The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-10 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Sir W. Geary, Bart.—who had been elected in con-
junction with Mr. T. Law Hodges at the general
election in IB37—he was returned M.P. for West
Kent, which he continued to represent till the time
of his death. Sir Edmund is succeeded in the baro-
netcy by his eldest son, who attained his majority in
1855. In politics the lute baronet was a Conservative.
As Sir Edmund some time ago announced his inten-
tion of retiring from public life at the close of the
present Parliament, there are already two candidates
in tha field for the representation of West Kent—
namely, Mr. C. Wykeham Martin, of Leeds Castle,
near Maidstone, and Sir Walter B. Riddell.
Mr. JOSEPH BROTHERTON, M.P. for Salford, died
very suddenly on Wedne:day morning, whilst riding
in an omnibus from his residence at Pendleton,
through Salford, to Manchester. Mr. Brotherton
had been suffering from an affection of the heart for
some time, but was in his usual apparent health up
to the time he entered the omnibus. In the omni-
bus with him were his friends, Sir John Potter and
Sir Elkanah Armitage, and they were in conversation
together for nearly a mile of the way from Pendle-
On, during which Mr. Brotherton accepted an invi-
tation from Sir John Potter to spend an evening with
him next week, when a sudden change of countenance
in the honourable member attracted the attention of
Sir John, marked by a wild and vacant gaze at the
top of the omnibus. "Look at Mr. Brotherton," he
observed, " how ill he looks ;" and immediately he
had uttered the words Mr. Brotherton reclined gently
backwards, as though for support. The omnibus
was passing the Crescent at the time, and Sir John
becoming seriously alarmed for his friend desired
that the omnibus should at once be stopped. With
the assistance of gentlemen present, Mr. Brotherton
was carried into Mr. Southam's, surgeon, in the
Crescent, but the time bad already gone by when any
human aid could avail, and it is believed the honour-
able gentleman had ceased to exist before he was
carried out of the omnibus. He died at the advanced
age of seventy-three years. Mr. Brotherton was the
first member returned for Salford upon its enfran-
chisement after the Reform Bill, and he held the
representation up to his death. In politics he was a
Radical, plodding, hardworking, and attentive to his
parliamentary duties.

THE RIGHT REV. Da. Wursox, Bishop of Cork, died
on Monday last, at the age of seventy-six, at the epis •
copal palace, St. Finn Barr's, Ireland. The deceased
prelate was formerly one of the fellows of Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin, and Was consecrated in the year 1814.
He had tor some years previously filled the office of
Precentor of the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Dublin.
He was a firm supporter of the national system of
education, but it is understood that latterly his opinions
had been somewhat altered, and that he leaned more
to the views of the Church Education Society. He
for several years had filled the office of secretary
to the National Board, previous to his appointment
as Precentor of St. Patrick's. He also for many years
acted as examining chaplain to the Archbishop of
Dublin. The deceased prelate was popularly esteemed
as a learned and pious divine, distinguished for his
experience in ecclesiastiNtl affairs, and for a concilia-
tory and cordial spirit towards those who differed
from him in faith. In politics he was a Whig.
Dn. ANDREW LIRE, F.R.S., the eminent chemist,
died on the 2nd lest., at the house of his son in
Upper Seymour•street, Portman-square. Dr. Ure
was born in Glasgow on the 18th of May, 1778, and
had consequently entered upon his seventy-ninth
year. He studied both at Edinburgh and Glasgow,
and in 1803 graduated in the university of the latter
city. In 1805 lie was appointed Professor of
Chemistry to the Andersonian University of Glasgow.
As a chemist Dr. Ure was essentially practical and
utilitarian. His exertions at the Andersonian Uni-
versity have been attested by the success of many of
his pupils in after life : the names of Fairbairn,
Monteith, Neilson, Farey, and others, who were
formerly pupils of the Andersonian University under
Dr. Ure, illustrate better the value of his teaching
than any other eulogium could do. Amongst his
labours must be reckoned the establishment of the
Glasgow Observatory, and the publication of treatises
in almost every department of chemical science. The
conclusions therein offered have been adopted as
bastes of important calculations by many eminent
philosophers in this and foreign countries, and the
practical details contained in them are still in use in
many manutactories throughout Europe. His per-
sonal character was much esteemed.

SIGNOR CRITELLI died last week, at his residence,
Upper Norton street, Portland-place. Signor Cri-
velli came to England in the year 1817, with his
father, who wag engaged as the principal tenor at the
Ring's Theatre. Since that time he dedicated him.
self to the profession of teaching singing, and directly
acquired a great name, which he maintained with in-
creasing reputation up to the moment of his death.
Since the foundation of the Royal Academy of
31usic, in 1823, lie had been the principal professor
of singing at that institution, and almost all our
present singers have been his pupils. Signor Cri
velli has also written a method of singing, "L'Arte

SATURDAY,

del Canto," which is considered the best work ex-
taut. lie leaves behind him a celebrated name in
the profession, and he was beloved mid esteemed by
all who knew him.

'gat; anb

THE BANK FORGERIES.

Tile investigations into the great geld robbery are
scarcity concluded before I the London' detectives
exhibit another proof of their sagacity in the capture
of as clever a gang of forgers as ever infested Loudon,
and expose to us at a glance the witole system of the
most ingenious frauds that ever puzzled police.
Last year several forgeries of cheques were success-
fully passed upon the different London bankers.
Every bank more or less suffered. The skill and
ingenuity with which the forgeries were effected,
planned, and executed, defied detection. No effort
of the police could either bring the forgeries home
to the right men, or even discover thtir haunts.
Innocent men, the tools of the gang, or men mistaken
from their identity to the rogues, were tried, and in
some cases convicted, while the real rogues remained
comfortably housed in London, enjoying the fruits of
their rascality, and planning more comprehensive
ventures.

A few days since two men, James Anderson and
James Seward, were arrested by the detectives, and
brought before the Lord Mayor, charged with having
been connected with these forgeries. A preliminary
examination, it will be remembered, took place laq
week. The principal evidence was given on Satur-
day last and on Wednesday.
As in the case of the great gold robbery, a convict
now undergoing imprisonment was the principal wit-
ness for the prosecution. The first charge against
the prisoners was for forging two cheques on Messrs.
Barclay in August last for 46/. and for 95/. 17s. lid.
Atwell, the convict-witness, said ho had made
Saward's acquaintance about twelve months since.
Atwell had just done a little business in the burglary
line, and had in his possession some blank cheques
and some paid cheques on Messrs. Barclay and Co.,
the bankers :

Those cheques and blanks were part of the proceeds of
a burglary committed on the premises of a Mr. Doe. I
showed these documents to a person named Saunders,
who lived in the Old-street Road. In consequence of
something that passed between him and me, I went to his
house a second time, ani saw Saward, who was introduced
to me by him. I think there were two blank cheques.
and I think there were three that had been returned
by the bankers after having been paid. When I called at
Saunders's house on the second occasion I showed them
to Saward.

Saward, who was a man of business, said at once
that they were convertible securities. Money could
certainly be got with them :
He told me (continued the witness) that it was to be
done by filling up the blanks, and that they were then to
be sent to the bankers. He said he had a person whom he
called the " sender " that he would introduce to me, and
that that person would send them to the bank and get
them cashed when filled up.

After this the written and blank cheques were left
with Seward, who studied the handwriting of the one
and successfully filled up the other. After a week's
practice Saward was perfect, and met his friends
near Spitalfields Church, and then and there ar-
ranged the swindle :
Saward took the cheques from the cuff of his coat
showed them to me, and compared them with the writing
in the cancelled cheques, which were then turn up and
thrown away. Saward, Anderson, and I then proceeded to
Leman street, where they showed me a private house in
which Anderson had taken a room to use as a place from
which the cheques could be sent. Anderson went into the
house, Saward and I remaining outside near at hand. It
had been previously arranged that I should watch the man
who was sent to the bank to see whether the money was
paid or not. Another man also went into the same house.
He shortly afterwards came out and went to Messrs. Bar-
clay and Co.'s, I following him. This was with respect to
the smaller cheque, for 461. 15s. 111. He was th._ bearer
of that cheque. I saw him receive the money at the
counter. That young man I followed straight back to
Lemaostreet, and I waited outside while he went into the
house and paid the money.

The other little affair was to come off the same
afternoon :

After Anderson had received the money he and Seward
and our other companions met on the same day, in the
same street, and went towards the Eastern Counties Bail.
way, where Anderson had to meet another young man.
whom he employed to take the other cheque to the bankers.
I went with Anderson into an eating•house opposite the
station, Seward and the others waiting close by. While in
the eating•house Anderson, who had met the young man
on the platform of the railway, came in, and told us that
he had sent him to Barclay's with the other cheque, for
AM 17s. 6d. I followed the young man to the banking-
house, and saw the money paid him over the counter.
The cheque was paid partly in 101. notes, and the rest iu
gold and silver. It was part of my duty in these " matters
of business" to see the young man back safe.
Mr. MULLENS : Now, on this occasion did the young
man who had received the money for the chore 04140
hack straight with it ?

JANUARY 10, 1857.

Witness : No ; he was going over London•bridge,instead
of going back to the Eastern Counties Railway.
(Laughter.)
Air. Mum.i:ws : What happened then?
Witness : I went up to him and touched him on the
shoulder, and said, " You must be going the wrong way,
sir." (Laughter.) He replied no, that be was only going
to his last employers to know if Anderson had sent for his
character. At this time Anderson was not known by that
name, but by another, which I forget. He changed his
name each time that a cheque was sent. I said to the
young man when I tapped him on the shoulder, " There's
a gentleman waiting at the railway; he sent me after you;
he is very particular in trying his servants before he en•
gages them." I accompanied the young man back to the
railway, when we met Anderson, who went into a public.
house with him, I remaining outside. When Anderson
came out of the public•house he and I afterwards met
Seward. Anderson then gave the bank-notes that he had
received from the young man to Seward. We then pro.
ceeded together to the neighbourhood of the Hackney-road.
This transaction having gone off so satisfactorily with
his new acquaintance, Saward and Atwell exchanged
mutual confidences:—

Seward said if ever anything came in my way I was to
let Mr. Saunders know of it. I said I would, and he told
me that if any "business " turned up with him he would
write to me. I gave him my address. I was then living
in Cottage•lane, City-road, and was passing by the name
of Hawkes. I was living there with a young woman who
passed as my wife. I was occasionally visited there by
my aunt. Seward visited me there three times. On the
first occasion of his coining he said he had some " busi-
ness" for me if I would do as I had done before.

The business was to watch the cashing of a forged
cheque for 91/. on Smith, Payne, and Co. But this
little affair was unsuccessful :

The young man who had been hired for this job was
first sent to the Camden•station of the London and
North-Western Railway to make inquiries respecting some
luggage which was supposed to have arrived there. Upon
his return I followed hula to Smith, Payne, and Co.'s bank-
ing-house, and saw him take the cheque to the country-
ordi.r side. He then took it to the counter, where it was
stopped, and I went off as quickly as I could to the place
of rendezvous. I told Saward and Anderson. who were
waiting there, what had happened. IVe then separated.

A similar result followed one or two other attempts,
each time for a larger amount. At last it was deter-
mined to try a coup for 1,000/. A " friend " bad just
come home from Australia, one Hardwicke, and he
entered warmly into the business. A bill of ex
change for 1,000/. was forged upon Heywood's bank,
after a genuine bill for 2001., in the possession of
Hardwicke

It was arranged that this bill should " come off " on a
Saturday in June. We all four met on that morning at
Child's public•house, in Old-street Road, Anderson dressed
up as nsual, and we went to a public•house in Englefield-
road, Kingsland, the name of which I do not recollect.
We all went to the public-house first, and Anderson after-
wards went to the lodging. Before he did so a 201. note
was produced by Hardwick° Seward asked for a pen and
ink, which was brought in by a woman. who, I believe,
apologised for the room not being ready for the reception of
visitors. A name and address were written upon the note
by Seward. It was then given to Anderson, who took it to
the lodging to give it to the young man to get it changed
at the Bank of England. While the young man was gone
the 1,000/. bill was produced and some date was put across
it, but which of the dates I do not know. When the
young man returned Anderson brought in two foreign bill
stamps. Saward stuck a stamp ou the back of one of
the bills, and wrote an endorsement upon it, and it was
then taken by Anderson back to the lodging, for the pm.
pose of being given to the young man Clements. It was
then arranged that we should meet in a public-howe in
Bishopsgate-churchyard to learn the result of its present-
meat. Hardwicke, who left first, was to go to the banking-
house and wait till I came. I followed the young man
Clements. Seward was the last man to leave the public.
house. Clements rode on an omnibus, and I rode by the
side of him. I saw him go into Heywood's bank. Hard-
wicke also went in, and Seward was close by, in King
\Villiam•street. Shortly after Hardwicke went in he came
out, and made a signal to me, upon which I went into the
banking-house, and saw that the money was being taken
back by the clerk from Clements, to whom he had pre-
viously handed it. I asked some trivial question, and
went out and communicated to Seward what bad happened.
We all met shortly afterwards at the public-house in
Bishopsgate-churchyard, where we had something to eat.
We afterwards went to the Shades.

The examination of the prisoners was continued on
Wednesday, when the evidence given by Atwell,
with respect to the forgery upon Mr. Turner, through
Messrs. Gosling, the bankers, and reported in THE
PRESS of the 4th of October last, was confirmed by the
icke, concerned in that business.
ardwicke entered into much
iner in which the forgery was
prisoners were remanded for a

....n3lll sue *lll 01 vcrooer last, was confirmed by the
other convict, Hardwicke, concerned in that business.
Both Atwell and Hardwicke entered into much
detail on the manner in which the forgery was
carried out. The prisoners were remanded for a
week.
FREE CHINESE LABOUR IN THE WEST INDIES has
given use to a carrying trade remarkable for its
horrors and its profit. Neither in this feature of
the trade, n3r in the after fate of the unhappy
coolies at Cuba, is there much room for distinction
between free and slave labour. Let us see it any simi-
larity exists between the Hong Kong and Cuba voyage,
and the African middle passage. A case at the