The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-08 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

THE FIRE IN 31R.64alaSTONE'S 'WAREHOUSE,
which we mentioned yesterday, was subdued after burning
the upper story and the root. The flames did nut extend
down to the property in other storks, from the immense
DWELLINGS OP THE HURAL Pouti.—An application
floods of water which were poured into them. The build-
ing and goods are fully insured, but the precise amount we was made to the magistrates, in petty ...shins at Lutter-
could not, at the late hour at which we are writing, mom- worth, on the 30th use, ,by the clerk of the beard of guar-
tain. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Sugar, figs, end duns of the Lutterwereit Union, for the assistance of the
raisins are not very inflammable matenals, and there will, magistrates in the abatement of the nuisances contigucus to
no doubt, be a strict inquiry into all the circumstances. The the greater past of the dwelling. of the poor people in the
warehouse is very substantially built, but having been village of Walcot. It was stated on the authority of the
erected before the system of fircproofiug was so generally surveyors, who had impeded the dwellings of the paupers,
adopted, the Mime, beams, and flooring arc of wood. Iron that they were in PO unwholesome a state from want of
outer doors, cat-heads, &0., were added, however, after the Prole rdreinage, the sceumulation of ON<llliVe matter, and
passing of the lire Prevention Act.
the tearfully crowded state cf the buildings, that typhus
A SHIP ON FIRE IN THE VICTORIA DOCK.—About fever, which is now very rife amongst the inhabitant', was
five o'clock on Thursday. and in the midst of the bustle con-
very much aggravated by those causes; and it appeared from
sequent upon the fire in Union-court, intimation was given answers given to inquiries of the magistrates by Mr. Speck-
mail, the district medical officer, who was in attendance,
of • fire on board a vessel in the Victoria Dock. The fire
brigade and fire-engines started immediately for the dock, and,
that little permanent good could he e tpeeted unless some
on arriving there, discovered smoke issuing in dense volumes of the cottages were pulled down, a-el a ereeter quantity
from the forehold of a barque lying on the east side of the of pure and whelesame air could be obtained tor the
dock. The vessel proved to be the Clutha, Capt. Fergus, remainder. It also appeared that many of the cottages
which had arrived only on Wednesday from Charleston, full had been originally built for coalh se.es and workshops,
to the beams with cotton, and the deck also crowded with
but as the population increased these buildings had been
large bales of the same article. It was deemed advisable at converted into dwellings ;thus, from time to time, increasing
their number, until a dear of pestilence and filth, scarcely to
since to remove the vessel to the west side of the dock, and
there an ineffectual effort was made to subdue the be exceeded in any of the worst class oi the Irish villages,
has been the consequeLce. It was suggested to the bench,
flames. The barque was then taken into the lock of
that as the revisiuu of the red cut out ter the removal of
the Waterloo Dock, the water of which was immediately
nuisances did not appear to bi sufficient to remedy evils of so
lowered for the purpose of grounding the vessel. This
being accomplished, the barque was scuttled, several frightful and extensive a character, acme good might pro-
bably be obtained by the angistrates representing the cir-
wereholes having been made in her bottom. Whilst they
cumstances to the rivulets of the property, 'A ho, it was stated,
able, the firemen stood upon the deck with branches
from two fire-engines, and poured water down the fore- did not reside in the neighbourhood, and we re probably
hatchway, but the heat became so intolerable that they were unaware of the painful situation of the poor upon their
at length compelled to retire, and steed on the quay, where estate.—The bench directed their clerk to prepare a state-
they continued their efforts to subdue the flames. In order ment, in accordance with this suggestion, to be forwarded to
that no portion of the water might be wasted, holes were the landowners; and the boucle a.su directed the parish
made on the deck, so that it might run into the hold. The authorities forthwith to scour the brook and cleanse the
lire appeared to be near the upper deck, and therefore the drains, and pros ide lime for purifying the dwelling-houses.
water coming in at the scuttle hales had little or no effect. LINCOLNSHIRE.
It was only by the streams from the engines that the flames BURGLARS AND FOOTPADS appalr to be doing
were prevented from bunting forth. The volumes of enn,ke much mischief, creating greet alarm to Lincolnshire. The
were immense. Fortunately there was no wind. The origin following outrages he's been reported:—On Wednesday
of the fire is, of course, at present • mystery. With the ea- evening last, a man who travels with a cue of jewellery was
ception of the lanterns used by the customs officers in ruin- stopped about half-way between Long Sutton and Gedney,
waging the vessel, no fire has been on board since the Clutha on the turnpike road, by two meu' who attempted to rob
docked. him. After a violets, struggle he succeeded in making his
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY OP THE MAN- escape, and proceeded to a constable at Long Sutton, with
cit maim Mircuaracs' INSTITUTION took place in the Free- whom be returned to th.- spot, but the men bad disappeared,
trade Hell, Manchester, on Thursday evening, when a series and have not since ben heard of. In the contest he lost his
of addressee were delivered by some of the gentlemen pre- case of jewellery and a bag, bother which were found on the
neat; among whom were E. Armitage, Esq., Mayor of road.—A most daring hie -glary was committed, at a late hour
,alanchester ;J. Heywood, ' Bigot). M.P.,_: J. A. Turner. Ent; on Monday night lest in this house of Mr. J. Ogden. trotter.
C. Townely, Esti. of Townely ; and W. It. Wood, EN. At of 011. w.. rear or tire eullimit, supposed to be railway
intervalsbetween'the speeches, some of the old Chas labourers, entered the house with bludgeon., and alarmed
mummeries and ceremonies were represented by SOMA of the the family by threatening to murder every person about the
younger members of the institution, in a large open space in place, unless they were peaceably allowed to carry off the
the middle of the hall, amongst which were the procession of booty tkey had come fir. Reeistance being thought by the
the " Yule Log ;" the presentation of the " Boar's Head i" inmates to be danger en, the villains were allowed to proceed
the presentation of the " Wassail Bowl;" and the procession with their plunder. They got posse-sion of about 201. 16s.
of " Old Father Christmas," who appeared surrounded by in half-sovereigns, silver, and copper, from Mr. Ogdeu's cup-
his numerous children, Plum-puddiug, Cake, Mince-pie, &c. board ; 5/. worth of Coburg dresser, 5011 u. of tea, seven silver
In this procession appeared Old Snapdragon and his mum- teaspoons, a quantity of cheese, and et!;:r articles. They
men. Afterwards there was an attempt to establish a modern likewise stele from the breeches pocket of J. Pridmore (son-
Christmas custom, in the " procession of the seasons." The in-law of Mr. Ogden) two 51. notes, 111. in gold, and 30s. in
processions were all marshalled by the " Lord of Misrule." silver. The ruffians entered his reom, and finding the
whose ludicrous efforts "to preserve order, by taking the breeches by the bedside, helped themselves. Before
surest way to cause diaorder," occasioned great laughter. leaving the premises they discovered some wine and
At ten o'clock the seats, &c., were all cleared away to make spirits ; with these they regaled themselves, coolly
room for dancing, which terminated the proceedings of the walking off when they had enough, as though they
evening. About three thousand persons were present. had been upon a friendly visit to the family.—
Duriug the proceedings Mr. A. Turner, in the absence of M". Long Sutton has for the lost few weeks been infested by
Cobden, the president of the institution, made the following loose characters. Several petty thefts have been committed
statements relative to the present state of the institution : and one or two instances of highway robbery have occurred:
" They had pissed through a year of great trial, he might All persons have been warned not to be out alone late at
say, to all of them. The year 1847 had been one of difli- night, as there are men, supposed to be thieves, prowling
culty, trouble, and anxiety, and, as one of the members of the about on most of the roads leading to the town. Crime is
institution, he had called that day upon the managing dime- rife also in the parishes and hamlets around Wisbech.
tor to inquire whether those disasters, disappointments, and Every day we hear of sheep-slaughtering, fowl-steeling, and
misfortune., which had attended many institutions and pri- granary-robbing. On Saturday lost, we (Stamford Mer-
vete establishments, had also visited this institution ? The cw'y) accosted an eccentric farmer who, some time ago,
answer he received had gratified him exceedingly. He gave up his occupation in llelbeach Marsh, to settle down in
found that whilst, to his knowledge, many institutions in the neighbourhood of Upsvell, Norfolk. " Well, Mr. B—,
this twin (both educational institutions and institutions for bow do you like your new residence? You must be very
social improvement) had suffered much, and had round some dull without your neighbours." " Dull, in ! I don't want
difficulty in meeting the demands upon them, the Mecha- neighbour.," was the answer. " The folks about me do
nice' Institution had been flourishing during the year 1847 make a neighbour of me—they keep fetching my corn and
beyond all precedent. (Cheers.) Now, how was this? He con- my fowls, and last eight (Friday se'ntlight) they fetched
ceived it to be because the public of Manchester—the laden- one of my sheep !"—At Beowick, near Chatteris,
trial public—believing this institution was calculated to con- four ruffians broke into the dwelling house of a
fer great benefit upon their children, had made it a point farmer early on the morning of Thursday, the 30th
that one of the last items in which they would attempt to ult. and after many threats obtained possession of 321.
economise should be that connected with the education and —As Mr. John Melbourn, of Upwell, was returning home
advancement of their children. The institution had been alone late on Christmas night from Wisbech, when near
obliged to resort to no curtailment of expense* beyond the Mr. Bird's barn, on the Emneth road he perceived two men
economy which they usually practised : there had been no walking in the middle of the road, whu parted as be drove
reduction of the ordinary means of furnishing either Matrix- up. just SI he was passing them, and bath snatched at the
ton or amusement. They had once thought they were reins, which they missed: the driver pulling up the reins
doing well if they could number 1,000 members, and for suddenly both men were knocked down, and the wheel
many years they did not exceed that number, as an average; passed over one. When Mr. Melbourn had passed he turned
but last year they nearly approached 2,000 ,• and he had now round and saw the other man helping up the injured one,
the gratification of tel the meeting that the number of who called out lustily. A whistle was new heard, and a
members had reached 2,100. The institution furnished large bull dog sprang from the hedgeside and ran after the
means of education such, he believed, as no other insti- gig for some distance.—On the same evening • man servant
tution in the neighbourhood offered : the library had of Mr. Edwards, of Bardolph Fen, was stopped in Lang-
continued to increase, and, such was the demand for hora's-lane, Outwell, by a footpad, who demanded his
books, that the deliveries amounted to nearly 500 per money, and struck him a violent blow on the head with a
day, or nearly one per minute. Thera were upwards of stick ; but the servant, being a little elevated by drink,
thirty classes in active operation; and, he thought, when turned upon the robber, and soon became the possessor of
gentlemen or ladies had friends visiting them who were the cudgel, and ran off with it.
anxious to see the " lions " of the city, they might, without ESSEX.
presumption, after they had visited the mills and great in- ASSAULT UPON A POLICEMAN.—At the Chelmsford
dustrial establishments, bring them to the Manchester Jan. Me-
chanics' Institution in the evening, as deserving of special anassault Quarter Sesaions,
homas 6, George Edwards was indicted far
notice, and show them how the same individuals who were upon T Brown, No. 395, of the metropolitan
stationed Balking.—Mr. at B king Mr. Hyland appeared to con-
engaged in adding to the national wealth and comfort were police,dct the prosecution, which
content and even anxious afterwards to store knowle doge and G. Grey
-was instituted by order of Sir
Upon being arraigned, prisoner, by the advice of
cultivate their own minds. This was no mean institution in his counsel, pleaded guilty. The policeman stated the facts
point of funds and income .'
the directors had the manage' of the ease, which recently appeared in our columns, and in
meat of an income exceeding 4,0001. per annum, the whole
of which was devoted to the improvement, instruction, and prising entence the chairman said—Whenever police-
amusement of its members. The Saturday evening con- men connected with the metropolitan force behaved
perly=pro-
her Majesty's government punished them with the
carts during the put year had been highly successful ; up- retest severity, and the object of the magistrates
wards of 600/. had been expended upon them ; they had at- was to protect those public officers in the execution of
tracted overflowing audiences ; and music of a high charac-
ter had been brought before the members by their instru- their duty. He was so to see a man receiving so rry
a character before the court for such an offence,
mentality. The news-room, libraries, and all the depart-which-
aood
it was very clear he committed in consequence
merits of the institution had been well supplied during the of being into • • of •
taken custody upon suspicion ste ding a
year, and there was an increasing attendance on every rummer. He thought it was very fortunate the prisoner
one of them. Under these circumstances, at the was not there to answer for the muruer of the policeman, for
close of the year, they had endeavoured to lay
.considerable doubts were at one time entertained of his re-
-1 aside their graeity for one night at least, to enjoy the co ery and had he not been a healthy man inflammation
1 good old practice of keeping Christmas, which be thought
1 they were on very good spirits to enjoy under all the circum- •
would have resulted in death ; had the prisoner been so ar-
-Ithough h knew there must be in thatassembly stances, e be
who had individually felt the pressure of the times. He eon- the metal offence and suffered the extreme penalty of the
gratulated them on having the mayor present on this occa- cowardly law. He i was anxious to express his' opinion of this very
yaassault, no vocation whatever having been given
limn as their president, and took the opportunity of alluding
to the peacetulness which had characterised the people of by
testes, they felt it right to mark the seem they entertained of
the policeman, ant vocation
consulted his brother magis-
Manchester during the period of severe diatress through the erase assault prisoner had committed by inflicting upon
which the town had been passing, and attributed that altered . •
nun a very severe punishment, which he trusted would be
demeanour of its inhabitants, under such circumstences, in a a warning, not only to the prisoner, but in the neighbour-
great measure to the advance of education and to the en- hood where the offence was committed, so that they should
lightenment of the popular mind by the instrumentality of • celled a• .
not be again upon to inflict so severe a punishment
institutions like their own, which had taught them that any person for a similar offence. The police in the neigh-
periods of pressure would recur in spite of human laws, and bourhood of London behaved themselves in a very creditable
that at all events those around them and in authority amongst C manner, and he wished it to be known that in cue of any
them were not to blame. He denied the assertion that ra. on
assault committed upon them he should either deal with
ligion was net taught in mechanics' institutions : he owned
'se offenders summarily, or probably send them to the
that sectarianism was not, but the higher precepts of Chris-
sorter sessions to receive severer punishment. He trusted
ti anity he contended were taught, and taught in that best of a punishment prisoner would receive would deter the in.
all modes—practically." habitants of the neighbourhood from attendance at beer-
A WHOLESALE FORGER.—At the petty sessions, shops, where they became inflamed and excited, and under
Rochdale, on Wednesday last, before Messrs. Wm. Chadwick the influence of drink committed offences of this nature.—
and Henry Kelsall, magistrates, and • crowded court, 1 The prisoner was then sentenced to twelve months' bard
Win. Longbottom, aged 34 years, of respectable appearance, labour in Ilford gaol.

LEICI

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