1843.] 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
531 
will be gratified to learn that Mr. Washington Irving 
has succeeded to a large fortune, which has been 
bequeathed to him by one of the Society of Friends, 
to whom the distinguished American author was person- 
ally unknown. Mr. Irving, in consequence, intends 
immediately to relinquish his appointment as United 
States Minister at Madrid, where, it is said, his health 
has suffered materially since his recent residence in that 
capital. 
AUSTRALASTA.—Sydney papers to April 2d, and Hobart. 
town to April 8th, have arrived this week. In the 
Morning Herald, (a Sydney journal,) the affairs of the 
Bank of Australia are referred to in a manner little calcu- 
lated to revive confidence in the administration of those 
establishments in the colonies. Alluding to something 
which had transpired the day previous, it is observed on 
March the 3lst :—‘‘ The ‘ untoward’ disclosures of the 
mismanagement of the Bank of Australia have naturally 
caused the greatest excitement in the city. In fact, 
with the exception of the recent discoveries of the 
frauds committed on the Bank of Manchester, we 
and the latter only 
exceed of the 
terday. 
108,0002. is liable for 
160,0002. in the whole. 8 
have had 60,000/. has had 80,000/., and another director 
has had 40,0002. ; besides which there are various trifling 
debts of 15,000/., 20,0007., &c. There is but one opinion of 
the conduct of the directors.” Things were still very 
depressed in Van Diemen’s Land, and the colonists were 
speculating on the causes and remedies for such a state of 
affairs. There is no news from this part of Australasia. 
Cape or Goop Hors.— Advices from the Cape of 
the 6th May, contain the copy of a minute laid before the 
Legislative Council of the colony by the Governor, res- 
pecting Port Natal, and announcing that her Majesty’s 
Government had decided upon taking the emigrant farmers 
under the protection of the British Crown, of recognising 
their district, of adopting it as a British colony, and of 
establishing such institutions, under British authority, as 
her Majesty may deem necessary. The Governor adds 
that, having adverted to the objections he had adduced 
against the incorporation of Port Natal with the Cape 
colony, her Majesty’s Government had felt disposed to 
admit their validity, and to consider the best means by 
which due provision might be made for establishing a co- 
lonial government at Port Natal, distinct from, if not 
independent of the g of the Cape of Good Hope. 
M hile the C i is to recognise the amnesty 
granted by Lieut.-Colonel Cloete. Grants or sales of land 
in the district are, however, prohibited till the will of her 
Majesty igsknown ; and it also appears to be decided that 
the Governor of the colony, under whatever denomination, 
is to be appointed by her Majesty, and that no laws to 
be passed in the colony shall be valid without his consent. 
H.M.S. Cleopatra arrived at Port Elizabeth on the 27th 
April, having captured off Quillemaine, on the 12th, the 
Brazilian brigantine Progresso, with 440 slaves on board. 
The crew, with 50 of the negroes, were removed to the 
Cleopatra, and the remainder sent forward with a prize- 
master to Simon’s-bay. 
JParlfament. 
HOUSE OF LORDS. 
Monday.—Lord Brovucuam stated that, having received an 
apology from the printer of the Kendal Gazette for the 
calumnious remarks made in that paper, of which he had lately 
it was not his intention to persist in his motion to 
printer called to their Lordships’ bar.—On the 
Earl of Devon, the Scientific Societies Bill was 
ing to slavery and the slave trade.—The Marquess of LANS- 
moved for the correspondence which took place between 
the Government here and that of France relative to the appre- 
inducing t nment to do something to carry the Act 
last year effectually into He suggested the granting 
of 15,0002. or 18,0002, in the shape of loans or bounties, and the 
and extending their operations.—The 
o 
due consideration, and to obtain the opinion of Lord Denman on 
the effect of the words proposed. ; 
1 Assent was given by commission to the fol- 
Friday. he Royal \ ‘ 
lowing bills :--‘The Charities Bill, the Punishment of Offenders Bill, 
Fences Bill, the Dundee Harbour r 
Bill, the Liverpool Improvement Bill, the Paisley Corporation 
Bill, the Cockermouth Free 
‘on Imp 
North of England Junction L 
Rectory Bill, the Marquis of Abercorn’s Estate Bill, the Earl of 
Waldegrave’s Estate 
Road Bills. 
for the Regulation of Cathedral Churches in Wales was read 
asecond time; as were also the Loan Societies Bill, the Contro- 
verted Elections Bill, the Slave-Trade Suppression Continuance 
brought up, on which Sir R. Frere 
of 
the Privy Council Bill, the Marriages (Ireland) Bill, the Salmon 
Fisheries Bill, the Parochial Rates Bil 
il, the Scottish School- 
ers’ Widows’ Fund Bill, the Norfolk Island Bill, the Tay 
Grammar School Bill, the Northamp- 
e Londonderry Bridge Bill, The Great 
Railway Bill, the Walton-on-the-Hill 
Bill, Jackson’s Divorce Bill, and several 
n the motion of Lord Waarneuirrs, the Bill 
Bill, the Bills of Exchange Bill, and others. 
HOUSE OF COMMONS. 
‘The early portion of the sitting was occupied with 
ning clauses of the Arms Bill. The main discussion 
Monday 
mai 
was on the question of the period of the duration of the bill. The 
original proposi f 
butyafter 
should last 
of Parliament, or practically for three years. 
clauses, including those which had heen postponed for farther 
consideration, having been gone through, the long-protracted 
committee on this bill was terminated, the report to be brought 
up on Thursday. 
the Government was years 
ussion and two divisions, it was decided that i 
two years, and to the end of the then next session 
The whole of the 
i 
for 
The report of the committee on the Excise duties, recommend- 
ing the reduction of the additional duty on Irish spirits was then 
: son moved the re-committal 
still further 
gallon.—Mr 
the resolation, for the purpose of proposing a 
irits of 
curaqurr having spoken 
son withdrew it, and the 
‘Admiralty Lands Bill which stood for 
sed into 
in committee it 
it was carried 
ment or field-garden system, and the more general establishment 
of loan funds in England and Weles. 
Tuesday. —Mr. CurisTorner complained of the way in which 
the Customs Acts’Bill had been read, out of course, on Monday 
night, and called attention to a clause introduced into that bill 
which bore materially on the interests of British agriculture, as 
allowing the agricultural produce of the State of Maine to be 
admitted into this country at the colonial duty. He asked the 
Government if that were their intention in passing this clause. 
Mr. GLApSTONE could only give a limite swer. The inten- 
tion of the clause was neither more nor less than to give legal 
effectin this country to the third article of the treaty of Wash- 
ington. With respect to the effect of the clause in admitting 
foreign produce, he could not then well explain the matter, but 
he would, ina future stage of the bill, take an opportunity of 
giving an explanation.—Mr. Wiu1tams also complained of the 
introduction of a clause into this bill which made a very great 
alteration in the watch trade. 
uestion from Sir H. W. Barron,—Sir R. Pres 
said that he would not make any immediate appointment to the 
Judgeship of the Admiralty Court in Ireland, and that it should 
be made subject to any arrangement the Government might 
hereafter think fit to make respecting the union of the offices of 
Judges of the Prerogative and Admiralty Courts.—Sir G. CLerK 
gave notice that on Friday he would lay before the House the 
remaining estimates; among them those of the expenses of the 
war in China, and of the compensation money for the opium. 
Mr. Hume moved for leave to bring in a bill for the establish- 
ment of schools to promote a sound education for the rising 
generation of the United Kingdom at the public expense, without 
wounding the feelings or injuring the rights of any sect or class 
of the community, but confining the business of the schoolmaster 
to the secular and moral training of the children, and leaving all 
religious instructionto religious teachers distinct from the school; 
to the end that general instruction and a spirit of Christian 
brotherhood and good-will may be disseminated amongst ail 
classes and denominations.—Mr, Ewart followed in support of 
the motion, bat the House was counted out at a quarter past 8. 
Wednesday.—The Controverted Elections Bill was read a third 
time and passed.—Lord Asiiey withdrew the Industrious Classe 
Bill for the present session, giving notice to introduce it again early 
jn the next.—Mr. Grsson complained of an interpretation put upon 
the excise laws, by which individuals making cash advances on 
the consignment of excisable goods, were held liable to have the 
goods so consigned seized for the duty owing by the manufacturer. 
ibson instanced the case of Messrs. Truman, who, having 
curity of malt, were held by the Court 
of Exchequer liable to have this malt seized for duty left unpaid by 
‘The CHANCELLOR of 
not think it would be just or advisable, with 
the Excusauer did 
respect to the collection of the revenue, to permit dealers to put 
articles into the hands of a fact i thereby relieve the articles 
from the payment of duty. With respect to the case of the Messrs. 
a sum of money after a trial 
t. BERKELEY, Mr. Sipney Hereerr said an inquiry had been 
made into the cause of the late explosion on board the Camperdown. 
nnd that orders had been given to prevent the continuance of the 
practice of keeping large quantities of powder on the deck of vessels 
during the firing of salutes.— Sir RAHAM, in reply to a question 
from Mr, BANNERMAN, declined to say whether it wos the intention 
Of the Government to remove from the Professorships of the Uni- 
versities of Scotland those gentlemen who had adhered to the Free 
‘The memorial received from certain members 
of the University of St. Andrews was under the consideration of the 
oz 
3 
‘The House went into committee on the Coroners Bill.—On the 
clause allowing travelling expenses to the coroners at the rate of 
ile, Mr. WirL1AMS moved the substitution of 1s, a mile 
Gavalry, which have heen, or are likely to be, re-established on per 
manent pays 
‘Thursday. 
and passe 
both by the Government and members of the Opposition. After 
Lord CLements had spoken shortly on the propriety of proceeding 
» proposed the following 
wer of having, carrying, 
he essential safeguards of freedom. 
ds irishmen, creates 
is a violation of 
1 
uttered by Irish Conservative Members, when they expressed their 
willingness to share with their humbler fellow countrymen in the 
i 
should be borne in mind that the power to search for 
ma 
| 
owers of st 
the present bi 
read a third time on Friday 
neonveniences to which they would be subjected by the B: But it 
r arms given to 
strates would practically be only enforced against the lower 
Lord Euro censured the inconsistency of Lord J. Russell, who 
had expressed his willingness to renew a pill which contained these 
Y 5 a pre 
earch. } and checks of 
by the 
‘arms could take place by night, 
‘oclaimed when in actual insurrection ; 
ents and alterations, was ordered to be engrossed and 
"The next order of the day was the committee on the Irish Poor- 
law Amendment Bill, and eight clauses out of twenty-six, of which 
the Bill is composed, were agreed to, the seventh being postponed.— 
The Prison Discipline Bill, the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Bill, the 
West India Islands Relief Bill, the Excise Bill, and 
Societies Bill were read a second time.—The House went into com~ 
mittee on the i 
Bill, and the Episcopal Functions Bill passed through. committee. 
Friday.~ Mr. i 
his seat as Member for Durham.— the motion of Mr. V. 
Siri the Slave-trade Suppression Bill was read a first time.— 
The House then resolved itself into a committee of supply, and 
Lord Joun Russet proceeded to state his views on the present 
state of public business, which led to a general discussion on the 
Ministerial measures of the present Session. 
CITY. 
Money Market, Friday.—Consols for account closed 
at 938 to %; Three per Cent. Reduced, 943 to 3; Three- 
and-half per Cents., 101¢ to 2; New Three-and-half per 
Cents. 1012 to1; Bank Stock, 180}; Exchequer Bills 
55s. to 57s., and 53s. to 55s. prem. 
(Metropolis and its Picinity. 
Royal Visit to the Thames Tunnel.—On Wednesday 
the Queen, Prince Albert, the Prince of Saxe Gotha, the 
Princess and other distinguished p 
now on a visit to her Majesty, honoured the Thames 
Tunnel with a visit. From the shortness of the notice 
but few preparations could be made. Indeed, most of the 
directors were out of town. Even Sir Isambert Brunel, the 
engineer under whose auspices the works were commenced 
and completed, was too far from town for a communication 
to reach him in time to be present. At about half-past 3, 
there was a numerous attendance of visitors, the fact 
having transpired that her Majesty was about to visit the 
works, The flags were hoisted at the Tunnel works, and 
from various other places in the vicinity, and a scene of 
animation presented itself in all quarters. Precisely at 
the hour stated, the royal barge arrived off the Tunnel 
and her Majesty was received by Mr. B. Hawes, 
jun., M.P., Sir A. Crichton, and three of the directors. 
The Queen was welcomed by the people who had collected 
with great acclamation, and, preceded by the secre- 
tary and the assistant-engineer, her Majesty descended 
the Rotherhithe shaft, Lord Byron being in immediate 
attendance on her Majesty. Having proceeded through 
such a work as never a Queen before had traversed, the 
royal party returned, and as they re-ascended, “God save 
the Queen” was struck up, and loudly joined in by the 
assembled multitude. On arriving at the entrance-room, 
her Majesty was pleased to express her gratification at 
being, enabled to witness the completion of the Tunnel, 
and her regret that Sir I. Brunel was not present. The 
arrangements, though hurried, were well carried out, and 
her Majesty entered the royal barge amid the cheers of 
thousands, the bells of the churches im the vicinity ring- 
ing at the same time a merry peal. Her Majesty, when 
Princess Victoria, we believe, once viewed the works, 
which were then not half completed. 
The Custom-House Frauds.—The report of the Com- 
missioners of Revenue inquiry on Custom-house frauds 
has just been published; but the evidence on which it is 
founded has not yet been made public. The report 
shows that a well-organised system of fraud has been going 
on for several years past ; and the same system of public 
plunder might, in all probability, have now been flourish- 
ing in fall impunity and success, if remorse had not 
touched the conscience of Mr. Burnby, one of the delin- 
quents, who, in the autumn of 1841, inculpated no less 
than 21 landing-waiters, who had been selected for 
employment on the silk and baggage import duty, on 
account of their supposed zeal in the service of the 
Revenue. Mr. Burnby’s disclosures were not at first 
credited by the Custom-house authorities, who desired, as 
a proper measure of precaution, to wait for corrobora- 
tion; and this was obtained through the instrumentality 
of Mr. Homersham, another criminal, now deceased, and 
a landing-waiter of the first class, at a salary of 4002. per 
lementine. 
