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of the citizen" in any instance. And here I rest this solemn argument. I have brought this cause of woman, and of man as well-of the race-into the presence of the court, surrounded by the severe atmosphere of the law, beyond the reach of chronic ribaldry, and into the region of argument, where it must be estimated by its legal merits. I have applied to it the rules of law. I have pushed away the dead exfoliations that cumber the path; and have gone to the foundations, to the ever fresh and preserving spirit of the rules of the common law, and have sought to apply them with candour. I see here before you these ladies, who have come with their friends to listen to the argument of their case, which is to decide whether, as citizens and subjects of this great government they are to bear the citizens' voice in its management. A Government which, spite of its burthens, its neglects, its scorns and contumely, they love with the passionate, self-sacrificing devotion of woman; to which they gave their soul's offspring, their loves and their lives; or whether they are for a time longer to continue its vassals and serfs. That citizen is a vassal and a serf who must remain dumb in the presence of power, and who must owe to grace, ever capricious, that which can belong alone to right. And I see behind them, in shadowy and endless prospective, not the matrons and daughters of rich and luxurious homes; not the petted, flattered, courted, loved idols of society and fashion, but the long array of the pale, woe-worn, toiling, homeless, helpless wives and mothers and daughters of care and want, the prey of vice, the victims of abnormal society, who cannot be heard, but who mutely and unknowingly extend their weak hand for the instrument of political power for their own protection; who, when they strike for bread, when they strike for shelter and for raiment, and warmth and life, may have that power which will command what they have yet never had a hearing. And never, till you give woman this power, and through it, give her to herself, can you redeem her, and, through her, elevate the race. Give her the ballot, and she will grow to the strength and wisdom to wield it more purely and unselfishly than it has ever yet been used. I see your sensibilities are awakened. I only invoke your unprejudiced judgment. I will not have emotion and sympathy. I demand the severe voice

of the law.

The court, after listening to an able and logical argument by Francis Miller, of the Washington Bar, in favour of woman exercising the right of suffrage, rendered the following decision:

Opinion of the court, delivered by CARTTER, C.J., sustaining the demurrer, which is as follows:These cases, involving the same questions, are presented together. As shown by the plaintiffs' brief, the plaintiffs claim the elective franchise under the first section of the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution. The fourth paragraph of the regulations of the governor and judges of the district, made registration a condition precedent to the right of voting at the election of April 20, 1871. The plaintiffs, being otherwise qualified, offered to register, and were refused. They then tendered their ballots at the polls, with evidence of qualifi. cation and offer to register, &c., when their ballots were rejected under the 7th section of the Act providing a Government for the district of Columbia Mrs. Spencer brings her suit for this refusal of registration, and Mrs. Webster for the rejection of her vote, under the 2nd and 3rd sections of the Act of May 31, 1870. The 7th section of the organic Act above referred to, limits the right to vote to "all male citizens," but it is contended that in the presence of the fourteenth Amendment, the word male is without effect, and the Act authorises "all citizens" to exercise the elective franchise. The question involved in the two actions which have been argued, and which, for the purposes of judgment, may be regarded as one, is, whether the plaintiffs have a right to exercise within this jurisdiction, the elective franchise. The letter of the law controlling the subject is to be found in the 7th section of the Act of Feb. 21, 1871, entitled, "An Act to provide a Government for the District of Columbia," as follows:-"And be it further enacted, that all male citizens of the United States above the age of twenty-one years, who shall have been actual residents of said district for three months prior to the passage of this Act, except such as are non compos mentis, and persons convicted of infamous crimes, shall be entitled to vote at said election, in the election district or precinct in which he shall then reside, and shall have so resided for thirty days immediately preceding said election, and shall be eligible to any office within the said district, and for all subsequent elections twelve months' prior residence shall be required to constitute a voter: but the Legislative Assembly shall have no right to abridge or limit the right of suffrage." It will be seen by the terms of this Act, that females are not included within its privileges. On the contrary, by implication, they are excluded. We do not understand that it is even insisted

constitutional condition that requires the super. vention of legislative power in the exercise of legislative discretion to give it effect. The constitutional capability of becoming a voter created by this amendment lies dormant, as in the case of an infant, until made effective by legislative action. Congress, the legislative power of this jurisdiction, as yet has not seen fit to carry the inchoate right into effect, as is apparent in the law regulating the franchise of this district. When that shall have been done, it will be the pleasure of this court to administer the law as they find it. Until this shall be done, the con sideration of fitness and unfitness, merit and demerit, are considerations for the law-making power. The demurrer in these cases is sustained.

Riddle, counsel for the plaintiffs, prayed an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.

LEGAL OBTIUARY.

G. H. WILLIAMS, ESQ. THE late George Henry Williams, Esq, solicitor, of 19, Margaret-street, Cavendish-square, whose death occurred very suddenly on the 12th Dec. at his residence at Roxboro'-park-road, Harrow, in the fifty-third year of his age, was a son of the late Rev. J. H. Williams, Rector of Farnham. All Saints, Bury St. Edmunds, and was born in the year 1818. He was admitted a solicitor in Hilary Term 1842, and was a member of the firm of Messrs. Brown and Williams, of Margaret-street. The mother of the deceased gentleman had recently died at Colchester, and Mr. Williams had the week previous to his death gone down to that town on family business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Sayers Turner. He left Colchester apparently in good health and after transacting some busi ness in London proceeded on his journey; and shortly after returning home he was seized with a fit, and expired almost before medical assistance could be procured. Deceased was much respected among a large circle of friends.

in argument that authority for the exercise of the franchise is to be derived from law. The position taken is, that the plaintiffs have a right to vote, independent of the law; even in defiance of the terms of the law. The claim, as we understand it, is, that they have an inherent right resting in nature, and guaranteed by the constitution in such wise that it may not be defeated by legislation. In virtue of this natural and constitutional right, the plaintiffs ask the court to overrule the law, and give effect to rights lying behind it, and rising superior to its authority. The court has listened patiently and with interest to ingenious argument in support of the claim, but have failed to be convinced of the correctness of the position, whether on authority or in reason. In all periods, and in all countries, it may be safely assumed that no privilege has been held to be more exclusively within the control of conventional power than the privilege of voting, each State in turn regulating the subject by the sovereign political will. The nearest approach to the natural right to vote, or govern-two words in this connection signifying the same thing-is to be found in those countries and governments that assert the hereditary right to rule. The assumption of Divine right would be a full vindication of the natural right contended for here, provided it did not involve the hereditary obligation to obey. Again, in other States, embracing the Republics, and especially our own including the States which make up the United States, this right has been made to rest upon the authority of political power, defining who may be an elector, and what shall constitute his qualification; most States in the past period declaring property as the familiar basis of a right to vote; others, intelligence; others, more numerous, extending the right to all male persons who have attained the age of majority. While the conditions of the right have varied in several States, and from time to time been modified in the same State, the right has uniformly rested upon the express authority of the political power, and been made to revolve within the limitations of express law. Passing from this brief allusion to the political history of the question to the consideration of its inherent merits, we do not hesitate to believe that the legal vindication of the natural right of all citizens to vote, would, at this stage of popular intelligence, involve the destruction of civil government. There is nothing in the history of the past that teaches us otherwise. There is little in current history that promises a better result. The right of all men to vote is as fully recognized in the population of our large centres and cities as can well be done, short of an absolute declaration that all men shall vote, irrespective of qualifications. The result in these centres is political profligacy and violence verging upon anarchy. The influences working out this result are apparent in the utter neglect of all agencies to conserve the virtue, integrity and wisdom of government, and the appropriation of all agencies calculated to demoralise and debase the integrity of the elector. Institutions of learning, calculated to bring men up to their highest state of political citizenship, and indispensable to the qualifications of the mind and morals of the responsible voter, are postponed to the agency of the dramshop and gambling hell; and men of conscience and capacity are discarded, to the promotion of vagabonds to power. This condition demonstrates that the right to vote ought not to be, and is not, an absolute right. The fact that the practical working of the assumed right would be destructive of civilisation is decisive that the right does not exist. Has it become a constitutional right, under the provisions of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the constitution, which provide as follows: Fourteenth amendment, sect. 1, “All persons, born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities or citizens of the United States." Fifteenth amendment, sect. THE COURTS & COURT PAPERS. 1: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude." Sect. 2, "The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." It will be seen by the first clause of the fourteenth amendment, that the plaintiffs, in common with all other persons born in the United States, are citizens thereof, and, if to make them citizens is to make them voters, the plaintiffs may, of right, vote. It will be inferred from what has already been said, that to make a person a citizen is not to make him or her a voter. All that has been accomplished by this amendment to the constitution, or by its previous provisions, is to distinguish them from aliens, and make them capable of becoming voters. In giving expression to my own judgment, this clause does advance them to full citizenship, and clothes them with the capacity to become voters. The provision ends with the declaration of their citizenship. It is a constitutional provision that does not execute itself. It is the creation of a

SIR J. BAYLEY, BART. THE late Sir John Edward George Bayley, Bart, who died on the 23rd Dec., at his residence, Stanhope-lodge, Kensington-gore, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, was the eldest son of the late Right Hon. Sir John Bayley, Bart., who was formerly a judge in the Court of Queen's Bench, and afterwards for many years a Baron of the Exchequer, and who received the honour of a baronetcy on his retirement from the bench in 1834. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of John Markett, Esq., of Meopham Court-lodge, Kent, and he was born in London in the year 1794, and succeeded to the title on the death of his father in 1841. He was educated at Winchester, and was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's-inn in 1835, and went the Northern Circuit. Sir John Bayley, who held for many years the post of clerk of assize of the Northern Circuit, was twice married, first, in 1822, to Charlotte Mary, second daughter of the late John Minet Fector. Esq., of Kearsney Abbey, Kent, formerly M.P. for Dover and Maidstone, who died in 1854; and secondly, in 1855, to Selina, daughter of the late Col. Marley, but he again be came a widower in 1865. He is succeeded in his title by his elder son, the Rev. John Robert Laurie Emilius Bayley, Vicar of St. John's, Pad dington, who was born in 1823; he was formerly incumbent of Woburn, Bedfordshire, and subse quently rector of St. George's, Bloomsbury; he married, in 1855, Marianne Sophia, third daughter of Edward Rice, Esq., of Dane Court, Kent. The late baronet's younger son is Mr. Lyttleton Holyoake Bayley, Barrister-at-Law, Her Majesty's Advocate at Bombay.

SITTINGS IN HILARY TERM 1872.

Equity Courts.

Court of Appeal in Chancery. (Before the LORD CHANCELLOR.) At Lincoln's-inn.

Thursday, Jan. 11 Appeals 12

Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday. Wednesday

Appeal motions and appeals 15 Appeals

16 Ditto

17 Petitions and appeals

18 Appeals

19 Appeal motions and appeals

22 Appeals

23 Ditto

24 Ditto

25 Ditto

26 Appeal motions and appeals

29 Appeals

30 Ditto

31 Appeal motions, petitions, and ap

pea's

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27 Petitions, short causes, and general paper

29 In Bankruptcy

30 General paper

31 Motions and adjourned summonses

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Saturday

12 Petitions, adjourned summonses, and general paper

13 Short causes, adjourned summonses, and general paper

15 General paper

16 Ditto

17 Ditto

18 Motions and general paper

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

25 Motions and general paper

26 Petitions, adjourned summonses, and general paper

27 Short causes, adjourned summonses, and general paper

29 General paper

30 Ditto

31 Motions and general paper

N.B. In Vice-Chancellor Wickens' Court no cause, motion for decree, or further cousideration can, except by order of the court, be marked to stand over, if it be within twelve of the last cause or matter in the printed paper of the day for hearing.

19 Petitions, adjourned summonses, and general paper

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To surrender at the Bankrupts' Court, Basinghall-street. BENTHALL, HENRY, quarrier, Norfolk-st, Strand. Pet. Aug. 15. Reg. Hazlitt. Sol. New, Basinghall-st, Strand. Sur. Jan. 19 KING, HENRY, brickmaker, Norwood-la, Dulwich. Pet. Dec. 20. Reg. Pepys. Sol. Cooke, Devereux-ct, Temple. Sur. Jan. 9 MITCHELL, LEMUEL, boot manufacturer, Upper-st, Islington. Pet. Dec. 19. Reg. Murray, Sols. Blackford and Co., Great Swan-alley, Moorgate-st. Sur. Jan. 23

To surrender in the Country.

ALLGOOD, JOHN, farmer, Algarkirk Fen. Pet. Dec. 16. Dep.-Reg.
Wiglesworth. Sur. Jan. 2

ASH, JOHN, miller, Chetwynd-end, and Sambrook-mill, near
Newport. Pet. Dec. 15. Reg. Spilsbury. Sur. Jan. 11
AYERS, JOHN, gentleman, Norwich. Pet. Dec. 18. Reg. Palmer.
Sur. Jan. 4

BRANDRETH, FREDERICK LEWIS, no occupation, Taunton. Pet.
Dec. 20. Reg. Meyler. Sur. Jan. 6

CLARK, CHARLES WILLIAM, builder, Aylesbury. Pet. Dec. 18. Reg. Watson. Sur. Jan. 4

FRASER, CHARLES, gentleman, Oatlands-pk, Weybridge. Pet. Dec. 8. Reg. Bell. Sur. Jan. 11

LINDAM, CHARLES JAMES, Chepstow. Pet. Dec. 19. Reg.
Roberts. Sur. Jan. 9

PLUMTREE, GEORGE, butcher, Epworth. Pet. Dec. 20.
Wake. Sur Jan. 4

SCOTCHER, CHARLES, coal merchant, Great Yeldham.
Dec. 16. Reg. Barnes.

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BOLAND, HENRY, bootmaker, Aberavon. Pet. Dec. 21. Reg.
Morgan. Sur. Jan. 12
Reg.

HELE, GEORGE, organ tuner, Plymouth. Pet. Dec. 20.
Pearce. Sur. Jan. 10

HENLEY, RICHARD, and HENLEY, JOSEPH, seed merchant, Ashford. Pet. Oct. 21. Reg. Callaway. Sur. Jan. 12

HILL, CHARLES, tailor, New Malton. Pet. Dec. 21. Reg. Woodall. Sur. Jan. 12

LEGGETT, JAMES, Penrith. Pet. Dec. 20. Reg. Halton. Sur.

Jan. 11

THARME, WILLIAM, licensed victualler, Stone. Pet. Dec. 22. Reg. Spilsbury. Sur. Jan. 11

BANKRUPTCIES ANNulled.

Gazette, Dec. 19.

DYNE, JOHN EDWARD, builder, Clarendon-villas, Hornsey. June 10, 1871 SHORT, GEORGE, builder, Warrington. Oct. 24, 1870

Gazette, Dec. 22.

BELL, JOHN JOSEPH, and HARRIS, HENRY, builders, Hanover-st Pimlico. Sept. 21, 1871

Liquidations by Arrangement.

FIRST MEETINGS.
Gazette, Dec. 22.

BROWN, JOHN THOMAS, outfitter, Portsea; Jan. 4, at twelve, at 18, Millman-st, Bedford-row. Sol., King, Portsea

BUTLER, EDWARD, cattle salesman, Byfield; Jan. 13, at eleven, at office of Sol., Crosby, Banbury

CAMPING, GEORGE, cabinet maker, Maldon; Jan. 12, at two, at offices of Messrs. Digby,, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Sols., Messrs. Digby, Maldon

ASH, ALBERT, livery-stable keeper, Red Lion-yd, Southamptonrow; Jan. 8. at twelve, at office of Sol., Breton, Great Marlborough-st, Regent-st

BAMPTON, THOMAS, tailor, New Sleaford; Jan. 4, at twelve, at office of Sol., Dyer, Boston

BAREHAM, DANIEL, proprietor of public baths, Lonsdale-road, Notting-hill; Jan. 8, at three, at office of Sols., Jones and Co., Lancaster-pl, Strand

CHAVASSE, NICHOLAS HORACE, brickmaker, Handsworth, and Rowley Regis; Jan. 3, at twelve, at the Queen's hotel, Birmingham. Sol., Baker, Birmingham

COBDEN, RICHARD, tailor, Jermyn-st; Jan. 4, at twelve, at office of Sol., Alley-Jones, Lincoln's-inn-chmbs, Chancery-la COE, JOHN ELIJAH, cork manufacturer, King's Lynn, also Wisbech; Jan. 4, at twelve, at office of Sol., Nurse, King's Lynn DAVIES, ALBAN THOMAS, solicitor, Blomfield-st; Jan. 17, at three, at office of Sol., Brighten, Bishopsgate-st-without DENNANT, JOHN, commercial traveller, St. Donatt's-rd, New Cross; Jan. 8, at twelve, at office of Sol., Preston, Mark-la EMBLETON, JOHN, ironmonger, Maldon; Jan. 12, at half-past eleven at office of Messrs. Digby, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Sols., Messrs. Digby, Maldon

BARRETT, WILLIAM. coal merchant, Rylatt-villas, Camden-rd, and Tunbridge Wells; Jan. 8, at half-past eleven, at office of the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Co., Limited, Adelaide-pl, Londonbridge. Sol., Cripps, Tunbridge Wells

BEESLEY, SAMUEL, printer, Bromsgrove; Jan. 2, at two, at office
of Sols., M. and J. J. Corbet, Worcester
BOOTH, JAMES, fisherman, Hull; Jan. 2, at two, at office of Sol.,
Summers, Hull

BRIARLEY, DAVID, commission agent, Huddersfield; Jan. 4, at three, at office of Sol., Mills, Huddersfield

BRITTAIN, BENIAH, out of business, Willingale Doe, co. Essex; Jan. 3, at eleven, at office of Blythe, solicitor, Chelmsford Sol., Smith, Chipping Ongar

EVANS, WILLIAM, grocer, Corris; Jan. 5, at twelve, at office of Messrs. Griffith, Dolgelly. Sol., Griffith FRANCIS, ATTWELL, accountant, Heath-fleld, Marlborough-rd, Putney; Jan. 5, at two, at office of Sol., Chidley, Old Jewry FREYBERG, JAMES, auctioneer, Chester-sq; Jan. 5, at two, at office of Sols., Linklater, Hackwood, Addison, and Brown, Wal. brook

GALLEY, JOHN, mast maker, Monkwearmouth; Jan. 8, at twelve, at office of Rawlings, accountant, Sunderland. Sol., Steel, Sunderland

GARROD, GEORGE, whitesmith, Teddington; Jan. 3, at twelve, at office of Sol., Edgell, Clifford's-inn

GIFFORD, JAMES, victualler, Kidderminster; Jan. 2, at three, at
the Dolphin inn, Kidderminster. Sol., Saunders jun
GREENWOOD, EDWARD GIDEON, oil warehouseman, Prospect-pl,
Bethnal-green; Jan. 8, at two, ac office of Sols., Tilley and Shen-
ton, Finsbury-pl-south
HAMILTON, FREDERICK, ironfounder, Golden-la; Jan. 3, at two,
at office of Sol., Poole, Bartholomew-close
HARGREAVES, JOHN, sen., and HARGREAVES, JOHN, jun., and
HARGREAVES, GEORGE, commission agents, Over Darwen;
Jan. 3, at half-past ten, at the New inn, Over Darwen. Sol.,
Costeker, Over Darwen
HARDING, EDWARD, plasterer, Hounslow; Jan. 4, at two, at 9,
Lincoln's-inn-fields. Sol, Marshall

HARRIS, DAVID, general furniture dealer, Hitchin; Jan. 3, at twelve, at office of Sol., Bilton, Coleman-st

HENDRA, CHRISTOPHER, greengrocer, Aberavon; Jan. 5, at three at office of Sol., Tennant, Aberavon

HICKS, HENRY, tailor, Falmouth; Jan. 4, at two, at office of Sol.
Jenkins, Falmouth

HIGGINBOTTOM, RALPH, cotton spinner, Newtown Disley; Jan.
11, at three, at office of Sol., Hardy, Manchester
HODGSON, ELIAS WILLIAM, plumber, Stoke Newington-rd, and
Chapel-st, Sandgate; Dec. 29, at ten, at office of Sol., Dobson,
Chancery-chmbs, Qnality-ct, Chancery-la

HUGHES, FRANCIS LLOYD, innkeeper, Trelogan, par. Llanasa;
Jan. 11, at eleven, at office of Sol., Davies, Holywell
HUGHES, THOMAS, builder, Littleworth, near Hednesbury; Jan.
8, at two. at the Anglesey Arms hotel, Hednesford
HUNTER. JAMES, grocer, Jarrow, and Newcastle; Jan. 4, at
eleven, at office of Sol., Wallace, Newcastle

IBBESON, THOMAS, ginger beer manufacturer, Barnsley; Jan. 4, at two, at office of Sols., Tyass and Harrison, Barnsley ISONBURGH, JOSEPH, clothes dealer, Coventry; Dec. 30, at eleven, at office of Sol., Barrow, Wolverhampton

KERSHAW, WILLIAM, accountant, Liverpool; Jan. 8, at two, at office of Sol., Bellringer, Liverpool

KESSLER, LUDWIG, innkeeper, Hastings; Jan. 3, at three, at office of Sol., Philbrick, Hastings

LEE, WILLIAM HENRY, grocer, Holborn; Jan. 2, at two, at offices of Messrs. Green, St. Swithin's-la. Sol., Poole, BartholomewClose LUCAS, HENRY, hair pin maker, Birmingham; Jan. 5, at three, at office of Sols., Rowlands, Birmingham

NICHOLAS, JOHN, baker, Manchester, Jan. 10, at four, at offices of Sol., Addleshaw, Manchester

OLIVER, HANNAH, milliner, Kidderminster; Jan. 5, at two, at office of Sol., Corbet, Kidderminster

PAGE, JOHN, chartermaster, Wednesbury; Jan. 10, at twelve, at offices of Sol., Sheldon, Wednesbury

PREECE, GEORGE WILLIAM, innkeeper, Gloucester; Jan. 10, at two, at office of Sol., Jones. Gloucester PREEDY, GEORGE, baker, Victoria-st, near Gloucester; Jan. 2, at eleven. at office of Sol., Jones, Gloucester

RIDER, JAMES, innkeeper, Freemantle; Jan. 5, at three, at the Crown hotel, High-st, Southampton. Sol., Swayne Southamp

ton

SAYERS, CHARLES, cheesemonger, Bromell's-road, Clapham ; Jan, 1, at eleven, at office of Sols., Messrs. Pearce, Giltspur-st SHERREY, JAMZ8, bootmaker, Portsea; Jan. 3, at three, at office of Sol,, King, Portsea

SILCOCK, FRANCIS CHARLES, auctioneer, Cheltenham; Jan. 3, at four, at office of Sol., Boodie, Cheltenham

SOUTHGATE, WALTER, corn merchant, Ipswich; Jan. 4, at one, at office of Cooper Brothers and Co., accountants, George-st, Mansion-house. Sols., Thomas and Hollams, Mincing-la STACK, DAVID, boot maker, Liverpool; Jan. 5, at three, at office of Sol., Harper, Liverpool

STEVENSON, JOHN LESTER, Buckingham-palace-rd, Pimlico; Jan. 4, at three, at 7, Wilmington-sq, Clerkenwell. Sol., Lewis STEWART, MARY, widow, milliner, Chester; Jan. 11, at two, at office of Sols., Bridgman, Weaver, and Jones, Chester THOM, ROBERT. commission agent, Sutton and Liverpool; Jan. 5, at two, at office of Sol., Bellringer, Liverpool VERNON, WILLIAM, debt collector, Nottingham; Jan. 3, at twelve, at office of Sol., Acton, Nottingham

WOOD, WILLIAM, manure manufacturer, Whitby; Jan. 8, a eleven, at office of Sols., Messrs, Buchannan, Whitby YEOMANS, RICHARD, colliery proprietor, Bucknall; Jan. 4, at three, at the Railway hotel, Stoke-upon-Trent. Sols., E. & A. Tennant, Hanley

Gazette, Dec. 26.

APSEY, JOHN, sen., and APSEY, JOHN, jun., builders, Celbridgepl, Westbourne-pk; Jan. 8, at three, at offices of Sol., Kisch, Wellington-st, Strand

ATKINSON, WILLIAM, jun., shopkeeper's salesman, Wakefield;
Jan. 6, at twelve, at offices of Fernandes and Gill, Wakefield
BALCHIN, EDWIN, baker, Hascomb, near Godalming; Jan. 10, at
two, at office of Sol., Geach, Guildford
BARNES, WILMER BENSON, linendraper, Upper-st, Islington;
Jan. 10, at two, at offices of Sol., Bolton, Gray's-inn-sq
BELL, IRA, beerhouse keeper, Baildon; Jan. 5, at eleven, at
offices of J. Gordon, public accountant, Leeds. Sol., Hartley,
Otley

BODLEY, WILLIAM, builder, New Swindon; Jan. 3, at twelve, at
offices of Sols., Kinnear and Tombs, Swindon
BRIDGE, WILLIAM, architect, Fish-st-hill; Ramsgate; and Mar.
gate; Jan. 10, at twelve, at the Guildhall Coffee-house, Gres-
ham-st. Sols., Treherne and Wolferstan, Ironmonger-la, Cheap-
side

BROMHAM, JOHN, grocer, Oswestry; Jan. 9, at one, at offices of Roose and Price, Liverpool. Sol. Jones

BROWN, BONHAM CHARLES, saddler, Swansea; Dec. 29, at eleven, at office of Sol., Morris, Swansea

BYERS, JOHN, bottle envelope manufacturer, Benlider-st, Poplar; Jan. 2, at twelve, at 12, Hatton-gdn. Sol., Marshall, Lincoln'sinn-fields

CHAMBERS, GEORGE, joiner, Barnsley; Jan. 6, at eleven, at offices Sol., Dibb, Barnsley

COULDWELL, EDMUND, farmer, Deepcar, near Sheffield; Jan. 9, at three, at offices of Sols., Smith and Hinde, Sheffield CRAVEN, JOHN, farmer, Harrogate; Jan. 16, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Bateson, Harrogate

DAVIES, EDWARD GEORGE, draper, Churchstoke; Jan. 20, at eleven, at the Court-house Inn, Churchstoke. Sol, Jones DOCKREILL, JOHN, manure dealer, Bingfield-st, Caledonian-rd; Jan, 18, at two, at 29, Carter-la, Doctors commons. Sol., Miles EDWARDS, JOHN DINGLEY, contractor, Dudley; Jan. 5, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Lowe, Dudley

FRANCIS, WILLIAM, solicitor, Birmingham; Jan. 4, at twelve, at offices of Sol., Fallows, Birmingham GARDINER, SAMUEL HENRY, stationer, High-st, and Gloucesterrd, Lower Norwood; Jan. 3, at twelve, at 12, Hatton-gdn. Sol., Marshall, Lincoln's-inn-fields

GEORGE, JOHN, grocer, Truro; Jan. 6, at two, at offices of Sol. Trevena, Truro

GLOAG, ROBERT PEACOCK, cigarette manufacturer, King's rd Peckham; Jan. 3, at eleven, at 32, Lupus-st, Pimlico. Sol... Chidley

GREEN, JOSEPH WILLIAM, commission agent. Birmingham, Jan. 13, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Jaques, Birmingham

HARRISON, EDWIN, hatter, Barnsley; Jan. 11, at two, at offices of PARTRIDGE AND COOPER THE SILKWORM BOOK; Tyas and Harrison,

HIGGINS, HENRY, hosier, Leeds: Jan. 11, at three, at offices of C. F. Baxter, public accountant, King-st, Cheapside. Sol., Durant, Guildhall-chmbs, Basinghall-st HORSHAM, THOMAS, coal merchant, Westbourne-wharf, Padding. ton Jan. 3, at three, at offices of Sol., Webster, Basinghall-st JOHNSON, JAMES, manufacturing joiner, Birmingham; Jan. 13, at twelve, at offices of Sol., Jaques, Birmingham KENSHOLE, JOHN, farmer, Sandford; Jan. 6, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Searle, Crediton

LONG, JAMES, fish owner, Gorleston; Jan. 9, at twelve, at office of Sol., Cufaude, Great Yarmouth

LONGDON, JOHN, out of business, Duffield; Jan. 17, at eleven, at office of W. Peach, accountant, Derby. Sol. Walker MADELEY, ALFRED, auctioneer, Derby; Jan. 8, at eleven, at offices of Sol. Flint, Derby

MCNALLY, JOHN, provision merchant, Liverpool; Jan. 5, at two, at offices of Sols., Thornley and Heaton, Liverpool NAYLOR, THOMAS, shoemaker, Cleckheaton; Jan. 6, at ten, at offices of Sol., Rhodes, Bradford

NEIGHBOUR, SOPHIA, and NEIGHBOUR, WILLIAM, tailors, Windsor: Jan. 10, at four, at the Castle Hotel, Windsor. Sol., Stollard, Serjeants'-inn, Chancery-la

NEWELL, FRANCIS, innkeeper, Ennerdale; Jan. 5, at twelve, at office of Sol, Atter, Whitehaven

OLIVE, WALTER AUGUSTUS, gen-ral furnishing Ironmonger, Swansea: Jan. 3, at one, at offices of Sol.. Taynton, Gloucester PARMINTER, GEORGE, architect, Portsea; Jan. 4, at three, at office of Sol., Feltham, Portsea

PENZER, THOMAS, out of business Wisal: Jan. 10, at eleven, at offices of Sols., Duignan, Lewis, and L. wis

POLLARD ALFRED, cabinet maker, Halifax; Jan. 9, at three, at offices of Sol., Boocock, Halifax

PRIME, WILLIAM, grocer, Wrentham; Jan. 8, at twelve, at offices of Sol, Archer, Lowestoft

RANDALL, SAMUEL, nurseryman, Exeter; Jan. 11, at one, at the Queen's Hotel, Queen-st, Exeter. Sol, Vanghan

RHODES, ROBERT RADNALL, clerk, Liverpool; Jan. 13, at two, at office of Sol., Hindle, Liverpool

SAUNDERS, FREDERICK, builder, Gloucester-rd, South Kensington; Jan. 4, at three, at offices of Smart, Snell, and Co., accountants, Cheapside. Sol., Miller, Gracechurch-st SHARROCKS, JAMES, cotton manufacturer, Rochdale; Jan. 17, at three, at the White Swan Inn, Rochdale. Sol., Standring, jun., Rochdale

SHERRY, JAMES, bootmaker, Portsea; Jan. 3, at three, at offices of Sol., King, Portsea

SISSONS, HENRY, plumber, Sheffield; Jan. 8, at three, at offices of Sol., Clegg, Sheffield

SNOWDON, WILLIAM, tobacconist, St. Paul's-churchyard; Jan. 4, at twelve, at 12, Hatton-gdn. Sol., Marshall, Lincoln's-innfields

SOLOMON, JOSEPH, jeweller, Hanley; Jan. 5, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Sutton, Burslem

SPEIGHT, SARAH ANN, licensed victualler, Wakefield; Jan. 5, at three, at office of Sol., Burrell, Wakefield SPRINGETT, DANIEL, dairyman, Hargrave-rd, Upper Holloway; Jan. 3, at three, at offices of Sol., Layton, jun., Gresham-st STEVENS, ELWIN KNILL, silk mercer, Nottingham; Jan. 12, at twelve, at offices of Sols., Cranch and Rowe, Nottingham STOTT, SAMUEL, cotton spinner, Rochdale; Jan. 9, at two, at the Clarence Hotel, Spring-gardens, Manchester. Sol., Stott, Rochdale

TAY, WILLIAM, butcher, Birmingham; Jan. 8, at twelve, at office of Sol., Green, Wolverhampton

THORNTON, RICHARD, manufacturer, Rastrick; Jan. 10, at three, at offices of Sols., Messrs. Learoyd, Huddersfield

UPTON, WILLIAM, hatter, Manchester; Jan. 10, at eleven, at offices of Sol., Pullan, Leeds

VAUGHAN, NATHANIEL, plumber, Lee; Jan. 3, at two, at 12, Hatton-gdn. Sol., Marshall, Lincoln's-inn-fields

WELLS, SAMUEL JACOB, stuff merchant, Wood-st; Jan. 5, at twelve, at the Chamber of Commerce, Cheapside. Sol., Page, Gracechurch-st

WHITE, WILLIAM, out of business, Bristol; Jan. 6, at twelve, at offices of Sols., Messrs. Murley, Bristol

WHITTAKER, ROBERT, wine merchant, Manchester; Jan. 11, at three, at offices of Sols., Sale, Shipman, and Seddon, Manchester WOODCOCK, THOMAS, printer, Brighouse: Jan. 12, at three, at the Royal Hotel, Brighouse. Sol., Baiber, Brighouse

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Ainsworth, J. C. and T. calico printers, second, d. McNeill, Manchester.-Allen, W. wheelwright, first, ls. 4d. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Bennett and Hignett, timber merchants, further, d. Stone, Liverpool.-Bult, R. bookseller, further, 38. 9d. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Campion and Jones, chemists, third, Od. 13-32nds. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Evans, H. J. grocer, second, 6d. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Gittins, A. builder, first, 18. 6d. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Haden, E. C. surgeon, first, 5s. Kinnear, Birmingham.Jenkins, J. farmer, second, d. Harley, Bristol.-Lear, G. of Erdington, first, 48. 10d. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Lees, E. innkeeper, Kinnear, Birmingham.-Lloyd, L. timber merchant, first, 43d. Kinnear, Birmingham. -Mills, W. coal master, second, 3d. second, 4d. 13-32nds. Kinnear, Birmingham.-Morgan, A. bootmaker, second, 4d. Harley, Bristol.-Perrett, T. L. tea dealer, first, 2. Harley, Bristol.-Reed, J. B. ship chandler, second, 24. Harley, Bristol.-Reynolds, W. ironmonger, third, d. Harley, Bristol-Shaw, J. grocer, first, 2d. Kinnear, Birmingham. - Ward, J. L. C. coal merchant, second, 4. Harley, Bristol.-Watson, J. W. scrivener, second, 1s. 2. 15-16ths. Kinnear, Birmingham.- Welstead, S. grocer, first, 3d. Harley, Bristol.-Woakes, H. L. corn merchant, first, 7d. Kinnear, Birmingham.

Attwell, W. watchmaker, first, 48. At offices of M. A. Fitter, 5, Bennett's-hill, Birmingham.-Dawson, A. coal merchant, first, 28. At offices of Gibson and Bolland, accountants, 10, South John-st, Liverpool.-Hills, J. miller, first and final, 94d. At offices of Sols. Longmore, Sworder, and Longmore, Hertford.-Willans, W. R. gentleman, lid. At Trust. J. Hart, 23, Newborough-st, Scarborough.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS,

BIRTHS.

BARDSWELL.-On the 20th inst., at Highfield, Surbiton, the wife of C. W. Bardswell, Esq., barrister-at-law, of a son. BARKER.-On the 21st inst., at Grosvenor-villa, Kingsland-road Birkenhead, the wife of Mr. W. E. Barker, of a son. HARPER On the 25th inst., at Hatton house, Cheshunt, the wife of Mr. Thomas Etheridge Harper, solicitor, of a son. HOLBERTON.-On the 19th inst., the wife of J. L. Holberton, solicitor, Brierley-hill, and Greenbank, Wordsley, Staffrodshire, of a son.

LEWIS.-On the 26th inst., at Dover, the wife of Thomas Lewis, of a daughter.

MONCKTON-On the 24th inst., at East Moulsey, Surrey, the wife of Edward P. Monckton, Esq., barrister-at-law, of a son. PINCKNEY. On the 23rd inst., at The Chesnuts, Lansdown, Bath, the wife of Erlysman Pinckney, Esq., barrister-at-law, of a son. MARRIAGE.

AGAR-DALE-On the 20th inst., at Bushey, Herts, William Talbot Agar, Esq., Lincoln's-inn, barrister-at-law, to Ethel Headington, youngest daughter of Clement Dale, Esq., the Manor-house, Bushey. DEATHS. MAYER.-On the 24th inst., at his residence, St. Catherine's Priory house, Gloucester, aged 61, Samuel Mayer. Esq, solicitor (retired), and for 27 years, Clerk to the Boari of Guardians of the Gloucester Union, and Superintendent Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages for the same district.

WILLIAMS-On the 22nd inst., Mr. Lewis Walter Williams, solici tor, of 21, Burton-road, Brixton, and 1, Walbrook-buildings, city, aged 61

WHOLESALE & RETAIL STATIONERS, 192, FLEET-STREET, AND 1 & 2, CHANCERY-LANE, LONDON, E. Carriage paid to the Country on Orders exceeding 20s.

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CREAM LAID NOTE, 3., 4s., and 58. per ream.
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THE NEW "VELLUM WOVE CLUB HOUSE "NOTE, 98. 6d. per

ream.

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PATENT THERMOPODION, or portable FOOT WARMER.-Sufferers from coldness of the extremities or languid circulation should test this neat and improved article for imparting heat, surpassing the antique water bottle, inasmuch as a uniform heat for an indefinite period can be retained at an infinitesimal cost. Especially valuable for railway travelling, the carriage, or study. Light, portable, and ornamental.-To be obtained of all leading Furnishing Warehouses, Drapers, Chemists, in imitation sealskin, Price 218.

Sole Manufacturers, SPENCE and CO., 6, Leather-lane, E.C.

or, SILKWORMS ANCIENT and MODERN, their FOOD and MODE of MANAGEMENT. In demy 8vo., price 2s. 6d., cloth gilt; post free 2s. 8d.

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London: HORACE COX, 316, Strand, W.C.

THE History and
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Characteristics. Edited by
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price 16s. The above work may be had in the following
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EAUTIFUL POETRY: being a Careful

and Present Ages, both English and American. In Six Series Price of the Series complete, 33s. plain cloth; and 458. cloth gilt and gilt edges. Each volume may be had separately for 5s. 6d. each, plain cloth; and 78. 6d. each, cloth gilt and gilt edges.

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ACRED POETRY: a Collection of the Best Poetry for Sunday Reading, Schools, and Families. Second and Cheaper Edition. Plain cloth, 1s.; cloth gilt, 18. 6d. London: HORACE Cox, 10, Wellington-street, Strand, W.C

MODERN CHURCHES, CHURCH

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London: HORACE Cox, 10, Wellington-street, Strand, W.C

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PAROCHIAL, MUNICIPAL

ECCLESIASTICAL AND ELECTION LAW,

DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS.

By EDWARD W. COX, Serjeant-at-Law, Recorder of Portsmouth.

This MAGISTRATES' LAW DIGEST comprises several hundreds of Cases, arranged under the following heads:

ALEHOUSE.
AMENDMENT.

ANIMAL.

APPEAL.

APPRENTICE.

ASSAULT.

ASSESSED TAXES.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

BAIL.

BASTARD.

BASTARDY.

BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.

BEDFORD LEVEL ACT.

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ESCAPE.
EVIDENCE.

EXCISE.

EXTRADITION.

FACTORIES ACTS.

FALSE IMPRISONMENT.

FELO DE SE.

FELON.

FISH AND FISHERY.

FIXTURES.

FOREIGN ENLISTMENT ACT.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

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PARISH CLERK.

PAWNBROKER.

PENALTY.
PIGEONS.

PIRACY.

POLICE.

POLICE RATE.

POOR LAW.

POOR RATE.

PRESUMPTION. PRINTING PRESS.

PRISON.

PROHIBITION.

PUBLIC COMMISSIONERS. PUBLIC HEALTH.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.

QUÆRE IMPEDIT.
QUARTER SESSIONS.

QUO WARRANTO.

REFRESHMENT HOUSE.
REPLEVIN.

RIVER.

ROAD.

SABBATH BREAKING. SALVAGE.

SCHOOL.

SEA-SHORE.

SEQUESTRATION.

INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SO- SESSIONS.

ACT.

HORSE RACE.

INCLOSURE.

INCOME TAX.

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NOTICE.-A Copy will be sent post free to any person forwarding a post-office order for the amount

to the Publisher; or it may be had by order through all Booksellers.

LONDON: HORACE COX, 10, WELLINGTON-STREET, STRAND, W.C.

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NOTICE.-NOW PUBLISHING.

A GENERAL INDEX to vols. 11 to 20 of the LAW TIMES REPORTS, New Series, will be published in ten parts, price 1s. each. Sent free of postage to subscribers. The General Index to vols. 1 to 10, N. S., may still be had, price 7s. 6d. in cloth.

The Law and the Lawyers.

MR. ELLIS MCTAGGART succeeds Mr. BLAINE as Judge of the Marylebone County Court. The learned gentleman has a good reputation and considerable experience as a Judge. Mr. HARINGTON, the recently appointed police magistrate, will, it is said, succeed Mr. MCTAGGART as Judge of Circuit 31, which includes towns in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Northampton

shire.

VOL LII.-No. 1501.

WE are informed that Lord CAIRNS, as chairman of the Judicature Commission, has signed a report recommending that the number of County Court Judges should be reduced to thirty.

THERE were 12,000 contentious matters disposed of in the London Court of Bankruptcy during the year 1871, of which 7000 were dealt with by the Registrars, and the remainder by the Chief Judge.

WE are glad to see that the Warwickshire Court of Quarter Sessions has determined to take action against the Treasury in respect of the reductions made in the costs allowed in criminal prosecutions. It is curious that in the teeth of the expressed opinion of the Court of Queen's Bench the Treasury should continue to pursue a wholly indefensible policy, and it should be opposed by every county in England.

THE Manchester Law Students' Society has come to a resolution which must encourage study among its members. In altering the rules of the society it has been determined to devote all fines and such sums of money as may be agreed upon to form a prize fund, which is to be spent in the purchase of books to be presented to those of the members whose names shall from time to time appear in the Honour List of the Incorporated Law Society at the final examination. This is an example which may be wisely followed.

THE Profession cannot regret that the Government has resolved to pay its law officers by salary, and 70001. and 60001. per annum respectively must be considered a handsome allowance for noncontentious business. Indeed, it is hard to understand why the stipends of the law officers should be thus liberal when a small addition to the salaries of Judges of the appellate court has been refused. The action of the Government is controlled in such matters by considerations which we should not attempt to comprehend. The probability is that it was found that the sums named were the lowest that would be accepted by competent men, the appointments, unlike Judgeships, being temporary.

THE Inner Temple have appointed their tutors for the current year, and students who may be desirous of receiving instruction from them are requested to notify the fact to the sub-treasurer. We have intimated our doubts as to the possibility of two sets of lectures going on concurrently and successfully; and we shall be curious to know what number of students submit themselves to the Inner Temple tutors, and what effect the Inner Temple classes have upon the classes of the Council of Legal Education. The only inducement to students to join the latter consists in the prizes; but will anyone attend lectures which are not necessary to a pass to secure the chance of obtaining a small scholarship? We anticipate that the classes of the Council will cease to prove selfsupporting, supposing that they have ever been so; whilst, on the other hand, the tutors of the Inner Temple will have to display more than ordinary skill and capacity if they wish to render their lectures popular. Attendance on any classes being altogether optional, students may take their own course, and we anticipate that the majority will elect to educate themselves or employ private tutors.

WITH all the awkwardness and none of the ingenuity of Conservatism the Globe has discovered what it conceives to be some sensible objections to the educational scheme of Sir ROUNDELL PALMER. This journal admits " that an examination, and a severe one, is highly essential to be applied to a qualifying student," but adds, "let us consider whether there are not means available less sweeping, less irritating (sic) to the Inns of Court, and, at the same time fully as effective as those which the proposition we are discussing embraces, to ensure the lawyers of the future knowing something of their profession." Our contemporary conceives that articled clerks are sufficiently well looked after at present, but says that should they wish to found their own college let them found it at their own expense" and not make the Inns of Court a cat's-paw for their advancement." This sage writer then remarks that there is no reason why the two professions should be amalgamated, observing that "it is as absurd to contend that a student of one of the Inns of Court cannot make a wellinformed barrister, without studying under the same roof with embryo solicitors, as it would be to affirm that no student attending the metropolitan hospitals could qualify as a surgeon or physician without previously studying at a university together with intending members of a pharmaceutical society." What a blundering misapprehension of Sir R. PALMER'S scheme is here revealed! Who ever thought for a moment that it was considered as an essential principle of the scheme that a Bar student should study with an articled clerk? The only question raised has been whether any harm could result from their studying in the same school, and it has been considered as likely to prove advantageous. It is much to be deplored that a public journal of some pretensions should take so little pains to place a great scheme in is proper light before the public.

THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE of England would appear to be taking upon himself an amount of extra-judicial labour, which he may perform successfully, but which cannot be assumed without suggesting that it may to a degree interfere with his ordinary duties. There is a period in the lives of most public men when they tire of the monotony of one line of conduct, an eminent illustration of this eccentricity and the evil results entailed being afforded by Lord BROUGHAM. As head of the Common Law Courts Sir ALEXANDER COCKBURN can scarcely be called inferior to any of his predecessors, but the variety of the characters which he is assuming seems to indicate a restlessness and want of contentment with his success in his peculiar department. He is now, in addition to being a Judge, an arbitrator in an international dispute of vast proportions; he has lately appeared as a pamphleteer on Naturalisation and Law Reform; as a scolder-fortunately for him, with success-of the Government on its judicial appointments; as a poetical translator; and now we are informed that he has "undertaken to sum up, in a series of articles in the Academy, the whole of the circumstantial evidence respecting the authorship of the Letters of JUNIUS,' including that of handwriting." We can hardly say that this is too much for an active and versatile intellect, but we hope the learned Judge will be convinced that he has done enough extra-judicial work to satisfy his ambition for a considerable time

to come.

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LAST week the Liverpool borough magistrates held a meeting at which the means of repressing drunkenness were discussed at some length, and during the course of the meeting a proposition was put forward which deserves some attention. Mr. ROBERTSON GLADST ONE expressed his intention of attending at the policestation on Sunday mornings for the purpose of fining and releasing those persons confined there on charges of drunkenness. Mr. GLADSTONE further stated that he proposed to communicate the names of the persons so released to the newspapers, one of which, at least, was willing to publish them. With respect to the releasing of such persons we can see no objection to the course proposed. No doubt some people will say that if a man chooses to get drunk on a Saturday night he deserves no sympathy, and ought to be locked up till Monday morning; but if it is possible to release him on the Sunday, why should he be kept in prison longer than the man who gets drunk on the Friday, and is released on the Saturday? The offence is the same, and the punishment ought not to be greater. Further, the cost of keeping a man over the Sunday should be taken into consideration. With regard to the publication of the names, another question arises. It does not seem to be suggested that a reporter is to attend at the prison on the Sunday morning, but that the magistrate himself is to give the names to the newspaper for publication. Now, a magistrate can only do this in one of two capacities, as a magistrate inflicting a penalty, or as a newspaper reporter. If the magistrate causes the names to be published as part of the punishment inflicted, he exceeds his powers, and we are by no means clear that a person aggrieved would not have a remedy against him. If an action were brought against the magistrate for libel he could of course plead the truth of the statement appearing, but he would also have to plead that the publication was for the public benefit, and it is, to say the least, doubtful whether such a plea could be substantiated. A magistrate would also render himself liable to an action by a person whose name is so published if any injury results, as for an illegal act done under the colour of his office, always supposing that the publication is done as the act of a magistrate. On the other hand, we do not think that Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE, or any other magistrate, would like to combine the two offices of justice of the peace and police court reporter, and we do not think that if proceedings were originated against him he would be able to persuade any person that he was following the latter occupation. We think the Liverpool magistrates would do better to persuade the papers to provide their own reporters, if they should continue to be of opinion that it is desirable to let the world know how many people have been drunk in Liverpool on a Saturday night.

PETITIONS FOR LIQUIDATION.

In our issue of the 30th ult., a case is reported from the Halifax County Court in which the learned Judge, Mr. Serjt. Tindal Atkinson, deals with a moot point of bankruptcy practice. It appears that at a first meeting under a petition for liquidation, three creditors only attended, whose individual debts were under 101. They unanimously passed a resolution to liquidate by arrangement, and for that purpose appointed a trustee, but that resolution, on being presented to the court, was refused registration on the ground that, being a special resolution, it required the votes of a majority in number of the creditors whose respective debts exceeded 10%., as well as three-fourths in value. That objection the learned Judge on appeal sustained. He observes in his judgment that the court can only take cognizance of resolutions signed by a "statutory majority of the creditors assembled at the meeting, and that in this case no such statutory majority existed."

Now it appears to us that the learned Judge has forgotten to consider what constitutes a meeting. By Rule 93 it is

provided "that a meeting of creditors shall not be competent to act for any purpose under the Act (except the election of a chairman, the proving of debts, and the adjournment of the meeting), unless there are present or represented thereat-a quorum of at least three, or all the creditors if their number does not exceed three;" but it is entirely silent as to the amount of debts which must be represented. Three creditors with debts amounting to 31. only may, for aught which appears, have the same power as a similar number whose debts amount to 30,000. Three creditors, therefore, constituting a legal meeting, what is to preclude them from exercising all the rights conferred by the Act?

In the case under discussion, the three creditors who attended were unanimous, and as was very well put by Mr. Serjt. Wheeler in the case of Re Franckel (LAW Tries, Vol. xlix. p. 114), to which the learned Judge alludes, "where the creditors are all of one mind, then the question of majority does not arise, and the resolutions are perfectly valid, though passed by a number of creditors the debt of each of whom does not exceed 101." The object, as it appears to us, of precluding creditors under 101. from counting in number is to ascertain the real feeling of those creditors who have the greatest interest in the affairs of the debtor, and to prevent a large number of creditors under 107. defeating the object of the meeting and neutralising the wishes of three-fourths in value of the creditors. In fact, this provision was intended to be the test only of the feeling of the creditors, and nothing more. But where there is no question as to the wishes of those assembled, and they are unanimous in their views, there is no such test required. In these conclusions we are happy to agree with those expressed by Mr. Serjt. Wheeler in the case cited, and we think, as a matter of taste, where one of the sixty-three County Court Judges cites the decision of his colleague, it should be with a view to uphold its authority, rather than, as in the present case, upon so shallow a basis to question its correctness.

BILLS OF SALE ACT AND APPARENT OWNERSHIP. Ex-parte HOMAN.

AFTER much discussion and litigation in reference to the effect of the "order and disposition" clauses of the Bankruptcy Acts in invalidating registered bills of sale as against the assignee or trustee in bankruptcy, we have been accustomed to consider the law as settled on the two following heads, viz.: First, that a bill of sale did not, by registration under the 17 & 18 Vict. c. 36, become exempt from the doctrine of apparent ownership (Stansfeld v. Cubitt, 2 De G. & J. 222; Badger v. Shaw, 1 L. T. Rep. N. S. 323; 6 Jur. N. S. 377); and secondly, that the limited ownership of the mortgagor of chattels under a mortgage deed which redemised the same to him, or stipulated that he might retain possession until notice, was insufficient to exclude the doctrine: (Spackman v. Miller, 12 C. B., N. S., 659.) Resting in this faith, and fortified in the same by the opinion arrived at by Mr. Davidson after an able review of the authorities (2 Conveyancing, 709-714, 3rd edit.), we could not help feeling in some degree disquieted by the perusal of a case (Ex parte Homan, Re Broadbent, L. Rep. 12 Eq. 590), recently decided by Sir James Bacon sitting as Chief Judge in Bankruptcy, which, if law, is entirely subversive of the second of the above conclusions. In this case a bill of sale was executed in July 1870, in accordance with an agreement made in Oct. 1868, and the grantor filed a petition for liquidation on the same day, but after the execution of the bill of sale, which was registered within twenty-one days. The money owing on the bill of sale appears to have been made payable on demand, and there was a proviso that the mortgagor should have the quiet enjoyment of the chattels until default. It was held by the Chief Judge that the bill of sale was not a fraudulent preference, a conclusion which, having regard to the date of the agreement on which the bill of sale was founded, was probably unimpeachable; and also that, according to the recent case of Ashton v. Blackshaw (L. Rep. 9 Eq. 410; 22 L. T. Rep. N. S. 197), the order and disposition clause of the Bankruptcy Act does not apply." We beg leave here to remark that the case of Ashton v. Blackshaw does not decide the point at all, though it does contain a dictum of Vice-Chancellor Malins obiter, and irrelevant to the case before him, to the effect that there are words in the statute which clearly imply that a bill of sale is not void as against assignees in bankruptcy and insolvency if it is registered, and provided the possession is consistent with the deed. The decision in Spackman v. Miller does not seem to have been brought before the notice of Vice-Chancellor Malins, when he uttered the above dictum, and the implication which in his view is clear, is entirely disposed of by the reasoning of the late Mr. Justice Crompton in his judgment in Badger v. Shaw (ubi sup.). The case of Spack man v. Miller, and the analogous but somewhat weaker one of Freshney v. Carrick (1 H. & Ñ. 653), were both pressed in the argument before Sir James Bacon, but were by him ignored or disregarded. The effect of the law enunciated in Spackman v. Miller unquestionably is to discourage and deter those who might otherwise be disposed to lend on the security of personal chattels, through the risks attendant on the mortgagor's bankruptcy, where he is permitted to retain possession. Thus the rule operates very

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