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Northern Star (1837-1852), 1st March 1845, Edition 3 of 4, Page 6, * ~. ,,-«-.. «m i t» March 1, 1»4§. 6 TH...

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      * ~. ,,-«-.. «M I T» March 1, 1»4§. 6 Th...

      * _~ . _,,- _« -.. « m i t » March 1 , 1 » 4 § . 6 THE NORTHERN STAR . _' -

      _The Xel^Re Of Laim In Ireland.,... Lord...

      __ THE XEl _^ RE OF LAim IN IRELAND .,... LORD "DEVOX'S COMMISSION . _KEPOST ¦¦ Of . _(^ mmissioners appointed to inquire into the state Of the law and practice in resftect to the occupation . of land in Ireland , and in respect also to fhe burdens of -county cess and other charges which fell respectively on the _"tadlord ana _-tcCTn- _' - ' _-ing _^ ments , ifany , of the existing laws , which , having due regard tothe just rights of property , maybe calculated to encourage the cultivation of the soil , to extend abettor-sys tem of _agrjcnlture , and to improve the relation between landlord ana tenant in that part of the united _ldngaom . _I fP attention was , in the first instance , naturally directed to _anamination ofthe state of _thelaw of landlord and tenant , ana the practice under it ; and with this view vre _raammedmany of the assistant barristers and agents extensivel y engaged in the managementof estates indifferent parts of the country , and other persons whom we _theugbt likely to give ns general information .

      : Por the purpose also of obtaining evidence upon the subject * of our inquiry from different parts of the conn--toy , and . from various classes of persons , we addressed a letter to * every board of guardians throughout the country , to every bishop of the Established Church , to every Soman Catholic bishop , and to the heads of the Presbyterian Church , irom whom generally we received material assistance . _^ 3 n the selection of witnesses for _esamination , we were guided by the recommendation ofthe "boards of guardians , Or ; , of the ; clergy and others , made in consequence of our cnralarV . wealso examined numerous persons who tendered evidence , and sought out others from whom we thought that we might deriveusrful information .

      -. ' . Among many measures professedly for the improvement of Ireland , an Act was passed in 1771 , which allowed Roman Catholics to- late a lease for sixty-one years of not less than ten acres , or more than -fifty , of bog , with only half an acre of arable land for the site of a house , but not to . be situate withina mile of a town ; and if it was not reclaimed in twenty-one years , the lease to be void . The A ' c _^! _ffifl 829 destroyed the political value , of the 40 s . freehi j lder ., and to relieve his property from the burden which this chain ' of circumstances brought npon it , the landlord , in _^ too many instances , adopted what has been called the " clearance system . "*'

      _-Jptex- detailing the proceedings of various Gommissions ahd _Ckimmittees ofthe House of Commons , _appointed to inquire ' into the state and condition of Ireland , -fie _rejK _> rtn « xjecds thus : — - : At this stage of onr report , and before adverting to those details to which the course of onr inqniries has directed our attention , it may be proper to Brake a few observations of a general nature , and having , as we conceive , an important bearing upon every part of the subject under consideration . "Whatever difference of opinion may be put forward or entertained upon other points , the testimony given' is unfortunately too uniform in representing the unimproved state of extensive districts , the want of employment , and the " consequent poverty and "hardships under which a large portion of the agricultural population continually labour .

      -The obvious remedy for this state of things is to provide remunerative employment , wliich may at once increase the productive powers of the country , and improve the condition of the people . By what means , and under what arrangements for the occupation of land , this , object can be most certainly attained ; what _difScsltfes and impediments may be removed ; and what assistance can . be properly given by the interference of Parliament or the exertions of individuals—are points well worthy of consideration by all those who have the welfare of Ireland at heart , ana upon ¦ which it will be our duty to offer some suggestions ; but we wish in this place to record our decided opinion , that agricultural Improvement—that Is , an _Increased and improved cultivation of fhe soil of Ireland—is one of the first and most important steps towards improvement in the condition ofthe people .

      Another general remark winch our tour through the country and an extensive intercourse with the farming classes enables us to make , is , that in almost every part of . Ireland -anequivocal symptoms of improvement , in spite of-many embarrassing and counteracting circumstances , continually present themselves to the view : and that "ihere exists a very general and increasing spirit and desire for promotion of such improvement , from which the most beneficial results may fairly be expected . Indeed , speaking ofthe country generaUy , with some exceptions , which are -anfortunately too notorious ,, we believe that , at no former period , did so active a spirit of improvement prevail , nor could well-directed measures for ' the attainment of that object have been proposed with _artier ' prospect of success than at the present moment .

      TENURE , The expression "tenure of land" may be used with reference either to the landlord ' s estate , or to the interest which an occupying tenant has in his farm . " In this _lattia * sense _^ _itTias been commonly used by the witnesses , aiid is generally understood in Ireland '; and in this sense wCcoii _^ icIer _;? it to form the principal subject of our mqniry * ' - ¦ _but' -we : think it nccessary in the first instance - briefly to notice a few cases in wliich the nature of the _lamUqrd ' s _iuterestmaj have an influence upon the dealing with his tenants .

      The number of proprietors of land in Ireland is small when compared with its extent and the amount of its agricultural population . ' _^ 'T b _^ - ' _cttcnmstance , while probably it is one of the cause _£ w"f | u _£ iIia - * led to the want of that personal _atten-SoiTto the ' condition of the tenantry , which is at once . the . duty and interest" of . land-lords , renders also , ft e impediments in the way , of : improvement , arising from the nature . of the proprietors * tenure , a matter of more urgent public importance in Ireland than elsewhere . . .. . _„ _.--. ' -. In adverting to the character of the landlords' tenure in Ireland , it .. is our duty to observe npon a species of

      _teimre , _asareelylinoivn elsewhere , which prevails very extensivel y in that country , one-seventh of Ireland being said / fo be held under it . We allude to the tenure by lease for Eyes , with a covenant of perpetual renewal on . _psymejitpf a fine , soireames merely nominal , on the fall of ea _** h . life . The origin of this tenure is said to be traceable to the condition and state of property , consequent upon the extensive confiscations to which nearly the whole of Ireland has , at different periods , been subjected ; the grajrtees , _bamg : generally absentees , and desirous of securing a recognition -from _time to time of their proprietor _^ hip , _asT-veU as the . . power of recovering their rents , are supposed " to have . originated thisMbrm of demise .

      To remedy tbe inconvenience and ill effects which arise -from this , species of tenure , we recommend that powers should be ; giyen to . the lessor and lessee-in all cases to commute . the fines into an increased rent , and thus to convert the tenure of leases of lives renewable , for ever into . an absolute _pe-rpetuitry—a power _ being given , as in the . Church Temporalities Act , to distrain and . eject in in case of non-payment of the reserved rent , and to refer to _,-yeourt ; of . . equity all questions as to the . pecuniary value to _. be placed on any reservations by covenants wliich may interfere with the proper cultivation . ofthe land .,- —;! _:-. ., ¦ ; .: -.:., « : .. _TJnder _. the influence of this custom , the tenant claims , andgenerally exercises a right to dispose of . his holding for , a . i _* ealuable consideration , although he may himself be _ie-aant-at-wffl , and although he may have expended _nothingin permanent improvements ,

      Proprietors generally have been enabled to place a restriction npon this tenant-right , so far at least as to secure a power of selection with respect to the tenant , and to place some limit upon the amount to be paid ; wisely judging , that a tenant who pays a large sum of money ( part of which he probably barrows ) in entering upon a fare ; , will he crippled in his means for the proper management of it . It was formerly the practice with most landlords , particularly those who were absentees , to grant long leases of a large tract to some individual who was answerable for the rent , and who undertook the responsibility of dividing and under-letiini' fhe land . Thoselessees were usually designated "middlemen . " .

      The practice of letting laud to middlemen is now rare . Upon some , well regulated estates , the property of _inlellujeni and liberal landlords , who are upon fhe best fooling with their tenants , no leases are given ; but we cannot forbear to express our opinion , that as a general system it is more for the interest of both landlord and tenant _. that leases of amoderate length should be granted . We feel , however , that this is one of the points which must be left to the discretion , of individuals , and * ve cannot recommend any direct interference by the Legislature . * nie most general , and indeed _almost universal , topic _of-comjnaiht bronght before ns in every _part of Ireland , was Ihe ' '*' want of tenure , * 0 to use the expression most commonly employed by the witnesses .

      ¦ _"ffjs weU "known that the want of "fisity of tenure " has wr sbme time past been sedulously put forward ' as one" 6 _^ _th - emdstprominent grievances ofthe Irish tenant ¦

      -51 ™ . . _-. - _JKFB . OVEMEUTS . ' "Before we' proceed further in dealing with this part of _O-M-subj _^ it may be necessary , in the first instance , to gW ' e _* sbme explSaation of the particular expression— " ImproTeiii ' ehls f the' -want of which explanation would probably lead to muchlnisconceptiori on the part of persons unacquainted _with ' rural affairs in Ireland . itis well _fmowhthatin England and Scotland , before a landlord offers a farm tor letting , he finds it necessary to provide a suitable farm-house , with necessary farmbuildings , 'for the proper management ofthe farm . He puts the gates and fences into good order , and he also takes npon himself a great part of the burden of keeping theiuildiagsin repair during the term ; and the rent is fixed with reference to this state of things . Such , at least , is generally the case , although special contracts -may occasionally be made , varying the arrangement between _landlord and tenant .

      aha Ireland the case is wholly different . The smallness of _* me _* farms , _astl 5 eyare usually let , together with other carcmnstances , to which it is not necessary to advert , render the introduction of the English system extremely difficult , and in many cases impracticable . - It is admitted on all hands , that according to the general practice in Ireland , the landlord builds neither _dwe-ffing-house nor arm-offices , nor puts fences , gates , EC-, into good order before he lets his land to a tenant In some instances fhe tenant may have capital which he wfll readily expend npon the land , if he can only be assured that he shall enjoy an adequate return for his _expgnditure in the length and _fc-jrtainty of his tenure or _^^ . - _* P"Nd . tohim afafc . compensation for his outlay-andlabour on qmtting the farm

      . _^^ . _Jkrid _, it not _nnfrequenti y occurs that fhe only _c-jpital which the occupier of the _soU possesses is to _befoundmthe labour of Mmself _andlds WyTif 5 ou

      _The Xel^Re Of Laim In Ireland.,... Lord...

      show to him in what manner the application of that la . hour may be rendered most conducive to his own comfort and permanent benefit , and assist him with money or materials which his labour cannot supply , you ivill generally find the Irish peasant ready to co-operate with you in effecting improvements beneficial alike to himself and to the country . The state of Ireland in this respect has not unfrequentiy engaged the attention of Parliament : in the ' years 1835 andl 83 G , aud again in 1813 , bills were presented to the House of Commons , of which the object was to secure for tenants compensation for any outlay which they make of a permanent nature upon their farms .

      Although it is certainly desirable that the fair remuneration to which a tenant is entitled for his outlay of capital , or of labour , in permanent improvements , should be secured to "Mm by voluntary agreement rather than by compulsion of law , yet , upon a review of all the evidence furnished to us upon the subject , we believe that some legislative measure will be found necessary in order to give efficacy to such agreements , as well as to provide for those cases which cannot be settled by private arrangement . The power which we have already recommended to be given to enable persons under legal disabilities to charge their esta tes for certain purposes will assist in rendering effectual the provisions for compensation here referred to , and in providing against an undue pressure on existing landlords from their operation .

      _CONSOMDATIOJJ OP FAB" * S .-Feeling this subject to be one of vast importance , we have been very anxious to acquire correct information upon it . In our printed queries we directed attention to the consolidation of farms and the eviction of tenants ; and in the oral examinations we constantly addressed questions to the witnesses upon these points . Upon a review of the whole subject , we feel bound to express our opinion , that there has been much of exaggeration and mis-statement in tiie sweeping charges which have been directed against the Irish landlords . A considerable period has elapsed since the consolidation system first _codpienced , and the recent ' instances have been comparatively few . Much , however , of the evil caused by former clearances still remains , but we trust that the increased care and attention given by landlords to their estates will prevent its recurrence .

      It is certain that the removal of a number of poor occupiers from the dwellings and the land which they have once held , must be the cause of much individual suffering ; and no humane landlords _vriU adopt such a course without using his best endeavours to alleviate that pressure . The cause which most frequently , at the present day , leads to the eviction of a number of tenants on a particular estate , is the wish of the proprietor to increase the size of the holdings , with a view to the better Cultivation of the land ; and when it is seen in the evidence , and in the returns upon the size of farms , how minute those holdings are frequently found to be , previous to the change , it cannot be denied that such a step is in many cases absolutely necessaiy , and called for by n due regard to the interest of both landlord and tenant .

      Some witnesses , who put forward most strongly as matter of complaint , the consolidation of small holdings , into what they call large farms , in answer to the further question— ' To what size were the farms ' " brought V describe them as enlarged to the extent of twenty-five , twenty , or even ten acres .

      _BECOV-EET OF BEST . We recommend that the right to seize growing crops by way of distress for rent shaU be altogether taken away . We recommend that it shall be made imperative upon every person making a distress to serve , or cause to be served , ' such a notice at the time of mating the seizure , aud that the want of it shall render a distress illegal . Wethereforerecommendthatit should be provided by Jaw , that no distress shall be legal , unless made by virtue of a warrant or order to distrain in writing , sighed by the landlord or his agent , directing the bailiff to distrain the tenants named therein , and bearing upon the face of it the date when , and the place at which , it is signed ; and further that no warrant shall be sufficient to authorise distress which is not so signed within twenty days of the time when the seizure is made .

      We believe that as the law now stands , any irregularity in anypart of the proceeding renders the person making the distress liable to be ' treated as a trespasser ab initio , We think that some alteration should be made in this respect , and tliat landlords should only be liable to an action for irregularity . We come now to the process of ejectment . We recommend that in any ejectment brought in any court , the plaintiff should be bound to serve , notice upon the tenant , setting forth the amount due , and how made up ;' and further , that in any writ of "luxbere" issued upon a judgment in ejectment for rent , the amount claimed , together with the amount of costs , should be inserted , aud that the sheriff should have power at any time to stay the preceedings , upon payment of the debt and costs .

      - As connected with tbe ejectment system , we have to notice a practice which prevails in some parts of the country , of serving , periodically , notices to quitupon large numbers of tenants holding irom year to year , not with any fixed intention of proceeding upon such notices , but in order to keep , up a continual power over the tenant , in case he should not pay his rent , or should otherwise misconduct himself , ana which may be acted upon from caprice , " or in case of any offence given by the tenant in some matter wholly unconnected , with the occupation of his land . With a view to lessen in some degree the evil resulting from this practice , we propose that in all such cases the tenancy shall not be determined without twelve months ' notice .

      We further recommend ,, with , a view of encouraging leases , that the stamp duty , in aU cases where the rent doesnot exceed - £ 50 _ per annum , and the term shall not beleis than fourteen years , or more than thirty-on e years , be reduced to 2 s . Gd . ; but that this reduction should only apply to leases prepared according to a . form to , be _specified ih the schedule of an Act to be passed for _tliatipur . pose , and which should also provide that all tenants-hold ing under such leases / shall do so on certain simple conditions , including particularly an undertaking on- the tenant's part , not „ ' to sublet or subdivide , and on the part of the landlords an obligation to make allowance to the tenant for improvements , either according , to the mode we have suggested , or such other as Parliament may adopt . We believe that the revenue would gain , rather than lose , by such an alteration .

      A further improvement would be made , if the practice were introduced of describing , shortly , the buildings ( if any ) actually existing , or which the landlord allows to be erected on the premises ; and it would be desirable that a cheap and easy mode of registering such documents with the clerk of the peace should be provided . We are glad to find that , notwithstanding the great and increasing competition for land , the practice of endeavouring to fix the fair value by a close valuation is becoming eveiy day more general ; and although very loose modes of valuation still prevail too extensively , yet there is evidence to prove a growing disposition to adopt sounder principles in this respect . 'It appears that in some cases public boards , having the management of estates , are directed by the Act under which they are constituted , to advertise and let their , lands to the highest bidder ; we think that power should be given , in such cases , to let laud upon a fair , and just valuation . ,, AQEXCS .

      Itmust frequently happen thatthe landlord cannot give that personal attention and superintendence which , under present circumstances , are essential to the proper management of land in Ireland . This naturally leads us to make a few observations with respect to agents , a most numerous class , comprising persons of almost every rank of life , of various qualifications , and upon whose conduct the comfort of a large population and the tranquiUity of a district frequently depend . . . We examined several agents resident : in Dublin , under whose management numerous estates are placed , some of ' which appear to be well conducted ; but as a general proposition we must express our opinion , that in cases in which the landlord is not resident , it is of importance that the principal agent should reside either upon or near to the estate which he manages .

      The estates of large absentee proprietors are frequently managed by a resident gentleman , who supplies , as far as possible , the want of a resident landlord ; other estates are intrusted to the care of personsin almost every situation of life . . In former times the practice of accepting bribes and gratuities by agents , bailiffs , or others connected with the estates , was -frequently denounced , and- wag , we fear , too general .: ¦¦ > . . : < _- . _TVe cannot say that this has altogether ceased , although we are satisfied that such occurrences are becoming more rare . . . . ' .

      SAT . E OF ESTATES . It now rarely happens that land in Ireland is brought into the market for sale hi lots of a moderate or small size . Estates are so generally encumbered by family settlements or otherwise , that the expense , delay , ' and dimculty which would attend the dividing-them , so as to sell in separate or detached portions , , deter a proprietor from taking this course , although a larger sum might be raised by it in the whole . We believe that there is alarge number of persons in Ireland possessing a small amount of capital , which they

      would gladly employ m _the-rtarchascj aTltt cultivation of land , and a still larger number , now resident in different parts ' of the country , and holding land for uncertain or limited terms , at a rent , who would most cheerfully embrace the opportunity of becoming proprietors . The gradual introduction of such a class of men would be a great improvement in the social condition of Ireland . A much larger proportion of the population than at present would , become personally interested in the preservation of peace and good order ; and the prospect of gaining admission into this class of small landowners would often

      stimulate the renting fanner to increased exertion and persevering industry . AGR 1 CU 1 . TUH . AI , _INSTBDCTION . There is a great desire _amongst all classes iiri Ireland for improvement in agricultural knowledge . In many parts of the country farming societies have been established upon a large scale . ' Without wisliing to underrate the usefulness of such societies , we must consider as even more important the adoption of such plans as shall give to the small farmer practical instruction in the best method of cultivation . In many parts of Ireland the question is not alone , as in England or Scotland , whether improved cultivation will enable a tenant to make a better profit or to pay a better rent , but whether the small portions in which it is certain that , for many years at least , the land must be occupied , wffl enable the holder to provide sustenance for his family , and pay even a moderate rent .

      _The Xel^Re Of Laim In Ireland.,... Lord...

      -The establishment - and maintenance of agricultural schools , such as that carried on at Templemoyle , in the county of Derry , or such smaller estabUshments as that at Lame , described in the evidence of Dr . Kirkpatrick _^ -the employment of iin agriculturist who shall give personal instruction and assistance to the small farmer and peasant —the introduction of a good system of _draining , of- better implements , better seeds , arid improved breeds of cattlethe cultivation by spade , or , at the least possible _expense , of a small farm as a model which it maybe within the reach of a poor person to follow—all these are methods of teaching , each or any of which a landlord or an agent may employ upon a greater or smaller scale . according to circumstances , _antYby the use of which he will lay the sure and solid foundation of general improvement ,

      EMIGEATION . , The Committee on Public Works ( Second Report ) in 1835 , on the contrary , cannot concur in the opinion that the social disease of Ireland is produced by a real excess of population . " It may be doubted whether the country does contain a sufficient quantity of labour to develppe its resources ' ; and while the empire is loaded with , taxation to defray the charge of its wars , it appears most politic to use its internal resources for improving the condition of the population ' , by which the . revenue of the Exchequer must he increased , rather than encourage emigration , by which . the revenue would suffer a diminution , or than leave the labouring classes in their present state , by which poverty ,- crime , and the charges of Government must be inevitably extended . "

      , WASTE * LA _* SD 8 . - ¦ : ¦ It maybe worthy of serious , consideration , whether the State might not very usefully make for these purposes , at a _moderata rate of interest , _somer advance , regulated , within such limits as Parliament may prescribe , by the amount which companies ' or individuals ' may advance in aid of such operations . The funds which could be so required would not probably be larger in anyone year , and yet a great public benefit would , be attained in increased employment for labour , ih the progressive extension of productive land _/' ahd in the opportunity thereby afforded for the location of industrious families who may have been from unavoidable circumstances compelled to quit their former holdings . , _,, We are desirous only of stating our opinion that , under proper arrangements , the'reclamation of waste lands , whilst it gives useful and permanent employment to the labouring population , willj ' at the same time , pvo _^ duce a fair return for the capital emp loyed upon it . ' !

      . . PUBLIC ; WOBK 8 . . _;¦; .. . Under the sanction . of the Board of , Works , large sum . 6 have been borrowed and expended in the promotion of works of public ' utility , and £ 125 , 000 has been " granted for similar purposes . _..- _' . ' : It is , however , deserving of remark , that while that sumhas been granted , the State has derived a profit under , the system of loans , amounting already to about . twofifths of those grants . This has arisen , as explained in the evidence of Sir John Burgoyrie ,. from the difference between the rate of Interest at . which the State has obtained money , and that at whicli loans haye been made uuder the provisions ofthe Public Works Act . '

      PUBLIC WOBKS ACT . i Two important principles have been recognised by the legislature , with respect to the advances of money for the improvement of Ireland— . .. 1 st . That it is desirable and proper to give assistance by way of loan towards the agricultural improvement of that country ; and , 2 ndly , that in cases in which the property of individuals is to derive a permanent benefit from the execution of such works , it is just and proper to give power to ' persons having limited interests or being under legal disability to charge such property with the repayment of money advanced in aid of such improvements .

      We recommend that two members shall be added to the _^ oa rdof Public Works in Dublin , of high legal station and character . ; That upon any application for a , loan by persons under any legal disability to charge , their estate , it shall be the duty of the Board to examine , not only into the propriety ofthe improvements proposed , but also into the state and condition of the property , the interest of the various persons connected with it , aud the propriety of , making a charge upon the estate for repayment of such loan ; and that no advance shall be made unless upon the'certificate ofthe chief commissioner and the two legal members of the Board , recommending such " advance , and stating the nature of the security to be taken . That all advances shall be made by instalments not exceeding £ 500 in amount , aiid that no further advance bem . adeuhtil . it has'been proved to the satisfaction of the said commissioners that the former instalment has been properly applied . ¦ ' - ';"

      ! That in every case of a party applying for an advance , who is entitled as tenant-in-tail or for life to the income of the estate to be charged , he shall be required to enter into ai personal obligation , by way of collateral security , to the extent of double the amount of instalment of the proposed

      loan . 1 ABOUBERS . ' We have already adverted to the con-acre system . It will be seen in the evidence that the contracts between the labourer who hires , and tiie farmer who _letSthe plot Of ground in wluch the po tatoes are to be plan ted , are usually vbrbal , and how completely the latter is in the power ' of the former , in the event of any dispute arising in reference to those contracts . I We recommend that a summary jurisdiction should be given to' magistrates at petty sessions to hear and adjudicate upon disputes respecting con-acre , where the plot of ground shall not exceed half tin acre ; ;

      i Considering also the wretched eondition in which so many cabins in Ireland are found , and the sufferings and disease'to which our fellow-creatures ' ' Uving in such hovels , are exposed , it would be extremely _desirablci'if it werepossible to effect it , that in all cases Of cottier holdings the person who lets the cabin should be-bound to keep it in sufficient repair , aiid that lie should be compellable bymagistratestodo so . Itmay 'Msobe proper to enact that the person letting a cabin ' _shaU not be entitled to recover his rent by any legal process , if it can be shown that he has not kept it in tenantable repair . - - \ We cannot , however , disguise " from ourselves the great difficulty of dealing by law with such matters , arid the aanger lest evils of this nature may be aggravated / rather than ' diminished , by too'hasty attempts to remove them by legislation ' . - We have , therefore , felt ourselves unable to recommend any direct measure for that purpose . ; Wc trust the exposure of such a' state of things may lead to its remedy . v . _, ¦ ¦

      COUNTY CESS . In considering the subject , we have examined the _natiive of the respective items of county expenditure—how far they may be considered as fitting ' matters for local or general taxation— -how far the proprietor and occupier are respectively interested in them , and how far they are of prospective or immediate advantage . - ' . ' As the result of this investigation , we recommend / for tiie reasons hereafter given ; the transfer of the constabulary charge to the'Consolidated Fund—of the support of charitableiristitutibns to the respective unions—arid that the cost of erecting permanent county buildings should be borne by the proprietors . ; ; Thc _officis also of treasurer and secretary of tbe [ grand jviry should be united under such arrangements as might prevent an increase in the burdens of the counties , and secure the residence of an efficient officer .

      j The inspection of weights and measures may be at once transferred to the constabulary . The inspectors-general of prisons should be remunerated for their travelling expenses , as in Great Britain , particularly as they have now the examination also of lunatic establishments . The _conveyance of convicts and the expenses of prosecutions should also be placed on the same footing in both countries . j The system of county surveyors aud their deputies gives rise to much dissatisfaction . '

      1 AQUARIAN OUTRAGES , I In a former part of this report ; when we expressed our , favourable opinion of the general ' state of the country , we felt it necessary to allude to some lamentable exceptions . We regret to ' . find that these exceptions appear to be on the * increase . , 1 We made _inquh-y , throughout the whole _, of our tour , respecting the existence of agrarian , outrages . ; In Tipperaiy for a long time past _^ j and in some other counties more recently , there has prevailed a system of lawless violence , wliich has led in numerous instances to the perpetration of cold-blooded murders .

      _^ These are generally acts of revenge , for some supposed injury inflicted upon the party who comihits or instigates the commission of the outrage . . _s But the notions entertained of injury in such . cases are regulated by a standard fixed by . _tWwill of the nibst lawless and unprincipled members of the community . " . ' ' _* . ' . . ' . ! If a tenant is removed , even after repeated " warning *! from laud which he has neglected or , misused ,. he is looked upon in the districts to which we are how . referring as an injured man , and the decree ' . too , often . goes out ' for vengeance upon the landlord or the ' agent , and upon the man who succeeds to the ; farm ; and at times a large lmmerical proportion of the . neighbourhood , look- with indifference upon the most atrocious ' acts , of violence , aiid , by screening the criminal _^ abet and encourage the crime . Murders are perpetrated at noonday ' on a public highway , and , whilst the assassin coolly _retires , the people look on , and evince no horror at . tiie bloody deed . .,..,

      : The whole nature of . Christian men appears , in such cases , to be changed , and the one absorbing feeling as " to the possession of land stifle ' s all others , and ' extinguishes the plainest principles of humanity . ' ; ' . " ' _'*' . '' . ¦ j _"WJe cannot but feel that this ' state of things _' calls loudly for correction , although it does not conie within our province to discuss what measures " should be adopted under such circumstances for the detection and repression of

      e . ' It must be obvious that none of the suggestions wliich we have offered , nor any measures founded upon them , ' Which Farliariient or Government could devise , can be applicable _^ a state of things so appalling and disorganised as that which we have described . We have given our best and most anxious consideration to the means of ameliorating the condition of the well-disposed Irish peasant , and we feel that thc greatest allowance is to be made for his sufferings , his poverty , his ignorance ; ; but we can make no allowance for the deliberate , cold-blooded assassin , or for those who abet assassination .

      ' We _irish it were possible to make' the peasantry in these unhappy _distriifts aware , that all measures for improvement presuppose tlic security ' of life arid property ; that the districts iri which , both are systeriiaticaily rendered insecure must be , regarded _as'bbyorid-the reach 'of such plans of amelioration as we can' suggest * and that

      _The Xel^Re Of Laim In Ireland.,... Lord...

      while _xrimes , of _Iso . fearfui . acharacterprevaU _. itishop . - _^ less to expect , in reference to those dietriots , much practical improvement in the relation of landlord and tenant , or any security for the permanent happiness of the people .

      %Iitim\T$, $Ffimcesf,& Fotquestoei

      % iitim \ t $ , _$ _ffimcesf , & _fotquestoei

      Hoimibi.E Mundeb And Highway Robber*^ Op...

      _HoimiBi . E MunDEB and Highway Robber _*^ op a Gentleman at Hampstead . —In bur latest edition of last week we gave a short account of thc discovery of a dreadful murder committed in the vicinity of Hampstead ; we now . 'give the following additional particulars : —It appears that about twenty minutes past seven o ' clock oh Friday evening , Mr . Hilton , baker , of West-end , was proceeding along _the'Finchley-road , in the direction of the Swiss Cottage , in his cart , when his attention was suddenly attracted by hearing screams of distress and distinct cries" Murder ! " proceeding from the direction ofthe pathway leading towards Bellsize Park At this moment he observed a gentleman , who turned out to be Mr . Kilbum , jun ., the . son of a gentleman

      residing in _Haverstock-teri'ace , Haverstock-hill , coming from the direction of-the Swiss Cottage , and about to take the path from the road in the direction from whence the sounds had proceeded . Mr . Hilton at once told him what he had heard , ; and added to Mr . Kilburn , "If you see about it , I will at once drive to the Swiss _Cottage and follow you . " Ms . KilbUm proceeded in the direction of the stile above referred to , which was his direct road to his own residence , ' and on reaching it was horrdr-stricken - at seeing the body of a man lying on the ground on the other side . . In . alarm he ran back towards the direction from which he had started , crying at the top oi Itis Yoice "Murder , murder 1 " Hiscnes , it appears , reached the cars of Serjeant Fletcher , o f the S

      division , who was on duty near Haverstock-terrace , and who , accompanied by police-coiistable Abbott , 124 S , hastened . in the . direction of the cries , and shortly after were joined by ' _several ' other persons from the Swiss Cottage . - ' The body of a man was then discovered about three yards on tho Hampstead side of the stile , lying on his 'face in a pool of blood . He " was quite dead , but still warm , and the-blood was , pouring from a frightful gash . inflicted ; by some sharp instrument over the " right eye and '' temple and froin the back of the skull , which was literally dashed in , and . caused tho brain to protrude . Assistance having been procured , ' the tody : wa ; s placed upbri a _stretclicr and conveyed hy the police tothe . . _Yorkshire Grey public house , arid 011 being examined the pockets of

      the deceased were some of them' turned inside but , audit was evident from the" appearance of the waistcoat left-hand pocket thay deceased s had been in the habit of wearing a watch , whicli was gone . ' , ! Nothing whatever was found on his person with the exception ol an envelope ,: with the superscription " I . Coopei , Esq ., Hampstead-road . " Near where the body was discovered was found one of the deceased ' s gloves ( a black kid one ) , the other being still upon his left hand . His hat was found some , yards from the spot where his body lay , in the narrow ditch . passing along the outside of the wall of Bellsize Park . It is of _bca-ycr , nearly new , having on the inside " Massey , maker , _Hahipstead-road . " _Immediately . ' oh the arrival of the body at _the'Yovksliire ' Grey , Mr .. Perry ,

      of the firm of Davis and Perry , surgeons , of Hanipstead , was sent for ' ahdi promptly " attended ., On examination of the head , ' he unhesitatingly expressed his conviction that the unfortunate gCntlcriian had been ' moist barBarously murdered . As earl y as eight o ' clock Messrs . Hughes and Carter , superintendents of the D and S divisions of police , visited the place , wliich presented the following appearance : — -In consequence of the solidity of the ground occasioned b y the intense frost no traces of footsteps or of struggling were discernible , but the deceased had evidently died very hard , and had fallen once or twice before

      he fell in the spot where he was found . This point is indicated by the large pool of blood which was still lying there . About two' yards to the right , and immediately against the dead wall , was another large pool 5 f blood , ' and tlic wall' also was bespattered with it . \ The bottom ' rail of the stile is broken , and against this it wouldappcarthc unfortunate man must also have staggered , as at the point where it is broken it is covered with blood . There are also the marks _, of . bloody fingers on the stile ; but they could not have been those of the murdered man , as , on exami-• nation , there was no blood whatever found on his 'hands . ..

      Identification of _inE Bony . —On Sunday the body ofthe deceased " was identified by a baker named Kitchener , living at 55 , Whittlebmy-street , Eustonsquave ; in which house deceased had lodged for the last , ten ! years . ; His name was Delarue _; an Englishman by birth , ' and by profession , _^ teacher of the pianoforte and singing . His age about 30 . ' He left his lodgings precisely at six . o ' clock on Friday evening , ' without saying whither he : wasgoing , and Mr . Kitchenei <; says _liehas no doubt that deceased had then on his person a" watch , rings , and money . He was a steady person , and was seldom from home later than ten o ' clock at night . . His landlord . believes that he taught music to some . young . ladies either at schools or at private residences at Hampstead or . _its vicinity .

      : ; Inquest on the Body . —On Monday , at ten o ' clock , Mr . 'Wakley , M . _Pi , coroner'for the ' western division of _Middlesex , and a jury , 'bf gentlemen / resident m the parish of St . John ,: Hampstead , assembled at the _Yoi-Kshlre'ferey ' Tavern , to inquire . into , the circumstances connected ' with the above horrible affair . The jury , twenty-one in number , having _^ been i _* oipahelled , _accompanied by the coroner , proceeded to view tiie body , which lay iri the same state'ih which ' . it was dcr posited after the discovery' of . 'the murder on Friday eveniiig , in : _* i 8 ma 31 ' cottage in the rear of the Yorkshire Grey . The face ; was covered with blood , aiid the head presented a dreadfully mutilated and repulsive appearance . ' 7--Mr . Richard , Rogers / Perry was first called * . He said I am a sursebn , ahd reside . ' at

      Hampstead . ' About a quarter'before nine o ' clock on Friday evening last , I was called to _^ this house to . sec the body ofthe ; deceased , by a policeman . I found it lying in 'ti ie cottage where it has juBlbccn yiewed'hy the jury . ' . ' On examination I found tliattlte deceased was quite dead , aiid that . '" "lie had received _^ several _w-ounds on the head . At the back of the __ head I found « a wound ' of great extent /'' Jaceratirig ; the scalp to the length , of about . four 1 inches , and another smaller wound just above it , about an . inch and a half long .. The first wound appeared to hie to have completely divided ' the scalp , but the second wound did not . There was a _large -contusion oyer the right eye and temple ,, and " a wound iii the centre of it , from which ; blood was still . Oozing , andialso a bruise oh thei ' left temple . " . 1 'have ho douot that the

      wounds I have . descnbed ' were inflicted , by some blunt cuttinginstrHnicnt . —Mr . Wakley : In such an inquiry as the present it is ' of the highest importance _^ that it should be distinctly- , "if possible , ascertained hy what sort of weapon the injuries wero inflicted . I must ,-therefore , request the surgeon to make a move minute examination , and ; ascertain if . the wounds were reall y inflicted : by . a blunt instrument oi * - not . Mr . Edward Hilton , of . West-end , examined : I am a master baker , and on Friday , evening I was at No . 6 , 'Havei _* stock-terrace , by the gate / when I heard the screams of " 'Murder" ; iri ' the direction bf-the dead •' wall of Bellsize ' * Park . ' I ' _Bhbuld ' gay I hoard ithat ery from _six-to eight times ; I thought it was a woman s cry ' at'first , b _^ ut-could not tell if it was iii

      the Barriet-road br . not _; I ' said to ' Mrs . . Bakewcll ( of No . 6 ) , who had come to the gate , ' "Do you not ' hear cries of' Murder ? ' " but she _dWiiot answer . I then heard " Murder " - cried again ' , and went about twenty roods into llaversfock-field , to listen , but heard no more . About two minutes , aftcnvm'ds I met _apolicemaii , ' , and told'him what-1 had heard . The spot where the body was' afterwards found is hi the , exact direction whence'Ih ' eard the cries- ' _—about'Jialf ' a _^ _^ mile from where I was sta nding . —Mr . Daniel Delarue said : I reside at the Albion Coffee-house , Upper Marylejwiie-streetj and ama compositor by ' pi _* ofessibii . ' I identifythe body ofthe murdered man as . that ' of my brother James . ' ; ' He wasa _' profe _^ miri M ' nci . _jAa Al- 'KK _lUMti J . ' _-lnl _. i . _^ J _. a' . 1— i . '—L I "I "" . !— 1—i . '" . ' . I . ' ' _uuirameuai ir _Jiiiucuiisi / _Fcei 2 usion

      • . w , ry- , J . -squai _* C . Hewas ; a single rnaiii . ; I last saw him aliveionSunday week , when heasKed me to aend Jiini si ticket for'the Anti-Corn Law'League : ' * ' He taUght many pupils in this rieighbdurhood . —By the Coroner : ; I never knew of- any ' one having threatened him . ~ l have no suspicion of any one whatever . ' ' At _^ tliis ; stage of the _proceeding the coroner adVerted ; to thb ' se niui'dcrs in theinetropp _liswhichhacVnever _^ beer _^ fouridb ' ut , and said lie should take all the evidence . ' that day that lie could withsafety ; butthemomeritanythirigroseattaching suspiciohto any one , he would have the court cleared ofall _' but'the 'juiy _^ . _publicity' _^ ing _^ defcat thc ends _of'justic ' e .- _^ Police constable " ' _30-i S said , that ' _receiving _. _iiifbi-matibn * of _criCs _' of "

      Murder" having been lieard whilst oh duty oh Haverstockhill , "lie ran into : the Havoi'stock & M , _' biit did not find any cause for theodtcvies . ., He then ran through BcIIsize-Iane into the road _ODpbsite thei George public-house , where he met Serjeant Fletcher , who accompanied _himagaintosthoJIaverstock-field , in the west corner of which they , found , the body ofthe deceased . He was lyingagainBt a wall , which formed an acute . angle ; with , a wooden railing . ; ; Therc were marks of bloody fingers on the railing , and two pools of blood upon the ground . He found the hat at some distance from , the'body , which was afterwards brought to . this house . , His coat was wide open * no part of his clothes were tovn .. [ The unfortunate gentleman ' s hat ; was shown , to the coroner :-it wi _«

      broken in several p laces , as if from severe blows- ) He found in liis left-hand pocket some keys , snufibox , and paper , , with some writingon it , - and a " letter :-[ The letter Avas . handed to the coroner . We wider stand the purport of the letter to be , that the writer ( Caroline ) , requests Mr . Delarue to meet her at the place where they ' nad spent so maflY _lialf-udura together _, as she had something of the firet importance to communicatc . l He observed a large pool of blood on the ground , his shirt was covered with' the same as were alsothe . railings near hiih ; v Went there tiie followlngmomngandfoundnoweaponof any kind near the place . _^ -Susan Kitchenei * ; :. Lives with ' her brother . Mr . Delarue lodged with tliem . Saw him ' on _Friday evenmgat haif-past sbc , in the back parlour He had on his hat and wrappei' coat , and said he was

      Hoimibi.E Mundeb And Highway Robber*^ Op...

      foing out- - He . did _. not say . where he-was going , . but e told her to keep the lire in . He had a watch and gold chain . Saw it on Friday morning . —The coroner here expressed a wish that the room should be cleared as he wished to consult with the police as to the * best mode of tracing the guilty parties . _^ The room was accordingly cleared , and the * jury ; sat with closed doors for nearly an hour , during which time it was iinderetood that the coroner had a long conversation with the police officers of the detective force and

      _severalof the witnesses who hadbeenpreviously examined . 'At the end of that period the inquest-was adiourned sine die , and the 'jury and 'the reporters were informed that they would receive an intimation Of the day fixed for the next sitting . This course was deemed necessary in order to enable the police tO 101-low up the clue which has been obtained' asto _^ the perpetrators of this _atrocious offence . It is _riot'true , as previously stated , " that the lady with whom the deceased had an _appeintment'has come forward ; , Up to the present time nothingis known as to who that

      person is . - " _ExAMiXAnox of the Body . — In accordance with the request of the coroner , Mr . Peity , the surgeon , immediately _^ on his retiring from the inquest-room , took steps . for making a minute examination of ; the injuries which the unfortunate Mi-. Delarue had sustained , and the hair liaving been removed from his head , wounds were exhibited of a much more _. frightful character than they were at . first supposed to be by . that , gentleman , and which he reported to the coroner and jury prior to the , adjournment talcing p lace . The large wound mentioned by Mr . Perry in his evidence ,, it appeared , on opening the . -head , had fractured the skull to a considerable extent _. and had _nrodiieed internal iniurlos . exactly corresponding With

      the outward appearance ; . ,- There was a great deal of coagulated blood near the place where this as well as the wound on the right temple w , as inflicted , and both had produced extensive extravasation o f blood upon the brain . Mr . Perry states that either of these wounds was quite sufficient to have produced' death ; and he still adheres . * to his previousl y-expressed opinion that the wounds were inflicted * by some blunt cutting _insti-ument . From what * transpired before the coroner after the _jury-4-qom was cleared ot Stranger , there is little doubt that'a clue has been obtained which will eventually lead to the apprehension of the'perpetrators . The statement made by Mr . Smith , the carpenter , - is , that shortly before seven o clock he met three men in Bellsize-lane , who

      demanded hismoney , and any other property he might have about him ; but on his proving to their satisfaction that he had neither , they allowed him to pass unmolested , arid then went on down the lane m the direction of the place where the murder was committed . They were shortly after seen by a lad , a groom in the service of Mr . Martini , the present occupier of Bellsize-house , still pursuing ' their course in the direction of the Haverstock-fiold ; and now comes ii circumstance which has beeh elicited , and which leaves scarcely any doubt upon the matter with respect to the three men in question being connected with the murder and robbery . Shortly before seven o ' clock Mr . _Symondai ' clerk in a mercantile house , " and _residinfi at Norfolk Cottaee . Downshire-hill , came

      across the path from the direction of the Swiss Cottage , in order to reach his residence . On arriving in the centre of the'Haverstock-field '( the veiy held where the murder took place ) , Mr . Symonds states that' he was accosted by three metl , who appeared to him to he _navigatoi-s , and who exactly answer the description given by Mr . Smith ' of the men who stopped him . They offered him a horse for sale ; and ; in consequence of their menacing appearance , Mi * . Symonds states that he became so much alarmed that he bought the horsc ' solely throug h fear ; and , liaving given the man who offered it the money , made the best of his way towards his residence . This circumstance could not have taken place many minutes before the cries of " Murder" from the unfortunate deceased were heard on Ilaverstock-tevracc .

      Apprehension of the Supposed Murderer .--On Wednesday , at eleven o ' clock , Thomas Henry Hocker was placed in the felons' dock , at thc Marylebone police-court , before Mr . Rawliiison , charged with the murder of Mr . James Delarue , p ianoforte teacher , of No . 55 , Whittlebmy-street , Euston-square . The prisoner is a young man about twenty-five years of age , or less ,, slightly made , and about five feet seven inches in height ; he was well-dressed in a dark brown beaver taglioni great coat ; his , countenance has a Jewish cast and shews determination ; his demeanour was perfectly , calm , and collected . —Mr . Rawlinson : Prisoner , there is a very serious charge against you , ; , have you any friends or legal advisers present ? Prisoner : No , sir . — -When were you taken

      into custody ? Last night at twelve o _! clock , su * . —Mr . Rawlinson -. Then you have had plenty of time to give your friends notice of the position in which you ave placed . I must therefore hear , the witnesses against you . —Edward Hilton , , the . baker ; Mr . Perry ,.. the . surgeon ; Sarah Kitchener , and James Kitchener , were then examined _,, but their evidence was only , a repetition of that g iven at the inquest . They knew nothing of . the . prisoner . — Constable 21 T , on the Hammersmith , and Chiswick station : Between seven and eight o ' clock , yesterday ; eyeningj . received information that Thomas Hocker ( the prisoner ) was ihe particular ; acquaintance ofthe deceased , . Delarue , and that he had been seen with a considerable , quantity of money in his possession . In

      consequence oi tliis information Lwentwithlnspector Partridge and Seijeant Bickerson . to the -prisoner ' s lodgings , at No . 11 , Victorianterrace , Portland ; Town . This was , ' : about a quarter-past one this morning ., I rang the _; bell , and a person came dowii partially undressed ... I asked if Thomas Hockerlived there . He said . he was Thomas . Hocker . I then went in and . toId ; hini I was _a-, sei _* jeant . of police , and . was going to take liim into custody on ' suspicion of being concerned in . the , murder of , the deceased Delarue . ¦ ¦ ¦ Up to that time lie had not said anything . I asked him to shew me his apartments . —Mr . Rawlinson : _; What ! when you said you were going to take him into custody for a murder , he said nothing ?—Witness ; ,, He said he knew D . clarue .. I , told hini I , wished to see

      hisapartments . He said , VI will show you them ; follow me , " ., He took me to a room on the second floor . His brpthcr was in . bed _. in the same roomi and he told hini to get up and dress . hhnself . I commenced searching , - . when . his , brother . said _., to the , prisoner , "Tom , tell the policeman , _all . you , know about it . " The prisoner then-went , to the bed side , took a watch from under the . pillow , and said , " That is _i ) elai _* uc ' s ;; he ; _, gave it to me ; last ,-Friday morning , about ten . o ' clock , for me , to sell it for- hini . " He aftenvards gave _^ me some , duplicates , which lie said related to other , property _. which he had' pledged for Delarue . ( The-ywcre for a watch-guard and seal and a ring , pledged in _jSepteniber and October last . ) I _afteinvards took him down stairs , and his brother went

      with , us I _ithenweht to Inspector Partridge , who was waiting at a short . distance , riand ; gave liim the watch and other articles . . After that he , was taken to _JHampstcad station . - . Inspector . Partridge said to his brother , " It ' s no good , your going with us , becausey ou can't remain with your brother . ''—Inspector Partridge , of the A division of police : Thelast witness came , to me at about eleven o clock last night , and told me ofthe information he had received . In consequence , of . that I , went , to 17 , Charles-street , Portland _Toivn , at which house I was told . that the prisoner ! 8 _'father lived , then , and where I expected to get some important information , but failed , and tjicrefore ; sentthe last _witaess to Hooker ' s own lodging . - , When the prisoner was taken into custody , he

      said he wished to go to his _fathers to put on a pair of boots . When he . got there l : told his father tliat he was apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the , death , of Delarue . After he had put on liis boots Itook hini back to , his lod ging in Victoria terrace , obtained a light , and went up to lus room , examined every article , and found some , old clothes between the sacking and the bed ¦ and , also some on the top ofthe bed . ; In the drawer of a table in this room there were letters , papers , and memoranda . The letters which the last witness gave me are seventysix in aiumber _., These were in addition . to , those 1 found . I have not had time to examine theih , but 1 'believe they-are , all in . the-handwriting , bf one young lady . On the mantel-shelf I found ! a hall

      sovereign ami a shilling . _Theprisoner said he had more money , and ho supposed he had , dropped a sovereign on the bed , and on going towards it he found , the sovereign on , the bed ; From thence "' I , conveyed him . to the Hainpstead station . —Joseph Shackell stated—lam ah inspector of the A division of ' {' . ' detective" ) police . I receivedihformatioii , of _jthis murder on Saturday night ' . On examining the place ,. where _, the crime had been ' committed I _^ _"die _^ O the conclusion that deceased bad been robbed _, and , learned ; that he had hadawat ' elvwith him oh the Triday , at . two ,. o ' clock .: _Itheh , with other offic " j » proceeded tothe deceased ' s lodgings in Whittlebmystreet , and . with a number of ' . obscene prints foii ' iid , rolled up , some bills aiid . reeeibts : oneof ihe h ' _. lU

      was for . a ' watch " , wMehliadheeh ' purchased ' of Mr , Finer , of , High Hqlboni , in . May last . The description of the . _. wateli ,, given in the , _billanswiei-s exactly with that of the watch delivered up by the ' prisoner , and which was seen in the : possession of the deceased _•**¦ t"w ; o o ' clock on _'Fi-iday _* . —Mr . Delarue identified tie watch as that of his deceased brother , but the cliaiix attached , he said , was not that which he had seen on it oh the Sunday previous to his death . * The chain then attached was a solid gold : c chain worth about five pounds . —The " Magistrate having been informed thtit there wasno more evidence forthcoming at present , addressed theprisoner , and said : Ifind it necessary-to detain you upon this charge , and you

      will be remanded , unless you can tell me _anytiiingito convince me of your innocence . You will use vour own discretion as to saying anything , -but-it is . iny duty to tell you , - that whatever you do say will . be taken down , and maybe used against you . Prisoner ( in a calm tone of voice , and unshaken manner ) : I will say onething , and that is , -, that Ican . bring witr nesses to prove that I did not leave home , on Friday evening * until a quarter or ten minutes to eight That is all I will say to-day , if you please . —Mr . Rawlinson : -Well- then , 1 shall . remand you until Tuesday next ; and in the meantime , if the coroner chooses to see you , I shall have no objection—Prisoner ( calmly ) : Very well , sir . —Thc prisoner was then removed .

      Hoimibi.E Mundeb And Highway Robber*^ Op...

      Alarming _Fibk in GnosvENOR-SQUAni :. —On _Mom day evening , "between eight and nine o clock , muchlK alarm was created in , Grosvenowquare , owing to ; o a very serious fire breaking out at the mansionn of the Hon . Captain Duncombe , situate at No . 2212 in the square , adjoinin « the residences ? of thee Earl of Derby , and Sir G . Talbot ,,, The , _discoveryy was made by some of the domestics , in consequence e of the building being gradually filled with ismoke ; andd on their proceeding into the hall to ascertain thee exact locality of the flames , they found the ' flooringr to be all on fire .. The engines from Baker-streeti ; _Well's-street , and Kmg-street were quickly in at--tendance , and on firemen Loder and _Honien' entering r the hall the flooring suddenly fell in , the _suDnortinl r

      beams being entirely burnt away . They were imme diately extricated from their dangerous situation when they were found not to be so seriously Kurt as i was anticipated , a few sprains and bruises _beine- tip extent of their injury . In the meantime the most active measures were taken to suppress the ravages i of thc fire , and Mr . Braid wood , the superintendent of ' the force , having _anaved with a reinforcement of en- ' ginesandmen , the fire was prevented extending be ,,, yond the basement ot the mansion ; the whole how ever , , of the costlyfurniture has suffered nuich _inim-v , from the dense body of smoke tliat filled the buildin _? for some time . On instituting an in q _„ i n _^ to _^ ° cause of the outbreak , it was ascertained to haw originated from the overheating of a hot air stove wliich , communicating to the flooring of thp " i „ iv fired the house . ualJ '

      Lvcexdiakv FiiiE at _Stbeatham — Or . Monday night , shortly after eight o ' clock , a fire broke out uuon the extensive premises _belonging to Mr . Henry Fife jnh ., known as Bridge-house-farm , situate at Lower Strcatham , about three miles from Croydon . The stock being of such ah inflammable character the fire in the space of twenty minutes had obtained the completo possession of every portion of the _building and at one time the strongest apprehensions were entertained lest the conflagration should extend to the * contiguous property . The horses were all got out of the stabling , but not without considerable difficulty As soon as intelligence was received in town , Mr . Connorton started to the scene , with the West of England firemeii and engine , and was followed by the Brigade engine from Soutlwark-bridge- ' road , with Mr . Henderson , the foreman of the district ., Both engines were instantly set to work , but the fire was not entirely distinguished until nearly eleven o ' clock .

      and not before the building in which it commenced was burnt to the ground , and its content * consumed . Akotheii _Fiiie . —Accident to a Female . —Whilst the brigade were employed in subduing the fire at the mansion of the Hon . Capt . Duncombe , M . P ., they were called to another at the nursery-grounds of Mr . Smith , ih Manchester-terrace , Liverpool-road Islington , which originated in the glass-houses , but the flames were promptly got under . The damage done is extensive , more than a thousand valuable plants , geraniums , -te ., being destroyed by heat and smoke . Whilst the WatJing-stroet station engine was proceeding along the New-road to the fire , an accident happened to a young female named Peirson . She was crossing the road from _Burton-crcscent to Willstead-strect , when she was knocked down b y the engine , and tlic horses trampled on her ; but as the wheels did not touch her , her life is not in danger _,, though she was considerably injured .

      _ExiRAonDiNAUY Case . —On triday last a fine boy of five years old , named Redmond _Prenderweil , was brought to Guy ' s Hospital after having drunk boiling water from tiie spout of a teakettle . The rapid swelling and inflammation which ensued , had so completely obstructed thc air passage , that deatli from suffocation seemed inevitable , and on the arrival of Mi _' . Edward Cock he determined at once to open the windpipe below the seat of mischief , as . the only chaneo of saving life . Before this could be accomplished the child had quite ceased to . ' breathe , and life was apparently wholly extinct . By means of artificial respiration carried on through the opening in the windpipe , animation was soon restored , and the cliild is now rapidly recovering from thc effects of

      the injury aud . the subsequent operation . Further . Particulars . —On the arrival of the prison-van at Clerkenwell , theprisoner , who appeared very downcast , was delivered over to the authorities of the establishment . On his arrival at the searching-room he was carefully searched with a view to prevent his having anything in his possession whereby lie might lay violent hands on _himself " , tic , and he then consented with evident reluctance to take off his clothes . This being effected , however , on examining the interior part of thc cufts of his coat , it was fomid that they were covered withbleod . After this search , the prisoner was taken to the place in the prison appropriated to persons under so heavy a charge , and strict guard and watch were _piaeed ' over theprisoner .

      Additio . vai , Particulars . — _Pkesumptive Evidence of tub Guilt of the Prisoner . — The impression made on the mind of Inspectors Shackell and Haines was , that a sufficiently minute eearch had not been made of the lodgings of the alleged murderer , or of those of his fatheiyby Inspector Partridge and Serjeant- Sco'tney , ' atthe time they apprehended the prisoner Hocker . Acting on this _' impression , they at once proceeded to the residence of Ilocker ' s father , No . 17 , Charles-street , Portland Town . The inspectors , on their arrival ; made known to'the father the object of their visit , and at once , without any hesitatioiron the part- of the father , every facility was' offered -them to- make a search of . the premises . They were first shown into a front

      room on the first-floor , which was the one occupied by his son , who also had a lodging where he was captured , No . 11 , Victoria-terrace . In tliis room the officers found that which is presumptive , if not conclusive evidence , of the atrocious guilt of the prisoner . Secreted ' in this room were found a pair of trousers , - stained with blood and covered with dirt . A pair of stockings , the legs of which .- were also bloody , the blood having gono through the trousers , and a Macintosh , the front and back of which were also splashed with blood . On these things being shown to the unfortunate parent he identified them as those of his son . After this discovery Inspector Haines proceeded to the New Prison , Clerkenwell , to which place Hockei was conveyed in the prison van immediately after

      his remand , for the purposed ! ' making a minute examination of the prisoner ' s dress and person . With this view he directed the prisoner to take oft' his coat which , he wore on Friday night , the cuffs of wliich , upon examination , were all over blood . A button was . found in . the field near the spot where the deceased was murdered , and also one found at the lodgings of the accused in Victoria-terrace , and on Inspector Haines comparing them together they exactly matched each other ; and what is move conclusive , on the inspection of thc prisoner ' s coac two buttons were missing , and on comparing both of these buttons with the remainder of those on the coat they exactly , tallied with them . The pair of drawers which _, the . prisoner liad on were found , on examination , alsospotted . with blood .

      Ahab Fanaticism . —Wc find the following in the Echo of Oran of the 1 st inst ., on an event which had just , happened at the camp of Sidi-Ben-Abbes * . — I' This post , situate 18 leagues to the south of Oran . is composed of . a redoubt and an intrenched camp , _i'ii which are stationed a battalion of the 0 th Light Infantry and two squadrons of Spahis . Yesterday morning Chef-de-Bataillon Vinoy , _Commauder-in-Chief- - was informed that a certain number , of cattle had . been taken away from some friendly tribes . He immediately went with his cavalry and a goumtothe quarter where the robbery was committed , in order to gather information . About ten o ' clock , the hour at which _thesoldlci-s and non-commissioned officers are

      taking repose , about sixty Arabs , precededby : a number of children , came to the entrance of the camp . They all carried a traveller ' s staff , but no arms werc to be seen . They demanded an audience of the commandant , that they mi ght lay some complaints before him . The sentinel suffered the foremost to enter , but soon found cause to doubt the object : of die visitors , from their strange appearance , _^ and «" endeavouring to prevent the rest from following _^ was at once killed by a pistol-shot . This report * . _«* the signal of am attack . All these fanatics immediately rushed into the camp , drew arms from under their , garments ,, and threw themselves , upon our soldiers , thus taken by surprise . The residence of the , commandant was attacked , and the guard at the door-killed . - Our soldiers immediately ran to their

      arms , ; and came * from all directions on the Arabs . Ibese , endeavoured to escape , but all the issues were already occupied , and every Arab that had entered _wasckilled , 5 S bodies . being afterwards counted dead on the ground . This conflict , -, hand to . hand , with fanatics who resolved * to sacrifice their lives , cost us dear . We reckon more than thirty killed and wounded / A cannon fired from ( the redoubt announced to Commandant Vinoy that he was / recalled to the camp by some extraordinary circumstance . Believing- tliat some band of marauders must have made then" appearance , and ' confiding in his garrison , he came back by . the road by * wliich he judged the enemy must retreat . He thus met face to face the douars of the men who had come to find their death among us . Here , however , , none remained but the old men . women , and children , and their cattle , all of wh ich were taken' from them aniVbrought into the . camp .

      f his act of madness is thus accounted for ; -A . M « iabout ,. who arrived a-few days ago from the west , had announced , thatthe Emperor ' Abderahmann , having made * peace with the French , had just been- deposed , that -a pretender had _beciv sct _. up for his successor , and * that he ( the Marabout ) , as the envoy of , this pretender , had for mission the expulsion ofthe Christians from Africa . By his speeches and entreaties he had exeited the fanaticism of two douars of the Ouli . d-Selinians , and had induced thom to resolve on the massacre of thc garrison of Sidi-Ben-Abbes . Before their departure he had made them oat bread and salt , and had pronounced over them the holy words which , in the ' opinion of Mussulmans , render them invincible and proof against the anus of Christians . These men arrived at our camp reciting prayers like inspired persons , and thus excited the hilarity of our soldiers , who were far from imagining what was intended .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 1, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_01031845/page/6/