The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENIN(3,I JANUARY 8, 18h5,

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—Jan. 6.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.
IN THE MATTER OF JOHN CALDWELL.
A good deal of interest was excited in this insolvent,
a prisoner in Whitecross-street prison, appearing before
the Court in regimentals, and applying to be discharged
on bail. Tie was described as a sergeant in the First
Royal Dragoons, and had been taken in execution by
the steward of the Duchess of Cambridge for money ad-
vanced.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips expressed some surprise at
seeing a soldier in his position, and asked bins how he
got into prison.
The insolvent said he got into difficulties before lie
was in the regiment. He had been a cadet qualifying
for riding, and he got into debt.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips asked him what was his
pay from the army ?
The insolvent said his pay was 2s. 3d. a day. In
answer to the Court he said ho was a single man.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips doubted whether he should
grant bail. The debts were 3401. and a good many for
money advanced—one was for a ring, 31.
The insolvent stated that he did not enter the regi-
ment until last May, and the'clebte were incurred before
that time.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips had a difficulty in granting
the application. He never remembered such a case. It
would seem that the insolvent had been living at about
2001. a year. He thought the application might be
granted if the bail was substantial.
The proposed sureties answered satisfactorily, and
the discharge was ordered until the day appointed for
the hearing.
IN THE MATTER OF HENRY JARRETT.
The insolvent, the late musical director at Drury-lane
Theatre, applied for his final order.
Mr. Sargood appeared for Messrs. Shoolbeed, of Tote
tenham-court-road, but the matter was settled, and the
opposition was withdrawn.
Mr. Macrae appeared for Mr. George Wood, music-
seller, at Edinburgh. •
Mr. Dowse supported the application.
On the present occasion an examination took place
with respect to the connection of Mr. Wood with the in-
solvent in Drury-lane Theatre. From what had occurred
it was alleged that Mr. Wood was a partner, but that
gentleman protested against such an inference.
Mr. Macrae said Mr. Wood was a creditor to upwards
of 1,100/., and that he held two acceptances. He was
not a partner.
The insolvent remarked that he had not put down
Mr. Wood as a partner.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips asked him whether he
considered him a partner ?
The insolvent said—Of course.
Mr. Commissioner Phillipsasked him what he meant ?
The insolvent said ho did not consider him as a part-
ner. He was told by that court that he was a partner.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips declared that he never told
him anytYing of the kind, and this Court could not de-
cide the question. He wished to know whether the in-
solvent considered Mr. Wood was a partner when he
drew out his schedule ?
Intolvent--LNo, your honour.
The insolvent was further examined on the same sub-
ject. There had been an altercation between them as to
the terms both orally and in writing. When an agree-
ment was made with Mr. Sims Reeves there was an
agreement about profit and loss. He could not tell the
date of the conversation. No one was present. The
agreement in writing was on the same subject, and when
.they were losing. The paper was with Mr. Wood.
Mr. Macrae said the insolvent had admitted that he
was not a partner, and he should dismiss the subject.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips advised the learned coun-
sel not to lull himself into such a belief, as the insolvent
had both said he did and he did not consider himself a
partner. His Honour (addressing the insolvent)—Did
you consider him a partner ,when you made up the
schedule ?
Insolvent—No.
Mr. Commissioner Phillips—Did you ever consider
him a partner ?
The insolvent said, when ho heard that the letter was
of no service, he did not consider him a partner.
Mr. Macrae claimed to be inserted as a creditor for
I,IEO/. 13s. 6d.
His Honour ordered the claim to be inserted with a
qualification by the insolvent. It was a case for the
final order, and there was no reason why it should not
be granted.
The final order was accordingly granted, and the case
was concluded.

ANOTHER DOUBLE MURDER IN MARY-

LEBOI%TE.

A MAN AND HIS WIFE SHOT.—ATTEMPTED
SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.
Befor the public mind can have well recovered from
the shock occasioned by the-horrible tragedy in Warren-
street, it is our duty to record the occurrence of a second
catastrophe very similar in its results, and in some of
the main features marking its perpetration.
The victims in the present case are a man and his
wife, named Lambert, residing at No. 5, Foley-place,
Portland-road; and the assassin is an Italian named
Luigi Buranelli, formerly valet in the service of Thomas
Stewart Drumtnond, Esq., a gentleman of fortune resid-
ing in Scotland.
The circumstances under which
-the murder took place
may be briefly narrated as follows :—About a quarterpast
9 o'clock yesterday (Sunday) morning, Police-constable
36 E, who was on duty at the corner of Foley place and
Portland-road was called by a woman in a state of
great alarm to the house No. 5, Foley place. The wo-
man having stated that her master had been shot, the
officer instantly accompanied her to the house, and, upon
entering the back parlour on the ground floor, he disco-
vered a remarkably fine Man lying in bed quite dead, and
by his sidea woman, who, in a half erect posture, described
herself to have been shot by an Italian, who, having first
murdered her husband while asleep, had subsequently
discharged a second pistol at herself, and then rushed
. up stairs.
The officer at this moment was joined by Sergeant
Hayes, 14 E, and rightly considering the apprehension
of the assassin the most important business to be accom-
plished, they together hastened up stairs in the direction
indicated. As they ascended the staircase they heard
the noise of some person knocking :at one of the attic
doors and calling out, but before they could reach the
third floor it had ceased, and the sudden closing of an-
other door on the same flight led to a presumption that
the man of whom they were in pursuit had shut himself
within this apartment. Before the door could be forced
the report of a pistol, succeeded by a heavy' fall, was
heard by the officers, and on breaking open the door
they discovered the body of a young man, of foreign
aspect, extended at length on the floor, the blood
flowing rapidly from a bullet wound on the right side of
the cheek, and a pistol, with the barrel still warm, lying
by his side.
Sergeant Hayes at once despatched the constable for
medical aid, and for such other assistance as the terrible
nature of the circumstances seemed to require. Within
a very short period several medical gentlemen arrived,
among whom were Mr. E. W. Than and' Mr. Bddges,
of Laugbam-place, Mr. Norman, of Duchess-street, Mr.
Thompson and Mr. Allen (surgeon to the police force of
the B division), of Dean-street, Oxford-street. The at-
tention of these gentlemen was first directed to Mr.
and Mrs. Lambert. Mr. Lambert was found to be
quite dead, from the effects of a bullet wound at the
base of the skull, immediately under the right ear. He
did not appear to have raised himself or even moved
after receiving the shot, and he lay dead, with his head
reclining a little to the left, as undisturbed as if in a
calm sleep. The pillow upon which his head rested was
saturated with blood, and a portion of its linen case had
been burnt by the explosion from the discharge. Mrs.
Lambert was found to be suffering from a dangerous
bullet wound in the chest. She had been awoke
by the discharge of the pistol which bad killed
her husband, and terrified at obserVing Buranelli
,with a second pistol in his hand levelled at
herself, she hastily sprang up in bed, and raised
her right arm is the hope of shielding herself from his
attack. In this she was not successful, and the assassin
discharging the pistol, the bullet passed through the
thick part of the right forearm, struck the collar bone,
and then took a direction downwards,- lodging in the
unfortunate woman's chest.
The assassin was next examined, and a very cursory
glance at his wound sufficed to show that he had inflicted
upon himself a wound of a most dangerous character.
The bullet had entered the back part of the right cheek
a little in front of and below the lobe of the right ear,
from whence it had passed upwards and forwards through
the deep structures of the face and lodged in the floor of
the right orbit, which was closed by its compression.
The wretched man was not even stunned by this tremen-
dous injury, and although the floor of the room fur the
space of throe or four feet was covered with his blood,
he retained perfect sensibility. Mr. Daffin and the
other medical gentleman in attendance, thought it better
that Buranelli should be removed to the hospital at once,
mid a stretcher having been procured, he was conveyed,
under charge of a body of police officers, to the Middle-
sex Hospital.
As soon as possible after the removal of the assassin
from the house a consultation was held on the case of
Mrs. Lambert, who was brought carefully out of the
room in which her husband was lying dead and placed
upon an easy couch in an adjoining parlour. The wound
in the chest was probed and an unsuccessful attempt
made to extract the bullet, which the medical gentlemen
in attendance agree in believing mist have found its
way into the chest. This of course renders her case ex-
tremely dangerous, and small hope is entertained of her
life beitos saved, In consequence of her perilous condi-
tion the Rev. Charles Baring, M.A., rector of All Souls
Foxall, en)
°lmmix, attended the unfortunate woman immediately
the motives svtlis
after u •
turning service yesterday, and administered such
spiritual cons 1 •
tra-
gedy. The invests
While
the
medicale attoi asm ehnerweearseeernegqaugierded.
• ful
and anxious d t in their pain
P,..042,i, the police, under Mr. Superintendent
geant Smith and Siesagel°n was
themselves in endeavouring to ascer-
tainch
the E division, the hitater4r
had led to so deplorable a tra-
chiefly entrusted to Ser.
end
from eelarere of course the
Hayes, two clever officers of
had been one of the first tooafrNsishcim
disaster.. The inmates of the arrive
at
the scene of the
, as alreadyutei,de rat,discover
as an ea dr
fin
ir:dt
wp eorms oanns
oqfuetshteteitill,e
of
Jmn,
spart from her husband, enough Was ,l 'll' residing
the existence of very bad feeling batf'weeaen tl
and the murdered man Lambert and his wife. le
assassin
Truth obliges us to say that if the house in which this
tragedy has taken place was not of a questionable cha-
racter, its occupants are most cruelly maligned in the
neighbourhood. From information given to the officers,
it appears that Lambert and his wife entered on the
tonantcy of the house about three weeks before Christmas
last, removing into it from 85, Newman street, Oxford-

street, where they had formerly lived. Associated with
Mrs. Lambert in the tenantcy of the house was Jane
Williamson ; the two ladies intending, it is said, to carry
on business as Milliners and dregsmakers. They had
lodged together in Newman-street, and while there had
formed an intimacy with Luigi Buranelli. By advice,
it is said, of Lambert, Buranelli came to lodge with
them \Olen the house in Foley-place was taken, and
while here, as well as previously, the wretched man
seemed to, have conceived a sort of wild passion for
Mrs. Williamson, pursuing her with his attentions in
a very unmistakeable manner, and carrying matters to
such lengths on a recent occasion that Mrs. William-
son felt compelled to appeal to Mr. Lambert to protect
her from his importunities. The course Lambert
took was to speak to Buranelli on the first oppor-
tunity, and to tell him that in consequence of his offen-
sive conduct to Mrs. Williamson he could not be allowed
to reside with them any louder, and that he must leave
the house. This happened on Thursday se'nnight.
Buranelli sbemed much hurt at the intimation, and re-
plied to Lambert that he was sure that Mrs. Williamson
did not wish that he should be turned out. Upon this
Lambert called Mrs. Williamson into his room, and his
wife appealed to her as to whether she had not requested
to be protected from Buranelli's annoyance by his dis-
missal from the house. Mrs. Williamson at once stated
that she bad expressed such a wish, and Buranelli now
consented to leave, bidding both Lambert and his wife,
as well as Mrs. Williamson, a friendly farewell. A very
few days later, Bnrauelli, writing from a lodging in
Newman-street, addressed Jane Williamson in terms
of affection, and implored hor to receive him again.
Mrs. Williamson, perplexed, and not knowing
what to do, showed the letter to Mr. Lambert, who
strongly advised her to have nothing more to say to
him, and to burn his letter, advice which she seems
to have followed. Nothing more is known to have
been heard of Buranelli until Saturday last, on the
evening of which day he met Harriet Miller, a domestic
servant in the employ of the Lamberts, in Foley-place,
and told her to present his compliments to Mr. arid Mrs.
Lambert, and to say that he was going to Paris on the
following morning.

At ten minutes after nine o'clock yesterday morning,
Buranelli presented himself at the door of No. 5, Foley-
place, and rang the area bell. Ho was admitted by a
charwoman named Sophia de Veaux, who bad herself
been let into the house by Mrs. Lambert only an hour
previously.... De Veaux knew that he had lodged in the
home; and therefore was not surprised on being requested
to take downstairs a great coat, of which the assassin
divested himself as he entered the house, and to receive for
Mrs. Williamson two small parcels which he placed in her
hands at the same time. She was, however, surprised as
she descended the kitchen stairs to hear the door of the
back parlour where the Lamberts were in bed opened by
Buranelli ; and while in the act of ascending to satisfy
herself what could be meant by this intrusion, she was
horror-struck at hearing the report of p, pistol and the
next moment a loud shriek from her mistress. She in-
stautly ran to the front door, and seeing a policeman on
the opposite side of the road obtained his assistrince as
above described. From Mrs. Williamson it was ascer-
tained that she was in bed in one of the attics together
with Harriet Miller, the maid-servant, when she was
aroused from a sound sleep by a loud knocking at and
trying the handle of her door. At the same time she
beard the voice of Buranelli, calling out to her to admit
him. She was in the act of jumping out of bed to
do so, when Harriet Miller implored her not to let
him in, as she feared something might happen. Mrs.
Williamson checked herself for a moment, and called
out " Where is Lambert ?" Buranelli immediately
replied in broken English, " Lambert is dead, and
lam his assassin." Mrs. Williamson was of course
greatly terrified, but the sound of approaching foot-
steps up the stairs relieved her, and at the same in-
stant Buranelli retired from her door and shut himself
into an adjoining attic, where the next moment the dis-
charge of a pistol and a heavy fall were heard. This
was all that could be personally ascertained of the assas-
sin's visit to the, house yesterday morning. But upon
opening the parcels addressed to Mrs. Williarns,pn and
placed in the charwoman's hands by Buranelli, some ex-
tracrdinary facts were disclosed. One of these parcels
contained a small daguerreotype likeness of Buranelli
in morocco case, within. which were enclosed two
papers, upon one of which was written as follows :
" To Mrs. J. Williamson.
" Remember this miserable man."
An unintelligible word follows here, apparently sig
nifying—
." (The victim) of love !
"5, 1, 55.
" Adieu, my dear!
"Adieu, my love !
"Adieu, for ever 1"
The other paper inclosed was a note written in a patois,
something between Italian and Spanish, but which the
efforts of the reporter failed to decipher completely. It
commenced—`lAmico Cavissimo," and concluded " Ii
tug infelice amico." The following is a translation of
the letter, as far as it was possible to decipher it :
" The night of the 6th of January, 1855.
"My Dearest Love,--I have been to the residence
of Lambert, and have had words with him. He called
me a thief and an assassin. He did so several times.
I did nothing to offend him. • I leave you my portrait,
my dearest wife I I ern sorry to lose your friendship,
and more sorry to give you so much trouble.
" Adieu for ever,
"Your unfortunate friend,
LUIGI I3u RAN E LLI
Thais much of what could be ascertained in reference
to the tragedy at the scene of its occurrence. It has
been already stated that the assassin was removed to
Middlesex Hospital. Sergeant Hayes undertook the
charge, and the wretched man was received at the in-
stitution by Mr. Chamber R. C. Vigurs, house surgeon,
who immediately.oaused him to be placed upon a bed
in the accident ward. On entering, Buranelli recognised
Mr. Vigurs, and actually addressed him in familiar
terms, remarking that he knew him very Well, and upon
Mr. Vigurs expressing a doubt upon the subject, the as-
sassin replied, " Oh, yes, I do know you ; you are the
house surgeon, and I was a patient in this hospital a
very short while since." Mr. Shaw, one of the surgeons
to the hospital, saw Buranelli very shortly after his ad-
mission. The course the ball (or slug, for it is uncertain
which) has taken has been already described, and upon
Mr. Shaw's arrival an attempt was made to extract it.
Up to this time, however, all surgical efforts have failed
to reach it, and it is supposed to be lodged somewhere
in the roof of the mouth. After the proper surgical at-
tention had been paid to his case, Burandli, who still-
retained complete sensibility, was asked if he desired to
say anything in reference to his condition, upon which he
dictated the following statement, which was taken down
in writing by Sergeant Hayes :
"My name is Luigi Buranelli. lam a valet, and
lately lived with Mr, Thomas Stewart Drummond, of
Perth, in Scotland. I was in this hospital some time
ag© as a patient for fistula ; and, being known to Mr.
Lambert, he and his wife wished me to live with 'them,
as they said I should be more comfortable than if I re-
sided alone. I consented to live with them in New-
man-street, and while there I became intimate with Jane
Williamson. In consequence of a difference I had with
her Mr. and Mrs. Lambert wished me to leave their
house, which I did. Mrs. Williamson was with child
by me, and during an interview I had with Mr. Lain-
Ilea on Thursday week last he threatened to strike me.
In consequence of this I became desperate, and this
morning I went to the house, No. 5, Foley-place, and
when the door was opened I forced my way into Lam-
bert's bedroom, and, placing a pistol at the back of his
head, shot him, and then I shot Mrs. Lambert. I then
ran upstairs, and, reloadingone of mypistols, shot myself,
and I hope shall soon die. I repeat that Mrs. Williamson
is in the family way by me, and I had written her seve-
ral.letters, to which no answers had been returned. I
bought the pistols in Tottenham-dourt-road, and the
balls and caps in Oxford-street?'

"From LUIGI BURANELLI.

Three cartridges and some percussion caps were
found upon the assassin. In answer to inquiries at a
late hour last night the wretched man was described to
be in a very precarious state, with but little hope of
rtcovery, though still retaining his sensibility in a re-
markable degree. He positively refuses to receive
spiritual consolation from a Roman Catholic priest,
though professing that faith, but to the Protestant
chaplain of the Hospital, as well as to Mr. Vigurs, he
has expressed his great sorrow fer the deed he has
committed.

- Baranclli is a widower, and has one daughter—a
child of three years old, living at Pz,nsiturst, in Kent.
He He is himself only 31 years of age. It has been ascer-
tained by inquiry at his lodgings in Newman-street
that he was engaged writing until a very late hour on
Saturday Light. He has suffered much from illness of
late, but is a good-looking man, with a pensive cast of
countenance, and wears a handsome moustache.
In conversation with Mrs. Williamson lately, in re-
ference to some remark made by her, Buranelii said,
" Are you afraid that I am a murderer ?"
Lamtierf, is a remarkably fine man, of nearly 6 feet 3
inches high, and of very muscular frame. Had the
assassin not surprised him asleep his attack would in all
probability have proved a failure. Like the assassin,
Lambert wore a moustache, and had a foreign cast of
countenance. •

Information of the dreadful occurrence has been for-
warded to Mr. Wakley, and an inquest will be em-
panelled at the earliest possible moment.

SINGULAR APPREHENSION OP
ALLEGED MURDERER&

LIVERPOOL, Jan. s.—This forenoon, three men, named
respectively Jas. Coughlin, J. Toopar, and Martin Toopar
(the two latter cousins), were brought before the police
magistrate, charged with the murder of Patrick Hector,
aged 22 years, at a place called. Carduff, in Tipperary.
A man named James Corrigan, a cooper, residing it
Chisenhalcstreet, Liverpool, was also brought up,
charged with being an accessory after the fact. The
murder, it appears, was committed two or three weeks
ago, and warrants were issued by the Tipperary magi-
strates for the apprehension of the first-named pri-,
Boners, and these warrants were placed in the bands of
Head-eonstat;le g.Tale, of the Liverpool department of
the Irish constabulary. From information he received,
M`Hale suspected that the prisoners were concealed
about the house or'premises of Corrigan, in Chisenbale-
street, and he went to search for them. After consider-
able difficulty ihroWn in his way by Corrigan, who
denied all knowledge of them, M'Hale succeeded in ap-
prehending Coughlin, concealed in Corrigan's.cellar, and
also found -Corrigan had secured a passage for one
man on board the ship Universe, bound for New York,
.iut for which passage ticket be had paid 3/. On search-
ing the vessel the prisoner, John Toopar, was found
among the passengers, and taken into custody. The
ocher prisoner, Martin Toopar, was found packed up
in a large box, for which no owner could be found, and
the back of which was extensively perforated with holes,
to admit of his obtaining air. Corrigan admitted that
he had got 101. from parties in Ireland for the purpose

of getting the men sent out of the country, but denied
that be knew of any crime being charged against them.
The magistrate, after hearing the case, raid be had no
evidence before him that any murder had been committed,
and he must discharge Corrigan, which ho accordingly
did. however, not to be baffled, said he would
take them on his own responsibility ;. he accordingly
secured all four, and they will be immediately trans-
mitted to Ireland.

TRANSPORT OF PACKAGES AND PAR-

GELS TO THE CRIMEA.

INVESTIGATIGN AT THE T.:TANSION-HOUSE.
Mr. R. W. Aldridge, of the firm of Aldridge and Co.,
of No. 24, Rood-lane, appeared on Saturday before Al-
derman Wilson, who sat at the Mansion-house as locum,
tenons for the Lord Mayor, under the following remark-
able, circumstances connected with the condition and
future benefit of our troops in the Crimea.
Sir R. W. Carden, who had, by a singular coincidence,
stepped into the justice-room to make a similar represen-
tation to that with which the applicant was prepared,
in consequence of letters received upon the subject, was
present during the investigation.
Mr. Aldridge said—lt must be understood that I do
not bring any charge against any individual. lam in-
duced to come forward in consequence of what I con-
ceive to be the strong obligation upon every man to pre-
vent the possible misapplication of property of various
kinds intended for the service and relief of those who
are fighting for the country. In the Times newspaper of
Christmas-day last I read the following letter.
" TO THE EDITOP. OF THE TIMES.
" Sir,—l ani sure, from the very able and zealous manner
in which you have advozated.the system of voluntary contri-
butions to our in the Crimea, and the exertions made
by yourjourual in pointing out their wants, and inspiring a
generous sympathy for their condition, I need offer no
apology for addressing you to call attention to my adver-
tisements in your paper headed as above. I am persuaded,
from the generous desire experienced by all to add their
mites in alleviating the privations and adding to the wel-
fare and comfort of our gallant troops, that any 'oppor-
tunity offered-to the public to facilitate forwarding con-
tributions to the seat of war will be readily embraced.
have on this account chartered a vessel, which I shall ac-
company to the Crimea, where I shall be enabled to see all
contributions, and to deliver any commissions with which
I may be favoured. All goods, parcels, or packages to be
forwarded, with list of contents, addressed, " W. Ward-
roper, -Esq , Export-wharf, St. Katharine Docks." Letters
and communications received at the office, 4, Railway-
place, Fenchurch-street, City, where also a list of articles
must be forwarded two days prior to the goods being sent
to the docks.---" I am, sir, your very obedient servant,
" W. WARDROPER.
"4, Railway-place, Ferchurch-stmet, Dec. 20."
Being desirmie of availing myself of such apparently fa-
vourable opportunity to -make a. small shipment, I called
the next morning at the house, No. 4, Railway-place,
for the purpose of obtaining the requisite information.
Observing on the door-post a piece of paper wafered,
with "Mr. W. Wardroper, second-floor," written there-
on, I ascended, and found the door fast, but the open-
ing of the letter-box was sufficienily spacious to allow
me to observe that the room was destitute of all busi-
ness appurtenances. Passing two days afterwards I
again paid a visit, and found the room on the second
floor occupied by three persons. The replies from the
spokesman, seated at a small table, were so inconsistent,
such as representing the vessel (a sailing one) would,
make the voyage in about twenty-five days, when all
persons acquainted with shipping well know that fifty
days at the present season would not be considered a
long, passages—the objection to give me the vessel's
name, and the still greater difficulty of explaining the
nature of the security to insure a return of the proceeds
of any shipment—altogether there appeared such a want
of business knowledge about the matter that I left the
place, determining to have nothing whatever to do with
the concern. Here the nffair would have probably ended
as far as I was concerned, had not my firm, two days
afterwards, received a lithographic circular, of which
the following is a copy : - • .
" 4, Railway-place, Fenchurch-street, Dee., 1854.
" Gentlemen—Being shortly about to proceed to the
Crimea with a cargo of miscellaneous goods, I shall be
happy to take out some of your grosere, which would meet
with a ready sale at remunerative prices. I shall Lave
great facilities of disposing of any quantity with which
you may favour me, having made all the necessary arrange-
ments to enable me to remain, with a safe storage for the
goods, any time I think necessary. As my object in visit-
ing the seat of war is for pleasure and amusement, as well
as profit, I shall be content with a very small commission
on what I sell.
" Should you accept my offer, I shall be happy to wait
on you personally to complete the arrangements.
" I am, yours very obediently,
" W. WARDROPER.
" Messrs. Aldridge and Co., 24, Rood:lane."
Of this no notice was taken. On the Ist of the present
month a gentleman seeking an appointment, and known
to me, called at my office, and directed my attention to
the following advertisement :—" Clerk or storekeeper
wanted in a vessel about to proceed to the Crimea. Salary
1501. per annum. To a young' man of good education
who can command immediately 3001. or 4001. this will
prove a most advantageous opening. Direct with real
name and address, W. 8., Mr. Foster's, stationer, 114,
Fenchurch-street." At my suggestion the g6-itleman
replied to the advertisement, and here is the answer,
which, you will observe, is also from Mr. W. Ward-
roper, of No. 4, Railway-place :
•• 4, itailway-placo, Fenchurch-street,
Jan, 3, 1555.
"Mr. Wardroper has received a letter from Mr. --. in
answer to an advertisement in the Times paper of yester-
day for a clerk or storekeeper in a vessel going to-the
Crimea. If Mr, will call at the office to-morrow, at
one o'clock, it is probable that an arrangement will be.
made. As Mr. Wardroper intends sailing about the 16th,
no time can be lost."
My surprise had scarcely subsided when I was waited
upon by another party, with the following advertisement
cut fresh from the Times :
"The Crimea.— To Capitalists.--2,0001. or 3,000/. A
most favourable opportunity is offered to capitalists for an
investment of the above sums in a safe and very remu-
nerative undertaking, connected with the expert' of goods.,
to the Crimea. 30 per cent. guaranteed. One wishing to
visit the Crimea, and who would add personal services,
preferred. Direct, with real name and address, to F.8.W.,
77,- Leadenhall-street, City."
With this was the information that F. B. W., of 77,
Leadenhall-street, City, was the actual Mr. W. Ward-
roper, of 4, Railway-place, that the informant had had
an interview with that gentleman, and that the security
offered for an advance of 3,0001. was a mortgage upon
the ship and freight ; that the money was wanted for
four months only, and that 15 per cent. would be given.
I have since seen Mr. Wardroper upon the subject of
the appointment of 1501. per annum on the advance of
3001. or 4001., and wss informed by his " man of
business„" or "secretary," as he termed him, that my
friend was only one of 30 applicants, but as. the question
of security for the money advanced was much too difficult
to be got over, the negotiation was not completed.
Although Mr. Vardroper assured me that he was going
out in his own ship the Sparrowhawk (a schooner of 90
tons), with several thousand pounds worth of his own
goods on board, I have been since informed that he has
not chartered any vessel. How eminently his specula-
tion is succeeding will be better understood after
perusal of the following letter addressed by him to the edi-
tor of the Daily NMI, and published in that paper :
"THE CRIMEA.—GOODS, PACKAGES, AND PARCELS.
" TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS.
" Sir,—l feel that I ought not to allow any time to
elapse without tendering to you my sincere thanks for your
courtesy in granting an insertion to my letter of the 27th
December, relative to the transport of packages and par-
cels to the Crimea.
"Through the wide circulation of your journal I am
happy to say that a great number have seen and availed
themselves of the offer contained in my last letter to you,
and have forwarded large quantities of goods and articles
of comfort for our deserving troops. This is another in-
stance, if OW were required, of the beneficial influence of the
press, and I would beg permission to observe that never
has that influence been more liberally and patriotically
exerted than in pointing out the requirements and keeping
alive an earnest sympathy for the sufferings and privations
of our much-enduring army.
"I have chartered a vessel more for the purpose of being
able to carry out provisions and other necessaries to the
soldiers at just and reasonable prices than with a view to
realising an exorbitant profit myself. I therefore ear-
nestly entreat merchants, manufacturers, and all who
wish to forward goods to the Crimea for sale to supply
them at cost price, and I will undertake to dispose of them
there on a moderate counnissiene.
"In this way-a fair market will be opened for. tlio sol-
diers (though it be at first on a limited scale), and they
will not longer have added to their other trials the painful
knowledge tlrat their wants are made a market of, and
that they are compelled to submit to gross imposition.
" It also offers an advantage to persons in business who
have the desire, but not the time or means, of sending out
goods for sale, as they have now offered them an opportu-
nity of having them conveyed on a low commission, with-
out risk, and ate moderate charge. All who wish to avail
themselves of this offeashould seed their goods by the MI
at the West.
"Apologising for so long a letter, I am air, your most
obliged servant, - " Wer. WARDROPER.
" 4, Railway-place, Fenchtirch-street, City, Jan. 1, 1855.
" P.S.—The advertisements in your paper contain full
particulars as to forwarding all goods with directions for
addressing them, &c." ,
As I have just returned (continued Mr. Aldridge) from
the seat of war, after an absence of four menthe, my whole
time spent on board a schooner of 113 tons, I can very
positively speak of the privations and sufferings in many
uuirnagined ways that must.of necessity' be encountered
in such an enterprise. Mr. Wardroper is far advanced
in life. He is, by his own aecount, an invalid, and has
been so many years, a stick and the arm of an attendant
appearing necessary for his safe loconiotion ; and I do
fnd a very great difficulty in reconciling a highly re-
sponsible and extremely arduous undertaking-with plea-.
• sure and amusement.
Aker:nen Wilson said that in such a case as had been
represented to him, he considered it to be his duty to send
a messenger to Mr. Wardroper, to express the desire of
sitting magistrate to see him upon the subject.
Soon afterwards Mr. Wardroper made has appearance.
His bodily health seemed to be very indifferent, and in
answer to Alderman Wilson he stated that he was a great
sufferer, and was paralysed in both hands.
The Alderman having mentioned the particulars of
Mr. Aldridge's statement, •
Mr. Wardroper acknowledged that the advertisements
alluded to were all published by him, and lie at the
same time said that his object was unexceptionable with
respect to each of them, although there was an apparent
mystery about the variety of the addresses and the pro-
posals of the advance of the sums ofenoney,
Alderman Wilson—Pray, are you acquainted with the
shipping of goods ?—Mr. Wardroper—No, I can't say
that I ale.
Alderman Wilson—Are you acquainted with com-
mercial business ?-I‘.lr. Wardroper : Yee.
Alderman Wilson—Where have you carried on busi-
ness I It is necessary that the public should know some-
thing about-a person who sends circulars about to trades-
.people and appears so prominently in the press as an

advocate for our troops in the Crimea.—Mr. Wardroper
—I have retired from business these 7 yours hi conse•
quence of the state of my health, which I expect to be
benefited by going to the Crimea.
Alderman Wilson—What buSiness ?—lr. Wardoper
—I have been in the medical profession in Welbeck-
street, Hanover-square.
Alderman Wilson—You have stated in your adver-
tisements and other commnnications that you bad char-
tered a vessel fur the Crimea. Is that the case ?—Mr.
Wardroper—lt is not yet chartered, but I am about to
do co. lam in treaty for a vessel, and the 'negotiation
is almost completed.

Alderman Nilson—l caution you not to answer any
question the answer to which may in your opinion in-
volve you in ally difficulty. You have positively as-
certed to the public-that you have chartered a vessel,
and now you admit that such is not the ease.
Mr. Wardroper—lt is all the same. It will be char-
teied.. It is most likely that I shall charter two or
more vessels.

AldermanWilson—Do you mean that such quantities
of goods have been consigned to you to take to the
Crimea that it will be necessary for you to charter• more
than one vessel to that destination ?—Mr. Wardroper
—I do.

Mr. Aldridge—Ho mentioued to mo that he would
perhaps charter a line of ships.
Mr. Wardroper said be believed the result Would jus-
tify the speculation, which he assured the alderman was
a bona fide one .

Alderman Wilson said there was a peculiarity in the
advertisement for the clerk which required some ex-
planation. The recommendation to that office was that
the candidate-should have 3001. or 4001. What did that
meat I

Mr. Wardroper said that such sum- might be laid Out
advantageously for the benefit of the owner in goods,
and would be a warrant for his good conduct.
Alderman Wilson said the bona fides of the engage.
ments was not established by the explanation given of
the advertisement to capitalists for the 2,0001. or 3,0001.
The repayment of the amount as,' it appeared, to be
secured upon the property to be shipped on board a
vessel which was not chartered. How was that to be
answered ?—Mr. Wardropar : I assure you that the
-vessel is all the same as chartered, and that there is no
hazard. Ido not know that there will be occasion for
the sum mentioned in the advertisement. In fact, I
do not -think it would be advisable to embark more
in the. business. I am taking out a great deal of
property

Alderman Wilson—And do you seriously consider
yourself qualified to go to theitrimea on such an enter-
prise, prostrated as you say you arc in health, and
paralysed in your hands ?—Mr. Wardroper : Ido. I in-
tend to go out as supercargo, and to take a secretary
with me. I determined to do so as I thought the trip
would do my health good, and would turn out profit-
able.

Here a professional gentleman, employed by Mr.
Wardroper, entered the justice-room, and upon being
informed of the peculiar circumstances under which Mr.
Wardroper was before the alderman, expressed himself
decidedly of opinion that the speculation of his client
was not at all likely to be successful, but that there was
nothing wrong in the intention.
Alderman Wilson enumerated the strange features of
the case, and said that, whatever impression the state-
ments of Mr. Wardroper might make as to the condi-
tion of that gentleman's understanding, there was some
ingenuity displayed in the advertisements and in the
published letters which had been read, and he should
consider it to be his duty to leave the case to the care
of the Commissioner of Police, who he knew would
send some of his officers to make the necessary incluiries
at St. Katherine Docks and elsewhere on the subject of
the consigned goods, and to give notice to the public
that he should resume the investigation into the Crimean
speculation .on Wednesday next. •
Mr. Wardroper said he would most willingly give the
police every.assistance he was capable of affording.