THE FIELD 
599 
PROVINCIAL. 
HERTFORDSHIRE ELECTION. 
Official Declaration of thb Pull. — Hertford, Mat 24. — 
This morning having been appointed by llio High Sheriff for 
mnkiiig the oflicial declaration of the numbers polled for the re- 
spective candidates, notwithstanding the weather was very wet 
nnd stormy, a considerable number of the electors assembled at 
the hustings at the Appointed hour, 12 o'clock. 
The High Sheriff, alter the usual formalities, stated the num- 
bers to he — for 
Smith .,.•••• 2,20o 
Puller . . > ■ • • *,151 
Majority for Smith . . • o4 
Ho had therefore to declare that Abel Smith, Esq., had been 
duly elected to servo iu Parliament as the representative for the 
conty of Hertford, in the place of Thomas Plumer Holsoy, 
Esq., deceased. 
Scandalous Outrage at Epsom.— OnThursday week, 
?mong the many prisoners brought before the Baron de 
Tessier and a bench of county justices, at the Grand Stand 
on Epsom Downs, for different offences, was a higlily- 
respcctable medical gentleman, in excellent practice in 
Walworth, charged with stealing a watch from the 
person of Henry Belton, who described himself n# a 
musician, residing at No. 34, Short’s Gardens, Drury 
Lane. When apprehended on Wednesday evening, the 
accused referred to Serjeant Qninnear, of the 1* division, 
and that officer declared it to be his opinion that he was 
perfectly incapable of committing the offence imputed to 
; but the serjeunt on duty, notwithstanding this, felt 
hound to take the charge, and the gentleman had to herd 
with gamblers, thieves, and pickpockets for nearly twenty- 
four hours. The statement of the prosecutor was to the 
effect that while amongst a crowd, in one of the booths, lie 
was robbed of his watch, and the accused being the next 
person to him, he gave him into custody. In reply to the 
gentleman’s questions, the prosecutor admitted that he had 
followed him about the race-course for half-an-hour before 
he gave him into custody, and all this time lie hnd not 
accused him of the robbery. The gentleman, in reply, in- 
dignantly denied the charge, and complained of the extreme 
hardship of being locked up, and kept away from his family 
and professional duties for twenty-four hours upon a charge 
of which he was as entirely innocent ns any gentleman then 
present.— Serjeant Quinnear said he had known the accused 
gentlemen for fourteen years as a respectable surgeon, and 
believed him to he quite incapable of committing the offence 
imputed to him.— The Baron de Tessier observed that n 
wus the opinion of the bench that there was not the slightest 
grounds for the charge, and asked the prosecutor how he 
could think of giving a respectable person into custody on 
so serious an accusation upon such slight and frivolous 
grounds ? The Barou expressed his extreme regret that the 
gentleman should have been so scandalously treated, and 
told him he had abundant ground of action against ms 
accuser. The gentleman then left the court with his friends. 
An Angler killed dy Lightning.— On Tuesday 
evening a heavy storm, but of short duration, passed over 
the village of Kempsey, on the hanks of the Severn, south 
of Worcestershire. Just before its commencement an old 
man named Wingfield, who for many years was valet in the 
family of the late Earl of Coventry, at Croome, went to fish 
in the Severn, near Kempsey. When the storm approached 
ho took refuge beneath a pear-tree, but, not coming home, 
his family went in search of him, and found his lifeless 
body under tho tree, and the tree itself much shattered. The 
body was almost naked, his clothes being burnt and torn 
from him, and portions of them wore found in the treo. He 
had his fishing rod firmly clenched in his hand. 
Fatal Gun Accident.— A few days sinco a party 
assembled at Lewesion-»ood, near Sherborne, for the pur- 
pose of shooting rooks. A young man numed W tllfam John 
Ridout was there, rendering himself generally uselnl. In 
the course of the day two or three o! the parly entered a 
thick part of the cover, and the deceased was m the net of 
pushing away the bushes to enable Mr. W. Spong to get 
more easily within shot of a rook. Mr. Spong was allowing 
in a stooping posture, holding his gun in an almost horizon- 
tal position, and pointed towards Ridout, when by some 
unaccountable moans it went off, and the contents entered 
the side of the unfortunate man, killing him on the spot. 
An inquest has since been held, and a verdict of “Accidental 
Death” returned. . . . 
Important to Agriculturists.— A case of consider- 
able importance to agriculturists came for hearing oil the 
5th instant, before M. Ricardo, Esq., and the Herds. II. J. 
! Pussaud and W. S. Bricknell, at the petty sessions, at 
Woodstock. Thomas Shrieves, tho collector of tolls, a 
Yarnton Gate, between Woodstock and Oxfoid, was charged 
by Thomas Johnson, farmer, of Yurnton, with having 
illegally demanded and taken 8s. 4Ad. toll, for a milk curt 
passing through the said gate for fourteen days. Mr. H. 
North, solicitor, appeared for tho defendant. The taking 
of the toll was admitted, hut the illegality was denied. It 
appeared that tho complainant's farm was situated by tho 
side of tho road, and that to take the milk from tho cow- 
field to the dairy it was necessary to pass about three hun- 
dred yards along the road and through the gate. On ilic 
part of tho complainant it was urged that a milk ourt was 
free from toll, and that consequently the taking of it was 
illegal. On the part of the defendant it wus submitted that 
carta for tho conveyance of milk were liable. Iwo ol me 
magistrates thought differently, and they convicted defendant 
jn fme and costs, amounting together to 10s. ud. 
Abduction.— John Atkinson, organist of Appleby 
Church, a man about 28 years of age, wus brought belm e the 
sitting magistrates, at the Court-house, Carlisle, on Satin day, 
charged with the crime of abduction, having carried ott 
from a boarding-school at Appleby to Gretna Green, a Miss 
Ann Jane Ward, the daughter of Mr. Ward a gentleman of 
hghly respectahlo connexions, residing iu tho ni'iul.boui- 
hood of Windermere. The circumstances are as lollovv ’. 
Atkinson wus engaged to teach the young lady music at Miss 
Bishop’s boarding-school at Appleby, Westmorelapd. n 
appears that ubout two months ago Miss Bishop ob»ci\e 
little familiarity between him and Miss Ward, m eonseque 
of which she forbade him the school. Shortly afterwardAshe 
discovered Hint ho had received a locket from . us . 
She wrote to him, desiring that it should he returned, and 
informing him that the young lady was only thirteen years 
of age ; at the same tlmo commenting m strong terms upon 
‘he impropriety of his conduct. The locket was relurued 
'Atkinson. On Wednesday week the scholars had 
■ pleasure excursion to Ullswater, from which place they 
returned |»u> at night, when the governess sttwM.s, s _\\ ard 
o bed. About four o’olook next morning Miss Bishop 
awoke, and, fancying she heard a noise below, went down 
stairs. She found the outer door open ; but thinking sho 
hud omitted to lock it on tho previous night, took no further 
notice of the matter, and again retired to rest. When she 
arose at the usual hour she missed Miss Ward. Tho alarm 
was instantly given, and parties despatched in pursuit. A 
young man, named John Brass, had been employed by 
Atkinson to procure a conveyance, in which he and tho 
young lady, accompanied by Brass, set out for Penrith, and, 
upon their arrival at that place, Atkinson hired a gig, and 
they pushed forward to Carlisle, where they arrived between 
five and six o’clock in the morning. At Carlisle they again 
changed their conveyance, and in another hour had crossed 
the border, and were married by John Murray, at Savk-bar 
(Gretna). They returned to Carlisle about one o’clock by 
rail. As soon as they stepped upon tho platform, Mr. 
Sabliuge, superintendant of police, to whom information hud 
been forwarded, took all the three into custody. Atkinson 
denied the young ludy’s name, but Brass admitted that he 
lrnd been employed to drive the party. Tho proper routine 
having been gone through, Atkinson was remanded till 
Saturday, when ho was fully committed to take his trial for 
abduction at the next Westmoreland Assizes. Mr. Sabbage 
lodged him in Appleby gaol the same night. The young 
lady is only twelve years old, having been horn on the 6th 
of April, 1842. She is tall und stout for that ago. Both 
Atkinson and she say they were legally married, and are 
determined to have each other. Mr. Mooro, of Carlisle, 
solicitor, watched the proceedings for the prisoner. 
HORTICULTURE. 
Prizes Open to all England.— It may not be 
generally known to our horticultural readers, that several 
prizes open to all England will be offered for competition 
at the next show of the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural 
Society, to bo held at Oxford, on Tuesday, June 27. The 
following is from the Society’s schedule : — “ Prizes open to 
all England. — Notice of intention to exhibit for these prizes 
must.be given to the secretary (by post), on or before 
Saturday, June 17. Stove or Greenhouse plants (not 
Fuchsias or Geraniums) in pots, twelve varieties; first 
prize, £15— second ditto, £7 10s. ; entrance 7s. fid. 
Geraniums (not fancies) in eight inch pots, twelve varieties ; 
first prize, £ 5 -second ditto, £3; entrance 5s. In the 
above classes the usual entrance to members of the Society. 
It is expected that the exhibition will take place in the 
beautiful gardens of New College, which, coupled with the 
fact of the day selected, being that previous to the Encrema, 
or Commemoration of Founders, will be sure to cause a 
large attendance of visitors. 
The Botanical Society.— The first flower show for the 
season in the gardens of the Botanical Society iu the 
Regent’s Park look place last week. Ihe grent fea- 
ture was the new manner of arranging the specimens exhi- 
bited. Instead of being placed, as heretofore, on wooden 
benches or tables, in long rows, beneath the covering of 
single tents or marquees, the whole collection was arranged 
on banks or terraces of turf on the extensive space behind 
the conservatory; and, in place of the narrow avenues in 
which, on former occasions, the company were crowded and 
incommoded by heat and pressure, gravel walks have been 
laid down, on which the promennders were enabled to pass 
along and look about them without annoyance or discom- 
fort. By this judicious improvement everybody could sec 
the flowers and examine their beauty without interruption. 
One immense covering or awning of canvas shaded the 
whole. The society is entitled to great praise for making 
so judicious an alteration in the disposition of the exhibit ion, 
and, in having done so, they have imparted a totally new 
aspect to the fete, and given a character to the show more 
natural than that which previous ones displayed. Ihe col- 
lection of plants and flowers, as a whole, was magnificent, 
and among the rarer specimens were some of extraordinary 
beauty. The bands of the Royal Horse Guards and of the 
1st and 2nd Life Guards, under their respective leaders, 
performed concerted music in their usual excellent man- 
ner, and were not among the least of the attractions. 
The company was numerous, comprising a large gather- 
ing of rank and fashion. Among them were, tlie Aieli- 
bishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duchess 
of St. Alban’s, the Marchioness of Ailesbury, Ladies 
Essex, Devon, Winchilsea, Pamnure, De Broke, Vassal 
Webster, Beauclerc, Bethunc, E. Somerset, &c. ; Lords 
Clare, Shelburne, Devon, G. Lennox, Clintou, A. Harvey, 
Templeton, Sondes, Walsingham ; Judge Bcnnet, United 
States; Judge Coll, United States; the Hon. 11. N. 
Walker, United States; the Hon. G. H. Cooper, United 
States; Admiral Sir C. Ogle, Sir W. Stirling, &c. Ihe 
gold medals were awarded to Mr. May, gardener to Mr. 
H. Colyer, Dartford; to Mr. Williams, gardener to Mr. 
Warner, Hertfordshire ; to Mr. Green, gardener to Sir 
E. Antrobus; to Mr. Wolley, gardener to Mr. H. Kerr, 
Cheshunt ; to Mr. Speed, Edmonton ; to Messrs. Frazer; 
to Mr. Dingle, gardener to Mr. Lawrence, Batli ; to 
Messrs. Lane; to Messrs. Rollison; to Mr. Carson; to 
Mr. Clarke, gardener to Mrs. Webb ; to Mr. .Turner; 
to Mr. Foster, Clewer; to Mr. Francis, Hertford; to 
Mr Turner, Slough; to Mr. Windsor, Hampstead; and to 
Mr. Boland. 
Oxfordshire Horticultural Exhibition .— 1 The Ox- 
fordshire Royal Horticultural Society held their second 
show of the season, in the Quadrangle ot AH Souls Cot- 
tage, Oxford, which was kindly lent by the Worden end 
Fellows of that Society. The exhibition was weU attended, 
and during the afternoon the company assembled was \ ciy 
numerous, and comprised all the beauty and fashion, which 
such attractions only can induce SKK^SSSfnctorv 
specimens of flowers exhibited were highly satistnctoiy, 
and bore abundant testimony how nature can be assisted 
hv art The vegetables were of first-rate quality, and in 
immense quantities; no less than 36 c 0 mpcted for lettuces, 
for which, there were 6 prizes only. The Bishop of Oxford, 
G G Harcourt. Esq., M. P., W. Undershall, Esq., J. & 
Bowles, Esq., R. A. Betteridge, Esq., were among the suc- 
cessful competitors. 
Toronto Horticultural Society (Canada).— T he 
exhibitions of this Society for the current year, will be held 
as follows :— On Thursday, Juno 29th, und Thursday, Sept. 
14th. The prize lists for the several exhibitions may be bad 
ut the book shops of Messrs. Uowsell, Muelear, ond A. ll. 
Armour, in King-street ; at Mr. Fleming’s Seed bhop in 
Yonge-etreet, or from the Secretary. W - A f! 
tary T.H.S. Toronto, March 25th, 1854. [The lost ex- 
hibition was held on the 18tb of May.] 
GOLD _FIELDS. 
Carson’s Creek Company.— Tho directors of the 
Carson’s Creek Gold Mining Company have issued a state- 
ment to the shareholders that the value of tho mining 
property proposed to bo worked in California lias not been 
exaggerated, and that the large profits promised to be 
obtained can be realised. This opinion seems to be mainly 
induced by the representations of Mr. Carrington, who 
succeeded Copt. Curry as the Company’s agent in California, 
and who has arrived in England. Tho directors aro conse- 
quently desirous of acquiring tho concurrence of tho 
shareholders in their views, and express their willingness 
either to prosecute or abandon the undertaking, ns tho ma- 
jority of tho shareholder# may require. In the event of an 
abandonment being decided on, tho directors promise 
to make on immediate return of 5s. upon each ten 
shilling share, and, upon receiving the proceeds of 
tho costly machinery possessed hy the company in 
California, to divide these also. The shareholders are there- 
fore Invited, before tho 23d instant, to send the particulars 
of the scrip they hold, and to express their wish either to 
“ proreed with” or “ ubandou” the project. The report 
from Mr. Carrington slates that lie has concluded arrange- 
ments with the proprietors of the mine, subject to tho con- 
firmation of the directors, under which he could have taken 
quiet possession on the 1st April. Mr. Carrington expresses 
his perfect confidence in being able to work the mine with- 
out obstruction, and affirms that of all the mines he has seen 
in California, Carson’s Hill Is “ l«y far the richest, most 
accessible, and most economical for working.” With refer- 
ence to the general position and prospects of Californian 
gold quartz mining, ho observes: — 
“ Now that Gold Quartz Mining has been going forward 
in other parts of the country, that labour has become morn 
procurable, and tho-population more settled in habits of 
industry, no more apprehension need, in my opinion, be 
entertained of the works being interrupted than would be 
tho case in regard to any mine of high repute being opened 
in England. In conclusion, I beg to say, in refutation of the 
doubts I sco expressed by the English newspapers, as to any 
gold mining in California proving remunerative, that I 
know, myself, more than one gold quartz mine in that 
country from which tho proprietors, though working upon 
an inadequate scale, and with slight machinery, are actually 
realising what are considered oven there as enormous profitB , 
and it is my belief that before many years have passed, 
fortunes of the greatest magnitude will be obtained from 
them.” ... , 
Mr. Richard Inch, who was sent to Calfornia as the 
mechanical mining engineer of tho company, asserts that 
on a capital of £110, ODD lie could return an amount of ore 
which, after defraying all charges, would yield a net return 
of £14,0U0 to £16,000 per month; and that, with a 
capital of £65,000, he expects a net return of £2,600 or 
£2,800 per month, “which amount might, however, be in- 
creased to £3,500 or even £4,000 after tho first two years 
of working.” 
A USTRALA6IAN Compant.— The transfer books or tho 
Australasian Gold Mining Company are to bo finally closed 
on the 20th inst., with a view to the division of the assets 
amongst the shareholders. 
RAILWAYS AND TELEGRArHS. 
The French have been establishing o lino of mechanical 
telegraphs (post-and-arm telegraphs of the old system) be- 
tween Gallipoli and Adi ianople. It is desirable that our army , 
too, should not move u step without being followed by tho 
telegraph. In this country of bad roods and uncertain com- 
munications tho teleglUflh’is absolutely necessary. But why 
should they recur to the old system ? 
8HOUMLA (Turkey), April 20lli.— We believe that a 
system of telegraphic communication is about to ho estab- 
lished here ; of cour.-o it is not of the electrical order. 
Anything in tho old line would be a greut advantage, con- 
sidering how slowly couriers on horseback do get on. 
Hits ana Sjnri. 
« Messages from THE Lords,”— I n his examination before 
the select committee on the business of the House of C omijions, 
the Speaker said-” The committee will remember that we 
shall very soon be placed in an inconvenient position with 
regard to’ messages from the Lords. In a very short time the 
Masters in Chancery will come to an end, and the Lords will 
cease to have their customary messengers ; and it docs not at all 
follow that the Queen's Ancient Serjeant will always ibe n at- 
tendance. The consequence will be that the Lords w ill be obliged 
to send their messages hy a Clerk Assistant- -a form 1 ^ * h Jch 
the House of Commons has always taken exception, whenever 
a message is sent down from the House of Lords bv the Clerk- 
Assistant it is with an apology, which » accepted, with t j 
expression of a hope on the part of the Commons that it will 
not be drawn into a precedent, and it is thus 
KprU 'i t s' w illi ngness* to t ^in f; hut 
£?K£ send dolvn a judge, us t&y do now ; and bills 
of great i"terest members would still have an opportunity of 
Lo«D U 5ltMBMTON on Pp.nm ANS iiir.-Tl.c Homo Secretary 
has lately caused the following letter to be addressed to the 
Secretary of the Privy Council Committee on Education .— Sir, 
I am directed by Viscount Palmerston to request that you will 
submit S the Committee of Council on Education, for their con- 
sideration Hint one greut fnult in the system of instruction in lie 
schools of the country lies in the want of proper leaching in the 
=3 
;r; si 
beuSll'i B&chSea andjl" Caspian, as he sees a Gorman 
anecdote proves 
dial 
out," shot him dead on the spot. - * 
