The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-25 00:00:00

LAW INTE.

SHERIFFS' COURT.
(Before Mr Commissioner Kerr.)
WHERE THE GOOD SERMONS COME FROM,- SINGifIAR

ACTIONS.—no GERS V. WALCOT AND OTHER DE,

FENDANTS. '
The plaintiff in these cases sued a number of clerical gen-
tlemen for sermons supplied at different periods—the de-
fendants being rectors, vicars, and curates in the country.
In one case, Rogers v. Walcot, the defendant was de-
scribed as of Ribbesford, and his debt amounted to 442 14s
6d.

His Honour asked if all that money was for sermons ?
Plaintiff's representative—Oh, yes ; your honour has the
particulars.

His Honour—Oh ! I see they are here.
The account set out that " harvest sermons" were 2s 6d
each. The special manuscript sermon was £1 Is, and
ordinary special sermons were charged at ss.
His Honour then made a calculation, and found that
since 1860 the defendant had received in all no less than
326 sermons.
Witness—Yes, I believe that is the number.
His Honour—Defendant has 326 sermons, and he pays
£42 for the lot. Well, the account extends over a consi-
derable period, and really he does not pay much for them,
taking the matter altogether. What is defendant ? I see
he is a rector. I hope that
Witness—l have a letter from the defendant here, if your
Honour would like to see it.
The letter was then handed up to his Honour, who read
it, and remarked—He admits that they are good sermons.
(Laughter.) Come, there is something in that.
W itness (smiling)—l believe there is no doubt about that.
His Honour—He does not dispute having received all
these sermons, and considering the length of time, the
amount does not seem at all unreasonable.
His Honour then pinned the letter to the summons, but
the witness applied to have it returned to him.
His Honour—Do you want it ? I have annexed it to

the summons.
Witness—l should like to have it again.
Mr Osgood (Registrar)—l do not want it. It was only
produced as evidence for the Court.
The letter was then handed to the witness, and the usual
verdict was recorded as in the other cases.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr Commissioner Goa'burn.)
IN RE A. MAINWARING.

This bankrupt was described as formerly of Worthing
House, near Basingstoke, and of the Army and Navy Club,
Pall-Mall, and this was an adjourned meeting for last
examination and discharge.
The bankrupt wes lately a captain in her Majesty's ser-

vice, and from the accounts, by Messrs Hart Brothers and
Hoyles, it appears that he owes to unsecured creditors,
£13,124; secured, £4,800; and liabilities about £7,000.
The assets being—property given up, £750; ditto in the
hands of creditors, £590.

Mr Lawrance, for the assignees, said he assented to a
suggestion of Mr C. E. Lewis, for the bankrupt, that an
adjournment should take place for two months, with a view
of effecting an arrangement with the creditors.

His Honour said he was very happy to hear so, as it
would be much better for all parties and all purposes, and
ho hoped the bankrupt would do all he could for his
creditors,

Adjourned accordingly.
IN CIIATEL.-" A MESSMAN'' IN A STEW.

This bankrupt, was formerly messman to the Royal Art

lery at the camp at Shoeburyness, and this was a meeting
for last examination and discharge.
The debts amounted to £270, but only one creditor proved,
and chose himself assignee, and opposed on various grounds,
and Mr. Abrahams pressed for an adjournment for further
accounts.

Mr Morris, for the bankrupt, said it was a hard case on
the bankrupt. He was a Frenchman, and could speak
English but imperfectly, and could not write it at all. The
backs had been kept by a soldier; it was therefore prepos-
terous to ask him for a cash goods and delivery account for
twelve months. He had given a cash account, but the de-
ficiency was not on the mess transactions, but through his
having opened a coffeehouse near the Strand. All the cre-
ditors would have agreed to a deed of arrangement, but
Mr Abrahams's client stood out and put the bankrupt in
prison, and ho had to apply to this court.
Mr Abrahams and his client were creditors for £32.
His Honour said that from what he saw of the case there
did not appear the slightest idea of fraud; the bankrupt was a
foreigner and had been in prison for five weeks; he had never
been bankrupt before, and was entitled to his discharge.
Mr Morris said that unfortunately the bankrupt had
through these proceedings lost hie position, as he would not
be received as messman again, having been bankrupt.
His Honour—Surely that cannot be.

Mr Morris—l fear it is—the bankrupt would no doubt
have gone back to the Artillery, that was why we wished
to arrange by deed,

Mr Abrahams—Then let him annul the bankruptcy.