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Northern Star (1837-1852), 17th March 1849, Edition 3 of 3, Page 6, 6 THE NORTHERN STAR. ____ MaR °H l7 > 18...

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      6 The Northern Star. ____ Mar °H L7 > 18...

      6 THE NORTHERN STAR . ____ MaR _° H l 7 > 1849 ,

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      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      Jlr . s 3 . rr of _lOTDOX _BCRIXG THE WEEK . —By the Raffi _^ _rar-Genci-al's report , we learn that a decided improveuM-n _** in the public health has occurred _durmi the week _eudin-r March 10 . The deaths registered in _London , wliich in the three previous weeks were _respectively 1 , 2 * 25 , 1 , 191 , 1 , 138 , have dccluied iol , _017 , or 122 less than the whiter average . A -remarkable improvement has occurred in the _ mortalitv from epidemics ; whereas this class _« " -seises was fatal in the three previous weeks to ooo , < J > i _» -and 310 persons respeciiv _ lv ; in the last weeK tae , deaths were onlv 243 , which is little above the _average . Small-pox docs not prevail much at present ; _incasles is unusuallv low . Scarlatina and hoopm " cou <* h show a decrease on thc previous weeks ; and now the morialit v from the former does not much

      exceed the average . The deaths from hooping <* ou <* h were 69 , which is more thin the average by 27 . Tv *) hu 3 has fallen to thc average , namely , 4 * . ueaths . ' Fatal cases of _diarrhea . and dysentery were 21 , bem }** 7 more than the average : of cholera , onlv 15 , _thoajrh iu thc three preceding weeks they were 49 40 , and 35 . Of tbe 15 , two occurred m _Warburton s Lunatic Asylum , Bethnal-green - -, in the workhouse of St . George in the East : Tlie mortality from diseases ofthe _on-ans of circulation is also unusually low . Three men died of delirium tremens ; a nian _' and a woman of intemperance ( both coses attended with epilepsy ); also a woman from falling in lhe street when drunk . A woman died in Mde-End , "cidit days after childbirth , of typhoid fever , from previous poor living . " A man of 3 i years died of " intestinal disease—obstruction of colon

      _through its whole length , ( post . mort ) . The obstruction bad continued _thirty-fo-r days , but was _Temoved by _medic-il aid before death . The patient had taken opiam wedirinalh * for the last nineyears , and latterly in doses of three and sometimes four balf drachms daily . Thc mean heig ht of thc barometer was about 30 in . daily , except on "Wednesday , Thursday , and Friday ; the " highest , which was on Thursday , was 3 (> _JiS- % ibe thermometer was highest on Sunday , wheu itwas GO deg . ; the highest of each day fell almost continuously to 42 dog . on Friday . Tho mean temperature © f the week was 43 des . The mean temperature of each day _coniinuea above that ofthe same day on an average of seven years , till Friday . The wind was for the most part in the south-west till Thursday , when it veered to north and north-west . The number of births durini- the week was 1 , 544 .

      The Attesift to Assassinate Mr . SocTnGATE . — Smee the commission of this gross outrage , the police have been on the alert to discover the guilty party , and on Wednesday week Thomas Tipping _^ an active officer belonging to the P division , succeeded in apprehending a gipsy named _Ayres , whom he suspected to be tke person who had so seriously injured Mr . Southgate . liis suspicion was directed to Ayrcs principally on two grounds—the one was , tbat in tbe mornuur on which the outrage had been perpetrated hc had shifted from an encampment , where he had beeu located for some time before ; and the other the reports in circulation that he entertained a feeling of hostility towards Mi-. Southsate for some ima- * inarv ill ddnc or about to be done

      to one of his family , and he ( Tipping ) in conse quence sought him out . On Thursday week Ayrcs was examined before the Baron De Tessier and a hench of magistrates at Epsom , when the circumstances above mentioned were stated to the bench , and a smock frock _belonfi-ing to the prisoner was produced , on the front of which there was a large stain of blood . The prisoner on that occasion preserved a strict silence , and had not g iven the officer the slig htest explanation ofthe stain of blood upon his frock . lie was remanded to Horsemonger-lane Gaol until Air . Southgate is considered fit to appear -against him . It is the opinion of Tipping , the officer , and others , thatthe wound on the ear of Mr . Southgate was inflicted with the point of his own

      stick ; and that his assailant , on finding him prostrate at his . feet , inflicted the slanting wound supposed to be done by a pistol ball . This opinion is confirmed by the fact that when the stick was picked up and exammed it was found that about two inches of tho end , including the ferule , were deeply stained with blood , and that four inches above this part were spotted , leading to the presumption , therefore , that the lower part had been fixed in the wound , and that the blood spurting from the wound itself had caused thu splashed appearance . MELAXCHOLT OcCCRItEXCE OX THE RlVER LEA . — Two Lives Lost . —On Saturday night last an extraordinary and painful sensation was created in Hackney , by a report tbat two medical gentlemen and a female had lost tbeir lives on the river Lea .

      From inquiries made , the following 2 _* ticul ; irs ° f the melancholy occurrence may be relied on : — It appears that a gentleman nanied Robertson , a student at King ' s College , and residing at 7 , Upperterrace , Islington , and a fellow student , whose name is unknown , induced a young female , Hannah Murray , living as domestic " in Robertson ' s lod g ings , to accompany them to the river Lea , which they reached about five o ' clock . They hired a pleasurcboat at the Jolly Anglers , and had proceeded as far as the Ilorsc-shbe Point , when Robertson's friend leaned over the boat to secure the rudder lines . The female , fearing his precipitation into the water , unfortunatel y suddenly left her scat , which caused thc Loafc to turn keel uppermost , when all

      the three were immersed m the watery element . While in thenci of sinking the unknown gentleman clung to Murray , The melancholy catastrophe was witnessed by a barge-man , who promptly used his hiteher , and brought up the body of thc female , which was conveyed to a neighbouring house , where , after lengthened efforts , Mi' . Jones , surgeon , succeeded in restoring animation . Half an hour elapsed before the bodies of Robertson and his friend were got out . The latter had the female ' s shawl bound tightly round his right arm . Every effort made to resusciate the unfortunate gentleman proved fruitless . On Tuesday Mr . Baker held an inquest at the Bohin Hood public-house . High-hill , Hackney , _respectins tbe deaths of J . J _. _Tt Robertson

      aged 21 , and T . Tv . C . Ilairby , aged 24 , medical students , who were drowned in the River Lea . _Margaret Murraj- stated that on Saturday last she accompanied Ilairby to the Jolly Anglers adjoining the River Lea , Upper Clapton , where he hired a small boat which was only sufficient to hold two persons , and shortly after she had embarked with Hairby , Robertson came up and requested to be taken in . The boat was put back , and Robertson jumped in and sat down by the side of witness . Some persons who were standing on shore cautioned Hairby and Rohertson not to proceed in the boat , as it was too small to hold three persons , and that it was dangerous to remain in her . Hairby took charge ofthe sculls , and Robertson held oncof tke steering-strings and witness the other . The boat

      had not proceeded far when Hairby said he was tired of rowin . fr , and requested Robertson to take tbe sculls . Tbey both stood upright , and Hairby attempted to pass Robertson , ana in doing so tbey both leant on one side , which caused the boat to heel over and it began to fill . They became much alarmed , and the deceased immediately caught bold of witness , and the boat instantly " capsized and turned keel upwards . "W . Waller , a bargeman , said his attention was attracted by hearing viole & t screaming for assistance , and he saw three persons in ihe water . "Witness was in a barge , and be quickly reached the spot and succeeded In rescuing Murray . The deceased , after swimming a short time , sank , and their bodies were not recovered until half an honr afterwards . The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death . "

      _WbuKHorsE _Ecoxonr . —An inquest was held on Saturday , before Mi * . Wells , at the King ' s Arms , Short _' s-gardens , _Drary-lane , on the body ofM . Reynolds , Late an inmate of St . Giles ' s workhouse , aged sixty-two . Elizabeth Worrall , another inmate of thc workhouse stated that on Thursday night deceased returned with her to the workhouse about nine o clock . She was perfectly sober . Just as they entered thc hall the deceased missed her footing , there being no light , and fell head foremost down the kitchen-stairs . Witness fell after her and tumbled on deceased . She called for assistance ; the nurse came and removed witness , hut deceased was quite dead . —Coroner " Was there no light ?" —Witness : "No , sir , andthe stairs are verv

      _dangerous . The least thing would throw any one down them . "—Thomas , the summoning officer " The lights are extinguished at eight o'clock . "Coroner : — " That ' s very ill-advised economy , by -which human life has been sacrificed . "—Verdict : " Accidental- death , " accompanied by a recommendation from the jury that tho nuadhns should -without delay erect a small dooj _* . _* _Jilr & bead of the kitchen-stairs . The coroner _AN _* - _* M Thomas to forward the recommendation to _tfcfr guardians . Nasbow Escape of Five Persoxs from Sgffocatioj-. —On Tuesday evening , whilst Mr . W . Payne was holding an inquest at the Bull , in Tooley-street , the foUowing extraordinary case , and narrow escape of five persons on board the Eegownam Maid , was related to him by Mr . Mead , the summoning officer : —The vessel , which belonged to Wales , had a few days since arrired in the London pool , and had been moored off _Topping ' s Wharf , where she remains .

      The night being excessively cold , the crew consisting of five men , made up a large fire , with Welsh coal , m the forecastle , and previous to retiring to rest they put down the forecastle hatch . In the morning the watchman was surprised at fin diner no \ _^ _£ S $ bis _appearaDce from below . ° He _knockedand called from above but without receiving any answer . This induced him to open the hatchway and go below , -where he found the five persons lying _, _ , their berths , with blood issuing from their mouths and noses , and they appeared quite dead . They were taken on to the deck , and * k _* ro medical gentlemen -were sent for , and they decttred that they men were labouring under the effects of some noxious vapour . —An examination having been made , it was clearly ascertained that tbo Welsh coal brought inthe vessel , and which had been burned in the forecartle , contained a large **!•* _" * _% of sulphur , the vapour from which had so fined ths cabin , ae Jo _orvpoirer th « Ben whilst they

      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      were asleep . The most prompt measures were resorted to hy the medical men to restore the unfortunate men , and after the lapse of nearly twelve hours , they were pronounced out of danger .

      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      ready appeared , ho proceeded to observe that when hc entered the bedroom of his sister and saw hcv lying on the bed , from what he observed he was convinced that sho died from violence , and bein < - a , surgeon he was Bure that violence could not have been inflicted b y herself . In addition to the blood on her face , tho pillow and bolster were completely saturated with blood . The jury then proceeded to view thc body but such was the excitement created , that it was ' only by the . most strenuous exertions that they made their way through thc crowd , The body presented a most frightful appearance , the head being completely beaten in . The deceased appears to have been a strong muscular woman . The right leg

      projected irom the bed , and her lclt was drawn up as if she had been in the act of getting out of it , probably in order to grapple with her assailants . The jury having viewed the body returned to the inquest room , when Henry Jefferies was recalled , and stated , that by his directions the police had searched thc house for property and he particularl y mentioned to them a certain tin box in which his sister kept several valuables . It was found in a closet , without the padlock which she always kept on it . Itwas not empty , but was not nearly so full as it used to be . He also directed the sergeant to search for a nest of drawers , which he knew was generally full of valu > able jewels . When found itwas without some of the drawers , and it had been pillaged . Thero was

      likewise a peculiar silver cruet-stand made of filagre silver ; one article of it , however , only was found . He had since seen a quantity of property at the station-house , and hc recognised several articles of jewellery which he could identify . _Michaei , Corp , police-sergeant , No . ' 2 , sworn , said that on Wednesday afternoon , by direction of the superintendent , he , accompanied by police-constable 58 , went to the house of the deceased . They managed , by going through the next door , No . 5 , to get into the back premises . They found the back door fast , but by drawing the staple they gained admission to the kitchen . He could not judge what meal had last been taken there , but he saw a piece of liver on thc board . There was no

      fire , but the fender looked as if it had been left in thc act of being cleaned . The witness then gave the particulars of his search with Mr . Jefferies , and continued—that from information which he received he went in search of the prisoner , and found her at her father ' s house . Her father was a labourer , residing at Horfield . The door was opened by an elderly woman , who said—Mr . Dat , solicitor , stated that he attended on behalf of the accused , and he objected to any conversation being received as evidence unless the girl Sarah Thomas was present at the time . The Coroner observed , that hc mig ht recognise Mr . Day in tbe character of attending for the accusedbut ho could not allow him to interfere . He

      , did not know that any one was charged ; but Mr . Day must know that any one suspected of murder would be taken into custody . If he ( thc coroncr ) took down anything improper , hc was responsible for it , but not to any one present . The witness continued , that the mother denied all knowledge of her daughter being in thc house , and said she had not seen her husband for a month . On searching the house , besides the articles already mentioned they found several articles of jewellery in a bandbox under the bed , in which a little * girl was sleeping , and from which he believed the prisoner bad gone when they entered the house , as thev found her in the coal-hole only partly dressed .

      [ The articles were here handed to Mr . Jefferies , who recognised them , and said he knew that his sister valued them as relics of other days , and she was not at all likely either to have given them away or to have sold them . ] Witness , that morning , accompanied by police-constables 46 and 80 , made a further search ofthe house , and hanging behind the backkitchen door they found a corded petticoat stained with blood , which they were told belonged to Sarah Thomas . Isabella . Fry deposed , tbat she was the wife of Thomas Fry , turnkey at Bridewell . She resided at _IS o . 5 , Trenchard-strcet . She had lived there five years , and the deceased was her landlady , but she never saw her unless when she went to

      pay her her rent . She never saw her servant , but a tenant of hers knew her well . On Saturday morning last , about ten minutes past five o ' clock , she was in bed with her husband , when she was awakened by a very great noise in Miss Jefferies ' house , which apparently proceeded from the front bedroom . Thc noise was like a person crying or screaming ; she did not hear any noise like blows . A tenant of hers , Mrs . nam , came and asked ber if she heard the noise , and she said sho did , and she supposed that it was Miss Jefferies calling up the servant , and that they were quarrelling , adding , that from the noise the old woman must be killing her . Mrs . Ham asked if she should knock at the wall , and witness told her to do so . She knocked ,

      and almost immediately the noise ceased . About seven o ' clock thc same morning there was a knock at her door , and being only partly dressed she asked Mrs . Ham to go down and answer it . She went down , and witness heard a female voice which she was afterwards told was Miss Jefferies' servant , say "that Miss Jefferies had sent her in to say she hoped Mrs . Fry was not alarmed at the noise , for it was a cat hadgotonthebedand had frightened her mistress and thather mistress was afraid that they were killing each other . " Mrs . Ilain said , " I thought it was you crying . " The girl replied " No , it was the cat got on the bed . " Mrs . Ham said , " Oh , it was no cat , for I have heard you cry before in thc yard : " and

      tho other then said " She is such a good-for-nothing woman , or wretch , that I cannot live with her . Witness did not observe that the house was closed that day , but her servant told her it was closed Saturday and Sunday , and she herself saw it closed Monday and Tuesday . On Tuesday some persons came and knocked , and no answer was returned . Witness said it was very strange , and her servant looked up at the window and said she believed Miss Jefferies was up , for she could sec a looking-glass , a time-piece , and thc corner of a bed-post . The next morning her serrant went again and looked up , and then the green blind was down . She said , she thought Miss Jefferies was ill , but witness said , how could that be ? and , besides , her back window was

      open . Mrs . Ham confirmed the statement of this last witness as to the conversation that had taken place between her and the girl Sarah Thomas . She also said she heard the noise in Miss Jeftcries' bedroom ; it was about five minutes past five . Ifc was a , noise as of a person crying or screaming . She knocked at the door , and after that heard no more noise . On Fr ; 'day morning the investigation was resumed . The accused , Sarah Thomas , was furnished with a chair . She looked well , but her demeanour was by no means so callous as before , and at one part of thc evidence she burst into tears and remained with her handkerchief to her eyes during the rest of the proceedings . The following is the

      evidence as to the _] iose mortem examination : — Ralph Montague * Bernard , having been sworn , deposed that he is a surgeon , and resides at 18 , Richmond-terrace , Clifton . _Yestei'day afternoon he made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased , in the presence of Dr . farcbrother , Mr . Evans , Dr . Bowly , and Mr . Bowly . After describing tlie external appearances of " the body , and the clothes in which it was dressed , he proceeded to say that thc head was covered with a nightcap , which was saturated with blood on the left side . Tho pillow and bolster , and also a part of tbe bed , were bloody , as was also a chair by the side of the bed ; and a stream of blood , about an inch wide , extended from the bedside to the wall near the door , where it

      formed a pool , The face was livid and blood y ; thc chest and abdomen livid . On tlie left hand was a contused wound of the thumb and forefinger . There were three contused wounds on the left side of the forehead . On the top of the head , in the centre , extending from the coronal suture backward , was a contused wound , two inches long . A little to the right of this was a contused wound , like the letter Y , one and an eighth inch long . On the left ofthe central wound was also a contused wound of tllO same description . At thc back of the head to the left of the occipital protrubcrancc , was a contused wound , three-quarters of an inch in length . To the left of this , and below it , was an abrasion of the skin , one and a half inch loner . The wounds

      appeared to be recent and death must have taken p lace soon after their infliction . They were such injuries as the deceased could not have inflicted on herself . [ The girl , Sarah Thomas , here burst into tears . ] On removing the scalp it was found that the occipital bone was minutely injected with florid blood . There was an extravasation of blood on the left temporal muscle , and also under the scalp , at the lower and front parts of the parietal corresponding to the external ccchymosis . On removing the dura mater a layer of blood was observed effused under the arachnoid membrane . The vessels of the ri < dit hemisphere were congested : the left was nntnval .

      In the chest and abdomen there was no mark of disease or injury sufficient to cause death . He concluded the cause of death to be concussion and compression of the brain , which the external appearances were sufficient to account for , and in liis opinion did cause it . The injuries could not have been inflicted by a sharp instrument , but must bave been caused by a blunt one . He had no doubt whatever that thc deceased died immediately after receiving the injuries , andthat her death was caused by those injuries . The inquest at this stage ofthe _proceedings was adjourned till Tuesday .

      ADJOURNED INQUEST . March 18 ft . —The interest consequent on the horrible murder of Miss Jefferies at Bristol continues to increase , and at the resumption of tho inquiry before the coroner this day the most intense anxiety was manifested . The inquest-room and all the approaches to it were so densel y crowded that it was with tha utmost difficulty the jurors or witnesses could fulfil their duties . The list of the jurors having been called over , Mr . Bernard , surgeon , was recalled in reference to tho appearwoes presented by

      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      the room when hc was first called in to sec the body ofthe deceased . He stated that the , floor y , as strewn with linen and papers , and leaning against the fireplace was a clothes-horse , having upon ita woollen counterpane ; it was not _however sufl > cicnt fully to conceal the fireplace . Witness and Sector Bell , after looking at the body made a search for a weapon , and when looking at the fire-S ee to seeif the fire-irons were _staineJwith blood , the y observed a flat stone , like a piece of a pavmffeSo , in the fire-place . They did not exammc it _particularly at the time , th . nk . ng _tito » it had been placed there for the purpose of making the fiiel ace smaller . There were no marks of blood on E poker ol- tongs . On Thursday , while witness was engaged in making the pott mortem _commotion Bell came to tlie room and took Uie

      , Inspector slone _frSmTthefire-place and put it in witness ' s hands . He looked at it , and saw that there weic marks of blood upon it , and also grey hairs , ine hahs had been divided , and had not come fvcm the head by the root . Dr . Fairbrothcr , at the suggestion of Inspector Bell , tried thc corner of the stone to ono of the wounds in the forehead , and found that it exactly corresponded . Witness had no doubt that the stone produced the wounds , or , at all events , that thc injuries were caused by such a stone . ( Thc stone was here produced . It was of an irregular square shape , about two inches thick , and bore upon it marks of blood and some fragments of grey hair , ft was part ofa paving-stone , and weig hed nearly 41 b . )—Alfi-od Bell , inspector Ol police corroborated the statement of Mr . Bernard

      AT ., — , _»• , i ___ . _„*_ . _ , _... * U i . > lt 4-li / _T . * r _ -t __* r 1 tsl / -it * ta as to thc finding the stone with which the murder is supposed to have been committed . From information which he received the same night , accompanied by Sergeant Corp , Sergeant Somers , and policeconstable Elmes , 40 , he went to Horfield , to the house of a man named Thomas . After much trouble they entered the house , and found tho young woman present , answering to the name of Sarah Thomas , in a coal-hole under the staircase . Elmes saw her in the act of closing the door , and said , " Come out of that ; it won't do . " She had on a night cap and a pair of slippers . In other respects she appeared to be in a day dress . She took off hor night Cap , and " threw it with great viciousness into the firelace . " He then took her into custody . —By a

      p juror : They were detained at thc door long enough for her to have put on these arti cles of clothing . On her being brought out ofthe coal-hole , he asked her "When she had left her mistress , at Trenchardstrcct ? " She said , " On Friday last . " He asked her " Who brought her boxes up ? and she said *• ; She employed an Irishman , and gave him sixpence for the job . " After having been duly cautioned , she aaid , " You may take me into enstody ; but it was not I that did it . " This was after he had told her that he took her into custody on a charge of murdering her mistress . . She seemed very uneasy in her mind whilst the house was being searched . This witness and policeman Somers and Elmes , and Mr . Cridland , housekeeper and searcher at the

      central police station , then deposed to the search of the prisoner ' s father ' s house , particulars of whieh have already been g iven , and produced the property found , viz . —four silver table-spoons , a gravy spoon , and a box , found in the coal-hole ; a gold watch , chain , and seals , found in the bedroom ; and twentyseven sovereigns , four half-sovereigns , and some other monies , found in the prisoner ' s pocket . Mi ' . Cridland also produced five silver teaspoons found in the prisoner ' s stocking nt the time when she was searched at the station-house . The most important evidence ofthe day was that of Police Constable M'Clymont , under whose charge the prisoner , Sarah Thomas , had been since her apprehension , who deposed that the prisoner had

      several times spoken to him about the murdor . Witness did not offer the prisoner any inducement to say anything , nor threatened her , but she freely and voluntarily spoke to him about it . The prisoner told witness that the servant girl who was with Miss Jefferies about two months before she went to live there , and whose p lace she had taken , came down to tlie house on the Saturday morning , when she was taking down the shutters , and told her that she had been several times for a character from the old woman , and she would not give her one , and that she could not get a situation unless she got a character , and that then this girl said she would go up stairs and murder the old woman—that thc girl went up stairs and killed Miss Jefferies with a stone , and then got the keys and opened the

      cuphoard , and took out a small box that was full of sovereigns . She opened the box and gave the prisoner part of them , and took the other part to herself , and that she told her that she would give her all the silver spoons and plate if she would not speak ofit . Sho told her that ifc would be a longtime before ifc would be found out , as there were not many persons who called at the houso ; that they then ransacked thc house , came down stairs , put on a frying-pan , made pan-cakes , and had their tea , and that the stone that the girl killed thc old woman with was laid upon the hob by the side of the fire . They did not leave the house until about dinner time , and that sho ( prisoner ) then went to Horfield . She said the g irl ' s name was Maria Lewis , or Williams , and witness was not sure whether she said she lived in Bcdminster or St .

      Philip ' s—Witness forgot wliich—that when they came out of the house , tho other girl locked the door , and took the keys with her . A day or two afterwards , witness was sent up on duty to the house of the deceased , to relieve another policeman in charge of tlie house ; on witness ' s return he was placed m charge of Sarah Thomas in her cell ; she asked him if he had seen the old duchess ? Witness said he had not , for thc door was made fast . She said that the other girl had killed the dog , and put it down the privy . —Susan Miller , who had been in tho habit of going errands for Miss Jefferies , proved that she saw her alive and well on the Friday before she was discovered murdered , and that on thc following afternoon she went to the house and rang

      the bell , but could get no answer . This witness stated that Miss Jefferies kept a very sharp dog , which used to bark at strangers , and that , in order to let the dog in and out , the kitchen door was usually kept open . It was fastened back with a stone ( the stono stained with blood was here shown to the witness , and she identified it as that usually employed to keep thc door open . J A girl named Chad , who had lived as servant with thc deceased till about six or seven weeks before the prisoner went to live there , was ealled , as were also her friends , to prove that at the time of the murder she was in Bath . This witness also spoke to its being the habit of deceased to havo her dog sleep in her bedroom , and to see thc doors safely locked , and cany up thc keys in her pocket , —Police-sergeant

      Somers proved that in consequence ofa statement made by the accused to the effect , that the girl who committed the murder killed the dog and threw it down the privy , he went and searched that place , and found the carcase of a dog lying head downwards , embedded in the soil . —A man named Vickery also deposed , that on Wednesday night , when engaged in putting up tlio shutters of the Flitch of Bacon Tavern , Host-street , he found in thc groove in which thc shutters worked the latch and streetdoor key ofa house , which he handed over to the police—The Coroner said there were other witnesses to be examined , and as the inquiry bad now been protracted for a great number of ' hours , he thought it would be more convenient to at once adjourn . The inquiry was then postponed .

      At thc close ofthe proceedings the crowd con < tcgatcd outside could not have fallen short of ofoOO or G , 000 persons , all patiently _waitinjrto see thc prisoner brought out , whieh , however , " Inspector Bell would not permit until , in some measure a clearance had been effected . Thc prisoner was then reconducted to gaol . She had by this time regained her confidence , and left tho room with a firm stop . Wkdxksdat , March 14 . —The proceedings of the inquest wero again resumed this morning . In addition to the prisoner , Sarah Thomas , her mother was also brought up in custody , charged with being an accessary after the fact . Tiie new evidence of importance was that g iven by the mother , Anne Thomas , who was ordered by the coroner to be

      sworn , and deposed that her daughter returned homo to witness , at Horfield , on last Saturday week , between three and four o ' clock in tho afternoon . She left her boxes out of doors , and requested witness to fetch them in . They were a trunk covered with paper , and a bonnet-box—nothing more . After she had brought home these two boxes in the afternoon of Saturday , she went again into Bristol inthe evening ; sho went alone , and returned about halfpast nine o ' clock . She then brought home with her a little brown box , about the size ofa small bonnetbox , and a band-box , and she also had a bundle . On Monday evening sbe again went into Bristol _, leaving Hoifield at ahout seven o ' clock , and returned at about half-past eight . She then brought

      home a few biscuits and oranges , but no clothes . She went into Bristol on Tuesday night , and arain on Wednesday ¦ it was before dark , about half-past six m the evening . She brought nothing back . She said she was going to buy some tape for a new apron . Did not see that she brought home anv scissors or a book . She always returned alone as far as witness knows . —Thomas Rowley , fly driver identified the prisoner Sarah Thomas . On goin < r np St . Michael s-hill on Saturday week last , at between eight or nine m the evening , she was _standing on the pavement ; she hired his fly at 2 s ., to take her tollorhed- she was alone ; she had with her a little mahogany box , and another box with a loose

      cover and a black bag ; then accompanied her to a confectioner s shop in Lower _Maudtia-hne , where she received a bundle ; he then drove her . to S ° ffl » _T Put he , down afc the _^ op-gate leading to Ashley-down , and carried the _luggaglto the gate _l _? _§* ° _^ ttage she was going to , andleftfer fnL _^ f , _' , amtIe _P * 1 wi 5 » ied about a blind tiddler and told an incoherent story about following _Sn ° „ _i _] , nto Miss Jefferies' house , and seeing the murder committed by one of them ; but it was proved that tha child was subject to epileptic hts and not of ri ght mind ; the jury , therefore _rw 2 w n her Wnfc should be stopped . - George Webb residing at No . 11 , Trenchard-street

      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      On Saturday week last , between eleven and twelve o ' clock in the day , he had just got to the top of Sttep-stvcet steps , When lie saw a man come backwards out of the front door of Miss Jefferies , carrying a red box before him . There was a youn _« woman following Ilim out , carrying the other end of tho b 6 x , and she lifted it on his shoulder . Did not notice either of tlieir faces , bat the young woman returned into the passage , and again came out with a bundle and something else in her hand , and then slammed the door after her . They walked towards Steep-street , St . Michael ' s-hill . The shutters of the house were then open . It was like a bundle of clothes ; a li g ht-coloured bundle . Tbo man had on a fustian jacket and fustian trowsers , like one who tended on masons . —Police-sergeant Philips : On Wednesday night he went to the Flitch

      of Bacon , at about half-past nine o ' clock at night , and had some conversation with Mrs . Price , respecting Mrs . Jefferies , who then lay dead at that time , not knowing that she had boen murdered . At between eleven and twelve o ' clock the . same ni g ht , he was informed that police-constable No . 110 had seme keys which had been found at the Flitch of Bacon . At about three o ' clock the next morning , having lcarnfc that Mrs . Jefferies had been murdered , and the house robbed , he was induced to try the keys to the street door of Miss Jefferies' house , and found that they fitted exactly both the key of the lock and the latch . —Mrs . Mary Price , landlady

      of the Fhteh of Bacon , deposed to thc witness William Vickery having on Wednesday night last delivered her two keys , which he had found . Finding they did not belong to ber , she delivered them te the policeman . During that evening there was a man of the name of Sweet , and a man of tho name of Angel , and a washerwoman at her house . No one else . Has seen the little girl who leads about the blind man . Has heard sbe is not in her right senses . Had not seen a Rifleman' in the houso for six weeks . One of them came in with a young woman , and asked if she had a room to let . The Riflemen do not use her house . Had seen the blind man there twice , and the little girl was with him . There was no Rifleman there at that time . —At this period the proceedings were further adjourned .

      Jlr.S3.Rr Of Lotdox Bcrixg The Week.—By ...

      that which it evinces . Ifc contains a _variety of offences , numbering in all 520 casos . I was not able to ascertain _exaetl- " the number of each offence but it appeavs to me there are eleven charged witb murder , thirty attacking houses with arms and maltreating the inmates , twenty with highway robbety _, sixteen or twenty for burning houses * , with a great numb ? r of o her offences , _independent of 120 for petty larcenies , and sixty for she _' ep stealin--The majority of all those offences have occurred * since the quarter _sessioni in January last . ' *

      ( From the correspondent ofthe Morning C hronicle . ) DunuN , Monday . — Crime and _Dkstitution . — Thk Harvest . — - The proceedings at the assize courts in tlie southern and western counties exhibi t startling evidences of the effects of famine in the increase of crime and demoralisation . _"VYe bave a _g yet accounts fiom only one or two of the western counties , and the criminal business has onlv commenced in Mayo . In the counties of Limerick and Clare there was a formidable amount of crime _directly connected witb the distress so long prevailing ; and in the latter county , not less than 124 _parsons were sentenced to transportation a number entirely unprecedented in our criminal annah for

      a sin _» e commi * sion of assize . It should be remembered , also , that the assistant-barristers , at quarter sessions , have jurisdiction in felony cases ; and thit latterly considerable numbers have received sentence of transportation . At Fern sessions so many as eighty , and , I believe , in one instance , at the commencement ofthe present year , nearly 100 convicted criminals have been sentenced to transportation Within the past three years , the number of persons sentenced to transportation in Ireland by judges of assize and chairmen of quarter sessions probabl y ex . ceeds the amount in any previous six years even when agrarian crime prevailed to the greatest extent , nnd when many of the counties had been proclaimed under an insurrection .

      The southern and western journals give further most painful accounts of evictions and deaths from starvation . The clearance system is swelling the tide of pauperism on the one hand , whilst all who possess the means are voluntarily emigrating , many still abandoning their business and farms , leaving behind them a miserable , _Iialf-famished and brokendown pauper population . The Limerick and , Clare Examiner , describing the progress of eviction

      says ;—"Theruined _Cas'le of Kilmallock is swarming with paupers having no other home , and filled with everything foul The . dens in _Goat ' _n-lane , in the town of Tippera _. y , are crammed with refugees and wretches herding together in filth and immorality . The neighb . _urhood of Kilfinane is overrun with the destitute , rushing in for relief to the benevolent ladies who dispense it to all . " The Galway Mercury has an account of the deaths from destitution in the islands of Gorumna and Kiileen . " Most of these unhappy beings ( says tbafc iournal ) were found dead in the fields , where they wandered in quest of food . "

      Tliis is a fearful exhibition of tbe condition of the southern and western districts ; and , no matter how favourable may be the future circumstances , and propitious the seasons , slow must be the progress towards recovery in districts thus devastated by famine , and utterly disorganised . But there are favourable symptoms , upon which one may found a hope that we have seen the worst of this period of terrible calamity . 1 have in some recent letters * described the active preparations , and the decided progress already made , for the next harvest , in the southern counties . And 1 am happy to state , that the accounts received tbis morning are of the same

      gratifying kind . The Limerick Chronicle states that the surrounding country presents all the appearance of vigorous operations in the tillage of land . The young wheats are looking well and strong . Potatoes have been plantel extensively , and much earlier than usual , as the only chance of security . Oat sowing is very general ; and even in the county of Clare , where such vast tracts of fine fertile land had been n glected , " _fie'd work has received a great impulse . " This is the commencement of the remedy , originating with the Irish people themselves—asmall beginning , certainly , where such overwhelming misery has to be encountered ; but it is , at all events , beginning at the right end .

      Collections for the Pope . — The collections forthe " Papal Fund" were made yesterday atthe different Roman Catholic chapels throughout the archdiocese of Dublin . In the city of Dublin alone , about - £ 1 , 250 has been already received . In Kings _, town , nearly £ 100 was contributed . Nf > returns have yet been obtained from tbe rural parishes . The entire amount in the archdiocese of Dublin will be very considerable . Death of Colonel Sir . Robert Shaw , Bart . —The Dublin Evening Mail records the decease of the above venerable baronet . He died on the night ofthe 10 th , at his seat . Bushy Park , in the county Dublin , in the 76 th year oi his age . For more than half a century Sir Robert Shaw had filled a useful

      place in public life and society ; he sat in the Irish Par iament he had been returned by Lord jEly . but when Lord Ely gave in his adherence to the measure of the union , Sir Robert ( then Mr . ) Shaw resigned his seat _anipurchasedan independent one ( continues our Irish authority ) for himself , and voted against the union . He represented Dublin in the Imperial Parliament from 1804 to 182 G ; and for above fiftythree years constantly acted as a magistrate and grand juror for the county of Dublin . A Bakd-Masteb , Fired At . — -The band-master of tbe Queen ' s Hussars was fired at by one of the band boys , on Saturday afternoon , in Dublin , after parade . The shot providentially took no effect . The culprit is in custody awaiting a court-martial .

      _Paupurism . —The state of things in the Ennis Union is desperate indeed , There are not less than 25 , 000 persons receiving relief . The weekly expenditure is -6900 ; and on the 25 th of Marcli the union will owe - £ 10 , 000 sterling . Murder is ' _1 ' ipp _ebakv . —The Clonmel Chronicle of yesterday contains tbe f-llowing : — "At two o ' clock on Saturday , as thc judge was commencing to try the criminals , with which our gaol is crowded , a dreadful murder was being perpetrated close at

      hand . A poor o'd woman , seventy years of as _* e , named Margaret Ryan , was the victim , and tbe object , it appears , was a bag of meal in her possession . Her body was _manned in a shocking manner , almost cut to pieoes . A broken scythe , covered with blood , was found in a ditch near the place where the dreadful deed was committed . Constables Sullivan and Ilillyard arrested a man named John Ryan ( Jack ) , at _Kiifeacle , the scene of the murder . Hs had blood on his clothes . "

      ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE . Slico , Friday . —The Rev . John O'Neill , a Roman Catholic clergyman , has been sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for a violent assault on Alderman Cordukes and Mr . Delany , of Sligo . Limerick , "Saturday . — In the City Court , yesterday afternoon , a verdict of " guilty of manslaughter" was returned against tho three men named Hayes , tried for the murder of James Pnrchell , in the streets of Limerick , on the lst of November last . Watem-oro , Saturday— In the case of the insurgent attack on the police barracks at Porltaw , tha j ury , after being locked up all night , returned a verdict of " Guilty" against tiro of ihe prisoners , Doyle aui Sheefy ; but they did not all agree as to two others . The jury were then discharged .

      South Tifferary . _—Cionmel , Saturday _Evening —Effects of _Fasiine . —The Grand Jurv during the day found a great number of bills , but almost all were for _offencss of a minor class , and Judge Jackson proceeded to dispose of those ' cases first , in order to clear the gaol , so much over-crowded . If any one required to see the melancholy position to wliich the country is reduced , he would find so index to it in the class of criminals that crowded the dock . Hitherto a ' most every man brought to the bar was decently , if roughly clad , most of athletic frames and in rude health , and offences for tlie sake of plunder were the exceptions not the rule . Ou the present occasion the contrast was a striking onefamine tracing its outlines on the features ofthe accused , drawing its converging furrows to the mouth , and giving to the countenance a kind of

      halfidiotic , half-wolfish expression . There was arraigned the child whose head scarcely reached the iron bat which the murderer had so often convulsively grasped , as the jury were coming out to _Oliver their verdict , and that child who , when asked , said he did not know if be had a father or a mother , v ; H tried for . stealing some trifling article in order to convert it into food . Tben came the mother accused of stealing somestraw to make a bed for her chiW _« _"f who hoped to sleep away their hunger , or takin g some potatoes , which in happier years charity would have bestowed without being asked for . * _a- " _-. _** - marked contrast to childhood , age wss trembling between the weakness incident io such a _period ot life , and the privations which it had endured ; the pvison-house and tbe cell had , instead ofW terrors , become the object of attraction to those miserable creatures : it afforded tbem a supply ot tne food wh'ch thev wanted- a _«/ l _{» manv instances _t ?'

      humanity of the learned judge , in inflicting a -V * sentence , instead of being regarded as a boon , > "" ' considered in the light of a punishment . A nun _*" of persons pleaded guilty to having carried on , clothing which they got in Cashel workhouse _;»" William Dwyer , the spokesman , stated , in answ to questions from the Court , that he did no t g enough to eat in the poor-house , and that he " ¦' preferred the gaol , because the food there was eu cient * , and a gentleman present added , that the _« ' _t keepers were greatly annoyed and injured by _»«¦ * their windows . troken by thc houseless and houu- : _^ vagrants wanting to be committed for any one" , Judge Jackson add that theattention ofthe Hon Superint _e ndence ought to be directed to the avMi of the gaol : audit did seem a most startling ; i Q that persons should leave the workhouse i " _^ be committed to prison , as if it were , an a v ?" ne 6 _t to be a criminal rather than a distres sed but u inmate of an asylum . During the day wlu oi v ment for wilful murder were found against _tffo " -

      &F)£ L-Jroiuiiff-3.

      _& f ) £ _l-Jroiuiiff-3 .

      Warwickshire. — Awful Deahi. — On Friday...

      Warwickshire . — Awful _Deahi . — On Friday week Mr . G . Greenway , coroner , held an inquest at the King ' s Arms , Kenilworth , on the body of Miss Ann Stewart , agod 16 , a daughter of General Stewart . It appeared from the evidence of John _l'ugh . coachman to the General , that on Thursday . afternoon , about three o clock , he heard one of his master s horses making a strange noise in the stable , and on going to the spot he found Mis 3 Stewart under thc horse . The animal was standing close b y the side of the stall , and the deceased was doubled up under it . The blood was issuing from deceased '

      head , and there was a large pool of blood in the stable . The deceased used to caress and feed the horse occasionally , and it was remarkably quiet and seemed sensible of her attention . In the opinion of thc witness the deceased was feeding the horso , when he , in play , knocked her bonnet otf , and it fell on the ground ; that hc then became frightened , and , knocking her down , kicked her on the liead , as be found her bonnet on tbe floor of the stable , and tbe off hind heel of the horse was covered with blood . When hc extricated deceased life was quite extinct . Thejury returned a verdict of " Accidental death . " The yonng lady was highly respected by the whole neighbourhood , and the melancholy event has thrown a gloom over the district .

      Leicestershire . _—Itior bt _Wobemes _* . — During the past five weeks the hands employed at thc Leicester sock branch , and other parts of the frameknitting trade , have heen on strike for an advance of wages , . ind subscriptions have been opened for maintaining them until they could obtain the advance sought for . During tbis period a few persons liave gone to work at Belgrave and also at Thurmaston . On the 2 d inst a man named Dilely , who had partaken of the subscrip tion raised , went to work , and said that he had got the advance demanded . His fellow-workmen did not helieve him ,

      and on the following Monday Jonah Dakin and Jesse Brewood went to his shop and commanded him to oome out . The man , however , refused , when the two entered and commenced maltreating him , and he was obliged to defend himself with an iron rod . The parties having departed , a crowd of between 300 and 400 persons went to a house kept by a person named Oswins . An effigy was carried by the mob , and several shots were fired at it . The mob next fired into Oswin ' s window , but fortunately without striking their man . Various other acts of Outrage were committed , and ultimately thirteen of the rioters were taken up and sent for trial .

      Hinckley Petit Sessions . —Thomas Coley , a poor day-lahourer , was brought before the court by Mr . Ilenry Moore , farmer and overseer of the parish ofDradlington , to show cause why he refused to pay the sum of ls . and Sd . for poor rates due to the said parish . The poor man said with much earnestness and feeling that he could not pay for the following reasons , or he would not object : " 1 work for 10 s . per week wages . My house rent is Is . 9 d . per week . I have a wife that can earn scarcely anything at all , and three children , all under seven years of age . That is my case , gentlemen . " Mr . Ifeming said to Mr . Moore : " You hear this poor man ' s case . Now do you think , as a conscientious man , that that family can be maintained for a less sum than Ss . 3 d . per week , or that that man can pay rates for the relief of the poor ? Tou must know tbat it cannot be done . _Kevertheltss , if you say—and say it officially— -that you

      believe he can pay , the bench has no alternative but to enforce the p ayment . The consequence will be , tbat a warrant of distress will be issued upon his « oods and chatties , and you will make the poor honest labourer a pauper at once . " Mr . Moore said tbat the gentlemen at Dadlington had had a vestry meeting , and they had every one agreed that thc defendant was able to pay the rate , for he was better off than some others of the parish who did pay , for their families were larger than his . Hr . Hemming said it was a shame tbat any of those men should be required to pay . Payment , however , must be ordered . Thomas Coley and some other poor labourers belong to Shenton and other parishes , but they aie compelled to live at Dadlington , because there is not a single house hi the parish where they belong , and where they work , for them to live in . The owners in that parish will not have any built ; and those parishes where tbey do live , compel them to pay rates in order to get rid of them .

      Sussex . _—Defalcation * at a Savixg Bank . —The committee of management of the Brig hton Savings Bank bave been engaged in a very arduous _inquiry , arising from tlie misconduct of their actuary , Mr . Buckoll . The first " suspicion of anything wrong was _raided soon after the late annual general meeting , when a discrepancy of £ 100 was discovered in what are called "extra profits , " and which Buckoll , on being called upon , could not explain . Other discrepancies were also detected with the same result , and , at a meeting of the committee , a member was about to move a resolution declarb g the incompetency of Mr . Buckoll ( who had not attended ) for his situation as actuary , when a letter was handed in from Mr . Buckoll , in which he

      admitted that there were defalcations in thc accounts , but , appealed to the committee , for merciful consideration on account of his innocent wife and family , and oftered to make up any deficit from his private property . The case now assumed a more grave aspect , and a warrant was immediately issued to secure the attendance of Buckoll , hut which , up to the present moment , has not been executed in consequence of his absence . The accounts were found to have been kept in a most confused manner , some accounts being closed whicb were still current , and entries made iu the general ledger ( upon which the returns are made to government ) which did not agree with those of the class ledger and the depositors' books . Upon the _examination hitherto made ,

      there appears a deficit of about £ 850 ; and of course a large number of accounts remain to be examined . Under these circumstances , a sub-committee was appointed to proceed to London to consult with Mr . Tidd Pratt , and see the comptroller general of savings banks , and the advice of this latter gentleman ' was , that no further deposits should be received , or payments made , until the accounts Lad been thoroughly inspected . The committee , consequently , at a meeting held on Friday , passed a resolution recommendiDg' the managers to close tbe Bank for deposits and payments until this has been done , and to call in the books of all the depositors . The depositors , however , says

      the Brighton Herald , need be under no alarm on this account . The position © f the bank is such as to secure them from loss . The amount of deposits is about £ 120 , 000 : and the bank has the sum of £ 110 , 000 invested in government securities , and there is a further sum of £ 1 , 700 arising from the accumulation of " extra profits , " and which will , of course , be applicable to any deficiency that may not be covered by the property or the sureties of the defaulter . The amount of security given hy Mr . Buckoll is , we understand , £ G 00 , and his sureties are the London Guarantee Society . It cannot be denied that the managers of tbe bank have not shown that care and vigilance which were required of them , or this state of things could not bave arisen .

      THE , MURDER AT BRISTOL . Bristol , Marchl 2 . —The remains ofthe murdered lady , Miss Elizabeth Jefferies , were removed to their last resting place this morning , the spot selected being a vault in tho Bristol Cemetery . Thc funeral was strictly a private and a plain one , every ostentation being , for obvious reasons , avoided by tho relatives ofthe unfortunate deceased . The police are actively engaged in investigating the affair , and have hitherto proceeded with very great skill and caution . They have succeeded in discovering the flyman who drove the prisoner , with her boxes , to Horfield ou the day of the murder . The deposition of the flyman is to the effect , that he took the prisoner up on St . Michael ' s hill , and that at the time

      whea she engaged his fly she was standing on the pavement , and her hoxes were by her side . At this time she had no . person at all with her , and , after engaging his fly , and seeing that all ber boxes were stowed away—in doing which she was very particular—she told him to wait a bit , and she then went to a greengrocer ' s shop , which was not very far off , and brought out a bandbox , which it seems she had left there some little time before , and which , in all probability , was the one which was found under thc girl Sarah Thomas ' s bed , and in which was found concealed several articles of jewellery . After this box had been safely placed away with the rest the prisoner entered the fly , and desired the flyman to drive her to the " stop-gate , " on the road to

      Gloucester . He did so , and put her down at a turning which passed down by the lane-way leading from Ashley Down , and where her father ' s house was situated . There was no one with her , or waiting for her , and she did not have any conversation with a single individual the whole way . As is customary in these cases , tbe most absurd , improbable , and sometimes contradictory reports have been afloat . On Thursday , March 8 th , the coroner , Mr . J . B . Grindon , commenced the inquest on the body ofthe deceased , Elizabeth Jefferies , at the Griffin Inn , and having detailed to the jury at considerable length the principal facts of the case , he observed that the gentlemen present were no doubt aware that in

      cases of suspected murder the first , as he was tbe most important witness , should always be the medical man . He should therefore propose , before he took any considerable amount of evidence , that they should adjourn their proceedings , and direct Mr . Bernard , surgeon to the Bridewell and to the police force , to make « post mortem examination of the body . Previous , however , to that , and to their going to vi ew the body , he thought it might facilitate the investigation to take briefl y some evidence from the brother ofthe deceased . _Hjh-bt _J-jpj-brj-ss was then called , and having also minutely detailed tha circumstances of gaining admission to the house , and other facts which havcal-

      Sreiann.

      _Sreiann .

      Dublin., Saturday.-~Resista\Ce To Toe Ra...

      Dublin ., Saturday _.- ~ Resista \ ce to toe Rate in Aid . —The vote of the House of Commons in favour of the rate in aid has not in the least degree diminished the hostility to that obnoxious impost in the northern province . On the contrary , tbe movement proceeds with still greater vigour—men of the highest position are entering the arena , and tbere appears to be a settled and resolute spirit of passive resistance , which , if _c-rriediuto practice , may lead to very serious if not disastrous results . The northern journals received this morning contain accounts of further meetings in various parts of Ulster .

      The Banmr of ulster lm a long report of the me _.-ting of the county of Antrim , held at Bally mena , on Thursday last , at which the High Sheriff , J . S . Moore , Esq ., presided . The proceedings were opened by a startling speech , of Lord Massare ne , who urged an organised opposition to the collection of the rate in language almost as unqualified as any uttered by the Young Irelanrfers in the hottest period of their agitation . The following ia an extract from his lordshi p ' s speech : — " Let men of all parties and creeds unite , and if they cannot prevent the passing ofthe present measure , or the levying of the tax , let tbem take care that the intruder shall never go back vrith the supply . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) There is at present in Ireland

      a society whicli seeks to have an occasional sitting of the Imperial Parliament in Dublin for the transaction of Irish business . He ( Lord Massareene ) was a member of that society , and he believed tliat il its object had been adopted some years ago , the distress whicb now exists would not be so extensive , nor would the proposition of a rate in aid have been submitted . At a meeting in December last of the society to which he had alluded _, he ( Lord Massareene ) observed that England had shown herself very generous in placing in this country some 50 , 000 soldiers to prevent us from shooting each other , but that it would take 50 000 more to prevent the north from speaking out , it once it felt itself to be unjustly taxed . England

      was now about to tax her unjustl y ; and the demonstrations which had lately taken place had verified his prediction so far , for he believed that twice or three times 50 , 000 soldiers would not , in the north be able to collect this most unjust rate in aid . ( Loud Cheers . ) He ( Lord Massareene ) would dare the government to collect it . ( Cheering . ) If they wou'd not repudiate the connextion between this country and Great Britain , or if they had the shadow ofa shade of justice , let them tax the absentee landlords for whatever they want ; but let them not add to the already over-burthened but industrious people by additional and unjust taxation . " Messrs , Leslie , Edmund M'Donnell , and M'Naghten , subsequently addressed the meeting ,

      in proposing resolutions , denounced the injustice of the rate in aid . Mr , George Macartney and the Hon . G . _Handcoek also addressed a " meeting of tenantry of the Marquis of Downshire , which was held in the Court-bouse of Hillsborough , on Thursday last , at which Mr . Watson , of Brook-hall , and several of the neighbouring gentry , attended . Several respectable farmers expressed the most rooted opposition to the rate in aid ; and resolutions and a petition were adopted . A letter from Lord _Downshiro was read to the meeting , by Mr . R . S . Kennedy , J . P ., which contained the following paragraphs . — " We

      must raise a bold and determined resistance in Ulster , and show the minister that , while we are determined and resolute in maintaining a real union between the two countries , as we did last year , and are the advocates of peace and order , we will nit quietly submit to have the profits of our industry , which that peace and good order bave secured to us ( and which this very government has so often done their best to destroy ) , taken from us . The edge of the wedge once introduced , every year will drive it in . nrre firmly ; and we shall have the satisfaction (!) of paying for the districts of the country which this government has demoralised , after it had tried , but failed , to demoralite us .

      " Besides this ; remember that is one thing to s _' rikearate and another to collect it ; and all'hat is necessary to bring us in for the ' rate in aid' is that the other districts should strike a rate : not a word is said about its being collected . " Lord John Russell may callus in tbis province ' Tbe Whisper ofa Faction , ' but we will show him that we can speak in a voice louder than a ' whisper , ' and stronger than a * faction , ' when injustice and wrong are attempted against us . " The Cavan grand jury have adopted resolutions and a petition again-tthe rate . The county of of Wexford met on Thursday last , and adopted a petition against the rate in aid . _TOBSDAT . _—OfPOSITIO-v - TO THB RATE IN AlD . —

      The meetings continue in Ulster and Leinster , and even in the south and west there are meetings to protest against the rate in aid , in those districts where the gentry and ratepayers have been able to struggle through tbeir own embarrassment . Almost all the grand juries of Leinster have " pronounced " against the rate ; and the poor law unions are meeting in succession for the same purpose . At the county meeting in Armagh , on Saturday last , the most energetic resolutions against the rate in aid were adopted . On the same day , a meeting of tbe county Tyrone was held in the court-house at Omagh , when resolutions , protesting against the unjust impost and a petition embodying the resolutions , was resolved on , to be forwarded immediatel y for presentation to both Houses of Parliament .

      Wednesday .--The meetings of the counties of Armagh and Down have been most important . Colonel Blacker , a great favourite of the northern people , delivered a stirring speech at Armagh , whicli was received with great applause , At the Down meeting , the Marquis of Downshire vied with Lord Massareene in the virulence of the language he employed against the project . He deuounced it as "this most - partial , impolitic , and rascally measure ;" declared his intention of opposing the rate , " as an individual ; " and expressed his carelessness about being called a rebel . Lord Roden also made a strong speech at tbe 6 ame meeting , and said it was the worst measure ever inflicted upon Ulster . Men of all parties are to be found in this agitation , At the Down meeting , were the Marquis of Downshire , and Mr . Sharman Crawford , Lord Bangor , and Mr . 'MaxweH _, Mr . Ross , of Rosstrevor , and Lord Roden .

      Death of the Knight of Kerry . —The Right Hon . Maurice Fitzgerald , Knight of Kerry , died at his residence in tbe island of Valentin , on tbe 7 th inst ., in his 76 "h year . He is succeeded in ( he ancient title of Kni g ht of Kerry by his son , Peter Fitzgerald , Esq ., high gheriffof Kerry for the present year . The knight was the lineal representative of the ancient Knights of Kerry—one of the three branches of the house of Fitzgerald—the others are the present Knight of Glin , or Knight ofthe Valley , and the Earl of Kingston , who by the maternal line represents the renowned White Kni ghts of old The Knight of Kerry , together with Lord Plunkett were the only living survivors of the Irish House of Commons .

      The Cuors . —In the counties of Limenck and Tipperary potatoes are extensively planted , and generally by the better class of farmers , who have nil adopted the system of early sowing , as affording " the only security against failure . The Limerick lieporter states , that large tracts of land are laid down with oats and more are in pre ? aration . The young wheat ¦ looks vigorous and health y . Everythinir , so ofevente" J 0 Uml ) iudicates a ' propitious turn County of Limbuick .-On Wednesday Judge Hai arrived at Limerick , and shortly after proceeded tothe County Court . In addressing the grand jury , hesaid ; * ' If the calendar now btfore me be taken as the state of crime in your county , nothing u calculated to excite more horror than

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 17, 1849, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_17031849/page/6/