The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-08 00:00:00

ACCIDENT TO CAPTAIN CLIFFORD.

We regret to announce a sad accident to Captain Clifford,
of the Sphinx, son of Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford,
C. 8., Usher of the Black Rod to her Majesty, by the snap-
ping of a hawser towing the St. Vincent, in the Baltic,
whereby both his legs were broken.

MAIL FOR THE BLACK SEA.
A mail for the British army in Turkey and the fleet in

the Black Sea will be forwarded this evening through
France to Marseilles, whence it will be carried on to Con-
stantinople by a French mail packet. A letter under a
quarter of an ounce will be charged 3d., and newspapers
2d. each. The postage must be paid in advance. A mail
for the British squadron in the White Sea, to be sent vici
Hull and Christiania, through Norway, will also be made
up this day.

We regret to announce the death of Lient.-General
Argnimban, C. 8., Colonel of the 80th Regiment.
The decrees for the sale of the Russian ship Aland,
Wirin late master, now lying in the West India Docks.
prize to her Majesty's steamer James Watt,_have been
issued by the Court of Admiralty.
The Portuguese steam frigate Mindello passed through
Spithead yesterday morning, en route from Ostend, to
Southampton.

THE ACCIDENT AT SHOEBUYRNESS.
An inquest was held on Wednesday, in the mess-room
of the officers of the Royal artillery, at Shoeburyness, be-
fore Mr. Codd, of Maldon, coroner of the district in which
Shoeburyness is situated, on the bodies of Colour-Sergeant
Rose, Repository-Sergeant Lee, and Pay-company Ser-
geant Williams, who died from the injuries they sustained
by the bursting of a 56-pounder gun, while carrying on
practice with it at a range of 2,800 yards. Mr. Christo-
pher Dale, of Shoebury-hall, was appointed foreman of the
jury, and they then proceeded to view the bodies of the
deceased, and ultimately the pieces of the gun, which wore
left in the positions in which they fell at the time of the
accident.

The first witness examined by the jury was the sergeant
who had the charge of the gun during the practice, and ho
deposed that the gun was fired at an elevation of 8 degrees,
with a charge of 161bs. of powder, and a shot nominally
designated a 56 pounder ; but the one put into the gun
previous to its bursting weighed 54 lbs. 14 oz. only. He
said he could not in any way account for the accident, as
he considered it quite safe, and did not consider the prac-
tice by any means dangerous at the elevation at which it
was fired, as he had on many occasions fired it at an eleva-
tion of 20 degrees.
Sergeant Watson, of the laboratory department at Shoe-
busyness, was the next witness examined, and he deposed
that he received the gun into his charge on the 17th of
September, 1852, and that 175 rounds had been fired from
it within that period and the time of its bursting. He
also stated that he had minutely examined it on the 4th
of August last by the mode termed sun proof and by wax
placed on a rod and put inside the bore, to take a perfect
impression of the state of the interior of the breach, and
he could not find the least appearance of defect, but con-
sidered it perfect in every respect.
The jury were satisfied from the evidence of the above
sergeants that the examination of any other witnesses
would not elicit thecauattseoef the accident, and after exa-
mining Dr. Donell, who
death."ned the deceased, brought in
a verdict of " Accidental
Dr. Donell was assisted by Dr'gre.:iiiller, of Wakering, but
the loss of blood had been so
sufferers
that scarcely
a cupful passed from each of the
were amputated. when their limbs
The remains of the deceased were placed in three coffins,
and these were, at eleven o'clock yesterday
one gun-carriage, and covered with the all placed on
national flags, and
officers the melancholy procession, consisting of all the
Shoeburyness, accompanied the remains to their last rest-
ing-place, in the parish churchyard of South Shoebury
a distance of about a mile and a half from Shoebttryne,'.
The piece of the breach of the burst gun which caused the
death of Sergeant Rose, aged 37, Sergeant Lee, aged 35,
and Sergeant Williams, aged 37, was 28 cwt. It was the
wife of Sergeant Williams, and not of Sergeant Rose, who
died of cholera at the Tower of London, and fortunately
they had no family.

Sept. DUNBAR HERRING FISHING,
s.—The fishing is
now drawing to a close.
On Friday the fishermen were
not content with good average shots,butofsettheamt the
ground on that day and Saturday. Many
re-
turned with their boats quite full ; but the
le morningl
consequence
is that the fish has been disturbed, and in the
the take ii very partial. Prices rose from 14s.
the toolio8asi;
but in the afternoon boats again fell in with
and prices are now 10s. per cran.
MR. CAEDBIT.---In reference to the case of Mr. Card-
ing, now undergoing sentence in Clonmel gaol for his
attempted abduction of Miss Arbuthnot, the Evening
Mail says :—"Neither by birth, parentage, nor educa-
tion can Ireland prefer the slightest claim to Mr. Car-
den. He was born in England,iand so was his father be-
fore him. He is the graduate of an English university,
where he gained some distinction. There is nothing
Irish belonging to Lim, except a certain quantity of
greef acres.",

THE MURDER OF AN INFANT BY ITS
MOTHER.

Yesterday afternoon, Jane Harlington, the wife of a
carpenter's labourer, residing at 5, Harrow-street, Mint,
Southwark, was brought before Mr. A'Beckett, at the
Southwark Police-court, for further examination, charged
with wilfully administering a deleterious drug to her
male infant, 17 weeks old, with intent to destroy its

life.
When placed in the dock yesterday she seemed ex-
tremely weak, and quite unconscious of the serious charge
pending against her.
Mr. Binns appeared to defend.
Mr. A'Beckett (to Sergeant Golding.)—Have you any-
thing to state to-day as to the condition of the infant
whom the prisoner is charged with administerieg poison
to?
Sergeant Golding.—l have, sir. I attended the work-
house of St. George's, Southwark, this morning, and
saw the child dead. The medical gentleman who at-
tended it is present, and can give evidence as to the
cause of death.

Mr. winista Rendle, surgeon, Bridge-house-place,
Newington-causeway, was then sworn. lie said—l am
medical officer for the parish of St. George's, Southwark,
and on Tuesday afternoon a child was brought to my
surgery in a dying state. I administered restoratives to
it, and it partially recovered, when I ordered its instant
removal to the workhouse.

Mr. A'Beckett—Have you attended it since?
Mr. Rendle—Yes, sir, and it died this morning. There
were no hopes of its recovery after I first administered
the restorative at my own surgery.
Mr. A'Beckett—What was the cause of death ?

Mr. Rendle—The child's death was apparently caused
by some laudanum being administered to it. • The infant
was in a very emaciated state, and as soon as I saw it I
was positive it could not live long.
Mr. A'Beckett—Do you know that laudanum was the
drug administered to the deceased ?
Mr. Rendle—l do, sir.
Mr. A'Beckett—Did you see the prisoner when you
first had the child brought to you ?
Mr. Rendle—Yes, sir, and I said to her, " Mrs. Har.
rington, I fear you have poisoned the child."
Mr. A'Beckett—Did she make any answer to that
question ?
Mr. Rendle—Yes. She replied, " I have given it
some soothing stuff to send it to sleep, and I think I
have mistook the bottle, and given it what I intended
for myself." I asked her what she intended for herself,
when she replied, " I could not sleep at night after my
confinement, so I sent for something by a woman to send
me to sleep."
Mr. A'Beckett—Did she say anythinc, else ?
Mr. Rendle—Yes ; I asked her whate she sent for.
She said, " Laudanum, and only to sleep me ?"
Mr. A'Beckett—Did she tell you what she got it in ?

Mr. Rendle—Yes. I produce a bottle which she said
,he laudanum was fetched in, and since then it had con-
ained wine.

Mr. A'Beckett—Where did this last conversation take
place ?
Mr. Rendle—ln her lodgings, No. 5, Harrow-street,
in the presence of the serjeant.
Mr. A'Beckett—Did she say how much laudanum she
had given to her child ?
Mr. Rendle—All she told me was that she drained
the bottle. She said nothing about the quantity.
Mr. A'Beckett—How did she appear when this con-
versation was going on ?
Mr. Rendle—Half stupified and stolid ; also quite
indifferent as to everything around her. When I told
hor, however, that she had poisoned her child, she ex-
claimed, " I hope not," and cried very much.
Mr. A'Beckett—Did you attend her in her confine-
ment ?

Mr. Rendle—l did not, but my assistant did by order
of the parish authorities. She was very low indeed.
Mr. A'Beckett—Have you made an examination of
the infant ?

Mr. Rendle—No, I have not, but I shall make a
post-mortem examination prior to the inquest.
Mr. A'Beckett—Have you anything more to say at
present
Mr. Rendle—l have not.
Mr. Binas—Did she not say the child would not be
quiet and that she could not pacify it ?
Mr. Rendle—Yes,•l think she did, but I had a great
deal of trouble to get any explanation from her.
Mr. A'Beckett asked when the inquest would be
held ?

Serjeant Golding replied—On Friday or Saturday,
but I have all the witnesses in court now.

Mr. A'Beckett—l think I have heard enough to re-
mand her until after the inquest, therefore she will be
brought up for final examination on Monday next.
The prisoner, who seemed in a very weak state, was
then removed to Horsemonger-lane gaol.

HORRIBLE MURDER OF A MAN BY
HIS WIFE AND SON.

One of the most diabolical cases of murder that have
ever disgraced the annals of this country has been com-
mitted within the last few days at Trowbridge. The
facts of the case as they were given at the examination
of the prisoners are, unhappily, too convincing to admit
of the slightest doubt ; for, extraordinary to relate, the
murder was actually committed in the presence of seve-
ral spectators. The name, of the murdered man was
Daniel Napper, and on the Wednesday his son, James
Napper, quarrelled with another brother who had lately
returned' from transportation. The father interfere d
to separate them, and incurred the displeasure of his
son James by striking him. On the following (Thurs-
day) evening they were all drinking together at the
Bear Inn, when a second altercation took place.
James Napper struck his father, knocked him down,
and kicked him severely. The wife then fell upon
her husband, taking hold of him by the hair and repeat-
edly striking his head on the ground, swearing she would
murder him. They all three then left the Bear Inn and
went towards home. What occurred after they left is
narrated by John Meyoll, the landlord, who says that
while he was standing at the door of his house he heard
some quarrelling going on, and saw the deceased knocked
down by his son, who struck him a blow with his fist.
While the deceased was on the ground his sod knelt upon
him and struck him again several times; he then knocked
him severely in his ribs and side, the wife standing by at
the time and offering him every encouragement. The son
next took his father by the shoulders, raised him up to a
sitting posture, and then dashed him violently to the
ground, his head coming in contact with the hard
road. The deceased was then quite insensible. All
this took place in so short a space of time that the wit-
ness said he had no opportunity to interfere. The son
came ,nto the tap-room some time afterwards, when he
did not appear to be intoxicated. Witness remon-
strated with him on his conduct, but he only replied
that " It served the old -- right," and that if he was
not dead already, he would not care about subjecting
him to similar treatment. This statement is corro-
borated by James Brown, a clothworker, who says
he was passing when he saw the deceased on the
ground, and saw his wife catch hold of him by the hair
and thump his head on the ground, saying, " By G—,
I'll murder thee !" The deceased was then in a state
of insensibility, and the son afterwards took him by
the shoulders and threw him backwards on the ground
with all his might. Witness lifted the deceased
on his knee, but the son still attempted to strangle
him, and said he would give any one who took his part
6' a -- good hiding." The wife and son then left, but,
after they had gone a short distance, turned round
and said, if the deceased came home that night they
would "finish him off." The deceased, however, was
shortly after taken to the house, where he soon died.
William Pearce, a mason, also,deposed to the same facts.
These circumstances having come before the coroner, he
made a preliminary inquiry, which has resulted in his
committing the son and the wife of the deceased to
Devizes gaol. The history of the Napper family is
very remarkable. The deceased was transported when
a youth for theft ; and in the year 1839 was tried for
the murder of a common pedlar, named Wiiliam Bishop.
He escaped conviction owing to the informality in the
indictment. Dennis Napper, another son, has just re-
turned from transportation. The inquiry before the
coroner has been adjourned.

A DANGEROUS ADDER,—KIRKCUDBRIGHT.—SEPT. 2.
—On Monday forenoon last a young woman, named
Isabella Beattie, while turning hay on the farm of Kirk-
bridge, in this parish, was bit by an adder on the outside
of the left heel. Mr. Turnbull, the tenant of the farm,
ilnmediately conveyed her into town, and medical aid
was procured. Her leg swelled very much, and seemed
for a time rather alarming ; however, she is now consi-
derably better, the swelling gradually abating. She says
she has often seen adders, but that this was a very large
one, and sprang at her while she ran from it.
SOME ADVERTISEMENTS 170 YEARS AGO.—There are
a tolerable number of losses advertised ; the most nume-
rous relate to dogs and horses. For an extraordinary
small spaniel a guinea reward is offered ; and for grey
mares and bay nags the reward is always forty shillings.
This is the sum offered for a fat black boy, 18 years
old, in grey livery lined with green serge, green stockings,
and a grey hat ; a reward which, we hope, was never
paid. Here is a curious bit of costume. On Sunday last,
April sixth, sixteen hundred and eighty, strayed, a
child, three years old, in a red cap, striped gown, orange
petticoat, green stockings, and new shoes. When the
description of the person is added, the advertisement
often becomes very amusing. Thus, Nicholas Prick-
lowe, who has run away from his master at the Royal
Coffee Mill, in Cloth Fair, is described as a squat,
thick fellow, with lank brown hair. Mary Golding,
who has taken French leave of her mistress, the laun-
dress, and with more than belonged to her, is described
as of middle stature, brown hair, and low, broad fore-
head. One Charles James is of middle stature, flaxen
histirtieelisttplaeofsficteuraraslinieole praasrt,ee, thin-faced, and full grey eyes.
f John i noipropertyind theiri
t:_o
bAi
nfis
00
wn
supposed't be supposedf to have stolen goods
requeit, and sometimes a list of
a pnossesssitaonlenthies pfnulblalthinegd.
aTvthieulse,sinwoenree
'ered silk morning-gown and mantle, some
women's paint ptaebinbtyslpeleivnets.v,,
,azarierdof gold and coloured fringed
gloves,
aLstthccisaht,avaesbadeemn
coloured coat—what colour could iltLerwu
?—with
wanitdh gold purl. But
frost buttons, and button-holes
for minute descriptions, both of edged
nsionfof John
the following advertisement for the apprehension
perhaps
if3urre
speech ayearsn do carriage, age,
o f
' Catchmead surpasses all. Twentyian.
middle stature, something haughty
very light-coloured hair, more like a short periwig, little
beard, face somewhat reddish, by reason of the smallpox,
but of cheerful countenance. Housed to wear a grey hat,
a sad-coloured coat, and used to travel about the country
to sell rugs and coYerlidg He . went off with a bay mare of
accustomed forty h' • sour
countenance. Only the
long body, and thick fore legs, hooked nose, and
I
offered for the apprehension of this remarkable pair...—.
I _Mamie Souolola Wm*.

MANUFACTURE OF A BANK OF ENG-

LAND NOTE.

(Front the Bankers' Circular.)

The Bank of England has adopted a new plan of im-
pressing the bank-note, as well as the cheques of that
establishment, by very considerable improvements in the
machinery. As many of our readers are probably more
familiar with a Bank of England note than with the
machinery used in producing it, we will give a brief
sketch of the process.
The present machinery used in printing the bank-note
is the invention known as Perkins' process, which has
been in operation at the Bank for about 17 years. Mr.
Perkins, the inventor, was an American. By this pro-
cess the entire face of the bank-note is engraved upon
hardened steel plates—five in number for each note. The
several parts thus engraved are transferred to soft steel
rollers by means of steam pressure, which produces the
whole of the engraved parts in relief. These rollers are
then hardened and passed over a soft steel plate so as to
form the entire face of the bank-note, except the signa-
ture, which, till recently, has been supplied by 20 gen-
tlemen daily engaged in that occupation, at 500/, per
annum each.

This plate was then fit for the operations of the ma-
chines, at which several men are engaged in producing
the bank-note, each man working at a separate machine.
This completes the process of printing the bank-note
under Perkins' patent, except the signature.
Our correspondent tells us that this is so accurate, and
possesses at the same time so much beauty, that he is
surprised any innovation should be made upon it. But
these remarks lead us to doubt whether he has actually
examined the new process, and compared it with the old
—or that he is not prejudiced in favour of the latter.
He tells us that the slightest dissimilarity can be de-
tected in the present system of engraving the bank-notes.
Now, it is for this express purpose that the new plan has
been introduced. The old plan, so far as it goes, pos•
sesses many disadvantages, and, to a certain extent, the
Bank authorities are fully cognisant of them. Take the
signature of the note itself. Although 20 gentlemen
were daily employed in signing the notes, it was quite
possible that there might be such a difference in
the signature at different times of the day as to render it
difficult for any one of them to vouch for its identity in a
court of law. It was this that gave rise to the act which
empowered the Bank since January, 1853, to sign all its
notes by machinery, by which the Bank saved the ex-
pense of 10,000/. a-year, and obtained an uniformity in
the note which no individual could perform. If any one
doubts this let him sit down from day to day and write
his own name, and preserve it for examination. The
average number of signatures that were written by one
individual was about 1,500 daily, though 2,000 have
been accomplished.
There is yet another point of difference which our
correspondent, in his adherence to the old plan, seems
not to have noticed, and which is inherent in it—the
want of uniformity in the impressions produced by the
men at the machines. As each man works a separate
plate, he covers the face of it with ink in his own way,
some applying more and some less, before submitting
it to the operation of the machine. The difference in
the result of this part of the process is very striking
to any one who has had an opportunity of examining
it ; it is, in fact, the inevitable result of all manual
operations applied to the arts. And, however we may
feel disposed to value the ingenuity and skill of the
operator, it is impOssible that he can compete success-
fully with the productions of machinery in uniformity
and accuracy of delineation.
To accomplish the object, the Bank has introduced a
new process. We are not justified in giving the full
details of this operation ; but, lest our correspondent
should induce the public to believe that the directors
have descended from a scientific to a mere mechanical
process of an inferior kind, we feel fully justified in con-
tradicting any such assertion. They have sought to in-
troduce a uniformity in the printing of the bank note
which the old process never could insure ; and, while
under that process numerous discrepancies could be dis-
covered by a critical observer, the notes produced by the
new mode presenting such a uniformity and accuracy of
delineation as to render it more difficult than ever to
produce a counterfeit. The public, therefore, need not
feel the least alarm that forged Bank of England notes
will become more numerous than hitherto, but probably
less so. And, should any of our country readers wish
to discover a genuine Bank of England note from a forged
one, he need only bear in mind that every note produced
under the new process will be identical with another in
every part except the amount or the number.

In reference to the above, the following letter has
been addressed to the Editor of the Times :

" Sir,—l take the liberty of drawing your attention
to an article which appeared in your number of to-day,
headed Manufacture of a Bank of England note,' in
which it is asserted that the present machinery employed
in the Bank for engraving and printing the note is the
invention of Mr. Perkins.

"This is a mistake, which I beg in the name of jus-
tice you will correct.
"The machinery in question is the invention of my
late grandfather, Mr. John Oldham, who was the first
engineer to the Bank of England, and formerly of the
Bank of Ireland, where his system was first adopted, and
worked successfully many years prior to its adoption by
the Bank of England. It was subsequently introduced
into the Bank of Austria, from which bank, as well as
from the Bank of England, my grandfather received
large sums of money for his invention.
"I remain, Sir, your very obedient humble servant,
"JOHN JAMES OLDHAM,
"Sept. 7." "Engraver to the Bank.