The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-13 00:00:00

SHOCKING MURDER IN LANCASHIRE.

NEW MODEL LODGING HOUSE IN
sr. rAlaiss•S, WESIMINSTEIL

Yeaterlay the whole of the poor and sleepy-
lookiag streets which radiate fr us 041dea-mulre as a cen-
tre, and which contrast sadly with the snug middie-aei d
re qiectat..:ey.of ti.at tranquil terrirory, were roused to $1
TO!fil of unwonted activity by preparations for laying
the foundation-stone of a new an trial lodging-house in New-
street, Broad-street, Golden-square. The site chosen was,
not to.; srtet., oc.:upittl by a quadrangle of wretched ho-
vels, in which cows and pigs shared the occupancy with
thieves and other abandoned characters both male and
female, who demoralised and disturbed the whole neigh.
blarlriod by the coo+tant recurrence of drunken orgies and
ck.astyleat fra-as. Now, however, MI that is about is
be ell.sostel, The hovel* have been cleared --- the
"ttl
_ ..o
• •••..
!mine way to more or • quarters, and ail that

of the ancient Babylas It s fractional
portant of the old corner public Isom once notorious
for 'icing the haunt of the worst of altimeters, but stow
looking exceediugly unlike "A rose that wu left on
its .tent," and soon to pass away along with the other
abo.ninations. The new building is about to be erected
under the auspices of the General Society fur Improving
the Oweliings of the Working Classes, and will consist of
&plain respectable looking front elevation, with stone
copings and three separate entrances, and within will un-
link lib separate residences, each couiisting of three good
MEW with water, water closets, and every other necessary
dogmatic appliance. The whole will be let at rents more
mesterate than are at present paid for wretched accommoda-
tion, and an experiment which has already been made Ok a
smaller scale in the district justifies the hope that the un-
its rtaking will be not only beneficial to the patties for
whose use it is intended. out will combine profit with lieu.
vol. n' gratification fur the society.
The time for commencing the inaugural ceremonies was
fixed for 2. o'clock, by which time her Grace the Duchess of
Sutherland, Lady Blantyre, Earl Talbot, Viscount In-
gestre, with several other members of the nobility
had arrived, and shortly after his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cambridge, who, had consented! Ito; lay
the first atone. His royal highness was received with loud
cheering by the crowds who not only filled the enclosure,
but also thronged all the approaches to the new works.
The hand of {the Ist Life Guards was in attendance, and
played frequently during the proceedings. The ceremonial
was commenced by the Bishop Elect of Lincoln (Rector of
St. James's), who offered up an appropriate prayer, after
which the children of the St. James's school sang the Old
Hundredth Psalm, a remarkably fine effect being given to
the music by the admirable accompaniment of the military
band. The usual deposit of coirs was then laid on the
stone, and a glue vessel, containing the following inscrip
tion : " To the glory of God and the well-being et' his crew
tures these buildings, intended as a home for the
families of the labouring classes, were erected
by the General Society fur Improving the Dwell-'
ings of the Working Classes, on a site once occupied by
the most wretched hovels. The first stone was laid on the
12th April, IS-53, by the patron, H.R.H. George Duke of
Cambridge, K.G. The Rev. J. Jackson, D.D., Bishop
Elect of Lincoln, asked a blessing on the work ; and Vis-
count Ingestre, president, and other members of the
society, were present, together with Chas. Lee, Esq., bon.
architect."

After these preliminary preparations, and while the stone
WWI being slowly lowered, iscount ha:Earns road the
following address
•' May it please your Royal Ilighness.
" We, the president, •iee•presdent, and members of the
Society for Improving the Dwellings of theWorking:Classes,
beg to record our sense of your royal highnesis kindness in
consenting to lay the first stone of the buildings now coat-
' menced, and hail your presence on this occasion as a fresh
instance of your continued interest in tho success of our in-
stitution.
. . .

"We treat that the society is not undeserving of support.
The effort upon which we are now engaged is our best title
to it. The buildings which are rising round us will contain
68 sets of apartments for the families of the working
claws, furnished with all needful comforts, and being in
happy contrast with the dwellings too commonly occupied
by labouriog men. On the one side the new building is
springing from the ground, on the other are the remains of
the hovels which we have displaced. Well may we say,
sir, Loot on this picture and on that.' A year lace
thieves and abandoned characters were here mingled with
industrious mechanics in the joint occupation of dearly-
rented rooms. Two or three families often dwelt in the
same apartment. The buildings occupying the site on
which we stand formed a quadrangle, and at the distance
of only six feet from the dwellings was ageowhouse,
the upper and lower floors of which were occupied by cows
and other animals. Toe public-house still left standing
was the resort of thieves and others, the refuse of the
neighbourhood.
In the place of dilapidated hovels highly rented, build-
ings are fast rising where the working man will obtain three
rooms at the rate which is now paid for one wretched
apartment, and that too at a rent which will compensate for
the outlay.
" We feel that your royal highness, in thus inaugurating
this great effort, is binding closer the ties which unite the
different dames of our countrymen, whilst every recog-
nition of the claims of labour adds lustre to exalted rank
and is a good amen for coming times. These buildings, de-
signed doubtless long to survive those who reared them, will
be one of the many monuments we bequeath to a future
paeratiSin. They will show that whilst we left much still
to be dew, the ties of country and the bonds of brother-
hood wan not with us altogether au empty name.
" May your royal highness long be spared among us as
the honoured instrument of works of kindness, with which
the name you bear has been long connected." (Cheers.)
El royal bighnas having listened with much attention
le the address, bowed in acknowledgment of the special &l-
imitless to himself with which it terminated, acd proceeded
ta the usual manipulations with a handsome silver trowel,
and mahogany mallet, and having gravely tested the accu-
racy of hie work by a scientific application of the plumb
line, the stone was allowed to rest ,in its permanent loca-
tion. The president, Viscount Ingestre, then briefly
Linked his royal highness for his attendance, in the name
et lb. society ; after which his Royal Highness said,—My
Led Ingestrie, Ladies and Gentlemed,—lt has afforded
tie highest gratification to be permitted to lay the first semi
0106 and I hope it will ultimately prove, great fifer
I But a year since I took the chair at a probed-
miry sleeting, and it is most satisfactory to me to see the
that has been made in that short space of time.
Hear, hear.) I trust that our present ceremonial of laying
Best atone will prove an earnest that the good work will
be aatinued and extended as it has been begun, and
itlaveby will conduce to the comforts and advancement both
here and hereafter, of numerous and deserving classes of
our fellow countrymen. I trust that it will continue to
receive your steadfast and earnest support. (Loud cheers.)
His royal highness was again much cheered on his depar-
ture.

On Saturday night last an awful murder was per-
petrated at the town of Canting, sitults Lalf-way between
Preston and Lancaster. It seems that about half-put tan
o'clock at night William Pendlebury, Thomas Rogerson,
and John Wilding, (all of them young men, and factory
operatives, in the employ of Messrs. Catterall and Co.,
manufacturers, of Catterall), were drinking at the Horns
Inn, Ointang, when it was proposed by Wilding to adjourn
to the Rose and Crown lan, Wildiag undertaking to pay
for a pint of ale. They accordingly repaired to the Rase
and Crown, where Pendlebury mild fora pint of liquor,
and requested Wilding to pay for it, according to promise.
Wadies refused, and when • glass of ale was °trued to him
he threw it upon the floor.
They left the house a little before 11 o'clock, Pendlebury
being foremsst, and the other two slows together. At the
outside of the inn Wilding ethasethood kicking Rogerson,
who ran to Pcndlebury fee geoleseiss, which was granted
by hint, and the two peesemWit sampan, towards Cat-
terall, where they lived la the with them with Wilding,
who remained With& They was& about 300 yards,
and then stopped is the nod until they should be joined
by Wilding, in order 111 the they might all proceed home
together.
William Benson, a @logger, shortly afterwards met
Wilding with a knife in his hand, which he showed
to him, intimating at the same time that he would
"do fur" his two companions, who had not long before
passed him. Benson, imagining that his was only joking,
took little notice of the mAtter, instil a few minutes
subsequently, when the prisoner came tanning to him
in an excited state, brandishing the knife stained with
blood, and saying, " I've killed two, and I'm going to give
myself up." Ile consigned the knife to his keeping, and
straightway proceeded to the pule', station, where, con-
fessing the crime, he resigned himself into the custody
of pulice•constable Browubill. On a search of the spot
where the occurrence took place, Pendlebury was found
lying quite dead in a pool of blood, tire or six yards in
extent.

In tee evening about 150 noblemen and gentlemen at
down to an excellent and abundant dinner. The chair was
taken by his Grace the Duke of AItOTLIi and among the
company present we noticed Earl Talbot, Earl Jermyn,
Lord Dufferin, Earl Nelson, Earl Grosvenor, Viscount
Ingcstre, Right lion. Sir John Pakington, Sir J. Shelley,
Right Hon. W. Cowper, Sir James Duke, Hon. and Rev.
It. Liddell, Sir W. Fraser, Hon. F. Byng, Mr. Sheriff
Carter, Lord Dynevor, Earl of Sheffield, Lord Hervey, Mr.
Denison, M.P., Lord Emlyn, Earl of Annesley. Lord It.
Grosvenor and Mr. Disraeli had accepted invitations, but
were unfortunately un.ible to be present.
The collection of the evening was announced to be nearly
8001.

Rogerson states that when Wilding joined them where
the awful deed was perpetrated, be commenced "punch-
ing " him (Rogerson) again. Thereupon Pendlebury said,
" If he would start he should start of one of Lis equals,"
meaning that he must attack one of his own sire. lie had
no sooner uttered the words than Wilding rushed upon
him, and dealt him a blow with a weapon, upon receiving
which the unfortunate man instantly exclaimed, " Oh,
Tom, I'm stuck," and he fell upon the ground, and never
spoke afterwards. Wilding then said, " I'll stick another ;
I'll cut thy throat ;" and be aimed a blow at Rogerson, who
averted it in some measure by stooping, but the weapon en-
tered his back, inflicting a wound two inches in length, and
a quarter of an inch in depth. The fiend then ran off to-
wards Lancaster, as already described.
Mr. Chapman, surgeon, was called in to see Pendlebury
at one o'clock in the morning, but life was quite extinct ;
he found, upon examination, that the instantaneous death
of the deceased had been caused by a wound in the inside
part of the !eft thigh, and that it was two Wan in depth,
and three in length.
Rogerson contrived to reach home, where he related the
circumstance, and two or three parties set out for the place,
where they found Pendlebury as already described. Roger-
son is in a fair way for recovery•.
On Monday the prisoner was arraigned before the magis-
trates at Catterall for the attack upon Rogenon, and com-
mitted to take his trial at the August tunes, Lancaster, on
the charge of maliciously stabbing.
At a esheequent part of the day an inquest was held be-
fore Mr. 0. Cunliffe, coroner for the district, on view of the
body of l'endlehury, when evidence to the foregoing effect
wee given, and the prisoner committed to take his trial for
the horrid crime.

MRS. C. CIIISHDLY.—This lady is at present in
Liverpool, the guest of Wm. Ilashbose, Esq., Oreenbank.
On Saturday she visited several ladies awl gentlemen into-
rented in emigration (inc:uding the ladies' committee of the
Liverp of Emigrants 11.tane.) Ste leaves this week for
Olaiigow, but is expected to return next, and it is sta'ed as
bet intention to hold several group meetings in the town.
On the 23rd else will at end the Saturday evening concert,
is Liverpool, when the Major (damned Itolaso, Esq.) has
sumeassd to pnsido.

NARROW ESCAPE OP MRS. ROBERTSON, OP LADY-
glux.—On Saturday, the 2nd instant, while quietly riding
with Lord Echo's hounds, Mr.. Robertion, in order to
avoid a bridge at the head of a reservoir at Lyham Dean,
above Chatton, in Northumberland, attempted to cross it
where some one had gone before, at what seemed a shallow
place, but her horse refusing, plunged into the middle of
this large body of water, supposed fifteen feet deep, and
threw her. Fortunately Mr. Robertson, who is an excel.
loot: swimmer, was near, and instantly got off his horse,
and into the water—swam some distance—caught hold of
his wife after she bad been twice under water, and quite
insensible—a hold he happily never let go until she was
safely landed. Sir John Marioribanks, without a moment's
hesitation, also sprang in to the rescue of his respected rela-
tives, and was of immense service to them. They swam
with her to the sluices of the reservoir, when many
anxious friends were ready to receive them. All at once,
however, they were stopped by the auction or under-current
of the water. At this crisis, luckily, Lords Elcho and Aber•
dour, and Sir George Grey, got on to a plank attached to
the sluice, and were enabled to hold out a hunting-whip to
Mr. Robertson, who got hold of it, and all were got out
safe, though with some difficulty.—Edinburgh Advertiser.
BUTANE IN DEVONSHIRE.—Seeing that the
ancient superstition of the Bcltane fire is still preserved in
Scotland, and is lighted on the let of May, the origin of
which is supposed to be an annual sacrifice to Baal, I am
induced to state that a custom, evidently derived from the
same source, is, or was a few year. since, annually observed
in the wild parts of Devonshire. At the village of Rollie,
situated on ono of the Spurs of Dartmoor, is a field of about
two acres, the property of the parish, and called the Ploy
(Play) Field. In the centre of this stands a granite
pillar (Menhir), six or seven feet high. On May morning,
before daybreak, the young men of the village mumble
there, and then proceed to the moor, where they
s lest a ram lamb (doubtless with the consent of
the owner), and after running it /own, bring it in
triumph to the Flay Field, fasten it to the pillar, cut its
throat, and then roast it whole, skin, wool, &c. At midday
a struggle takes place, at the risk of cut hands, far a slice,
it being supposed to confer luck for the ensuing year on the
fortunate devourer. As an act of gallantry, in high esteem
among the females, the young men sometimes tight their
way through the crowd to get a Cice for their chosen
amongst the young worn. n, all of whom, in their best
dresses, attend the Ram Feast, as it is called. Dancing,
wrestling, and other games, assisted by copious libations ot
cider during the afternoon, prolong the festivity till nigh-
f dl. The time, the place (looking east), the mystic pillar,
and the ram, surely bear some evidence in favour of the
Item Feast being a sacrifice to Beat—Notes and Queries.

MARYLEBONE.—The police in Edinburgh have
been active in their efforts to god some corroborative cir-
_

cumstances of the confession of murder made before the
magistrate at this office on Wednesday last. But all their
exertions have failed to find the slightest trace of the al-
laze I deed, or, in fact, of the existence of any such lo-
es'i•yy as was describocl. There is no " Blair's e10i,," in
the Canongate as was stated by the person in custody ; and
though a place goes by that name in the Castle-hill, all the
inquiries of the police have been ineffectual in connecting
it with the statement of the party in London, who is be-
lieved in Edinburgh to be insane.

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 13, 1853.

NA PAL.

THE TRIAL OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

THREE-DECKER.
Powrsmoutll, APRIL 12.—The Duke of Welling-
ton, 131 guns, screw steamship, Captain 11. U. Martin, C.ll ,
came into hat hoar to-day fr.ln Bpithead, having comp et,d
the trials of her engines. To-day she has undergone several
trials of her expansion gear, and other points, all of which
have been most successful. She steamed into harbour in'
the finest style, easily stemming the strong tide that had
just turned. The results of this, the first trial of this great
ship, have been altogether of the most sstisfactory character, '
and have affo.ded the highest pleuure to all wh3 have been '
concerned either in her constructicie
her •••'-'- • urourrnacturt 01
tne putting them together. She made her
I al runs at the measured mile (reported yesterday) without
the slightest flaw occurring is her machinery, and, although
the 10.103 knots per hour she averaged was accounted a
surprising result, there is no donbt but that she will ulti-
mately even surpass that. The above speed was but about
2 knots per hour less than that averaged by her Majesty's
steam yacht Fairy, in her recent trials ; the latter being a
vessel expressly built for speed, having received every im-
provement that was calculated to adapt her for the screw.
Admiral Superintendent Fanshawe, and Captain Sir D.
Walker, surveyor of the navy, were on board during
the trials yesterday, and amaig other naval and sci-
entific officers and gentlemen, M. Dupuy de Lome,
the builder of the French steam ship of war Na-
poleon. Mr. Abethell, master shipwright of this dock-
Nyard, the buil.ter of the Duke of Wellington; Messrs.
apier, of Glasgow, Ly whom the engines were con-
structed, and Mr. Murray, chief engineer of this dockyard.
and his chief assistants, by whom the eng'nes have been
put together, were also on board, and received numerous
congratulations on the succors of their united skill. Dur-
ing the trials of the Duke of Wellington many thousands
of persons congregated on the ramparts of the garrison, at
Southsea-common, Gosport, and the Isle of Wight, and the
outbursts of cheeriug from them, when the gigantic ship
approached within hearing distance, were of the most en-
thusiastic character. The ease with which, with a screw
propelled by engines of only 70 horse-power, she breasted
the tide gave them sufficient cause to do so. She has now,
as already stated, come into harbour again, and will pro-
ceed with her fittings. She has her shot and water on
board, and is otherwise progressing rapidly.

ADMIRALTY, APRIL 12.
Master J. C. Jones to Dasher.

PoarsMount, APRIL 12.—The sickness on board
the Agamemnon, 91, does not abate. Of those returned from
the hospital u cured, 4 have been again attacked to-day and
16 yesterday. The Sidon, 2'2, steam-frigate, came into har-
bour to-day to have defects in her machinery made good.
The Odin, 12, steam-frigate, sailed from Spithead last night
fur Plymouth. Tne Vulcan, iron steam transport, has had
her bottom examined to-day in dock. It was payed over
10 months' since with Hay's composition, since which the
Vulcan has been to Australia and back, and now this is
hard and in good preservation the iron being entirely free
from oxidation. The bottom Is also quit* clean.

SPORTING.
LATEST BETTING AT MANCHESTER.
Tr DAY, Aram 12.

There was a very numerous attendanoe et the rooms this
morning, and a fair amount of business transacted, princi-
pally upon the Newmarket Handicap and Chester Cup ;
for the latter. Lady Evelyn wee in great force at an im•
provement of several points upon our last quotations. For
the Derby and Two Thousand Ouineu we have no change
to notice.

CLOSING PRICES.
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
6 to 2 apt West Australian (t).
7to 2 Bittingbourne (off.)
CHESTER CUP.
8 to 1 agst Trifle (t).
13 to 1 Lady Evelyn (t)
18 to 1 Scarecrow (t)
20 to 1 Newminster (t)
20 to 1 Richmond (of 1)
25 to 1 Black Doctor
25 to 1 Mountain Deer
30 to 1 Braxey (t)
33 to 1 Ann Paget (t)
35 to 1 Helena (t)
60 to 1 Talfourd (t)
1000 to 10 Rec mmendation (t)
DERBY.
10 to 1 agst Pharos (t)
10 to 1 West Australian (t)
10 to 1 Honeywood
13 to 1 Claim
16 to 1 Umbriel
20 to 1 Nianykammer
1000 to 20 Ethelbort (t)

NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING.
MONDAY (CONCLUDED).
BETTING AT NIGHT.

The room was thinly attended, and the transactions wen
on a very limited scale. The quotations at the close wen
so follows :

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
sto 2 agst West Australian (t)
100 to 8 Barbatus (t)
CHESTER CUP.
9 to 1 agst Trifle (t)
33 to 1 St. Michael (t)
50 to 1 Talfourd (t)
DERBY.
10 to 1 agst Honeywood (t to 501.)
20 to 1 Ninnybammer (taken to 501.)
Turunar.

SWEEPSTAXIVS of 100 soya. each, h. ft., for Mlles, Bst.
71b ; untried stallions or mares allowed 31b ; only one allow-
ance. I).M. (4 cubs.)
Lord Exeter's Pnrygia by Phiegon, Bst 41b
(Norman) 1
Mr. Payne's Estrella, sister to Sidus, Bst 7lb
(Flatnian) 2
PLATE of 501. for 2 yr. olds; colts, Bst. 71b.; and fillies,
Bst. 41b. First half of Ab.M.

___
Mr. Gulliver's Village Lass by Pyrrhus the Fist,
Bst 41b (H. Crickmere) 1
Lord Ezeter's Margaretta, Bst 41b (Norman) 2
Mr. Rain's Mary, Bst 4lb (Sly) 3
SWEEPSTAXES of 10 son. each; for three yr olds, 7st.,
four, Bst. 41b.; See and upwards, Bst. 111 b. The winner to
be sold for 80 son. if demanded, &c. First half of Ab. H.
(6 subs.)
Mr. Rogers's Leybourne, by Epirus, 5 yrs
(S. Roger 1
Mr. E. W. Hughes's Sophistry, 4 yn....(Flattnan 2
Mr. Rain's Plunkett, 3 yrs (Goodman 3
TWENTIETH TUESDAY RIDDLESWOILTII STAKES Of 200
son. each, b. ft. for three yr-olds ; colts, Bst. 71b.; fillies,
Bst. 41b.; mares or stallions that
allowed 31b, if both, 51b. D.M. (7 subs )
Duke of Bedford's Diomedia, by Weatherbit,
7.1131 b (Pettit) I
Mr. Knowles's Talfourd, Bst 71b 'Bedlam) 2
Mr. Payne's Olenavon, Bst 41b (Flatman)i 3
Lord Exeter's Phrygia, Bst lib (Norman 4
. o
SWEEPSTAKES of 100 son. each, b, ft., for 3 yrts,
Set 71b. Untried stallions or mares allowed 3lbs., only one
allowance. D.M. (8 subs.)
Lord Exeter's Filbert, by Nutwith, Sat 71b
(Norman) I
Lord Exeter's Cobnut, 81t. 41b (0. Mann) 2
Duke of Bedford's Petrel, Sat 41b (Pettit) 3
Mr. Payne's War Whoop, Bst 71b (Flatman) 4
RENEWAL of the NEWNABLET HANDICAP of 25 son.
each, 10 ft, and only 5 if declared, ile., with 200 added
(50 from the town race fund and 150 by the Jockey Club),
for 3-yr-olds and upwards ; thesecond horse to receive 100
son. out of the stakes. Clermont Course. The winner
of the Northamptonshire Stakes or of the Metropolitan
Stakes to have carried 71b., of both 101 b extra. (88 subs.,
38 of whom pay 5 sous. ft.)
Mr. Knowles's Talfouro, 3 yrs, sst 31b ....(Oliver) 1
Mr. Oliver's Ethelbert, 3 yrs, sst 10Ib (T. Sherwood 2 '
Lord Glasgow's Doubletkong, 3 yn, sst (F. Bates 3 1
The morning train brought down a large accession of
company, and the assemblage on the heath was much in-
creased
by the usual muster of market folk and pea-
sentry
from the surrounding villages.
The Ring was not crowded, and its enlargement enabled
the betting brotherhood to pursue their .. 'piling " without
inconvenience or interruption. I
The card contained six events. The principal race, the
Newmarket Handicap, terminated the proceedings. It
was won by Talfourd, who only as hour before had been
beaten by a head for the Twentieth Riddleswortb Stakes
by Diomede.
He was not advanced to a prominent position in the
betting on the Handicap until after his defeat, when at the
last moment he was very spiritedly supported by his party.
He is the property of Messrs. Bell and Knowles, and was
included among the animals lately purchased by them of
Lord Ribblesdalc.