The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-11 00:00:00

AUGUST 11, 1852.

28. The precautions adopted for guarding against ac-
cidents by fire-damps in mines.
29. Tonfetrueosoulit,s,
oofr drifts eronttsriivn rock
for facilitating the
driving
30; variousnDoetisecirniaptiponarstoiefutlhaerlythose in
kinwdshioofh themachinery in
coal; use in the
greatestrek
principal shipping ports, for the abipatent of
of the coal; and also accounts of the means of unship-
ping and measuring or weighing ottits arrivalin
port. the coal
ag e
expedition is combined with the least araount-

31. Descriptions of the ovens, and of the best
.pro-
cesses used in Great Britain and on the Continent, in the
manufacture of coke for railway and other purposes, with
the comparative value of the products.
32. Improvements in the system of lighting by gas;
the results of the use of clay retorts—of large ovens (for
producing a better quality of coke)—of exhausters, con-
densers, and the modes of purifying, and the precautions
for the economical distribution of gas.
33. A mathematical or geometrical demonstration of
the advantages of flat sails for ships, over those of diffe-
rent degrees of curator, when exposed to direct or
slanting winds; with practical examples.
34 On the application of machinery, combined with
mechanical power, and the means of transporting manure
and produce, on large farms and agricultural establish-
ments; and on improvements in the plat. of the works
and buildings, and the " plant" employed.
35. The most effective arrangement am form of cen-
trifugal and reciprocating blowing apparatts.
36. The chemical analysis, and the applioation to eco-
nomic purposes, of the gases generated in iron blast fur-
naces.

37. An investigation of the causes of 'red" and of
"cold-shortness" in malleable iron, and other chemical
characteristics which affect the physical lifetterties of
cast or of wrought iron.

38. Description of cast or wrought iron cranes, scaf-
folding, and machinery, employed in large works; in
stone quarries, hoists, or lifts on quays; in ware-
houses, &c., especially where either steam or eater is
used as a motive power.
39. The various systems of preserving timber from
decay, and from the attacks of marine insects Ind the
white ant.

40. On the improvements which may be effinted in
the buildings, machinery, and apparatus for producing
sugar from the cane, in the plantations and sugar works
of the British colonies, and the comparison wits beet-
root, with regard to quantity, quality, and economy of
manufacture.

41. Description of the machinery adapted for the pre-
paration of Indian cotton.

42. Improvements in flax machinery, and in the pro-
cesses for preparing the flax for manipulation.
43. Notice of the principal self-acting tools employed
in the manufacture of engines and machines; also of
moulding machines and wood-working machines; and
the eff,Tt of their introduction.

44. On the best system of remedying the inconveni-
ence resulting from the present want of uniforaity be-
tween the weights, measures, and coins of the different
countries of Europe.
45. The construction of lighthouses, their machinery
and lighting apparatus, with notices of the methods in
use for distinguishing the different lights.
46. Memoirs and accounts of the works and inventions
of any of the following engineers:--Sir Hugh Mid-
dleton, Arthur Woolf, Jonathan Hornblower, Richard
Trevithick, William Murdoch (of Soho), and Alexander
Nimmo.

Original papers, reports, or designs, of these, in other
eminent individuals, are particularly valuable fcr the
library of the institution.
The communications must be forwarded, on or before
the 30th of January, 1853, to the house of the Institu-
tion, No. 25, Great George-street, Westminster, where
copies of this paper and any further information msy be
obtained.

CHARLES MANBY, Secretary.
25, Groat George street, Westminster, Jelly 31.

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL, FED. 23D,
1835.

" The principal subjects for which premiums wily be
given are:—
" Ist. Descriptions, accompanied by plans and expla-
natory drawings, of any work in civil engineering, as
far as absolutely executed; and which shall contain
authentic details of the progress of the work (Sraea-
toa's Account of the Eddystone Lighthouse may be
taken as an example).
" 2dly. Models or drawings, with descriptions of use-
ful engines and machines; plans of harbours, bridges,
roads, rivers, canals, mines, &c.; surveys and sections of
districts of country.
" 3dly. Practical essays on subjects connected with
civil engineering, such as geology, mineralogy, chemis-
try, physics, mechanic arts, statistics, agriculture. &e.;
together with models, drawings, or descriptions of any
new and useful apparatus or instruments applicable to
the purposes of engineering or surveying."
EXCERPT BYE LAWS, SECTION CLAUSE 3.
" Every paper, map, plati drawing, or model pre-
sented to the institution shall be considered the pro-
perty thereof; unless there shall have been some previous
arrangement to the contrary, and the council may pub-
lish the same in any way and at any time they way
think proper. But should the council refuse, or delay
the publication of such paper beyond a reasonable time,
the author thereof shall have a right to copy the same,
and to publish it as he may think fit, having previously
notice in writing to the secretary of his intention.
No person shall publish or give his consent for the pub-
lication of any communication presented and belonging
to the institution, without the previous consent of the
council."

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPA.RING COMMUNICATIONS.
The communications should be written in the imper-
sonal pronoun, and be legibly transerilvd on foolscap
paper, about thirteen inches by eight inches, the lies
being three quarters of an inch apart, on the
.one aide
only, leaving a margin of
on the left side, in order that the sheets may be boun.d..
The drawings should be on mounted paper, and with
as many details as may be necessary to illustrate the
subject, and should be to such a scale that they 133,91 e
clearly visible, when suspended on the walls
.01 the
theatre of tho institution, at the time of reading the_
communication,. or enlarged diagrams may be sent or
one inch and ahalf in width
Papers which have been read at the meetings
the illustration of any particular portions. '
of other
.
scientific societie3, or have been published in any form,
cannot be read at a meeting of the institution, nor be ad-
mitted to competition for the premiums.

RAILWAY
LONDON, TILBURY. AND SOUTHEND
in the London, Tilbury, and
EX-
TENSION.INTELLIGENCE.
A special general meeting of the rietors of shares
way was hold at the London Tavern yesterday, for the
purpose of taking into consideration a proposed agree-
ment for the construction and leasing the above railway.
Mr. J. N. Daniell, the chairman of Blackwell Rail-
way Company, presided.
The CHAIRMAN said the object of the meeting was
SouthPer3EXteßSion Rail-
expressed in the advertisement. It was to unction an
agreement which bad been made by the directors of the
joint board, and which he thought could not but be very
ca-
pital laid out in the
advantageous as well to them as to the gentlemen with
whom they had contracted. The great object of the
agreement was to insure a certain interest upon the ca-
Per cent. for 25 years under the guarantee of parties
whose competence no one would question, but subse-
quently a moiety of such profits as might accrue from
the working of the line.
Blackwell Railway Company,
The solicitor then read the agreement, which was
of the one
between Messrs. Pete, Betts, and Brasse3l,
work, and not only an inmost of 6
part, and the directors of the Eastern Counties and of
the
the by the
Conditions of which were as shortly, stated
Company, the sum of 425 0001. to be paid to the con-
of the other part,
tractors, on which the 6 per cent. was to be paid, and
Out of the sum so paid to them the contractors are to
construct the line.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the agreement.
Mr. ANDERSON seconded, and the motion passed
anitnonsly.
A SHAREHOLDER asked in what time the works were
to be completed?
ac-
The CHAIRMAN said in eighteen months, and the
counts would commence from the Ist of January, 1853,
as the money
was paid in.
SHAREHOLDER—Who is to find the carriages?,
The (3HatantAN—The will belong to the Blackwall
Or the Eastern Counties,Y bichever may work the line.
They
will , w ,
t but that will not affect
the be paid for working 1 ,
guarantee.
The me •
"Mg then separated.

valuable, newt invented very
for shooting,small powerful waistcoat
pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by which a person can be
seen and known ii miles distant ; they answer every urpose
en the Race-course at the Opera-houses theyuntry enery
and ships are clearly 'seen at 12 to 14 miles ; are in aluable
stalking, yachting, to Sportsmen, entle-
men' Gamekee erand T iirists..-.Te be had at Messrs, S. and
B. 5_,01330 p s,. o
bemarle-street, Piccadilly, ob-
w us' Opticians, 39, Al
serve' opposite the York-hotel. Teleseopes—A new and most
important invention in Telescopes, possessing such extra-
ordinary powers, that some, 31 inches, with an extra ejle piece,
191 show distinctly, Jupiter's Moons, Saturn's Ring, mid the
Double Stars. With the same Telescope, weighing only three
ounces, can be seen a person's countenance 3i miles distant,
and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They supersede every
se extreme del
other kind for the waistcoat pocket, and are of larger and all
sizes, with in • accordingly. Opera and Race-
creasing powers
Race-
course glasses, with vrenderful powers ; an object can be
clearly seen from 14 to 16 miles distant. Messrs. S. and B.
S olomons, Opticians, have invented invaluable prefierving
Spectacle Lenses, immediately they are placed before imper-
fect vision, every object appears clear and distinct, the most
aged defective sight becomes bright and brilliant, is brought to
its Youthful, natural, and original state. The Invisible Or-
ganic Vibrator, and all kinds of Acoustic instruments for relief
OF A HUSBAND.--At the
ATlbileErnalta°rlVe-Astreet,llll)Bi IcrTc ladliNl, A
ob-
serve opposite the York Hotel.
D
Edinburgh Jury Court, second division, on. Wednesday
last, Mrs. Janet Donald, or Eadie, obtained a verdict of 1001.
for herself, and of 2001. for her children, as compensatian
foofrtthe death of her husband, who had been killed in the pit
the unsafe Barton's-hill Coal Company, at Dykehead, owing to
unsafe condition of such pit, in which the deceased was
i segage4 m a collier, or miller, or drawer.
ads
feEnemgEs .N— T
3. 39,

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
NORTHERN ClRCUlT.—Lancaster, Aug. 9.
Lord Chief Justice Campbell and Mr. Justice
Wigbtman arrived here on Saturday, and opened the
commission.

Yesterday their Lordships attended Divine Service
at the
a
parisholeodachurch. r
The contains the names of 16 prisoners, 2
of whre are charged
p arrgaed with
sn
ai
TheTungeher
h o
s.
t looe ffar 'e
ni 3
oe es.
with rape,
I with
stabbing,
theresset
at with
list contains an entry of nine
cau
Lordships proceeded to court this morning
ten o'clock, Lord Chief Justice Campbell sitting in the
Crowntte n
th
e Court.
petit
jury, and who
His LORDSHIP fined manufacturer, summoned to
d
refused to attend be-
cause he was not summoned to
101. for his contempt. attend the grand jury,
The cases tried during the
a
earlier part of the day
were wholly uninteresting.
NISI EMUS COURT.—(Before Mr.
Justice
WIGHTMAN.)
ROBINSON V. HEATON AND ANOTHER.
This was an action for libel, '
to which the de-
fendant pleaded Not Guilty, and, as to part, a justi • '
-
fication.
Mr. Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Segar appeared for
the plaintiff; and Mr. Watson, Q.C., Mr. cowling,
and Mr. Monk for the defendants.
It appeared that the plaintiff, in 1850, was appointed
snrveyer for the town of Clitheroe underthe
of Towns Act, and also acted as •
inspector of nui-
sances for the borough, and collector of rates, at a
salary of 150/. To pay his salary a rate of 4d. in the
pound was imposed, to pay which there was a great
repugnance on the part of many of the ratepayers, it
being contended by them that the Health of Towns
Act was impracticable as regarded Clitheroe. The
rate was also appealed against, and in consequence
the plaintiff could not obtain his salary. These pro.
the
led to parish meetings, at which there were
hot debates, those on one side being called "
Minis-
terialists," those on the other " the Opposition." At
one of these meetings it was proposed, as a means of
getting ridef the rate altogether, that the plaintiff
be dismissd from his office forthwith:' The de-
fendant, Mr. Heaton, a pawnbroker, professed to
give at account or report of this meeting, which
was printed in large placards and hung about
the town, and in this placard the plaintiff's
efficiency as a surveyor was called in question,
and terms such as " Water Pipes " and " Water
Ousel " were applied to him, calculated to bring him
into public ridicule and contempt. The libel com-
plained of was also published in a publication called
The Ratepayers' Advocate and Protector. This was
published by the other defendant, Whewell, and pro-
pu
fessed to contain areporkof the parish meeting alluded
to, furnished by the defendant Heaton. In that report
among other things, the defendant Heaton said of the
plaintiff, " As to his engineering qualities, he does not
know the difference between a verge and a lever
watch; and then went on to say that he had failed in
a lane, called Waddington-lane, from
preventing
There was then a great deal of local
being flooded.
matter throwing discredit upon the plaintiff.
For the defendants it was contended by the Learned
Counsel that the speech published did not amount to
a libel. Clitheroe was described to be divided into
two parties, three-fourths of the town being opposed
to putting in force the Health of Towns Act, and
that, in the heat of party strife occasioned thereby,
the defendants had a right to comment on the con-
duct of the public officer of the Board of Health.
His LORDSHIP having summed up,
The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff—Da-
mages, 40s.
HALLSWORTII V. LIVESEY.
This was an action for a breach of promise of mar-
riage, to which the defendant pleaded non assumpsit.
Mr. Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Jones appeared for
the plaintiff, and Mr. Overend for the defendant.
The plaintiff, who was 22 years of age, resides
with her mother at Blackburn, and about four years
ago, on a trip to Blackpool, became acquainted with
the defendant, who eventually proposed marriage to
her, telling her mother he was going to set up a
shop in the grocery line, and, if it succeeded, he
would marry her daughter. The plaintiff received
him afterwards as an accepted suitor, repairing his
shirts and acting as his intended wife. Suddenly,
in January last, the defendant ceased his attentions to
the plaintiff, and in March last he married the daughter
of a licensed victualler of some property. The pre-
sent anion was in consequence brought.
Mr. OVEREND, for the defendant, contendedthat
the
the plaintiff bad not suffered any damage in her po-
sition by the change which had taken place
in the
defendant's intentionst d her,
owar 3 as the defendant
was only a mechanic, earning 245. a week.
His LORDSHIP having summed up,
The jury foundfor the I • •
a verdict p aintiff—Da-
mages, 501.

CROWN COURT.—(Before
_Lord Chief Justice

CAMPBELL.)
RAPE AT BURDTLEY.—S HOCKING BRUTALITY.—
John Pollard, aged 40, John Crooke, aged 21, and
James Booth, aged 23, were charged with having, on
the 22d of May last, committed a rape upon the per-
son of Susannah Stewart, at Burnley.
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Page prosecuted; and Mr.
James, Q.C., defended Crooke; Mr. Monk, Pollard ;
and Mr. Legar, Booth.
Susannah Stewart stated that she had been a
widow for the last seven years, her husband having
been a soldier. She was the mother of nine children,
and had lived at Newcastle-on-Tyne till about 18
months ago. On Friday, the 2lst May, she went to
Burnley in a state of destitution, and on applying for
relief she was refused. On the following day she went
in search of lodgings, but could find none. She went
after wards to a beerbouse to look after a Scotchwoman.
The Scotchwoman was not there, but there was a
man seated there drinking who heard what she
had to say, and gave her a glass of beer. He
heard her tell the landlady she wanted to see the
Scotch woman, to see if she could procure lodgings
for her, and he observed at the time that he could
find her lodgings. Thinking that he was laughing at
her, she left the house, followed by the man, who re-
peated that if she went with him he would find her
lodgings. She said she was afraid, and he said she
need not be. He took her up a dark and lonesome
lane, and she said to him, " I hope you are not taking
me astray, I would much sooner turn back." He re-
plied, "No; don't be afraid, come on; you'll soon
see the house I'm taking you to." She then went a
little further with him, when he suddenly took her
by the arms and threw her on the ground. As soon
as she was on the ground she was surrounded by a
number of other men ; but she could identify none of
them. It was quite dark at the time. She screamed
" Murder," and found that her legs and shoulders
were held by some of the other men. Her clothes
were torn off her. (Witness here described the par-
ticulars of a rape committed upon her by five persons
in succession.)
The witness was cross-examined at considerable
length, but nothing transpired to shake her testimony.
Richard Mercer, joiner, of Burnley, deposed to
having been going home on the morning of the 23d
May, at about a quarter past twelve o'clock. He saw
a man and woman go through the lime kiln gate, and
four or five men following. After reaching home he
was alarmed by loud screams of " Murder," and went
to the stone yard, from whence they seemed to issue,
where he saw six or seven men on the ground. He
did not see a woman, but he heard a woman's voice
Bay, " Don't take advantage of a poor Scotchwoman,
the mother of nine children." He procured assist-
ance, and going to the spot afterwards found Pollard
in custody, and the prosecutrix lying on the bank of
the canal, much exhausted and stripped nearly naked.
James Crooke and Thomas Smith deposed to hav-
ing heard the prosecutrix's screams of murder, and on
going to the spot they found a number of men sur-
rounding her. Pollard was laid upon the ground be-
side her, with his arm around her neck, and Crooke
and Booth were present.
Mr. George Smithwaite, surgeon, spoke to having
examined the prosecutrix shortly after the commis-
sion of the felonious assault upon her, and to the in-
juries she had sustained. She was much bruised and
was in a state of great debility.

Moulding Walmsley, a police-constable at Burn-
ley, said he went to the spot on the morning of the
23d of May, in consequence of information received.
He heard the cries of a woman, apparently much ex-
hausted, and looking over a wall he saw six or seven
men, two of them kneeling down near the place
,
i
where he afterwards found the prosecutrix. i
over the wall, and shortly afterwards saw tb_ed.figunree
of a man, apparently rising from the gr.orthe pri-
took the man in custody, and it proved to R_
assault_
soner Pollard. Charged him with cridmei l'Y
them at the
ing the woman, who was lying Irsiviomon, " What
time, and he (Pollard) said to n
, tu
old ---- ?" As-
the - did you want here, 37-‘-o.s. She was very
sited in helping ,the prosecu tr
nd alone. Every
much exhausted and unable tos
m
her, With the exception of a
particle of clothing upon torn off her back.
portion of her stays had
This was the case for cti 1r was d, and
the,beprosect ktion.
Evidence as to Crookes cbara
examined to procalleve that
a number of witness'ss were
and that she had naiscon-
the prosecutrix was drunk,
. ducted herself in v 41103 Parts of the town.

[PRICE SD.

For Booth witnesses were called to show that be
had only gone to the spot on hearing the cries of
" Murder" to render assistance.
The jury, after a short consultation, found Pollard
Guilty, and Acquitted the other two prisoners.
His LORDSHIP, in sentencing Pollard to 15 years'
transportation, said that in the annals of crime a more
atrocious case of rape than this had never been proved.
It had bee❑ attended by circumstances of brutality
that were quite appalling, and it was marvellous that
any person wearing the human form could conour in
such an abominable outrage.
The case occupied the attention of the Court for
eight hours.

SOUTH WALES ClRCUlT.—Chester, Aug 10.
CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr.JusticeCaomp:rox.)
The Learned Judge took his seat upon the bench
shortly before nine o'clock, and was occupied nearly
the whole of the day in trying cases which were unfit
for publication.
NISI PRIUS COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice
TALFOURD.)
FORD, CLERK, V. WILBRAHAM.
The plaintiff in this case was the Rev. Frederick
Ford, a minister of the Established Church, and rec-
tor of St. Peter's Church, Chester, and the defendant
Was Mr. Randle Wilbraham, jun., the registered pro-
prietor of the Chester Courant, a Conservative news-
paper published in this city. The action was brought
to recover compensation in damages for an alleged
libel on the plaintiff, which appeared in the defendant's
paper during the late election for the city. The
damages were laid at 5001. The libel considsted otfa
letter which appeared in 6
editorial observations on such
e Courant,
i and certain
same
paper, which the plaintiff letter n
adlleged were defamatory
and libellous. The letter
upon the public conduct anarticles were comments
and
speeches at election
meetings of Liberals in Chester during the late
election.
Mr. Welsby and Mr. M'lntyre appeared for the
plaintiff; and Mr. Evans and Mr. Grove for the
defendant.
Mr. APINTYRE having opened the pleadings,
Mr. WELSBY stated the
case. He said that the
n compelled plaintiff in this case had bee
palled to come into
that court to seek reparation foa series of open
libellous publications against his
public conduct,
which appeared in the columns of the
newspaper Chester Courant
new the
of the 30th of June last, and of which
defendant, Mr. Wilbraham, was the proprietor. But,
while he said that the plaintiff had been compellednnithto
come into court to vindicate his character
attacks which had been made upon it, the vindication
of his character was his sole object, and he had no
desire whatever to put money into his pocket in the
shape of damages. On the contrary, he had from the
first been willing to be satisfied with the payment of
the expenses already incurred, provided the defendant
would have apologised in the newspaper for the libels
complained of ; but this the defendant refused to ac-
cede to. The Learned Counsel having referred to the
plaintiff as a clergyman resident in Chester, and who
was the rector of St. Peter's church, said they were
aware that recently a contested election took place in
Chester, in which two gentlemen of opposite political
lopinions, the Honourable Mr. Owen Stanley, on the
Liberal or anti-Ministerial principles, and Mr.
Holme, a highly respectable merchant of Liverpool,
as the representative of the opposite interest. The
Reverend Mr. Ford, the plaintiff, as he had a per-
fect right to do, thought proper to support the Ho-
nourable Mr. Stanley, and in consequence of this the
defendent had thought proper to malign his client
and libel him in the Chester Courant, in the manner
complained of. Now, he admitted that great
latitude ought to be allowed during the excitement
of a general election, but he (Mr. Welsby) insisted
that, even during , the saturnalia attendant upon a
contested election, the attacks which had been made
upon the plaintiff were altogether unjustifiable and
disgraceful to the newspaper in which they appeared,
as against a clergyman who was pursuing his sacred
calling in the very city in which the newspaper was
published. The Learned Counsel proceeded to quote
from the articles complained of, commenting upon
them as he went along. The first attack he noticed
was from a leading article in this newspaper, in which
the plaintiff was spoken of as " a time-serving back-
slider," in the following choice terms :
" The mention of the Rev. F. Ford naturally suggests
a word of sympathy over the full of that time-serving
backslider. . . . This same Frederick Ford, rector
of St. Peter's, Chester, casts in his lot with the abet-
tors of those whom ho knows to be the enemies :of
Bible education, and the adversaries of all our religious
institutions; condescends to play second buffoon to
Mr. Temple, for the amusement of his Unitarian al-
lies, by reviling an honest man and a sincere Chris-
tian; and in his unseemly desire to enjoy the plauditsof
a crowd, whose love, forsooth, he strove to win by pro-
mises of plenty of ale, forgot the injunction of the Cate-
chism keep the tongue from evil-speaking, lying,
and slandering,' while preaching from a waggon his no-
table discourse on two faces under one hat 1' We have
no affection for blustering `Political parsons' of any
class; but, when they thus demean themselves, there is
no one word in the English language sufficiently strong
to mark our opinion of such surplieed agitators."
The Learned Counsel having quoted from the news-
se
paper other strictures of a severe character, main-
tained that the articles be had read were intemperate
comments, and such as no man ought to submit to.
of
Mr. Evaris, Q C., addressed the jury on behalf
the defendant, contending that the articles complained
of were nothing more than electioneering squibs. No
injury or damage had been sustained by the plaintiff,
either as regarded his congregation or any other class
of the community. •ng up, referred minutely
His LORDSHIP, in summing
to the different portions of the alleged libels, remark-
ing that some of the observations were certainly cer.tainly very
strong, especially such remarks as a time-serving
backslider," which he (the Learned Judge) should
p
think would not be very pleasant for either Mr.
Ford or any member of his family to read. He
considered that many of the remarks were not justi-
fiable, even taking into consideration the
roved excitement
not that
of a contested election. It was p
plaintiff had made use of any remarks that justified
the articles in the newspaper. It was for the jury to
say whether the articles complained of were calculated
to bring the plaintiff into odium and contempt. If
so, they would find a verdict in his favour, and the
amount of damages would rest with themselves. He
thought it would be difficult for them to say that such
terms as " time-serving backslider," and " buffoon,"
were not calculated to bring him into contempt.
The jury, after a few moments deliberation, re-
turned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, one
farthing.
The award of nominal damages seemed to
cause
considerable astonishment in the court, which vas
densely crowded during the whole of the trial.
The Learned Judge then proceeded to take crimi-
nal cases. _ _

It is believed that the trials of the Stockport rioters
will come on to-morrow or Thursday.

OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Gloucester, Aug. 9.
Mr. Sergeant Allen assisted to-day in trying priso-
nersueo in the
CgOrUaTißdT_o3fo room.
CROWN
grand-jury roMr Justice WILL 'PIO
Mary Ann Jordan was indicted for stealing from
Mrs. Elizabeth Gurney, at West Dean, on the 16th
July, 1201. in gold, silver, and copper.
Mr. Pigott and Mr. Scotland conducted- the prose-
cution ; and Mr. Huddleston and Mr. PoWell the
defence.
business ,
Mrs. Gurney was a widow, carrying
°l on
wentn,„ up
' and '
as a grocer, at Lidbrooke, in the Forest '
the prisoner had been a servant in her em into ser-
to the 26th March last, when she
]eft :gg loth July,
vice at Gloucester. On SatuSaturday'on that night
the prisoner came back to
see beilarris, a coal pro-
the miners in the service of IVis
at
prietor, were paid their _gen cas- . her house. She
box, and on that
used to keep her money in vl_ntreukitchen. The prisoner
evening it was left Ind 10,5 alone at times in the
assisted in the shop' there were left in the cash-
kitchen. That eveaniegoverei
gas and half-sovereigns,
a 51. bank-note of the Ross
box nearly look m
some cheques on the Ross
in silver, and two penny-
BaannaddnklA:lll;cPobrueniruselfiee2elvi.die t:tl3lhtsahlinelvie'rsg: old was a coin of a very
appearance, such as Mrs. Gurney
uPinencseus.al Among
never before took the like of,
she
and could not say whether it was a half-
halt-sovereign. Amongst the silver was
.
ag'4„ea or a
shilling with the letters " 5.8." marked on it. The
penny-pieces were one old and the other new. The
prisoner's father lived about half-a-mile from Mrs.
Gurney, and Mrs. Gurney and her niece walked with
her half-way home that night at eleven o'clock, and
passed a large and deep horsepond, by the side of
which the cash-box was found, empty and open, on
the following Monday. The prisoner that night had
only a light handkerchief upon her neck. Before
going home on the Saturday night, the prisoner gave
Mrs. Gurney a half-sovereign in order to get change
for it, but said she would call for the change in the
morning, as it might be an excuse for her asking
her father's leave to come back. She came back in
the morning, and breakfasted with Mrs. Gurney, got
the change, and went to church with her. That
night, about ten o'clock, the prisoner went to the
house of a man named Sier, at West Dean, with
whose son she was keeping
company, and complaining
that she was tired, she lifted up her pocket, and said

to the son, " Heft (heave up) this." He did so, and
found it weighty, and said she must have some cop.
pers in it, and she said, " yes." She that night gave
him 21., which she got back the next day. She
remained there on Monday and part of
Tuesday, till she was arrested. The cash•
box was not missed till between twelve and one
o'clock on the Monday, when it was found near the
pond, and brought to Mrs. Gurney. Suspicion was
at once directed towards many persons, and at length
was fixed on the prisoner. A constable, who went in
seach of her, found her at Sier's house. On seeing
him coming towards the door she ran to Mrs. Sier's
bed-room, and quietly dropped the purse behind Mrs.
Sier, who was lying in bed. The constable, however,
was too sharp for her, and saw what she had done,
and on telling Mrs. Sier of it and desiring her to get
up, the purse was found behind the bed. On being
searched upwards of 401. in sovereigns, half- sovereigns,
half-crowns, and shillings, were found in her pocket,
and on being asked where or how she came by them,
she said they had been given to her by her father.
It was proved that her father was a small collier, in
a comfortable condition, who had recently bought a
small allotment of land, and was about to buy some
more, but the father himself was not called by the
Crown or the prisoner to prove or disprove the truth
of her statement. Amongst the money found upon
her were the peculiar half-sovereign or half-guinea,
the shilling marked with the letters " S. B." and two
penny-pieces, which Mrs. Gurney believed to be the
two she had lost. When she constable was taking
the prisoner to the station, across the fields, she asked
him to say no more than he could help respecting
her attempt to conceal the money.
Before the case for the prosecution bad closed, two
of the jurors expressed a wish that his Lordship would
prevent more evidence being given, as they were
quite prepared to find her guilty. The
recommended
to ehnoddwe•
ever, proceeded. Being convicted, but
to mercy on account of her youth, she was sentenced
to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour.
On hearing the sentence she was greatly affected, and
was overheard to say that she would be better pleased
to be transported for life.
It is proper to add that at the late quarter-sessions
for this county a pretty, interesting young girl, named
Wilks, was convicted of a theft similar to the above,
on the evidence of the prisoner. On leaving the ser-
vice of Mrs. Gurney, Jordan went into that of a Mrs.
Sleed, the widow of a clergyman residing at Glouces-
ter, who soon after began to miss money; and one
evening coming home unexpectedly, found the young
man Sier in the house, and ordered both servants at
once to leave, but before they left, finding her escre-
toire forced open, and twenty sovereigns taken
out, sent for the police and instituted a search.
As the search proceeded, Jordan suggested
that they should search W ilks's box and
room, and on the search made,beingthe
hextheatnwdentthe w
twenty soavler.
reigns were found between
Wilks was thereupon taken into custody,
Jordantodyand was
committed for trial by the magistrat
the chief witness against her, and stated so many and
such important facts against her that when she came
to be tried at the quarter-sessions, her friends thought
her guilt so clear and her case so hopeless, that they
advised her to plead guilty, but this she obstinately
refused to do, making the most solemn protestations of
her innocence. The case was called on. Jordan ap-
peared as a witness against her, and repeated her
former statement with such skill and cleverness, that
notwithstanding there were many circumstances of
upicionconnecte dguwiilttyh
,tahnedcasshee fworasthe sentencedprosecution,
t o a
suspicion
jury found her
year's imprisonment with hard labour. Those who
heard the two trials entertain great doubts whether in
WTilks's case the jury did not come to an erroneous
conclusion.

William Giles was indicted for wilful and corrupt
perjury committed at Cheltenham on the l 4th of April
last.
Mr. Gray conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Cooke
defended the prisoner.
The perjury was alleged to have been committed in
an affidavit made by the prisoner in a case of page
v. Caustins," an action for adultery, on a motion for a
new trial. In order to show that after the fact of the
adultery had come to the knowledge of the plaintiff he
condoned or forgave it, the prisoner swore that on the
subsequent day—viz.' the 9th of October, 1850, he
saw the plaintiff and his wife together at the Saluta-
tion Inn, Cheltenham. The plaintiff himself, and two
other witnesses swore, that on that day the plaintiff
went at an early hour from his house, at Cheltenham,
by the train, through Jessop's nursery grounds, to
London, and that from the time he left his house till
he reached the station she was not with him, and had
not been in his house for some weeks. It was elicited
in cross-examination that the plaintiff and his wife
were seen together at the Paddington station on
the 11th.

- -
For the defence it was contended that it was pos-
sible that the prisoner might have seen them near the
Salutation, and that that was what he meant by say-
ing he saw them at it.
The jury, after considering for twenty minutes,
asked what was the shortest distance from the Salu-
tation Inn to the nearest part of the way which led
from the plaintiff's house through Jessop's garden to
the railway station, and on being told it was 100 yards
they expressed a wish to withdraw.
After an absence of half an hour they returned
with a verdict of Guilty.
Sentence, one year's imprisonment, with hard
labour.