The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 13, 1853,

with the condition of selling back at a cer-
tain advance within a limited time ? Nothing
so powerfully illustrates the improvidence
of the very poorest classes—their total reckless-
ness in money matters—then the fact that " leav-
ing-shops," as they are termed, are established in
so many districts, and that all of them obtain an
abundance of business, and realise enormous pro-
fits for their unconscientious owners. That offices
fairly conducted, are deserted for the " free and
easy" dealing of the leaving-shop, where, provid-
ing the avarice of the presiding deity, generally
one of the fair sex, be satisfied, no inconvenient
questions will be asked, and the dishonest servant
can dispose of his master's property, the youthful
thief of his plunder, and the convivial laundress
can obtain the means of obtaining a further supply
of gin, on the security of the clothes left out for
the wash.
The regular pawnbroker might make trouble-
some inquiries, and, if the responses were not
satisfactory, call in the assistance of the police.
Not so the marine storekeepers. "Possession" is the
the only title they require, and the only haggling is
as the sum to be advanced. When that point is
disposed of there is nothing else to disturb the
harmony. No ticket is given, no memorandum
entered. If the property be redeemed, and in-
terest amounting to between eight and nine
hundred per cent. paid on the specified day, gene-
rally a week from the time of the loan, all is
well. If not, the mortgage is stringently foreclosed,
the property is confiscated, although the advance
might be totally disproportionate to its value, and if
the former owner desire to obtain it again it will
only be on payment of its market price. The
transaction by which it came into the possession
of the mistress of the leaving-shop is totally for-
gotten, and no reference thereto will be per-
mitted by the fair despot, who, on that point at
least, is inexorable, and will sooner destroy the
property than give the borrower the satisfaction
of getting back the property on any other terms
than she herself pleases to dictate. The CZAR
himself could not treat any proposition emanating
from the Divan with greater contempt than the
" Mother BURETTES" of the British metropolis
do the remonstrances of their victims.
If any doubt should be entertained as to the
extent and magnitude of the evil, a perusal
of the case of MARGARET SCANNELL, recently
heard before the presiding Alderman at the
Guildhall, will set it at rest, and unequivocally
prove the necessity of some new law adequate to
the emergency, or the more stringent application
of enactments already in force. We believe that
the latter would be sufficient to abate the nuis-
ance ; but it must be administered with greater
energy than was displayed on Saturday by the
worthy Alderman who dispensed justice in the
ancient hall of Gog and Magog. It appeared that
the complainant had on the Sunday fortnight pre-
viously sent an apron and handkerchief to the
shop of the defendant, MARGARET SCANNELL, at
Blackhorse-court, on which she obtained an
advance of 6d., on the understanding that she
was to pay back that sum, with a penny for
interest within a week. The time, however,
elapsed, and, according to the leaving-shop code,
the equity of redemption was for ever barred.
The unreasonable borrower, however, had the
audacity to expect to receive them back again, on
payment of the sevenpence within a fortnight, and
the money was accordingly tendered, and the goods
demanded. This unheard-of proceeding naturally
astounded the indignant SCANNELL, who culled
the choicest flowers of Billingsgate, for the pur-
pose of hurling at the devoted head of the inso-
lent applicant, concluding her tirade of abuse with
the assurance that she would rather burn than
restore the articles. During the course of the in quiry,
it was stated that in one district (that of Moor-lane sta-
tion) there were from 30 to 40 of these leaving-shops
—the Police Inspector adding, " that they were the
greatest difficulties that the police had to contend
with in tracing stolen goods, as they were recep-
tacles for all sorts of stolen property, and open
at all hours, night and day, Sundays included."
A. very lame defence was set up, viz., that Mrs.
SCANNELL had purchased the goods for 6d., on
the understanding that she would sell them back
within a week for 7d., and that, therefore, there was
no loan within the meaning. This was at once, and
very properly, overruled. It is quite clear that the
law will not permit anything to be done indirectly
which it does not directly sanction, and if so
frivolous a pretext were for a moment listened
to, there would be an end to all restrictions,
and the several enactments by which the trade is
regulated might at once be repealed. But what
was the course adopted ? By what means did the
worthy Alderman endeavour to vindicate the
majesty of the law, and to prevent its habitual
violation ? He inquired of the defendant "if
she was now willing to accept the 7d. and restore
the goods ?" And on her statement that she
would do so even for the 6d., he discharged her
on payment of the costs of the summons. Now,
she had either committed a breach of the law, or
she had not. If she had not, he had no right to
mulct her in the costs, or any other sum, how-
ever trifling. If she had, it was monstrous to
allow her to get off scatheless to carry on her ini-
quitous trade with redoubled activity. No wonder
that " leaving-shops" abound in.the district, when
in the few cases of detection the offence can escape
so easily. Verily the City may be termed the
paradise of woman haters and keepers of unlicensed
pawn-offices. It is there only that they can laugh
at the law, and follow their own vagaries on the
most reasonable terms.

DONCASTER RACES.

(THIS DAY.)

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
FITZWILLIAM HANDICAP.

Miss Agnes

Twelve ran.
ORDER OF RUNNING.
2. 0 Fitz william Handicap.
2.30 Stand Plate.
3. 0 Champagne Stakes.
3.45 Great Yorkshire Handicap.
4.15 Revival Plate.
4.45 Selling Stakes.
ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS.
Truth, Defiance, Jack Frost, Misletoe, Honeywood,
Acrobat, Boiardo, Evadne, Georgey, Barrell, Kennyside
Hero, Stiletto, Lady Agnes, Audubon.

LATEST BETTING.
GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP-
-5 to 2 agst Haco.
6 to 1 agst Heapy (offered).
7 to 1 agst Grapeshot (taken),
12 to 1 agst Hungerford (taken).
CHAMPAGNE STAKES.
6 to 4 agst Domino.
5 to 2 agst Ruby (taken).
3 to 1 agst Tadcaster (taken).
ST. LEGER.
5 to 4 on West Australian.
7 to 2 agst Sittingbourne.
12 to 1 agst Reiver (offered).

SPORTING NOTES.

THE ST. LEGER.

The tendency of speculation is calculated to confirm
the cpinions which I have already expressed on the pro-
bable issue of the St. Leger Race. West Australian
maintains, with unshaken firmness, his "pride of place"
in the betting, and the spirit with which he is still sup-
ported indicates that the confidence of his party is undi-
minished. They who have seen him give the most satis-
factory reports of his form and condition, and shrewd
and experienced judges unhesitatingly declare " nothing
barring an accident" can prevent his victory. The par-
tisans of Sittingbourne, however, are apparently little
discouraged, and calculate somewhat sanguinely upon
seeing the defeat of the " crack." Their expectations,
however, will perhaps be sorely disappointed. That
Sittingbourne is a good game horse is unquestionable,
and his powerful action is likely to be "well served" over
the St. Leger course, but I nevertheless believe him to
be inferior in racing ability to West Australian Still,
the formidableness of his chance admits not of
a doubt. The Reiver has a "downward ten-
dency" in the betting, and his supporters display
a diminishing confidence. Still lam informed that
the style in which he did his work this morning on
the Town Moor was most satisfactory. His narrow
quarters, and evident deficiency of propelling power,
however, are sufficient to occasion a prejudice against
him, and to warrant the belief in his inability to "stay"
the distance. Cineas is again gradually advancing into
favour ; he looks remarkably fit, and, should Alfred ride
him, I shall expect him to make no inglorious exhibi-
tion. Rataplan goes as well as his most ardent sup-
porters could desire.

No arguments are required to prove that West Aus-
tralian and Sittingbourne are the best "public per-
formers" in the race, and the encounter will, in my
opinion, indisputably establish their superiority, and de-
termine their relative merit. The judge's decision will,
I anticipate, be in favour of West Australian. Sitting-
bourne may be second, and the third and fourth posi-
tions will, perhaps, be occupied by Cineas and Rataplan.
Doncaster, Monday Night.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

The Moniteur contains a second note denying
that the French Government has been buying corn.
It says :—" Some foreign journals again speak of
purchases of corn made on account of the French
Government. The contracts entered into in Eng-
land, about six weeks ago, for 419,000 hectolitres,
for the annual supply of the army and navy, are
the only facts of this nature which could give a
pretext for such an allegation. With the excep-
tion of this purchase made abroad, in order not to
influence the markets of the interior, the Govern-
ment has not and never had the idea of interven-
ing either directly or indirectly in any operation
relative to grain. It has already declared, and
declares again, in the most formal manner that any
contrary supposition is- absolutely false. It has
full confidence in the efficacious activity of com-
merce, and only intends to exercise its action to
facilate operations by general measures."
On Sunday a Cabinet Council was held at St.
Cloud under the presidency of the Emperor. .All
the Ministers were present.
A decree, dated St. Cloud, the 11th, confides the
Administration of the Ministry of the li:t3rior,
during the absence of M. de Persigny, at Dieppe,
to M. Abbatucci, Minister of Justice.
The Echo Agricole says :—" The wheat croplin
France presents a very considerable deficit. It 4is
in vain that some journals of Paris and of the de-
partments, either from a want of proper informa-
tion, or from a foolish desire to conceal and atten-
uate a sad truth, have declared that the crop will
be at least equal to that of an average year ; the
fact is that it is notably inferior. The most exact
reports each day confirm the apprehensions of the
first moment, and the prudent acts by which the
government• has endeavoured to facilitate the en-

trance and circulation of foreign grain, are the
most powerful confirmation of the bad state of the
wheat crops of 1853."
From Algiers, Aug. 5, we learn that the colony
was perfectly tranquil, and that the cotton crop of
this year promises to be exceedingly fine.
The decree in the lifoniteur, increasing the rate
of interest on Treasury Bonds, produced an un-
favourable effect on the price of Public Securities
at the Bourse to-day. The Three per Cents. opened
at 77f. 70c., and fell to 77f. 30c. They closed at
77f. 35c. for the end of the month. The Four-and-
a-Half per Cents. closed at 101 f. 50c. ; Orleans
Railway Shares, 1,227 f. 50c. ; Rouen, 1,067 f. 50c.;
Havre, 517 f. 50c. ; Great Northern, 870 f. ; Paris
and Strasburg, 925 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 925 f. ;
Lyons to the Mediterranean, 775 f. ; Western of
France, 740 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 621 f. 25c. ;
Great Central, 532 f. 50c. ; Lyons to Geneva, 550 f. ;
Shares of the Bank of Credit Mobilier, 805 f.