The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-15 00:00:00

THE BETTING SYSTEM.

At the Mansion-House, yesterday, the Lord Mayor
said ho had received a letter on the subject of the bet-
ting system, to which, and its enclosures, ho thought it
his duty to give all the publicity ho could. It was as
follows: " Uxbridge, Sept. 13, 1852.
_ _ _ _ _

" My Lord,—Since betting houses have become such
a pest, and have occupied your Lordship's serious atten-
tion for some time past, I beg to lay before your Lord-
ship two circulars which are issued by a species of
fortune-teller at West Drayton, one of which has some
bearing on the point in question. The amount of his
correspondence is truly surprising, for he does not
transact business on personal application. Most of his
letters contain remittances, as lam told. He is known
in the village of West Drayton; but not a creature near
him, save the postman, knows his real calling, as he
passes for a writer, of what I cannot say. He pays a
trifle every morning at the railway station to the news-
boy to let him see the , the betting in which he
carefully peruses.
" Will your Lordship be kind enough to lend your
powerful assistance in getting rid of this fellow?
Surely there is something like a false pretence in all his
setions, and it would not be difficult for an experienced
officer to bring him to justice. I am sorry to trouble
your Lordship on such an occasion as this, but as you
have evinced a determination to put down these incen-
tives to robbery, I trust that when I state that it is for
the public good alone I apply to you, my apology will be
deemed sufficient.
"I have the honour to remain,
" Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
" Ilmity MARSHALL."
The following were enclosed in the foregoing. They
were both printed circulars:—
" I beg to inform you I have changed my residenca to
the above address.

..-„.
" I have often been asked if I could name the win-
ning horse of a race, but I always declined entering
upon racing matters, as until this year I had no'
given much attention to the solution of questions on
such subjects. But at the solicitation of some cor-
respondents I have (assisted by a scienti-
fic friend) made a minute investigation into
the problem of diicovering the wianer of a
horse race, and have arrived at astonishingly correct re-
sults, having predicted the winners of the principal
races of this year; and I can now undertake to name
with certainty the winner of any race submitted to me.
The many years I have been favourably known to the
public in my profession may be taken as some guarantee
that I am able to perform what I state. I think it right
to say, that I am, and ever have been' wholly uncon-
nected with the racing or betting circles, and that it is
by purely scientific calculations I determine the winner
of a race. Indeed, I am precluded from betting my-
self, inasmuch as I should lose the faculty of judging
correctly were I personally interested in a race. I need
not speak of the opportunity that presents itself of
making money by a knowledge of which horse will win
a race, and it is only to a select number of my corres-
pondents I mention the matter.
" Fee one guinea. Enclose stamped directed envelope.
" I am, yours, &c., " CLAIRVOYANCE."

" The clairvoyant, whose powers have been psblicly
tested some years, and whose truthful predictions have
gained him much celebrity, may be consulted on the fol-
lowing terms:—
" A detail of the leading incidents of life past and for
ten years to come, and particulars relative to health and
constitution, character and disposition, prosperity in
life,:marrisge, children, &c., 55.; the whole period of life
described, and more minute inormation, 102.; a very
copious and elaborate investigation, IL Is.; questions
solved and advice given in all affairs of importance, 23."
The Lord Mayor said ho believed the class of im-
postors of whom his correspondent complained carried
on a most lucrative and extensive business, and be-
longed to the vile confederates which the betting-houses
supplied. He hoped that Mr. Walpole would, in the
measure which it was understood the Right Ron. Gen-
tleman intended to bring forward, introduce clauses
adapted to the various manoeuvres which were daily re-
sorted to, with the object of cheating the young and in-
experienced.

METROPOLITAN SEWERS COMMISSION.
Yesterday a special court was held at the Greek-street
office, at which the following commissioners were pre-
sent:—Richard Jobb,lEsq. (chairman), Sir John Bur.
goyne, Sir Charles Fellowes, Major Dawson, Laurence
Redhead,
ET
sl agoss.. Hawes,Afterseveral
communications had been Soakings, and George
S. Smith
read by the Secretary, Mr. Woolrych, the commis-
sioners agreed to a resolution for the advance of 20,0001.
from the Royal Exchange Assurance Company, as a
loan to the commission, for five years, at four per cent.,
to be secured by a mortgage on the several district
rates. An application from Walworth for a detailed
survey of about 70 acres of land, as a preliminary to
the construction of drains, was acceded to by the oourt.
Upon this subject Major Dawson remarked that it might
be useful to the court and the public to know that this
was an application to complete, in that particular district,
the Ordnance Survey, which had only resulted in a block
plan, and merely contained the levels or the main streets.
Here it had been found impossible to proceed without a
detailed plan. The block plan was in existence, but re-
quired to be perfected. If this were done, he believed
that it would tend very much to benefit the public, for
it was impossible to carry out the drainage of any con-
siderable block of houses without having a detailed
plan. Though he was aware that to perfect the block
plan, or skeleton map, a considerable outlay would be
necessary, yet ee would take au early opportunity of
calling the attention of the commissioners to the desira-
bility of ordering the execution of the work.

COMPLETION of the GREAT NORTIZERN

RAILWAY TERMINUS.

This leviathan of metropolitan railway termini is
now completed, with the exception of laying the rails
beneath the sheds, the works of which are in such a
forward state that it is anticipated no delay will take
place in the opening, which is fixed for Monday, the
20th instant. The stupendous arched frames for the
support of the semicircular glass roofs of the arrival
and departure sheds have been covered in, and venti-
lators on a most efficient and improved principle both
for the escape of steam and smoke, and the admission
of fresh air, have been fixed at intervals of 40 feet.
The semicircular roofs are finished at their northern
extremities by quadrantal arches abutting on a solid
platform, 25 feet above the line, under which the trains
will pass ; these arches are glazed with sheets of plate
glass, and when seen from the principal entrance have
the appearance of a quarter of an immense transparent
globe. The platform on the arrival side is paved
with large slabs of Kentish stone; that on the depar-
ture side is wood. On both platforms iron railings
extend the whole length (xOO feet), both for the
purpose of preventing any over-crowding, as well as
being a security against the depredations which have
of late become so frequent at the railway termini.
The whole of the interior of the sheds is painted
white, with a slight blue tint, giving them a light and
cheerful appearance. The shed appropriated for the
standing of omnibuses, cabs, and other vehicles, is of
the same length of those beforementioned, and paved
with octagonal blocks of wood. The most stringent
rules have been laid down for the guidance of drivers,
conductors, &c., any of whom acting in violation of
the regulations, besides being liable to a penalty, will
not be permitted again to enter the company's pre-
mises. The police arrangements are on a most exten-
sive scale. In addition to the railway constables, a
strong body of detectives from the metropolitan police
force will be in constant attendance. The enormous
clock has been fixed in the centre tower. The dials,
three in number, are 90 feet from the ground, and are
27 feet in circumference. The refreshment and wait-
ing rooms are on a most extensive scale, and the
apartments designed for the use of her Majesty will
be decorated in a style of magnificence unequalled at
any other terminus. The greatest activity prevails in
laying the rails ; and Messrs. Joseph and Lewis
Cubitt, the engineers and architects, and Mr. Jay,
the contractor, are indefatigable in their exertions to
have the line completed before the day of opening.

" BROKERAGE " IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY.--
It is provided by the new Chancery Act (c. 87), that it
shall be lawful for the Treasury to make regulations
with respect to the broker to be employed in transacting the
business relating to the funds of the Court of Chancery, and
the amount of commission to be received by such broker,
or the payment of such broker by salary or otherwise.