THE CHRISTMAS SESSIONS. -- The proceedings at the late quarter sessions -- of which a full report will be found in our last page -- were remarkable for the lightness of the calendar as compared with former winter sessions, and for the rapidity with which the criminal business was got through. There were in all fifteen prisoners arraigned, about half the usual number, of whom not less than eight pleaded Guilty, five were convicted, and one acquitted; of these only three (JOHNSTON and the brothers MANION) were defended, and in two other cases the Grand Jury returned "no bill." The criminal business was finished on the first day, -- a circumstance not remembered by any of the magistrates or officers of the Court, although several had attended regularly for upwards of twenty years; and although the sitting of the Court was protracted until nine o'clock, yet this did not arise from the pressure of business, but from a delay in preparing the bills for the Grand Jury, which was much complained of by the Bench. In consequence of this delay the Grand Jury retired to dinner, and when the bills were ready they had to be sent for, and altogether not less than two hours of the time of the Court was wasted. The calendar, as usual, exhibited a melancholy proof of the fact that ignorance and crime go hand in hand. Seven of the prisoners had the letter "N" affixed to their names in the Calendar, signifying that they could neither read nor write; and of the remainder, seven could do so but 'imperfectly.' Indeed, out of the whole number, not more than three were able to do so 'well,' and this fact must necessarily give great force to the admirable recommendation of the worthy chairman as to the importance of education, and especially religious education, in checking the progress of crime, and ameliorating the morals of the lower classes, amongst whom the very large majority of criminals are found. The clergy, the magistrates, and every man at all able to contribute to promote the education of the poor of their respective districts, have indeed a serious responsibility, as was well urged by Mr. HASELL, and we trust they will meet it by renewed exertions.
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Carlisle Patriot 
