The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-14 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 14 1852

railway at the board of the Central Somer.
ranee that the strongest desire was felt by the board
swiraeyßailway, said he could give a distinct assu-
rance
that the line should, as advocated by the gentleman
who had just sat down, be continued to the city of
Wells. The question was one of pounds, shillings,
and pence, and as soon as the necessary amount was
subscribed for completing the present undertaking, it
would be for the interest of the undertaking as well
as of the public to carry on the line of railway to the
ancient and interesting city of Wells. If the line
were carried out, there could be no doubt that a large
harbour and docks would bs constructed at High-
bridge, if which were done immense advantages must
necessarily accrue to both Glastonbury and Wells. He
had himself, although a citizen of Bristol, declined to
join in a proposition for making docks at Porter-
bead because he believed that Highbridge presented
more favourable features, and was more advanta-
geously situated for the accommodation of ocean-
going steamers, and was already possessed of a good
line of railway. He did hope, therefore, that the
gentlemen of Wells would regard their town interests
and would put their shoulders to the wbeel and assist
in the formation of the line to Glastonbury. Let
them do this, and they might rest assured that the
strong bona fide desire of the directors to carry on
the works to %%Tells would be carried into effect, and
that city and district be supplied with railway ac-
commodation.

In reply to a question it was stated that the
company could not borrow money till all its capital
was subscribed.

Mr. R. DAvls wished to know if the Bristol
and Exeter Company would assist in carrying the
line to Wells ?:
Mr. CASTLE had no doubt that they would do so.
It should be remembered too, that Captain Denham,
who was engaged by Government to survey the
Bristol Channel, had reported in favour of High-
bridge as a packet port.
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN announced his attention of in-
creasing his interest in the undertaking.
Various persons present then subscribed for shares,
and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

LAUNCH OF THE PRIMERO
SPANISH WAR STEAMER.

The Spanish Government having decided to employ
two new steam-vessels of light draught water, and each
to carry two 32-pounder guns for the purpose of adding
to their squadron for the protection of Cuba and their
possessions in the West Indies, the first of these vessels
was launched on Saturday last from the building-yard
of Mr. Thompson, at Rotherhithe, her constructor. At
a quarter before twelve Miss Nonaria Marter performed
the ceremony of christening by sprinkling the contents of
a bottle of wine over the bows of the steamer, and in
about one minute afterwards she slowly glided into her
future element amidst the cheers of the assembled spec-
tators. The vessel was then taken in tow by a steam-
tug, and brought alongside of Messrs. John Penn arid
Sons' establishment at Greenwich, to be fitted
with her engines of 120 horse power by that
firm. The Primer() is built exactly on the same lines
as the Banshee, designed by Mr. 0. W. Lang, assistant
to the master shipright at Chatham Dockyard,
that vessel having given great satisfaction as to her
speed and other sea-going qualities when employed as a
mail packet on the Holyhead station. The Banshee was
also built by Mr. Thompson, and the timbers of both her
and the Primero have been put together on the diagonal
principle, which combines great strength with safety in
case of accident to the frame of the vessel, each of the
three series of planking of which she is constructed
being independent, although strongly attached to each
other by copper bolts. The Primero is 870 feet in length,
with a breadth of beam of 20 feet,
and, with all her
guns, ammunition, and stores on board, will only draw
five feet of water, and on that account be admirably
adapted for the pursuit of boat parties when attempting
to land v ith hostile or privateering, intentions on any of
the shallow water coasts of the Spanish possessions in the
West Indies.
Mr. Zuluota (the agent for the Spanish Government)
and Captain Cassader (who is to command the Primero),
with several Spanish gentlemen. after being present at
the launch, embarked in the Sylph Woolwich steam-
packet, end went down with a large party on an excur-
sion to the Nore.
The other vessel, building by Mr. Thompson for the
same service, is in an advanced state, and is to be named
the Secundo.

OUR DINNERS•
It is a vulgar Lotion that a dinner to be good must be
expensive—a fatal mistake, preventive of much social
enjoyment. To say nothing of those
" Who think less of good eating than the whisper,
When seated near them of some pretty lisper,"

nino•tenths of the recipients of a grand state dinner,
formal and costly, would infinitely prefer a fish, a joint,
and a bird, with freedom and good talk.

" Boys, 'tis little I care to dine
Where the host is vain and the guests are fine,
Where the wines are warm and the dishes cold,
And the mutton is young and the spinters old."

Some of the most delightful dinners in memory have
been the simples6—all wit, fun, and good sense, with
merely "flashes of silence." " Cheerful looks make.,
every dish a feast," The very essence of a dinner is
ab9ence of ceremony. Half the dinners that one goes to,
offer but dry leaves instead of fhwers: they are but
mockeries of enjoyments, waste of hours, through fear
of tyrant Custom and desire to be thought " genteel."
Mr. Walker, of " The Original," truly says, " Anybody
can dine, but very few know how to dine so as to insure
the greatest amount of health and enjoyment." Those
who will help society to this knowledge, strangle foolish
forms, and substitute for wasteful expenditure good
taste, good sense, and good humour, should be regarded
as its benefee:ora.—Builder.

SEABORNE MAILS.
[N egnifies that the mails aro sent from the General Post-aa a
by the night—and Id by the morning--dispatch.)

I When made up in ( From what „„,.,
PLACMS. I General Post-otllcel port die- a—ii—Acc
London: I patched. due
en
(by Brit. pkt.)N,Sept. 24 .. Liverpool —Sept. 18
America (by 'U.S. pkt.) N 'Sept. 10 .. Liverpool ..(Sept. 14
America (by U.S. pkt.) SI Sept. 17 .. •• Southampt. Sept. 22
Australia (via South- I
ampton)
mi2oth ofeachir oath Southampt. Sept. 24
Ditto (via Marseilles) N24th of each month Dover Sept. 9
Ditto, via C. of G. Hope Nr2d & 14th each mo Plymouth.. Sept. 29
Africa (West coast)• • Nll4th of the month .Plyrnouth Uncertain
Alexandria* .• N Il9th & 30th of me.' Dover ..Sept. 18
Belgium N I Daily .. .Dover ..
Brazil .. • .. hi 9th of the month •Southampt.loct. 12
Buenos Ayres .. 9th of the month I Southampt. Oct.j 12
California(viaChagret) 31;24 & 17th of montt Soutbampt. 'Oct. 16
Cape of Good Hope N 14th of the month Plymouth.. Sept. 29
Cape de Verds N 2d of the month ..;Plymouth•• Sept. 29
Constantinople* 7th 17th 27th or mu IDover .. Sept. 20
Central America .. M 24 & 17th of mom ,Southampt. let ea. mo.
Channel laies N; Mon., Wed., ft Fri. I Southampt. Tn. Mesa:
Chili M 2cl & 17th of math , Southarupt. Sept. 16
France .. Mt N Twice daily Dover Twieedaily
Greece, • • .. NI 7th 17th 27th of mo I Dover Sept. 19
Hamburgh N Tuesday & Friday ;London .. Tues. Sat
Rolland M, Wednes. & Satur. Loudon .. SUR. nit! a
Ilonduraa . N 17th of the month Southampt. Sept. 16
Ireland .. M& N' Twice daily Holyhead Twicedaily
India(via Sontharup.) AI 20th of the month ISouthampt. ;Sept. 24
India (via Marseilles) N sth& 24th .fmonth I Dove* . ;Sept. 19
India, via C. of G. Hope N 14th of month Plymouth !Sept. 29
Mauritius .. 114th of month Plymouth.. (Sept. 29
Mediterranean (via
Southaapton) .20th of the month Sotithampt. , Aug. 28
Mediterranean (via ;
Marseilles) N gth& 24th ofmontb Dover .. (Sept. 19
Mexico 35 I2d of the month.. Southampt.llst ea. me.
Madeira 3,1,9 th of the month Southampt. 'Sept. 22
Malta* .. 17th,17th,19th,27tb / Dover Set 19
19
I_ltz 30th of month I p

f 7th,17th,19th,27t13
/I ft 30th of month
Naples* .. • • .. N sth 15th 25th ofmo,
Papal States* N 'sth 15th 25th ef mo,
Peninsula .. • • .. MlTtill7t6 27th of mo
Peru .. M 2d & 17th of mutt
Tuscany* .. N sth 15th 25 th ofmo,
West Indies .. 17th of the month
West Indies (except
lisvanna & Nassau) AI id of the month ..
The mails to those countries fiats mar]
French oacket via Marseille..

Sept. 19
Dover .. Sept. 22
Dover .. ,Sept. 22
South ampt. Sept. l6
Southampt. Sept. 16
Dover • . ISt pt. 22
Southampt. Sept. 16

3onthamtpt. 1
1-,ed (*) are conveyed by

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.

BRISTOL, SEPT. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE. —The share market was steady to. day,
but the business done was very limited. Bristol and Exeter
were done at 1021,! ex div.
LIVERPOOL, SErr. 13.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market opened dull this
morning, but towards the middle of the day more spirit was
evinced, and a better business was done than for some days
past. The transactions were as follow .—Birmingham and
Dudley, 301/4—Caledonian, 21144—Eastern Counties, 11 yB—
:Lancashire, 18y4—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 88—Li-
verpool, Crosby, and Southport, 19—Midland, 78 %—South-
Eastern and Dover, 22 s—York and North Midland, 24%,
MANCHESTER, &Tr. 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There has been no material altera-
tion in the railway share market to-day, and but a very
eefasaetalde,
limited amount of business has been transacted. The only
sales reported were—Buckinghamshire, 1914 —Lancashire
Tad Yorkshire, 88%—Ditto, Fifths, 3% dis.—Manchester,
1 814—South-Eastern and Dover, 21 13-16.
and Lincolnshire,as 101. Preference, 117/B—Midland,
sate BIRMINGHAM, SEPT. 13.
STOCK
Sthh HANGL—The share market remains much in
Yesterday. Midland Stock was done at 78.
A P-

occurred rather a
of thrat
curioßPßlSED.—LastSabbath
pulpit to officiate for the Rev, RRACRER SURPRISED.—Last
there
,e
taper ianyge r 'h
Sirs e'd, isacilodurs had
just
di
le tdrhlioe eiru
0,
gnpphrraeetr
,ehi seethe
hud
ecse hurimau
to
minister
the
r-f
Campsie. The Rev. larusphsavccei nTgeohnoiemn
of her voice, exclarme'
of the parish. Mr. Park
sligielvd:hengiavezonit
ithgeetteuxpt,
aat inendde,
was
stienhegemitnomgp
eehere. We're nae
" Gae hame wi' you,
sir, an' learn your lesson—(a
say, an':learn your sermon, afore ye come pause)—gae hame, I
accustomed wi' a man readin' a sermon t can read
ane at hame mind's. Gae harne--7(louderutBl7anwt
ac-
companied with a stamp of her foot)—gae harms aefno'relearnyour lesson, like a skuleboy—gae harne, sir." She went on in
this strain for some time, and it is said Air. Park looked un-
utterable things.—Dumbarton Herald.
DEAD BODY FOUND BY A Dna.—On Saturday in-
formation was received, that on Friday, as a man, named
East, was proceeding from West Ham to Stratford, in passing
over Forest-hill, his dog made its way into a field, and corn.
menced howling most piteously, refusing to follow its master.
On East proceeding to ascertain what attracted the animal,
he found the dead body of a man extended on and completely
hid behind the high grass. Information was given at the ii
police-station, and the body was removed to the West Ham
Union. It is that of a man about GO, clad in a light shoot-
ing coat, grey vest, and black trousers. From marks on
the person it is strongly suspected that he has fallen the
victim of foul treatment.
THE
ARSENAL
VOLUNTEEES.--It iS pretty strongly
umoured that the men employed in the Royal Arsenal,
Woolwich,d il l t 0 somewhereh be
similar
tabout ID, 500e0h, - willyard be. r i
g enrolledad e
an into
houra
the drill
to be called the Royal Arsenal Volunteers' Corps, and
of an evening after the working hours, and the same rate of
pan...rot/di Mercury,i

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, Sept. 13.
GAROTTE ROBLIERY.— Charles Coughlan, 25, a
tall, powerful looking man, was indicted for having
stolen a watch, the property of Charles hut, from
his person.
Mr. Payne appeared for the prisoner.
It appeared that on the evening of Sunday, the
22d of August, the prosecutor, a steam-boat engineer,
was drinking with some friends, amongst whom was
the prisoner's father, at a public-house called the Sa-
lisbury Arms, at Limehouse. During the time they
were together the prisoner joined them and asked his
father for some money, which he refused to give, and
the prosecutor treated the prisoner to some beer.
Soon afterwards they went to another public-house
called the Cape of Good Hope, and had some more
drink ; but the prosecutor was so intoxicated while at
the Salisbury Arms that he recollected nothing that
occurred after going into the second house until the
following morning, when he found that he had been
robbed, and that his limbs were stiff and sore. In
addition to thin his tongue felt as if it had been bit-
ten, and there was a considerable degree of soreness
about his chin and throat. A carpenter named Re-
naldeon, living in Duff-street, Limehouse, was crosing
Abbott's-flelde, which are distant about a quarter of a
mile from the Cape of Good Hope public-house, about 6
on the
evening
ninte ground,ghinciues question,
in a state of ,parently
when he saw the prosecu-
tot. ;g
help-
less intoxication, and the prisoner kneeling by his
side. On his coming up to them the prisoner moved
away, and he then saw that the prosecutor was black
in the his tongue protruded, and his head was
resting fe'gaocnhis right shoulder, and on stooping down to
ascertain what really was the matter with him, he
found that a handkerchief and a brace were twisted
as as possible round his neck, and that in fact
the tigemhatulywas in a state of strangulation. Fearing
that he would be suffocated, Ronaldson knelt down
and endeavoured to loosen the handkerchief and brace;
but he hal great difficulty in doing so, as one of his
thumbs had been injured, so he managed as well as
be could with one hand and using his teeth. Ob-
serving that the prisoner was about to go away Ro-
naldson asked him to stop a few minutes, so that they
might see what was the matter with the man, and in-
quired whether he knew him? He answered that he
did, and when asked if he knew where he lived he said
at " Blackwell." After a moment's consideration he
said, "No, its Bow-common," and then went on to
say that he was a foreigner, and having had a quarrel
with his wife,
he had come out to drown himself,
but bad instead been drinking. Ronaldson then
expressed some doubt as to whether he knew him at
all, and remarked that it was a strange place for a
man to go to drown himself; and having by that time
removed the handkerchief and brace from the prose-
cutor's throat, he asked the prisoner to lend him a
hand in getting him up. To that the prisoner replied
that he bad already carried him far enough, and
should carry him no further, and walked away to a
fence for a particular purpose, as Ronaldson thought,
but in reality to conceal the prosecutor's watch, for
shortly afterwards it was found close to where he had
stood by a labouring man, named Waters, who handed
it to the police. He was seen to secrete the watch by
that individual and a boy ; and on his person was
found some money which appeared to have been in
the prosecutor's possession, for it was covered with
whiting—a quantity of which was contained in his
pockets. A policeman having arrived at the spot, and
heard from Ronaldson what he had observed, he went
to the prisoner and took him into custody. On the
way to the station, he said, " What have you got me
for ?" The officer replied, " I'll tell you at the sta-
tion ;"
and then the prisoner said, with an oath,
" You are wrong, as wrong as ever you were right.
I've not got it." " Got what ?" asked the officer;
but the prisoner returned no answer. The prosecutor
remained insensible and apparently lifelees for half an
hour afterwards.
Mr. PAYNE addressed the jury.
Mr. WITHAM was about to sum up, when
The Foreman said they were satisfied. They found
the prisoner Guilty of robbery, with violence.
A previous conviction was proved.
Mr. WITHAM said the utmost severity would be
resorted to in all cases where this horrible system of
Thuggism was practised. The sentence was that the
prisoner be transported beyond the seas for the term
of fifteen years.
The prosecutor appealed for mercy, on account of
the prisoner's aged parents.
Mr. WITHAM said he could not listen to that ap-
peal, which was creditable to the prosecutor. A man
who tried to strangle another, for the purpose of
plunder, could not be mercifully dealt with.
William Calder, 18, pleaded guilty to having stolen
eleven pieces of calico, value 1/. 7s. 6d., the property
of Walter Rowsell. He was shown to be an old
offender, and Mr. Witham sentenced him to be trans-
ported for seven years.
SECOND COURT.—(Before Mr. TURNER.)
William Murry, 21, and Frederick Poole, 21, were
indicted for having stolen a gold watch, value 161.,
from the person of John Cottrell.
The prosecutor stated that he is a brass-founder,
residing in Banner-street, St. Luke's, and on the
evening of the 30th of August, about seven o'clock, he
alighted from an omnibus at the corner of Bath-street,
in the City-road, where a large crowd was assembled
to witness the ascent of a balloon from the Eagle
Tavern. He attempted to make his way through the
crowd, but he was immediately surrounded by several
persons, and near him he noticed the prisoner Murry.
A minute had scarcely elapsed when he felt a pull at
his guard chain, and on casting his eyes towards his
waistcoat pocket, he saw his watch, which had been
separated from the
guard, in Murry'a hand, with
which he immediately escaped. IVith some difficulty
prosecutor at length got out of the crowd, and went
to the station-house, for the purpose of giving infor-
mation 0f the
he
a b here he found the prisoner
Murry already in the
Hite
watchi
stody of Evans, the officer.
enfied. w
produced, which he at once
His watch, which was worth 161., he was
sure was safe in his possession when he entered the
crowd.
t
Thomas Evans, police
rs°
thereb ery Where
-constable, said, on the even-
ing in question he was on duty in the City-road,
where a crowd was assembled for the purpose of
watching the ascent of a balloon. He saw both the
prisoners go into the crowd, and afterwaada they
hurriedly came out of it together. Soon after he
heard that a gentleman had been robbed of his watch,
upon which be immediately followed the prisoners.
At some distance from the place he stopped Murry,
and asked him if he had got any thing about him, and
he replied that he had not, but not being satisfied he
took hold of him, and found the watch produced in
his waistcoat pocket. lie was sure the other pri-
soner went into the crowd with Murry. He took
Poole iuto custody two days, afterwards, telling him
that he was charged with another man with stealing
a watch, when he at first said he knew nothing about
it, but afterwards on his way to the station-house he
said that he hoped witness would be as light with him
as he could.
William Kinnerley gave corroborative evidence of
the two prisoners and another person surroundiog the
prosecutor, and saw_ his watch snatched from him.
Both prisoners denied the robbery.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty.
Evidence was then given of a former conviction
at the Old Bailey, and both the '
against Murry pri-
soners were recognised as well-known thieves.
Mr. TURNER said they were evidently hardened
thieves, and sentenced each of them to be transported
for ten years.
alias Jeremiah M'Grath
John Rogers,4o, and
Eliza Williams, 21, were indicted for having stolen
moneys of Woolf Pleinser, fr
om
his sovereigns, the TOM
a second incl.
his person. There
wtaoslen a silver tment against
Rogers, for havingwatch, value 503.,
sSamuel Smith, ,from his person.
the property of Jew pedlar, stated that
Woolf Pleinser, a he was a
country, and sold trinkets
traveller about the and
.
residence was at Bristol
other articles ; but his On
the night of the sth inst. be met the female prisoner,
accompanied her to
and by her persuasion,
her lodg-
ings at some court in
S italfields. lie
wePd floor, when• nt with her
into a room on the ground _ shemitnediately
locked the door. Shortly afterwards she unlocked the
door and called out, when two men entered the room,
one of them being
the prisoner. Without the slightest
provocation he struck the prosecutor a violent blow in
female put her hand into his pocket,
the face, when the
it to the rison took out his purse, and
Cavebbe r , criedpout out"
Wit-
ness,Murder on discovering the robbery, Murder !"
wheny the prison
as lustily as he could,er Rogers
put his hand over his mouth. Theymou subsequently
took hold of him and threw him into the yard, anti
him to a cellar, veher
afterwards they carriede they
left him. After the lapse of some considerable time
he got out, and made his way back to the room from
which he had been so summarily ejected, but found
no person there. He thereupon raised the cry of
" Murder" and " Police," when the prisoners and
the other man came into the room, and, after beating
him, they thrust him into the street. He then in-
formed a policeman of the treatment be had received,
and the woman was taken into custody the same
night. On the day he appeared against her at the
police-office he was taken to the cell where Rogers
and five or six other persons were in custody, when
he immediately recognised him, and pointed him out
to the gaolers. He would have known him again
amongst five hundred, and he could safely say that
he is the same man who received the purse from Wil-
liams, and the same man who assisted in putting him
info the yard and cellar.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against both
the prisoners.
The male prisoner was then arraigned, charged
wi'h having stolen a silver watch, value 505., the pro-
perty of Samuel Smith, from his person.
From the evidence of the prosecutor, a printer,
residing at Kingsland, it appeared that on the night
of the 21st ult. he was in Shoreditch on his way home,
when he was surrounded by several men, and they ,
pushed him up againat the wall. The
prisoner was
one of the men by whom he was eurtowaded, who

put his arm round prosecutor's waist, and took his
watch out of his right hand pocket. Finding tile
attempt was robbery, he caught the prisoner's arm,
he having at the time the watch in his hand, and held
him by the neckcloth for a long time. Prisoner then
struck the prosecutor a violent blow, which compelled
him to loosen his hold, when he started " off like a
race. horse ;" but he was followed, and at length cap-
tured, and handed over to a police-constable, but
nothing was found upon him.
John Wilkinson proved that he was passing along
Shoreditch on the night in question, and saw the
prosecutor struggling together, and while this was
going on he observed a silver watch fall from the
dress of the prisoner. He followed is pursuit, and
never lost sight of the prisoner until he was taken into
custody.
The prisoner denied all knowledge of the robbery,
and said that he had a tobacco-box in the form of a
watch, which bad led to the belief that the watch was
in his possession.
The jury found him Guilty.
Mr. TURNEB sentenced him to be transported for
ten years, and ordered the other prisoner to be re-
manded until the next session for inquiries to be made.
It appeared that Sergeant Tolley, 4 H
who apprehended Williams, has since then been way-
laid by the companions of the prisoners, and so se-
verely bitten by one of them in the hand that he is
still an inmate of St. Thomas's Hospital.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
GUILDHALL.

Sambo Embo and Josh Tooferman, a couple of
Lascar seamen, were charged with obtaining money
under false pretences.
John James Roe, an alehouse keeper, of 47, Fetter-
lane, stated that the prisoners came to him on Thurs-
day last, and represented that they had left their ship
at Liverpool, and came to London by rail, by which
means they had missed the gentleman who held their
papers, and they had therefore neither money nor
luggage. He gave them is. each to get a lodging
with, and Sambo then called him aside, and, kissing
his hand in gratitude for the money, said he
had a young Scotch wife and two piccaninies in
Australia, where he had come from, and a large house
and plenty of money. He said he had deposited a
quantity of gold dust in the Bank of England, and
that he should have plenty of money on the following
day. He also said he had letters from gentlemen in
Australia, authorising him to pay large sums of
money, with which he had been entrusted, in Lon-
don. To confirm the truth of this statement he
showed prosecutor a slip of paper containing the
words "Bullion-office, Bank of England." Upon
these representations he advanced them 284., and sup-
plied them with food—a fish dinner on Friday, be-
cause they were Catholics, and on Saturday they
ordered a sucking pig. Oa making inquiries prose-
cutor found that they had not left any gold at the
Bank, and so far from having arrived at Liverpool as
passengers, they came from a ship in the London
Docks, where Sambo was the ship's cook, and Josh one
of the crew of another ship.
Alderman SIDNEY—How came you to lend them
money without knowing anything of them ? Prose-
cutor--I saw a person of the name of Sergeant in
their company, and he told me that it was all right.
In addition to which Sambo turned up the whites of
his eyes so imploringly that I could not doubt his
sincerity.
Alderman SIDNEY—Did you trust him, then, on
the strength of the whites of his eyes only ?--
(Laughter.) Prosecutor—No, Sir, but he shed tears
also. _

Alderman SIDNEY—I have frequently examined a
man's face well before I trusted him, but I never
placed much reliance upon the whites of any one's
eyes.—(Laughter.)
Several other witnesses were then called, and the
the prisoners were remanded for further inquiry.

WESTMINSTER.
It having been communicated to the whole of the
parties concerned that Mr. Arnold intended to give
his decision yesterday in the case of ballooning
with ponies, which was detailed at length in our im-
pression of Wednesday last, they attended to bear his
judgment.
Mr. ARNOLD said—Five summonses came on for
hearing on Tuesday last against M. and Madame
Poitevin, for having cruelly ill-treated, abused, and
tortured two horses, and against Mr Simpson for
causing them to be so ill-treated, abused, and tor-
tured. It was agreed that one case only should be
heard—'.hat against Mr. Simpson, fcr an offence al-
leged to have been committed on the 23d, and that
the result of one case should determine the whole.
It is not necessary to recapitulate the whole of the
evidence; but it appeared that on that occasion a
balloon ascent took place from Cremorne-gardens,
when a pony having been attached by slings to the
car of the balloon it ascended with M. Poitevin on
its back, dancing during its ascent. Mr. Simp-
son was present at, and superiutended the
ascent. It was alleged that the manner in
which the animal was attached on slings to the bal-
loon was such as necessarily to inflict great pain, and
it was proved by a witness who was present when the
balloon descended at Wimbledon that the horse was
very hot, and that perspiration was dripping down its
shoulders; and he further stated that its eyes appeared
very wild, like those of a horse who had run away,
but that it stood perfectly quiet, and was afterwards
ridden away by a gentleman. In reply to the charge,
it was contended for the defence, that there was no
cruelty, either positive or constructive, practised upon
the animal, that there was no pain inflicted upon it,
and that it suffered in no way from fear or terror ;
that animals, and horses in particular, were constantly
slung or suspended in a less scientific manner than on
the present occasion for surgical purposes, or with the
object of putting them on board ship. It was proved
by M. Poitevin that before animals were taken up ex-
periments had been made in France before a commis-
sion of scientific gentlemen, when a horse had been
suspended from 15 to 20 hours, and that he took his
food during the time he was so suspended ; and he
further stated that he had ascended with the identical
horso 150 times, and that it never exhibited any agita-
tion, either while being attached to the balloon, during
its ascent, or after its descent, but, on the contrary,
that if the balloon happened to descend in a field the
animal immediately began to graze, and that it never
appeared to suffer on any occasion except once, when
it bled slightly from the nose, owing to the balloon
having attained an unusually great altitude. I may
say in the outset that I must reject all these argu-
ments drawn from the fact of slinging animals either
for surgical
purposes or for being put on board ship.
In the former case the animal is slung for the purpose
of relieving it from pain, or of preventing it from in-
juring itself ; even if pain is inflicted, it is done with
a view of preventing greater pain. In the other case,
when a horse is put on board ship, whatever is done
is done for what may fairly be termed the legitimate
use of the animal, to transport it from one place to
another, for the use of man. On such occasions no
humane persons would inflict any unnecessary or su-
perfluous pain. But there is a wide and obvious dis-
tinction between inflicting pain on such occasions,
where it may be necessary to do so, and doing it
without necessity, and for the purpose only of an
exhibition with the object of making money. All
arguments, therefore, deduced from such facts are
wholly beside the present question. It certainly
appears from the evidence that the mode of sling-
ing adopted by M. Poitevin is superior to that ordi-
narily employed, and that every endeavour is made to
avoid giving pain to the animal ; but the question is,
was there in fact any pain inflicted on the horse, or
was it placed under the influence of terror on the day
mentioned in the summons, the 23d of August. No
other act of cruelty committed, if at all, at other
times, or connected with the training of the horse,
would have been admissible upon this charge, nor
were any in point of fact tendered in evidence. Upon
the question of pain there were contradictory and con-
flicting opinions. One veterinary surgeon said that
from the manner in which the horse was suspended it
must have suffered greatly, and have been severely
injured; two others gave it as their opinion that the
animal could not have suffered the least; and as-
suredly the facts in the case bore out this latter
opinion, as after 150 ascents the horse is in perfect
health and condition. As to the influence of fear,
the evidence is more doubtful. The sweat and the
wildness of the horse, spoken to by one witness would
seem to show that he was under the influence of
great nervous excitement; but the wildness was not
noticed by another witness who saw the descent,
and the sweat seems to be explained by the fact
stated, that it was an unusually close evening, one of
the witnesses, a veterinary surgeon, stating that on
that evening several horses in his stable had broken
into a sweat without any other cause that the sultri-
ness of the weather. I am bound to say, therefore,
that it does not appear to me that the animal suffered
from either fear or pain on this occasion. I suggested,
indeed, at the close of the case, whether the placing
an animal, without any paramount necessity, in a
situation of risk, where, in case of accident, it could not
assist itself, was not an act of cruelty. To this it
was answered—first, that it was analagous to the
slingingbcxes ofcn horsesrailways
alreadyfic argumentmentioned,
consider or
I have
placing them
in
already disposed of ; and secondly, that it could not
be cruelty if no accident happened. But this is
founded upon a misapprehension of the point sug-
gested ; for the question is, whether the putting an
animal to the risk of an accident is not an act of
cruelty ? I have no doubt myself but that such an
act is one of the most wanton cruelty, but I must also
say that I do not think it is such an act of cruelty as
is within the intention of the Act of Parliament. The
words of the Act are, " If any person shall cruelly best,
ill-treat, overd-rive, abuse, or torture any animal," he
shall be liable to a certain penalty ; and these words,
I think, contemplate acts of cruelty of a different
character from the one I have just mentioned. I can-
not, however, refrain from expressing my opinion, an (
opinion that would be of little value if it were not, P

I believe it to be, that of all refLcting men, that such
exhibition; as the one undue disc:wion are highly in.
expedient, and any thing but creditable either to
those who for the sake of lucre make them public, or
to those who find pleasure in witnessing them. Tnere
cannot but be great risk attending them without any
corresponding good resulting from them, and it
is
not creditable to any party to seek either profit or
pleasure from exhibitions attended with such risk.
Numbers of persons would also feel alarm and dis-
tress of mind at hearing or reading of such perilous
risks, even though they may not witness them; and
for that reason, also, they ought not to be counte-
nanced. But however repreh,nsible I may consider
such proceedings, I am bound to deal with this ques-
tion upon other considerations. lam bound to deal
with it according to law, and the evidence adduced
before me, not to travel out of the facts that have
been proved, to interpret the law strictly and impar-
tially as I am best able to understand it, and to decide
whether in my opinion the defendants have committed
the offence with which they are charged. I have
come, not, I will own without reluctance, to the con-
clusion that they have nut, and the summonses must
therefore be dismissed.