The Sun. — London, England, 1832-10-05 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS, The military reputatt:;ll and political career of Marshal Soult are too well known to require any further elucidation from us at the present mo- His aptitude for the post of Prime Mi nister we never should have s uspected, unless Louis Philippe had thought it necessary to pro duce a tranquillizing effect on that portion of his subjects (we beg pardon, not his subjects, but fellow-citizens) who show a taste now and then for tumults or conspiracies, or are disposed to overawe his a uthority. A successful soldier who has risen almost from the ranks—a man of the first revolution, who had acquired immense wealth and fame during the Empire, but was neglected at the Restoration—a Marshal of France, in whose talents, activity, and expe rience, the army has the greatest confidence— null always be an important personage in a community like that of the French nation at the present moment, when half the people think that they are threatened with external invasion, and the other half pretend to be frightened at the prospect of internal disorder—when the mouvement party are calling out for protec tion against foreign despots, and quiet citi zens fcr protection against domestic agita tions. Such a man must inspire fear i! he does not create confidence ; and unless he commit great blunders, o- provoke great resent ments, may be reckoned a support to the new throne which he covers with his broad shield from the too eager scrutiny of the multitu&. His great defect, in a representative Government like that of France, is hs want of oratorical talent, and his consequent inability to defend his mea sores with spirit and effect in the legislative Chambers. That defect will, however, be in some degree compensated by the speaking powers of his new colleagues the Duke de Broglie, M. Ullmann, and M. Thiers. With the Duke de DrogPe he may likewise expect the assistance of the Duke's friend M. Guizot, who, though not admitted into the Cabinet, will. no doubt sup port its measures. Another great advantage which France and Europe may expect to derive from the presence of those gentlemen in the Mi nistry, is the pledge of peace which they afford, to counteract the suspected warlike propensities of the Premier. Yet, notwithstanding these fortu nate- circumstances, —notwithstanding the deci sive character of the Marshal,—notwithstanding the oratorical powers, the administrative know ledge, and the moderate peaceful views of his tae: colleagues,----the Cabinet is said by our City correspondent to inspire no confidence, either in its popularity or durwion,—arising, no doubt, as it is properly stated, from a distrust in the hete rogeneous materials of which it is composed. The Stock-Exchange at Paris seemed to have entertained the same opinion, and the funds con sequently rather declined than rose at the news of the ministerial change.— Times. ment. Lore! Durham left Berlin to return to London on the 28th September ; so that the expectation that he might repeat at the Court of Vienna the representations which he has made at the Courts of St. Petersburgh aid Berlin, respecting the views of Government on the present state of European politics, will be disappointed. If we may judge from the satisfaction expressed by the French diplomatists of the amended disposition of the Russian Court since Lord Durham's visit, and which they ascribe wholly to his interven tion, we hope we are not sanguine in anticipa ting that beneficial results have been obtained through this mission for the cause of independ ence and liberty throughout Europe. But the erect which may have been produced by Lord Durham's embassy must be followed up by the appointment of permanent representatives at the great European Courts, in whose principles the English public and the friends of civilization and freedom on the continent can equally repose confidence. Of what avail will the expense which has been incurred in this mission be to the public if Lord Heytesburv, or some fellow labourer in the Castlereagh School, is sent to remove the wholesome impression which may have been enforced by a good Reformer and a devoted adherent to the liberal cause ? Lord Durham's appointment to St. Petersburgh and Lord Minto's at Berlin, were so far satis factory, as evidence of a better disposition en forced upon Lord Palmerston by our former ob servations on this subject, and which were fAuwed up with so much vigour and success by our contemporarie , . But they were not succeed ed by the removal of other functionaries, still left to misrepresent the feelings and opinions of Government, and of the great majority of the British people at other courts ; and we do not think the present an inopportune moment to recal the attention of our readers to the subject. We pray them to watch the new appointments. Sir Stratford Canning retires from Constanti nople. The Russian mission is vacant, and we believe a vacancy has also occurred at Dresden, which there may be little necessity to fill up. The Secretary, or any of the attaches, can do all the business there. As Lord Palmerston has on former occasions benefited by our counsel, we humbly tender. him our advice to transfer the services of Sir Frederick Lamb from Vienna to Constantinople. His opinions are said to be better suited to the meridian of the Porte. He is a decided Anti-reformer ; did his best to talk down the Government, of which his brother was a member, in the fashionable coteries of this metropolis, and we never can believe is a fit and willing instrument of a reforming Administration, or a decided supporter of the independence of the smaller Germa►► LegiS lettuces and the German Press, against the unjust and overbearing tyranny of Prince Metternich. We respect, and are willing to do ample jus tice to the claims of Lord Melbourn as a sin cere and able supporter of popular opinions ; but we must doubt whether his brother, who is known to entertain opposite sentiments, is pro perly employed at this critical conjuncture at the head-quarters of every thing that is odious and detestable in European politics. Send him, therefore, pray, Lord Palmerston, to Constanti nople. Replace him by some successor of known principles and of greater energy. It is said such employes are not easily found. This is sheer nonsense. We ask again, whether the Americans are ever at a loss to find able Minis ters to represent and eysorce their interests ? Lord Palmerston may be assured that what is called our Diplomatic Corps will not survive the next two Sessions of Parliament—we hope not one. Much may depend upon the announce ment of the next appointments. If we are still to have A'Courts, Dundas's, Forster's, Bloom field's, or Seymour's forcei upon us, it will be come quite evident that a "root and branch" reform is the only remedy left. We wait with patience till Lord Palmerston has announced his new Ambassadors; and we have, in the mean time, a catalogue raisonnie of the whole esta blishtnent in operation, for his instruction and that of the reformed House of Commons.— .Morning Chronicle. If the Whigs---or rather, perhaps, we should say, the Whig Ministers—are doomed to suffer defeat at any of the ensuing elections, it will have been mainly owing to their having been more true to themselves than to their principles. It has been the infatuated policy of that party uniformly to discard, when in office, the prin ciples which they have espoused and the pro arises which they have made when in opposition. With this dereliction they have been constantly upbraided ; but these upbraidings they have as constantly disregarded. - Their bringing forward, and carrying, through such a tide of difficulty and opposition, the splendid measure of Parlia mentary Reform, is, it must be admitted, a -triking exception to this general rule, and is of itself sufficient to ensure to them the gratitude an,l respect of that. large portion of the commu nity to whom that measure must prove an un alloyed blessing. Upon this foundation alone the Whigs might have established a long tenure of office ; and so they might still ; but to do so they have much to disavow and retrace. The . people at large gladly accepted the great mea sure of Reform, not only as most valuable in itself, but as a pledge that. the same principle should pervade all the public actions of its authors. Their disappointment, on the one hand, is equal to their gratitude ; and they turn with natural resentment towards those who are thus proving so inconsistent with themselves. The Tories, or " Conservatives," as they now call themselves, taking advantage of this well known failing of their adversaries, are every where persuading the several constituencies that they are the real Reformers, and the others only impostors, while, between the promises. and in consistencies of both these parties, the people in most places are sorely puzzled, as they may well be, which party to confide in. The Whigs have the present advantage in one respect, in having what is called " the nine points of law" in their favour—viz. possession of office ; and their conduct will amount to little short of political insanity, if, after achieving so great a victory, they have not the skill, or rather, we should say, the common sense, to keep it. But that, we can tell them, can only be done by a prompt and steady adhesion to their former promises and avowals, as more than ever called into action by the tiew era which they themselves have created. We have said that whatever is done must be done promptly. It has become too much the custom for the public to learn little authentically of public affairs but whilst Par liament is sitting—for Ministers keep their intentions (when they have any) a sealed book, unless when it is found convenient to send forth feelers to ascertain- the pulse of the public. Now, unless the Whigs are prepared to increase the advantages which their adversaries are evi dently gaining over them in many of the places likely to be contested at the ensuing general election, they must break through this veil of silence and of mystery. . Let them resolve what to do, and let those resolves be such as the people have a right to expect from them. Let those resolves be made known through the organs which will be ready enough to pro claim them. Let the people be told at once what it is they propose to do on the great lead ing points of general policy—the Bank, the Currency, the Corn Laws, the Colonies, the East India Charter ; not forgetting the ,great features of domestic expenditure. •Let-!:i3S- have such pledges upon these topies . . as the public have a right to expect, and the title which is in many places setting in against Ministers will re turn and sweep. away their opponents.—Morn zna• Herald. A Morning Miaisterial Journal has been in dulging its readers with some " balderdash," upon the authority of letters from Paris by a known correspondent," relative to the wonder ful success of Lord Durham's mission. Upon this authority the " most thinking" people of England are given to understand that his Lord ship has actually induced the Calmuc Dictator of Europe to believe that the. English Ministers are not the hypocritical pretenders which he sus pected them to be to liberal opinions, and that :even if they were, whatever might be their duplicity, they must be kept in the path of liberal politics by the new force ,riven to popular control." More than this —we are told that the Court of Berlin, struck with this new view of things—a view of less hypocrisy friar' it st►spected on the Part of the British Government—is said to have expressed regret at the publication of tile late ordinances (of the Frankfort Diet), and a wish for their recall. Thus his Lordship has "killed two birds with one stone"—he has fairly put two of the despotic triumvirate hors du combat. Nay, more—" Our letters," says the Journal in clues-- Goo, " add a declaration of his Lordship, that he has made a Liberal of tile Czar.'" We shall, no doubt, after this hear of the sa vage destroyer of Poland—the confiscator of children—tbe leading conspirator against the liberties of Germany and of all Eu rope—becoming as penitent as that old fox which was suddenly taken with qualms of conscience, touching his manifold depredations, and most earnestly declaimed before the brood -of young Reynards against the sinfulness of robbing hen -roosts, when the approach of a clocking hen put all his moral sentiment to flight —at least until after supper. As to proof of such extraordinary conversion there is nothing like an overt act ;and with that we are furnished, for the same credible authority relates, " What would appear almost incredible, were there not some ground for believing in this conversion, his Imperial Majesty has despatched Pozzo di Borgo both to Berlin and Vienna, to enforce the new views both on Ancellin and Mettemich." Un fortunately, however, for this statement, the Berlin papers, some time ago, " let the cat out of the bag" relative to this mission of Pozzo di Borgo, which is to concert measures for the " more effective putting down of the revolu tionary spirit in Europe," than any that have yet been contrived. Now we venture to say, that Lord Durham's mission has been a failure, and its results will not repay the expense which it cost. The state of Belgium proves it ; the state of Poland proves it ; and the continued enforcement of the decrees of the Frankfort Diet places it beyond all doubt.—Morning Herald. WILD HORSES.-The herds of wild horses present a beautiful spectacle when they are alarmed in their native wilds by the intrusion of an army. Instead of flying, as the deer and other titnid animals, they gallop round in compact masses of many thousands, apparently for the purpose of reconnoitering the strangers; and fre. quently advance boldly to within a few yards of the line of march, where they halt to gazl at the troops, snorting, and shewing every sign of astonishment and displeasure, tspecially at the sight of cavalry. These droves are al ways beaded by some fine looking old bashaws, whose flowing manes and tails plainly shew that they have never been subject to man's controul: the mares and colts follow in the rear.—Campaigns in Venezuela. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BO TV- S TREE T. Yesterday, the young man named Wood, who stands charged with being concerned in a burglary which took place at the house of Mr. George Clarke, a hay-salesman, residing at Paddington, when pro perty to the amount of 5001 was stolen, was again brought forward, in order to be re-examined. It will be recollected, that the prisoner was ap prehended at the New-inn, Old Bailey, where he was in attendance to prove an alibi on behalf of a Fran named Jephson, who was tried at the last Old Bailey cessions, and convicted of another burglary. The officer who apprehended Jephson found in his possession bank-notes to the amount of 801., and one of these for 501. was subsequently sworn to by Mr. Clarke, the prosecutor in the present case, as part of the money of which he had been robbed. Police inspector Adamson immediately suspected that both Jephson and the prisoner Wood were two of the three men who were observed in a passage leading to Mr. Clarke's house on the day of the robbery, and the identity of both was subsequently proved by a milkman, named Edward Mack, who observed the three men m the situation described. This witness, however, on the last e xamination of the prisoner, declared that Jephson was not one of the men whom he had so observed, and thus the case stood until yesterday's examination. The evidence of Mr. Clarke, the prosecutor, hav ing been read over, Mr. MINsHULL asked him if he had succeeded in tracing any more of his property. Mr. Clarke saw two 101. bank-notes at the Bata: of England. They bore his signature, and he re ceived them at the bank of Messrs. Drummond. He would not swear, however, that they formed part of the notes which the thieves had carried off. The witness, Edward Mack, in answer to ques tions put so him by the Magis-rate, said he - had been to Newgate, in company with -Mrs. Clarke, sister-in-la.W of the prosecutor, and that he there , aw Jephson, and indentified him as one of the men whom he saw in company with the.prisoner close to the prosecutor's house on the day it was broken into and robbed. Mr. C atkson said that the witness swore posi tively on the last examination that Jephson was not one of the men whom he had so seen in the priso ner's company. He put it to the Magistrate whether the witness, under such circumstances, was entitled to the slightest credit. The witness was so confused on the last exami nation, that he did not clearly understand the pur port of the questions which were put to him. Mr. Clarkson said that the witness deliberately swore, not only that he could not speak to the identity of Jephson, but that he should not be ena bled to swear to the persons of either of the men whom he had seen in the prisoner's company on the day referred to. He (Mr. Clarkson) had taken a note of what bad occurred on that occasion, and he was sure that the answer of the prisoner must be in the recollection of the Magistrate, and of those per sons who happened to be present. Mr. MINSHULL said that the witness certainly did sate, on the last examination, that Jephson was nor one of the men whom he had seen with the pi soi;er. The witness, however, had a right to amend his evidence. Mr. Clarkson hoped, if the Magistrate should so decide, that the evidence given by the witness on the last examination would be returned to the Court, in order that the Juiy might consider what degree of credit was due to such a witness. Mr. MINSHULL directed the clerk to take down the evidence of the witness as he was now prepared to give it. The Magistrate then cautioned him to speak the truth, and told him to state exactly what occurred when he went to Newgate for the purpose of identifying Jephson.—The witness then stated, that he went to Newgate, accompanied by inspector Adamson, and Mrs. Clarke, the prosecutor's sister in-law. They looked through a window into the yard, where there were 14 , or 15 risoners. Mrs. Clarke pointed out Jephson, who, seeing that he was noticed, pulled his hat over his brow, and told the prisoner to stand before him. Witness then identified Jephson, and knew him to be one of the men whom he had seen in the passage leading to the back part of the prosecutor's house, in company with the prisoner, on the day the robbery took place. Mr. MINSHULL—Are you now quite sure that Jephson was one of them? Witness-1 am. I un derstood the question asked me on the last examina tion was, whether I had seen Jephson prior to my having seen him on the day of the robbery. Mr. Clarkson—Did you not hear inspector Adam son say, whon he you last gave evidence here, deny ing that Jephson was one of the men, " He swore directly the reverse the last examination ?"—The witness answered that he did not remember hearing the inspector say so. Mr. Clarkson—Will you swear he did not use those very words in your bearing ? Recollect what you are about, as there is such a thing as an indict ment for perjury. The witness would not swear that he did not hear the observation. Mr. Clarkson was proceeding to cross-examine the witness on other points of his former evidence, as compared with the statement which he now made, when Mr. MlNsrwr.r. interposed, and observed that it was not usual for counsel to cross-examine wit nesses in the course of a preliminary proceeding. Mr. Claikson could avail himself of that advantage on the trial of the prisoner. Mrs. Ann Claike, sister-in-law of the prosecutor, lived opposite to the house of the prosecutor, and on Sunday, the .2941 of July, the prisoner Jephson, whom she had since identified at Newgate, asked her, as she was looking out of the window, if Mr. Clarke (the prosecutor) was not gone to Har row. She replied she did not know, and referred him to her husband. The prisoner then went away. Mr. Clarkson—Was any other person in his com pany at the time? Mrs. Clarke—l saw no person with him. Mr. Claikson submitted, that whatever this wit ness might say could only affect Jephson, and could not in uny way bear upon the prisoner. The MAGISTRATE expressed his determination to send the prisoner for trial. In , pector Adamson should have further evidence to produce, and the prisoner was ordered to be rc mantled for a week. Q UEEN- S QUARE. Yesterday William Parker, a butcher's lad, of Union-road, Clapham, was brought up for final exa rnitiation before Mr. GREGORIE, charged with steal ing from Mr. George Parkins, an elderly bachelor, of independent fortune, of No. 16, Kennington-oval, a valuable gold watch, chain, and seals, under the followtog rather singular circumstances. The prosecutor, who is between 60 and 70 years of age, was at the Mitre tavern, Stangate, near Westminster-bridge, on last Monday week. It so happened that there was also present Mrs. Gregory, a widow, fast approaching three-score, of No. 7 High-street, Lambeth, who was transacting some business with a party about a house which she was about to take. The glass circulated freely, and in a snort time the prosecutor and the widow got into a very lively conversation, and appeared mightily de lighted with each other's company—so much so, indeed, that the widow offered to see him safe home. The offer was accepted, and they trudged along until they came to the Stags, at Kennington, when it was deemed advisable to finish their journey in a coach, which was called off the stand, and they both got in. The coachman was ordered to stop at the Clayton Arms, Clayton-street, Kennington, where the party got out and drank several glasses o f negus . Having enjoyed themselves for some time, they again got into the coach, and th e coac h man d rove them to the prosecutor's house; but as ill luck will happen, the housekeeper was gone out, and there was nobody at home. In this dilemma the coachman was ordered to drive to the Cock, at Kennington-green, where they again alighted, both parties a little elevated from the refreshments which they had taken during the afternoon, when on a tatilden the prosecutor found that he had lost his gold watch, chain, and seals. An alarm was in- Aqi!ly given, and the police were informed of the circumstances, when suspicion immediately fell upon Mrs. Gregory, who was taken to the station-house the Waterloo-road, and searched; but no watch sea, found upon her, and she vehemently protested her innocence, which was clearly established by the subsequent part of the proceedings. Mrs. Giegory was immediately liberated, and from her information it was ascertained, that when they took the coach at the Stags, at Kennington, a lad, dressed like a hatcher, got upon the box with the coachman, and was present when they got out of the coach. She described his person and appearance, and, from the description, he was apprehended by the police. On Ling taken into custody on the following day, he said that he found the watch. at the bottom of the coach, and that he had sold it to a person, who had paid him lls , and was to give him 2/. more. A female witness was examined, is ho stated that she saw the prisoner with a watch after the robbery. Mr. GREGORIE asked the prisoner if he wished to say anything in answer to the charge. The prisoner was drunk at the time, and knew nothing about it. The prisoner was fully committed for trial, and the parties were bound over to prosecute. As the prosecutor was leaving the office the pri soner called out to him from the cell, " I say, Mr. Parkins, - won't you stand a glass of summut to drink ?" The old gentle Man turned round, when the prisoner hailed him again in the same terms; upon which he called his hou-ekeeper, who was with him, and, giving her a shilling, desired her to give it to the prisoner, who received the gift with the utmost astonishment. • MARLB OR 0 U G S TREE T. Yesierday Mr. Baker, a livery-stable-keeper, in Park -street, Camden -town, charged David Bold ridge, a lad empkyed by him to drive a four w;,eeled fly, with having cruelly beaten one of his horses. Mr. Baker saw the lad galloping furiously towards Hampstead-bridge, whipping the horse at the same time most unmercifully. The vehicle having stopped, he came up, arid found the horse bathed ►n sweat, and, in fact, as wet as if he had laten dragged through a pond. On examining his flanks, he dis covered the animal had been cut foul, as the skin on the inner part was stripped off, and there was a " raw" which exactly fitted a knot in the whip us, d by the lad. Mr. Baker. here produced a very heavy whip, with a flinty knot tied in the lash, and re marksd that such a whip as that was capable of tearing out the inside of any horse. Farquharson, the street-keeper of that district, said, the inhabitants complained loudly of the con duct of the drivers of the four-wheeled fl e', as they were in the constant habit of racing against each other, and endangering the lives of foot-passengers, in and about the vicinity of Camden-town. There were about thirty of these vehicles plying about that place, and the conduct of the drivers had become so outrageous of late, that there were six or seven at that moment in custody charged with offences simi lar to the present. Mr. CONANT said he would inflict punishment, in hop?s that the boy would learn to exerci•e humanity in future. At all events he must be taught that cru elly was not to be practised with impunity. Ile was then fined 40s. for the offence. WORSHIP STREET. The Magistrates of this office have bee❑ much occupied lately with the investigation of charges preferred against Thomas Middleton, a weaver, who was suspected of having embezzled about 301. worth of silk intrusted to him to weave for Mr. Parsons, one of the most extensive of the manufacturers in Spital-square. Upon each day of examination, the neighbourhood of the office was crowded with work people in the same employ, and the most remark able feature in the case was, the eagerness with which the prisoner's conviction and punishment were sought for by his sbopmates, who seemed fully persuaded that he had himself made away with the property which he said had been stolen from him. The zeal displayed by them, however, was explained by the fact that the loss would fall upon them. It was stated that Mr. Parsons employs up wards of 600 looms, and upon each loorn's wo►k given out receives a deposit of one shilling, as se curity against loss. It appeared from the evil:-nee, that the defendant had received work for three looms, one to be wrought by himself, and the others by his wife and another member of his family. As the work proceeded he obtained wages i❑ advance to the amount of five guineas; but on the 41) of September he gave no• tice to his employers that the whole of the manu factured portion of the silk had been stolen from his looms. Several of the most respectable of the workmen, however, ►who gave evidence against him, said that the work had evidently been cut out by a weaver, and they were of opinion, from all they saw about his place, that it had been done by the prisoner himself. It appeared also that he had been for some time working as a labourer at the dock's in stead of his loom, and he accounted for that by say ing, that his wife being near the time of her ac couchement, he went to earn a little ready money to provide for that occasion, the wages he had received in advance upon the silk having been already ex pended. The Magistrates observed that it was a case of strong suspicion against the prisoner, but there was a possibility of his having been robbed of the work as he alleged, and they therefore dis charged him out of custody. HATTON GARDEN. Yesterday, John Rose, late a policeman of E di vision, No. 68, and Mary Marks, a young woman, were charged by Mr. Parker, fruiterer, of No. 15, Tottenham -street, Tottenham-court-road, with hav ing embezzled ten sovereigns under the following circumst aneits Previous to the 20th of last month, the prose cutor was robbed of fifteen sovereigns, and, suspect ing an individual of the robbery, he consulted with Rose, who lodged in his house, and he advised him to give the suspected party into custody, which was accordingly done, and the prisoner Rose brought him before Mr. LAING, at this office, who remanded him, and on searching the back part of the premises in which the prisoner lived ten sovereigns were found concealed, which Rose took possession of.— At the subsequent examination, Mr. Parker swore positively to t oof the sovereigns, upon which he had made a peculiar mark, in consequence of an impression that they were bad. On Wednesday evening last, the prisoner was intoxicated when he was about to be sent on night duty. The inspector ordered his attendance before the superintendent. On being questioned about the ten sovereigns, he said that he had lost the money. Mumford, one of the policemen, stated that the prisoner was cohabiting with the female prisoner by his side. His wife was then in the office, and she was actually living in the same lodgings with the prisoner, and slept on the floor while he lay with Marks in bed. It was also stated that a few nights ago he took his wife to a common brothel. Mr. RoGERs inquired whether it was known how the prisoner procured a situation on the estab lishment ?—Lincoln, inspector of E division, said that it was not positively known, but inquiry would be ma d e . The prisoner had been 11 months in the force, and, until this transaction, they had not disco vered any thing against him. The prisoner's wife was present in tears during the examination, and was far superior, in point of personal attraction, to Marks. Marks denied all knowledge of the property. The prisoners were remanded until Monday, arid t h e officers were directed to trace, if possible, where the prisoners had paid away sovereigns, in hopes of finding the marked ones which Mr. Par ker identified. UNION-HALL. Yeterday William Williams, a butcher, residing in Paradise-Areet, Lock's-fields, was brought up in custody on the following charge : The wife of the prisoner detailed various acts of brutalitycommitted upon her since she had had the rnis fortune to be married to him ; but until Wednesday he had never before attempted to deprive her of life. On the day in question, while she was sitting at tea, her husband entered the room with an open razor in his hand, and desired her to prepare for death, saying that he should give her but five minutes to make atonement for her past sins. Mrs. Williams, alarmed at the threat of annihilation, re solved on having a desperate struggle before she de parted this life ; and, seiz;ng the poker, declared her intention of having a crack at htr husband's skull. She then rose from the chair, and while he stood brandishing the razor at the other end of the room, she gave the window-frame a whack with the poker that smashed it all in pieces, and then lustily called for assistance. When the policeman went into the room he found Williams with the razor in his hand, vowing vengeance against his wife, who stood in one corner with the poker uplifted, ready for a struggle in case of attack. The prisoner was in a state of great mental excitement, and to secure his wife against an attack upon her life he was taken to the station-house. The prisoner, when asked what cause he had to act in such a mariner towards his ~rife, declared that she was the agp.essor ; that she fir.st took up the poker to strike him, and the razor being the only weapon handy, he caught it up to defend himself from a " topper" with the poker. He added, that he had not laid hands upon his wife for the last five years, and he would not then have disgraced himself by striking her, had he not caught her in rather an equivocal situation with one of his own men. Mrs. Williams, with fury in her eyes, dared him to the proof of his assertion, and ejaculated that she was ready to make oath that all her children were born in wedlock. Wlliams did not deny that the children were born as she hazl described, but that was :to criterion to judge as to whether they were his or Tom Wil son's, with whom he had caught her in his bed-room. Mrs. Williams said, that jealousy had taken pos session of his whole soul, and she went in bodily fear of him. The MAGISTRATE remarked, that he should not lis ten to what took place between the parties five years ago ; it was necessary, however, to restrain the pri soner from committing violence on his wile, and he should therefore hold him to bail to keep the peace. TOWN HALL. Yesterday, John Latter, a carman, was brought before the. Alderman (ANSLEY), in the custody of Kinsey, an efticer of this establishment, charged with negligently driving, and thereby endangering the life of a little boy named Henry Catlin, now an in mate of St. Tnotnas's-liospital. The ALDERMAN ordered that the prisoner should be remanded until Saturday. DRAMATIC LITERATURE. (Evidence before the Committee.) Mr. WILLIAM DOWTON called in and examined. At what theatre are you performing now?-1 am not playing at any theatre at present. Is that fiorn your own wish ?—No ; after liking 36 years at Drury-lane, I have no theatre where I can act at present, unless occasionally by breaking the law, and acting at a miner theatre. You have been in the room during Mr. Kean's evi dence ?--I have. Do you coincide with the greater part of it ?—I am asto nished at Mr. Kean's opinion, because when I am told that actors can be as well seen inDrury-lane theatre as in a smaller theatre, I can as well believe you can bang a cabinet picture on the top of that tower and say, "Do you ob serve those beautiful touches, do you observe its lights aed shadows ?" " No, I cannot see it all." That is my opinion as to the stage. Give me a theatre of a moderate size, where you can be natural. Flow many years have you been on the stage ?—I think I have been upon the stage somewhere about 40 years. You consider, therefore, you have had great experience as to the merits of an actor ?—I think I have. Have you ever seen Mr. Kean perform at the Hay market?—No, I have not. Have ou ever seen him perform in a small theatre ?. Yes, in the country. Do you think be performs as effectively Clete as at Drury-lane or Covent-garden ?—Much snore so to my sa tisfaction. How great a proportion of the audience at Drury-lane do you think eaa see and hear well ?—I think it was said by Mr. Kemble about two-thirds at Covent-garden ; I am mush of his opinion with regard to that; they may hear, because the actor knows he must be heard ; he must bawl if he cannot be heard by speaking naturally. Do you conceive in a theatre moderately large, a theatre cf the size of the Haymarket, a play like Julius Cesar could be as well performed as it could be at a large theatre ?—Much better. Not mil} as regards the merit of one actor, but as re gards the whole body ?—Yes, the whole body, I should think, if they have any pretensions to acting. What effect do you conceive it would have on the art of acting if the monopoly of the two great theatres was broken up. and the legitimate drama was allowed to be played at the minor theatres ?—I cannot exactly say; I think a number of theatres would be injured ; but I dM inclined m believe if the theatres were le,s, and there was another theatre, a fourth theatre licensed, it would be beneficial ; but I think to throw it generally open would be ruinous to the greater part of those who embark in theatrical speculations, for the consequence would be, as so many adventurers embark in theatres that in the course of two or three years one half of them would he in gaol ; because it is very extraordinary, that though one man takes a theatre for a few years, and leses a great deal of money while he has it, yet others will take it, and they will also become bankrupt. Do you not think that that exists at this moment ? Yes; such is the rage, that notwithstanding that, you will find another and another who will embark in theatricals. Do you not think that the circumstince of so many ad venturers and speculators without fortune embarking in theatres, arises in some measure from the anomalous state of the law, which renders them all in fact out of the pale of the law ?—Yes. It it was not against the law to be the proprietor of a small theatre, do you not think a more respectable class of persons would be willing to embark their property in them ?—I do, most decidedly. Then you think to break up the monopoly would be to cure the evil with respect to the number of bankrupts and speculators embarking in the minor theatres ?—I am not prepared to answer that question exactly, because I can• not judge. Ido not know that breaking of the monopoly would do that; I have already said I think since the great increase of London, another theatre or two would be ab solutely necessary for the entertainment of the public ; and, indeed, with respect to the monopoly, it was always considered a monopoly by Mr. Sheridan. I have heard him adroit a thousand times—" It is a monopoly, we do not deny it ; but if it is broken in upon, we think we are entitled to compensation." That it is not a question for me to answer, but it is perhaps a natural thing they should look to it after having been encouu aged for so vast a num ber of years in having this monopoly; and it would be a hard thing to be broken in upon wi bout some remunera tion. How do you think that remuneration could be obtain ed ; should it come from the minor theatres ?-1 think the question was asked Mr. Davidge whether such a plan could not he hit upon. I am unable to give any opinion upon it. I remember a very few years after snare the elld size dea o l f Drury-lane was built, Mr. Whitbr e ad did me t h e h onour of on I r Dunn and ome othersl consulting about me a a t l i o le ng th w e i a th A tre, and always said—" Your house is too large ; you are laying out too much money in building the theatre ; it can never answer ; you can never ate a return for it ; 250,0001. or 270,0001. is too much." The theatre went on, and became excessively involved in consequence, and the last time I saw him, a few days before his death, he said— " Dowton, I always considered you a good-hearted fellow, but a wrong-headed fellow. You said the theatre would never answer ; you are a true prophet, and my golden dreams are over ; you have been right in your advice ; c in you tell us what to do?" I said—" I think the only thing you can do is to apply to Parliament to dispose of your theatre, and that they should do so by Covent-garden ; get rid of it, and let it be thrown open, and get a theaire on a smaller scale, for this theatre can never answer." The encumbrance is so great a burden, the immense sums laid out in building. I think a theatre, to answer all the purposes of the drama, might be built for one-fourth of the sum they laid out in those immense buildings. I am at a loss to imagine how they came to lay out so much money when they saw that the former theatre, Sheridan's theatre, as it was called, failed from the immense sums that were laid out. I remember Mr. Sheridan saying the day after the fire, " There is one consolation ; as the theatre is burnt down, and we must build another, we must build a theatre where we can be seen and heard, and not p to such a monstrous expense in future." I think you say you are not of opinion the 'monopoly should not be broken up ?--I.);) you ask me as to the jus tice of the ctse? In any point of vew ?—I think if there is another the atre, perL•aps I speak selfishly, perhaps I could get engaged in it, and therefore I should like to see another theatre, for althou4h I have a great respect for the managers of the theatres, I think they have used me excessively ill. You think it would be to the advantage of the theatres . that now exist ?—I think if a theatre of the proper size was built in addition to these, it would run them down, it would he a frigate that would run down and destroy these men-of war : for I firmly believe if the drama were repre sented there, people would go where they could see and hear. There are some theatres now existing where they can see and hear 2—None that are authorized, I believe, ex cept the Haymarket. Tiiere is the Coburg ?—Tnat is net An authorised theatre ; though it is licensed by t!e magi,trates, I do not believe it is of any effect. Ido not believe the magistrates have any power to licenfie a theatre. I thiiik you arid it would be h3rd upon the patent theatres if the monopoly were broken up without some in demnification ?—I shotni think so, without some indoat nifie:ition. But you were at Drury-lane for Sti years acting, gml not then complain of tie site of the theetre?—Always. rem.-mber first coming into the theatre. I played with Mrs. Sisdons in the country, at Weymouth particularly; she was oceessively kin I to me when she came to the theatre the first night I played. Whilst you were acting at Drury-lane, did you complain of the siz of the theatre ?—Yea ; I was going to state, Mrs. Si:dons said " I am glad to see you at Drury lane, but you are come to act in a wilderness of a place ;" and God knows, if I had not made my reputation in a small theatre, I never shquld have done it hire ; but the public gave me credit for what they saw the do and heard me say at a small theatre. All the actors of that day, Mr. Charles Keinble, who wag a young min as I will at that time, can remember that Mr. K'ng never went on the stave, without cursing it, and saying it was not like a theatre, and if G trick was alive he would not act in it. Did you find the public complain of the siz-: of the theatre at that time ?—Yes ; that they could neither see ner hear. Tee Eke was always a great complaint, and is ow. I am astonished actors do not hear it wherever hey go. Were the theatres well filled at that t'me?-Yes; at,cl I believe they woul4l now if they were conducted as they were at that time. II there were four theatres ?..—Yes ; and I differ from Mr. Kean upon the subjmt. If there were 24 Mr. Keane, I would en4-ge them all; for I never knew a theatre to go to any expense in actors that they were not repaid, and the only rime chat Drury-lane hte succeeded has been when . they could pick up all the talent throughout the kingdom. If they were equally well conducted, they would equally well succeed, in spite of their size think they would succeed in some degree, because they do so at present, ti.ough not so well as formerly. At former periods they have succeeded in spite of their size ?—No ; they have been !ailing. off these last 30 years. Before they bega❑ to fall off, they were filled in spite of their t‘z. ?—lt was after the destruction of what was called Garrick's theatre. From that moment the drama began to decline at Drury-lane. What was the reason pieces succeeded so well at Covent-garden ? It was because the theatre was less and Drury-lane was large ; they ran down Drury-lane completely. . _ Do you fiappt.n to reeolle:A what the size of G irriek's eieatre teas?—No, 1 do not ; I think it was about the s'ze of the Haymarket, from all I have heard of it. Mout' 300/. or 350/. would fill it a: that How much will the present Drury-lane hold ?—I be lieve 6001. or 7001., or upwards. In sort, double ?—Yes, it is double. How any man can play better where he neither can be seen nor heard I d not know, for no man can be seen or heard naturally at these theatres. If the monopoly were done away, do you consider that in the minor theatres the legitimate drama would be sub stituted for those smaller pieces, interludes, and such as are performed there now ?—That I cannot pos,ihly say ;_ there perhaps will be a descliption of p e opl e w h o w ill follow that species of entertainment which is performed at the minor theatres. The fact is, that some of the minor theatres just now do perform the legitimate drama in hfiance of the law. • If it were legal, they might perform it much .more; would that be the case ?.—Yes, if they had actors, I think the legitimate drama would always be attractive; but the persons who used to attend the theatres 20 or 30 years ago do not come now. I know many of the highest cha racters, who say, " We do not come to the theaties now." His late Majesty, George the Fourth, said to me, when I had once the honour of seeing him at Brighton, " I do • not go to those theatres because they are so large; I am not couifot table." .. • Is not the objection, that at the large theatres they cannot twe or heir, and at the s:pall theatres they cannot get the description of amusement they admire ?—Yes, that description of persons. Da yciti not ;hint; the general performance of the legiti mate drama would improve the public tas.e?—No doubt of it ; and that is the reason of the falling off, for at the time I mention there were eight or ten actors of the first class. I do not speak it frstn any unkindness to my brethren, but there are no such actors now ; theatres have been managed by persons who are perfectly strangers to dramatic affairs. At what theatre did you first appear?—Du you mean as a novice? Yes.—l placed in a barn at Ashburton, in Devonshire, or a cow-house; I believe it was not so good as a barn. And from thence you have gained the reputation you now enjoy?—lf you are pleased to allow me any. Has not the greater part of your theatrical career been pamsed on th•e boards of the major theatres?—Yes; 36 years at Drury-lane ; never at Covent-garden. And therefore you are indebted for your reputation to the boards of a large theatre?—l played, I think, for two or three seasons at the Lyceum theatre, which is navy burnt down, and I got more into reputation with the public during those three years than I have done during the whole of ti e time besides. If you were to study your own feelings of what is best for your reputation, you would prefer a small theatre to a large theatre 7 —Most undoubtedly. I have heard the contrary from Mr. Kean, who ought to know as well myself, but I never heard it before. ENORMOUS STURGEON.—Among the latest novelties at Toulouse, it is mentioned that a fish of a il species was caught on the 7th inst. in the Garonne, the weight of which was 96 French pounds, fully 104 pound' En.;l sh. The utmost strength of five men was tequired'W master the resistance which this fresh-water monster made o his ciption. SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—On Friday a s hock' . ing accident uccurred at the Arthurlie Mill, Barhead. mae who was cleaning one of the windows of the mill 0 0 S' side, standing upon the sill, was speaking to sornc a f u er o so 4 ,, , inside over the top of the window, when having ti heat/ to far in, his neckcloth came in contact with one 0. 1 , the revolving shafts of the machinery dose to the in d he was drawn inwar, i ia lbl w ,w i t t hh h iele s h o much rapidity thatbi: head was in a moment severed from his body, and rolled in t o l i i .r e id tru p n ro k ee f s e s ll o o f u d tw ee n::: : slight the i d n e t g er re io e r s i c d ra t t l:e he rn d upon the ground. The head and face were not in th e . tation.— Glasgcw Cowrie . BIRTH. On th, te Ist inst. at the Bishop's Palace, Rochester, the it the Rev. Robert W. Shaw, Rector of Cuxton, of a son. iy 0. MARRIED. 'of On the 3d inst. at Woburn Sands, C. S. Crowley Estto h n Croydon, Surrey, to Mary Ann a _ daughter of the fate e'' Morris, Esq., of Ampthill, Beds. . On the 4th inst. at St. Pancras New Church, George S. IL l h burn, M.D., of Duke-street, Portland-place, to Caroline, foo d daughter of the late Anthony Cardon, Esq. On the 3d inst. at St. John's, Hackney, VY. J. Lancaster, 9 4. 1: of Walthamstow, to Judith, youngest daughter of the late Josef' Lancaster, Esq., of Great Yarmouth. On the 4th inst. at St. Giles's, Camberwell, G. A. Herki ntS ' Esq , 'M.D., Surgeon in the H on . East India Company's servi,e.: Madras Establishment, to M ar y A nn , e ld es t d aug ht er of in Williams, of Grove-lane, Camberwell. go. On the 4th inst. at St. M arga r e t' s , Westminster, Lewis bert, youngest son of John Bellamy, Esq., of the House of C? 1 ' 1 7 0 irons, to Harriette J ane , secon d d aug ht er o f th e l a t e Will l3 Gunnell, Esq., of Margate. DIED. On the 28th ult. near Bedford, after an illness of two days, of 72, Joseph Fo s t er B ar h am, o f Trecwm, in the county of K C e , broke, Esq. He retired f r om public life about ten years sin e m, having been previously, for nearly 40 years, a most eftici e- Member of the oof Commons. On the 2d inst at Mudiford, Christchurch, Hants, Jane, t he wife of Sir George Shee, Bart. • rd On, the 4th inst. Mrs. Mary Flower, the wife of EcN a Flower, Esq., of Upper-strret, Islington. t he On the 2.1 inst at Newland, Glocestershire, Mary Ann, d wife of the Rev. George Hidout, LL.B., Lecturer of NewlarD:,, s , On the Ist inst. at Barkway, Herts, after a protracted William Cor Esq. aie r- On the 4th nwell inst, , in Hanover-terrace, Regent's-park. - e rs, General Sir Alexander Bryce, K.C.8., of the Royal Engi ne alter a few hours' illness. On the 29th ult. at Kennington, in the 73d year oilier. "Bo!after a long and painful'illness, Mrs. Margaret . Feake, relic t Edward Thomas Peake Esq. Joh ° On the at 'Cambridge-lodge, Hackney, Mr. Turtle, in the 83d year of his age. .40 0 0 PUNTED AND PUBLISHED BY MURDO lUU N Oi ar SUN OPTICS, 112, STRAND. LONDBY4 • ' (1 1' t. --