The Sun.
London, England, 1830-01-15 00:00:00

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.

Tke Vlci-CwaicELLoa was occupied the whole morn•
ing with Bankrupt Petitions, none of which possessed any
questions of importance except to the parties concerned.
It was expected the Court would hare got through the paper
containing all the Bankrupt Petitions set down before his
Honour at an early hour, but several petitions which were
thought to he rotten proving effective, the. Court had
made but little way in the -psper when we left. During
the present sittings in Bankruptcy his Honour has die.
posed of upwards of 145 petitions.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH.

JOHNSON V. LORD AND OTHERS.

This was an Action to recover compensation in damages
for an injury alleged to hare been sustained by the plain-
tiffs in consequence of a seizure by the defendants.
It appeared that the plaintiffs had taken son e premises
in Bread-street-hill, with the intention of fitting them up
as a blackin;-manufactory, and having got several of the
materials on the premises, commenced their trade, and
got in a quantity of molasses, yeast, &c. Six of the de-
defendants were Excise officers, and had received infor-
mation that the plaintas were fitting up the premises with
a private still, for the purpose of distilling spirits clan-
destinely. In consequence they made a seizure of all the
materials engaged in the process, and also carried off a
quantity of liquor that was in the course of process.
They also found several other utensils generally used in
distilation.

Several witnesses were examined for the plaintiffs, who
proved the seizure, the ameunt of loss, and that the ingre-
dients and articles seized wine intended for the making of
blacking.
For the defence it was contended, that the Court of
Exchequer had justified the officers in the seizure, by its
having, after due notice being given to the plaintiffs, con-
demned the goods, without any cruse being shown against
that condemnation by the plaintiffs.
Lord TENTERDEN held that that was a sufficient justifi-
cation of the seizure, and the plaintiff was nonsuited.
There being another action for the same seizure, Lord
TENTERDEN recommended that a verdict should be en-
tered with consent for the defendants, with an undcr-
standing that judgment should not be entered up, and
that it should be without costs.

This arrangement was after some hesitation agreed to,
and a verdict to that effect was recorded.

The Commissioners of Police have, it is
understood, come to the determination of extending the
operations of the New Police to the eastern district of the
metropolis simultaneously with its introduction into Lam-
beth. The central station, it is thought, will be White-
chapel, four houses having been taken as barracks for the
men ; one in Great Alie-street, another in Leman-street,
a third in Prescott-street ; and the fourth in Mansell-street.
The situation is well calculated for the concentration of
the entire force, as the back daors of each of these houses
open into the extensive area of the Tenter-ground, the
exercising ground of the garrison quartered in the Tower ;
where, at an instant's warning, tke whole body of police-
men may be mustered and drilled, and formed at once for
action in cases of emergency, without obstruction or im-
pediment.

Much public interest has been excited by the
excellent road now constructing in the North of Devon.
The spirit dictating that work has extended to the neigh-
bourhood of Exeter. The communication with Crediton
(a continuation of the above), is inconvenient ; and
numerous alterations, if not en entirely new line, are con-
templated. The new cut from Cowley-btidge to Stoke,
leading to Tiverton, proves the spirit and judgment by
which these operations are directed. At Cowley-bridge
these roads unite. The approach to Exeter, in this direc-
tion, is peculiarly difficult. The necessity of some altera-
tion is allowed on all hands, and several plane, vatying in
merit, have been submitted to the Commissioners.—
Dorset County Chronicle.

HAPPINESS OF CHILDREN.—Children may
teach us one blessed, one enviable ar, the art of being
easily happy. Kind nature has given to them that useful
power of accommodation to circumstances which coma
pensates for so many external disadvantages, and it is only
by injudicious roan 'gement that it is lost. Give him but
a moderate portion of food and kindness, and the psasant's
child is happier than the duke's ; free from artificial
wants, unsatiated by indulgence, all nature ministers to his
pleasur a; he can carve out felicity from a bit of hazel
twig, or fish for it successfully in a puddle. I love to
hear the boisterous joy of a troop of ragged urchins whose
cheap playthings are nothing more than mud, snow,
sticks, or oyster shells; or to watch ;ix quiet enjoyment
of a half-clothed, half-washed fellow of four or five years
old, who sits with a large rusty knife and a lump of bread
and bacon at his father's door, an:l might move the envy of
an Alderman.

OLD BAILEY.-(THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.

Joseph Ball, aged 44, was capitally indicted for coaling
a sheep and lamb, the property of James Hitchcock. ,
After hearing evidence, the Jury returned a verdict (0
Not Guilty.

John Jones, aged 19, was capitally indicted for kW
nious!y breaking awl entering the dwelling-home of
Thomas Fowls, and stealing therefrom Silbs. of mutton•
The prosecutor stated, that on Christmas night htf
shop was broke rt open by three men ; the prisoner wa"
one of them. Witness saw him run out of the shop, put:
sued, and took him into custody. The prisoner Ilia;
" What do you want with me? I have done nothing•
The meat was found in the direction the prisoner ran, and
wls worth about Is. fid.

Cross-examined by Air. Prmr,rrs—Cinnot say whether
or not the prisoner was tipsy. It never occurred to bin,'
that being Christmas time, the three boys were having
" a lark."

Mr. PHILLIPS—I shall esk you no further question'.
It wiil turn out that the meat was taken by way of frolic•
Mr. Justice GAZlCl.Er—Rather a dangerous sort of ►
frorc, Mr. Phillips, that brings an individual's life into
jellar.ty. Although in this case, fit:tin the manner in
which the shop was left, I am doubtful whether it is o
capital offence. There does not appear sufficient evialeare
of a capital entry.
In answer to a question from the court, the prosecutor
said the mutton was resturel to him, and he subsequently
sold it.

The prisoner, on being called upon for his defence, eta
" I have nothing, my Lord, to say, only that I am en'
tirely innocent of the charge aptinst me."
Several witnesses were called, who gave the prisoner
most excellent character for honesty and industry.
Mr. Justice GAZELIM, in summing up, observed that it
was a most unfortunate case for a young man who had fo'
excellent a character, to be placed at the bar on a capital
charge The value of the property sholen was of no cow
s!quence, pi °Tided they were of opinion there had been A
forcible entry of the house.
The Jury consulted for a abort time, and then returned
a verdict of Guilty of stealing, but not in a dwelling-houser
at the some time, front his excellent character they recived
of him, they particularly recommended him to mercy.