Zbe probintes.

The election of a Bishop of Hereford took place, in the Cathedral of that see, on Tuesday the 28th December. But before proceeding with the re- port of the ceremony, it will be proper to notice some remaining points in the controversial matter preceding the election.

The Dean of Hereford followed up his memorial to the Queen by a let- ter to Lord John Russell, declaring his intention not to cooperate in the election.

He commences this letter by stating the special obligations to which he is bound. When admitted to the sacred orders of priest, "the most awful moment of his life," he vowed "to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doc- trine contrary to God's word." He cannot divest himself of the stringency of those engagements at the present exigency. In a previous letter he had abstained from offering; any opinion on Dr. Hampden's tenets until he had fairly and atten- tively read his writings. "That act of justice" he has now performed; and discovers in the writings many assertions not merely heterodoxical but here ' Under no circumstances, says the Dean, is it likely that the obligation of oath of allegiance will in his person be infringed upon. " Its terms are, that 'I will be faithful and bear true allegiance': ant aceordingly, the conge d'elire has these expressions requiring end commanding yen, by the faith and allegiance by which you. stsial bound te us, to elect mai a person for your Bishop and Pas- ter as may he devoted to God and USEFIlL and faithfu/ to us and our rinecnom.' Would it be any proof of fidelity or true ellegiance, my Lord, to elect a person as TO LIS RLIWTED ' who was the contrary to those requirements ? And can it be possible that, in the course of Divine_ service in the chief sanctuary of Almighty God in the diocese, hawever named and recommended, a person should be usiesusionsaz cnosmi and v.zzorizn ' in the awful falsification of these words, Di THE PRESENCE OF GOD, against the consciences of the unhappy electors, simply because the adviser of the Crown (for the Crown can do no wrong') has in his shortsightedness and ignorance of facts (to say the least) thought fit to name an objectionable person, the one of all the clergy of the land so disqualified; and, when warned of the consequences by the voices of the Fri_ mate, of thirteen Bishops, and hosts of Priests and Deacons, clergy and laity by hundreds, of all shades of opinions in the Church, persisted in the reckless deter- mination?"

Dr. Merewether quotes long extracts from the Vindicice Ecelesios Anglicans., and Burnett's Efistory of his Own Times, to prove that " all power is given unto edification, none to the overthrow and destruction of the Church." " The time, however, draws near when the semblance of an election is to be exhibited. I have endeavoured to prevent, by every means in my power, the commotion which has arisen, and the necessity of the performance of a painful duty. I hoped the conge d'elire would not be issued until a fair inquiry and investigation had been insti- tuted. A snit has been commenced in the Eeelesiastical Courts—why not have awaited its issue? When the conge d'elire aid appear, I at once presumed, hum- bly but faithfully, though I stood alone, to petition the Crown; and now, when I am officially informed that . Her Majesty has not been pleased to issue any com- mands thereupon, I feel it to be my bounden duty, after a full and calm delibe- ration on the whole subject, having counted the cost, but remembering the words of Him whose most unworthy servant I am, 'He that loveth house or lands more than me is not worthy of me,'—loving my children dearly, and ardent! desiring to complete the noble work which I have for seven years laboured to pr te, yet not forgetting that there is an hoar of death and a day of judgment, when I trust, throngh the merits of my Redeemer, to be allowed to look up with hope that I may be considered, by the intercessions of mercy and pity, to have been faithful in the hour of trial, to have fought the good fightatip have kept the faith, to have finished my course,'—believing that I risk much' all shall incur your Lordship's heavy displeasure, who may, if you will, direct the sword of power against me and mine,—being certain that I preclude myself from that which might otherwise have beenlaly lot, and expecting that I shall bring down upon myself the abuse and blame of some,—I say, my Lord, having fully counted the cost, having weighed the Bence of bounden duty in the one scale against the consequences in the other, I have come to the deliberate resolve, that on 'Tuesday next no earthly consideration shall induce me to give my vote in the Chapter of Hereford Cathedral for Dr. Hampden's elevation to the see of Hereford." To this letter Lord John Russell made the following reply— "Woburn Abbey, 25th December. " Sir—I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 22d instant, in which you intimate to me your intention of violating the law. "I have the honour to be your obedient servant, J. RUSSELL. "The Very Reverend the Dean of Hereford."

An address bearing the signatures of nearly seven hundred of the clergy and laity of London, including several members of both branches of the Legislature, was presented to Dr. Hampden, at Christchurch, Oxford, on Monday, by Dr. Jenne, Master of Pembroke, and a deputation. The ad- dress congratulated Dr. HanTpden on his advancement; and expresead entire confidence in the soundness of his theological upinions, and his fitness for the weighty responsibility of the episcopal office. Dr. Hampden's !Otter of thanks for this opportune aid was,brief, biit earnest and impressive.

An address from fifteen of the Heads of Houses in the University of Ox ford has been presented to Dr. Hampden, expressing full confidence in his theological opinions, and concern at the reports circulated against him— "Although," says the address, "we only declare the sentiments which many of us have expressed before, and particularly upon the enactment in 1842 of the new statute concerning theological instruction, we desire to assure you, that, hav- ing for several years enjoyed ample opportunities of learning the teneur of your public teaching, and hearing your discourses from the pulpit of the University, we are not only satisfied that your religious belief is sound, but we look 'forward with confidence to your endeavours to preach the gospel of Christ in its in- tegrity."

On the statistics of this address the Morning Chronicle observes-

" Of the twenty-four Heads of Houses in the University, it is known that one is past ninety years of age and takes no part in public business. Another is Dr. Hampden himself. Four are understood to be favourable to the object of the foregoing memorial, though for various reasons they have declined to sign it. Three only of the twenty-three colleagues, who during a series of years hava,bete necessarily close observers of Dr. Hampden's life and doctrine, have any sympathy with the nrivement that has been set on foot against him."

The election on Tuesday excited the liveliest interest; and hundreds flocked to Hereford to witness the proceedings, usually such a mere matter of routine. The Dean, Canons Residentiary, and Prebendaries entered the Ladye Chapel of the Cathedral, which is used as a chapterhonse, a little before eleven o'clock. There were then present officially, besides several gentlemen of the county who attended as spectators, a number of ecclesiastics.

The members of the Chapter then went into the choir, where the ser- vice of the day was performed; after which, the following documents were read.

First, the conge d'eliro-

" Victoria, by the grace of God, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved the and

Chapter of our Cathedral Church of liereford,In the diocese of Herefor 8— " Supplication having been humbly made to us on year part, that where afore-

said church know void and destitute of the solace of a pastor, by the translation of the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, late Bishop of Hereford, we would be gra- ciously pleased to grant you ourleave and licence to elect you another Bishop or Pastor ; we being favourably inclined to your prayer in this behalf, have thought fl‘by virtue of these presents, to grant you such leave and licence, requiring and commanding you, by the faith and allegiance by which you stand bound to us, that you elect stmh a per- son for your Bishop and Pastor as may be devoted to God, and useful and faithful to us and our kingdom.

"In witness whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent. WitneSa Ourself, at Westminster, on the 11th day of December, lathe eleventh year of our reign, by writ of Privy Seal."

Accompanying this was the following letter missive—. ., To our trusty and well-beloved Dean and Chapter of Hereford, In the diocese of

Hereford.

"Trusty and well beloved, we greet you Went "Whereas the bishopric of Hereford is at preite void by the transLailon of the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, late Bishop thereof, we let you know, that for cer- tain considerations us at this time ninving, We °four princely disposition and zeal being desirous to prefer unto the same see a-person meet thereunto and considering the virtue, learning, wisdom, gravity, awl other.good gifts wherewith our trusty and well- beloved Dr. Rena Dickson HamiSclei4-otameader of Theology in our University of Ox-

M1. 18 endued, we have been pleased to name and recommend him unto you by the possents to be elected and chosen unto the said Bishopric of Hereford. tt Wherefore we require you, upon!the receipt hereof, to proceed to your election, ac- cording to the laws and statutes of this our realm and our come d'ellre herewith sent unto you; and the same election so made, to certify to us under your common seal.

"Given under our signet, at our Palace of Westminster, the ilth day of December, in the eleventh year of our reign."

Having returned to the Ladye Chapel, the Chapter was called over-' those who did not answer to their names were pronounced by the Dean to be "contumacious," and those present were declared to constitute a full Chap- ter. The Reverend Mr. Evans applied for a certificate of the receipt of the conge d'aire. The Dean said there was no precedent for such an ep- plication; and after a short conversation the matter dropped. The Chap- ter Clerk was nominated as notary, with two of his clerks as witnesses.

The Dean then, referring to the purport of the documents just read, said, it now became the duty of the Chapter to determine upon the matter. It was usual on such occasions that the vote of the junior Prebendary should be first taken, and that the last vote tendered should be that of the Dean.

The election proceeded accordingly, interrupted at intervals by conver- sation and discussion.

Before the votes were taken, Lord Saye and Sele rose and said—" I have to state, on the best authority, that the Bishop of Oxford has withdrawn the writ from the Court of Arches which he at one time intended to institute against Dr. Hamp- den; and I thought it right the members of the Chapter should be aware of this."

The Dean— `It would be desirable, if that be so, that we should have some au- thentic information on the subject Not that I mean to dispute the statement of Lord Saye and Sele; but in all cases of this kind some authentic information ought to be brought forward. Indeed, as nothing has hitherto been said of this abject, I question the propriety of its being brought forward at all." The Dean of St. Asap.h--" We have no evidence either of the suit being insti- tuted or withdrawn."

The first member called upon to vote was the Reverend R. L. Freer; who gave his vote for Dr. Hampden; as did all the other members present until the name of the Reverend Canon Huntingford was called on.

Canon Human' gford spoke as follows—" With the utmost respect for the Royal prerogative, and with the full conviction that it is for the peace and safety of the Church that the Crown alone should nominate to vacate sees, yet on this particu- lar occasion I feel obliged to defer complying with the recommendation which has been sent down to us, until a competent tribunal shall have pronounced to be well founded, or not, the sentiments expressed by so many Bishops of our Church, and by so many members of one of our Universities. And here it is not a favour, but an act of the merest justice to myself, considering how well known Inns to most of you when I ask you to acquit me of any personal disrespect towards a learned and talented divine—towards one who I am Informed is so estimable in his dispo- sition—when I ask you to believe that Ism not swayed by any of those unimport- ant (of course I mean not unimportant in themselves, but still comparatively un- important) motives, namely, a preference for one political party to another, or any feeling as between Churchman and Dissenter, or between one party and another within the Church. But while I ask you to believe that I am principally swayed by higher motives—motives which have no connexion whatever with this earth or with the present fife—yet I will frankly confess, that my mind is much affected by this circumstance, that among the Bishops of our Chinch who have signed a certain remonstrance, there are in the first place two Prelates, who are said to differ in opinion on some other particulars, the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Winchester;,that, secondly, there is one so distinguished for mildness and Christian meekness as the Bishop of Lincoln; and thirdly, there is one of so powerful an intellect and of such sincere piety as the Bishop of Oxford. I say that I confess that the above facts 'seem to cati iraportant, and confirm me ia.the resolution which I just now'statettiliat I felt myself obliged on the present occa- sion to adopt, namely, to wait for an important and solemn decision on this sub- ject from a tribunal competent to pronounce it." One or two other persons having tendered their assents, it became the duty of the Dean of Hereford to record his vote. The Dean arose amidst breathless si- lence, and spoke to the following effect,. " I am standing in the sanctuary of the Most High God, and, together with my brethicu, the- ordained ministers of our Lord and 'Master Jesus Christ, am called upon, in the name of the Sovereign of this land, to chicose and elect such a person as may be meet to be the Bishop and pastor of this diocese. I solemnly declare, here, in the Divine presence, that it is my earnest and hearty desire to be faithful and bear true allegiance, to pay all hasuble duty and submissive obedience to her Most Excel:ent Majesty the, Qaeen of these dominions; who, I feel assured on her part, knowing whose minister she is' will above all things seek His honour and glory who is the King of kings and Lord of lords,' to whom above all I owe my first allegiance." [Here the Dean briefly recited how the Crown, in the exercise of its prerogative, had nominated Dr. Renn Dickson Hampden; how the Dean and Chapter were forbidden under penalty to elect any other person; how Oxford University in Convocation had condemned Dr. Harnpden'a theological writings; how the 14,111 had petitioned the Queen to delay the election until due investigation should have been made, and had presented to the Prime Minister the entire circumstances of the case; and bow the Primate of all England, with thirteen Bishops or more, had preferred their objections to the said appointment. The Dean then proceeded.] "We, taking all the aforesaid premises into our most serious consideration, do most humbly and imploringly supplicate Him whose holy word declares that the hearts of kings are in his rule and governance, that her Majesty may even yet be pleased to reconsider our earnest and disinterested prayer, to correct and amend the errors an-I misfor- tunes which have arisen and still more seriously threaten, from the ill-considered advice of a misinformeeMinister, as on other occasions her Majesty's Royal pre decessors have done' and so may avert the injury which must otherwise be in- flicted on the Church, and pacify the outraged feelings of her members. And here, in the sight of God, in the midst of his temple, and in the performance of our priestly office, I solemnly protest, that it is no deficiency in the smallest de- gem of loyalty and humble devotion to our Sovereign, or of implicit respect and deference to the laws of this realm, which impels me to make this declaration. It is the dictate of my conscience, the conviction of my mind, that I am constrained so to act, as I tender the safety of my soul, and dread the vengeance due to infi- delity and insincerity, mockery, and profaneness, from a justly offended God, if I did not then discharge what seems to me to be my duty. I therefore, John Merewether, Doctor of Divinity, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Hereford, am dissentient. I cannot vote for Dr. Rene Dickson Hampden as Bishop and Pastor of the Cathedral Church where I am Dean. And I further protest—[Here the Dean read the following official protest]—' I, John Merewether, Doctor of Divin- ity, Dean of this Cathedral Church of Hereford, do hereby protest against this proceeding as an election, inasmuch as certain persons have voted, who, I have

reason to believe, being merely Honorary Prebendaries, not having conformed to the provisions of the statutes of this Church, which I have sworn to observe, are not qualified to vote in Chapter; and also because the majority so constituted has not according to the said statutes, the Dean and three Residentiaries, at the least, voting therein; and I require and claim the power of extending this my protest, and that this my protest be duly annexed and appended to the sigeifications and certificates of election to the Bishop Elect, to the Crown, and to the Archbishop. " JOHN' MEILEIVET111E12, Dean."

The Reverend W. E. Evans, one of the Honorary Prebendaries protested against, rose and addressing the Dean, said—"! wand forward most emphati- cally to declare, that on a former occasion I had a pledge from you that you would not oppose the votes of the Honorary Prebendaries on this occasion." Lord Saye and Sete, and the Reverend Mr. Webb, offered some observations • both con- tending that the Honorary Prebendaries were entitled to vote and that it was a distinct understanding the Dean would not oppose their privilege in that respect. Canon Musgrave observed, that even if they were disallowed, there was a majority without them; and Lord Saye and Selo added, "By the act of Parliament, a ma- jority of those present are competent to carry the election.' The Dean somewhat warmly)—" It is not for the Chapter to determine this point, and I wish only to call attention to what has been stated by Mr. Evans. Here, standing in this place, I feel bound testate, that when I called the Chapter to- gether to consult as to the numerous addresses which now lie on the table, en- treating us not to proceed with this election, I did state then, that the question might arise with regard to the right to vote of the Honorary Prebendaries: and on my being asked whether I would object to their right to vote, I said it was not for toe to object; that I would admit their votes so far as I was required to do,

and they have been accordingly now so admitted: but I never did say anything as if I supposed they had a right to vote, or as to the validity of that right; nor could I with propriety say anything to affect these votes. I have now done what I feel to be my solemn duty in the sight of God; and though there are some here who would wish to throw a slur upon my character and integrity in the course which I have pursued, I can declare that I am free and clear from any

just imputation of this kind. I fairly told them in the first instance, that such an objection might be raised, and that I believed it was a valid objection; but I

also told them it was not for me to raise it; that I would insert their votes, and that it would be for others, betbre a. proper tribunal, to determine whether they were valid or not. I have now nothing more to say." Canon Musgrave—" As I was present on the occasion referred to, I must state that you said you would raise no objection to these votes. Now this protest, ob- jecting to these votes, emanates from you."

The Dean—" I am not aware that I said that."

Several members here rose together to corroborate Canon Musgrave. The Dean then stated, that according to the statutes of the Cathedral Church of Hereford, in all matters that were done, nothing could be of force or strength unless the Dean and three Residentiary Canons composed a portion of the raa- jority. Much dissension; in the midst of which Lord Says and Sele read the clause in the act 4th and 5th Victoria, which provides that a majority of members shall constitute a Chapter in every Cathedral Church in the country, including or not including the Dean, as his presence might or might not be required by law. The Dean said, it would be improper for him to comment upon that clause; but, in his opinion, it did not touch the question at all. Canon Musgrave said, that as the protest of the Dean was likely to go forth to the public, he could not suffer it so to proceed without observing that the Dean had specified the Primate as remonstrating against Dr. Hampden's nomination: now, he must say that he had no authoritative grounds for including the name of the Archbishop of Canterbury in his protest.

The Dean—" I would not have alluded to it if I had not been satisfied, from the clearest grounds that my own mind could arrive at, that the Archbishop of Can- terbury did write a letter to the Prime Minister, before the remonstrance of the thirteen Bishops; and I say in my protest, 'thirteen or more,' because I know that others did write to his Lordship; and it now stands on record that there was a re- monstrance on thepart of the-Bishops of England on that appointment against which I now protest '

Canon Musgrave—" But no public notice has been taken of it."

The Dean— I take notice of it; and now I have done my duty." Archdeacon Wetherell said, that as the old Prebendaries were suspended but not extinguished, wherever those Prebendaries were not expressly extinguished, he conceived that their original privileges remained, and that they bad a full right to oxereise them.

Tle.Dean.”:41, must remind the Chapter, that we are still engaged in divine service, and that it is not proper at this time to enter upon secular considerations." Lord Saye and Sete interrupted the Dean, to propose that Ikr.Cluincellor Cor-

bett should give his opinion upon the point. ,

Chancellor Corbett stated his opinion but in so indistinct a tone-that scarcely a word could be heard. He was understood to hoof opinion that the EfOtiorary Pre- bendaries had a right, to vote. ; After some further disputation the Doan said—" I will now proceed to state to you the number of votes polled. 'Three Capons Residentiary have voted for, Dr. Hampden; five Prebendaries of the old order have voted for Dr. Hampden, nine- teen of that body being absent; six junior Prerbendaties have voted for Dr. Ramp.. den, three of that body being absent. The Dean and one Canon Residentiary have voted against Dr. Hampden."

The votes therefore stood thus—For Dr. Hampden, &Canons 'Residentiary, 5 Prebendaries of the old order, 6 junior Prebendaries,. against Dr. Hampden, the Dean of the Cathedral Church and 1 Canon Residentiary.

The Canons Residentiary who voted in favour of Dr. Hampden were Lord Saye and Sete, the Reverend H. H. Morgan, B.D., and the Venerable Archdeacon Mus- grave. The Canon Residentiary who voted against Dr. Hampden was the Reve- rend Dr. Huntingford. Carton liloegan moved that the eleotion of Dr.litutspden should be declared, according to the usual legal formalities; the Capitulate, seal being affixed to the declaration.

Lord Saye and Sele seconded the motion.

The Dean remarked, that having declared that there were for Dr. Hampden. 14 votes, against him 2, it remained for the Chapter: to way whether that was an election of Dr. Hampden or not. The etatute required. that there should be an unanimous assent and consent.

After some discussion on this point, the 'motion proposed by Canon Morgan, and seconded by Lord Saye and Sele, was agreed to. The Dean— We have now to decree thus certificates; one to the Crown, one to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and one to the Bishop Elect. They will run to the following effect-

"' We, the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church ofjlereford, by virtue and au- thority of your Majesty's Royal licence most graciously made and granted, for electing another Bishop of the said Cathedral Church, being Capitularly assembled in the said Cathedral Chorch, and there making Chapter, (saving to ourselves all the privileges that ought to be saved with regard to the said election; as well as by the laws of Mil our famous kingdom of Great Britain as by the ancient and laudable customs of our said Cathedyal Church,) and having maturely and seriously considered of a person meet to be elected thereto, at length have agreed to elect the Reverend Rem Dickson Hampden, D.D., Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford.' "The Chapter will also have to agree to the following address to Dr. Hampden- "' We, the Dean and Chapter of Hereford, being Capitularly assembled, and prayers to Almighty God befbre all things, we did, according to the statutes and ecclesiastical laws of the famous kingdom of Great Britain, eanonleakr proceed to the election afore- said in manner and form following, to wit—First, liner mature and serious considera- tion had between ourselves concerning a fit and proper person In that behalf to be elected, (and saving to ourselves all the privileges that ought to be saved with regard to the said election, as well by the laws of this our famous kingdom of Great Britain as by the ancient and laudable customs of our said Cathedral Church,) we did at length give our votes for you, the Reverend Kenn Dickson Hampden D.D., &c.'" These documents were received, and the Capitular seal was ordered to be at- tached to them.

The Chapter then returned to the choir, and the usual service of the day proceeded.

A rumour which has been current for some time indicates a specific rea- son for Dr. Merewether's dislike to aid in the appointment of a new Bishop of Hereford: that rumour first found distinct public expression in the Morning Chronicle of Tuesday- " We are enabled to state distinctly, that the Dean of Hereford memorialized the Queen to give him the vacant bishopric; that the Queen referred his snit to the Prime Minister; and that the Prime Minister's rejection of the Decanal soli- citation was what first provoked the late obstreperous expression of self-sacrificing heroism. It is no mere conjecture, but an actual fact, that Dean Merewether was a disappointed suitor for promotion before he came out in the character of saint and martyr."

The Bishop of Oxford, who, as Dr. Hampden's diocesan, had granted "letters of request" in order to Dr. Hampden's citation before the Court of Arches, has withdrawn that authority; and he states the reasons in a letter to Dr. Hampden, dated the 28th December, which has been published in the newspapers. Dr. Wilberforce explains, that in signing the remonstrance of the thirteen Bishops, he did not assume the correctness of the charges [ping Dr. Hampden but only required investigation into them. As Rec- tor of Ewelme, Dr. Hampden was in the diocese of Oxford; and Dr. Wil- berforce was asked by several of his clergy to institute proceedings against Dr. Hampden, under the Church Discipline Act; but he declined to pro- mote a suit. He was then asked to grant letters of request, in order that others might do it; and he did not think it right to prevent the proceeding by the interposition of a mere official veto. At the same time, a private correspondence took place between the Bishop and the Rector of Ewelme. It turned principally on the Bampton Lectures and the Observations on Dissent. Dr. Hampden did not comply with the Bishop's suggestion that he should withdraw objectionable passages in the Observations, though he did not expressly refuse to do so. Dr. Wilberforce, however, learned that the work was now sold without the wish or sanction of the author. He also put distinct questions on several doctrinal points selected by the pro- moters of the suit; and Dr. Hampden answered them all to the Bishop's satisfaction. He further learned that Dr. Hampden was willing to remove any incautious or obscure language in his Bampton Lectures, should they be reprinted; and, on applying himself to a diligent and impartial exami- nation of those Lectures, with the aid of the author's explanations, Dr. Wilberforce found that they "did not warrant those suspicions of unsound- ness to which they had given rise, and which, so long as he trusted to se- lected extracts, he himself shared."

"Hating reached, then, this conclusion, through that close study of your work and explanations which the due discharge of the office of a judge required from me I deem it my duty not only to be satisfied with the assurance I possess of your theme revision of the work, and to withdraw therefore the letters of request, but also, with whatever force my previous desire of explanation and my position as Bishop of this diocese may give to my words, to entreat those who have given utterance to their natural alarm at your appointment, to weigh well the expression of my deliberate opinion, that you have given such explanations of what you per- sonally believe on the points of suspicion, and what you intended as your meaning, as may well suffice to quiet all just alarm at your consecration to the office of a Bishop."

The Earl of Shelburne, recently appointed one of the Lords of the Trea- sury, was reelected for Cake, on Monday, without opposition.

Mr. Hayter, the new Judge-Advocate-General, was reelected Member for Wells, on Monday, without opposition.

At Rye, on Thursday sennight, Mr. E M. Curteis was elected Member for the borough, in the room of his father, lately deceased. There was-tio' opposition at the hustings, but there is talk of a petition against the

on the ground that the notice of the election was too short.

Advices from Manchester furnish the official report of the state of em- ployment of the operatives there; from which it appears, that on comparing the return-with that of the previous week, as to cotton-mills, it shows that one more/has stopped, and two have gone from short to full time. "The consequent increase in the number of mill-hands working full time is 651; there are 1,304 fewer at short time; but, on the other hand, there are 608 more out of employment. Of the total works included in the table, four mare are now working full time, with complement of hands, but three fewer with a portion of the hands. There are five fewer works on short time, and four more stopped. There are altogether 567 more operatives working full time; 1,770 fewer working short time, and 1,179 more wholly out of employment." On the whole, therefore, the state of the operative classes does not appear to be so favourable as by the preceding return.—Morning Chronicle, Thursday.

A great majority of the cotton-mills in the district of Ashton-under- Lyne have now commenced working full time; and we have heard of seve- ral which are running twelve hours per day, where they can do so without -infringing the law.—Afariehester Guardian.

We are very glad to state that the general turn-out, which we expected to take place at Bolton on Wednesday, in consequence of a reduction of wages, has been avoided by the hands agreeing to take ten per cent leas -than they have hitherto received. The mills, therefore, are all at work.— Manchester Guardian.

A conference of merchants and manufacturers was held on Tuesday, in the Town-hall of Manchester, to consider the subject of the Tea-duties. The Mayor of Manchester presided; supported by Mr. Heywood, M.P., Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. Kershaw, M.P., Mr. Duncuft, M.P., and Mr. W. Rathbone,

• of Liverpool. The resolutions adopted set forth the unsatisfactory nature of our trade with China, in consequence mainly of the difficulty of pro- viding a return commodity in exchange for our manufactures. An in- creased consumption of tea can alone be looked to for extending or even 'maintaining our trade with China; and for such extended consumption, we can only rely on a reduction of duty. The loss to the revenue would be but temporary; and as the immediate deficiency might be made up by an increase of direct taxation, in which the country would acquiesce, the Go- vernment may reasonably be urged to make a large and immediate reduc- tion. The resolutions concluded by suggesting a deputation to wait on the 'Chancellor of the Exchequer.

We are given to understand, that in consequence of the numerous outrages and robberies recently committed in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, the Borough Ma- gistrates have been discussing the expediency of having an armed and mounted police, for the purpose of effectually putting a stop to such crimes. The meeting was private.—Correspondeat of the .Morning Chronicle.

The inquest on Copeman, the farmer who was found murdered near Kirton Lindsey, has resulted in a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Charles Travis. The first accounts of the crime were incorrect in several particulars. The foot- marks near the body were only those of two men—one large, the others smaller: the large marks were those of the deceased; the smaller appear to have been Travis's. A two-bladed penknife was found near the body; and Travis admitted that the knife was once Ins, but pretended that he had lately sold it. At a short distance from the corpse, there were found several bits of blue striped cotton, one the wristband of a shirt, which had evidently been torn from the assailant. The prisoner wears such shirts, and the one he wore on the night of the murder can- not be found: the trousers he then had on were found in a drawer, and they ap- peared to have been recently washed. On the fatal night, the deceased and Tra- 1119 had some words in a public-house; Copeman showed that he had gold in his possession; and the prisoner followed him shortly after he had left the public- house. Travis is a joiner, and a farmer's son; he had recently led a dissipated life, and was addicted to card-playing. He behaved very violently on his way to pri- son, and when he got there.

Martha Prior, a married woman living at North Waltham, has murdered her infant, twelve days old. Insanity is alleged; but in the mean time the Coroner's inquest has returned a verdict of Wilful murder" against the woman.

A fatal fight, attended with brutal circumstances, has occurred at Lindrick Common near Anston. Watson, a quarryman, and Kay, a navigator, quarrelled about their dogs and a set combat ensued. It took place at night, n a field; a number of men standing by to enjoy' it. Kay suffered most: his head and body were frightfully mauled, and the blood poured profusely from a large gash over his eye. In the last round both men fell; and Watson seems to have kicked his op- ponent, who became insensible: then all the men left the place, no one heeding the poor wretch on the ground, but went to a public-house, and talked about the battle: eventually, two other men fetched Kay in, pat him in a chair by the fire, and afterwards carried him to bed; there he remained unattended, though two men slept in the same room; and next morning he was found dead. A Coroner's inquest has returned a verdict of " Manslaughter " against Watson; who has ab- sconded.

Wall, a labourer living at Blackwell in Somersetshire has been dangerously wounded in the thigh by a lad who fired a gun at him through a window, while the man was cooking dinner in his cottage. The lad and two others had been stealing holly; and it is supposed that the intent of the precocious villains was to kill Wall and then plunder the cottage.

The passengers of a night mail-train on the North-western Railway have been placed in imminent peril by the drunkenness of a driver and fireman. The two men—Hatfield and Clegg—were brought before the Manchester Magistrates on Monday. It appeared from the evidence, that the men had charge of the train from Liverpool to London on Christmas night; on its approaching the Warrington junction, the pointsman there thought it was coming at an inordinate speed; and as the carve is so sharp that the rate of trains is fixed at five miles an hour only in passing it, the man resolved not to turn the points: it was fortunate he did not; for the train dashed forward at forty miles an hour towards Manchester. The guard .perceived that the train was going on the wrong line, and made signals to the engine-driver: they were not heeded. Then the guard, at great risk to himself, scrambled from carriage to carriage till he got on to the eng'ne; wLere he found both driver and fireman lying drunk, and almost insensible! They were roused, however, sufficiently to resist his efforts to stop the locomotive; and the train had gone fourteen miles from Warrington, almost entering Patncroft sta- tion, before it was stopped. At this station there was a train standing on the same line. Brought before the Magistrates, the driver and fireman made what excuses they could; and, considering that there had been neglect at Liverpool in allowing them to get on the train, the Bench, instead of sending the culprits for trial to the Sessions, or fining them heavily, sentenced each to two months impri- sonment with hard labour.

Captain Hambly, R N., has been killed, in the avenue of his own residence 'at Effordtown, by the running away of a horse with a phaeton, containing Captain Hambly and his wife. The phaeton came in collision with a cart, and the lady and gentleman were pitched out Captain iambly was killed on the spot, but Mrs. trembly escaped with a few bruises.

Three miners have perished from choke-damp, in a pit at Dowlais. The as had escaped from an old Work, and on the men going down to their labour they fell senseless. It was impossible to get the bodies up till the following day.