The Week.

old Mr . Swinfen was in a fit state of mind . The jury who tried the case found a verdict for the defendant , Mrs . Swinfen . His honour said that upon a careful consideration of the whole of the circumstances of the case he had come to the conclusion that the -jury were right in finding that Mr . Swinfen was in a lit state of mind , and in returning a verdict for the defendant , and therefore he refused the application of the plaintiff for a new trial . In the Court of Queen's Benchon Saturdaythe Great Northern Railway accidentwhich has

, , , excited so much interest lately , again turned up . Mr . Edwin James moved for a writ of attachment against Mr . Lowe , one of the jurymen , on the ground that when the jury was sent back by the court , he said " I shan't alter my mind or find any other verdict ; " and also on the ground that he was a director of the Crystal Palace Company , which had connections with the Great Northern Railway Company , and was seen sitting in Court on the day of the trial with Mr . "Farquharson , defendant's attorney , and the chairman of the Crystal Palace

Company . Lord Campbell refused the application , and expressed his surprise that it should have been made . In the Court of Probate , on Saturday , an action was brought by a lady claiming to be the widow of Mr . Jeffrey , for the recovery of his property . Evidence was brought forward with a view to show that what is known as a "Scotch marriage" took place between the two parties . The defence set up is that there was no marriage at all ; and altogether the case is one of a peculiarly complicated character . At Galwayon Tuesdaygreat excitement was caused amongst the

pas-, , sengers of the Circassian , previous to her departure for America , by the arrest of a young man , about twenty-five years of age , on suspicion , it is said , | of being concerned in the murder of Mr . Ely . It turned out that the man arrested was not Delany ; but one Kelly , a notorious cow-stealer . In consequence of directions from Dublin Castle , any of the fifteen prisoners now in custody , on charges of sedition , who can produce sufficient bail , will be permitted to stand out on recognizances to take their trial at the assizes . The amount will probably

be same as in the case of Hughes , themselves in 100 / . each , and two sureties in 50 ' . each . At a Privy Council at AVindsor , last week , it was ordered that Parliament should assemble on Thursday , February 3 rd , for the despatch of business , and a proclamation to that effect was accordingly published in the London Gazette . It is understood that the address in answer to the speech from the throne will be moved in the House of Commons , by the Hon . Charles Trefusis , M . P . for North Devon , and seconded by Mr . Beecroft , M . P . forLeeds . The three judges of Fate for the Crystal Palace are reported to be hard at work

upon their Burns' " Odes , " doubtless repentant by this time ofthe awful task . Many suggestions appear in the public prints as to the mode and conduct of the ceremony ; how the name of the fortunate hard is to be announced ; how the chosen poem is to he recited to tho populace ; whether the bard himself is to he the mouthpiece , or whether the golden lines are to roll forth upon the majestic accents of . Mr . Phelps ; all these points are powerfully exciting the attention of the hopeful aspirants and of the directors of the Crystal Palace

. AVith regard to the Lesseps scheme , a letter from Paris says , "Now is the time to buy Isthmus of Suez shares , for those who like the security . The 50 gfr . shares are freely offered at 15 fr . ( 35 fr . discount ) but there are few buyers . Great sympathy is exhibited this winter for the destitute poor . Her Majesty has placed 100 / . in the Bishop of London ' s hands as a donation to the funds of the Metropolitan Reliei Association , of which his lordship is president . The cable has been laid to Constantinople and the Dardanelles . The operations for

its prolongation to Candia and Egypt will be recommenced next spring . Another submarine telegraph will be laid between Constantinople and Scutari , which will be the head of the line to Bagdad . The Greek chambers have voted G 00 , 000 drachmas to connect Syrawith the above telegraph communication . Mr . G . A . Sala , the popular author and journalist , is suffering from some severe injuries which he received from the hands of some ruffians , in a scuffle a few nights since . The ceremony of opening the AA ellington College by the Queen will not take place _ before Saturday , the 29 th inst . News of more Burns' dinners reaches us daily . In Scotland , it would seem as if every town and village