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he recognises his father, was finely given this scene between the father and son being made impressive by the admirable acting of Mr. Dodgson as the old man. General Tarragon was the best supported of the other characters: Mr. Hall played the part capitally, and looked as red and as hot as a capsicum. Mr. Hammerton also made the ridiculous character of Ferment amusing. The little farce of A Day Well Spent followed; and the evening's performances were concluded by the Extravaganza Bombastes Furioso, in which George Cruikshank, as Bombastes, gave great amusement.

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FLOODS IN WALES.-In consequence of the heavy rain the aspect of the country adjacent to the rivers Wye and Lugg during this week was such as has not been witnessed for 14 years; indeed the extraordinary flood is only comparable to one that occurred half a century ago, in the year 1795, when the bridges at the Hay were carried down the torrent. The destruction of property was immense. Over the wide extent of the Lugg meadows was spread a vast sheet of water, presenting the appearance of a great sea, and the river itself being, as it were, lost in the expanse of ocean. Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect; whilst not a head of the stock usually depasturing in such numbers in that well irrigated locality was anywhere to be seen. On the banks of the Wye the destruction of property was very serious. At Horn Church 24 sheep were swept away, at Lower Bullingham 34; at Pen 40 fine ewes, at Glasbury 20 sheep, at Pistil 15, at Builth 35, at the Maine 17, at Lanemynech nearly 100. Near Bewdley 2,500

oak, elm, and fruit trees were destroyed by the high winds.

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FATAL FIRE. A fire, which was attended with disastrous consequences to both life and property, took place early this morning upon the premises occupied by Mrs. Pryor, a laundress, situate at 23, Cambridge Place, Junction Road. A police constable, on going his rounds, observed an unusual light in the first floor of the building, which induced him to raise the alarm of fire; but unfortunately it was some time before the inmates could be roused from their slumbers, and not until the flames were bursting through the front windows, as well as up the stair

ease,

with the greatest impetuosity. The engines having speedily arrived, the fire was got under. For some time it was imagined that all the parties had made a safe retreat from the premises; but a discovery of a most melancholy character was made upon the ground of the back parlour. On examination it was found that two human beings, man and wife, named Wane or Ward, who rented a room, had perished in the flames, their remains being so mutilated that no likeness was discernible.

ADDRESSES TO HER MA

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ber, where they were entertained with a sumptuous collation.

The presentation took place in the Throne Room. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were conducted in state by the Lord Steward and the Vice-Chamberlain. The Queen took her seat on the throne; Prince Albert stood on her right hand, with the Lord Steward, Sir Robert Peel, Sir James Graham, and the Earl of Dalhousie; on the left stood the Vice-Chamberlain and the Duke of Wellington; other Cabinet Ministers and officers of the household were ranged on either side. The Lord Mayor of London and the deputation were introduced by the Gentlemen Ushers; and the Recorder read this Address

"Most Gracious Sovereign,We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, humbly approach your Royal person respectfully to represent to your Majesty,

"That great, powerful, and wealthy as this nation is, by far the largest portion of your Majesty's subjects in Ireland, and a great portion of your Majesty's subjects in England, Scotland, and Wales, have long been reduced, for their principal food, to pota

toes.

"That all classes, but especially the poor, have been and are great sufferers from this result of the national economy.

"That the blight which has fallen upon the potato has subjected your Majesty's people to great anxiety and distress, and to the danger of famine.

That their sufferings are attributable to erroneous legislation, which, by excluding the importa

tion of food, and restricting commerce, shuts out from the nation the bounty of Providence. We therefore humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to use the means in your Majesty's power to open the ports of this kingdom for the free importation of food."

Having received the Address, Her Majesty returned the following gracious Answer :

The motives which have induced you to present this Address are duly appreciated by me. The wants and sufferings of my people at all times command my warmest sympathy; and I deeply regret the failure in the present year of a full supply of an article of food on which so many of my subjects are accustomed to subsist.

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I have directed Parliament to assemble on an early day; and I shall gladly sanction any measure which the wisdom of the legislature may suggest as conducive to the alleviation of this temporary distress, and to the permanent welfare of all classes of my people."

The Lord Mayor and the senior Alderman, with the mover and seconder of the address, were permitted to kiss the Queen's hand; and the deputation retired.

The reception of the Dublin deputation, which reached the Castle a quarter of an hour later, was precisely similar. The deputation comprised the Lord Mayor, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, the Marshal of Dublin, Mr. C. P. Shannon, TownCouncillor, and six officers of the Corporation. The Lord Mayor then read a very long and eloquent address respecting the state of destitution to be expected in Ireland, and the necessity for assistance from national resources. Her Majesty having received the

address, returned a most gracious

answer.

The Lord Mayor and TownCouncillor Shannon then had the honour to kiss hands, and the deputation retired.

5. EXECUTION. This morning Martha Browning, convicted of the murder of Mrs. Mundell, (see Chronicle, 1845, p. 179,) was executed at Newgate; and Quennell, the murderer of Fitzgerald, (see Chronicle for 1845, p. 175,) paid a similar penalty at Horsemonger Lane Gaol. In consequence of the late prison regulation of the Secretary of State excluding the reporters of the daily press from witnessing the last hours of malefactors, the public were spared the details of the feelings of these wretched criminals: it is sufficient to know that they were awakened to a sense of their crimes and died penitent.

MILITARY REWARDS.-A set of regulations has been issued by the Secretary-at-War, intended to elevate the tone of feeling among an important class in the Army, that of non-commissioned officers and privates who may merit distinction for good conduct. The warrant consists of forty-four articles.

By the first it is provided, that whenever Her Majesty shall sanction the grant of a commission without purchase to a non-commissioned officer, selected and recommended for this distinction by the Commander-in-Chief, there shall be granted to such officer, in aid cf an outfit as a commissioned officer, a sum of 150l. if appointed to a cavalry regiment, and of 1007. if appointed to an infantry regi

ment.

Subsequent articles provide that a sum not exceeding 2,000l. per annum be distributed in annuities, of not above 201. each, (which is to be accompanied by a silver medal,) to sergeants who may be distinguished for meritorious conduct, on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief; and that, with the view of rewarding meritorious soldiers when discharged, and encouraging good conduct in others, a gratuity in addition to ordinary pension may be granted upon discharge to men who shall have completed 21 years of actual service in the infantry, or 24 in the cavalry. Gratuity to sergeants who shall have served ten years as such, 151.; corporal, seven years as such, 10.; privates, 5l.; and the soldiers so selected may also receive a medal. The commanding officer of every regiment to recommend such individuals while serving as he shall consider best entitled to the gratuity: provided the amount recommended in any one year does not exceed 301. for regiments of establishment of 700 rank and file and upwards, and 201. for regiments of lower establishment than 700 rank and file.

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Cavalry. Infantry.

Under 5 years' actual service

After 5 years' actual service, with one distinguishing mark............................ After 7 years' actual service, with one distinguishing mark.. After 10 years' actual service, with two dis- | tinguishing marks; or After 12 years' actual service, with one distinguishing mark....... After 12 years' actual service, with two distinguishing marks; or After 14 years' service, with one distinguishing mark.......... After 14 years' service, with two distinguishing marks; or..... After 16 years' service, with one distinguishing mark..... After 15 years' actual service, with three distinguishing marks; or After 16 years' actual service, with two distinguishing marks, having possessed the second at least twelve months............

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Free, with the right of registry for deferred pension of 4d. a day.

Free, with the right of registry for deferred pension of 6d. a day.

The remaining articles are occupied in detailing the regulations under which these gratuities, good conduct pay, &c., shall be forfeited or restored; or the period of service necessary to confer a title to them in certain degrees abridged: and the warrant concludes by declaring, that "soldiers who were present at the battle of Waterloo shall be allowed to reckon two years in addition to actual service; and those enlisted before December, 1829, shall be allowed to reckon three years for two of actual service, after the age of eighteen, in East and West Indies (in other than West India regiments)."

6. ROBBERY AT AN HOTEL.Central Criminal Court.--Charles Bowen, aged 22, waiter, and George Lake, aged 22, waiter, were indicted for stealing a Bank of England note of the value of 501., and various other notes, altogether of the value of 150l., the moneys of the Rev. William Price Lewis; and John Duncock, aged 22, waiter, and George Bates, aged 26, jeweller, were indicted for feloniously receiving the money, well knowing that it had been stolen.

The prisoners Lake and Bowen were engaged as waiters at the Trafalgar Hotel, Charing Cross, the former having been employed for nine months, and the latter for as many weeks, at the period the robbery was committed, which was on the 28th of November last year. At that time the prosecutor, who is a clergyman residing in Wales, was staying in the hotel, and on the day in question he went to the banking-house of Messrs. Glyn, Hallifax and Co., and received change for a check for 1501., obtaining in payment one note for 50l., and the remainder in notes for 10l. and 51. each. The prosecutor upon his return to the hotel rolled up the notes and placed them in his portmanteau; and he then went out, and on his return at night he discovered that his portmanteau had been opened, and that the whole of the money had been abstracted. The next morning the prosecutor gave information of his loss, but for some time no clue was obtained as to the perpetrators of the robbery. It was soon discovered that Duncock had been negotiating the stolen notes, and as he was known to be well acquainted with Bowen, the latter was arrested. Upon this taking place, the prisoner Lake became in so excited a state that

he was charged by the head waiter with participation in the robbery, which he at once confessed. The story of Lake was, that he had been drawn into it by "Charley," meaning the prisoner Bowen, and that it was he who had first formed the plan to rob Mr. Lewis, and that he had obtained a key for the purpose of opening his portmanteau, and that shortly before he held up a key and said, "I have tried this little gentleman, and it fits Mr. Lewis's portmanteau." He went on to say that on the day of the robbery (the 28th of November) Bowen said that when the head waiter went down to tea they would go and get the notes. Accordingly, when this took place, they both went up together to Mr. Lewis's room, and the prisoner Bowen gave him the key and told him to go in and get the money, and he said he would wait outside, and if he heard any noise he was to get out of the window and walk along the balcony, and so get away. He said that he then went into the room, opened the box, and took out the roll of notes, and he then gave them to Bowen, who shortly afterwards joined him in one of the parlours and told him that he had got 701., and that there would be 351. a piece for them. He then said, that upon hearing this he became very much alarmed, and wanted to take the money to the head waiter, and tell him that he had found it on the mat close to Mr. Lewis's door, but that Bowen told him he should not do that, and that he must not let the head waiter know everything. Bowen then asked him to lend him some money to pay for a cab to go to London Bridge, to see some one who, he said, would give him "hard cash" for the notes; and he accordingly gave

him 4s., and it was arranged that Bowen should go out at 8 o'clock, and that he should then proceed to the city for the purpose of getting the cash. The next morning Bowen told him that he had taken the notes to "Bob Snow" at the Adelaide Hotel, London-bridge, and that he was to go there to get his share. Accordingly, he went on the Sunday following to the hotel, where he saw a man who said that Snow had gone away with all the money. In addition to this statement of Lake's, it was proved that when Bowen was apprehended by Inspector Storey, he asked if Lake was in custody, and, on his being told that he was, he said that Lake had committed the robbery, and that he told him there was only 701., and if more money had been taken he must have kept the rest himself. With regard to the prisoners who were charged with receiving, the case equally clearly brought home to them by the fact of their being proved to have passed the whole of the 51. and 107. notes immediately after the robbery, giving fictitious names and addresses.

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The jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners.

The Recorder, in passing sentence, said, that the prisoners had been convicted of a most serious and aggravated offence. A robbery to a very large amount had been committed in a public hotel, for which the proprietor was not only civilly responsible, but which was calculated also to do him serious injury, by the alarm and terror which the circumstance of such a robbery being committed would very naturally create in the minds of the public, and particularly of those who were in the habit of fre

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