The Press. — London, England, 1855-02-17 00:00:00

t_t FEBRIIAiIY 17,1855, SPEEDY TRIAL OF OFFENDERS. A BILL, designed to secure a more speedy trial o o:iminal offeners in certain cases has been intro-f duced by Lord Brougham and read a first time in the House of Lords. The measure contains sixteen clauses. It recites that in order in certain cases to insure the more speedy trial of offenders, and to avoid the evils of their long imprisonment previously to trial, it is expedient to allow of such offenders being proceeded against in a more summary manner than is now by law provided. In simple larceny cases, where not attended with aggravation or violence to property or the person, or not com mitted by a servant, and where the offender shall not be charged with having been previously con victed of larceny, the justice in petty sessions, or one magistrate in a metropolitan police court, may pro ceed under this act, or may Beni the offenders to trial if they elect to be tried by an indictment. Prison ers are to lie cautioned as to what they say, and their imprisonment is not to exceed three months with or without hard labour. Proceedings under this act are to be a bar to other proceedings. One justice may remand and take bail. Witnesses may be summoned, and if they refuse to attend a warrant may be issued to compel their attendance. An allowance for costs, expenses, and compensation may be made to the extent of 40s. in each case, to be paid out of the county rate, and a provision is made with respect to boroughs. All convictions under the act are to he returned to the quarter sessions, and the clerk of the peace is to transmit to the Secretary of State a monthly return of the names, offences, and punishments mentioned in the conviction, and such other particulars as may from time to time be re quired. Proceedings against persons acting under the act are to be commenced within three months. The bill is not to affect the Juvenile Offenders Act., or to extend to Scotland or Ireland. The measure now stands for second reading in the Upper House. THE two Cabinet offices of Secretary of State foi War and Secretary at War are now combined, says the Observer, and intrusted to the experienced direc tion of Lord Panmure, who holds both functions, and directs both departments, until the Legislature shall be able to mature a plan for the consolidation of the whole of the military system. In holding those two offices it is scarcely necessary to add that Lord Panmure will receive only the salary of one. To Mr. Frederick Peel, who removes from the Under-Secretaryship of the Colonial to that of the War Department, will be intrusted the financial busi ness of the department, which he will conduct in the office in Whitehall lately occupied by Mr. Sidney Herbert. He will prepare the estimates for Parlia ment., and answer in the House of Commons for the War-office, where the general business will be conducted under the able superintendence of Mr. HaweF. Tae YEAR 1855 has opened with a great mortality among the Romish cardinals. In the month of January not fewer than three died—namely, Cardi nals Simonetti, Pecci, and Romeo, and within the last few days the decease of a fourth, Cardinal Giovanni Serafini, has been announced. During the whole course of the preceding year there were only three deaths, those, namely, of Cardinals Lam bruschini, Foinari, and Mai. Since the accession of Pius IX. to the pontifical throne, thirty-four cardi nals have died—four since the Ist ultimo, three in 1854, four in 1853, three in 1852, five in 1851, three in 1850, three in 1849, one in 1848, six in 1847, and two in 1846. The sacred college at present consists of six cardinal bishops, forty-four cardinal priests, twelve cardinal deacons, and one cardinal in petto, received in the consistory of the 19th December last. When complete the college consists of seventy mem bers, so that there are seven vacancies. Of the cardinals, six are aged from eighty to eighty-nix years, seven from seventy-two to seventy nine, twenty-four from sixty to sixty-nine, twenty from fifty to sixty, five from forty to forty-three. The oldest cardinal is Cardinal Oppizzoni, Archbishop of Bologna, who is eighty-six ; the youngest is Cardinal d'Andrea, Prefet of the Index, who is forty. Cardinal Oppizzoni has worn the hat for fifty-one years. Tna Corm or WINTER, more severe than usual, continues to produce its natural effect in a high rate of mortality, though the number of deaths registered lust week in London is rather less than those re ported in two previous returns. The deaths, which in the third week of January were 1,549, and in the two subsequent weeks rose to 1,630 and 1,604, fell last week to 1,546. The present return is for the sixth week of the year. Taking the deaths of the same week in each of the years 1845.54, it is found that they averaged 1,104, with which, after a correc tion for increase of population, the 1,546 deaths of last week may be compared. The result is that the weather has been fatal in a week to 332 lives more than would have been extinguished in an ordinary sea.son. The average temperature of the ten corre sponding weeks was 41.2 Q, which exceeds the tem perature of last week by 10.3°. E J .S S. Xato anti Volta. AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE, 66 Ilandcock v. Dela cour," otherwise De Burgh, which has occupied much time before the Irish Court of Chancery, has, it is understood, been adjusted by a compromise, the terms being that the petitioner shall get the estates on condition of paying the respondent, on the attain ment by the latter of the age of twenty-one years, a sum of 20,0001. The following is the history of this singular case, so far as it came out during the un completed trial:— The petition was filed by John Stratford Handcock, as heir-at-law of the late Miss Honoria Handcock, and it prayed that certain charges alleged to have been created by the will of Josephine Handcock might be declared not to affect the Canentrilla estates, and that a deed, dated December, 1851, executed by Honoria Ilandcock, might be declared fraudulent and void. In the year 1824, it ap• peered, Mr. William Handcock became the husband of Miss Catherine Josephine Kelly, who, though a lady of great beauty, was a very designing and ambitious woman. His family were opposed to the marriage, but, notwith standing that, shortly after he became of age the union took place, and his estates, amounting to about 4,0001. a year, were by marriage settlement limited to his own use for life, with remainder to provide a jointure of 7001. a year for his wife, and remainder to the sons and daughters of the marriage. Three daughters were born—Josephine, Anne Mary or Kathleen, and Honoria. After the year 1828 there was no issue ; but it appeared that, in 1840, Mr. Handcock became deeply impressed with the belief that an intimacy of an improper character existed between his wife and Lord Clanricarde, and in consequence a sepa ration took place between Mr. and Mrs. Handcock in that year. Lord Clanricarde, however, represented that it was impossible he could have seen Mrs. Handcock throughout 1840, because he spent that winter in Russia. A deed of separation was executed on the 21st of July, 1841. The parties having been a considerable time separated, and while Mr. Handcock was on the Continent, some time in 1841 an infant appeared in the world, but nobody seemed able to tell whose child that was, where he was born, or who was his father. This child, still a minor, was the respondent in the present action. Mr. Handcock returned to England in 1843, and was found very ill, lodging in a place called Michael's-road Brompton. Lord Clanricarde stated in an affidavit that he brought Josephine to her father there, and that afterwards a reconciliation took place between Mr. and Mrs. Hand cock, through his instrumentality, owing to which a friendly feeling was created in the minds of Josephine and her sisters towards him. Mr. Handcock's affections having been aroused, he was ultimately prevailed upon to make a will, by which he appointed the wife whom he had discarded the guardian of his daughters. He was attended in his ill ness by Dr. Paris, the family physician of Lord Clanricarde ; he was also attended by the Rev. Mr. Iron, and the affidavits showed that his was a most frightful deathbed. In July, 1843, he died, and in the following month Mrs. Handcock presented a petition to the Chancery Court, stating that there were only three children of her marriage, and an order was made appointing her guardian of their persons, and the Marquis of Clanricarde the guardian of their for tune. As a first step, the noble lord being the guardian of the fortune of those young ladies, and the mother having a jointure of 7001. a year and a property at Tuam, his lord ship made her an allowance of 1,5001. a year for their sup port. She also got the mansion house of Canentrilla and forty acres of the domain rent free, and the noble lord gave her 6001. to furnish it. Yet, notwithstanding all this, from the very moment Mrs. Handcock became the guardian of her daughters she not only never ceased her lamentations about her poverty, but practically acted as if, instead of having 2,0001. a year, she was in the utmost penury. It ap peared in evidence that she did not find suitable food for her daughters, that she did not find suitable clothes, and she was peculiarly saving in fuel. During the time they resided in this mansion the young ladies endured an abject state of misery. During this time the boy, called John Delacour, but who went also by the name John 1)e Burgh, was living in the house. Instead of being treated as the daughters were, this adopted son was indulged in every possible manner ; they were obliged to perform even menial services for him. Josephine came of age in June, 1846, and Anne Mary in May, 1847 ; up to that period Honoria appeared to be forgotten altogether, her mother keeping her out of society as much as possible. Both the former daughters executed disentailing deeds in 1847. After that Mrs. Handcock took her daughters to Paris, and lived there part of 1847 and 1848. In 1849, Anne Mary died at Saltern, and the estates being all vested in Honoria and Josephine, they executed disentailing deeds to which Lord Clanricarde was grantee. It would appear that Josephine's end was near approaching in February, 1851, and that she made a will by which she bequeathed to her mother 10,000/. to he paid on the marriage of her sister, arid, in the event of her sister dying without issue before her mother, her landed estates to be sold, and the proceeds given to her mother absolutely. Ou the 26th of June, 1851, Josephine died, and it was stated that the mother exhibited neither emotion nor regret, and looked upon it as the accomplishment of her most desired end. Honoria was now the only daughter left, and upon her it was de posed that the mother exercised extreme cruelty and also procured from her a bond for 4,0004. In February, 1853, however, Mrs. Handcock herself fell ill and died, leaving a will under which her whole property was bequeathed to the boy, with the single exception of a 501. legacy to her daughter Honoria. Her executors found that this lady, who had during her life complained so much of her po verty, died worth nearly 20,0001. of accumulated savings. Honoria died on the 12th of December, 1853, intestate. Her solicitor wrote to the heir-at-law to come and take pow 157 siltation of his property. fte, however, subsequently dis covered that under the deeds executed by the three young ladies, of whose existence he was informed by the solicitor of Lord Clanricarde, his title upon the estates was disputed, and thewhole property of the Handcoek family claimed by the boy Delacour. Evidence to bear out the statements given above was produced at great length, and subjected to severe ex amination by counsel who represantad the trustees under the deeds. On Friday week it was expected that the case would have concluded and judgment been given, but at the sitting of the court an an nouncement was made that the result had been settled between the parties themselves by way of com promise. The terms were that the petitioner, Hand cock, the heir-at-law, is to get the estates, on the condition that he shall pay to the respo ndent Del acour the sum of 20,0001. on his attaining his age, and iu the meantime paying 4 per cent. on the amount. The respondent is now nearly fourteen years of age, and in the event of his dying before he reaches twenty - one, the petitioner wiU not have to pay the 20,0001., but will have the estates free of aoy charge created in this matter save the payment of the interest. A BANKRIVT, named T. Webber Richards, formerly a draper in Goswell street, and whose debts ex ceeded 6,0001., was examined on Tuesday. The story of his career is rather singular : He had carried on a large business as a draper, and was made bankrupt in July, 1852. Having absconded, the electric tele graph was put in operation, and the bankrupt was arrested at New Brighton, havieg engaged his passage to go abroad. A sum of money was fueud iu his possession, which was handed over to the assignees. On being brought up in custody, his surrender was taken, and protection given to enable him to prepare his accounts. After two adjournments and no accounts being pro. duced, the Court made a special order, calling upon the bank rupt to be examined. After a short time a letter was received stating that he had gone abroad, but the place was not named. About a year after this Mr. Beale, a partner of one of his credi tors, found Mr. Richards in au extensive business at Melbourne, returning about 10001. a week. The bankrupt thereupon ex pressed contrition, and proposed to give Mr. Beale SOUL for his London creditors, and to add a further sum of 2001. The offer was accepted, and the money was paid over to the assignees. The bankrupt's business transactions at Melbourne 664 bees as Bale satisfactory to his creditors in Austrians as to those to England, and, becoming bankrupt there for a very large amount, it would appear that he returned to England, and now sought to obtain the protection of this ann. The creditors felt that, under such circumstances, the bankrupt was not entitled to any favour. Mr. Sturgeon urged that the statements set forth in the bank rupt's affidavit might warrant the court lu now accepting his surrender. His HONOUR: A man has no right thus to pay London credf. tors at the expense of his colonist creditors. lie deliberately absconded from his coeditors before his bankruptcy, and he afterwards kept bad faith with this cuss t. Xiser:y feature or the case is against him. It was sold he arrived at Melbourne with only a H. note in his pocket; but it is difficult to believe that a wan with only H. could have almost immediately obtained possession of leases of large quantities of land at • place like Melbourne. At that time land was realising an enormous peke at Melbourne. Mr. Sturgeon risked that the bankrupt might have protection fur a limited time. His HONOUR: No. In the first place, I have no power; and, secondly, 1 have not the inclination. The bankrupt made an attempt to abscond in the first instance, and d:d so in the se cond. The law would become a perfect nullity if favour were granted in such a else. Mr. STUNOICON : Would your Honour unction an allowance to the bankrupt out of the small sure found upon the bankrupt's person in 1652? Mr. 13acii.ey : The small sum was 190 sovereigns. His Honour ultimately refused the bankrupt's ap plication altogether. SNOWBALL. CASES continue to give much trouble to the police magistrates. At Bow-street, on Monday, Inspector Durkin, of the A division, brought home the offence to more than a dozen of the boys, and urged upon his worship the absolute necessity of in flicting heavy punishment upon the defendants, by way of example, and in the hope of suppressing a nuisance which had become perfectly intolerable. Persons of all classes, and of both sexes, he stated, were complaining every day to the police of the annoyance and injury which they had experienced. On Sunday afternoon some hundreds of boys col lected together in the inclosure of St. James's park, and commenced pelting ladies, gentlemen, and children until a riot ensued. he few keepers on duty in the park attempted to capture some of the worst of the offenders, but they were speedily over powered and pelted in return. Mr. Jardine said, in all cases where assaults upon the police were proved, he would commit to prison without the option of paying a fine, and, to the astonishment and dismay of the boys, five of them were committed for eight days. 'l'he others were fined 11. each, or imprison ment in default. MIEBBAS. LOUGH AND LJMBEEIt, who succeeded to Hoby, the celebrated bootmaker, and traded under that name, have been made bankrupts, and came up for examination Saturday last. They had com menced J • 1852, and debts to Their were attributed bargain made 2,060/. for annuity of of 12s. or without difficulty. Ox SuxDAy iionsual on the doors St. Yeas lust week in London is rather less than those re- mess, in (ICIII ult.. he;;;;trier,ltTlancce - ti ;jai - es - WI; sold, and the proceeds ported in two previous returns. The deaths, which given to her mother absolutely. Ou the 26th of June, saEsaßs. LOUGH ASP LIMBEER, who succeeded to in the third week of January were 1,549, and in the 1851, Josephine died, and it was stated that the mother Hoby, the celebrated bootrnaker, and traded under two subsequent weeks rose to 1,630 and 1,604, fell exhibited neither emotion nor regret, and looked upon it that name, have been made bankrupts, and came up last week to 1,540. The present return is for the as the accomplishment of her most desired end. Honoria for examination on Saturday last. They had corn- sixth week of the year. Taking the deaths of the was now the only daughter left, and upon her it was de- menced business in January, 1852, and now owed same week in each of the years 1845.54, it is found posed that the mother exercised extreme cruelty and also debts to the amount of 0,5001. Their difficulties that they averaged 1,104, with which, after a corree- procured from her a bond for 4,0001. In February, 1K5:1, were attributed in great measure to the improvident I however, Mrs. Handeock herself fell ill and died, leaving a tion for increase of population, the 1,546 deaths of bargain made with Mr. Hoby, to whom they paid will under w hi c h h er wholeproperty was b equeat h e d to the 2, . last week may be compared. The result is that the OOO/ for the goodwill of his business, besides an boy, with the single exception of a 501. legac v to her weather has been fatal in a week to 332 lives more daughter Honoria. Her eieenters found thai tills lady, than would have been extinguished in an ordinary who had daring her life complained so much of her po- of 12s. or 15s. in the pound. The bankrupts passed annuity of 2501. per annum. There will be a dividend season. The average temperature of the ten corre- verty, died worth nearly 20,0001. of accumulated savings. without difficulty. ON SUNDAY UoaNttio there was publicly posted sponding weeks was 41-2 Q, which exceeds the tern- Honoria died on the 12th of December, 1853, intestate. htabrid the perature of last week by 10 . 3°. Her solicitor wrote to the heir-at-law to come and take pos. lon the doors of St. h ' aul ' s Church, linig ge, . t