The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

AN INFERNAL MACHINE.

At the Guildhall Police-court, yesterday, Petro Peloj,
an Italian, described as a confectioner, of 83, Fleet-
street, was charged with sending through the General
Post-office a small paper parcel containing about 4 oz. of
compr4sed gunpowder, some lucifer matches and sand-
paper, with intent to do some grievous bodily harm to
Natale Ferario, a confectioner, of 103, Holborn-hill, to
whom it was addressed. Application was made before
two of the aldermen for a warrant in this case, on
which occasion the parcel received by the prosecu-
tor was exhibited. It consisted of a wooden case,
about six inches long and one inch square, filled with
gunpowder, and ribands protruding at either end,
like a Waterloo cracker, and so attached to phos-
phorus matches and sandpaper in the box as to insure
the instant ignition -of the powder and matches upon.
drawing either of the ribands. Fortunately, however,
the 'parcel was taken to pfeces without any accident.
Natale Ferario said, I Lave known the prisoner abaft
seven years, and four years ago I was in partnership
with him, and again in April, 1854. The latter part-
nership was dissolved in January last. I paid him
604, on his giving up his interest in the business.
This is the receipt which he gave me. It is in
his handwriting, for he signed it at the time.
I received this case through the Post-office about 12
o'clock on Friday last. My nephew opened it in my
presence, when I found it contained between 4oz. and
soz. of gunpowder. There were six phosphorus matches
on one side of the case, and six on the other. There was
also some sandpaper on either side to ignite the matches,
and ribands to draw out. The direction on the case is,
I believe, in the handwriting of the prisoner.—George
Mullineux said, I took the prisoner into custody on
Monday evening. On searching his lodgings I found
on the mantelshelf three lucifer-matches, and in the
pocket of a waistcoat several more, corresponding
with those in the case. In an earthen pan
in a corner of a room I found this bradawl,
which exactly fits the hole in the end of the case.
John Cummin said I saw the prisoner write the receipt
for 601,, and sign the agreement. I believe the address
on the case has been written by him. Alderman Finnis
said the charge against the prisoner involved the punish-
ment of transportation for life, and he could not take
upon himself the responsibility of dealing with it in any
other way than to send it for investigation before a
higher tribunal. The prisoner was then ordered for
trial, but liberated on bail.

THE GOVERNOR OF KERTCH'S CARRlAGE.—Respect-
ing the capture of the Governor of Kertch's carriage we
have received the following :—" The Highflyer was on
a surveying expedition when she saw the Russian boat
lying in shore ; the capture was immediately made, and
Captain Moore of that ship sent Lieutenant Hawkes to
the Governor, under a flag of truce, to offer to restore
the carriage. The Governor received him very civilly,
and accepted his offer."
DEATH FROM FURIOUS DRIVING.—The jury empan-
nelled to inquire into the cause of the death of Ann Legg,
aged 55, who met with her death in Tottenham-court-
road on the evening of Sunday week, re-assembled at
the Lord Wellington, University-street, before Thomas
Wakley, Esq., coroner„ assisted by his deputy, Mr. Brent.
The inquiry was adjourned from Monday, in order that
an application might he made to Sir George Grey fur
the production before the jury of the three men charged
with causing the death of deceased. In reply to the
application, which was forwarded by the coroner, Sir G.
Grey replied that the request should be complied with.
Accordingly the three men who have been for some
days in the House of Detention, were brougbt up in
charge of Inspector Hayard, of the E division of police.
Their names are Charles Howard, Charles Pink, and
William Stewart, and it was clearly proved that, being
drunk, and driving a horse and cart at a most reckless
rate along the Tottenham-court-road, they caused the
death of the deceased, who, while crossing the road,
on her way to chapel, was knocked down and fatally in-
jured. The jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter"
against the accused.
MR. WYLD'S NEW MODEL OF CRONSTADT AND THE
SHORES OF THE BALTIC.—Mr. Wyld has provided an
interesting and instructive exhibition for the Whitsun-
tide holidays by opening a new room at the Great Globe,
in Leicester-square, wherein is shown a large and very
complete model of Cronstadt, the surrounding shores of
the Gulf of Finland, and the Baltic Sea, illustrated by a
separate key-map on a spherical projection, and a model
of the surrounding countries, so constructed as to ex-
hibit the peculiar features of their physical geography.
It is manifestly impossible to obtain a correct, or even a
clear idea of the topography of the fortress of Cronstadt
from an ordinary niap, and Mr, Wyld's model is just the
thing to supply the deficiency. It exhibits in clear relief
the fortress itself, with the adjacent detached forts known
by the names of Forts Peter, Menschikoff, Constantine,
and Alexander, and shows the exact position of the bar-
rier of piles and granite with which the Russians have
blocked up the passage. A short and well-delivered
lecture still further enlightens the audience, who, if pos-
sessed of ordinary intelligence, will leave Mr. Wyld's
exhibition with a very good general knowledge, not only
of the mere localities, but of the geographical and phy-
sico geographical features of the northern continent of
Europe. Around the room are suspended arms and
trophies taken by the Allied armies from the Russians,
and several Finnish costumes, heads of white bears, and
other not very attractive, albeit curiou', importations
from the countries under the iron sway of the -great bar-
barian of the North. From Cronstadt a short journey
to an adjacent room introduces the visitor to the model
of Sebastopol, and if he cho9ses to pursue his researches
by surveying the gigantic model of " the Great Globe
itself," his knowledge of geography, perhaps never very
profound, may be greatly extended. In fact, the great
and meritorious feature of this exhibition is that it com-
bines instruction with entertainment, and blenlis useful
information with what may simply attract the eye. We
were glad to observe a large and attentive audience in
both rooms.
SHIPWRECKED MARINERS' SOCIETY.—The 16th annual
meeting of this institution was held at Willie's Rooms
yesterday ; the Right Hon. Lord Henry Cholmondeley,
M P., in the chair. There were present also Admiral
Walcott, M.P., Admiral Sir George F. Seymour, Admi-
ral'Bertie Cater' Admiral F. E. Vernon Harcourt, Cap-
thins the Hon. Francis Maude, Bate, Heaslop, Fur-
neaux, Boultbee, R.N. ; Mr. Montagu Gore, Mr. Fors-
ter, R.N., &c. The noble Chairman expressed his own
warm attachment to the society, and avowed his assur-
ance that the more it was known the more it would be
appreciated. The report, which was read by Mr.
Francis Lean, R.N., the secretary, stated that during the
first three months of the past eventful year the storms
that swept the coasts of the United Kingdom were truly
appalling, and exceeded in violence any that had been
known in the memory of man ; and that the consequent
destruction among the shipping was equally unprece-
dented. During that short period 620 vessels were
wrecked, stranded, or foundered, with.the loss of up-
wards of 1,000 lives. . Never since its establishment
had the value of the institution more forcibly dis-
played itself. The awful gales in the Black Sea
had been the occasion of fearfully swelling the list
of the recipients of the charity, and the total
wrecks for the year reported at Lloyd's had been
increased to the large number of 1,850, with
the tors of upwards of 3,000 lives. Relief has been
afforded to 3,546 shipwrecked persons, including mariners
and fishermen, subscribers, to assist in replacing their
clothes and boats, and to 2,306 widows, orphans, and
aged parents, making together a total of 5,852 persons
relieved between the let of January and the 31st of De-
,cember. The number of mariners and fishermen sub-
scribing to the society from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per annum
now exceeded 40,000; while 2,804 vessels now carried
its distinguishing flag. The society had during the past
year handed over all its life-boat establishments to the
Royal National Life-boat Institution, as they hoped
thereby that the work would be better carried out by
one institution in London devoted to the object, and
working energetically •under the patronage of the Go-
vernment ; and it has been agreed that the work of en-
couraeing exertions to safe life on the high seas or coasts
of our colonies shall be earned on by the Shipwrecked
Mariners' Society, which, during the past year, has
awarded 14 silver medals and 931. in pecuniary rewards
for heroic exertions in saving life, making a total of five
gold and 40 silver medals and 5621. 103. given since
1851 for assisting at the saving of 1,060 lives. Various
resolutions were agreed to, and also a vote of thanks to
the chairman.
ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.— The annual dinner
of the society was held. at Willis':-rooms on Monday,
when the chair was taken by Sir Roderick Murchison,
in the absence of the Earl of Ellesmere, the retiring pre-
sident, and of Admiral Beechey, the president elect,
both of whom were unwell. Upwards of 100 of the
members and their friends were present, among whom
were several distinguished travellers and men of science.
After the accustomed toasts to the Royal family, the toast
of "The Army and Navy," coupled with Admiral Sir G.
Back and General Sir G. Pollock, elicited some observa-
tions from the Chairman and the latter gentlemen on
the recent amalgamation of the Indian army with the
Line ; on the successful combination of the ravy and
army in the expedition to Kertch ; and on the heroic
bravery and- endurance displayed throughout the
Crimean campaign. In proposing "The Royal
Geographical Society, the retiring President, Lord
Ellesmere, and the President elect, Admiral Beechey,
the Chairman dwelt on the many evidences of
the society's continued prosperity. Lord Overstone
proposed " The Geographers who have this day been
honoured with rewarde." His lordship alluded to the
influence of geographical discovery and research in pro-
moting commerce, civilisation, and enlightenment, in
developing the natural resources of the earth, and ren-
dering them contributory to human welfare. Mr. An-
elerson, in responding, expressed his gratitude for the re-
cognition with which his labours in Africa had that day
been honoured, Lord Stanley proposed "The health of
the Chairman, Sir R. Murchison, Past-president, and
now Vice-president of the Society, and Director-General
of the Geological Survey and School of Mines." Sir R.
Murchison, in reply, paid a tribute to the memory of his
predecessor, the late Sir Henry De la Beebe, who bad
rendered his task comparatively light, by the admirable
state in which he had left his charge, and his highly effi-
cient staff engaged in the various operations of the sure
vey. The Arctic voyagers, Captains lellett and M'Clure
and Dr. Rae, who were present, responded to the com-
pliments paid to them. Passing to warmer regions, Col.
Rawlinson and Lieut. Burton represented the explorers
and travellers of Asia and Africa; the antiquarian and
learned researches of the former in Nineveh, which have
contributed so much to elucidate and confirm the Holy
Scripture, and the hazardous exploits of the latter, in
penetrating to Medina, MecCa Hurrur, &c., being par-
ticularly indicated. The Royal Society and other scien-
tific bodies of the metropolis were coupled with the
names of Mr. W. J. Hamilton, President of the Geolo-
gical Society, Dr. Percy, and Mr. Warrington Smyth.
In conclusion, the Chairman proposed " The Officers of
the Society and Dr. Norton .Shaw," who returned
thanks,