i4t ',Protrium.

The Hull election, details of which had not reached us last week, ter- minated in favour of the Liberal candidates. At the close of the poll on Friday the numbers were—Seymour, 1820; Watson, 1806; Dickson, 1600.

The _newish Mercury states that Lord James Hay, a brother of the Duchess of Wellington, is likely to become a candidate for the vacant seat at King's Lynn.

It is believed, however, that Mr. J. H. Gurney will carry the consti- tuency. He made his first visit to the electors on Monday, and was well received. He declared himself in favour of a vigorous war policy, and the admission of Dissenters into the Universities ; but opposed to the Ballot and a new Reform Bill in the present circumstances of the country,. He was in favour of the connexion between Church, and State, though he would support a modification of the church-rate system. The Liberals have—though not without some hesitation—adopted Mr. Gurney as their candidate ; and he is also supported by a very large section of the Conservatives.

It is stated that Mr. Edwin James has been retained to support peti- tions against the returns for Hull, Malden, and Barnstaple, and to defend the seats of the newly-elected for Cambridge, threatened with petitions by the defeated candidates. [Is Canterbury, then, alone in its purity ?] One of the new gun-boats intended for service in the Baltic—the Arrow—made an experiment on Tuesday, upon the range of her long gun, constructed on Lancaster's principle. This gun is ten feet long, weighs 95 hundredweight, is conjectured to have a range of 5000 yards, throwing a 100-pound shell that distance with a charge of 12 pounds of gunpowder. The experiment of Tuesday had some peculiar results. It was made at the Western cliffs of the Isle of Wight, near the Needles; in presence of the Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by Sir James Graham, on board the Victoria- and Albert; and attended by the Black Eagle, the Dasher, the Fire Queen, the Fairy, and the Elfin. Sir Thomas Maitland directed the firing. The first two shells exploded in or near the gun; the next three went out of sight. Presently a picnic party were observed in full flight; the Lighthouse lowered its flag, and a boat bear- ing a flag of truce rowed up to the squadron, with the report that the last two shells had nearly, blown down the Lighthouse. The shells had swept over the mark, and had traversed some 5000 yards. On the return of the squadron, the Royal yacht fell in with the screw steaxaer Mauritius, bearing the Eighty-fourth Regiment to Corfu The inee crowded the decks and cheered the Queen; wbo,-standingon the paddle-

box of her yacht, graciously waved her handkerchief in acknowledg- ment of the salute. Next day, Prince Albert inspected the Arrow, which had remained all night off Osborne.

The Mayor of Liverpool has announced that the Queen will be unable o be present at the opening of St. George's Hall, on account of the "un- settled state of public affairs," and the visit of Prince Albert to St. Omer. The hall is to be opened on the 18th September.

The eleventh annual meeting of the British Archeological Association was opened at Chepstow on Monday. In consequence of the wet weather, the gathering was not so numerous as usual ; but the splendid scenery and interesting ruins in the neighbourhood—Tintern, Raglan, Newport and Caidicott castles, Roman encampments and tumuli, and other wrecked glories of the past—were expected to draw a plentiful company. Sir Fortunatus Dwarris filled the chair, and Mr. Pettigrew delivered the introductory address.

M. Kossuth reappeared as an itinerant agitator, on Monday, at Hanley in the Potteries ; where he made a long oration. Again he put forth his peculiar views on the Russian war, in new language and with new illus- tration; denounced England for stopping the victorious career of Omar Pasha in 1853 and 1854; for surrendering Moldavia and Wallachia to "perfidious Austria" ; for not relieving Silistria ; for not taking Poland and Hungary as allies ; and for projecting the expedition to the Crimea, instead of a march on Warsaw. A good deal of his speech consisted of comments based on the fluctuating statements of the daily journals, with a sarcastic examination of the conditions of peace, not as laid down in the actual notes, but as reported by the correspondents. He proposed a National Association for controlling Government.

The Russian war is seriously affecting the flax-consumers of Leeds : Russian flax, which formerly sold at 35/. a ton, now fetches 651.; and French and Flemish flax has been greatly increased in price. In conse- quence, the flax-mills are put on short time, so as to consume as little of the raw material as possible. A Leeds Flax Society was formed a year ago for the encouragement of flax-growing in Yorkshire. In other respects, the reports of the state of trade in the manufacturing districts are generally satisfactory.

A notable work is approaching completion at Southampton Docks—the largest graving dock in the world. It will be capacious enough to receive a steamer of 5000 or 6000 tons, if necessary. It is constructed principally of brick, and with the steam-engines and all appurtenances will cost about 60,0001.

The Mayor of Swansea, Mr. Grant Francis, F.S.A., laid the centre or great point-stone of the entrance-gates of the Swansea Docks, with some formality, on Tuesday week. The stone, weighing seven tons, was quar- ried at Craigleith, near Edinburgh.

The rebuilding of Doncaster Church has been stopped for a time by a strike of the masons, partly, it seems, against the employment of a par- ticular workmah, and partly because the contractors refused to give up two hours a week to the masons.

It seems that the announcement of the intended removal of the Mil- bank convicts to Dorchester created quite a panic in the Corporation of that town. Meetings were held; a deputation was sent to Lord Palmer- ston; there was a talk of memorializing Prince Albert, who is Lord of the Manor of Fordington; but all in vain. A strong party in the town op- posed the alarmists ; observing that the convicts must be placed some- where, and a more healthy spot could not be chosen. However, when the convicts came, although none of them were suffering from choleraic symptoms, several persons quitted the town. It is satisfactory to state that the change of air and quarters has proved beneficial to the convicts.

Pleasure-trips and gala,days for lunatics are not unfrequent now. Last week, about sixty patients of both sexes, inmates of the Hull Borough Asylum, were carried by railway to Witbernsea, where they picnicked on the sands ; and on their return to the station, held a ball in the waiting- room, a lunatic "playing beautifully" on the violin. The trip was quite .successfill.

A church-rate has been refused, on a poll, for St. Mary's parish, Guild- ford.

The Windsor Court-martial did not terminate with the deliberation after Major-General Wetherell had delivered his speech. It met again this week, and sat with closed doors. Whatever the result may have been, it will, of course, not be known until it be confirmed or cancelled by the Queen ; but it was understood that a strong difference of opinion was shown by the members of the court.

The Mayor of Windsor, Mr. T. T. Bedborough, has undertaken to receive subscriptions to pay Perry's bill of costs.

At the Liverpool Assizes, on Monday, two actions for compensation for damages on railway accidents were tried. Michaels, a German jeweller, a sufferer from an accident near the Newton Heath station, on the 29th De- cember last, sued the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company for da- mages. The Company admitted the negligence, and paid 7501. into court. The plaintiffs brother swore that Mr, Michaels had with him cases of jewel- lery worth 1400/. The Jury gave a verdict for 15001., including the money paid into court. The other case was similar. Gibson, a civil engineer, suf- fered from an accident on the same line- to such a degree, indeed, that it is thought likely he will never work any more. In this ease also the Company acknowledged negligence, and paid -500/, into court : the Jury awarded that filla and 300/. beside, An extraordinary action for criminal conversation was tried at the same Assizes on Monday. The story lies in a small compass. In November 1850, Mr. Lloyd Evans, a gentleman of fortune, fond of field sports, married Sophia Carrington, the daughter of a gentleman who formerly filled a high office in Ceylon. Mr. Evans was thirty-two the lady twenty-four. They did not agree very well, Mr. Evans hunting in Leicestershire five days a Week ; and they separated in April .1851. The wife was allowed 2501. a ear; and she went to live with herparents. The Carringtons had a friend, air. Robinson, of the respectable age of fifty, who showed some attentions to Mrs. Evans ; and he was made defendant in this action. It seems that Mrs. Evans came to London in 1853, and lodged at 15 Edgeware Road. On that occasion, Mr. Robinson took the lodgings for her ; he had a latch-key of the house ; visited Mrs. Evans several times .a day, and went with her to the Opera. The foxhunting husband-heart:10f these things ; and when, in June lad, Mrs. Evans again Ottnle 40 toNvn, henet a watch -upon her. She lodged iu Bryansteue Street, .Portman Sgurae, at the house of a Ain. K ng ; and

Robinson again paid her frequent visits. Mr. Evans employed Field, the detective officer ; and he employed a Mrs. Grocott, the wife of a butcher, procuring for her the situation of cook to Mrs. King. A Mrs. Price was also engaged to take an inventory of the furniture in one of the rooms. Field instructed Mrs. Grocott to bore a hole with a gimlet in the door of the drawingroom. She bored one, and could see nothing; she bored another that covered the sofa; and on that she swore she saw Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Evans sitting as husband and wife only might sit. Grocott called Price and King ; and these women swore that, peeping through the hole, they saw the alleged criminality of conduct. These women said they were much shocked at what they saw ; and Mrs. King, who looked through twice, said she "would not have gone a second time had it not been for the soli- citations of the fat cook." Under the circumstances, no evidence could be called for the defence : the only question for the Jury was, whether they believed the witnesses. They returned a verdict for the defendant.

The Gravesend Bench has decided that Sunday visitors to that towu are bona fide travellers within the meaning of the Beer Act, and as such, may be served with refreshments between the hours of one and ten o'clock ; but that all publicans who keep their houses open after ten infringe the law.

Last Saturday, Mr. George Smith, Postmaster of Jersey, accompanied by his wife, took lodgings in Union Street, Troy Town, near Rochester. On Tuesday he came down stairs and told the landlady that he had shot his wife. The police-officers were sent for; Mrs. Smith was found apparently sleeping, but really dead, from a shot in the back of her neck. Smith pointed out a pair of pistols under the mattress ; one was found loaded, the other recently discharged. It appears that Smith was an inmate of Hanwell Asy- lum only six months ago, and was considered perfectly harmless.

Two mill-hands, Lawler and Quinlan, working in Salford, had a standing quarrel ; they "were not on good terms " ; at last, Quinlan followed Lawler into the street and shot him with a pistol. Lawler is dangerously wounded. Quinlan has escaped.

There were three days of rioting at Northampton last week—all for no- thing. On Monday, a shoemaker and an artilleryman quarrelled and fought, and the artilleryman was taken by the police ; he resisted, and was dragged into the George Inn much bruised. A report spread that he was killed ; a mob assembled and broke the windows with stones. The Riot Act was read, and the Militia was called out, but it failed to suppress the tumult. When the Artillery came on the scene, the united force dispersed the people at the point of the bayonet. Next day the same scene was enacted again ; but this time the military movements were better timed and combined, and the riot was speedily quelled. On Wednesday, the crowd again collected ; but they were met by a large number of special constables, who carried all before them. A more objectless and stupid riot perhaps never occurred.

Charles Brown, Cornet of the Fourth Dragoons, got intoxicated last week, and thereby into trouble. At a concert and ball in the Town-hall of Brighton, the young gentleman insisted on entering through the cloak-room and accosting the waiting woman with improper language. Later in the evening, it became necessary to remove him by force. Before the Magis- trates, next day, he pleaded drunkenness, and was fined five pounds.

Two ticket-of-leave men are in custody at Manchester for stealing silver pheasants, doves, and other property belonging to the Mayor of Bolton. The Police report that these men have engaged in no honest work since their liberation.

It has been discovered that plate-chests have been rifled of 2000/. worth of plate while lying in Portsmouth Customhouse. The chests were deposited by the Queen's ship Portland in May last.

The sentence of death passed upon Sarah Featherstone at the last Chester Assizes, for the murder of her child, has been commuted to penal servitude for life.

An excursion-train conveying holiday-makers from Dover and other places to the Crystal Palace, on Monday, experienced a disastrous collision. At Croydon station, it came into contact with a ballast-engine which was taking in water ; the ballast-engine was driven forward by the shock, but it kept to the rails, and the driver was not hurt. The excursion-train was less for- tunate. On the other line of rails was the train of ballast-waggons, filled with gravel; the concussion with the ballast-engine forced the excursion- train from the up-line towards the down-line, it struck the ballast-waggons, and a frightful crash ensued. Five carriages were broken to pieces. One of them was turned over into a gravel-pit, and was broken worse than the others : the passengers in this carriage were the greatest sufferers. James Gammon gardener to a gentleman at East Peckham, was taken up in a dying state, and was soon released from his sufferings. The Reverend Mr. Willis, a clergyman of the Established Church, (a young man of great pro- mise, who had been married only six weeks,) was so badly hurt about the back and pelvis, that he died soon after he was received at St. Thomas's Hospital. Ann Saunders, a cook, had a leg fractured; Miss Linden and Caroline Harris also suffered fractures of the leg ; and James Forster had both legs fractured. Besides these, many other persons were hurt more or less seriously. The railway employes seem to have escaped scatheless. The drivers and firemen were taken into custody. The men were brought before the local Magistrates on Tuesday ; and a Coroner's inquest was opened on the body of Mr. Willis, by Mr. Payne, on Thursday ; but both inquiries stand adjourned till next week. The wit- nesses examined have been Mr. Brown, superintendent of the Bricklayer's Anna station, who had been specially sent down to Dover to take charge of the train ; Mr. Hawkins, traffic-manager of the Brighton Railway ; Ili% Hone, telegraph clerk at Croydon • Mr. Robert Jacomb Hood, engineer of the Brighton line; Mr. Saxby, carpenter of Brighton, who had fixed the sig- nals; and some others on minor points. The principal facts which appear to be brought out at present are, that the train left Dover at 8.30 a. m., and was due at the Crystal Palace a little after twelve; that it became very heavy, and at Ashford was divided into two ; that the forward. jog of the train was duly announced by the telegraph, but that other trains were run between the two halves, which made the people think that the whole had passed ; that at Croydon the distance-signal marked all right, while the semaphore signal, closer to the station nearer town, marked danger; that over-bridges near the station obscured the signal to persons on the train, and that the smoke might have obscured it still more. Some witnesses insisted that the train was going moderately— only fifteen miles an hour; the telegraph clerk affirmed that it came up at the rate of twenty-five or thirty miles an hour ; and it appeared that it had gone from Stoat's Nest to Croydon, four miles, in five minutes.

A sad disaster, arising from imprudence in bathing, occurred at Whitby, about three miles North of Tynemouth. Mary Armstrong, a servant-girl, in spite of a warning placard, entered the sea at a place marked as dangerous, lost her foothold, and drifted among the breakers. A. young man named Cochrane, although in delicate health, dashed in to save her • but he too was knocked down, sucked under the waves, and drowned. A boat now came up and seized the drowning girl; but she died as soon as she was hauled on beard.

Four lives were lost, on Tuesday, by an explosion of fire-damp in the shaft of the Lund Hill Colliery, a new pit from which- no coal has yet been taken. Some stoppage had occurred in the engine ; water had accumulated in the drifts and had impeded the currents of sir; the men carried a naked candle down the shaft, and the foul air exploded.

A Coroner's Jury found a Terabit of "Accidental death," adding a oensure on the contractor for not employing more trustworthy men on the works. The use of naked candles caused the accident.

Some time -since, a Mr. Price, millwright, of Llanvaer, near Brecon, died. Last week his widow, who had shown a deep but quiet grief for his loss, en- tered the churchyard during the performanee of a funeral, and in stooping over the grave to tend the flowers growing there, her feelings overcame her, she fell senseless, and having been carried to a neighbouring house, expired.

The Reverend Thomas Robinson who held a living in the Isle of 'W'ight.has committed suicide at Dover, choosing a classical spot for the deed—he

leapt off Shakspere's Cliff. He had been talking with a man on the cliff; 'when dusk came on, he exclaimed that he lived at Waterloo Crescent, and sprang from the edge: of course he was found dead on the rocky shore. His wife was living with him at Dover.

A gentleman unknown has committed suicide while travelling on the Mid- land Railway. On a carriage-cleaner opening a first-class carriage at Lin- coln, he discovered the oorpse on the floor: the suicide had swallowed prussic acid.

The greater part of King's Lynn workhouse—a very ancient structure— fell down on Sunday morning. Its dangerous state had been observed, and many of the inmates had been removed; others were at church; but, un- fortunately, Cana, a pauper, who remained in the building, perished. A Coroner's Jury exculpated the authorities, and found a verdict of " Acci- dental death."