tbt aittrulintio.

The Court of Common Council have agreed, almost unanimously, to petition Parliament against the Government Bill for removing Smithfield, and for leave to be heard by counsel against the measure. Their peti- tion has been granted in the usual mode, by reference of it to the Select Committee which investigates the measure as partly of the nature of a private bill.

The Committee for carrying out Mr. Sidney Herbert's scheme for pro- moting female emigration have circulated a report of the proceedings in the first year of their labours, to the 31st December last. The amount of subscriptions to the fund was 22,5001. During the year, 409 females were despatched to various colonies ; among them were 32 dressmakers, 3 governesses, 79 needleworkers, 2 schoolmistresses, 169 servants, 11 shirtmakers, and 1 teacher of languages. It is explained that the class of "servants" includes many poor women who when out of service have attempted to obtain a living by means of needlework. The women were sent out in ten ships, eight of which were sent out to the Australian Co- lonies, one to Canada, and one to the Cape. Since the commencement of this year thirty emigrants have departed for New Zealand. The women have been well received in the Colonies : not one remained nn- hired four days after arriving at the Colonial DepOts. The Canada emi- grants were all engaged before they arrived at their destination. The Committee declare, that 'if supported by the liberality of the public they can, with the greatest benefit to the poor and suffering female population of London, expend in emigration every year a sum of at least 6000/. or 70001.; and if their operations were extended so as to embrace the female population of other large cities, they might expend double this amount advantageously and well." Of the original subscriptions, two-thirds yet remain in hand, which will pay for the emigration of 800 more young women.

The following regulation ti have been issued by the Exhibition Commis- sioners, in reference to the hours during which the Exhibition should re- main open. "Her Majesty having been pleased to signify her intention ot visiting the Exhibition on the occasion of its opening, on the 1st of May, the doors of the building will not be opened to the pubhc on that day till one o'clock ; at which hour the holders of season-tickets will be admitted, and on that day the doors will not be closed until seven o'clock in the evening. "On the two following days, Friday and Saturday, the doors will be opened at ten o'clock, and closed at six o'clock. "On Monday the 5th of May, and each subsequent day until further no- tice, the doors will be opened at ten o'clock, excepting on Saturdays, on which day the doors will not be opened until twelve o'clock. "At six o'clock in the evening, when the doors are shut, the stalls will be covered up, and the Police will immediately proceed to close the barriers in the avenue and to clear the building.

"In case the Commissioners should find by experience that it is necessary to modify these regulations, either by the further limitation of the hours of admission or by giving the public a longer time for visiting the Exhibition, notice of such modification will be given."

In order to improve the entrance into Hyde Park by "the Marble Arch," the carriage-drive at Cumberland Gate has been widened fifty feet, and a new promenade has been cut through the plantation there.

The London Model Yacht Club propose to have their first match on Mon- day next, on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

The Prince of Wales yacht, belonging to the Greenwich Hospital Schools, is now fitting at Woolwich, and will be ready in the course of a fortnight ; when she will be removed to the Serpentine water in Hyde Park, there to remain during the Great Exhibition for the inspection of visitors. This ves- sel is about 25 tons register, ship-rigged, and fitted in all respects as a man- of-war' and will be commanded by lieutenant Rouse, RN. Her crew will consist of twenty boys from the schools at Greenwich, and at times she will undergo various evolutions in naval tactics.—British Army Despatch.

It would appear that there is to be an increase of troops in the neighbour- hood of London during the time of the Exhibition. The Seventeenth Lancers, 360 strong, are to come from Dublin to Woolwich. It is expected too that a portion of the Rifle Brigade is to be stationed at Woolwich, 400 of the same body in the Tower. Eighteen extra sea-Uncle are to be posted in Woolwich Arsenal.

Apartments have been engaged during the present week for a number of the French Police, who are intended to be located in the Metropolis during the period the Great Exhibition remains open.

The opinions delivered by Mr. Baron Martin on the proper function and responsibility of the bar, at a trial in the Central Criminal Court on Satur- day, will probably have excellent effect in the unventilated moral regions of the Old Bailey. John Moss, servant of Mr. George Henry Brettle, was indicted for stealing from his master a telescops, clothing, and other articles of personal property, worth 1001. Mr. Brettle is a partner of the eminent City firm bearing his name ; as a bachelor he lived in the Albany ; he lately married ; and on leaving the Albany, he discovered how his valet had plundered him. For the defence, Mr. Mew held the brief of some friend who had been retained; and he endeavoured by cross-examination of Mr. Brettle to elicit some facts of a personal and private nature, on which the inference might be founded that the property had been given to Moss to procure his silence. Allusion was made to a lady with whom Mr. Brodie had intimate relations before his marriage, but who is now dead; and a demand was made for in- spection of Mr. Brettle's check-book. After much persisting, however, it seemed that the defence consisted solelyof inuendo; nothing was elicited to

justify the insinuations; and the Jury observed, aloud, that the questions had nothing to do with the merits of Moss's defence. Baron Martin remarked, that he had long entertained the same opinion ; but he and the Jury must give the counsel credit for having some proper object in view ; his was the responsibility, and if in his discretion he thought fit to persevere the Court could not prevent him. Mr. Mew stated that he was acting strictly from his instructions; and he averred that it was important these questions should be answered.

The Foreman of the Jury (with warmth)—" I can only say, I would much rather be robbed by my servant to any amount, and say nothing about it, than get into that box as a witness, if I am to be subjected to an examination into all my private affairs by the counsel for the prisoner." Mr. Mew still insisted upon looking at the counterfoils and the check-books. Mr. Ballantine, the counsel for the prosecution, said, that he thought before one gentleman took upon himself to examine the private check-book of another gentle- man, he ought at least to state what was his object in doing so. Mr. Baron Martin said, he had already given an opinion upon the subject of the course of cross-examination, and he must leave the matter to the learned counsel's own sense of propriety and discretion. Mr. Mew then sat down, without asking any further questions.

The case went to its conclusion, and the prisoner was found guilty. The Jury unanimously resolved to express, through their foreman, their extreme disapprobation of the manner in which the defence had been conducted by the counsel for the prisoner ; and to state their opinion that such a line of defence is calculated to defeat the ends of justice, by deterring persons from coming forward with evidence against servants who have robbed them. Mr. Baron Martin stigmatized the offence as very abominable ; there had not ap- peared the slightest justification for the defence : no doubt, the prisoner had possessed himself of the check-books for the purposes of extortion by making

own matters that had occurred before the marriage of the prosecutor. Sentence, transportation for ten years. Mr. Mew again explained that he held the brief for an absent friend, and that he had acted only on his instructions : he urged, that if there were any blame it should fall not on him but on the person who prepared the in- structions.

Mr. Baron Martin said, he had intimated during the trial that the course which was taken was an improper one, and he still entertained the same opinion. Counsel are not bound to act upon instructions where it is evident that they are of an improper description ; but it is their duty to exercise a discretion in such matters ; and if they fail to do so a great deal of that confidence which subsists between the judges and counsel will be destroyed. If he had been concerned in such a case whether for a friend or on his own account, he should certainly have felt it duty to refrain from acting upon such instructions, or from making use of such materials as had been furnish- ed for the defence of the prisoner in this case.

On Tuesday, Douglas and his two sons, the men who lived by defrauding tradesmen of their goods, hiring handsome houses and paying no rent, were tried for two offences. The father and the eldest son were convicted in one case, and the two sons in the other. The elder culprit is imprisoned for twelve months, and the sons for three months each.

John Adams, a regular trainer of boy-thieves, was convicted of complicity in robbing a lady of fifty-six sovereigns. Two boys were engaged with Adams, and one of these—not in custody—picked the lady's pocket ; the other boy was admitted evidence against his trainer. He said that Adams received the purse, and gave the boys only 30s. each of the plunder. Sentence, transportation for fifteen years.

Four men and a woman were tried for stealing twelve bottles of wine from a publican. The five prisoners drank only three pints of beer in the tap- room, yet they all got very drunk, and some were ill. The publican dis- covered the mystery next morning : a hole had been burnt in the floor with a hot poker, some boards had been raised, and as there was a wine-bin in the cellar beneath, the party had drunk nearly two dozen of very choice sherry. One was acquitted, but the rest were found guilty, and sent to prison for various terms.

Levi Harwood and Samuel Jones were executed according to their sentence, at Horsemonger Lane Gaol, on Tuesday morning. Jones had been greatly depressed since his sentence, but his companion had behaved with stoical indifference." Jones was so feeble on Tuesday morning that he could hardly stand, and officers had to assist him on to the scaffold. Harwood walked u with a firm step ; but when the cap was drawn over his eyes he trenibleel violently, and raised his pinioned hands as if in prayer. The two criminals grasped each other's hands, and appeared to speak together. Their death was unusually violent. A concourse of seven or eight thousand witnessed the execution.

Jones made a confession to the Chaplain, the Reverend W. S. Rowe, the nkht before the execution. Mr. Rowe gave the following statement to the reporters.

Between ten and eleven o'clock last night, I went to take instructions of the convicts as to the subject matter of the letters which they had previously promised to write to their relatives ; and on asking the prisoner Burbidge (or Jones) as to what he would wish to have said to his relatives, he said he wished to speak to me before I began the letter; and I said I was ready to hear what he had to say : and he re- quested that the Governor might be sent for. When he came, the prisoner proceeded to make the following confession. • There were in the room at the time of the mur- der, Smith, myself, and Levi Harwood. I held Mrs. Holiest round the waist : I had a pistol in my hand, and might have shot her, but never intended to do it. Levi Harwood was the man that rushed at Mr. Holiest. I believe that Mr. Holiest was stooping to pick up the poker, and Levi Harwood was the man who fired the shot.' He said with emphasis, 'I am certain of that. Smith and Levi Harwood both ran out of the room, leaving me the last person in it. I followed as soon as I could get away from Mrs. Holiest. Then I immediately left the room, and overtook them just on the other side of the turnpike-gate. All four—namely, Levi Harwood and Samuel Harwood, Smith and myself—came on together. After I had left the premises and had got into the main road, I heard the sound of fire-arms, as from the house of Mr. Holiest. The account given by Smith of what took place in the room is quite true ; and Mrs. Holiest is mistaken in swearing as to her belief that it was Levi Harwood who held her, as it was me. Myself and Samuel lia.rwood parted from Smith and Levi Harwood about four miles from Frimley, and came on together. Samuel Har- wood made away with the pistols.' " Mr. Rowe and the Governor of the gaol immediately went to Levi Har- wood and told him that Jones had made a full and free confession ; and wished to know if he desired to say anything, telling him what his com- panion had said. They told him that Jones had said he fired the pistol ; and asked him whether the statement was true or false ? His answer was, "He may say what he likes, sir, I have nothing to say." When Mr. Rowe ener- getically urged him to state the truth upon such a matter, he repeated the words, 'Sir, I know nothing whatever about it." Early on Tuesday morn- ing, however, he sent for the Governor and said, "The truth has been spoken by. Smith. What was done was never intended to be done." The Governor said, "You mean, the murder was not contemplated ?" he answered, "Yes, that is what I mean " ; and to that statement he fixed his mark. Mr. Rowe read to the prisoners, prayed by them, and talked to them. They both ap-

ed very contrite, particularly Jones. He expressed a hope that Harwood d not feel displeased at his making any confession. Harwood said, "Not theleaet—I forgive everybody." The two men shook hands. Both were in tears.

Hiram Smith, the approver, was in great agitation till he heard of Jones's eenfession. On Monday night he was very restless, and several times ex-

claimed to his fellow prisoners—"I did not shoot him! I hope they will confess." On the following evening, Jones's confession was announced to him. He seemed much relieved, and declared that he never intended any- thing but to speak the truth. He hoped that Government would now par- don him and give him the reward. It is considered probable that he will not be tried for the Frimley burglary ; but there are other charges of the same kind which can be brought against him.

At Bow Street Police Office, on Saturday, Mr. Jonathan Merchant, a coal- merchant in the Adelphi, was charged with sending one hundred sacks of coals to Buckingham Palace each deficient in weight—the total deficiency in the order of twenty tons being two tons ; and with baying an improper weighing-machine attached to a waggon. The prosecution was at the in- stance of the Master of her Majesty's Household. Mr. Huddlestone pleaded guilty for Mr. Merchant, but urged that he is old and blind ; he has served the Palace with coals for seventeen years, and the blame was due to the misconduct of his servants. The weighing-machine had been recently repaired at a considerable expense. Mr. Henry said a gross fraud had been committed ; the defendant got the benefit of the short weight, not the coalheavers; and the men would scarcely have acted fraudulently if they had not known their acts would be sanctioned by their employer. The full penalties for the deficient weight amounted to 800/., but the Magistrate mitigated them to 51. on each ton and Si. for the improper weighing-ma- chine ; the total fines, 1051., with 10s. costs.

A gentleman residing in Tower Street having receiving a letter threaten. tag to expose his alleged seduction of a young lady, unless he sent a letter to "A. B." at the General Post-office enclosing Si., the gentleman consulted the Police, and a packet was left for "A. B." A gentleman applied for it, received it, was followed by a Policeman, and was taken into custody. Be-. fore the Lord Mayor, the accused said he expected a letter addressed "A. B." from an accountant at Margate, and he had thought he had received the let- ter until the officer accosted him. The gentleman was liberated ; and on a. succeeding day he produced the Margate accountant ; and proved that he had been the victim of a mistake : the accountant had not yet written to "A. B."

James Price, a clerk in the Legacy-duty office at Somerset House, has been fully committed for trial by the Bow Street Magistrate, on a charge of break- ing open the desk of a fellow clerk and stealing from it a ten-pound note.

Turner, the waterman who was accused of being concerned in an attempted. robbery of Mr. Baldwin, who was thrown into the Thames at Wapping by one of the three men who were in a boat with him, has been set at liberty by the Thames Police Magistrate. Mr. Baldwin was so drank on the night of the occurrence, that he could give no accurate evidence : at first he swore that he was at Rotherhithe, and was ferried thence to Wapping ; but it turns out that he was not at Rotherhithe at all. The Police have not been able to trace any persons who were engaged in the outrage.

The Thames Police Magistrate has declined to fine a cabman for plying for hire while driving through the streets; believing that the offender's plea was true—that there are more cabs licensed than the appointed "stands" will accommodate after a moderate number have been deducted as actually en- gaged. Mr. Yardley intimated, that in this year greater accommodation than ordinary will be required for cabs, from the increased number that will be licensed.

On Monday afternoon, the marine-store and paper-warehouse of Mr. Pun- cheon, in Bread Street Hill, a large and lofty building, was destroyed by fire./ The flames burst out of the third story : on the floor above were three fe- males; they found the stairs partly on fire, but two managed to rush down unhurt and gain the street. The third thought she could escape by the roof, but found that there were no means. She was in great danger, when she sprung to a rope hanging from a crane, and slid down to the street, without other hurt than the laceration of her hands.