The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-11 00:00:00

1855,

snug harbour ; there are upwards of 400 ships of diffe-
rent classes in the same harbour as the French camp.
The French camp alone extends upwards cf nine miles
S,:baitepol lies aLout 11 nines from us. On
the ')2l our captain expressed a wish to see the
camp, and off we went at 9 o'clock in the morning.
After passing tin ough the French camp, our desire to
see the entrenchments became very great, so the captain
went to the hut of the general (it is not better than a
hut, being built of mud) to ask permission ; he very
kindly granted it, finding we were English, and sent
a guide with us. Travelling in these parts is very dis-
agreeable ; for about five miles our path was across fields
completely ploughed with shell and shot from the enemy.
At length we reached the trenches. It really is astonish-
ing to see what an extraordinary amount of labour must
be expended in throwing up these works, it is just like
passing through a maze. During the first part of our
journey through the trenches the heavy shot and shells
flew over ours heads almost like flocks of birds, but by
our keeping close under the entrenchments we were
tolerably secure from harm. We at last halted, our guide
told us we were then as near as it was prudent to go.
We inquired how far we were from Sebastopol ? He said,
nearly 400 yards. The captain said, can we go any nearer?
He said, Yes ; but if you get something for your pains
don't blame me.' We re-assured him on that point,
and on we went. We were not sorry we went, nor
were we at all sorry to get clear of it. The position of
our men in this entreachment was fearful. We were
compelled, for about half a mile, to almost crawl along
through thick mud up to our knees. This trench was
filled with riflemen, whose duties were to keep a sharp
look-out, through very small crevices, for the purpose of
picking off a poor Russian who chanced to show a head.
The Russians were carrying on the same sport with our
men. One poor Frenchman on my left received a shot
which killed him instantly, while another, within four
feet of us, had one passed through his arm and side.
We now began to think it time to retreat, but scarcely
had we turned when a large shell fell in the trench 30
feet in advance of us. We looked at each other with
astonishment, afraid to make the inquiry, who was
hurt The soldiers laughingly exclaimed pas bon,'
and returned an immediate answer, discharging three
immense bombs, one of which took up fits abode in one
of the large houses in the town. We had a fine view
of Sebastopol. I should have told you we were within
110 yards of the town when we turned back. The fields
are completely black with the numbers of shell and shot
from the enemy. The sufferings our poor troops have
to endure, and the difficulties they have to encounter
were indescribable. I assure you many of the officers
have no better place to lie down in than what they make
for themselves, and that is by digging a hole in the
earth, and roofing it in with a few sticks they may
chance to pick up, from most of which they are corn-
pelled to bale out the water before they can lie down.
Those in the trenches have the worst berth. They are
on duty 24 hours every third day ; but it is the night
they so much dread ' • it is during the darkness that the
Russians make their fearful sorties. I assure you we
can see from our ship's deck most fearful firing all
through the night. On the night of the 20th they made
one of these sorties, in which we lost upwards of 100
men, besides a large number wounded. No one can
can form any idea unless they visit the trenches of
the dreadful nature of these sorties. The news that
reaches us is anything but cheering, but our men have
good pluck and steady courage, which is half the battle.

Extract of a Letter from an Officer of the 2d

Division.

Camp of 2d Division, Heights of Inkerman, Dec. 16.
An artillery officer, a few days ago, told me that the
French had 146 guns in position, and were now waiting
our being ready. Any news of this kind, however, is
thought nothing of, we look only for true news from
home. Our 13-inch mortars are being got up as fast as
our poor worn-out horses can pull them-32 horses to
one gun. From the rain the roads are in a sad state,
and now we are busy macadamising them. The poor
Turks work very languidly at this sort of work.
This Division very much regrets the resignation of Sir
De Lacy Evans, looked upon as one of our ablest gene-
rals—he was the pride of the division. In one respect,
I am glad he is gone, for he would have sunk under the
exposures we endure now, remembering his age to be 70.
General Pennefather, who succeeded Sir Do Lacy,
has had a very severe attack of choleraic diarrhoea. For
two days he was in a most critical position. He has
i been sent to Balaklava, but in a note to me to-night he
states his hope of being able to rejoin us before Christ-
mas. General Buller commands us at present.
With great difficulty supplies are got up from Bala-
klava. Cavalry are pressed into the commissariat ser-
vice, and we have to send to Balaklava (seven miles) for
our forage ; while our horses and mules are all dying,
those of the French are fat and up to their work. Our
ambulance corps would be most useful, were it not cum-
bered with poor pensioners, who are not fit to take care
of themselves, much less of mules, &c.
The minds of the medicos out here are in a sad state of
irritation, with great good reason. They do their duty
notwithstanding the difficulties thrown in their way by
the military authorities. Their great exertions are never
noticed, but, should one of their members slip in the
least thing, down comes a censure on the whole of us.
On the morning on which the sick arrived at Balaklava,
which caused the General Order, a medical officer went
to Lord Raglan and said, "My lord, if you will give
me an order for boats, I will undertake to have every
man put on board ship." This his lordship would or could
not do.

WHAT THE RUSSIANS THINK OF

THE WAR.

(Prom an American Paper.)
Mr. T. P. Shaffner, secretary to the American Tele-
graph Company, recently returned from Russia, has
favoured us with some interesting information on pub-
lic opinion there in relation to the Crimea„
and the prospects of the war. Mr. Shaffner:Katt
capital after the battle of the 25th of October.
When the report reached St. Petersburg that the
Allied forces had actually sailed from Varna, it was
scarcely credited that an invasion of the Crimea was
seriously contemplated. The events which have sub-
sequently taken place in that peninsula have suffi-
ciently proved this. Nicholas never fancied that
the expedition would be undertaken in the face
of a severe winter. He gave tho Allied commanders
more credit than to suppose that they would risk the
defeat, and, perhaps, the total annihilation of their army.
The climate of the country and the tempestuous season
of the year, so near at hand, were as hostile to the Eng-
lish and French as they were favourable to the Russians.
In the middle of October, the storms which have already
wrecked so many vessels of the invading fleet begin to
sweep with resistless fury over the Black Sea, and render
the transport of troops often impossible, and always at-
tended with more or less danger. The regular supply
of provisions and ammunition is then precarious, and, in
a country where no food can be obtained, the situation
of a hostile army, under the most favourable circum-
stances, must he critical in the extreme. Hence the
Crimea was the last point in his dominions where
Nicholas anticipated an attack. The danger, as he con-
ceived, lay in Poland, and along the Austrian frontiers,
and there 300,000 men were under arms to meet it.
When, therefore, the allied forces landed at Eupatoria
the Russian commander was almost taken by surprise.
His whole available forces in the Crimea amounted only
to some 25,000 men, includingthe garrison of Sebastopol.
Reinforcements, however, could be brought up within a
fortnight's time, and provided a sufficient delay could
be obtained, Sebastopol and the Crimea were safe. In
Prince Menschikoff s despatch sent to St. Petersburg
before the battle of the Alma, the plan of the campaign
was distinctly laid down. He was to hold the allies in
check by a series of engagements, retreating, if un-
successful, on the city. There he expected to receive
the powerful aid of Liprandi's division. But if this,
' from any unforeseen accident, did not arrive, and
he found it impossible to defend Sebastopol with
the force under his command, he intended to blow up
the forts, sink the ships, and hold off until, with an in-
creased army, he could offer the enemy battle with
hopes of success. Pursuant to this plan, a skirmish
first took place near Eupatoria, in which the Russians
lost 1,500 men, occasioned chiefly by the guns of the
allied vessels. This affair has been scarcely noticed i n
the reports we have received. At Alma the Russians
declared they had but 22,000 men, and that after the
battle they were enabled to retreat in good order to the
city. They expected that the allies would speedily fol-
low. Menschikoff even declared in his despatches to the
Czar that, by a vigorous assault, the stronghold might
by this time have been captured. For such a result he
seems to have been fully prepared. But when he saw
that the allies hesitated to advance, his hopes of defend-
ing the place were strengthened. Couriers morning and
evening were sent to St. Petersburg with the intelligence
that the enemy had not altered his position. And when
at last the enemy did press forward, and invested a
Portion of the city, the anxiously expected reinforcements
under Liprandi had arrived, and Menechikoff felt certain
of ultimate success.
With hundreds of thousands of men at his command,
and a communication to the Crimea open during the
winter by means of sledges, the battle of the Alma, Bala-
thßthteir the
sa4ieldiestr ofo troops—decimated ted
andby
klava, and Inkerman have been as good as so many vic-
tories to the Onishi'
But
fwoaord acnucti''odffiar delayede by the storms on the Black Sea—
must be considered a lost a'rmy;tbei'igh every man should
display the courage .anthendurance of a hero:- It is a
serious question now whether. even a retreat is pos-
-1 Bible. It was considered' miraculous when cavalry,
infantry, and artillery were all'oafely landed at Eupa-
toria in calm summer weather ; but how would they
fare now when it has been found impossible to land the
wounded, who were obliged to remain in the ships
tossing for days upon those stormy waves ? What
would become of the remnant of that magnificent arma-
ment in such a tempest as that which destroyed 32 ves-
sels of the fleet ? To winter in the Crimea would be
scarcely less disastrous. The severity of the climate,
and the unceasing hostilities of a relentless persevering
enemy, would fearfully lessen their numbers. It is
barely possible that they could maintain their present
position. The Ru,sian has already profited by the ex-
perience of the campaign. He has learnt that his own
musket is a very inferior weapon to the Minid rifle, and
it is expected that this disadvantage under which he now
labours will shortly be removed. Under every aspect
of the case fortune seems to frown upon the allies.
Bravery can do much in most cases, but in this even
the dauntless courage and impetuous bearing displayed
at Inkermau can only prolong the struggle.
A defeat before the walls of Sebastopol will entail re-
sults upon which it would be vain to speculate. Dissa-
tisfied with the failure of the ill-planned expedition, the
French people may wreak their vengeance on Napoleon.
The alliance between England and France will then be
blown to the winds. The policy of Austria and Prussia
will vacillate no longer, for self preservation will force
them to side with Russia, The revolutionary spirit now

0 IT tit
4,4),
_ 4-1
, • 1*
1:2 .
smouldering in the German States will then nestntitee e —4O j
be controlled, and the legions of republican and deAp.a.„.;ae,ra'elket-5-
Europe will once more be brought face to face. sos.2-xers
jw.l-rse
But Russia, will continue to struggle for that pelitie '' ' •
aseeedailey which is the end and aim of her monarch's a
bition. Mark the elements of her strregith. Througho
all her vast dominions, from St. Petersburg to the Ce
casus one feeling—induced by a firm belief in the j:
tice cf the war is predominant. Emperor, noble, pe:
ant, and serf seem animated by the same intense entL
siasm. The ostensible object of the struggle is to sect
religious toleration to the Greek subjects of the For
and if territorial aggrandisement be the real desig
it is for the' present thrust into the background ai
remains where it was engendered —in the subt
brain of the Czar. The people are told that the
arm in defence of Christianity—that their Empero
the head of their church and champion of the
faith, has taken up the gage of battle which tl
heathen has flung down that France is oppose
to them from the remembrance of old hostilities, an
that England, while she holds the cross in one han,
wields the sword of the devil in the other. lion}
and priests are scattered over the empire preaching ti
holiness of the crusade, promising success and callin
upon all to aid its speedy accomplishment. For th
purpose they are provided with boxes on which is carve
the form of the cross, and every one contributes hi
mite. No patriotic fund is raised for the wounded, bt
the Czar declares that they are under his especial pre
tection, and the Government will provide for them
Throughout the land the churches are open day an
night, and prayer for the triumph of the Russian arm
is the universal theme. The soldiers are impressed wit:
the conviction that the 1,600 saints of their church ar
interceding in their behalf, and that when they ar
killed in battle they are received at once into glory
And besides this fanaticism, which of itself would b.
resistlessenemy, they have prove(
themselves
agaeignustala,abot ordinary
both in and discipline, t,
the best troops of France and England. If 1,000,006
of such men can be brought into the field—if the for
tresses on their frontiers have already been found ien
pregnable—if a successful invasion of the Czar's territory
is known to be an impossibility, and if his resources for
prosecuting the war are unlimited, where is the colossal
Power which can eventually subjugate this Imperial
.ILutoorak
Nor is this all. Unlike other crowned heads !in Eu•
rope, the Emperor of Russia has no revolution—no in-
ternal dissensions to fear throughout the length and
breadth of his dominions. He could concentrate hie
whole army at any given point, and the rest of the
country would remain in perfect security. He is idolised
by his subjects, who look upon him as a father. By
his soldiers he is regarded asia demigod. Daily he may
be seen taking his usual walk or ride through the streets
of St. Petersbusg, and often entirely unattended. This
again refutes the idea started some time since in Paris,
that a stray bullet would one day terminate his existence
and put an end to the war.
On two points especially the world until now hall
been content to remain in comparative ignorance—one
is the resources of Russia, and the other the intelligence
of her inhabitants. A large portion of the serfs are
landed proprietors, and although they do not enjoy
what we would call political rights, their condition is
not one of degradation, nor is it incompatible with in-
tellectual cultivation and material improvement. Manu-
factories in silks, laces, clothe, &c., are to be found
everywhere, and the quality as well as the cheapness of
these articles, when compared with French goods, often,
surprise the American traveller. The manufacture of
munitions of war is, of course, carried on to a very large
extent. Russia, as we know, is a great exporting
country, and it has been estimated that, if obliged to
live on her own resources, can grow enough wheat to
snpport double the amount of her inhabitants, who live
almost altogether on farinaceous food. The superabun-
dance of gold and silver ornaments in the churches of
St, Petersburg alone is sufficient to demonstrate the
wealth of the nation, and so enthusiastic are the people,
so determined are they to succeed in the cause on which
they have embarked, that every church in the empire
would be despoiled rather than money should be wanted
to carry on the war.

THE POSITION OF PRUSSIA.

//21/:'
ft.,' 5'

The Constitutio nnel publishes a long letter, dated
the 7th, " from an eminent statesman at Berlin."
Tho following is the most interesting portion of
it :--

L,

"After having, during thirty years, marched at the
head of progress, and having thereby obtained legitimate
sympathies, Prussia now puts herself forward as the stan-
dard-bearer of all the soi-disant Conservatives who make
the Czar their idol ; and Consider Napoleon 111. as the
personification of revolutionary principles. There is
not, it is true, a single man of sense at Berlin who has
confidence in such conservatism, but it serves as a
flag to unite an army opposed to Austria and France:
The consequence of it is, that if we examine the conduct
of our Cabinet since the commencement of the Eastern
question, it will be found that its participation in diplo-
matic conferences, its treaty of the 20th April with
Austria, and the additional article of the 26th November,
were only intended to thwart or paralyse the action
of the other great powers. As for myself, I doubt
greatly that even if Prussia should accede to the
treaty of the 2d of December, which is more than
problematic, she would give a serious and decided
co-operation to the common undertaking. My opinion
is based on a fact which has passed unperceived in
the newspapers, and which is as characteristic as it
is significative. The conclusion of the treaty of al-
liance of the 2d of December, between Austria and the
Western Powers, was officially communicated to the
Cabinet of Berlin in the evening of the 16th ult. The
day atter our Court celebrated at Potsdam the f6te of the
Emperor Nicholas by a grand banquet, to which were
commanded (1) the most zealous partisans of Russia.
Such of the Prussian generals as are proprietors of Rus-
sian regiments put on the Russian uniform for the occa-
sion. Such a demonstration, at the very moment at
which Prussia received the invitation to join the al•
liance of Austria, France, and England to combat
Russia, plainly shows the true sentiments which
dominate in our higher spheres. During the last seven
months, the Cabinets of Berlin and Vienna have
done nothing, except to exchange despatch on despatch,
in order to come to an understanding as to the [obliga-
tions which Prussia contracted in signing with Austria
the treaty of the 20th April. The Vienna Cabinet hoped
that the additional article of the 26th November last
had put an end to this controversy, and it was under
such a belief that it invited Prussia to mobilise the
first contingent of 100,000 men, which she promised.
Now, everything has to be recommenced, since our
Government pretends that Russia will not attack
Austria, if the latter will remain on the defensive ; and
that, consequently, there is no danger for the Austrian
possessions which the treaty of the 20th April has,
for its sole object, to preserve from a Russian invasion.
It is really curious to see with what impudence our
ministerial press supports this argumentation, which, if
it were to prevail, would render the treaty of the 2d
December illusory. M. de Manteuffel and M. Usedom
have not, however, yet returned from their missions
to Vienna and London, where they were charged to
demonstrate the analogy between the position of Prue.-
sia and that of the parties to the treaty of the 2d De-
cember ; adding that Prussia adhered to the general
tendencies of that treaty, and was ready to conclude a
similar arrangement. I quote the language of the de-
spatch of Baron Manteuffel of the 19th December
last. Who can conciliate such language with the refusal
of Prussia to mobilise the first contingent demanded by
Austria ? It seems that the Western Powers had a
presentiment of the new and sudden change of our Ca-
binet when, through the Plenipotentiaries at Vienna,
they refused to communicate officially the interpreta-
tion of the four guarantees, agreed to in the Conference
held at Vienna on the 28th of December last between
Count Buol and the Plenipotentiaries. The latter
left Count Buol to decide whether it suited the in-
terests of Austria to communicate confidentially this
interpretetiou to the Prussian Cabinet; but for their part
they positively declined any participation in a collective
notification, whether official or private. Our minister
at Vienna, Count Arnim, appears to feel that the false
position in which the interminable shuffling of our Go-
vernment places him, is no longer supportable ; and,
on the pretence that his health is bad, he insists on i
tiring. Titer° is a good deal of discussion here as to
the choice of his successor. The party of the Cross would
wish to see him replaced by one of its own members,
Baron Bismark, who is at present our plenipotentiary at
Frankfort. He seems, however, to possess but a slight
chance ; his stiff and troublesome character, and his
decided sympathies for Russia, render him but little
qualified to occupy a post for which suppleness and re-
serve have become indispensable. Others designate
Count Alversleben, an experienced and prudent diplo-
mati,t, but who is perhaps too able a man to accept such
an ungrateful burden under existing circumstances.
The ministry seems inclined to choose M. de Canitz,
who has already figured at Vienna, and who belongs
to a good school. Whatever, however, may be the
choice which will be made, it will in no respect change
the system adopted by oar diplomacy. Flattering
itself that it is more able than others, that diplomacy
thinks itself very clever in giving the great powers fine
phrases instead of war subsidies. Educated in the glori-
fication of the power of the Czar, it firmly believes that
Austria will be powerless to support the terrible shock
ofthe Muscovite armies ; that then Prussia, whose strength
will not have been diminished by the sacrifices which
the other great powers have had to support since the con-
flict with Russia broke out, can enter the lists, armed
from top to toe, and become on better terms than by
subscribing to the treaty of the 21 December the arbiter
of peace. Who lives will see ; but may our Government
not compromise for ever, at this dangerous
game, the
destinies of emir country !"
"(1.) When the high chamberlain sends an invitation to
the royal table, he always uses the phrase, 'You are
commanded (befohleh) to attend the dinner of his Majesty
on such a day and at such an hour.' "

&MONO- DEATH BY FALLING DOWN A PIT.—On
Tuesday an inquest was held at Wolverhampton, on the
a stone pit, near Mosely Hole,
bwoadsykoilfle lVdlabryy
fMai
downjoicogre, 14 years and 3 months old, who
belonging to Mr. John Hayward. It appeared that on
Monday morning last,theldeceased was pushing a skip
towards the mouth of the pit, and instead of stopping
just before the skip got to the mouth of the pit, she con-
tinued to push it, and fell with it to the bottom of the
pit—a distance of 110 yards. The doggy, who had pre-
viously descended the shaft, hearing something fall, went
to the bottom, and found the deceased's body in a
lifeless state. The upper and back part of the skull was
cut through and divided from the face. The jury re-
turned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed a
strong opinion as to the impropriety of girls of any age,
particularly girls of tender age, being employed upon
pit banks, as such an occupation tended to demoralise
them.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—Jan. 10

THE JITDICIAL COMNaTrEE OF THE PRIVY

COUNCIL—WEDNESDAY.
FOARD'S PATENT.
Mr. Hindmarsh appeared for the petitioner ; Mr.
Welsby appeared on behalf of the Crown.
This was a p_tition for the extension of the patent for
14 years. The patent was originally taken out in 1841,
and was for the construction of fire-places, which were
made so as to consume their own smoke. The patentee
was a man of limited means, and in order to make his
invention public had had recourse to assistance to en-
able him to do so. He had then assigned it, and now
had it re-assigned to him for the sum of 2001. He him-
self and the assigns had done all in their power to get
it into use, but the public would not use it, until com-
pelled by the late act of Parliament, compelling people
to consume their own smoke. It was now in use in
several places, and answered completely, and effected a
saving of fuel of from 15 to 20 per cent., while the cost
of setting it up was very trifling. The mode in which
smoke was Consumed was by placing a reservoir of fuel
underneath the burning coal, which reservoir was gra-
dually raised so as to supply the fire. The consequence
was, that the fuel in the reservoir became hot, and the
smoke passing through the fire above was consumed in
doing so. When the reservoir was empty, there was a
contrivance by which it was replenished. There was
also a good supply of oxygen or atmospheric air, to
enable the smoke to burn, for otherwise it would pass
through the burning coals without being consumed.
Several witnesses were called, who testified to the
efficiency of the apparatus and the saving of fuel, and
proved that no smoke issued from the mouths of the
chimneys where it was used, except at the time of
lighting the fires. The mode of supplying fuel also had
this advantage, that it prevented the necessity of
opening furnace doors, and thereby damping a fire, and
so checking the generation of steam in steam-engines.
Mr. Welsby, on behalf of the Crown, said he did not
dispute the great efficiency of the invention, but con-
tended that, if the patent was extended, it would be
making the public pay an increased price for doing that
which they were now compelled to do by act of Parlia-
ment.

The Court, however, decided that the patent should
be extended for six years. _

HONSYBALL'S PATINT.
This case, which was a petition under the sth and 6th
of Wm. IV., c. 83, for the confirmation of a patent for
for making anchors, commonly called "Porter's patent
anchor," was put off until the Ist of February on a3couLt
of its great importance, it being desirable that it should
be heard before a fuller court.

Sir F. Thesiger and Mr. Webster appeared for the
petitioner ; Mr. Weisby fur the Crown ; and Mr. Ser•
jeant Atkinson and Mr. Russell for opposing parties.

BANKRUPTCY COURT.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.)
IN RE JOHNS.
This was an examination meeting under the failure of
Henry Johns, of the Latchmoor distillery, Battersea,
and Grange-terrace, Brompton,
The balance-sheet, prepared by Messrs. Paul and Tur-
ner, commences on the 22d of June, 1852, and ends 11th
Nov., 1854, showing the following results, viz.:—
Debtor.—To creditors, 4081. 13s. 3d. ; mortgage cre-
ditors, 4,2801. ; creditors to be paid in full, 2971. 15s. ;
creditors in abeyance, 8,290/. ls. 3d. ; liabilities, 17,1821.
is. 11d. ; profits derived from the Birmingham Tube
Company, 2,6471. 55.; surplus, 22d of June, 8,0611. 13s.
31, ; total, 44,8401. 9s. Bd.

Creditor.—By debtors, bad, 743/. 15s. 2d. ; carried to
losses ; property mortgaged, 8,0641.175. Ild. ; property
given up, 821. 18s. ; ditto, retained by bankrupt, 201. ;
liabilities per contra, 17,1821. ls. 11d. ; losses, 12,342 i.
15a. 7d. ; trade charges, 4,4321. 15s. Bd. ; house and
personal expenses, 2,7111. 17s. 2d. ; difference, 3/. 3s.
53. Total, 44,840/. 95. Bd.

Mr. Lawrance, for the assignees, applied for an ad-
journment. The bankrupt, in addition to carrying on
the distillery, was connected with an extensive tube com-
pany, from which he retired in August last, and the as-
signees required further information as to his transac-
tions with that company, and also wished to investigate
the accounts.

An adjournment for six weeks was ordered.
IN lilt JANNINGS.

This was an application fur certificate by Henry Jan-
nings, of Laurie-terrace, Westminster-road, ironmonger.
Mr. Paxon, who appeared for the assignees, would
consent to the bankrupt receiving his certificate.
Mr. Linklater, for the bankrupt, attributed his failure
to having contracted several bad debts.

His Honour remarked that the bankrapt had gone on
trading too long, and he now came to the court without
any assets for his creditors, for the purpose of being
whitewashed. There was one circumstance in the bank-
rupt's favour, and that was good book-keeping ; and but
for that circumstance, and no creditor complaining, he
should have suspended the certificate for a considerable
period. The certificate must be suspended for three
months from the date of the petition.

IN RE CHAMPION EATON.
This was an application for certificate by the above
bankrupt, who has been a flour dealer at Maidstone-
wharf, Upper Thames-street.
The bankruptcy took place as far back as 1846, and
the bankrupt did not apply to pass his examination until
a few weeks since. The trade assignee is dead, and,
although notices bad been served on the surviving cre-
ditors, none of them attended to complain of the bank-
rupt's conduct.
His Honour awarded a certificate under the old Bank.
ruptQy Act, without classification.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Murphy.)
WILLIAM BROWN.
This insolvent, who had kept the Fortune of War
public-house, in Giltspur-street, was opposed by Mr.
Sargood, for Messrs. Hoare, the brewers; and supported
by Mr. Reed.
The complaint was a making away with property.
The insolvent took the Fortune of War about six years
ago. He lost about 6001., and now owed 1,0001. The
insolvency arose from the losses sustained, and the re-
moval of the market. The abolition of Bartholomew
Fair had affected the business. Messrs. Hoare sued
him, and stopped proceedings on it being represented
that the property would be realised and divided, and
pay 2s. 6d. in the pound. The property was realised,
and 100/. remained. The insolvent offered ls. in the
pound, and it was refused. He had spent something
on his family, and had accounted for the residue. For
this disposition a remand was prayed, as for making
away with property.
Mr. Commissioner Murphy considered the insolvent
entitled to the sympathy of the Court. He had lost all
his own money and had actei fairly towards his credi-
tors. He ordered his discharge.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

(Before Mr. Mellor, Q.C.)

John Collins, 25, surrendered to take his trial onaed
an
indictment in which he was charged with 11a vingassauit
Andrew Anderson, a police constable (61 II), in the
execution of his duty.
Mr. M'lntyre prosecuted, and Mr. Sleigh appeared
for the defendant.
This was rather a singular case, and the nature of
the defence was such that in effect the policeman him-
self was also on his trial.
The prosecutor deposed—On Monday night, the 18th
of December, I was on duty in Brick-lane, Spitalfields.
I saw the defendant there, and other persons were with
him. I said to him, "If you were in company with the
mob I have just dispersed, you had better go away."
He turned round and said, " D— your eyes, you are
the that kissed my wife," and struck me two blows
about the mouth, the effect of which was that my nose
and lips bled, and loosened two of my teeth in the
lower jaw. I then took hold of him to take him to the
station, when he resisted and put one of his legs through
mine and tripped me up. I retained my hold of him,
and took him. I do not know the defendant's wife.
The mob that collected advised him to go quietly.
Cress-examined—This first occurred at the corner of
Police-censtable Jackson came up after I
had taken the defendant 200 or 300 yards. There were
not many persons present when he first struck me. The
snob told him to go quietly Lefore the other constable
camp up. There were three or four women present. I
was not at all intoxicated, but I hadbeen drinking. I
had been on duty from 9 o'clock. (this o 12 and 1 in the morning), and had only eafrred betweenef
I had not been in airy public-house, sut thecrle?hment.
brought out to me, and the police are allowe(l.Tekl:Nas
proper refreshment when on duty. I have been three
Seas next July in the force. I have been complained
of several times for irregularities, but not for drinking'
and have been fined. The last time was in December;
but I cannot say positively what it was for. I adhere,
on my oath, to the statement I have made as to the lan-
guage the defendant used. I said the same before the
magistrate. (The deposition was read, and one expres-
sion was not in it.) I signed the deposition, and an
alteration was made in it, as it contained more than I
had said, and I did not remark the omission. There were
two women near a potato-stall in Brick-lane, where this
matter occurred. (Two females were introduced.) I can-
not say they are the same. I will not swear they are
not. The defendant was not standing between the wo-
men. I did not go up to them and say, "Are you two
sisters—if I bad two such sisters I should do this," and
at the came time kiss
,one. leddefe
idnnda
othnintg. ofn ethdeikdinndot
come up and say .
My hat was knocked a by
th
if you take the liberty of doing that I
this, n I then kicked my
bat into the gutter—
shall take the li be r:ynoor doing
gutter—nothing
asort. I did not put
my arm round either of the women, and kiss her. My
hat did not fall off as I was kissing her. The defendant
told me that I had taken a liberty with his wife, and
kissed her. He said it in the terms I
have before used.
I took him for striking me, and we feil to the ground in
the struggle. A woman came to the police court, and
raid I had shamefully used the man, and I told her I
did supposed she wanted half a quartern of gin. I
ro-
use my staff or fists,
nor any more force than was ne-
cessary to secure and take the defendant. Defendant's
face was bleeding when Jackson came up.
Jackson, the constable alluded to, 59'
H, and another,
who went to the assistance of the prosecutor when he
was taking the defendant, gave evidence corroborative
of Lis, but of the alleged kissing or the beginning cf
the matter they knew nothing. A borate stall-keeper
--stated that two women stood close h stall at the
time in question, and purchased potatoes, and he w
1, ()thing of blows between the prosecutor and the dae-
fandant.
Mr. Sleigh, in his address to the jury, said the issue
VMS of great importance both to prosecutor and defen-
dant, inasmuch as unleas the defendant was convicted,
the former would be disgraced and degraded from the
force, and the consequences of a conviction, as regarded

the latter, were obvious. He charEred the prosecutor
with c:Ann,'.!te,(ll,,ulfri I, y
to screen himself from the unwarrantable liberty he had
taken in kissing the defendant's wife, which act made
him the first aggressor. After animadverting in strt mg
terms on the prosecutor, the learned counsel called upon
the jury to repudiate the story of the attack upon him,
as he should show that the defendant only resented the
prosecutor's conduct in kissing his wife.
Lucy Angell, a married woman, residing in Spicer-
street, stated that on the night in question herself and
sister were on their way home, and stopped at the corner
of Brick-lane to purchase some baked potatoes of a man
who stood there with a stall. While they were ,there
two other females came up to purchase some of the
same articles, and while they were standing there the
prosecutor, addressing them, asked if they were sisters.
They replied that they were, and he then said, " If I
had two such sisters, I should take the liberty of doing
this," and at the same time he put one of his arms
round the neck of one of them and kissed her. His hat
fell off as he was doing so, and the husband of one of
the women, who was standing by (the defendant) seeing
what was done, said to him, " If you take the liberty of
doing that, I shall take the liberty of doing this," and he
kicked the hat. The policeman then seized him and
felled him to the ground, falling with him. The persons
there wished him to let the man go, but he would not,
and she was determined to see the end of it. On the
following morning she went to the police-court, and told
the prosecutor that he had used the man shamefully,
when he remarked that she only wanted a glass of gin.
She was not requested to go, but went in consequence of
the manner in which the man had been treated by the
policeman who kissed his wife. She went of her own
good will.
Mrs. Thomas, sister to the last witness, corroborated
this, and said she saw the policeman trip defendant up.
The latter did not strike him at all.

Mrs. Hurley, sister to the prisoner, gave similar evi-
dence, and said the entire fault was on the part of the
policeman in kissing ker brother's wife.
Mr. Mellor, in summing up, went minutely and with
great care through the evidence.
The jury retired, and, after a short absence, the fore-
man said the evidence was so conflicting that they had
come to the conclusion to give the defendant the benefit
of the doubt, and therefore they found him not guilty.
A burst of applause !rum Llin strangers in court fol-
lowed this announcement, but silence was soon re-
stored.

Mr. Sleigh applied to the court to commit the prose-
cutor for perjury, and said he had never known a worse
case. . .

Mr. Mellor said the jury had not come to a positive
conclusion on the evidence, but under other circum-
stances even he should not take the course suggested.
The foreman of the jury said they did not intend to
implite perjury to the policeman.
The defendant was then discharged.
During this session an unusual number of cases of as-
sault on the police have been tried, all of ordinary cha-
racter. In one a man named Flynn was charged, and
there was a singular Circumstance connected with the
case, Flynn and another man were committed from Wan-
stead to Ilford Gaol on some charge, but as they were
being conveyed to their destination, the other man, who
had a small hand, slipped the handcuff off, and having
dealt a blow at the officer, they made off in different
directions, and got clear away. Flynn joined his com-
panions in Whitechapel, and the same night he was
taken into custody by Henry Davis, 425 A, on the
charge for which he was now tried. The other, who is
still at large; and who went off with the handcuff, having
divested himself of it, forwarded it to the police station
with his " compliments."