The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-25 00:00:00

DEPARTURE OP THE RIFLE BRIGADE.

PORTSMOUTH, SATURDAY MORNING.—Iacr Majesty's
steamer Vulcan left Portsmouth this morning, at eight
o'clock, with the Rifle Brigade (2d battalion), for Malta.
The weather was beautiful, and the sea smooth. The
wind light and fair.

BANKRUPTCY COURT-('THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. CommissionerGoulburn.)

EXTENSIVE MININCI TBANSACTIONS.-TUDG3IENT.-7-IN it

TB EDINNICK.

This bankrupt carried on business in the Haymarket as
a minim agent, and applied for his certificate. The ques-
tion was discussed at great length a few days since, and his
Honour now gyve judgment.
The balance-sheet prepared by .Messrs. Harding and
l'ullein, shows debtors to creditors about 17,0001., assets,
with property held as security, 1.0,000/. The bankrupt was
before the Court under a previous proceeding, bat the
bankruptcy was suspended on payment of the debts in full.
Mr. Linklitter for the assignees, and Mr. Roberts for the
creditors, expressed their opinion that the bankruptcy had
arisen from unavoidable circumstances, and expressed their
desire that the bankrupt should have an immediate certifi-
cate of the first class, whi di would be a material advantage
to the estate, by enabling the assignees to avail themselves
of the services of the bankrupt in selliug the shares.
AIL Lawrence, for the bankrupts, said that, in 1852, the
bankrupt was before the world with 8,000., and that the
failure was wholly attributable to the depreciation in value
of the shares during the last year. The bankrupt's trans-
actions had extended over several millions.

Hie Honour now, in giving a long judgment, said that
under the last act the Court were to consider the conduct
of a bankrupt before, as well as after the bankruptcy,
whether there be any opposition or not, but he (his
Honour) considered he ought to attach great weight
to the wishes of the creditors, where all of them
concurred in asking for a certificate, but, as to the
class, it was entirely for the consideration of
the Court, which was bound to act for itself on its own
judgment, and ought not to yield to any suggestion. His
Honour said that, taking into consideration the wishes of
the creditors, he would grant an immediate certificate ;
otherwise he should have suspended it for a considerable
period. He then went through the case, and said that
after the experience of a former bankruptcy, the bankrupt
ought not to have euabarked in speculation which was
nothing short of gambling. As to the bankrupt's success
in realising 8,0001., it only proved successful gambling,
and the bankrupt ought then to have staid his course. As
it (lid not appear that the bankruptcy had arisen wholly or
in part from unavoidable circumstances, the certificate
would be of the third class.
MERCANTILE FAILURE.—IN RE D. SHIELDS (LAVETT D.
SHIELDS AND CO.)

This bankrupt had carried on business in Lime-street as
a merchant, trading under the firm of LavettD. Shields and
Co., and to-day was appointed for his last examination.
The balance-sheet, prepared by Messrs. Robinson and
Knowles, Basinghall-street, extending from Jan. 1849, to
Nov. '53, shows Dr. to Cr. 3,4161.185. 3d.; to ditto holding
security, 2,4411. lls. 4d. ; capital, 3201.; profits, 3,818/. ;
creditors' good debts, 114/. ; due from Stewart and Frias,
1,221/. ; property in hands of creditors, 2,8391. • losses,
1,729/. ; trade expenses, 1,515/. ; domestic, 688/. ; per-
sonal, 1,8801.
The'case was adjourned for tbis bankrupt to furnish fur-
ther iv-formation.