The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-06 00:00:00

THE CRIMEAN ARMY FUND.

THERE was a public meeting of the inhabitants of
Marylebone held on Thursday evening, for the pur
pose of aiding the fund now raising for the supply of
provisions, clothing, and comforts to the army in the
Crimea. Mr. Jacob Bell, as chairman of the district
committee in aid of the fund, presided. He re-
ferred to an opinion, which lie acknowledged had
been frequently expressed, that such meetings as the
present were practical censures on the Government,
but begged the assembly to dismiss all unpleasant
considerations, and abstain from political controversy.
Whatever might be their opinions on the conduct of
the Government, they were assembled rather to aid
the Government than otherwise. Already large

contributions had been received, and were on their
way to the Crimea. A noble example had that day
been set by the Duke of Portland, who had sent 350
cases of preserved goods, and 1,000 gallons of ale.
Other speakers having addresaed the meeting in
support of a resolution setting forth " the necessity
of immediate efforts on the part of the people of
England to forward provisions and clothing to alle-
viate the sufferings of our brave soldiers and sailors
now engaged in the war, in addition to the ordinary
Government rations,"
Mr. LEWIS proposed the following amendment to
the resolution:—

That this meeting urgently calls upon the inhabitants of Mary-
labone to contribute liberally to the Crimean Army Fund, as a
means of counteracting the evils to which the brave army of
England is subjected, through the wilful delays and mismanage-
ment of the English Ministry.

He was astonished (he said) to-find the want of spirit in
those who pretended to be the representatives of the people,
in not having denounced the conduct of a base govern-
ment, through whose disgraceful neglect so many thou-
sands of our brave soldiers and sailors were absolutely
rotting in the Crimea. The time had come when the
people of England should denounce the conduct of the
present guilty and incompetent Government, in reference to
the war. au& whilst he called upon them to do as he in
tended to do—to subscribe liberally, in accordance with his
means, towards the Crimean Army Fund—to do so as a
vote of censure upon the Government.
After charging the Government with insincerity,
and with an attempt to get out of their mess by at-
tempting to blast the character of Lord Raglan, Mr.
Lewis concluded by moving his amendment.
Mr. Wardwr seconded the amendment, which was
carried with but three dissentients, amidst great
applause.
Some further resolutions were adopted, and the
meeting separated.

THE BoAnn OF TRADE RETURNS for the month
ending the sth of December present unfavourable
results, the declared value of exportations showing a
falling off as compared with the corresponding month
of 1853 of 1,856,988/. The diminution is observable
in almost every article, and has been particularly
heavy in cotton, woollen, and linen manufactures,
but it is to be attributed almost entirely to the com-
mercial distress in the United States and the com-
plete check which has at length been given to the mad
shipments to Australia. The war thus far has had
little effect than that of awakening prudence, and
causing the speculation to these regions to cease before
it had extended to a point at which a general crisis
w9iild have been inevitable. The fact of the reaction
having been attended with few instances of individual
disaster is considered a matter for special emigre-
tulatiort.

SATURDAY,

plitual anb Otrieral.

THE NEW NORTH FORT constructed at Liverpool
is nearly complete, and the whole of the guns will be
mounted in a few days. It is stated that a detach-
ment of the Lancashire militia, artillery and rifles,
will be garrisoned there.
MR. Dot:oLAs, of the Stratheden Foundry, Cupar,
has received a Government order for 35,000 cannon••
balls, to be furnished as speedily as possible.
THERE are now in course of preparation at the
Naval Arsenal, at Malta, a number of shells to be
used in blowing up the Russian ships sunk at the
mouth of the port of Sebastopol. The shell is of the
usual spherical shape, and is divided into two sec-
tions, each having an outer rim, by which when
charged the two parts are firmly screwed tt,gether.
These shells are of different sizes, some constructed
to contain 250 lb., others 500 lb., and others even

I,ooolb. of gunpowder. When required for opera-
tion a copper wire will be attached to each, in con-
nection with a galvanic battery, and the shell dropped
into the hold of the vessel.

THE ship Sumroo lett Southampton on Saturday
with 300 wooden huts for the French troops in the
Crimea. She was accompanied by the French impe•
rial steam-yacht, La Reine Hortense, which will assist
the Sumroo in getting to her destination by occasion-
ally towing her. The huts will house 9,000 men.

THE SUBSCRIPTION AT BORDEAUX for the purchase
of tobacco, cigars, and other articles for the allied
armies in the Crimea, has exceeded 40,000 f., and in
addition the committee have received from different •

persons 4,0(X) bottles of old Bordeaux wine for the
military hospitals. Mr. Scott, the British consul at
Bordeaux, having communicated to his Government
the fact of the Bordeaux subscription being applied
equally w the English and French armies, has re-
ceived a letter from Lord Clarendon, in which he
states that the British Government appreciate, in the
strongest possible manner, this fresh testimony of
sympathy and friendship.

The Moniteur de la Flotte states :
During the last twelve months nine ships-of-the-line, one
brig, and tour steamers have been launched. During the
same period three ships-of-the-line, six steam-frigates, thir-
teen screw-transports of the largest size, twenty steam
gun-boats, five floating batteries, and five sailing bomb-
vessels were placed on the stocks. The first result of the
labours of our arsenals during the year has consequently
been the launching of fourteen ships and the laying on
the stocks of fifty-two more. On the other hand the naval
department purchased in 185-1, for the use of the fleet,
11,300,000 kilogrammes of wheat, 7,520,0(k) kilogrammes
of flour, 1,605,000 litres of spirits, 13,300,000 litres of wine,
1,790,000 kilogrammes of salt provisions, 528,000 kilo-
grammes of coffee, 397,000 kilogrammes of cheese,
553,000 kilogrammes of sugar, and 3,492,400 kilogrammes
of dried vegetables, which articles cost the State 22,800,000 f.

MR. WILLIAM OWEN (son of Professor Owen) is
appointed to a junior clerkship in the Foreign-office,
Downing-street. . . .

CAPTAIN JOHN FRASER is appointed captain of the
Royal Naval Coast Volunteers.
MR. W. CARLETON, the celebrated Irish writer of
fiction, announces, through the columns of the
Nation, that he is about to leave Ireland for ever,
and to close the remainder of his days in Canada.
This information he embodies in the following
stanza:—

Ungrateful country, I resign
The debt you owe to me anti mine ;
My sore neglect—your gilt and shamt—
And ding you back your curse of fame.
Mr. Carleton has been for many years in his " un-
grateful country" receiving a Government pension,
amounting to 2001. per annum, as an acknowledgment
of his literaty merits.

TUE Scottish Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures
connected with architecture was opened yesterday
week in the Exhibition-hall, Glasgow, with an im-
posing inaugural ceremony, in presence of the Hon.
the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sir Archibald Alison,
Bart., Sheriff Bell, the ex-Lord Provost, magis-
trates, and council, a full representation of the
architectural profession in Edinburgh and Glasgow,
and a large assemblage of the most influential class
of the citizens.

THE DUKE OF BITCCLEUCH'S MANSION, opposite
Downing-street, is shortly to be pulled down, and a
handsome new edifice erected on its site. The
noble duke has taken the late Earl of l3rownlow's
house, in Belgrave•square, until his family residence
is rebuilt.

SOME months since Government despatched Mr.
Nicklin, photographic artist, with two sappers and
miners as assistants, with a valuable set of appa-
ratus, for the purpose of taking views of the fortifi-
cations about Sebastopol. We regret to learn that
the whole perished with the Rip van Winkle, which
foundered in the late hurricane, off Balaklava.
THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH has granted a gold
medal of honour of the second class to Captain John
Jones, commander of the English brig Enterprise,
for having saved at sea the crew of the French mer-
ebent-ship Louise, of Abbeville.

1

•04

Sab3 ad olitt.

THE AFFAIRS OF MR. OmNEB., the great Liverpool
shipowner, have, after some litigation, and many
abortive attempts at arrangement, come under the
jurisdiction of the Court of Bankruptcy. On Monday
the fiat was ordered to issue by the Liverpool Court,
and the estate will be wound up by official assignees.
The debts, as already mentioned, exceed 800,0001.,
and the amount to be expected from the assets when
realised in Bankruptcy, it is now estimated, will not
exceed 500,0001.
THE French Tribunal of First Justice for the
Department of the Seine has pronounced judgment
in one of the suits between Mr. and Mrs. Hope, in
which its concurrence was desired with the decision
of the English Court of Chancery. In an action
respecting the custody of the children, who were
domiciled in France, a French court had decided in
favour of Mrs. Hope, but the Lord Chancellor, on
hearing the same case, gave a contrary sentence, for
whose execution, however, it was necessary to apply
to the Paris tribunal. The case being argued, M.
Mocguer, substitute for the Procureur-General,
"ifered the following " conclusions," as they were
f 'malty termed:—
The French tribunals have declared that the mother should
retain the custody of her two children, but added that the cus-
tody thus confided to the mother should be maintained only
until the eoinpetetent tribunals should have pronoutced. What
are the competent tribunals? In what character, and to what
extent. have the French tribunals decided ? The French tribunal
has not pronounced as administrator of the French law. It has
decided between foreigners who were not subject to its jurisdic-
tion, and who could not become so. It has, therefore, confined
itself withiu the narrowest limits of the narrowest exception re-
lating to foreigners residing iu France, and with reference to
whom measures of protection are necessary. Mr. Hope has
taken proeeediugs before the Lord Chancellor of England. The
Lord Chancellor has decided that the children ought to be given
up to their father, because, according to the English law, it is the
father who is the guardian of the children ; and there must be
very strong grounds before they can be withdrawn from this
guardianship and protection. You are now called upon to carry
into effect the decision of the Lord Chancellor. For our part we
do not hesitate to say that we think the execution of the sentence
ought to be immediately ordered. What is the question for the
judge who is called upon to decide on the present application?
Be has to consider whether the decision was pronounced by the
competent tribunal—whether there is anything in it contrary to
to the French law, or to public order in France ; finally, whether
the judgment referred to him has, iu truth, the character of a
judgment. As for the competence of the tribunal which has pro-
nounced, it is incontestable. The English law declares the Lord
Chancellor the protector of all minors. Has the decision of the
Lord Chancellor the character and force of *judgment? Clearly
ves, since the Chancellor, with the law of his country before
him, declares his decision paramount. Finally, is this judgment
contrary to the French law? Clearly, no. We have no
enactment to the etfett that in a suit of separation de corps,
the children shall necessarily be given up to the party who
institutes the suit. Consequently. there is no obstacle to your
immediately declaring the sentence of the Lord Chancellor
executory. It has, it is true, been said, " You are not a registry
office; you do net merely register the decisions of foreign tri-
bunals which are submitted to you; you pronounce in some sort
a new decision, and it is this which ought to prevail." When the
question is of property situated in France, I can understand this;
but, in a case of two foreigners over whom we have no jurisdic-
tion, are we to criticise the judgment which has been prounouuced
and to say that the fudge has decided wrongly? Are we to enter
into all the details of English law, with which we ere unacquainted ?
Are we, a Paris tribuual, sitting in Paris, to amend a decision
emanatiug from an English judge, residing iu England ? When
the parties have appeared before the Lord Chancellor, when he
has hoard both aides fully, when he has been able to appreciate,
with a knowledge of the facts, the arguments which each has put
forward, are we, a French judge, going to hear the parties anew?
Aro we going tolieten to this dispute, when the Lord Chancellor
has heard the opposite statements of Mr. Hope and his wife ? It
is impossible. Each has his duty, his mission to perform. The
English judges decide in England ; we French judges may be
coutented to decide in France. To the English authorities
be long disputes between English suhjecta, and when they have
pronounced, it is to the French authorities to order the execution
oftheir sentences, if they are not contrary either to the laws or to
the public order of our country. In the matter before the court
the principles have been recognised; there is nothing contrary
to our legislation ; all rights are respected think then th
the court will declare executory the sentence of the Lord Chan
cellor.
The President subsequently pronounced judgment
to the following effect :--The order of the Lord
Chancellor of the sth of August, last year, is declared
executory in France. The boys are to be placed in
some neutral domicile until the definitive decision
(viz. in case of appeal to the Coure Imperiale) to
prevent their being withdrawn from France or Pans.
Articles belonging to Mrs. Hope in the house at the
Quai d'Orsay are to be returned to her. The school
in which the boys are to be temporarily placed not
defined.
AT the Leicester Quarter Sessions, on Monday,
Richard Warren, who had been employed as a clerk
in the Leicester post-office for between nine and ten
years, was convicted of having embezzled Bd., the
property of her Majesty, by gumming old postage-
stamps upon registered letters, and appropriating to
his own use the money paid for registering them.
He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment,
with hard labour.
A POLICEMAN THlEF.—Charles King, who for many
years had been attached to the police-force in the
C Division, and who was principally engaged as a
detective in plain clothes, was charged at Bow-street,
on Thursday, with having in a great number of cases
ly-Tome himself an accomplice, or rather the insti-
gator of the crimes which it was his function to
prevent or detect. Daring the detention of the pri•
soner at the police-station, before the examination

THE PRESS.

commenced, he made a desperate attempt to escape
from custody, but was speedily overtaken and se.
cured. The prosecution, it is stated, had been
directed by the Police Commissioners, in conse-
quence of certain disclosures which had been made
from time to time by the young criminals confined in
the House of Detention. The witnesses against him
consisted of members of this class, several of whom
were brought up in custody of the prison officials.
The evidence they gave was sufficiently conclusive of
the prisoner's guilt. A youth named Iteeves stated
the most important particulars. In his examination
he said
:
lam now a prisoner in the Westminster Bridewell. I
was sent there on the 2nd of May last for picking pockets,
and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. I know the
prisoner King. He was a policeman. He first know me
as a pickpocket. About this time last year I met him by
appointment at the Luke's Head public-house iu Little
Pulteney-street. Two other boys were with me, named
Donovan end Arrendon. He said he would show us a
place where we could get some money—a place white
there were lots of ladies. It was a few days after Christ-
mas. King went with us through Berkeley-square to the
Serpentine, in Hyde-park. King pointed out a lady to me
in Berkeley-street, and I picked her pocket. I got a purse
containing Si. 155., all gold except ss. King told me he
knew I should get a skin from her. I got it by putting my
hand into her dress. I gave the money to King, as well
as two other purses which I succeeded in getting from
ladies, one just before and one afterwards. The money
was equally divided between King, me, and the two other
boys about an hour after, at public-house where we took
refreshments. After this we went to the Serpentine, and
King took us up to the bridge, where a great many ladies
and gentlemen were looking over at the skating which was
going on there. He said there were plenty of people there
that I might get something from. He pointed with his
stick to a lady and gentleman who were leaning over the
bridge, and I and the other boys went up to them. 1
picked the lady's pocket of a purse containing half a-sove-
reign and 7s. King was about four yards off at the time,
and saw me do it. He then beckoned to us with his stick,
and when we were a little way off he took the purse front
' me, emptied it, and put it into the hole of a tree. He gave
the money to Donovan to mind till we could get some more.
He told us it would not be safe to stop any longer on the
bridge, but said we might do something under the bridges,
where there were a great many people. We went down
there, and I picked a lady's pocket of a handful of loose
silver. I did not count it, but passed it over to Donovan.
I could not do anything more there. King said it was a
measley sort of place, and it was no use stopping. The
money was divided about seven o'clock the same evening
at a public-house in Chelsea. The next day we met again,
by King's desire, and he took us to a bank, at the corner
of a street in Pall-mall: Donovan and Arrendon stopped
two or three ladies there, but I could not get anything from
them.
Mr. Hsu.: It seems that you were always selected to
pick the pockets. Was that because you were considered
the most expert hand?
Witness : Yes ; I was more up to it, and had the smallest
hand. Not being able to do anything at the bank, we went
to a large print-shop, where crowds of people are always
looking in at the pictures. King was with us there. I got
a purse with '2l. Os. Od. in it from a woman. We divided it
at a public-house, and the purse was thrown away. After
that we went to the inclosure, in the park, but got
nothing there. I was taken up in April, and committed tor
trial by the magistrates. Up to that time, ever since
January, King had been constantly with me He was with
me the day before I was taken. My companions were not
taken into custody with me. They escaped.
Mr. HALL : What was the largest amount of money you
ever obtained in this way in one week ?
Witness : I have got between OW. and 1001. in one week
by pocket-picking. King shared that money with me and
the other boys. I picked from about one to five pockets
per day generally.
Mr. HALL.: What did you do with your share of the
money?
Witness : I did not keep it by me. I used to give it to
Mr. Dunn, a tallow-chandler, who keeps a shop iu Short's-
gardens. I have given him as much as 171. at one time. I
took the money to him because the other boys did the
same. 1 always had it back again when I wanted it.
Mr. HALL : How did you spend all this money. At
penny theatres, I suppose !
Witness : Oh, no. At Astley's and Drury Lane. I laid
some of it out in clothes, and so forth.
Mr. BUUNNAISY : And didn't you buy a horse ?
Witness : I bought a pony at Smithfield for 51. 155., and
kept it for about six months, riding about with it.
Mr. HAI.L : Where did you usually ride?
Witness : In the Park mostly. ((3reat laughter.) I kept
the pony standing in the Angel-yard, Broadway, and paid
2s. Bd. a week for it. I fed it myself. I sold the pony for
rather less than I gave for it. I 1184 been a thief two years
before I was apprehended. 1 have a mother, but I left her.
Mr. IlAtf.: I never knew swore important inquiry than
this. If there is any truth in the statement we have heard
( and I understand it is supported by other evidence), itis
one of the mostfrightful cases of delinquency that can well be
imagined. That one appointed to protect the public should
be so associated with these young thieves—aiding, abetting
and profiting by their crime—seems hardly credible; and yet
I ant informed that similar disclosures have been made by
other boys. It is due to the public that the matter should
be thoroughly sifted.
The prisoner (who said nothing to the charge) was
remanded for further examination.
AN ADJUDICATION IN BANKRUPTCY was made on
Thursday against David Leopold Lewis, a general
merchant, of Salters' Hall-court, Cannon street.

11

The liabilities are understood to be large, ranging
from 150,0001. to 200,0001. The assets will also be
considerable ; there have been already handed over
to the official assignee a mortgage for 30,0001., also
1,500 shares in the Sunderland Dock Company.
The adjudication is on the bankrupt's own petition.
THE ARBITRATION Claiß between the Loudon Mis-
sionary Society and the Rev. Mr. Davies has been
resumed during the past week, and evidence, touching
principally on the past conduct, language, and letters
of Mr. Davies, taken before Mr. Whateley, Q.C., at,
enormous length. The case has already occupied
several days, and does not, show any immediate signs
of coming to a conclusion.
EMANUEL BARTHELEMY, the murderer of Mr.
George Moore and Mr. Charles Collard, in Warren-
street, Fitzroy-square, was tried at the Central Cri-
minal Court on Thursday. The case occupied
several hours, chietly on account of the interest
taken in the crime, for of the guilt of the criminal
there could be no doubt from the lint. The jury
returned a verdict accordingly, but accompanied by
a recommendation to mercy, on what plea was not
stated. Sentence of death was then pronounced in
the usual form'. Last Sunday the Rev. Dr. M`Cul-
loch, one of the chaplains of the Roman Catholic
church in Rosomou-street, Clerkenwell, solicited
from the congregations assembled at the four masses
or services of the day their prayers for the eventual
salvation of one of the most penitent of sinners,
whom lie was then spiritually attending in Newgate
Prison. In describing his contrition, the rev. gentle-
man stated that the party he alluded to was one of
the most repentant men he had ever met with.

4.tribtuts anb emits.

A FATAL ACCIDENT, resulting in the lose of two
liver and serious injuries to many persons, occurred
on Saturday night near Thetford, on the Eastern
Couuties line of railway. The night mail train
passed Thetford about 11 p.m., but mile to a stand-
still some two miles further on at a most dangerous
point, being situated at the bottom of a decline,
and in the centre of some sharp curves which shut
out the view of approaching trains at very short
distances. One of the guards was sent back with
a lantern and detonating signals to warn the follow-
ing trains ; whether the man did not go far enough
or use proper diligence is not known, but the driver
of a cattle convoy perceived uo indication of danger
until he was nearly close on the mail-train, into
which he rau with a terrible shock. The persons
killed are John Barton, driver of the mail-train, who
was underneath his engine endeavouring to repair
it, and a passenger named Mr. Meager, au under-
taker in Long.acre.
ANOTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT took place on Wednes-
day night on the great Northern Railway, at a short
distance beyond the Leeds central station, to the
train which leaves that town at 6.25 p.m. The
train was passing over a crossing on one of the via-
ducts, when the first carriage behind the engine
struck against the points, and was immediately
detached from the train by the breaking of the
coupling irons, and thrown over the viaduct, forty
feet high. In the carriage, which was composed
of first and second class compartments, was the
Recorder of Doncaster, Mr. R. Hall, who was
travelling to that town to preside at the ses-
sions on the following morning. His right leg
and shoulder were fractured, and he was very much
bruised by the fall of the carriage, which was
smashed to pieces. There wero two or three other
persons in the carriage, who were also much in-
jured. Mr. Hall is in a very bad state, and
an order was forwarded to Doncaster to adjourn
the sessions for one month. The other part of the
train was after some delay despatched on its
journey.
A YOUYG Woms.N named Ardran was shot on
Wednesday evening by a man named Daniel Hawks-
worth, and died, after lingering in great agony, on
the following night. Hawksworth had been paying
addresses to his victim, and expressed much exaspe-
ration on having his proffers refused. He was taken
into custody without resistance or attempt at flight.
JOSEPH Thiele was a day-waiter at the Albion
Hotel, Manchester, and went home on the night of
the 30th ult. in a state of intoxication ; a quarrel en-
sued between him and his wife, in the course of
which he became much exasperated, and threw the
tea-kettle at her head with such fatal precision that
the spout entered the scalp on the left side of her
forehead. She was afterwards conveyed to the infir-
mary, where erysipelas ensued, of which she died on
Tuesday evening. A jury have returned the verdict
of " Manslaughter" against Bruin.
ON Wednesday night, about twelve o'clock, a sailor
named William Steel was coming out of the Blue
Anchor public-house in Charles-street, at the of
the Theatre Royal, Liverpool, when he was attaa
two foreigners--John Manhetti and Antonio .
In the scuffle Manhetti drew his knife, and ed
Steel in the left side, near the region of the heart.
The unfortunate man died in a few minutes.