The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

THE SIIN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 22 1855.

they obtain so good a start in the service that others less
fortunate have no chance whatever in the race.

The third comprises the working men of the army—
those who do most and receive least—who are to be
found either in Cavalry regiments in India or in Infan-
try corps all over the world—the Cape, the Mauritius,
Barbadoes, or New Zealand. It is only in the second of
these three classes that " the well-nigh ineradicable vice
of aristocracy" exists to such an extent as to impede and
binder every attempt at reform of our military system.
But your correspondent is so far right, that a certain
leaven of this blight upon our army is to be met with in
almost every corps; and there are many officers, although
of plebeian origin themselves, are idiots enough to copy
the stray members of that oligarchy which at the same
time crushes and curses our service. I have met with
many men holding commissions in the army, although
well known to be the sons of wealthy, worthy trades-
men—who owed the very lace on their jackets to their
fathers having succeeded in amassing honest and honour-
able fortunes behind counters—turn up their noses and
express their surprise at the bare notion of any one wish-
ing for any change in the system which promoted men
on account of their long purses or aristocratic connexions.
But there is a numerous body of officers who wish for
an entire and thorough change throughout the army, and
these men are the best soldiers we have. To this class
belong all those that have risen from the ranks, as well
as the very much larger number who are the sons
of poor gentlemen, if clergymen, lawyers, doctors, re-
tired officers, and such like. These men are seldom to
be found upon the Staff, for having no relations hol ling
high commands they are not deemed worthy of distinc-
tion. It is by them the men are led in forlorn hopes,
and it is to their superior judgment we owe those occa-
sional victories over the system of routine, which show
that an Englishman can, if he sets his mind to it, master
the difficulties of his profession, and become as good a
soldier as his French neighbour. They—the sons of
poor gentlemen—form the class that officers almost ex-
clusively the East India Company's army ; and who in
that, as well as in our own service, succeed, for the
same reason as our barristers, merchants, doctors, and
other professional men, make their way in the world.
These officers—of whom we have a splendid sample in
Sir Colin Campbell—speak not, as the Guards do in
their petition, of their " vested rights" in the service.
They know that amongst many of their aristocratic,
monied, and influential comrades they are looked upon
as the pariahs of the army. But, like all the Anglo-
Saxon race, the greater their difficulties the more the
energy shown to overcome them ; and so, in spite of
everything, we find—not many, but here a few and
there a few—officers who, in length of time, rise in the
service ; and when they rise, they always shine as lights
in the terrible darkness of our military world.
The curse of the English army is the acknowledgment
by the authorities that " vested rights" or " vested in-
terests" are of paramount importance to the public ser-
vice. Commissions are regarded by the first and second
classes into which I have divided our officers as much
their own private property as are their horses, dogs, er
houses. What they have purchased they expect to sell,
or what has been acquired by interest they hope, when
they have no further use of the post, to transmit to some
one of their own caste. Is not this Memorial of the
Guards, which every one is speaking of, and which all
men condemn, a case in point Guardsmen object that
their " vested interests" should be interfered with, and
positively argue that a-nertain number of years' service
in London—in each of which years four months are
spent where these gentlemen like—slionld count equally
for promotion to the higher grades with long years spent
in climates most prejudicial to the European health, and
where lives are lost by disease as well as by the hand of
the enemy. Read it as we may, this Memorial is truly
one of the most astounding documents that has ever
emanated from the pen of any man. To discuss it more
in detail would be useless, as it has already been pub-
lished to the world at largo ; but as a parting word to
those who are interested in the prayer of the document
being granted, I may be allowed to make a few remarks.
When the Guards can bring forward instances of " Lieu-
tenants and Captains" in " the Brigade" being of 16,
18, and even 20 years' service (without having obtained
any brevet rank whatever), and all that time upon full
pay, as is the case amongst the Captains in the Ist
Royale, the 4th, 6th, Bth, 10th, 11th, 14th, 16th, 17th,
24th, 27th, and a host of other regiments far too nurne-
rens to mention— and this amongst men who have
fought in every quarter of the globe—then may the
Prince, the Royal Duke, and other officers of these corps
petition her Majesty f increased privileges with some
show of justice and some chance of their prayer being
granted.
Would that the publics at large—the people who pay
the army---could be roused from their apathy regarding
military matters and persuaded to inquire a little more
respecting the system. Inquiry is all that is needed, in
order to expose the thorough rottenness of the whole
system from top to bottom. Take one of the facts which
the discussions upon this petition have disclosed. The
entire patronage of the Guards is in the hands of the
three Colonels of " the Brigade," and Guardsmen them-
selves acknowledge that until the promulgation of
the new warrant rather more than a fair share of their
body obtained the rank of General Officer. It follows,
then, that the greater number of our Generals are virtu-
idly the nominees of this triumvirate. This may be
pleasant enough for all parties in times of peace, but
during a great war no wonder that we are sorely puzz;ed
where to look for commanders.
To your correspondent " Civilian," and to all others
who are interested in the question of army reform, I
would strongly recommend a not very expensive work
called Hart's Army List. It is published by Murray, of
Albemarle-street, and costs only five shillings. In it the
enormous advantages which the Guards as a corp.+, and
individual officers who in other corps belong to the
"upper crust," enjoy over their less fortunate brethren,
will be directly aril clearly seen, Out of evil good often
comes, and I believe that this attempt of the Guards t
regain those advantages which, by long endured abuse,
they formerly possessed, will result in larger measures
of army reform than twelve months ago any person
would have hoped for. Where the service of the State
is concerned, no advantages of either purse or social
position should for a moment be considered. If we
must have a Brigade of Guards with double rank at each
step, let the officers consist entirely of such as have pre-
viously distinguished themselves in the Line, and who,
in consequence of thci' gallantry, have obtained promo-
tion into the household troops. The present privileges
these corps possess, and the way in which such are
distributed, might have been thought very right and
proper in 1637 (the date when the Captains of the
Guards were made Lieutenant-Colonels in the army) ;
but at the present day they are about as much out of
place as the arquebase of a century and a half ago
would be in the hands of a modern foot soldier wearing
his scarlet tunic and "Albert hat."

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME CIRCUIT.—MAIDSTONE, DEC. 20.
(Before Mr. Justice Crompton.)
THE CUDHAM MURDER.
At the sitting, of the court this morning, Robert Timms
Palin, 22, described as a shoemaker, was placed at the
bar to plead to an indictment which charged him with
the wilful murder of Jane Beagley.
The prisoner, who is a very young-looking man,
pleaded not guilty. He was unprovided with counsel,
but upon a request made to the Court at the commence-
ment of the assize., his lordship requested Mr. Denman
to defend the prisoner, and that learned gentleman im-
mediately undertook the task. It will be remembered
that the murder was of the most brutal description, and
that at the same time the life of the deceased was taken,
her mother, a very aged woman, who lived in the same
cottage, also received very dreadful injuries, apparently
inflicted while she was in bed asleep, and who has never
since entirely.recovered. The prisoner, who is what is
called a ticket-of-leave convict, was at once suspected,
and the police appeared to have exercised very great zeal
and vigilance in getting up the case against him.
Mr. Clark and Mr. Barrow conducted the prosecution;
the prisoner, as above stated, was defended by Mr.
Denman.
The learned counsel for the prosecution opened the
case in a very clear and temperate manner ; and after
remarking upon the dreadful character of the offence im-
puted to the prisoner, he said that the case against him
would not entirely rest upon what was termed circum-
stantial evidence, but he said that when the jury had
heard all the facts he should lay before them, he was
afraid that, as reasonable and conscientious men, they
could only come to one conclusion, which was that the
prisoner, and the prisoner only, could have committed
the crime.
George Beagley said—l live at Cudham, in this county.
The deceased was my wife. She was 44 years of age.
Our cottage is on the road-side, between Bromley and
Westerham. There is no other cottage less than 30 yards
from ours, and a wood is directly opposite. There are
three rooms in the cottage, and they all face the road.
At the time of this occurrence I and my wife, my son,
and my mother occupied the cottage. I and my wife slept
in the middle room of the three, and my mother slept in
the inner room. The door of the cottage opens into the
kitchen. On Saturday, the 25th August, I went out of
the cottage to my work about 20 minutes past five in
the morning. I had to go three-quarters of a mile to my
work. I to not u le illy return home to my dinner. I
called my son before I went out, but ho was in the cot-
tage when I left. My wife was in bed, but I cannot say
whether she was asleep or awake. I returned home
about seven in the evening, and when I arrived at the
house I found the kitchen shutters closed as I had
left them in the morning, and the curtains of the
bed-room were also in the state I had last seen
them. I found the front door was locked. It was
open when I went out in the morning, and the
key inside in the lock. I looked through the keyhole,
and saw that the key had been taken out. I sent my
son, who was with me, to see if the key was laid up any-
where, and I walked as far as my mother's bed-room
window, and I heard her groaning in the room. I then
went to my own bed-room window and found it was not
fastened, and I pushed it up and went into my bed-
room. I did not see anything that attracted my atten-
tion at that time, and I went on to my mother's bed-
room, and I fuund her sitting on her bed " in a very dis-
habille state." She was all covered with blood. I asked
her what was the matter, and she said she did not know.
I then went back into my own room, and saw my wife's
shoes and stockings lying where she-had pulled them off
the night before by the side of the bed, and her dress was
hanging across the foot of the bed, and that the bed was
not made. I put my hand on the bed and found some-
thing there, and I pulled the clothes down, and found
my wife there sadly ill-used, and the blood was flowing
from several wounds on her head, and she was dead and
cold. I gave an alarm, and proceeded to the house of
neighbour, and when I returned I ascertained that the
key of the front door had been taken away. Upon ex-
amining the house I found that a box in my wife's bed-
room had been broken open, and all the ;things in it
tumb'ed about. My wife always had some money, and
I had given her 155., and my son 7e., on the Saturday
night before. The pocket in which she usually kept her
money was lying by the side of the bed quite empty.
There was a small moneybox in the box that had been
broken open, and I found it with a piece cut out of it,
and no money in it. I did not know that my wife had
the small money-box. When I wont out in the morn-
ing I left about a pound of cheese on the table, and
this had been taken away. On the Monday after this I
missed a pair of trousers and a coat and waistcoat. These
clothes were generally kept on a horde by the side of our
bed. Superintendent Handly afterwards showed me a
box that had been taken from the house. I also was
shown the key of the front door that had been taken
away. The box I saw was one that my wife used as a
work-box, and it was not kept in any particular place.
I believe it was found in the privy.
Cross-examined —My cottage is as near to Cud barn as
it is to Westerham.
Superintendent Handly 'produced a map of the road
and a plan of the cottage, and he proved that the dis-
tances were all correctly marked.
The witness Beagley was then further cross-examined
by Mr. Denman, and ne pointed out various places upon
the plan. He then proceeded to state that, when he re-
turned home on the Saturday evening, he did not see the
tongs lying in the kitchen. The first person he alarmed
was a neighbour named Lee, but she did not come to his
cottage. He had never seen the small money -box be-
fore. He at first thought that some of his wife's clothes
had been taken, but he did not now believe that this was
the case, and he did not think that any were missing.
After the occurrence he mentioned the name of a person
to some of the officers, whom he suspected to have com-
mitted the crime. He had suspicions of another man.
That man was taken into custody, but he did not appear
against him.
Re-examined—This man was discharged from custody.
By the Court—He knew nothing against this man but
what he was told.
William Beagley said—l am the son of the last wit-
ness, and I lived with him at his cottage at Cudham. On
the morning of Saturday, the 25th of August, I saw my
father leave the cottage. I went to my work about half-
past 5 or twenty minutes to 6 o'clock. At this time my
mother was in her bed, and I believe she was asleep. My
grandmother was also in bed when I went oat. The key
of the front door was in the lock when I left, and I
closed the door on the latch. I work with my father, at
Mr. Christie's, Aberfield, and I was at work the whole
day, and returned home shortly after my father. I saw
him get into the window, and I followed him, and saw
my mother dead on the bed. I did not miss anything
that belonged to me that night, bet on the Monday fol-
lowing I missed a jacket, trousers, and waistcoat. I
I have seen them since, and they are the same now )
pro-
duced. His trousers had been lent to a man named
Gibson, a short time before, bet he had returned them.
Robert Jackson said—l live at Cudham. I remember
Saterday morning, :the 25th August. I was mowing
oats in a field at the back of Beagley's cottage on that
morning, and about 20 minutes past six o'clock I Few
a man run across a clover field close by us. The pri-
soner at the bar is the man I saw.
By the Court—l was certain the prisoner was the
man when I was examined before the magistrate.
By Mr. Denman—When I was before the coroner, I
said I thought the prisoner was like the outline and age
of the man I saw in the field ; I am quite sure that it
was I who " helloed" to the prisoner.
The depositions made by the witness before the magis-
trates at Bromley, and before the coroner, were put in
and read. In the former, the witness said that the pri-
soner was like the man he saw, and in the latter, he said
he was sure the prisoner was the man.
William Crane, another labouring man, spoke posi-
tively to the fact of the prisoner being the man who ran
across the clover field.
The witness was cross-examined at some length upon
the subject of the identity of the prisoner, but nothing
material was elicited tending to shake his testimony
upon the point.
Jesse Tremaine, another labouring man, gave evidence
to the same effect. Upon cross-examination he did not
appear to have been so positive as to the identity of the
prisoner the first time he was examined as he was upon
the second.
James Handley said—l am superintending constable
at West Kent, stationed at Sevenoake. From informa-
tion I received I went to Croydon and met the prisoner.
He had:a bundle, which he carried under his arm. I
asked him what was in the bundle, and told him to untie
it, and I found it contained a jacket, waistcoat, and
trousers, and as they were not the articles I then see-
pected had been stolen from the cottage, I told him to
tie the bundle up again, and allowed him to go on, and
he said he was proceeding to London to look for work.
I believe that the articles in the bundle were the same
now produced. After that I went again to Beagley's
house to make a search, and on the privy-seat I found
the street-door key, and a small box, and a number of
articles were strewed upon the floor. Near to the privy
there was a hedge, and, upon examining it, I observed a
trace as if some person had been over a clump of roots,
and broke through the hedge into a meadow which joins
the above field, spoken of by the former witnesses.
Cross-examined—I went to Croydon in consequence
of information I received from the husband of the de-
ceased woman ; but I did not go in search of the pri-
soner, but another man.
James Johnson, a police-constable of the R division,
niwdne—i
nn
th:
troo
of m in
September
the
house
fo ouAurrsi nfdeteaeorrt
of
oo na
wlm
ha
irnteg
namedee
Ii
dv d
in I
:NGfwl
aoe
runkct • i
Isnvt
ethrhes ehe ler
ere
about
na o
b ed one o'clock
upstairs,
in
aiu thea morning.
td
he
thec said
Cudham."
dr
stool
mn he:
m rfao,
Robert,nddo br
eet
dressed,
sae pi o
emd wane
vs nea
very
r
.by the bedside on a stool, and I asked him
sywooumucehfocerlxocttihht
eae
sdt
if they were his, and be replied that they were. I then
saje, "Then I believe they are the clothes that were
lost from the cottage where the woman was murdered."
The prisoner asked tele if I could swear to them, and I
said it was not my place to do so. He then said he
bought them from a man. I asked what man, and lie
said, " I seppose the man they were looking for on the
Sunday morning when they stopped me in Croydon."
Ere afterwards maid that he had these clothes when they
stopped him. I then took the prisoneerstaoidßirtomwalesy,
quiteand
I was examined before the magistrates. The prisoner
did not ask me any questions in cross-examination, but
rightwhe what
nlhaldhagdi vsetantemd . T
Examination continued
my
evidence,he hpris
prisoner put on
the
clothes he now wears, and he had the hat that has been
produced.
Several other witnesses were examined with a view to
contradict the statements of the prisoner as to the pur-
chase of the clothes, and the places where be had repre-
sented he had been on the night preceding the murder
and the morning afterwards.
The case for the prosecution was closed between seven

and eight o'clock, and the Court was adjourned, the
High Sheriff (Sir Walter James) providing the necessary
accommodation for the jury.
__ __

_ _
DECEMBER 21.
At 9 o'clock this morning the trial was proceeded
with.
Mr. Denman made a most able address to the jury on
behalf of the prisoner. After observing upon the fact
that the case against him rested entirely upon circum-
stantial evidence, he went through the testimony of each
witness, and contended that the facts before the jury
were not sufficient to justify them in returning a verdict
—the effect of which must necessarily be the sacrifice of
the life of the prisoner.
The learned Judge summed up the case with great
care and minuteness ; and the jury, after a long delibe-
ration, returned a verdict of not guilty.

From the London Gazette of Last Night.

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, DEC. 18.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint William Fer-
gusson, Esq., F.R.S., to be Surgeon Extraordinary to her
Majesty.
FOREIGN OFFICE, DEC. 20.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Samuel
Metcalfe Latham as Vice-Consul at Dover for the Grand
Duke of Mecklenburgh-Schwerin.
FOREIGN OFFICE, DEC. 21.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Joseph
Tncker Crawford, Esq., to be her Majesty's Judge, and
Francis Lousada, Esq., to be her Majesty's Arbitrator, in
the Mixed Court establi-3hed at Havana, under the Treaty
of the 28th of June, 1835, between Great Britain and
Spain, for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
CROWN OFFICE, DEO. 21.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SMITE IN THE PRESENT
PARLIAMENT
•

County of Meath.—Edward MacEvoy, Esq., of Foberti-
nan, in the county of Meath, in the room of Frederick
Lucas, Esq., deceased.
WAR-OFFICE, DEO. 21.
Ist Regiment of Life Guards—Richard Myddleton Bid-
dulph, Gent., to be Cornet and sub-Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice rosvenor, promoted.
Ist Dragoons—Cornet W. H. Cutler to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Basset, who retires.
7th Light Dragoons—Assistant-Surgeon William Edge-
worth Lynch, from the Staff, to be Assistant-Surgeon,
vice A. F. H. Lynch, who exchanges.
11th Light Dragoons—Lieutenant C. R. Vansittart to
be Captain, by purchase, vice Ennis, who retires ; Cornet
and Adjutant John Yates to have the rank of Lieutenant ;
Cornet Edward Cludde Cockburn to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Vansittart.
Royal Artillery—Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class
Hugh Crawford Walshe, M.D., to be Surgeon, vice Best,
promoted on the Staff; Assistant-Staff-Surgeon Thomas
Jerram Orton to be Assistant-Surgeon, vie) Park, pro-
moted on the Staff.
Coldstream Guards—Lieutenant and Captain and Bre-
vet-Major Charles Baring to be Captain and Lieutenant-
Colonel, by purchase, vice Lieutenant-Colonel P. G. H.
Somerset, C.D., who retires ; Lieutenant and Captain and
Brevet-Major George Lord Bingham to be Adjutant, vice
Honourable P. Fielding, promoted.
Scots Fusilier Guards—Christopher Peach Pemberton,
Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice
Mitford, who retires. For George Perry, Gent ,to be As-
sistant-Surgeon, dated Ist of June, 1855, which appeared
in the Gazette of that date, Read Acting-Assistant-Surgeon
George Perry to be Assistant-Surgeon, dated 29th of
January, 1855.
4th Regiment of Foot—Lieutenant William Winniett
to be Captain, without purchase, vice Brevet-Major C. J.
Bartley, whose Brevet Rank has been converted into Sub-
stantive Rank, under the Royal Warrant of 6th Octo-
ber, 1851; Ensign Edward Bromhead to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Winniett ; Lieutenant A. C.
Twentyman, from the London Militia, to be Ensign,
without purchase, vice Bromhead; Lieutenant Richard
Alexander Law to be Adjutant, vice Manic, who resigns
the A djutantcy only.
6th Foot—Lieutenant Walter Tyler Bartley to bo Ad-
jutant, vice Leo, promoted.
7th Foot—Lieutenant John Mac Henry to be Captain,
without purchase, vice Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel J. R.
Heyland, who has been promot 41 to the Substantive
Rank of Major, under the Royal Warrant of 6th October,
1851; Ensign M. Watson to be Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Carpenter, promoted.
Bth Foot—Lieutenant T. M. Vincent, from the 2d West
India Regiment, to be Lieutenant, vice Herrick, who
exchanges.
10th Foot—Ensign Home Purvis to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Beatty, who retires.
17th Foot—Thomas Rochfort Hunt, Gent., to bo En-
, sign, without purchase, vice Hartwell, promoted.
28th Foot—Ensign Thomas Pinniger, from the 58th
Foot, to be Ensign, without purchase.
31st Foot—Major Robert John Eagar, from half-pay
Unattached, to be Major, vice Lumley, who exchanges ;
Lieutenant Robert Place Gould to be Captain, without
purchase, vice Brevet-Major R. J. Eager, whose Brevet
Rank has been converted into Substantive Rank, under

the Royal Warrant of 6th October, 1854 ; Ensign H. R.
Cromartie to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Gould ;
Lieutenant John B. Phillipson, from the Shropshire Mi-
litia, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Cromartie.
36th Foot—Rhinardt Gun, Gent., to be Ensign without
purchase.
39th Foot—Richard Albert Vorcoe Pope, Gent., to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice Nicholls, promoted.
45th Foot—Arthur G. Smith, Gent., to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Douglas, promoted in the 96th Foot.
48th Foot —Lieutenant F. C. Trent to be Captain, by
purchase, vice Herbert, who retires.
50th Foot—Brevet-Major Edward George Hibbert to be
Major, by purchase, vice Frampton, who retires.
55th Foot—Ensign Edwin Charles Hilton to be Lieute-
nant, by purchase, vice Morgan, whose promotion, by pur-
chase, on Aug. 31, has been cancelled.
58th Foot—Edward Thomas Pinniger, Gent., to be En-
sign, by purchase, vice Hingeston, promoted ; Lieutenant
Charles Henry S. Jones, from the 4th West York Militia,
to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Pinniger, appointed
to the 28th Foot.

00th Foot—William Henry Napier, Gent., to be En-
sign, by purchase, in succession to Lieutenant Fox, pro-
moted. . _ . _

62,1 Foot—Captain John Charlewood, from half-pay
Unattached, to be Captain, vice Williams, who exchanges;
Lieutenant Bovine Ramsay to be Captain, by purchase,
vice Charlewood, who retires.
77th Foot—Lieutenant M. A. Waters to be Adjutant,
vice Morgan, promoted.
78th Foot—Ensign James Sinclair, from the 79th Foot,
to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Walsh, promoted.
91st Foot—Nicholas Maurant Brock, Gent., to bo En-
sign, by purchase, vice Burton, promoted.
92d Foot—Robert Alexander Emmet, Gent., to he En-
sign, by purchase, im succession to Lieutenant Shafto, who
retires.
97th Foot—Lieutenant George H. Hibbert-Ware to
be Captain, without purchase, vice Brevet-Major Henry
George Woods, whose Brevet Rank has been converted
into Substantive Rank, under the Royal Warrant of 6th
October ; Ensign C. M'Kay to be Lieutenant, without
purchase, vice Hibbert-Ware.
The promotions of the undermentioned Officers were on
the strength of the establishment,and have been ante-dated
to 9th September :—Ensigns D. J. D. Safford, J. C.
Mintb, and T. W. Sheppard. To be Ensigns, without
Purchase—Serjeant-Major Robert Smith ; Henry Gran-
tham Fulford, Gent. To be Adjutant—Ensign Robert
Smith, vice Whitehead, promoted.
Rifle Brigade—Ensign Andrew Green to be Lieutenant,
without purchase. The promotion, by purchase, of En-
sign Andrew Green, as stated in the Gazette of the 7th
September, 1855, has been cancelled. The promotion of
Lieutenant G. L. Austin, on the 31st August last, ahoul I
have been gazetted as in succession to Lieutenant Flower,
who has retired.
let West India Regiment—Edward Smith, Gent. to be ,
Ensign, without purchaae.
2d West India Regiment—Lieutenant William Henry
Herrick, from the Bth Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Vin-
cent, who exchanges; Edward Thomas Oldfield, Gent., to
without
purchase,o sia e _
be Ensign, by purchase, vice J. R. Thomson, promoted ;
Thomas Purefoy, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase,
vice 'larger, promoted.
Cape Mountedo
be Ensign,RifienHi
tehnoruy t R
Rose
Morin
vice
is
Hum-
phreys, Gent., to
kenzie, promoted.
LAND TRANSPORT CORPS.—Captain Robertson Larkins
has been permitted to resign his commission.
PROVISIONAL DEPOT BATTALlON.—Quartermaster John
Nowlin, half-pay 62d Foot, to bo Paymaster.
UNArracHED.—Captain and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
John Rowley Heyland, 7th Foot, to have the Substantive
Rank of Major, under the Royal Warrant of 6th October,
1854. The undermentioned officers to have their Brevet
Rank converted into Substantive Rank, under the Royal
Warrant of 6th Oct., 1854 :—Brevet-Major Henry George
Woods, 97th Foot ; Brevet-Major George Cowol Bartley,
4th Foot ; Brevet-Major Robert John Eager, 31st Foot.
STAFF.—Major-General Sir Richard Airey, K.C.8., to
be Quartermaster-General to the Forces, vice Major-Gene-
ral Freeth, who retires. Colonel the Hon. Percy E. Her-
bert, Unattached, to be Quartermaster-Genoral to the
Forces serving in Turkey and the Crimea, vice Major-
General Sir Rickard Airey, K.C.8., resigned.
HosriTAL STAFF.—Staff-Surgeon of the First Class
Thomas Galbraith Logan, M.D., to be Deputy Inspector-
General of Hospitals, vice M'Grigor, deceased—Surgeon
John Bent, from the Royal Artillery, to be Staff-Surgeon
of the First Class, vice Logan, promoted. Assistant-Sur-
geon Thomas Parke, from the Royal Artillery, to be Staff-
Surgeon of the Second Class, vice Walsho, appointed to
the Royal Artillery. Assistant-Surgeon Arthur Henry
Francis Lynch, from the 7th Light Dragoons, to be As-
sistant-Surgeon, vice Lynch, who exchanges. Acting As-
sistant-Surgeon Wm. Morris to be Assistant-Surgeon.
Acting Assistant-Surgeon James Lyon has been permitted
to resign his appointment.

litia—Lieutenant Robert Beane to be Captain, vice Ben-
gougb, resigned ; Ensign George Fowler to be Lieutenant,
vice Heano, promoted ; Ensign Henry Lo Patourel to be
Lieutenant, vice Costley, gazetted to the 23d Fusiliers.
let Rifle Regiment Royal Cornwall Rangers—Ensign
William Courtsnay Vyvyan to be Lieutenant ; Ensign
George Glanville Fortescue to be Lieutenant.
. .

Hampshire Militia.—Augustus John Bourke FeHowes,
Gent., to be Ensign.
sth or Royal Elthorne Light Infantry Regiment of Mid-
dlesex Militia.—John Richard Blake, Gent., late 6th
Foot, to be Ensign, vice Seaton, promoted.

NOTICE OF INTENDED DISTRIBUTION OF
NAVAL PRIZE MONEY.
Department of the Account&!at-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Deo. 20.
Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and ma-
rines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Russian schooner
Volga, captured on the 19th Juno, 1854, by her Majesty's
ships Miranda and Eurydice, will commence on Monday,
the 31st December, 1855, in the Prize Branch of the De-
partment of the " Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-Rouse."
Agents and other persons holding powers of attorney,
prize orders, assignments, or other instruments, by virtue
of which they may be legally entitled to claim the share
of any captor, serving in the above-named ship, are re-
quested to present the same at this office.
Any officer, seaman, marine, or other person, who may
desire to receive his share from the collector of customs or
inland revenue within the United Kingdom, is required to
intimate the same by letter, to be addressed, " O❑ Prize
Business, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, London," in
which letter his own place of residence is to be precisely
stated, as well as the place of the nearest collector of cus-
toms or of inland revenue, from whom it would be con-
♦enient to receive such share of prize money.
The following are the shares due to an individual in the
several classes :

Captain. £92 0 7i
Sacond class
Third class l7 0 0
Fourth class
Fifth class 6 1 6

Sixth class 45 9 4
Seventh class 3 12 11
Eighth class
Ninth class 1 4 3
Tenth class

Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Dec. 20, 1855.
Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and ma-
rines, and to all persons interested therein, that the distri-
bution of proceeds arising from the Danish schooner Magic,
captured on the 4th Juno, 1854, by her Majesty's ship
Archer, will commence on Thursday, the 10th January,
1856, in the Prize Branch of the Depaitment of the " Ac-
countant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, Somerset-
house."

The following are the shares duo to an individual in the
several classes :

Flag share £2l 0 5 Sixth class £3 8 1
Captain
Second class
Third class lO 11 6 I Ninth class 0 15 1
Fourth class
Fifth class

Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Dec. 20, 1855.

Notice is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and
marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Dutch sloop
Minima, captured on the 3d September, 1854, by her Ma-
jesty's ship Archer, will commence on Thursday the 10th
January, in the Prize Branch of the Department of the
" Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, Somer-
set-house." . .

--TieToilowing are the shareg duo to an individual in the
several classes _
_ .

Flag sharo
Captain
Second class
Third class
Fourth class
Fifth class

£ A. d.
4 6 0
10 4 6
2 8 9
1 18 11
1 5 0
0 13 11

£ B. d.
Sixth class 0 12 6
Se zen th class 0 8 6
Eighth class 0 4 2
Ninth class
Tenth class

Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house, Dec. 20, 1855.

Notice is hereby given to the Officers, Seamen, and
Marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Russian brig, name
unknown, captured on the 27th April, 1851, by her Majesty's
ship Furious and the ship-of-war Caton, belonging to his
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French, will com-
mence on Monday, the 14th January, 1856, in the Prize
Branch of the Department of the " Accountant-General of
the Navy, Admiralty, Somerset-house."
The following are the shares due to an individual i❑ the
several classes :

Flag share
Captain
Second class 3 18 11 Eighth class 0 6 9
Third class ...... 3 3 0 Ninth class
Fourth class 2 0 6 Tenth class
Fifth class

Department of tho Accountant-General of the Navy,

Admiralty, Somerset House, Dec. 23.

Notico is hereby given to the officers, seamen, and
marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the
distribution of proceeds arising from the Netherland
galliot Do Vroux Alida, captured on the 25th May, 1854,
by her Majesty's ship Archer, will commence on Thursday,
the 10th Jammu, 1856, in the Prize Branch of the De-
partment of the " Accountant•G:meral of the Navy,
Admiralty, Somerset-house,"
The following are the shares due to an individual in the
several classes :

Flag share
Captain

£. s. cl.
5 3 2
12 5 2
3 5 2
2 12 0
1 13 5
0 18 8

£. s. d.
Sixth class
Seventh class
Eighth class__ 0 5 7
Ninth class
Tenth alms

SeCond
Third class ..
Fourth class..
Fifth class ..

BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED.
Thomas Thompson, book3eller, Sunderland.
BANKRUPTS.

William Beavan Martin, wine merchant, Mark-lane, to
surrender Jan. 4, at twelve, and Feb. 1, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Ba-
siughall-street ; Healey, Basinghall-street.
Henry Kelly, builder, Arthur-street, New Oxford-street,
Dec. 31 and Jan. 31, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Johnson, official Assignee, Basinghall-street ; Rushbury,
Surrey-street, Strand.
John Joyce, baker, Bromley, Kent, Jan. 2, at two, and
29, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham,
official assignee ; Matthews, Arthur-street West, London-
bridge.
Samuel Henry Raeford, livery-stable keeper, Lewisham,
Jan. 1, at two, and Jan. 29, at twelve, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Lee, official assignee, Aldermanbury ;
Chidloy, Gresham-street.
John Hughes, maltster, Shrewsbury, Jan. 5 and 25, at
eleven, at Birmingham. Whitmore, official assignee, 13ir-
inioghain ; Turner, Wolverhampton ; Motteram and Kuight,
Birmingham.
Thomas Morris, straw hat manufacturer, Hoxton New
Town, Feb. 2, at half-past two, and Feb. 30, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee ; J. and
C. Robinson, Queen-street-place, City.
Daniel Gardner, pump maker, Banbury, Oxfordshire,
Dec. 29, at hall-past twelve, and Feb. 2, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee, Guild-
hall-chambers ; Brady and Son, Staple-inn.
Richard Longford, hotel and lodging-house keeper, Bath,
Jan. 7 and Feb. 5, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court.
Miller, official assignee, Bristol; Bevan, Bristol.
William Wiffin and Frederick William King, card-
makers, Long-acre, Dec. 31st, at eleven, and Jan. 31, at
one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, olcial assig-
nee, Basingliall-street ; Stophor, Cheapside.
Thos. Watson Nicholson, oil and flock merchant, Rook-
ery, Halifax, Jan. 11, and Feb. 1, at eleven, at the Leeds
District Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds; Ambler,
Halifax ; Bond and Barwick, Leeds.
George Kay, boot and shoe maker, York, Jan. 11, and
Feb. 1, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young,
Leeds; Phillips, York; Bond and Bar-
w
(aiLcckeioclijoelaeli Gs. g igenoer°'e Frederick Manks and Joseph Linley,
joiners and wheelwrights, Horsforth, York, Jan. 7, at
half-past eleven, and Feb. 4, at eleven, at the Leeds Dis-
trict Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Tempest,
Leeds.
Thomas Heywood and John Heywood, lace warehouse-
men, Wood-street, Cheapsido, Doc. 29, at twelve, and
Jan. 25, at ono, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell,
official assignee, Guildhall-chambers ; Mason and Shut, 11
Gresham-street.
. . _

William Thomas, painter, Bridgend, Glamorganshire,
Jan. 2, and Fob. 5, at eleven, at the Bristol District
Conti. Acraman, official assignee, Bristol; Henderson,
Howard, and Wilcocks, Bristol.
Samuel Andrew, jun., cotton spinner, Royton, Lanca-
shire, Jan. 9 and Feb. 4, at twelve, at the Manchester Dis-
trict Court. Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Rad-
cliffe and Murray, Oldham.

Luko Horsfall, tailor, Accrington, Lancashire, Jan. 4 and
25, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Herna-
roan, official assignee, Manchester; Higson and Robinson,
Manchester.

Joshua Mation, cotton spinner, Brandwood-mill, near
Bacup, Lancashire, Jan. 8 and 30, at twelve, at the Man-
chester District Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manches-
ter; llig,on and Robinson, Manchester.

EXAMINATIONS.
At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street—Jan. 4.
(not Dec. 20, as before stated), at 11. J. Skinner, 1, Bon-
♦orie•street, Fleet-street, carpenter, auctioneer, and ap-
praiser—Jan. 8, at 1. R. Richardson, Catterham, Surrey,
builder - Jan. 8, at half-past 12. R. J. Ward, Croydon,
Surrey, brewer—Jan. 8, at 2. P. Cohen, 7 and 15, Artil-
lery-passage, Spitalfields, dealer in ironmongery—Jan. 9,
at 12. T. Purdy, Great Yarmouth, wino merchant.
At the Birmingham District Court—Jan. 2, at 11. J.
and T. Monk, Princes-end, Tipton, Stafford, boiler makers.

DIVIDENDS.
At the Court of Bankruptcy—Jan. 11, at half-past 11,
G. Tidd, Codicote, Hertford, corn-dealer—at 12, J. Church-
yard, Lothian-terrace, Brixton —Jan. 15, at 12. W. Hearn,
Stangate-wharf, Lambeth, dust contractor, and 'Wuhan',
Essex, brickmaker —Jan. 11, at 1. C. H. Tugman and
J. E. Tugman, 33, Groat Tower-street, City, provision
merchants —Jan. 11, at haltpast 11. S. Seal, Little Queen-
street, Holborn, china, glass, and earthenware dealer—
Jan. 11, at 11. W. C. Coode, High-street, Southwark,
warehouseman—Jan. 11, at half-past 11. T. Leigh, Wel-
lingborough wine and spirit merchant—Jan. 11, at 1. M.
Jones, Oxford-street, grocer—Jan. 11, at half-past 1. G.
E. Neal, Pembury, Kent, innkeeper—J,n. 11, at 1. T.
W. Nichols, York-road, Battersea, candle manufacturer
and steam-boat lessee.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Bristol—Feb. 7,
at 11. T. Lewis,. Bath, builder—Jan. 17, at 11. G. Pyne,
Bristol, oordwainer, &c.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Nottingham—Jan.
15, at half-past 10. J. Biddle, Leicester, glove manufac-
turer ; 11. M. Hitchcock, Ilkeston, Derby, miller.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Manchester—Jan.
24, at 12. J. Thornton, the elder, and J. R. Thornton,
Godley and Hyde, Chester, cotton waste dealers.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne—Jan. 17, at P.. J. Rushton, Carlisle, plasterer.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Leeds—Jan. 22,
at 11. J. Simpson, Leeds, painter. Jan. 22, at 11. R.
Dunn and R. D. Dunn, Wakefield, corn factors.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Sheffield—Jan. 12,
at 10. A. Platte, Sheffield, tailor and draper.

CERTIFICATES TO BE GRANTED.
At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street—Jan. 11,
at 11. W. Long, 2141 and 215, Oxford-street, laceman.
At the District Court of Bankruptcy, Birmingham—Jan.
14, at half-past 12. J. Robinson, Bull-street, Birtningharr,
boot maker Jan. 14, at half-past 12. T. Walker, Kidder-
minster, licensed victualler.
At too Diatriot Court of DgaruPtoYs Nottillall6l47

Jan; 15, at half-past 10. Anne Stavely, Nottingham, prin-
ter and bookseller.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
A. Grundy and J. Hope, Bedford-mill, Belford, Lan-
caster, cotton spinners—Eliza Checketts and S. Buffery,
Warwick, lima burners—J. Atkins and W. Steel, lessees
of the Zoological Gardens, Liverpool—C. W. Squarey and
J. P. Bickersteth, Salisbury, solicitors—J. Whittingham
and S. Wilkin, Long-acre, coach-makers' warehousemen
and coach builders—S. Hills and J. Hills, Stone-street,
Maidstone, Kent, bakers—H. Radley and J. Radley, Li-
♦erpool, grocers—M. Vickers and T. Harrison—W. Lewis
and Mary A. Lewis, Nottingham, cork cutters—J. Craw-
ford, S. Pemberton, and J. Whitaker, Leeds, cloth dressers
—C. Crabtree and S. Stell, Keighley, York, cotton band
spinners and paper tube makers—R. Cook G. H. Spencer,
and R. G. Cook, Hath-asage, Derby, wire and needle
manufacturers—J. Rand, W. Rand, H. R. Ramsbetharn,
and J. S. Wilson, Bradford, worsted spinners and manufac-
turers, so far as !regards H. H. Ramsbotham—Barbara
Cardwell and G. Barber, Sheffield, brickmakers—C. E.
Boond, W. S. Gregson, and J. Moore, Manchester, and
20, Cannon-street West, fustian manufacturers and deal-
ers—W. Savage and W. Aston, Oldbury, Worcester,
brickmakers— W. Jackman and C. .Tacktuan, Tunbridge
Wells—G. H. Turpin and H. W. Turpin, 62, Banner-
square, St. Luke's, watch manufacturers—G. Wareing
and J. Wareing, Preston, iron and brass founders—S.
Fisher and R. B. Gridley, Old Market-street, Bristol, cur-
riers and leather merchants G. Morgan and W. Young,
5 and 6, Chancery-lane, Middlesex, architects and sur-
veyors—Eliza Gosling and Ellen Crick, Loudoun-villla,
Londoun-r*ad, St. John's-wood, schoolmistresses—G.
Spencer and J. Henderson, Alfreton, Derby, surgeon and
apothecaries.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
John Macdonald, Buchanan-street, Glasgow, baker—
John Watton, Chapel-street, Airdrie, ironstone contractor,
grocer, and spirit dealer.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
An Acoount pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, cap 32, for
the Week enduig on Saturday the 15th day of Dec., 1855.
ISSUE DEPARTMEXT,
A
Notes issued •.....25,137,985

£25,137,985

Dated the 20th day of Dec., 18.

Government debt .... 11,015,1 N.
Other securities ...... 3,459,9C0
Gold coin and bullion 10,662,985
Silver bu11i0n........ -

£95,137,985
[. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.

BANKING DE
Proprietors' capital .. 14,553,000
Rest ................ 3,205,482
Public deposit P (in-
cluding Exchequer,

Commissioners of
National Debt, Say-
ing's Banks, and
Dividend Accounts) 4,428,44 n
Other deposits ...... 1 2,322,462
seven Day and other

EBllls . 840,731

£35,350,115

:.PAIIT2MENT.

Dated the 20th day of Dec., 181

Government seentities

(includg.Dead Weight
Annuity) 9,789,376
Other securities...... 113,360,76 i
Notes .... ........ 6,5156,625
Gold and silver coin .. 643,353

£35,3b0.115
M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.

AVERAGE PRICE OF SUGAR.

The Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, com-
puted from the returns made in the week ending Dec. 18,
1855, exclusive of the Duties of Customs paid or payable
thereon, on the importation thereof into Great Britain :
From the British Possessions in America 3ls. 104 d.
Muscovado, the produce of the East Indies ... 365. 114 d.
Average of the two foregoing descriptions

THE SUSPECTED POISONING CASE AT
IRUGELEY.

Mr. William Palmer, surgeon, of Rogeley, whe was
arrested on Saturday evening last, on the coroner's war-
rant, for the wilful murder of Mr. John Parsons Cook,
of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, by poison, was removed
to Stafford Gaol on Monday last in a post-chaise. The
accused, who has been suffering from illness for upwards
of a week, was allowed to recline on pillows, and he was
in the custody of the chief constable, John H. Hatton,
Esq., and Superintendent Wollaston.
A large crowd of persons assembled round his house
at Rugeley to see him leave, but in consequence of the
chaise being driven through the back streets of the town,
the majority of the crowd was disappointed, although
numbers followed the vehicle to the outskirts of the
town. On arriving at Stafford the same anxiety was
manifested to get a sight of the prisoner, but the chaise
was driven rapidly through the huge
.folding gates into
the yard, instead of stopping at the lodge entrance as
usual. The prisoner took but little notice of the specta-
tors ; and since.his confinement in goal he has preserved
the same determination to abstain almost entirely from
food,as he did during the lengthened proceedings con-
nected with the inquest.
The bodies of Ann Palmer, wife of the prisoner, and
of Walter, his brother, were exhumed yesterday (Fri lay)
and conveyed to the Talbot Arms, where a jury of 23
persons had assembled to inquire into the cause of their
death. A post mortem, examination was made, and the
intestines were forwarded to Professor Taylor for ana-
lysis.

THE SLOW POISONING CASE AT
BUIWON.

BARON MARTIN'S CHARGE.

We understand a correspondence has passed between
Baron Martin and Dr. Jackson with reference to the
closing remarks of the learned baron in summing up the
Burden poisoning case.
Dr. Jackson complains that, inasmuch as Mrs.
Wooler was proved to have been scientifically poisoned,
his lordship's" surmise" must first affect the medical tnen,
and he therefore earnestly asks for an explanation in a
matter affecting his character, welfare, and happiness.
His lordship, writing on the 19th (Wednesday last),
says—" I think that, under the circumstances, I ought
to depart from the usual and almost universal rule
among judges, not to notice such a communication.
Your complaint is confined to the expression which
you describe as the closing expression of my sum-
ming up, viz., that there was another person
whom I would be inclined to find guilty rather than
the prisoner.' I am certain I never made use of such
an expression or anything tantamount to it. It is
impossible for me to state with verbal accuracy what I
then said ; I can be certain of my meaning only. The
substance of what I meant to say, and believe did say,
was this—that in a case of presumptive evidence, imput-
ing the guilt of murder, the law required the presump-
tions to be the plain and natural consequences following
from the facts proved, and that it was not to be made
out by fancy, or surmise, or suspicion, but by facts
that arnoulated to proof; that I had endeavoured in
my own mind to arrive at some conclusion on the
subject, and that it appeared to me there wa; no
proof against any one,' but that if I were to indulge in
mere surmise and fancy, not the prisoner, but some
other person, would first occur to mind. If the entire of
what I said upon this subject had been reported, I can-
not but think it would- have been obvious to any one
that I did express what I intended to express, namely,
no imputation of guilt upon any one, but a strong illus-
tration of the extreme danger of convicting Mr. Wooler
upon any fancy or surmise from the facts and circum-
stances proved, by suggesting that a fancy or surmise
more plausible than could be entertained against
Mr. Wooler, though equally insufficient to bring home
guilt or the suspicion of it, might be directed against an-
other person.—Your obedient servant,
" SAMUEL MAMIN.

" Thomas Hayes Jackson, Esq."
Dr. Jackson's letter specially requested leave to pub
lish the correspondence, and it is now in the hands of a
printer.