The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-10 00:00:00

UNION-H ALL.

CAUTION To WonkstEX.—Virster.iay two journeymen iron.
founders, Lamed Branialt and Turion, in the employ of Messrs.
3laudsley, the engineers, of Cheltenhatu-pla.-e, Lambeth, were
brought before the sitting Illagistrete, fisabey, Esq., charged
with leaving their work in an untiuished state, and entering into
the service of other employers.
Mr. Maudesley stated that the defendants were hired into their
service by a verbal contract, at 3.70. a week. They worked for the
firm for the space of three months, and during that period their
conduct was far from being approved of, both of them being in the
habit of frequenting pot-houses, getting drunk, and of course neg-
lecting their work. It was the intention to discharge them after
they had completed a certain job about which they had been for a
considerable time, but Instead of finishing the work according to
agreew.ent, they absconded the day before, without giving any no-
tice or intimation of their design. After much difficulty they were
traced and apprehended, having been discovered at work in the sere
vice of other employer'. Mr. Illaudsley took occasion to inform
the Blagisuate cif the serious inconvenience such conduct as that
pursued by the defendar,ts put the firm to, especially as they had
nearly lOU men in their employ, many of whom had been cor-
rupted by the example of those they were under the necessity of
apprehending.

The defendants made the usual defence of men placed in their
situation, namely, that they did not consider they were hound to
remain in Mr. Mantisley's arrvice longer than they thought proper,
as they entered into no a ritten contract.

Tite 3lagistrate observed, that they must have known they were
acting illegally by leaving their work unfinished, putting the ques-
tion of the contract entirely aside, and it rested with their employ-
era whether they should be punished for the offence, as in the event
of the charges being pressed, he ttlie Magistrate) wiis bound to do
his duty.

Mr. 11::•.Idalev stated. that it was absolutely necessary to make
an exalt:pie, and pressed for their punishment.
The Alsgistrate then sentenced Brutish to two months. and
Turton ate month, each, to hard labour in the House of Cot-
re.tien.

PLYMOUTH AND aIiBURTON
We last week simply announced the failure of the pi,.
mouth Bank, reserving any comments to a future day
when the public mind should recover from its feveriii
state of agitation. We are sorry, however, to Fay that the
alarm has but partially subsided, another impulse bawl),
since been given by the stopping of the Ashburton 144
(Messrs. Browne, Winsor, and Cumming), which tsok
place on Thursday last. It is, however, confidently u_
serted, that this firm is merely involved in a temporary
difficulty, and that its resources are more than sufficient to
cover every demand. The partners, who are large leaded
proprietors, have given notice that they will ply (Nth,
claim in full, and have advertised an early day for flit
purpose.

Aul sppearance of a run upon the remaining estabhiL.
menta in these towns has ceased.

With regard to the affairs of the late firm of Sir Wm,
Elford and Co. our statement last week was, in substance,
correct. The amount of their debts is upwards of 51.50,01,4;,
and may be comprised as follows:

ArMsunt of interest Notes unpaid .
Notes on demand unpaid .
Balance due to sundry creditors -

Z 175,080
- 25,0u9
50,1.4

25
The debts due to the concern amount to about No":
being principally advances to the public, for which secknt;
is generally given ; the great proportion may therefore be
considered as secure. The funded property possess ed by
the firm at the time of ita failure was trifling. h the
above outline we have not taken the expenses into wee.,
lation, nor, on the other band, have we mentioned the pri.
vete property of the partners, both of which depend 0,
contingencies ; on which, iii the absence of correct iofor.
illation, it would be idle to speculate. From present ap.
pearanoes, therefore, the public may expect a dividend
somewhat under lOs. in ;he pound, as mentioned by u
week.

The Commissioners are W. H. Tonkin and c. gib
Esqrs., barristers ; and W. D. Sole, Esq., solicitor. A
meeting of the creditors will shortly be called, when 1,.
signees will be elected, and should the choice fall on the
gentlemen whose names have been mentioned to us, theft
is no doubt that the duties of that important station will be
honourably and ably discharged.
Since writing the above, we have been informed that Sit
William Elford'a and Mr. Tingcombe's lives are insured is
a considerable sum. We have also beard that a portion of
the landed estates of the partners will certainly be at the
disposal of the creditors, though the legal and heretlitty
incumbrances are not yet ascertained.
The Teignmouth, Totness, and Newton Banks hate
each experienced a severe run during the past week, Lct
every demand being met with the utmost promptitude,
public confidence in their stability is completely restored,_
Plymouth Journal, Dec. 8.