138 
THE FIELD. 
[Saturday, 
iog employment may depend upon constout work, and are 
reminded that the masters are pledged, and are fully deter- 
mined, to protect them against any improper interference or 
molestation. — By order of the Associated Masters. Feb. 8, 
1854.” 
Grbat Meeting of the Unemployed. — T he opera- 
tives were called together in the Orchard at 2 o’clock on 
Wednesday afternoon. There was a very large attendance. 
After hearing several addresses, the multitude pledged itself 
not to resume work without the advance claimed. The meet- 
ing concluded, as usual, 'with three cheers for the 10 per cent. 
Another open-air meeting was held at 9 o’clock on Thursday 
morning at Preston. 
Plymouth, February 8. — The ropehouse hoys in the 
dockyard have been granted 2 a. per week additional wages. 
Twelve shipwrights’, four caulkers,’ and two ropomukor6’ 
apprentices were entered yesterday. 
Sunderland. — The carpenters have succeeeod In obtain- 
ing Gil. per day, after being on strike only one day. The 
sawyers were also off work several days, when their demands 
were partially met by their employers. 
SCOTLAND. 
Kinross Curlino Club.— The annual general meeting 
of this ancient club was held in Kirkland's Hotel on 
Wednesday, the 18th ult. — W. Briggs Constable, Esq., of 
Benarty, in the chair. After the election of skips for this 
year, of which the following are the names, viz. — George 
Tod, Lochran, No. 1 ; J. W. Williamson, No. 2 ; Allan 
Watt, No. 3 ; W. B. Constable, No. 4; George Hay, No. 5 ; 
and after the transaction of other business — about 30 of the 
members dined together, Mr. Constable in the clmir, and 
Mr. Robert Henderson, vice-preses, acting os croupier. A 
very merry meeting was spent in true curling spirit, and 
the mirth and good humour were much enhanced by the 
ready wit and social qualities of “ my lord,” and his croupier 
Mr. Henderson. Amongst the toasts of the evening, a special 
one was craved by Mr. Williamson to the health of the Earl 
of Mansfield, who had shown several members of the club 
marked attention and kindness the day previous, on his 
lordship’s pond at Scone Palace. Four rinks of the Kinross 
club started for the grand match at Carsebreck, but after 
arriving in Perth, they were there acquainted that the match 
had been postponed. Mr. Wilson, however, of the Star 
Hotel, a member of the Perth and Scone Club, kindly drove 
them to the club’s pond at Scone, where an excellent day’s 
sport was enjoyed, in which bis lordship and a few of his 
friends participated The toast was received with unbounded 
applause. Three new members were duly admitted brethren 
of the club, and the following office-bearers were elected, 
*iz. — Nisbet B. Williamson, Esq., preses and secreiary ; 
Mr. Alex. Beveridge, vlce-prese* ; J. W. Williamson, Esq., 
representative member; Mr. Watt, treasurer, and n com- 
mittee of management. The gold and silver medals 
were played for in the early part of the month, when the 
former was gained by Mr. Rennie, and the latter by Mr. Hay, 
Balleave. 
Salmon Fishing. — The salmon fishings in the Forth 
and Teith commenced on Wednesday for the season, but 
from the short time that has elapsed, we are unable to give 
the results, or the probable prospects of the fishing. The 
first fish was shown in Mr. Roy’s, fishmonger, on Wednes- 
day — a very handsome salmon, weighing 17 lbs. Of course 
it was very speedily picked up to grace some lucky table. 
We have more than once reverted to the propagation of 
salmon by artificial means, which is at present being suc- 
cessfully prosecuted in the Tav and other rivers. We trust 
that another season will not be allowed to elapse without 
effectual measures being taken to stock the Forth and Teith, 
which, in a few years, would be found to be a boon to 
this neighbourhood of the most valuable kind. — Stirling 
Journal. 
Golping at Leven — ' The members of the Leven Golf 
Club turned out on the Links the other day to compete for 
a club and pair of balls, for the manufacture of which the 
town is beginning to attain some celebrity. The match was 
keenly contested, and the Links during the play much 
frequented by spectators. Through the instrumentality of 
the club the Links have been greatly improved, and at 
present funds are in course of collection for the building of 
a new bridge across Scoonie Burn, which will form a very 
desirable improvement. 
Curlbrs’ Dinner. — The jolly members of the Leven 
Curling Club eat down to their anuual dinner in Crawford's 
Hotel on Thursday week, on which occasion the Benedict 
members had to “ pay the piper,” they having lost a match 
played lately between them and the bachelors, for a “ curler’s 
dinner.” The muster of members stood strong around the 
table, and the greatest good humour and harmony prevailed. 
The getting up of the feast of beef and greens reflected 
creditably on the Crawford Hotel establishment. 
Cufar Quoit Club — The annual meeting of this Club, 
for the election of office-bearers, Ssc., took place on tlieevening 
of Friday, the27th ult., in Mr. Muir's New Hall. On the con- 
clusion of the business, about thirty members sat down to a 
substantial supper provided by Mr! Muir. We understand 
that it was proposed to attempt a new and somewhat novel 
experiment during the coming season— and, from the 
unauimity of the members present, and the hearty good 
wishes expressed by them, there can be little doubt of its 
success. The proposal is, to raise a fund for providing at 
least a small share of education to poor indigent children. 
Various matches for small sums were offered and accepted 
—the mover of the resolution challenging the whole Club, 
one by one — the loser of each game to pay threepence to the 
fund. It is confidently anticipated that, by the end of the 
season, the club will be in a position to send at least ten poor 
children to school for twelve months Fife Journal. 
IRELAND. 
Dublin, Feb. 7. — The Chief Justice of the Common 
Pleas had occasion yesterday to administer the severest re- 
buke to a jury which twelve men, under the circumstances, 
perhaps ever received. The case was an action for damages 
brought by a man named McDonnell, a porter in the em- 
ployment of Alderman Kinahan, the ex- Lord Mayor, against 
Cornet Wingfield, of the 1st Dragoon Guards, for keeping a 
ferocious dog, which had injured the plaintiff by biting him 
in the leg. Several officer* of the regiment proved that the 
dog waii a playful and harmless one, while the only witness 
produced by the plaintiff was a person who, the court said, 
was uudeserviug of credit ; but the jury, after being told by 
the Chief Justice that they should find under the circum- 
stances for the defendant, brought in a verdict to the con- 
trary effect, giving the plaintiff &/, damages and 6 d. costs. 
The learned judge then, addressing the jury, said : — " He 
never, in his experience, heard so monstrous a verdict given 
by twelve men on their oaths. He (the Chief Justice) was 
the last man in the world to interfere with the proper duty 
of a jury, but he could not abstain, in the present case, from 
saying that the verdict was contrary to the evidence, and 
contrary to the obligation they had taken to find according 
to the evidence. There was hut one witness for the plaintiff 
to prove the dog was a ferocious animal, and he admitted 
that ho had sworn what was false — while for the defendant 
there were several credible witnesses who proved he was a 
perfectly quiot dog. If juries found such verdicts, he (the 
Chief justice) thought the sooner they were abolished 
altogether the better. He would not try another case with 
such a jury ; but they should remain in court, for he would 
not discharge them. 
Dublin, Tuesday. — The following is relied on as an 
authentic list of the regiments under orders for service, 
together with the date at which each corps is directed to be 
held in readiness for embarkation : — 
4th (King's Own) 22nd March. 
7th (Royal Fnslleers) .. .. 2.1th — 
9th 6th — 
14th 3rd — 
17th 4th — 
21st (Royal North British FusUccrs) 15th — 
27th (Enniskillcns) 10th — 
28 th 17 th — 
35th 13th — 
38th 28th — 
39th 2nd — 
42nd (Royal Highlanders) .. .. 30th — 
50th (Queen's Own) I8lh — 
G2nd 6th — 
63rd 7th — 
70th (Cameron Highlanders) .. 29th — 
82nd 10 th — 
88th (Connaught Rangers) .. .. 27th — 
89th 1st — 
90th (Perthshire Light Infantry) .. 9th — 
93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) . . 21st — 
95 th 24 th — 
This would reduce the infantry force in the united king- 
dom (irrespective of the brigade of Guards) to 11 regiments 
—viz., the 34th, 20th, 97th, 40th, 33rd, 77th, 91st, 12th, 
19th, 23rd, and the Rifle Brigade. — Times of Wednesday. 
RAILWAYS AND TELEGRAPHS. 
Railway Accidents. — The return of railway accidents 
has been made up for the first half of the year 1853. The 
number of passengers during the half year was 45,080,310, 
atid 24 of them were killed and 121 injured, 14 ofthe deaths 
and 7 of the cases of injury being caused by tho parties' own 
misconduct or want of caution. Including servants of the 
companies, trespassers, contractors' men, and one suicide, 
148 persons were killed and 121 injured. There were 14 
collisions, in which 5 passengers were killed and 82 injured; 
9 pus6enger trains got off the rails, and 3 passengers were 
killed and 27 injured ; in four cases the axle or a wheel of a 
passenger train engine broke, and two passengers were in- 
jured; in two cases an axle or wheel of a passenger train 
carriage broke, and three passengers were injured. Among 
the deaths we find more than one cuused by getting out of a 
carriage in motion. The following, also, are among the 
deaths: — “Great Northern Line, May 5. — George Wright, 
a farmer, struck by the buffer of an engine, and killed 
while walking along a footpath between the railway and the 
river Witham.” “ London and North Western, June 3. — 
M‘Leod,u passenger, fell overa bandboxatthe Northampton 
station, and, rolling on the line, was run over and killed.” 
“ London and South Western, Jan. 25. — A boy of 14 com- 
mitted suicide by placing himself in front of au npprouehing 
train.” “ Lancashire and Yorkshire Line, May 20. — A boy, 
a passenger by an excursion train, attempting to climb up 
tho side of the waggon in which he was riding, for the pur- 
pose of putting a cover on it, came in contact with a bridge 
near Chorley, and received such severe injuries, that death 
ensued.” “ Midland, Great Western (Ireland), June 12. — 
A passenger sitting upon the top rail of a fourth-class carriage 
(though warned of his danger), was killed in the same way.” 
'* Newcastle and Carlisle Line, June 5. — Elizabeth Taylor, 
passenger, fell from a third-class carriage, and was killed in 
consequence of the door against which she was leaning flying 
open." “ Preston and Wyre Railroad, May 25. — Two pas- 
sengers in a train which was standing at the Lee-road station, 
hearing another train approaching, and thinking it was on 
the same line, jumped out, and were run over by it and 
killed.” “ York and North Midland Line, Jan. 18.— A 
female passenger jumped from a train in motion, it is 
supposed to avoid being assaulted by a man who was in the 
6ame carriage ; she was killed. The coroner’s jury returned 
a verdict of manslaughter against the man.” “ On the Lon- 
don and Brighton Line, June 11, a second-class passenger, 
leaning out of the window (after warning), came in contact 
with the door of a cattle waggon at the Brighton station, and 
was severely injured.” 
Eastern Counties Railway. — Another Verdict 
of Manslaughter.— The inquiry into the death of Mr. 
Ellison, of Norwich, who died from the effects of injuries 
which he sustained in the recent collision on this line, being 
the sixth sufferer, was concluded on Monday afternoon, 
before Mr. Clarke, the borough coroner. The jury returned 
a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. Peter Ashcroft, and 
Mr. Latham (the inspector). 
Intelligence. 
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.— Feb. 7. 
[Before Mr. Sergeant Adams, Assistant-Judge, at the 
Guildhall, Westminster.) 
John Horton, aged 15, convicted, Feb. Gth, of stealing a gold 
wntcli, value 20/., the property of Edward Jones, from his person, 
was brought up for judgment. From statements made to the 
Court by somo of the police, it appeared that tho prisoner was 
one of a gang of juvonilo tlnovcs, eight in number, and amongst 
them two of his brothers, who lived together at a house in Finoh- 
strect, and systematically went out every day to steal what they 
could. Their mode of action wos somewhat novel, and had 
hitherto been practised with considerable success. In somo 
cases a boy with a white mouse, whioh is taught to nscend and 
descend a ladder, and to perform other singular feats, is the 
object of attraction to the unwary spectators; at another a per- 
forming guinea pig,— whilst a not less successful decoy wus found 
in n tame starling, who, tied by a string, was allowed to go to its 
length by bopping on tho pavement. .Vs soon os a crowd eol- 
lected, nnd their attention was absorbed in the movements of the 
bird, the prisoner nnd his companions were more prtfitably em- 
ployed in diving into the pockets of all those who formed tho 
outer nrcle, and possessing themselves of any “unconsidered 
trifles that flight happen U) fall in their way, or come within 
their reach. Their object being thus answered, tho great attrac- 
tion was then removed to some other ploce, to be re-enacted to a 
fresh lot of gapers, nnd with every chunce of, unless prevented by 
some extraordinary interference, tho same results. One of tho 
officers of the court said that several of tho gang wero outside 
when the prisoner came to tho court, and were still lurking about. 
The Assistant- Judge sentenced him to penal servitude for four 
years. 
COLCHESTER TOWN HALL.— Monday Feb. C. 
[Before tho Mayor, S. G. Cookb, Esq., and J. Chaplin, Esq.] 
Cuarob OP Crueltt to A Cow.— Mr. 8. A. Pbilbrick attended 
to support an information against Mr. George Wright, farmer 
and dealer, of Myland, charging him with causing a cow to bo 
cruelly treated, by being driven with its udder excessively dis- 
tended with milk, on the 28th ult. — Mr. Goody appeared for 
defendant. — Thomas Petohell, in the employ of Mr. Wright, 
being called by Mr. Pliilbrick, stated that on Saturday tho 28th 
of January he drove three cows and three calves to market, from 
Myland, by order of his master; the cows were well milked the 
night before, nnd on Saturday morning he let the calves go to 
two of them, because he thought they looked a little “pent;” 
put muzzles on tho calves on driving them to market, to prevent 
them sucking; got into market about 11, and the cows were 
sold ten minutes after; saw Mr. Pliilbrick on going up North 
Hill. — Cross examined : Had been in the habit of attending to 
cows a great many years, and did not consider these were cruelly 
treated; they came to market in tho usual way; Mr. Philbrirk 
told him one of the cows was in distress, and ought to bo milked, 
but witness said he dared not do it. Witness believed tlioro wus 
no pain; they wanted to show, without pain to the cow, its 
proper shape — no man could moke his money of it unless ho did. 
By the Mayor : Milked the cow that had the fullest bog directly 
sbo was sold. — The Mavor said, under all the circumstances, tho 
bench considered the charge of cruelty not proved. — Mr. Phil- 
brick maintained that the cow wos treated with excessive cruelty 
— nothing was more painful than to let these poor animals go 
with their udders distended in this manner. Ho had before cau- 
tioned the man about it. I’etcholl told him, on seeing him at 
the bottom of North Hill, that the cows were often tied up for 
three or four days. — Mr. Goody said he thought the case hod 
taken n very irregular turn ; his friend had called a witness, nnd 
he could not afterwards quarrel with his evidence. Ho (Mr. - 
Goody) was backed in his argument, that this was not a case of 
cruelty, by many dealers and others present, and they wished to 
know if they and their servants wero to be subjected to this con- 
tinual annoyance. He considered that Mr. Pliilbrick was acting 
with too great a nicety, almost amounting to fastidiousness, in 
this matter; and he ought to know that what hod been dono iu 
this case had been done ever since the market had been in ex- 
istence. Tho Mayor said, had tho witness not sworn that the 
cow was well milked the previous night, he should have taken 
a different view of the matter; but, under the circumstances, 
the case was dismissed. He hoped dealers would hear in mind, 
that although it was customary not to milk cows on the morning 
of sole, that it was essentially urgent that they should bo milked 
on the previous night. Mr. Wright said it was the usual mode 
to drive cows to market unmilked, but he was always particular 
in seeing that they were not distressed over-night. Serjeant 
Aylett said complaints were repeatedly being made on Saturdays 
to the police, as to cows being distressed in this way — Mr. 
Wright's in particular; he had been spoken to about it, when 
lie said he should let them stand as long n9 he pleased. Mr. 
Cooke deprecated the practice of muzzling calves, which he 
thought was not required ; he should always look upon a cow 
with suspicion where the calf wns not allowed to suck. The 
parties then left the court . — Essex Standard. 
folirc Intelligence. 
BOW-STREET. 
Refusal to take an Oatu. — Gcoi'ge Brooks was charged 
with stealing a volume of the Lancet , tho property of Edward 
Truelove, bookseller, of the Strand. A policc-constable of tho 
F division having stated that lie stopped the young man with tho 
book in his possession, and that the prisoner admitted having stolon 
it from distress, the prosecutor was called upon to identify tho 
property, and the chief usher was about to administer the outli to 
him in the usual manner, when he requested permission to mnko 
an affirmation instead. — Mr. Jardine inquired upon what grounds? 
— Prosecutor: Because I object to take an oath. — Mr. Burnaby, 
chief clerk : What religion do you profess, then ? — Prosecutor : 
I profess no religion. I claim exemption on conscientiousgrounds. 
— Mr. Jardine : I can only exempt you on religious grounds. — 
Prosecutor : By a recent Aot of Parliament, any man who con- 
scientiously objects to take an oath is permitted to muko 
an affirmation. — Mr. Jardine: There is nn act which enables 
Quakers, Moravians, and some other religious sects, to make 
affirmations, because they object to the oath on religious grounds. 
Your objectionis based on irreligious grounds, and I am not aware 
of there being any law, recent or otherwise, that recognises such 
nn objection us that. — The prosecutor adhered to his opinion that 
there had been some recent legislation which placed tho con- 
scientious non-believer on the same footing as the conscientious 
Quaker or Moravian, nnd consequently some little timo wns 
spent by the magistrate and chief clerk in overhauling Acts of 
Parliament, law reports, <fcc. ; after which Mr. Jardine again 
informed the prosecutor that he must be mistaken. Accord- 
ing to the law of this country, there must be a religious sanc- 
tion given to the evidence received in courts of justice. The 
Quaker was exempted, not because ho had no religious belief, 
but because ho had religious scruples which tho law deemed it 
right to respect. No such consideration wns shown to the 
non-believer, and consequently, if lie refused to take the oath, 
his evidence must be rejected. In doing what the law re- 
quired him to do, he (Mr. Jardine) did not mean to cast 
nny repronch upon the prosecutor, who, no doubt, was at full 
liberty to enjoy his own opinions in common with other men. 
The prosecutor : Then I am to understand that tho abandoned 
person who was examined on oath just now in another case, is 
entitled to the protection which is refused to me, because I con- 
scientiously objeot to the solemn appeal whioh she had no scruple 
in making. — Mr. Jardine: Yes, certainly ; the woman, although 
a bad character, may have some religious belief — Prosecutor : 
Then I can have no redress, and no protection for my property? 
Mr. Jardine: That happens to be so in this case, because you 
have no one else who can spook as to the identity of tho property. 
It is the legal consequence of the course you have taken. — Prose- 
cutor: Forgive me, sir, for urging you, ns a magistrate, to use 
your influence to effect an amendment of this most unjust law. — 
Mr. Jardine : Tiiat is not my province ; und if it were so, I could 
not say that the frequency of Buch eases rendered nn alteration 
necessary ; for, during alt my experience as a magistrate, I do 
not remember a similar occurrence, with one exception. At all 
events, the matter is at an end now, and tho prisoner is discharged. 
A question then arose, ns to which wub entitled to the possession 
of tho property — the prosecutor, or tho prisoner. Mr. Jardino 
said the prisoner must have tho book if he claimed it, but proba- 
bly he would not. The prisoner wns then asked if he would 
consent to givo up the book to the prosecutor? — Prisoner: Yes; 
he may have it. The prisoner wos then discharged. 
LAMBETH. 
Short Weight op Coals. — Mr. Richard Houghton, q com- 
dealer in Hill-street, Lambeth-walk, appeared to answer to a 
summons taken out against him by Mr. James Rogers, tho 
comcdinn of the Adelplii Theatre, charging him with selling coals 
short of the weight for which ho charged. Mr. Rogers deposed 
that, having heard that tho defendant, at a period at which coals 
were at an enormous price, was in tho habit of serving the poor 
people in his neighbourhood with coal muoh short of tho proper 
weight, he determined to test his honesty, and, with that object, 
