The Press. — London, England, 1854-04-01 00:00:00

THE PRESS. APRIL 1, 1854. THE FORGERY OF • RAILWAY PASSENGER-TICKET wad committed by a man named Patteson, who was tried for the offence at Liverpool on Satu rday last : The prisoner was a second-class passenger in a train between Liverpool and Manchester, On its arrival at Ordsall-lane sta tion the clerk went round to collect the tickets, and on receiving one from the prisoner perceived that it had been altered. The prisoner was taken into custody, and upon being searched types were found upon him which would form the word Manchester, and some printer's ink. On inquiry it was found that the ticket had been one issued from llvorpool to &Withal, the fare for which was Is. By the alteration the prisoner had defrauded the company of the fare from Rainhall to Manchester, which was Is. His lordship asked the counsel for the prosecution whether it could be said that the ticket produced was a receipt fur money f Mr. OVENS was not prepared to argue the point, which was of the greatest importance, because, if it were held to be a receipt for the payment of money, every ticket issued by the railway companies for which a greater aunt than 21. was paid would re quire a penny stamp. His lordship was of opinion that it was not a receipt for the forging of which the prisoner could be convicted under the sta tute, and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The prisoner was then indicted at common law for forging a certain printed paper purporting to be a passenger ticket of the London and North-Western Railway Company. Being found guilty under this form of charge, he was sentenced to six months' im prisonment. AN EMPLOYE OF THE NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, engaged as a cashier at their Lime-street Station in Liverpool, named William Caitcheon, was tried on Thursday at the Liverpool Assizes for em bezzling the money of his employers. Two separate charges were preferred in the indictment., referring to sums of 590/. 10s. and 2511. 18s. id. respec tively It was the prisoner's duty to receive money at the station and pay L ilinto the bank, and remit an account to the central station London once a week. The secretary of the railway thought it arioessary to send the inspector of accounts to examine into the prisoner's accounts, which proved deficient. Subsequently he admitted that the account was false, that he had given HOC to a person of the name of Goalen, and had used 3461. 10s. which he had lent to a Mend, end expected it to be repaid in a short time. In the course of the case several letters were put in evidence, written by Thomas Goalen, the auditor of the railway company, which showed that various sums of money were paid to and on account of Goalen, and in some respects by his authority. Ccuusel for the prisoner contended that he had acted under the authority of his superior officer, Goalen, and therefore was not guilty of felony, though of great in d i scretion. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty. On this charge the prisoner was again arraigned, together with the above-mentioned Goalen. The latter pleaded guilty, and this further charge was not proceeded with against Caitcheon, who was already convicted : Mr. DELBSLEY, who appeared for the company, referred to the case of Caitcheon, as being rather the dupe of Goalen, and as having been led into offence. The defalcations amounted to about 10,0001., caused by speculations into which Goalen had en. tered. Caitcheon bad a salary of 1201. and Goalen of 0001. per annum. They each of them had a wife and children. His lordship, in passing sentence, commented on the evils of speculation, and said that it appeared that no one could become rich quickly and remain innocent. The position of each of the prisoners had hitherto been respectable, and Goalen had been entrusted with a most responsible office. But the case required a severe punishment. The sentence on Geolen was that he be transported for fourteen years, and on Caitcheon four years' to a nobleman, and highly connected. The affair is most mysterious, as Mr. Moore knew nothing of the ruffian. A MELANCHOLY COLLISION took place in the channel yesterday week, the American ship Ann Kemble having been in contact with the barque Bonettn, belonging to Liverpool. The Bonetta was bound from Pernam buco with sugar for Hamburg. At the time of the disaster the weather was hazy, and the helmsman mistook the American's light for the Portland light. The barque was struck on the bend of the port bow, and, being heavily laden, went down almost imme diately head foremost , . The master, Mr. W. Taw, mate, and second mate, were the only persons saved. Eleven were drowned, including Mrs. Taw, the master's wife. THE " FRIENDS " IN ST. PETERSBURG. Mr. H. Pease, one of the late deputation from the Society of Friends to the Czar, gave a lecture in Dar lington last week, in which he recapitulated his ad ventures and described the impressions which he had brought away of the Emperor of all the Russias, and of so much of his empire as he had enjoyed the op portunity of seeing. Some of the details thus given are sufficiently curious; and still more so the conclu sions and opinions deduced from them by the worthy and pacific lecturer : The deputation proceeded from London to Berlin, where they remained over one Sabbath. Passing through several towns famous in history, they at length crossed the Russian boundary and arrived in Russia. No sooner had they entered that country than the officials overhauled all their Pere and books, and examined their passports. At the first custom-house their passports were again demanded, and their chests and papers all turned over, in order that nothing might be allowed to enter Russia which it would not be de sirable the inhabitants should know about. An old Dar lington Times was wrapped round one of his parcels, which was no sooner caught sight of by one of the officials than it was immediately torn up and trampled underfoot They now had to travel by means of sledges, to which six Russian horses were attached—but these were notmuch larger than ponies; some of these sledges were well appointed, and the coachmen were rather a superior set of men, and he thought the style in which they were dressed was far superior to the style of clothing in this country. They sometimes saw as many as forty or fifty sledges following each other as fast as possible, and stretching into the distance as far as the eye could reach. There seemed to be no end to them, and the drivers of some of them were by no means polite, for, in their opinion, to upset another's sledge was a go od joke. He spoke from experience, for they were served so on one occasion at twelve o'clock at night. They usually travelled two nights out of three during this time. In about fourteen days they readied St. Petersburg, after being out about five nights. The entrance to the city is very handsome. An officer is appointed who examines your passport on going in, and, after satisfying himself that it is all right, sends word to the police to say that such and such persons are staying at a given hotel, as he previously ascertains to what hotel you are going. Before seeing Count Nesselrode they bad to undergo another examination ; and here their motives for coming to Russia were duly inquired into. There were but three motives that were allowed to influence people in visiting Russia, and these, as far as he could recollect, were business, health or pleasure, and science. At this office they were very civilly treated, and they had no reason to complain. For this they were indebted to Prince Mena chikoff, who had written to Count Nesselrode, saying what their mission was, and telling him to expect them. After having gone to the Aliens-office, which they were obliged to do in order to remain in St. Petersburg, they proceeded to fulfil their mission. The Emperor was very kind to them. He was a man of about fifty-six, and was, on the whole, a very fine looking specimen of humanity. He was a tall athletic figure, though not stout. There was a very splendid view front the Enperor's room window. He saw a long way down the river, and the docks and fortifications were under his immediate surveillance. There was no want of everything grand and imposing—gilded flowers in splendid vases and galleries of the finest pictures met their view at every step. Here, in fact, was everything that was attractive and interesting. He could not help remarking a very great improvement in these large houses in Russia over those in England—in every part a uniform and moderate heat was diffused. This winter palace of the Emperor it was impos sible to at all adequately describe without appearing to exag gerate. The reception-room was 800 feet in length, and took 20,000 wax lights to illuminate it. Here the col lections from every department of art were on the most attibmts 10 ihttS• magnificent scale. These seemed to have b een brou g ht from every part of the world. They ascended one flight of steps which comprised no less than seventy-two,every one of A Box or GoLD-DUST, containing 1,000 ounces, which wall of solid marble of the finest description. Here was stolen from the screw-steamer Sydney, while on were a large number of articles in malachite, and those who her homeward passage from Melbourne. It is sup- visited the Great Exhibition of 1861 would alone be able posed to have been abstracte d from the hold at the to form any adequate conc e p tion of the s p lendid effect which large quantities of this fine mineral and gold had Cape, where some cases of gold bad to be landed. when brought together. The mines of Siberia, of which The missing box was consigned to the London the Emperor was particularly proud, were exceedingly rich an d Westminster Bank, and wa s valued at nearly in this ex p ensive stone. Be was not a very good judge of 5,0001. fine painting, but here was gallery after ga ll ery filled with A Fritz, attended with a considerable destruction paintings by the best masters. The effect of the whole was of property, broke out on Wednesday in the premises admiration and amazement. There was in one of the halls of Mr. W. Read, eating-house proprietor, High etreet, a very large vessel which had lately been brought from Fin- Shadwell. The premises were burnt down, and the land, and which was supported on a huge pedestal, all cut out . of a solid piece of granite. The kindness they met adjoining houses on both sides seriously damaged with at the court was far above that usually extended to before the fire could be mastered. visitors, and they were taken to see th e room of Peter the THE REV. MR. Moon n, of Easton Lodge, Stain- Great. Here was everything that would suggest itself as ford, was shot at on the evening of Thursday week. being of use to a great king as Peter was. Here were many The assassin was traced by an Irish bloodhound be- ingenious tools and other things of his own invention, arid longing to the rev. gentleman. He is a fanner at m any beautifully-carved ornaments in ivory and wood. On Ketton, Stamford. Mr. Moore is domestic chaplain one of the tables in a plain case was an oldsteel pen, which penal servitude. THE SITTINGS OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY are to be transferred to Lincoln's-inn. On Wednesday the Lord Chancellor announced that he intended to sit at Westminster on the first day of term as usual; but, in compliance with what his lordship understood as the wishes of the great majority of the bar, he proposed during the remainder of the term to direct the sittings of the court to be in Lincoln's-inn. His lordship confessed that he adopted this course with regret, as producing a separation of the common law and equity bar ; but, as it was the earnest wish of a large majority of equity counsel, he felt himself con strained to abandon his own prepossessions and make the concessions they requrred. The Lord Chancellor afterwards said that the sittings would be continued at Lincoln's•inn for the next two terms ; it was, how ever, an experiment, and he reserved the right of re turning to the ancient practice if he found it expe dient. It is understood that the sitting will Mill be held at Westminster on the first day of every term, when the judges of all the courts have been accus tomed to go in procession to Westminster-hall. 299 presented a remarkable contrast to the things by which it wag surrounded. This pen was the one which the late Doke of Wallington used, and was sent as a present to the Emperor by the present duke. Among the curiosities seen here were some hw lumps of native sulphur and a large piece of gold as it had been found. Three or four of these specimens amounted in value to 110,0001., one block of malachite alone being worth 23,000/. The specimens from those interminable sources of wealth, the Siberian mines, were of the most interesting and wonderful nature. The highest church in St. Petersburg was truly a very tine buildiug, but although it had been building forty years it was not nearly finished. Reports said the architect had a good yearly allowance, and there was no probe .lity of its completion for some time to come. The great distinguishing features of this church, as well as of most others in St. Poterburg, are the long columns of granite which extend to the roof from the floor. The effeet of these was quite grand, giving the immense fabric the appearance of being perfectly safe. Some of the churches had several domes stanching up into the air to an immense height ; the tops of these were gilded, so that on a bright day the scene was the most dazzling they could oouoeive of. The atmosphere there being very clear the effect of these gliateuiag spires was exceedingly good. In one of the churches into which they were shown they saw a screen made of solid silver, which must have been of great value. The service at the °bundles in St. Petersburg commenced at four o'clock in the morning, so that as early as half-past three they heard the hells sum moning the people to worship. The lecturer next proceeded to explain one of the most popular amusements of the people in St. Petersburg during the winter. He had a model to assist the audience to understand the media operawdi of this amusement, which consisted of a tall platform with an ia dined plane on one aide. Persons elitubed to the top by • flight of steps with a small sledge on their back. When at the top they got into their sledge, and, a lady very often clinging behind on the gentleman's shoulders, they wade a most rapid descent on the other side by a slide. To a looker on this sport seemed most dangerous, as one after mother came down with fearful impetuosity. The people in St. Petersburg say they should not be able to do without this exhilarating sport during the dull winter season. The young ladies especially seemed to enjoy the fun of going down on the back of the gentlemen, who in their turn were pleased to take them down. ( Laughter.) He believed the reason why Russia had made no more progress in civili sation was the way in which she trampled down the press. He brought with him a number of an illustrated paper which had passed the ordeal of examination by the Post °dice authorities, without in any way benefiting by the process. Several articles had been cut out wholesale, as containing something not quite presentable. One of the articles so cut away had been originally an illustration of the Emperor, and had no doubt contained something considered derogatory to his dignity. They were all aware that serfdom very extensively prevailed in Russia. Alan/ of these serfs were of the better class, such as waiters in hotels, and these all bad to pay so much yearly to their lords. A waiter in the hotel where he stayed paid his nobleman AL a year, and the income which some of these nobles received in this way amounted to 300.000/. To these noblemen the war was a very great loss. There had already been two conscriptions within the last six months, each of which would reduce the revenue of some of these noblemen to the extent of about 10,000/. Very much to the discredit of the Russians, the barbarous slaughter at Sinope was performed every night in the theatres of St. l'etersburg. Mr. Pease then described their interview with the Emperor. After getting the necessary introduc tion, they were ushered into the palace, where a very brae ideal of a king's servant conducted them through several suites of rooms, and up a great many stairs, at the landing of every one of which was a body of guards stationed, standing as mute as the wall beside them. After waiting about half an hour, a messenger was sent to tell them that the Emperor was ready to receive them. On going into the room where the ('car was, he rose from his seat and came across the room about half way to meet them. Baron Nicho!ay was present during the interview. The Emperor spoke chiefly in English, which be spoke very well, but some parts of the conversation and the reply to the address he addressed to Baron Nicholay in French : the reason why he did so was that the Emperor knew better tbe full import of the words he used in that language than in English. The interview lasted about half an hour. He expressed a wish that they should, before they left, call upon the Empress, which they did. When they arrived in the room where she was, they found that the Emperor had arrived first by a private passage. The Empressseemed to be suffering from 111-health, caused pertly from the shock of the rising of the populace when Nicholas was declared Emperor, and partly from the unjustifiable attacks which had been made on the character of her husband by the British press. He at once saw how painful • subject it was to the Empress and the Grand Duchess Olga, and he could not but regret the course which the press of this country had pursued in this respect —in resorting to abuse and calumny instead of reasoning. Many of the mostrespectable British residents in St. l'eters burg were of the same opinion, and expressed the very great pain this subject had caused them. All that be saw of the Emperor led him to a very different opinion of his character. The people of St. Petersburg almost idolised him, and he frequently went out amongst them unattended. Mr. Pease then related one or two incidents which he bad heard in St. Petersburg illustrative of the kindness with which the Emperor treated his people, and the interest he took in their smallest concerns. In conclusion he vindi cated the propriety of the expedition. He could not see anything unreasonable or deserving of ridicule in the fact of a body of Christians who have been in existence two hundred years, and who have averaged 20,000 in number, who have always cherished the belief that liberty can neither be advanced, nor national disputes settled, by the sae of the sword, and who had always endeavoured to be good citizens, sending two of their number to endeavour to brim about a pacific settlement of the present ■ pill.••••