The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

one; January Bth, two; making in all thirty-seven
cases in nineteen days—a fraction less than two on
au average for each Sunday." Mr. 8 Beckett adds
his opinion that, "the best means for the diminu-
tion of crime, poverty, and perhaps also disease, are
comprised in the prohibition of drunkenness."
SOME DETAILS OF THE ARCTIC EXTEDTTION, not
generally known, are communicated in a letter written
by a naval officer from Hong-Kong, on Nov. 1. The
writer says :
To our delight the long-unheard-of discovery-ship, Enter-
prise, arrived this morning, forty-two days from Rehring'a
Straits. You will have heard of her safety previously, vla
San Francisco. All well on board ; but. 1 am sorry to say
that misery and disunion have long been the tenants of the
ship while among the ice. The three lieutenants and
master have been for upwards of fifteen moailis, and are
still, under arrest. No officer has been out of this paradise
of a ship during that period. The first lieutenant has been
under arrest for upwards of two years ; some of the officers
have even been under close arrest, confined to their cabins,
Sir James Stirling has ordered that all shall have liberty to
go ashore, but declines to interfem further. She will sail
about the 2Alth of this month for England, where these ex-
traordinary proceedings on the part of her captain will bo
cleared up.
A GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT MRS
given at Dover on Thursday last by the hand of the
municipality of Calais and the Choral Society of
Saint Omer, for the benefit of the widows and
orphans of British soldien who have fallen in the
Crimea, and in " testimony of the sympathy and
friendshiplexisting between France and England."

Saba au Valitt.

SUPPLIES FOR THE CRIMEA.—SINGULAR
INVESTIGATION.
MIL It. W. ALDRIDGE, of the firm of Aldridge and
Co., of No. 24, Rood lane, appeared before Alderman
Wilson, at the Mansion-house, on Saturday last, and
said that in the Times newspaper of Christmas-day
he had read the following letter:—
Sir,-1 am sure, from the very able and zealons manner
in which yon have advocated the system of voluntary con-
tributions to our soldiers in the Crimea, and the exertions
made by your journal in pointing out their winos, and in-
spiring a generous sympathy for their condition, I need
offer no apology for addressing you to call attention to my
advertisements in your paper headed as above. lam per-
suaded, from the generous desire experienced by all to add
their mites in alleviating the privations and adding to the
welfare and comfort of our gallant troops, that any oppor-
tunity offered to the public to facilitate forwarding contri-
butions to the seat of war will be readily embraced. I
have on this account chartered a vessel, which I shall ac-
company to the Crimea, where I shall be enabled to see all
contributions, and to deliver any commissions with which
1 may be favoured. All goods, parcels, or packages to be
forwarded, with lists of contents, addressed, " W. Ward-
roper, Esq., Export-wharf, St. Katharine Docks." Letters
and communications received at the Mike, 4, Railway-
place, Fenchurch-street, City, where ahte a list of articles
must be forwarded two days prior to the goods being sent
to the doeks.—l am, sir, your very obedient servant,
W. WAKDILOPER.
4, Railway-place, Fenchurch-street, Dec.
Mr. Aldridge called two days afterwards at the
address, and found the room on the second floor
occupied by three persons. The replies from the
spokesman, seated at a small table, were so incon-
sistent, such as representing the vessel (a sailing
one) would make the voyage in about twenty-five
days, when all persons acquainted with shipping well
know that fifty days at the present season would not
be considered a long passage—the objection to give
him the vessel's name, and the still greater difficulty
of explaining the nature of the security to insure a
return of the proceeds of any shipment—led him to
leave the place, determining to have nothing what-
ever to do with the concern. Two days afterwards
he received a lithographic circular, couched in the
same language as the advertisement, and signed
"W. Wardroper." Of this no notice was taken. On
the Ist of the present month a gentleman seeking
an appointment, and known to applicant, called at
his office, and directed his attention to the following
advertisement :—" Clerk or storekeeper wanted in a
vessel about to proceed to the Crimea. Salary, 150/.
per annum. To a young man of good education who
can command immediately 3001. or 4001. this will
prove a most advantageous opening. Direct, with
real name and address, W. 8., Mr. Foster's, stationer,
114, Fenchnrch-stieet." The gentleman replied to
the advertisement, and received an answer also signed
"W. Wardroper." The surprise of applicant had
scarcely subsided when he was waited upon by
another party, with the following advertisement cut
fresh from the Times:—
The Crimes.—To Capittilists.-2,00111. or 3,000 f.
most favourable opportunity is offered to ceitalista for an
investment of the above sums in a safe and very remune-
rative undertaking, connected with the export of goods to
the Crimea. Thirty per vent. guaranteed. (me wishing
to visit the Crimea, and who would add personal services,(
preferred. Direct, with real moue and address, to }. B.
W., 77, Leadenhalletreet, City.