareholders in February, 1856, and June, 1856, Cameron's account was returned as a good asset. They held five or six different sorts of securities, but at present he could not describe them. The bank had lost by the Welsh works £ 120,000, subject to what would be obtained for them. This expenditure was also represented as a good asset in Juno last to the shareholders, as they had hoped to raise a company by shares. Messrs Fuller and Horsey were instructed to sell the mines. On the 27th of June, 1854, the directors came to a reso- lution as to the reserve bid. The reserve bid was to be £ 53,000 ; there was 110 bidder. At that time advances had been made on the mine to the extent of £ 75,000. He did not know that Mr Apsley Pellatt had retired from the direction 011 account of some irregular transactions in connection with these mines. In May* 1855, he had come to the conclusion that there would be a very large loss on the mines except some desirable arrange- ment could be made. There was, however, a belief that this might be avoided by means of the formation of a limited liability company. Mr Walker, a lawyer, was the person employed iu getting up the company, but he did not know where he lived. He was a young professional man, and he believed he resided in London. Walker thought that access might be got to certain parties of wealth and position who would take up the company. Mr Thompson, civil engineer, had been employed by the directors in the matter of the mines; he had not given it up as a hopeless case, but for other reasons. Mr Linklater then asked Mr Esdaile whether he believed at the time that the directors were in their report of June, 1856, stating to the shareholders the truth, when they mentioned these mines as an available asset of £ 120,000? Mr Esdaile, after various answers, said they had certain anxious feeiings, but they were not prepared to expect losses before they occurred.— O11 your oath, answer yes or 110; do uot hesitate. Mr Esdaile: I am obliged to hesitate.— After several evasive answers, Mr Es- daile said: There is no question as to the great value of the property. The Commissioner: You would have sold it for £ 53,000. Mr Esdaile: But there was a great outlay upon the property after that time. The value depended greatly upon railways. If they had succeeded in their speculations in this respect, he believed up to this time there were chances in favour of the mines. It was only owing to the attacks of some members of the press that the confidence of the public about this time was destroyed. Bu t for that they might have got through the difficulty, as others similarly situated had done. Sir Linklater: I ask you again, did you believe the statement referred to contained the truth ? Mr Esdaile: Being made 011 representations they could not be certain it was true.— Did you believe you were making an honest representation? No answer. The Commissioner: You could not consider it an available asset.— Mr Linklater: I ask you again, do you consider you were making an honest representation to the shareholders ? No direct answer. The Commissioner: Was it true that you had assets to the large amount stated ?,, Mr Esdaile: There were assets of various kinds. Certainly some of them were not available. MrLinklater: I will ask you the question in another form. Did you not, on the 30th of June, fear there might be a loss ot £ 50,000 011 the mines ? Yes. He believed that if they did not succeed in the negociation there would be a very serious loss.— I11 the balance- sheet ending the 30tli of June, 1850, submitted to the shareholders 011 the 1st of August, did you not represent the bank as solvent? It is impossible to say we were not deficient. We were sanguine of surmounting the difficulty by the extension of business aud increase in capita).— Were you not aware that the whole of the subscribed capital was lost ? I cannot deny but that we were in jeopardy. 1 cannot say lost, while there was a chance of redeeming the Welsh property and realising Mr Humphrey Browu's security.— Now, did the item of £ 810,000 shown on this statement exceed in value £ 600,000? Could not say.— If you had put it at less than £ 600,000, would it not have been a fair representation to the shareholders ? I think not.— How much out ? It would depend 011 the estimate at the time of the value of the securities. Mr Linklater several times asked if the account given in Feb, 1856, was true or false, and Mr Esdaile said ho could not deny that it conveyed an erroneous impression.— I again ask, whether you did not know the account to be false? Mr Esdaile ( warmly): By this question you are charging me with untruth, which is foreign to my nature. I will not answer the question in that way.— 111 your anxiety to protect the shareholders, did you not give a statement which was false? It was not strictly justified by truth.— I find, iu the accounts, ending the 30 th. Juno, the gross profit, after making allowances for bad debts, interest on promis- sory notes, & e, amounts to £ 15,069 15s 6ti. Was there any pro- fit? Yes.— Were not bad debts, £ 100,000, taken credit for as assets? You mean including advances to directors.— Question repeated: Adding reserved fund and increased capital, tnerewas a large margin.— Was not t he representation untrue ? It was certainly not borne out by the analysis.— Did you believe it made a sufficient reduction in the bad debts ?— No; but in the course of years we hoped to find it sufficient. The Commissioner: You wanted to throw the present losses 011 future generations. Mr Linklaker: In the £ 810,000 were not debts included as assets which had been bad for years? Thought as doubtful. We received £ 13,000 last year.— But a large amount ? Yes.— Knowing them to bu bad, did you not insert them as good, in- tending they should extend over future years ? Yes.— Did not the bad and doubtful debts exceed £ 150,000? They must have. You knew that in August, 1854 ? Yes.— And in December and June, 1855? Partially.— Then those statements made to the shareholders were untrue ? Yes, with some explanations.— Then you knew there should have been no division of profits in 1854, 1855, and 1856? Yes, if wo were governed by the prin- ciple of meeting every obligation which appeared 011 our books. - Was not the same circumstance known to your fellow- directors ? They were present; I can say 110 further.— Was it not a question of consultation between yourself aud your fellow- directors whether you should misrepresent the affairs of the bank ? There was a question whether we should make a divi- dend or not,— Was there not a discussion whether you should set out the bad and doubtful debts in a different manner? I have no recollection.— At the time Mr Paddison, the solicitor, wrote to the Board of Trade for a certificate under the supplemental charter, did you not know you were in a state of hopeless in- solvency ? No, only embarrassment. The Commissioner: You could not have paid your way without new capital ?— Mr Esdaile : No. Mr Linklater: You became governor in June, 1855, and did you then believe all the capital to be lost ? We believed we should have recovered Cameron's debt, and that Humphrey Brown would pay. In June, 1855, he did not know all the capital was lost; but believed it to be compromised. Went 011 paying dividends after that. Believed Alderman Kennedy was not aware of the position of the bank, but could not say he did not know it to be insolvent. The new shares were issued at a premium. After some further examination of a less important character, the sitting broke up. LITERATURE. I J?/* » LITTK: boy- and asks " What are we to do with £ SL 1 ' T^ d° n° t know-' they have no instructions in the WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY: AN ASCENT OP ESS CLS^ FI MONT BLANC BY A NEW ROUTE, AND WITHOUT GUIDES. By questions:— Now what fate, reader, think you, would be the Rev C. HUDSON, M. A., and E S. KENNEDY B. A. Second i^ hV^ ws T BEL" K bor" lu> tier such circumstances, aud in .... ... . ' " - u. X>. a.. oeconu such a place? To what end is such a bcinnine likelv to lead? edition, with two ascents of Monte Rosa.-[ London: Longman Is such a one likely to find theXets Sf S and Co, 1856.]— W e were once lionising a certain celebrated £, old r, we have no doubt ab ovo, as it were, the hero of German professor over Cambridge. He was amazed at the stiff j SaSs fSrtherSnteSce iS ^ ^^ ^ decorum of the streets, the " quiet" manner of the gownsmen, | LITTLE DOERIT.— Mr Dickens's work has now reached its six- and the frigid propriety of the lecture rooms. Our friend de- : dentil number, and, as may be imagined, the interest in the claimed vehemently against all Cambridge men as a set of ener- ! ffiftS vated and emasculated nonentities. We said nothine in renlv. former by au attack of paralysis, andthe latter by a broken heart,. f* a. n « pH hu Iho doofl. r. f V,; « t, 1 . , nothing reply, but quietly took him down in the evening to see the boat r ices. He then quickly changed his opinion, and, quite carried away by the excitement of the hardly contested struggle, finally cheered as lustily as any of the hundreds on the banks. As we walked home together he retracted his verdict of the morning, and freely admitted that the pluck, determination, and endurance exhibited on the river were qualities sure to command success 111 other and more important contests. The boat races are, in fact, the key to Oxford and Cambridge life, and during term time they serve as a vent for that exuberant animalism, which, in other universities, finds an outlet of a less innocuous, and at at the same time, of a less effective character. But in the long vacation this resource is Unavailing; hence during the four autumn months, reading parties, so called, penetrate, in search of adventure, into every picturesque njok of Europe, an enigma equally to the Norwegian Bonder and to the Austrian police. The college- bred crews of the Undine and the Waterlily drew on themselves the incredulous gaze of thousands of wondering Phihsters as they pulled their canvas cockleshells through the bridges of the Maine, the Danube, and the Rhine. The Pet, a yacht about as big as a dining table, and manned by a Cambridge crew of three, breasted boldly the billows of the German Ocean, and during the bombardment of Sweaborg, dared to draw all the guns of that fortress upon her tiny self. Many of the most impossible looking peaks of the Bernese Oberland and of the Pennine Alps have, though often after repeated failures, been scaled by the determined pluck of long vacation tourists. The summits of the Jungfrau, of the Welterhorn, of the Breithorn, of the lesser Malterliorn, and last, though not least, of the D6m in the Saasgrat, now recognised as the loftiest peak in Switzer- land Proper, have all had their Cambridge visitants; while the better- known peaks of Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc bid fair to become as familiar as the Gogmagogs themselves, and the Tschingel aud the Strahleck to be a trodden highway like the road to Trumpingtou. The authors of the book before us have been long known personally, or by repute, to the fraternity of Swiss explorers, and their former feats with the oar are now heart, caused by the death of his much beloved, though selfish, brother. The other characters are brought closer together, and everything tends to prove that the story is approaching comple- tion. The number is, to our minds, the best written of the whole series. It is, indeed, in Mr Dickens's best style. ASK MAMMA." By the author of Soapy Sponge.— It surely requires little more at our hands than the mention of the fact that our old friend and contributor, the author of Handley Cross, Soapy Sponge, & c, has commenced a new serial, to en- sure its welcome reception by our readers. The story opens well, and is written with all the comic power for which the author is so renowned. Of course it would be impossible at present to- give any notion of the plot, and we must be contented with the introduction of the hero, and the history of his pedigree so far as it is known. The number is humourously illustrated by John Leech. „ ^ FINE ARTS. THE OPENING OP THE GREAT EXHIBITION.— Mr Thomas Boys, printseller to the royal family, of 467, Oxford- street, has just published two very beautiful engravings. They are 011 a large scale, and the subjects are of general interest. The first represents the Queen opening the Great Exhibition of All Nations, on May 1st, 1851. It contains no fewer than ninety- seven portraits of the royal family, of eminent English and foreign per- sonages, grouped round the dais elevated in the transept in front of the famous elm enclosed by it, and still flourishing beneath the vault of heaven. Many of the portraits are very striking likenesses, particularly those of the royal family and their noble attendants. The plate is admirably engraved by Samuel Bellin, after the large and well- known painting by H C. Selous. The formality incident to pictures of this kind has been dealt with with consummate tact and management. The disposition of the personages, notwithstanding their number, is exceedingly felicitous; the arrangement being various as well as natural when surveyed in detail; while the ensemble, iu spite of the strict regularity of the masses 011 each side, is highly pleasing. The large dimensions of the plate give it a nobly imposing p= 7' as times, and is published at prices varying from twelve guineas to four guineas, there is no doubt that it will find a place in the galleries of the rich and the cabinets of the affluent. It is accompanied by a descriptive key, enabling those who are not acquainted with the features of the persons represented to become so. BOLTON ABBEY IN THE OLDEN TIMES.— The second is a most highly finished new engraving of " Bolton Abbey in the Olden Time," painted by Sir E. Landseer many years ago for the Duke of Devonshire. It established Sir Edwin's fame as a great painter of the human figure as well as of those of animals. Its popularity has been immense and enduring, and it has been engraved over and over again, sometimes fully, aud frequently in parts. Every figure in it, with individual accessories, has been engraved separately to suit the tastes and purses of all. The present plate is cabinet size, 24in by 21in high, aud is executed most care- fully by W. T. Darcey, already celebrated by several ex- cellent engravings of Sir Edwin's pictures. ' It will find a place in the collection of every admirer of art. stock. Their book was, at the time of its first appearance, favourably noticed in this journal; and we now gladly welcome a second edition, containing much additional matter, which will prove of great interest to those familiar with the Alps. Messrs Hudson and Kennedy have now appended narratives of sundry supplemental expeditions, among which we may mention two sepa- rate ascents of Monte Rosa, an ascent of the D61e in January, an attempt at the Graben Horn, and an account of certain prelimi- nary explorations of the western buttresses of Mont Blanc. The authors have likewise added a few amusing pages 011 the " Theory and Practice of the Glissade"— that swift rail way- faced slide down those steep snow slopes which it costs many a tedious hour to surmount, forming one of the last and most highly prized accomplishments of the veteran mountaineer. In con- clusion, we beg heartily to recommend the book to all who pur- pose to see for themselves that wondrous ice world, the explora- tion of which becomes a passion to those who have once ventured into its recesses. THE SPORTSMAN'S FRIEND IN A FROST. By HAREY HIEOVEE — [ Newby.]— This is another amusing volume from the prolific pen of our old friend Harry Hieover. To many sportsmen the work will prove an old acquaintance, as they will recognise the majority of the articles as having formed contribu- tions to the Sporting Review. To all these readers the papers in a collective form will doubtless be an acquisition, while the general sporting public cannot fail to appreciate Master Hieover's amusing efforts, when they may be hindered by frost or other hard weather from enjoying their favourite pursuits. Our author in this volume proves that he can write, and write well too, on other subjects than sporting, and as a specimen of this, his other style, we would especially call attention to the sketch headed " Imperturbable Jack." Should any reader be blessed (?) with an extravagant, cantankerous better- half, we advise him to get the book and read this chapter at once. Among the most amusing chapters are " Sporting and its Patrons," " Nobs and Snobs," " Amateurs and Professionals," " The Ruling Passion," " Knowing what we want," ,\ c THE BEER TRADE. A meeting of brewers and other persons interested in and con- nected with the beer trade was held on Wednesday, at the Lon- don Tavern, Bishopsgate- street, for the purpose of receiving the report of the protection committee and considering what further steps ought to be taken to prevent the passing of any measures injurious to their interest. Mr Ashmore, the chairman of the committee, presided. The withdrawal of Mr Hardy's bill ren- dered the attendance less numerous than it otherwise would have been. The CHAIRMAN briefly opened the proceedings, remarking that previously to the introduction of Mr Hardy's bill, the corn- All the mittee waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the pur- papers a, re written in Harry's well- known off- hand practical pose of ascertaining whether the Government intended to do style, and, as a whole we do not doubt that it will meet with that anything to carry out the recommendations of the committee of patronage and support to which it is so justly entitled. l> 54- 55. The reply of the right lion gentleman was that the Go- THE CHAIN BEARER. By J. FENIMORE COOPER.— This is . vernment did not intend to take any steps towards carrying out the 158th volume of that excellent and very popular collection of , those recommendations. After Mr Hardy's bill had been iutro- works of fiction, called " The Parlour Library," published by duced, the committee, accompanied by Sir James Duke, obtained Mr Hodson, of 13, Paternoster- row. It relates to the manners an interview with Sir Georgy Grey, aud left with him a protest and adventures of the settlers in the back- woods of North against the bill, containing the reasons why they objected to it America, and they are described with the usual minute accuracy in tuto. The interview with the right hon gentleman was very characteristic of the majority of the works by the author of The satisfactory, and the deputation had every reason to be pleased with what passed on that occasion [ hear, hear]. gor: . Last of the Mohi- cans. The Chain- bearer is the type of the prac tical surveyors employed in the allotment of lands, and in giving his history the author surrounds it with many interesting adven- tures of the settlers in the " far west." It is a pleasing, whole- some, and very attractive story. ELGAE HUNTLEY , OR, THE SLEEP WALKEK.— This is an- other volume of the collection just favourably mentioned. It is exceedingly interesting, and treats very curiously of the phe- nomena of somnambulism. The various instances of sleep- walking. given in the volume, are surprising, but not improbable. THE RIELE RANGERS, by Captain MAYNE REID, part 3, and Mr BISHOP, the secretary, then read several letters from gen- tlemen who were unable to attend, and also the minutes of the committee, detailing the result of their interviews with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Sir George Grey, setting forth the protest left with the latter right hon gentleman, a petition founded 011 suggestions thrown out by him, and the insructions which had been sent to parties in the country connected with the beer trade. Letters from Manchester, Bradford, Halifax, and several other places, were read, acknowledging the receipt of the petition and instructions, aud stating that they had in MONTE CHRISTO, by DUMAS, part 6, have just been published many instances been already acted upon. Mr Bishop also read by Kent aud Co. Their interest is unabated, and their very low au account of an interview which a deputation had had with Mr price must place them in the hands of the million. Hardy, in the course of which they endeavoured, but unsuccess- HISTORY- OP ENGLAND. By CHARLES KNIGHT.— This work, fully, to induce that gentleman to withdraw his bill. Mr Bishop published in monthly parts, is progressing regularly. The further announced that the committee had secured a large room present, third part, embraces the history of our country from up- stairs for the purpose of holding a public meeting of the A. D. 901 to 1066, including the Saxon period, with the victory of j trade, and that every possible step had been taken to secure the William of Normandy and the death of Harold, at the conflict at: success of their efforts [ hear, hear]. Battle. The next part will commence with the Norman period, and thenceforward we shall have the history written on safer and more truthful bases than before. DRAFTS FOR ACCEPTANCE. By GEORGE RAYMOND, author of Memoirs of Mliston, & c. [ Routledge and Co.]— Mr Ray- mond is well known for his long aud very varied experience of past and passing library aud dramatic events. The present volume is filled with very entertaining historiette and contains several original letters addressed to George Colman, by Garrick, Lord Bath, Kitty Clive, Macklin, and others. These very ac- ceptable drafts are penned iu verse and prose, and one of them, the charming sketch of " My Two Aunts" has been made the foundation of a successful little drama. The drawer of these bills will find, we are sure, many accepters and endorsers beyond the circle of the Garrick Club, of which he is a distinguished and entertaining member. FAIR ANNIE : A BALLAD COMPOSED BY FRANK B. TUSSAUD. WRITTEN BT HENRY- P. NOVRA—[ F. Moutrie].— A most charm- ing ballad, written with much judgment; the melody being far above the common run of compositions of this class. Mr Frank Tussaud appears to have much talent for this style of writing. MAGAZINES. BLACKWOOD'S,—" Old Ebony" is more versatile than a cha- meleon. He changes his colour as rapidly and as becomingly as Valentine Vousden, of the Salle Vousden, Oxford- street, changes his dress. Ebony is 110 longer dark this month. He has cast his skiu, and shines with the varied colours of early spring- tide. Not satisfied with this, lie scatters flowers to us, his customers, with generous profusion. We will name a , few of the best bouquets : " ./ Esthetics amongst the Alps;" " A Crow Plucked with Mr J. Bull;" " Scenes of Clerical Life ;" " The Conquest of Bacchus;" " Barry Corn- wall," a well woven wreath for that delightful poet and; " Let- ters from a Lighthouse." THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.— The number of this magazine for March is varied aud interesting. Of its eleven papers, nine afford very pleasant light reading. Two are ou serious subjects, " Transportation," and " University Education." Each is learnedly and ably handled, and deserves studious perusal. Of the lighter contributions, the best are the commencement of the history of the " Castle of Dublin," continuing chapters of " The Fortunes of Gleneore," " A Winter's Night's Wrake," a musical masque by Jonathan Freke Sliugsby, " Clerical Life in Ireland," " Life in Germany," " Boswell," and " The Rides aud Reveries of Mr TESOP Smith." COLBURN'S NEW MONTHLY.— The reader who is not well- pleased with this number must be very fastidious. It contains a large number of good contributions on interesting subjects- something for every taste. Wre think highly of the clever paper entitled " The Renaissance at Alnwick Castle," describing the great alterations the Duke of Northumberland has been for some tivio and is making in the erst border fortress of the Percys. The noble duke is employing the best English artists, aided by monumental drawings and designs by Signor Montiroli and other distinguished artists. The whole renovation of what will be " The Window of the North," is entrusted to the great talents of Mr Salvin, of Argyll- street, London, and his able clerk and draughtsman, Mr Frederick R. Wilson. We recommend to our readers the following contributions, " Notes on Note- Worthies," by Sir Nathaniel; " Information relativo to Mr Joshua Tubbs, & c," by E. P. Rowsell; " A Swedish Voyage Round the World," translated by Mrs Bushby; " The Baths of Lucca," byFlorentina; " The Talker and Worker," by J. E. Carpenter, and continuation of " The History of the Newspaper Press," by Alexander Andrews. BEJJTLEY'S MISCELLANY'.— This number has our heartiest praise. It is a thoroughly good and amusing one. Its most brilliant gems are " The Millionaire of Mincing- lane," chapters 7, 8, 9, by Dudley Costello ; " A Summer in the Sahara," " Am- sterdam— Paris— Venice," " A Victim to Tic," by Materfamilias, " The Coroner's Inquest," " Howl sold m3 Reversion," " En- tire Correspondence of Horace Walpole," and " Gallery of Theatrical Portraits," No. 3, W. Dowton, by T. P. Grinsted. THE TRAIN.— This self- called " first class magazine" is not misnamed. Its collective contributors, though not charged at first class fare, are as good as many that are. We recommend the Train to all wayfarers. THE SPORTING REVIEW affords very amusing reading this month. The first paper, " The Omnibus," by the Editor, we believe, is very clever in its chat about all kinds of passing sporting events. We think well of the following contributions: " Owning a Yacht," by Lord William Lennox; " Days and Nights of Wild Fowl Shooting;" " Charles Saupher's Racing Yacht;" " Jottings," byjlamrod ; " A Month's Tiger- Shooting in the Terai of Goruckpore," aud " A Day's Boar- Shooting." TAIT'S MAGAZINE.— The communications to this number are unusually numerous and varied. The following are very inter- esting :—" Tangled Talk," " Gleanings and Fragments," " Twen- ty- seven Years of a Cosmopolite's Life, being pages of Adven- ture and Travel;" " Frederick Schiller," and " Ballads by Bon Gaultier's Grandsons." The CHAIRMAN expressed a hope that the exertions of the committee had given general satisfaction to the trade. He consi- dered it most desirable that the brewers and the beer- house keepers should act unitedly together. The fate of the brewers iu Loudon, with a few exceptions, depended upon the success of the beer- houses, and the important question for consideration was whether, year after year, they were to be subjected to bills of pains and penalties. There could be no doubt that other at- tempts would be made to injure the trade, and it was therefore necessary to be prepared for every emergency. Some of the brewers had come forward in a most liberal way to assist in the movement, aud he trusted that others would follow their ex- ample. The general meeting, to which allusion had been made, was fixed for the 23d inst, but he suggested the propriety of postponing it until after the introduction of some other bill. Mr STALLWOOD concurred iu the opinion of the chairman, thinking that if the meeting should be held at the time pro- posed, some difficulty might be experienced in procuring a suffi- cient attendance on a second occasion. Mr Cox expressed a similar opinion with reference to the bill of Mr Hardy. He thought it would be scarcely possible to in- troduce a more mischievous measure. He did not see why the beer trade more than any other should be subjected to a ma- gisterial license. If any beer- house keeper offended against the law, the law was sufficiently strong to punish him. A license to a house was equal to from £ 500 to £ 1,000, and taking the num- ber of beer- houses at 40,000, an immense amount of patronage would be given to those who did not always use it in the best and fairest manner. He thought it would be much better for all parties if the trade could be thrown entirely open. It has been said that the multiplication of public- houses increased drunken- ness, and that the great prevention was a license from the magis- trates. Now that certainly was not always the case, for he had known instances in the largest and best conducted houses in which the servants of those establishments had been under the necessity of conveying gentlemen to their carriages. Magiste- rial licenses, therefore, did not prevent men from getting drunk, and were very injurious to the trade. Mr HAWKINS also declared himself to be iu favour of a fair free trade, and expressed his firm conviction that the interests of the society could not be placed in better hands than those of the committee^ Mr WEST, after referring to the coming dissolution of Parlia- ment, suggested the propriety of deputations waiting upon can- didates at different places for the purpose of ascertaining whether they would support the abolition of the licensing system or not. He thought by pursuing such a course the society would obtain considerable support. Mr BISHOP thought that such a suggestion ought not to be acted upon. Iu the year 1838, a licensed victualler sent circulars to every one of tke metropolitan candidates, requiring them to state distinctly whether they would do certain things to obtain the assistance of that influential body. The candidates spurned the idea of giviug any pledge, one of them declaring that such a proposition was as ungenerous to the parties asked as it was disgraceful to the parties making the application. To make any such attempt at the present time would be to incur the risk of a dangerous opposition, but he thought it would be a wise course to ask the candidates to give the trade a fair hearing [ hear]. Mr MASON approved of the recommendation of the committee of the House of Commons, and said that if the beersellers of the kingdom were properly united, no man would venture to bring forward such a measure as that which had been introduced by Mr Hardy. Mr KYNERSLEY did not think that candidates ought to be re- quired to pledge themselves on particular matters of trade, but as this was a free- trade question, he thought free- traders ought to be requested to make the beer trade a portion of the great ques- tion of free- trade [ hear, hear]. The CHAIRMAN, in reference to the remarks of Mr Mason, ob- served that the committee had submitted to Sir George Grey certain propositions, which might almost be called a bill, founded on the recommendations of the committee of the House of Com- mons. The only recommendation uot embodied in those propo- sitions was that the price of a license should be £ 30. Such a charge would be most unfair 011 small houses, seeing that the large gin palaces would be required to pay 110 larger sum [ hear, hear]. After some further conversation, a resolution was agreed to, postponing the general meeting until some further attempt should be made to interfere with the beer trade, and the meet- ing then separated. TERMINATION OP THE UNEMPLOYED COMMITTEE.— At Clerk, enwell, on Tuesday, Mr Brien, late the chairman of the unem. ployed workmen who have been holding their meetings in Smith field and in the Agar Town Fields, attended before Mr Tyrwhitt' and stated that he had now no connection with that body. Some of the men were now going about the town soliciting alms instead of looking for work. He was now about to go to work himself at his business of a house painter, aud he expected to go to work on the following morning.— Mr Tyrwhitt was very glad to hear that Mr Brien had obtained employment, and thought it was a happy termination of the affair.— Mr Brien said, with regard to Mr Birclimore, he was glad to be able to say that he had performed his onerous duties, although with great firmness and precision, still with great kindness. He had made a difference in the work which was given to the skilled me- chanic, and for that he was deserving of great credit. He also thought that the unemployed workmen were entitled to some meed of credit, for although they had walked in procession to the workhouse, from there to this court, and then back again, still no single breach of the peace had occurred, O11 behalf of the working men generally he also wished to return thanks to the magistrates of this court for the uniform kindness they had displayed when asking their advice and assistance.— Mr Tyrwhitt having remarked that he was not aware of a single case of riotous conduct on the part of the unemployed having been brought before him, MrBrien agaiu thanked his worship, and retired. SERIALS. PAVED WITH GOLD; OR, THE ROMANCE AND REALITY OP LONDON STREETS. A11 Unfashionable Novel. By the Brothers Mayhew. [ Chapman and Hall.]— The widely acknowledged, and completely proven, by numerous instances, abilities of the Messrs Blayhew, assure us that any story connected with " the romance and reality of London streets" written by them will not fail to be highly attractive and instructive to every class of readers. The first part of this their " unfashionable novel" is admirably written, and is a clear stepping- stone to the world which will hereafter be opened to us. It begins with the de- scription of a motley crowd assembled round a fainting young woman, seated shivering on a cold winter's evening on the step of a door. The remarks 011 her condition by those gathered round display the good, bad, and indifferent feelings of each. We are happy to see that sentiments of humanity predominate, and by them a policeman is urged to convey the forlorn one to " The Asylum for the Houseless" in Playhouse- yard. Then follow descriptions of the streets of London on a snowy day following ones of frost, and of the Asylum for the Houseless on the evening and night of such a day. Never were pictures penned more minutely graphic and painfully truthful than these. That of the asylum is heart- rending. One of the last inmates admitted is the young creature before mentioned, and we learn her sad history from the nurse of the ward in which she receives refuge for one night. She is enciente, and that helpless condition precludes her from receiving help for any further length of time at the asylum, or for any time at all at workhouse or hospital. She is of a good family, and a marriage with her French tutor— a mercenary scoundrel— has deprived her of friends, family, and fortune. Her story is a melancholy and not an uncommon one. She is too proud to write to her parents, aud prefers ruin to making an appeal to them. On leaving the asylum she receives a shilling, 011 which she sub- sists for a couple of days. In utter despair she breaks a large pane of plate- glass in a shop window, and for so doing is com- mitted to Tothill Fields prison for three months. Her degraded state becomes known to her husband and her father. The former wants her to come to him in France to superintend a cafe chantant; the latter wishes her to return to her relations. Two attorneys arrive at the prison gates at the same time to pay her fine, one 011 the part of the husband, the other ou the part of her father. Whilst, having been admitted wiohinside the gates, they are disputing as to who has the best claim to release her, a clerk informs them she has been already released— has been buried that morning, He tells them, however, that she has GREAT FIRE IN FLEET- STREET.— On Wednesday night, shortly before nine o'clock, a lire, attended with a loss of property roughly estimated at nearly £ 30,000, took place in the premises belonging to Messrs Perkins, Bacon, and Bache, steel plate en- gravers to the Government, and manufacturers of the postage receipt stamps, situate in Whitefriars- street, and extending in one direction to the back of the buildings in FJeet- street. The factory was at the least 120 feet wide, and from 60 to 70 feet high. The upper floors contained a great number of heavy machines, and dies of great value, as well as a miscellaneous stock of costly papers. The police on duty instantly gave au alarm, and sent off for the Royal Society's escapes and the engines. With as little delay as possible the engines of the parish and several of the London brigade, together with that of the West of England Insurance Office, came up in rapid succession, and a bountiful supply of the New River Company's water having been procured, the whole of the engines were called into operation, but, in spite of the exertions of the firsmen present, and the many tons weight of water thrown by the land engines upon the conflagration, it continued its ravages, and, in order to save the houses in Hanging Sword- alley, Crown- court, and the adjoining premises, Mr Braid wood, who waspresent, orderedthelarge steam floating- engine to be brought to the water's edge, and, by setting the engines into full operation, tremendous streams were cast upon and into the blazing premises, but even that had very little effect for some time. At one period the flames belched forth from the various windows and through the roof, making a noise like the revolving of some water mill, and at the same time the fire ascended to such a height as to illuminate the whole of the City and southern side of the river. The firemen, how- ever, kept to their posts under the direction of the principal offi- cers of the brigade, Mr Connorton, of the West of England Office, Mr Loader, surveyor of the Unity Insurance Office, and Mr Baddalley, of the Royal Society. Shortly after twelve o'clock the air vessel of the steam- float gave way, owing to the back pressure of the valves, and sent the cap aud vessel of copper which covered it on to the deck of the vessel, and, rebounding, tore the dress of a river policeman, and thenfellinto the Thames. This, of course, prevented her for the present from being of any further assistance. By lialf- past twelve at midnight the land engines managed to get the fire under, but not until the pre- mises aud their contents were for the most part destroyed. It is understood that the principal sufferers were insured, but in what offices could not be ascertained during the excitement which prevailed. TICKETS- OP- LEAVE.— A return just issued shows that between 1853 and 1857, both inclusive, 7,335 licenses \\ ere issued to con- victs, whereof 70 in this year ( 1857). The number of license- holders reapprehended amounted to 1,159. THE ST JAMES'S THEATRE.— This house is announced for sale by auction, on Tuesday, the 21st of April, by direction of the mortgagee. LONDON,— Printed and Published at " BUMS Lima IN LONDOH" Office, at 170, Strand, in the paiinh of St Clement Danes, in the City and Liberty of Westminster, by WXLHAJI CLEMENS of the same place,- SUNDAY, JUECH 15,1857,