The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-27 00:00:00

THE "ESTABLISHED BUSINESS"
SWINDLE.

(From Ovriositiss of London Life.)
Just on the same principle as the American
backwoodsman locates upon a plot of savage
territory, tells the forest tircb:r, burns the lumber,
ploughs and sows the reclaimed land—then sells
the whole clenriog, stock, lot, and coming crop, to
some uandetirg emigrant. in search of • settlement
—so in London there is a class of men (sod, we may add,
of women too) whose favourite occupation it is to open new
shops, and diq out, as it were, new channels ler the cur•

reuls'of comm-erce: in the yt:t untritd neighbourhoods of
the ever-increasing metropolis; selling their newly t..rmed
establishments so soon as they are set a. goirg„ and its a fair
war of sweets, tither to new-married couTA-rs, country
im-
migrante, or other parties whom tney u..ty suit. Against
such a mode of gaining a live) mood. however singular
may appear to some, nothing can he juily said. These par-
ties are often of etieotial service to the community, to whom

they frequently introduce *he co nveniences of retail trade
in the localities which, with.,ut syrulat:ve etiterprivc,
would long remain strangers to third. They are the pio-
neers of max, whose mission it is to clear the way for the
commercial !vest which has in due time to follow ill their

Lotsteps. They owe their success (and most of them are
successful) to tha possession cf a ray:• tact an crimivation
in reference to business matters, as well as to a coati terable
amount ot t hat constitutional emery y and restlesanc ss which so
remarkably characterise their prototype of the " far west."
Bat as everything successful in Lmeton it. sun: to Five bush
to its countett•i!, so in tlns peculiar walk of life there ere
hundreds of unprincipled knaves who make a prey of the
strseger and the inexperienced by the uncer ft is e
pretences, of mock estalhiAments, whose prc• onded retinas
have no existence save iu the records of It se: of plausible
Qe2ount•buoks, artfully made up tar the ptapuse of .I.frkuei-
in7 the unwary.

We sWi more effectually expose the modus rpernidi of
this sort of swindlers by a brit f recital of what 1.1 tu al I y oc-
curred to a friend of our own who unhapp:ly fell into their
clutches, than by any formal descriptions that could be
glven.

In the year IS4—, Walter S— found himself, at the
demise of his I ,et surviving parent, under the necessity of
seeking a livelihood. With youth, health, and a tckrably
good education, and with 600 t. in his pocket, he lef. his
native plac?, and came to London to prosecute his fortune.
After pushing his inquiries in town fur near three months,
without tinihng anything to suit him, he began to turn his
rgtention to the morning papers, and to cou the advertise.
meats witn a degree of interest which can cely be appre-
ciated by these who have been in similar circumstances.
. .

At length, lured by the prospect of a good income in return
her very moderate excrtione, he applied personally at the
()Mee of a house agent iu Oxford-street, who had advertised
his business for sale. The office us' a sort of seui-ehop ein
the ground floor, at the west end of the street ; a7d thongh
bearia• a remarkably neat and genteel appearance, hod
withal 'a
some,vbat worn and business aspect. Tths f.e
thought looked well. Ilaving made hie purpose known t..
the single clok, that functionary touched a bell, which
brought out the principal fruit au inner chamber—a sober,
rather sad.visiged, well-dressed individual, of about lire-
anelsthirty, in deep mour,.Mg. makin; l.nowa the
object of his Teeit, and referring to the edvertisement in the
Tuns of that morning, the advertiser demanded whether it
was the intention of his visitor to pure:lase the Lus:ntss lbr
himself, or was hie merely making inquiries on Imialf of
another person ? S-- replied that he was acting solely on
his own account, and that, if the business bore out the
terms of the advertisement, it was his intention to make
him an offer.

"I could easily satiety you," call the other, " that this
bu.inesi wo-ild have justified me iu employing much
s ringer t.rr...; of recommendation ; but the fact is, that
although I have doubled the returns since I bought it my-
elf. 1 have no 'visa to recover more than the money I paid
for it—the death of a relitive having roleriaed sae from the
further ucccesiry of any busioess oc:upation at all. tut I
fear you are ton late ; I parted with a gentleman not au
hour ago who has all but decided woo tAing it. It is
a pity you did not apply before: I cannot any anything dc.
cisivc ou it at present. Good morning, sir."
"Good nv,rning;" and S— had aready reached the
door, disappointment in his lAce, when the other cried,

"Scup; youumaygive me your address. It is possible the
first applicant rusty not conclude the affair. It strikes me
from sonic lematks he let drop, that he may net have the
cash at band, in which case I will let you know the day'
after to-morrow. By the way, we may as well understand
each other—you will allow we to asi you if you are pre-
pared to pay cash down, or what date, supposing we should
do busine to,;ether i"
"Why," said I had not resolved to Pifer you
the exact amount you demand ; but 1 will say this, that if,
after full investigation of the business and returns, we should
deal, it will be fur cash."
" In that case," said the agent, " you shall have the pre-
, ferules if the party who has just left does not conclude the
purchase Perhaps you will look in at eleven the day after
to-morrow, and thus save time i" _ _

7 '
S-- promised he would do so punctually, and de-
parted, not without hopes of becoming yet the leoprietor of
so snug a concern.
At eleven precisely on the day appointed B—opened
the office door. The principal was standing at the desk in
earnest, almost angry, discussion witn an elderly man of
gentlemanly garb and manners. lie nodded to the new-
comer, and motioned to his clerk to show him into the pri-
vate room, which was so situated that S— could not
avoid hearing every syllable that was uttered in the office..
lle soon became aware that the stranger wes the first rippli-
ce.nt whose rivalry he had so much dreaded; and be heard
with secret satisfaction that though eagerly desirous of se-
curing the business, be was not in a condition to pay dawn
the required sum upon taking possession. Ile pleaded hard
to be allowed to make a deposit of partof the purchase-
money, by way of Wading the bargain, offering three hun-
dred pounds an cash, and the rest in hills of short date.
This the agent would by no means allow, and upbraided
him with having deceived him in that particular at their
former interviews. The stranger retorted, and the discus-
sion grew almost into a quarrel, both parties becoming less
ceremonious as the dispute waled warm. It ended at last
' in the agent bowing out his would-be successor, who de-
I parted muttering his dissatisfaction in no measured terms.
The coast was now clear for S--, with whom, after
_ . .

apologising for the warmth of his langu'age to the stranger,
and remarking that it was a singular coincidence that S—
should have arrived just in time to witness their disagree-
ment, an arrangement was entered into for examining the
hooks and testing the present state of the business. Refer-
ences having been exchanged on both sides, that same after-
noon the books of the last two years were gone over cur-
sorily, but carefully, and checked with the annual audits,
in a manner, and with a result, perfectly satisfactory to the
incoming proprietor. During the examination two parties
galled and paid 61. as per ceutage on hones s let by the agent.
Before leaviag the premises, at sunset, 3 had agreed to
spend the ensuing fortnight in the office, as well to test the
average returns, as to learn the simple routine of manage-
ment. The fortnight passed pleasantly enough. The
books were left in the hands of S—, who conned them
carefully, and never conceived the slightest suspicion of
their genuineness. The clerk proved a rollicking out-
spoken fellow, fond of cigars and bottled ale, and made no
scruple of abusing his employer for not having raised his
salary beyond a paltry hundred—affirmed that to his exer-
tions and attention the success of the office was sasiuly due
—and hoped that S—, on assuming the government,
wonla have the liberality to do hiaajnatice. There was no
lack of business during the period of probation. Persons
dropped in with notices of houses and premises to let, for
the registry and exhibition of which on the office show-
boards they paid willingly, according to a liberal scale of
charges. The principal was absent for hours together every
day, and once lor two whole days, during which S— had
the luck to let a mansion in a neighbouring square for 1801.
a year—accompanied the incoming tenant in the examina-
tion of the premises, and received from the landlord 5 per
cent. upon the first year's rent. In addition to this, busi-
ness was transacted of a less:important character, but which
yet yielded a comfortable profit to the agent. As the fort-
night drew to a close, it appeared plainly enough that the
profits averaged altogether, after paying expensed, nearly
10/. a week ; and S— began to think it was a pity that
he had not struck the bargain before, and pocketed them
himself. When the time was up, and the agent asked him
if ho was satisfied with what they were doing, and was
disposed to conclude the affair, he was but too ready to do
so; and the next day a lawyer was called in, an agreement
drawn up in due form, and signed by both parties ; 450/.
was paid down by S—, and bills at short dates were
given for 150/. more. The " agreement for a lease " of the
offices, and the landlord's receipts for rents, together with
all books and documents connected with the business, were
made over to the new purchaser ; and before starting for
the north to "take possession of hie newly-bequeathed pro-
perty," the agent secretly advised S— to get rid of the
clerk. "You will find that you can easily manage the
whole affair yourself," said Le ; "and you may as well
save the expense of such a fellow, who is likely to prove au
annoyance to any ono who does not know bow to manage
him as I do." This recommendation proved iu the result
quite unnecessary. S— took up what be now considered
his permanent quarters on the ensuing day, and hired a
sleeping-room close by for the better convenience of busi-
ness. But no clerk made his appearance. This did not as
first trouble the new proprietor, who attributed his absence
to some convivial irregularity, and felt pretty sure of his
speedy return. Two, three, four days—a whole week pawed,
and no clerk,—and what, alas! was a thousand times
worse, not a single customer ! S—, now a prey to awful
suspicions of foul play, lived upon tenter-hooks. Another
and another week elapsed; and though the stream of popu-
lation rushed incessantly past the office door, there were
hardly more signs of business in the deserted rooms within
than in the silent mummy chamber of an Egyptian pyra-
mid. At length, when nearly two months Lad passed away
without the realization of a stiletto shilling, and S-- had
become gradually awake to the completeuss ot his victimi-
sation, a stranger called with a demand for two quarters'
rent, and threatened to seize if it were not paid tmmedi-
utely. S-- produced his receipts up to the last quarter,
which proved to be mere fabrications, signed with a name'
the same in sound, but differing in spelling from that ot
the real landlord. Frem explanations that ensued and
from reference to neighbours, and to tho ,inmates of the
tuhpeperab peetalabolfe the house,
rho
apparent.
.
i had 1
been n.l acb
rhoiunse, hrYt toof
so successful an issue, was made
The agent himself, the clerk, the " prior applicant,: the
customers, the gentlemen who bad taken the house tu the
square (which house, by the way, belonged to the land-
lord of that of which the office was a part, and was still
tentage on letting—the very lawyer, or supposed lawyer,
uffiet), the pretended landlord, who bad peel the per
who had drawn up the agreement—all were partners or
creatures of ono swindling gang. The books were a set of

documents cooked up (or the purpose of delusi In. Among
the scores of notices exhibited on the chow- boards only one
was genuine, and that one was in reference to the house in
the square, which had been ma Le to p:sy so impettant a
part in the swindle. The others, it is true, indicated
houses, shops, and chambers which were actually to let;
but they had been copied from similar annuuncements die-
played in other parts of the city, without the senctien of
the owns re of the premises, and lot the purpo-e of carreing
out the fraud. As a termination to this villonous effair,
poor S— was fain to evacu►te the theatre of his delusion,
resigning the furniture and fixtures in consideration of a
discharge in full Cl the landlord's claims for rent, and to
recommence his researches in London fir some career upon
which he might enter with emery pockets and a little dear-
bought experience.
The above is an " ower true tale," and is hut one of a
thousand which might be supplied from the private T•is-
toties of multit tides s bo have fallen victim', to cent-pins ;es
of the same class more or Is se extensive. Every recurring
week brings to the metropolis nil renturere from the country
in search of a location in town, and desirous el investing
their hardly-earned ravinas, or Meg-expected Inheritance,
in some established b•tsinete, or fair *peculation, •s^.rich may
offer to honest industry the prospect of e.ompetenee and re-
spectability. Such will do well to remember that the land-
sharks are here on the look-out for their prey, which they
will be prevented from gorging only by the car reise rat the
utirest vigilance and precaution on the part el their in-
tended victims.

IRELAND.

- •--.-

DniLts. Oct. 20,

The first extensive sale of property in the En-
cumbered Esmtes Court for the Beeson just com-
menced, took place yesterday, when the Connemara
and Eyre Connaught estates of Mr. Christopher
St. George, of Tyrone-house, county Galway, were
put up for competition. A largo portion of the
estate consisted of hails of the very worst descrip-
tion, and of islands on the coast, and it is there-
fore not u matter of much surprise that it should
have been sold tar sixteen years' purchase. The
net rental of the lots sold yesterday was 2,3604
and the gross sum realised was 34,1601. The quan-
tity of land sold was 20,112 statute acres.
The Lord Lieutenant will proceed in state to the
Great Exhibition on Monday next for the put pose
of closing it with due solemnity. There will be a
grand musical fko given on the occasion, and tho
final scene will no doubt be worthy of the Irish
Palace of Industry, and its brief bat brilliant
history.
The following official communication has been ad-
dressed by the Irish government to the Tuaru ma;;is-
, trates in reply to an inquiry from them relative to
some breaches of the rabliath. that had become cus-
tomary in that town, in the shape of fruit selling,
&c.

DJWin Castle, Oct. 22, IBL3.
Sir —I am directed by the 'Lord Lieutenant to acknow-

leduc'the receipt of you'r letter of the 15t:i instate, relative
to the sale of fruit on Sundays, and in reply 1 not desired
to acquaint you that the subject having been referred to
the law adviser, ho states that the words of 7 Win. ILI..
cap. 17, !ft. 1, are u follows :—" No person shall publicly
cry, show forth, or expose to sale say wares, merchandive,
fruits, herbs, yuo,i, or chattels whatsoever, upon the Lord's
day, or any pm t thereof, ON of forfeiture of the goods,
&c." Those words appear to him to admit of no doubt,
and hcwevor opp.e.ed to the feelings of the Oa^ r;stratos, ha
thinks they ate t)ll:.ti to enforce the late i, the case be
brought bed.re them —I sir, sir, your obedient Pen out,
To Wm. Larke, El., J.l'. Joan 'Vol:Nu.

UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL.

..41.•

Oxronr, Ocr. 26.—This morning Mr. W Miura
Eccles Junes, commoner, was elected a scholar cr .1 sus
College, on the North Wel.' foundation. The other
vacancy. was nut filled up.
The President of Magdalene has given notice that a
meeting of the president and fellows will be held in the
College flan, on Tuesday, the Bth of November, fur tha
purpose of electing two exhibitioners, for the study of the
Hebrew lanausge, pursuant to the will of Edward Ellerton,
Doctor of Divinity.
The Professor of Political Economy (George Kettilby
Richards, M.A.), proposes to deliver in the present term a
series of lectures ea population, including an examination
of the leading theories on that rubject. The first lecture
will be g.yeu at the Clue. ndon, on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Mr. Ilupc'e entomological cent ction will be open to the
public daily daring the present terru, from two to three p.m.
Persons desirous ut studying the
.ce!lectien for scientific
purposes at greater leisure, are nil:kited ts.apply, 1,7 letter,
addressed The Curator of Mr. Rope's Collection, faylor-
buildings."

NAVAL.

-••-

PORTSMOCTII, OCT. 26.—Tho Princess Royal, 01,
strew steam ship, is ordered to he commissioned by Captain
Lord Clarence Paget. The Frolic, 12, sloop, is also or-
dered to be put into commission by Commander Nalloth.
Captain John Shepherd, late of the Victory at this port,
was entertained last night at a parting dinner given by the
efficers of that ship on his appointment as sup_rintmlent of
Woolwich Dockyard, Commander Boyle presiding. Cap-
tain Crispin has been tele?raphed up to the Admiralty
to-day relative to the new royal yacht. The Duke
of Wellington, 131, Cammodore Martin, CAI, is
having her detects made good at Sp:thead, her
rudder having been unshipped, and returned to
the dockyard for repair. The St. Jean d'Aere,
101, screw steam-ship, Captain the Hon. H. Keppell, came
into harbour last night, and is slow preparing to receive
Grant's distil:lug galley. The London, 90, Captain
Eden, is being expedited for the Mediterranean. She
ehipr•ed 400 bags of bread to-day, and to receive 250
barrels of beef, pork, &c., in addition to the stock already
on board. Tho Terrible, 21, paddle-frigate, Captain
M'Cieverty, is to be provisioned or, Friday neat, prior to
leaving for Plymouth to embark Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons for the Mediterranean. The detects of the Arrogant,
46, screw steam-frigate, Captain Yelvcrtou, are to be made
good at Spithcad. She is to have a capstan of the ordinary
character, her present one not being found to work well.
The Fairy, screw tender to the royal yacht, was dock"d to-
' day for repairs. The Russian frigate, Aurora, 41, was
taken into dock to-day ,to repair defects. The Fearless,
steam-vessel, went down to Hurst Castle to-day with
Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, and other engineering officers,
to inspect the new works there. The Tribune, 30, screw
frigate, Captain the Hon. S. T. Carnegie, made two runs
, at the measured mile on Monday, the result of which was a
mean speed of 9.666 knots per hour; mean revolutions, 70;
• the force of wind being 4t05 on the bow in one direction,
r and on the quarter in the other. Yesterday six runs were
made, when the results were-a mean speed of 9.552 karats ;
revolutions, 68; and force of wind, 6 to 7.

MUSIC.

LONDON WEDNESDAY CONCERTS.

Our musical readers will remembor a series of
cone( rts, under the above title, which were carried
on for several years at Exeter-hall. A new set ice,
of a similar description, under the same title, atd at
the same place, has been set on foot, and the first
concert took place last evening. We believe there is
nothing else in common between the old concerts
and the new, the parties concernedbeing entirely dif-
ferent. It is said that this new enterprise is com-
menced with ample pecuniary me an B,and will be carried
on with liberality and spirit. The preliminary measures
seem to have been judicious, and to augur well for
the success of the scheme. A most able and expe-
rienced conductor has been obtained in the person of
Mr. Benedict ; a complete and powerful orchestra has
been formed, consisting entirely of well known and
eminent hands; and engagements arc annoanced as
having been made, or as pendirg, with a host of
great vocal and instrumental performers. The con-
certs, we understand, will be given weekly during
the whole of the musical season ; and, as the prices
of admission arc exceedingly moderate, we here that
Case performances will aid in the good work of
popularising the higher descriptions of music.

I%IARTIN K t):z.q'.l.—The Smyrna &spat dice, brought
by the Lloyd's steamer to Trieste, state that tbis gcntl :am,
who lately promised to bo ao troublesome to the Austrian
Emperor, had left Smyrna for Boston.
TriE CORPORATION AND THE ROYAL CO3IMISSION.
—The following fact, with reference to the forthcoming
inquiry into the Mate of the corporation, and the proba-
bility of the sittings of the commissioners being or
closed, is given on te authority of the secretary, Mr. J.l).
Coleridge :—"lt 6 not the intention of the commiat.isopora to
admit reporters from the newspapers to be to filo robin
during their sittin," They propose to Woe a shorthand
writer of their own, and to print and.eiroidate the eeideuee
given before them from time to time. '
GOVEttnliNT INSPECTION OF TRUSINO SCHOOLS.
—At a special mceticg of the Lichfield Macaw Bawd al.
Education, on Monday last, the Bishop in this d'afr, It Waa
resolved, by a large majority, " that it-orsoodepcdasto to
place the Lichfield Training School undo' teptimospit in-
sprction, with such regulations as *Olt tekaintaia tea
dioecsan character, and stelae to the Au's: woks
. of the master.aim trained." •