The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-02-06 00:00:00

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
The following notification has been issued by the Prime
Minister

—William 13nm:45i-teof. the -former witnesses examined, was
recalled, and deposed—l stated the other day my wife's aunt I
Fisher died about 18 years ago. She died March 1, 1853, 1
believe. I don't know whether it was not March 21, 1853.
I was living at Wymondharn at thAt time at a house called
the Folly House. No other persmis named Bunn lived in the
home at the time. No other Mrs. Bunn lived in the house
than my wife.
Mr. EC. Bailey, solicitor, stated—l am clerk of the peace
of the city of Norwich. I knew the late Mr. J. Stephenson
Cann, solicitor, of Wymondham. He was my brother4n-
law. He has been dead ten years. Upon his death his pro-
fessional papers came into my custody. I have found a small
packet of papers relating to the administration oh the late
Elizabeth Fisher, of Itymerstone, Norfolk. Among the
, papers I found the letter I produce, dated March 24, 1853.
It bears the signature o •i William Sheward."

Mr. Mendhatu read the letter, as follows:
" Norwich. March 24, 1853.

" Mrs. Bunn,—l am sorry to heir of Mrs. Fishers death
but your sister not being in Norwich at this present time. I
shall not take any part in the arrangement of affairs. There-
fore you need not expect me nor semi to me ally more about
It . "WILLIAM SIIEWARD."
Ihe letter was directed to "lire. Bunn, Folly House,
Wyniondham, Norfolk."
Mr. Mendham added—That is the case upon which
I submit to the magistrates that there is ample evi-
dence to commit the prisoner for triaL The facts are
fresh in your memory, and therefore I will leave the
case as it is, and you will take what course you think
justice demands at your hands.
The Mayor.—William Sheward, you are charged
upon your own confession with feloniously killing and
slaying Martha Sheward, your wife, at the parish of
St. Martin-at-Palace, June 15, MI. Having heard
the evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer
to the charge. You are not obliged to say anything,
but whatever you do say will be taken down in writing
and may be given in evidence against you at your
triaL Do you wish to call any witnesses now you
are at liberty to do so?
The prisoner, after consulting with his solicitor, said
—By the advice of Mr. Stanley, I shall reserve my
defence.
Mr. Stanley : I presume the magistrates have made
up their minds in this case ; therefore I do not think
it will be worth my while to trouble you with any
observations.
The Mayor, addressing the prisoner, said—You will
be committed to take your trial at the next assizes, on
the charge of wilful murder.
The prisoner, who trembled slightly, was then re-
moved.

EXTRAORDINARY ACTION BY A
SISTER OF MERCY.
In the Court of Queen's Bench the Lord chief Justice and
a special jury have been occupied for a lengthened period
with the case of "Saurin r. Star and another."
The plaintiff is an Irish lady, and was once a sister
of mercy, and the defendants, Mrs. Star and Mrs.
Kennedy, are the lady superior and a sister in some
authority of the convent of the order at Hull.
The action is for assault, libel, and trover. The
charge of assault has relation to the lady's expulsion
from the convent at Hull, and the libel complained of
was embodied in communications addressed to the
Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese, imputing to her
grave offences from the sisters' point of view. She
was, moreover, accused of habitual violation of troth.
The plaintiff was a young lady, the daughter of a
gentleman residing in Dublin, having a brother who
was a Jesuit priest in Ireland, and two sisters who
were nuns. Her conventual name was Sister Mary
Scholastica, and she was admitted into the Convent of
Mercy in Bagot-street, Dublin, in the year 1851,
bringing with her a portion of £3OO.
The defendant Mrs. Star had been admitted a short
time previously, and she and the plaintiff soon became
great friends. Miss Saurin's life in the convent at
Dublin is described as being entirely happy. In the
year 1858, however, the authorities of the order deter-
mined upon opening a branch convent at ('lifford,
near Tadcaster, in 'Yorkshire, and Mrs. Star was
transferred to England to act as Lady Superior. It
was desired that Miss Saurin should accompany her,
she being regarded as one eminently qualified to take
part in the work of education. After some time dif-
ferences arose between Miss Sauna and the lady
superior in respect of her conduct as a re/siiense.
Especially it was complained of her that in disregard
of the rules of the convent she held converse with
people outside. After a time a convent was opened at
Hull, and Miss Saurin was removed there. She worked
hard at the schools, she said, but notwithstanding all
her efforts distrust was exhibited towards her by the
other sisters; indeed, she was in a great degree with-
drawn from their society. At length she was dismissed
from the convent and from the sisterhood at the com-
mencement of 1866, the ,-hich she had brought
into the order being) to her. Substantially
the complaint resolves itself into a charge of wrong-
ful dismissal from the c..: t for reasons founded on
falsehood and malice. The count in trover has
reference to the detention at the convent of certain
articles of clothing that belonged to the plaintiff. The
defendants plead in effect that the plaintiff, in enter-
ing the Sisterhood of Mercy voluntarily subjected
herself to the rules of the order, and especially did she
submit herself to the authority of the Roman Catholic
bishop of the diocese, who has supreme control over
the sisterhood; that while an inmate of the convent
she constantly violated its rules ; and that, finally she
was dismissed the order with the full authorisation of
the diocesan.
The Solicitor-General, Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.C.,
and Mr. A. Wines represented the plaintiff ; and Mr.
Hawkins, Q.C., Mr. Mellish, Q.C., and Mr. Charles
Russell, the defendants.

" 11, Carlton-bouse Terrace, Jan. 30, 1009.
" Sir, —I venture to express the hope that you may
find it convenient to attend the House of Commons
on the 16th of February, when the Address will be
moved in answei to the Speech from the Throne.
Very shortly afterwards business of great importance
will be submitted to Parbament.
'I have the honour, etc.,
"W. E. GLADSTONE."

dem°l.alising
`e Present Irrn!ciP" placardS
- .

',new duty to come fovrard to aid in the ire- been sHent under the conviction that no words of mine could the electors
do justice to him who has been taken from amongst us. He system of canvassing ; not to attack by anonymous
provement of the social and intellectual position of the
workffig people. Recurring to the land question, Mr. could only himself, with his own fervid eloquence and deep or squibs the private or personal character of any of our
pathos,op-
have done autice to himaelf. Nor could nents Whig or To but to meet every one on the high
:rxry.ndof.Ernuueostf groinnhede.peof pzaciopflestarndThmoomt,whoartnlibe.
Nevin testified to the disinterestedness and ability s
which characterised the treatment of this question by Jones more deeply upon the minds and ;se
, am con Ivinced, imprint the any
"th P°
' ' Tory,
"
Mr. Bright, whose many public services the reverend the men of Manchester than it is Iniprinted at this moment. given at 41,709 19s. Ild., while those of Sir T. G. A. Parkyn,
gentleman remarked upon with enthusiasm, and con- . Rear, hear. j It has been said we shout I speak nothing of anus successful candidate, figure for only 5;543 4s. Ha.
eluding with that right hon. gentleman's memorable the dead but what. be good. It has been said on the con- The abstracts of the expellees of the four candidates
words in dealing with the question : "We have the uu• trary by others, " Speak of the dead nothing but what who contested Glasgow exhibit some very remarkable
re, in Marylebone, are
is true, whether it be gin ood or bad." NVell, this case results. The expenses incurred by Mr. Dalglish amounted to
changeable and eternal principle of the moral law to we can obey-I can from my heart
h g,ethby Mr. r
ve obey-both sayings. 4.1,425 19s. 2d. ; by Mr. Graham, 41,629 10$. 4st. •
guide us and only so far an we will walk by that guid- I have nothing but that which is good to spee gi
since can we permanently hope to be a great nation, or of Ernest Jones, and ehould I speak all that is gak .Anderson, £1,301 is. 2d. These sums taken te
uest, I 44,356 Ile. Bd. as the gross amount expended in the election
our people &appy people." can say nothing bet what is deeply true. In him Eng- of
the three Liberal emendates. The expeuses of Sir George
An interesting and well-sustained discussion fol. land has lost one of her truest and purest-hearted patriots. Campbell, the Couservative candidate, reached the large
lowed the delivery of the Rev. Mr. Nevin address, i . Hear.) The men of Great Britain and Ireland have lost one figure of £5,143 105. 84-nearly £l,OOO more than the sum
n of their firmest, truest, most faithful, and most constant spent by his three opponents. The principal item in Sir
the course of which it was strongly urged that the friends.. The cause of freedom and a progress throughout George'. heavy ac count h set down opposite " agelll. "
' -
Government should begin its retrenchment with all the world has lost one of tarni ost eloquent mut undaunted penew," and amounts to upwards of 42,600.
salaries of public officials above £l,OOO a year, and that champions. ;Hear, hear.. In him you have combined the The following are the expenses sst ciusdidutes at the late
the indulgence of strong drinks had much to do with I erudition of the scholar, the genius of the poet, the fervid elections in the principal north-eastern towns ,-Newcastle-
the comtlained-of dependence and destitution among I eloquence of the orator, and the courageous soul and fervid on-TYne, the Right Hod WT. E. 'edln, eSi P., and Mr.
• pit of the metaunted patriot whom no persecution Alderman Owen, who had a joint committee, X 997 On 4d
working then themselves that the consumption . :
the wor ng dames. It was averred by some of the could frighten from the advocacy of his principles, whit* Sunderland, Mr. Gourley, ti 4,652 : Mr. candlish, gift): these
of strong drink was the greatest evil that the to betray them. Hear hear.) He no temptation or threatened has of Melte. could tempt him were the two successful candidates. The expenses of ffir.
, , was the same from the Thompson, the unsidate, e 3,311 as 6.1.
wellwishers of the working classes had to deal liegiiming M the end. His life was is life of beautiful con. Rm eick-on-Tweed, Viuccessful cand
scount Bury, 4485'ss were Stapleton,
with in endeavouring to improve their posits ii ffisteimY. He was the ssme when, in obdi eence to a boyish Xll6 12a Id. The expmses of the unsuccessful candidate*
The results of the recent election petitions were re- enthusiasm, he left the German home of his childhood, and were-Major Carpenter, 4773 4s. 9d. ; Mr. Richard Hodgson.
svas found in the depths of the Black Forest, plodding his £3.0 7s. ltd. In Durham city, the expend*. of Mr. J. R.
ferred to, and it was advised that a law should be way
passed enacting that all election expenses should be the to help the Poles in their struggle for liberty. lie was Davidson, QC., and Sir. John liendemon, who had a joint
same when in the strength of his manhood, wel after he committee, were E 1,281 17e. Id. The exlenses of Mr. J. C.
paid by the constituencies instead of by the candidates h -ad beento the eternal disgrace of the Government that Stevenson, the eucceseful candidate at south shields, were
and that polling booths should be kept open later in then existed-persecut ed for his political opinion., and con- 41,733th05e of Mr. Ralph Ward Jackson, the All,
e vetting out pollitig day to better enable wor a king men signed to the depths a solitary shows) °, withou pe I n, Mk, cessful candidate at Hartlepool, whose retells has to be he
or paper, h poem e wrote a em with his own blood to solace quired into by Mr. Justice Blackburn. were 41;94805. sd.,
to record their votes. Free trade in land, it was his
thought, would get rid of a good deal of the coin- solitude and feed the flame of his undying genius, and those of his opponent, 51r. Thomas Richardson,
lie was the same again when, found hall dying upon £oo,l 140. 7,1.
plaints arising from the present land system of the the floor of that
d cell from sickness and suffering, he was The election expenses for West Somerset have just been
country. carried to the ho and offered his freedom if he would publisheil. Mr. Gore Langton's ex amount to
At the close of the discussion, votes of thanks were abanon his political principles. and her fused the offer, X 428 2540. aryl Captain Hood's to X4op2 7 ensese. 7d.
pursed to the Rev. Mr. Nevin for his lecture, and to preferring martyrdom to dishonour He was the same Mr. E. M. Williams, the consewathe member for Truro,
Mr. Morley for presiding. when, in later years, ever ready as opportunity offered, expended £513 18e. Ild , and Captain Vivian. the Liberal
to raise the banner if rational freedom whenever he member, 4367 19s. Oil., while the expenses of Mr. Passmore
minimi•Mib could, he was labouring with us of the Reform League Edwards, the unsuccessful working-men's candidate were
The Rev. Dr. MILLER on the RECENT to advocate with Ids matchless eloquence before 4.348 35. 3d.
hosts o esisOc countrymen th oso principles The outlay by Ste. .1. 11. Scourfield, M.P. for the county of
JUDGMENT of PRIVY COUNCIL. , which f his nthu a
have given us a govemment the most favourable Pembroke, amounts to X2Ol Itis. There was no contest,
'to freedom and progress hieh we have ever kn now in which accounts for the smallness of the expense..
On Ssuelay morning, in accordant, with a notice lie had w
given upon the previous Sunday, the Rev Dr Miller, the this„„ootry. Ile was the same from the beginning For the borough of liaverfordwest the expenses of Colonel
Vicar of Greenwich, addressed Ids congregation in fit Mary's ) . . i
)to the end. We may have a feeling of sad regret for the Edwardes, the successful candidate, reached £1,344 2s. lid.
t
Church upon the practical bearing of the recent decision in moment that he was taken from among us even at the very the chief items heing-ageuts, £512 ms. 9d, ; priuting, ad-
. time when you, the men of Manchester, by the result of an vertising, and statienery, £l4O 12. e. 3d.; committee rooms,
the St. Allian's case. it large congregatiou, as is usual, t
assembled, the many free seats being on this occasion quit , important ballot, gave a strong testimony as to how you elo4 ils. 6.1. ; tallymen and messengers, 434 Q; proportions
e I appreciated his virtues and his talents, and when we might of returning officer's expenses, 460 17s. 4d., and agent for
filled. The rev. gentleman took for his text, or, chore have hoped to have seen him and to have heard him within election expenses, £2l.
chapter of Corinthians 1., 33rd verse, "For God is not the
properly *leaking, the motto of his discourse, the 14th the walls of parliament giving utterance to those principles At Carlisle Mr. Edmund Potter expended 4518 2s. 4id. ;
for the general welfare of his country and the human rice, Sir Wilfrid Lawson, £365 10e. Ad ; and Mr. W. 14. Hodgson,
author of confusian, but of peace, in ail the Churches of the
which he had so ably and so boldly advocated before enthusi- the unsuccessful candidate, 0.976 12e. 7d. The expenses of
saints." He entered at once in rriedias res into his subject. astie hoeta of his countrymen upon platfs 'em aft, platform. Mr. W. Slater. the fourth candidate at the same electism.
In announcing it, he stated that it had not been his intention I Yet, we must remember that, whilst we survivors may deeply who obtained only 71 votes, were elB4 9s. od. some of the
to attack the Ritualists, and in using this phrase, and the
i feel his loss, he had done Ids work. For, il we are now items in Mr. Sister's accounts are remarkable. For
terms " Evangelical " and "High Church" parties. he "e 1 a
anxious to be acquitted of any intention to give offence ;he very different nation from what we were even twenty example .-" J. Hargrave's expenses to Moffat and back,
used the terms merely because they were intelligible and ' „oars ow,
__if we cannot have such thing, done ae were when he warned Freest J on. of the folly of helping the
dale to sir. Rrneet Jon m
Jones in 1848-meint or it is to Whigs, after spending his Me in exposing and denouncing
convenient. The recent decision was of great practical such mess as him that we are indebted for what we the cruelty and villany of that party, &c., lie ; Expenses
importance to the Evangelical as well as the other
parties in the Church, and he felt called upon to explain wow rowow.. Hear, hear.: It Was said that when sir incurred through Whig violence and brutality t-Glaxing
John Elliott was dying by lychee in the cell to which windows, repairing shutters and door, and paid for table
why, for the present, he did not intend to ietroduce any
the wesC it harles had consigned h war ies, that he broken by Whig rioters at Rigg-street meeting, October 6,
change iu the mode of conducting divine service. The
the noblest confessor tor political imetom isi this 41 12e. ; paid for special peace officers to keep Whig rowdies
congregation had had a sufficient practical exposition of his
views in relation to the manner in which he thought that the coootr_.
y My frnds, you have had a noble confessor in order at the Athenmem meeting, November Saud 11,
service should be conducted during the period of nearly three of m political freedo present amongst you-only lately £7 9. 4d. ; paid city police for the like duty, 12. 6d. ; the
•
years in which he had conducted their services. Ile hoped throuah the will of the great tied taken from amssngst Democratic candidate and his friends being threatened with
that these could neither be pronounced dull nor irreverent
, us, at us I have a perfect Christisu col, victims to a serious persenal injury if they appeared make hustings at
The ouster dictvnt of a judge in pronouncing a definite judg- rio glous inheritalice that is ever preserved for those wins the nomination, paid for an escort of special peace officers,
'
meat was properly regarded as of lees importance than the
have lived f n
or the welfare tsf others For the great ad £7 145. 6d. ; refreshment for said officers, Ss. 6d."
Igood be has left a noble example behind him. Though he The return for South Wilts shows the expenses of Lord
, judgment itself; but the words of the learned dignitary who
had recently occupied the woolsack, in pronouncing the
Is dead he still lives. (Hear, hear., Its lives in the Henry Thynne to have been £254 12s. 91.1, including items
I
judgment in question, were too important, distinctly enun- memory of all throughout the length and breadth of of 492 18e. 6d., for professional agents, and printing and ad'
elating, as they did, an important prineiple, to be
I Great Britain and Ireland who loved honesty and freedom, vertieing, 468 105. 6.1. Mr. Grove% expenses were £256
1 regarded
as a mere passing word and he lives in thin
ememory of all throti,hout the world lls. 3d., including £47 ss. for agents' charger and £l4O for
1 ; they should be accepted as a deft- who could estimate the undaunted patriotism and the printing, advertising, and stationery.
nition by all parties in the matter. It was alleged, respectin/ brilliant talents of Our departed friend. Yes ;he lives The city of Y ork has been distinguished for heavy election
the Ritualists, that, as regarded rubrical service, they erred amongst us bid those who admire him "Go and do expenses, and those consequent upon the late contest are no
in the direction of emeriti in observance, and did, too much, to
likowi.o.„ Hear, hear.) exception to the rule What may lie called " legitimate"
they, in tun:, retorted upon the Evangelical party that they
were chargeable with omiesions-that if the one party did The whole proceeclings were orderly, including the expenses amouut, according to the official return, to £5,952
7s. 8d ,which are divided hi the following proportions :-
toss much, the other did too little. There was not a fair ana- passage through the street and very impressive. Mr. Lowther's expenses, £2,855 I2s. 4.1. ; Mr. Westhead's,
logy between the two cages, inasmuch as the particular obser Among the mutes who preceded the procession were £1,553 12s. 551.; and Sir ..1. H. Gledstone's 41,543 its, Ild. ;
vancee of the Ritualiat. were avowedly intended to convey dog- four survimn a the memoraide PeterMo massacre, as consequently each vote that arts temlered has cost at least
mas, and thus affected doctrine. The forms of service hail in it was called. Besides the deputation aloove.mentioned itis. The largest item in Mr lowther's account in £Bl3
many respects been modified in the course of time by the
were others from Ashton, Birmingham, Bolton, Bacilli, 68. 7d. for profesaional services, and £665 16e. 10d. have been
altered condition and circumstances of the people , and tocharged to each of the other vandislates on account of dis-
revert tss strict rubrical observes. would necessitate some Button, Bury, Bradford, Bollington, Carlisle, Derby
changea that could be made without csstifusion or offence, Glossop, Hyde, Huddersfield. Halifax, Hollows), trict agents ftsr professional toil other services, charges for
assistant canvassers, committee rooms, messengers, clerks,
but some other. al so that would be regarded as innovations (London), Leeds, Liverpool, Oldham, Rochdale, Scar- mid district miscellemessus expense. ie the conduct and
that would be attended with great practical difficulty. borough, Stockport., and rnany other towns. management of the election.
Obedience was no trifle, even although obedience was given The expenses of Mr. Samuelson, the sitting member for
in what might seem a trilling matter, and he dealred that Banbury, have sseen returned at 41,171 17e. 4d. The agente'
obeslience should be cheerfully given in this important ACTION for MALICIOUS PROSECUTION. charges mounted to £727 les. ; committee and meeting
matter ou all aides. In the matter of daily prayer in rooms, 4112 12s. 10d. ; printing and stationery, till.° las. Osl. :
churches, as required by the rubric, he felt that there was messengers amid bill-distributors, £59 15s. ; share of returning
great practical difficulty. They had on Thursday last upon officer's expenses, 441 17s. Ild. ; and heli-ringers,llllla Mr
their books, for instance, 120 sick, aged, and infirm persons G. Stratton's expenses, although his canvass lasted only a
entitled to visitation. lie confessed that with daily prayers
lathe churches, added to the duties of few days, are returned at £22/ Ile. fa. There is a sum of
visitation, attention 416 14s. Ild. entered for refreshments for clerks and niesseu-
to district visiting, to schools, to the preparation of sermous, gem, and Mr. Stratton, though defeated, paid the bell -ringers
and other duties, it would .be impossible to carry on the
work of the pariah with any pretension £5 le.
to efficieecy. Their At Tynemouth Mr. E. T. Smith, NI. l'., who was froni four
hymn singing was objected to, bat he thought it would to rive months in the field, and had to canvass the borough
be a deplorable nsistake to cut down that part of their ser- against two conservative candidates, Mr. Shaw and Mr.
vice, and wtrange many of their worshippers, particularly Trotter, appears to have expended £1,654 His. iel. ; Mr
ef the industrial classes. There were thane. that could be Trotter, who only came into the field &week before the elite-
made, possibly at once, and he might be raked what was ha
lion, incurred expenses amounting to 4692 17s. Mr. Smith
waiting for ere he made them? He woula answer, that he paid 4690 55 for professional services, £22855. 3il. to assistaut
above all things deprecated isolated action and individual agents, clerks, canvassers, Ac. ; and L 66 2. lid. for the hire
interpretation of the judgment and the course it suggested ; of rooms Me Trotter paid £l6l 10s. for profeesional eer-
this could only make confusion worse confoueded. There vices. XlO4 15e for assistant agents, canvassers, de. ; and
were several things to be waited for. The bishops would 437 4s . for committee-rooms and other rents.
meet soon for conference on the subject, and another report The expenses incurred in connection with the election of a
might he expected from the Ritual Commission ; and a representative for the comity of Edinburgh were aa follows :
modification of the rubrics might le agreed upon. lieu The
behalf of the Earl of Dalkeith 44,477 la 5.1. ; Sir
greatly to he regretted, moreover, that the power for good Alexander Gibson Maitland, £1,0n9 10s. 10d. The number
of convocation had been so generally ignored-he meant of electors who voted for the Earl was 905, and for Sir
convocation in which both clergy and laity would be truly Alexander, 1,146. In the election fir the City of Edinburgh
represented There was too much standing aloof from the nnited expenses of the two members-sir. Duncan
each other between the High Church party and the SCLaran and Mr. J elm Miller-amounted to Xl,llB 7s. 4d.
Evangelical party. The obetlienee of both was an im- For the Leith District of Burgh. election the expenses
perative duty, and it was essential to common interests were as follows s-Incurred by Mr. Slactle, the successful
that they should regard each other with large-hearted candidate, £11,901 lils. 04.1. ; by Sir. Witham Miller,
candour. It would be suicidal hi Evangelicals to say, 52,31081. 11d. In the stifling Burghs election Mr. camp-
inasmuch as this judgment touches those to whom
we bell, the successful candidate, incurred expenses to the
are opposed, we approve of it, but in so far as it touches amount of £2,543 10s. ; and Mr. Ramsay, 41.863 17e. 6.1. In
ourselves we will have none of it. Let Evangelicals and
regard to the Falkirk Burghs Mr. Merry's expenses are
their High Church friends meet each other half way, making stated at £2,885 6s. Id, and Mr. nommen% at 41.050 Os. Md.
liberal allowance for the Inference in each other's minds, It is said that Mr Ilsasman does not admit any of the
tastes, mid even religious phraseology, and let the spirit and claims against llins, and that none have yet been paid.
motto of all be bawd upon the grand sentiinent of
Christian liberty-"
sti In non-essentials liberty, in all things the expenses of each of the candidates for the representa-
tion .. ..With the exception of those of Mr. Jasper More, details of
of the county of Salop have been sent in, and if, as iit
probable,Mr. More's outlay equals that of his opponents,
the elections will have been contested at an outlay of
£30,000. Of this large suns, Mr. Ormsby Gore and Lord
Newport, the Conservative members for North .Shropshire,
spent £8,028, the principal item hi their joint aimount being
one of 4.4,531 for " professional agents' fees and disburse-
month." The conveyance of voters cost them 0.1,306. the
balance being made up of charges for rooms, clerks. prhd-
ing, de Mr. Jebb, who vainly contested the division in
the Liberal interest, spent £3,196 Sc. lisl, of which about
one-third was fm agents.
In South Shropshire, General the lion. Navy Herbert and
Colonel Corbett expended 555,148 125. 10.1., of which agents
received £4,030 105., the cost of conveyances absorbing
£1,759. An item not commonly seen in election expenses'
returns is included in those of Herbert and Corbett-
" special constables," in conjunction with messengers, lost-
',, and telegrams, figuring for £1,202 130. lid

An action for a malicious prosecution has been
brought in the Court of Exchequer by a blacksmith
living at Cowlinger, near Newmarket, against Sir
Robert and Lady Pigot, of Branches Park. In July
last, on the occasion of the opening of some schools in
the village, in which Lady Pigot had interested her-
self, the plaintiff, who had for seven years acted as
parish constable, was requested to assist in waiting at
a dejedner given by Sir Robert and Lady Pigot. lie
consented, and was so employed during the portion of
the day. In the evening he was in the kitchen, and having
had nothing to eat for some time, the kitchen-maid, by
the directionof the cook, gave him apart of a tongue and
a small piece of beef. As tie was going away, a policeman
who happened to be there stopped him, and made him
give up the meat. The plaintiff heard no more of the
matter until about a fortnight afterwards, when the
policeman arrested him on a warrant for stealing the
meat, and marched him off to some local magistrates
four or five miles away. Sir Robert, however,
abandoned the prosecution, and the plaintiff, was
liberated. It was said that in consequence of this
proceeding the plaintiff had nearly been ruined, but
his object in bringing this action was not so much to
recover damages as to vindicate his character.
It appeared that the apprehension of the plaintiff
MA entirely the act of the policeman, and Baron
Bramwell held that there was no evidence to connect
Sir Robert Pigot with the transaction, and nonsuited
the plaintlif. Ile observed, however, that it was a
[ pity that the plaintiff, who hail lived so long in the
village, and borne such a g0,.:1 ammeter, should have
been proceeded against for these wretched pieces of
meat.

A SHERIFF'S OFFICER'S FEES.
In the Court of Queen's Bench an application liss been
made on the part of air Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, for a rule tor
an attachment against one Moses Levy, for extortion upon
the occasion of an arrest lately executed upon Mr Fitzgerald.
The alleged extortion consisted In taking the sem of £9
instead of about £3, the amount of the regular fees. The
case on behalf of the officer was that he had been kept up,
not only all night, but until between one and two in the
morning, in order to meet the convenience of Sir Fitzgerald.
The case arose thus:—
The arrest was between seven and eight o'clock ffi
the evening, and the baronet it was said, begged that
he might be allowed to dine, and afterward.s that he
might write various letters before he was removed,
which was acceded to, and this delayed his removal
until ten o'clock at night. He was then, it was said,
taken, not to a lock-up house, but to the private resi-
dence of the officer in Doughty-street, and then some
hours were occupied in sending for an attorney and
procuring the attendance of respousible persons to
• execute a proper bail bond, and that all this was not
concluded until nearly one o'clock in the morning, and
that the baronet was told that as the officer had
behaved very handsomely he deserved some additional
remuneration for his extra trouble, and that thus it
was the officer received the £9; and, according to the
officer, the attorney of Sir Fitzgerald was distinctly
told that the money was charged not only for the bail
bond and the legal f cc, but for the extra accom-
modation, and that all parties shook hands at parting.
The attorney of Sir Fitzgerald made no affidavit, nor
the gentlemen who entered into the bail bond.
Mr. Smith appeared for Sir Fitzgerald Fitzgerald.
Mr. Day appeared for the officer, and acknowledged
on his part that he could not return the money, but
submitted that there was no case, under all the cir-
cumstances, for an attachment against him.
Mr. Justice Blackburn said the officer could not
take any sums beyond his legal fees, whether as fee,
reward, or gratuity, and he must has e known he was
doing wrong, and if the execution of the writ had been
delayed or managed in order to enable him to extort
the additional Rion, probably the Court would have.
thought an imprisonment necessary by way of punish-
; ment. As it was there was a contempt which must be
'punished by a fine of £lO, and, in default f payment,
there must be an attachment.