The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-18 00:00:00

TILE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 18, 1854.

CRIMINAL COURT.—August 17

OLD COURT.

( Continued from our First Edition of Yesterday.)
THE FIRE IN FLEET-STREET.
Mr. Parry having addressed the jury for the prisoner,
Mr. Baron Martin summed up the case with great
minuteness, and with his usual impartiality,
The jury retired to consider their verdict at six
o'clock, and were about half an hour absent. Upon
their return into court they gave a verdict of guilty.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that the
jury, after a very careful inquiry, had felt themselves
compelled to find the prisoner guilty, and he had no
hesitation in saying that he entirely concurred in that
verdict. He considered the offence of wilfully setting
fire to a house one of the most aggravated crimes that
could be committed, and it was dreadful to contemplate
the consequences that might have resulted from the com-
mission of such an act in a place like Fleet-street. A.
very short time ago his life must have been forfeited,
but although the law no longer went to that extent he
must, no doubt, have prepared himself to receive the
next severest penalty of the law for the crime of which
he had been convicted. His lordship concluded by
passing upon the prisoner the sentence of transportation
for life.
Francis Quick, who pleaded guilty on Wednesday to
a charge of obtaining goods from tradesmen to a large
amount three months before his bankruptcy, with a
fraudulent intention, was brought up for judgment, and
.entenced to be imprisoned for 18 months.

THIRD COURT.
(Before Russell Gurney, Esq., Q.C.)
Jane Redford, aged 39, a respectable-looking woman,
was indicted for marrying John Flynn, her husband

being alive.
It appaared, from the certificates, that she married
her first husband in 1839 at St. Sepulchre's, and the
second one at Kensington, in September, 1853.
The second husband, a very respectable looking man,
some years her senior, said that he had lived with her
for some time previously to marriage, and she toll him
that her husband had lett her fur another woman, and

that he bad died of the cholera.
The prisoner said she thought that to be the case.
The police•o(ficer who took her in charge said that
%Vita untrue, for when he apprehended her, she told him

her husband was living.
The jury found her guilty, and she was sentenced to
two months' imprisonment.
John SARA, a respectable-looking middle-aged man,
was iadicted for bigamy.
Mr. O'Brien prosecuted ; and Mr. Payne defended.
The prisoner, in this instance, had married his first
wife in 1844, at St. Peter's, Bethnal-green, and his
second wife at the same church in 1854.
Mr. Payne, for the prisoner, said that the prisoner
having been away from his first wife, who had left him
for another man, about seven years, he had thought he
had a right to marry again.
Mr. Gurney said that persons should know that under
any circamstances a marriage contracted whilst the first
wife lived was not a legal one, and that for the parties
not to have seen each other for seven years was not
enough ; they must use diligent inquiries as to whether
each other were still living, and then they would escape
the penal consequences of the act.
Mr. Payne said, unfortunately persons in prisoner's
station did not know where the line should be drawn.
This man's wife had been away from him above eight

years.
It was here stated that she had left him two years al
ter the marriage in consequence of the ill-treatment and
want to which she had been subjected.
Mr. Payne said that was not true, and called a wit-
ness, who stated that prisoner was an industrious, ho-
nest man, and did not live happily with his first wife in
consequence of her love of pleasure, and her giving her
company to a lover of hers before her marriage, and
with whom she had now gone to live, and by whom she
now had three children.
The second wife, a pretty, respectable-looking young
woman, said that her parents were aware of the priso-
ner's situation, and thought that the marriage would be
legal. Prisoner had never deceived her, and behaved
very kindly.
The Jury found him guilty ; and, under the circum-
stances, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.
Patrick, M'Keown,e, aged 16, a respectable-looking
Irish lad, was indicted for cutting and wounding Patrick
Barry, with intent.
Mr. Metcalfe prosecuted, and Mr. Ribton defended.
The parties, it appeared, all of whom are Irish, lived at
the Hand and Shears, public-house, Middlesex-street,
Whitechapel, and on the 25th of July, in the afternoon,
the prisoner began insulting prosecutor's wife and daugh-
ter, and upon his going to remonstrate with him for his
conduct, the young ruffian aimed a kick at the lower
part of his person, and hurt him very seriously. He
then fetched a poker, and, whilst some person held pro-
secutor, prisoner, holding the poker in both hands,
knock him down by a blow upon the temple, from the
effects of which he was for some time in a dangerous
state, and was now very bad.
For the defence it was proved that there had been a
row in this Hibernian Agapemone going on for twelve
months continually, in consequence of the difference of
their religious tenets, prosecutor and his family being
taunted with being Orange Presbyterians, and a diqgrace
to their country ; and a host of witnesses were called to
prove that the mother of the 'prisoner had been knocked
down by prosecutor.
There was the usual amount of hard swearing upon
both sides, and it appeared that upon this Sunday after-
noon there was a general Irish fight in the house.
Mr. Ribton contended that it was merely a case of an
unlawful wounding.
Upon this count the prisoner was convicted, and sen-
tenced to three months' imprisonment and hard labour.
This, with a few other cases, ended the business of
the session. The New Court did not sit this day.
The next session commences on Monday, Sept. 18.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

LAMBETH.—A RUFFIAN HuSßA.ND.—Yesterday
William Conk, a savage-looking mechanic, was charged
before Mr. Elliott with committing a most brutal assault

on Jane Cook, his wife.
The wife, whose left eye was very black and appa-
rently much injured, and her left cheek and jaw much
swollen and discoloured, deposed that on that morning,
about 1 o'clock, her husband, without any other provo-
cation than her being absent from home at his dinner
• hour, made a violent attack on her, knocked her down
several times with his clenched fist, and while on the
ground kicked her with great force on the ja Iv. So se-
vere were his kicks that for some time she thought her
jaw was broken, and she was then labouring under the
most excruciating pain from it, as well as the injuries
done to her eye ; but still she did not want to hurt her
husband.
Two persons who had been awoke by the screams of
the unfortunate woman, and who had witnessed the out-
rage from their window, described it as the most savage
proceeding they had ever seen. The prisoner had been
engaged, they said, for fully 20 minutes in knocking down
and kicking the unfortunate woman, and it was their
impression at the time that he had killed her or at least
disabled her for life. _ .

In reply to the charge, the prisoner said that on
coming home to his dinner on the day before he found
no dinner prepared for him, and his wife out on the
drink. • On returning home at night she was still absent,
and he ultimately found her with a number of her drink-
ing companions in a public-house much the worse for
liquor. This exasperated him, knowing that she might
be perfectly comfortable but for her drunken propen-
sities.

The complainant here said it had not been her inten-
tion to say a word against her husband, but to beg him
off if she could ; but as he thought proper to make such
charges against her, she wished to inform his worship
that for a length of time she had supported her husband
by her prostitution.
Mr. Elliott observed that but for the profligacy and
drinking habits of the wife herself, he should have im-
posed the utmost penalty ; but as it was, he should com-
mit the prisoner to three months' imprisonment and hard

labour.
ALLIEGED ABDUCTION.—A gentleman `of high re-
spectability in the City attended before the magi-
strate, to answer to a summons charging him with
committing an assault on a West-end hair-dresser,
at the Waterloo Station, and from what transpired
when the summons had been applied for, it appeared
that the complainant bad a sister who was entitled
to a considerable fortune, and who had been in-
duced by some interested parties to leave her home and
go into the country. Her brother, after some difficulty,
traced her to Southampton, and prevailed upon her to
return to town with him. On arriving at the Waterloo
Station they were met by her guardian (the present de-
fendant) and some members of his family, when a scuffle
took place, and during its continuance the young lady
was spirited away to where her brother did not know,
and could not find out. —The defendant came accompanied
by his attorney, and a counsel learned in the law, and the
complainant by his man of law also. The case was called
on in its usual course, and the complainant was in the wit-
ness-box and sworn, when the parties came to an amicable
arrangement, the defendant, as executor and guardian to
the young lady, having consented to disclose to her bro-
ther her present place of residence, and to allow him to
correspond with her, and thus the audience in the court
and the public were deprived of disclosures alleged to be
of a novel and somewhat romantic character.
The summons was withdrawn by consent.

THAMES.—Cumous Arrucurfox.—James Smith,
a seaman in her Majesty's service, at present
walingstyn on
board the Crocodile, receiving-ship (who, it re-
membered, was committed from this court a short time
since on a charge of perjury preferred by a person named
Massey, an outfitter and shipping-agent, of Upper East
Smithfield, and who was acquitted at the Central Criminal
Court on Wednesday last), applied to Mr. Ingham to
know how be should proceed for the recovery of 1/. 125.,
which he alleged was due to him by Massey. He re-
peated what bad been the foundation of the charge of
perjury—that Massey hired him to go onboard an Ame-
rican ship, where he received an advance-note for 3/. 10s.,
which he handed over to Massey. Half of it he allowed
to Massey for a snit of clothes, leaving still due to him
(applicant), allowing for 2s. fid. cash received, the sum
of 11. 12s. 6d.
M r. Ingham--But as you did not serve on board the
American
vessel, Massey could not have got the note
cashed !

Smith—Yea, sir, he did ; for I sailed as far as Cardiff
in the American ship before surrendering as a deserter
from the navy.
Mr. Ingham—l am afraid, as it was an American ship,
I can do nothing for you.
Smith—That is very hard. I think I have good cause
of ccaoplaitit against Mammy anal that he ix liable to au
_

action for false imprisonment, as well as to an indictment
for perjury.
Mr. Ingham—You must consult with your attorney
as to that.
Smith—l was acquitted by a jury, though there were
two councillors and a judge against me.
Mr. Ingham—lf you think you can establish a case
against Massey, pursue him for the amount in the county
court.
The applicant, who was accompanied by one of the
petty officers of the Crocodile, then left.

HA. MMERS I ITH.—ExTRAORDINARY APPLICATION
AGAINST A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST —Shortly before
the closing of the court, Mr. Martin, solicitor, attended
by Mr. Parkins Jones, the relieving officer of Fulham,
applied to Mr. Paynter for a summons against the Rev.
Dr. Ferguson, the Roman. Catholic priest of St. Thomas's
Chapel, in the Fulham-fields, under Jervis's Act, to
show cause why he should not be committed for a felony
for having knowingly and wilfully solemnised a marriage
between a young woman named Hannah Sarah Steel,
of English parents, and a young Irishman named
Cokely, in the absence of the registrar of marriages for
the district.
Mr. Martin said the ceremony of marriage; according
to the rites of the Roman Catholic religion, was performed
in September last by Dr. Ferguson, in St. Thomas's
Chapel, which was a registered place for the solemnisa-
tion of marriages, &c. The young woman at that time
was pregnant by Cokely, who was one of Dr. Ferguson's
congregation, and it seemed that his client did all that
was necessary in giving the proper notices to the super-
intendant registrar. It further appeared that the notice
was given for the marriage to take place in a Roman
Catholic chapel in Kensington, and that Cokely after-
wards wished to be married in Fulham-fields Chapel.
She then applied to Mr. Strowther, the regristrar of
marriages, to know if she could do so. and she was told
that she could not. However, Dr. Ferguson sent for
her and Cokely one night and offered to marry them at
that time, it being half past nine o'clock, but in conse-
quence of their not having the fees it was put off until the
following morning, when the marriage did take place in
the vestry-I oom, in the absence of the registrar, and only
one witness, V% hiell was also improper, as two witnesses
were required. The witness who was present, happened to
be the father of Cokely. Oo the night before the mar-
riage his client gild Dr. Ferguson of the notice having
been given for the marriage to take place in Kensing-
ton, and he replied that it made no difference, and that
he could marry them in his chapel. The marriage turned
out a villainous affair, for the husband and his father
absconded a few nights afterwards to Aineri6a, taking
with him all her ploney which she had saved while in
service. She afterwards obtained relief, and was confined
in the Fulham union workhouse of a child. She subse-
quently ascertained that her marriage was null and void,
and on Wednesday last she obtained an order before the
bench of magistrates at the Kensington petty sessions
against the father of the child, and the whole of the
magistrates expressed themselves in strong terms upon
the improper conduct of Dr. Ferguson, and offered to
assist in a prosecution against him.
Mr. Paynter observed that it was notorious that the
registrar of marriages was required to be present to lega-
lise the ceremony in registered places.
Mr. Martin said Dr. Ferguson must have known that
he was doing wrong, for he had formerly been a Pro-
testant minister, and a curate of Brompton. He also
produced a document in the handwriting of Dr. Fergu-
son, who had afterwards given the young woman what
was termed a certificate of the marriage, and he under-
stood that endeavours had been made to get it back.
Mr. Paynter said it was important that such a case
should be inquired into, and at once granted the
summons.
Mr. Martin afterwards informed the worthy magis-
trate that several Irishmen had insulted the young
woman as she was lea,ving the court, and he had taken
means to place her away from the neighbourhood of
Fulham-fields until after the matter had been investigated.

OPENING OF THE LONDONDERRY, SEA
RAM, AND SUNDERLAND RAILWAY.

On Thursday the 3d fast., this important undertaking,
which owes its existence to the penetrating sagacity and
indomitable perseverance of the mind that stole Seaham
Harbour from the ocean, was opened for traffic amid
great public rejoicing. It will be needless for us here
to recapitulate the various circumstances which sug.
gested to the mind of the late noble Marquis the neces-
sity for the undertaking which has now been so success-
fully completed, but a few particulars as to the external
features and general character of the line in its finished
state will not be found uninteresting. The remarkable
rapidity with which the undertaking was conceived,
planned, and carried through, contrasts strikingly
enough with other instances of railways enterprise with
which are in this neighbourhood somewhat painfully
familiar. The first sod was raised by the late Marquis in
a field near to Seaham Harbour, in February, 1853,
but the works were not virtually commenced until the
month of April following, so that in the space of little
more than sixteen months a work has been successfully
carried out which is represented as quite a model of con-
structive skill, and which is undoubtedly destined to
exercise an important influence on the rising fortunes of
the district through which it has been carried. The line
is six miles in length, and will be brought into connec-
tion with the following six collieries in the po-isession of
the present Marchioness—South Hetto', Murtop,
Has-
well, Shotton, Seaham, and Seaton. But while by this
arranoternent the primary object of the undertaking is
secured, the comfortof the travelling public has not been
overlooked. Commodious stations, we are told will be
formed for passenger accommodation at each end of the
line, and there will also be one near to the
.village of
Ryhope. By this means the only obstacle to an enjoy-
ment of "a day on the Sands at Seaham " will be re-
moved, and the attractions of the place once becoming
known, we may confidently predict for it a large amount
of renown as one of those now popular localities where
bipeds of the picnicing and cheap trip genus do most
delight to congregate.
But to return. On the morning of the opening day
the various bridges and viaducts on the line underwent
the process of testing and inspection at the hands of a
party of scientific gentlemen, and with results sufficient
to reflect the greatest credit on the contractors, Messrs.
Forster and Lawton. The gentlemen engaged in these
very necessary operations were Mr. G. Elliott, C.E. ;
Mr. Charlton, sub-engineer of the line ; Mr. Turnbull,
of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway ; Mr.
Henderson, engineer ; and Messrs. Burlinson. The
viaducts across the delis which runs through the Sea-
ham Hall estate arelen three in numbheight 64 feeter, and measureSea-
as
follows ; Dalton, gth, 320 feet, ;
ham Hall, length 200 feet, height 85 feet ; Ryhope,
length 400 feet, height 85 feet. They are all formed of
wood, and contain an aggregate of about 44,000 cubic
feet of timber. The contractors for that portion of the
work have been Messrs. Robson and Son, Sunderland.
The train conveying the above mentioned gentlemen
was shortly after its arrival at Seaham joined by a
party from the Hall, consisting of Earl Vane, Lord
Adolphus Vane-Tempest, M.P., Lord Ernest Vane-
Tempest, and Mr. Neilson. Having taken their seats
in the train, the carriages were afterwards filled by a
miscellaneous company, and the parties were soon in
motion towards Sunderland, followed by a train of 26
coal waggons from the South Hetton Pit, and which
were intended for the first shipment at the new drops.
On arriving at this spot, the noble visitors were mei
bcyornMpra.nGy,eolurgre.
C.
Bramwell,
vice-chairman, and other
dock directors, who guided the party to a spot where
the shipment could be seen to advantage. In a few
minutes a waggon was run on to the drops (the work,
we ought to mention, of Messrs. Burlinson), and then,
amid the cheers of those present, and the thundring of
cannon which bad been placed in the immediate vicinity,
it was lowered on the brig Elizabeth Packer, whose hold
received the first shipment. The large party which had
now congregated together then formed themselves into
processional order, and, guided by the dock • chairman
and directors, proceeded on a tour of inspection round
the south entrance.
After the circuit of the dock had been duly completed
the party proceeded to the dock-office, where between
sixty and seventy gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous
collation, set out. in the board-room. The chair was
occupied by Mr. G. Hudson, M.P. and the vice-chairs
by Mr. C. Bramwell and Mr. J. J. Wright. The chair-
man was supported on his right by Earl Vane, Mr.
Stewart, and Mr. Morton, agent to the Earl of Durhaord m ;
and on his left by the Mayor of Sunderland, L
Adolphus Vane-Tempest, M.P., and Lord Ernest Vane-
Tempest, M.P. Among other gentlemen present we
observed Mr. Plews, Darlington ; Mr. George Elliott ;
Mr. Anderson,
Pensher House
Mr. C. Webster, panion Hail • Mr. J. Laing, J.P. ;
Mr. Ralph Carr, J.P, ; Murray, engineer to the
dock company ; Mr. Wight, Seaham ;
and Mr. Charleton, engineer to the
new railway; Mr. I. B. Ord, Mr. John Clay, Mr.
Alderman Reed,
&c
been disposed of in., &a. The usual loyal toasts havi g
a befitting manner, the chairman,
in appropriate terms, proposed the Army and Navy,
coupled with the health of Lord A. Vane-Tempest, to
which his lordship responded in appropriate terms.
The CHAIRMAN next p Sropunderland Railway, proposed "Prosperity to the
Londonderry, Seaham, and
in doing so took occasion to pass a warm but merited
eulooium on the character of the departed marquis, one
of the latest of whose triumphs in tho cause of commer-
cial development they were that day suet to celebrate.
Earl VANE replied—ln meeting you here to-dayl
am , and
partaking of your generous hospitality, you will,
sure, forgive me if I say that the pleasure which we de-
rive from your kindness must in some measure be alloyed
by melancholy and painful recollections. Wee
his
sons,
cannot but feel that had it not pleased Providence to
take away from this world the master mind that ori-
ginally conceived and commenced this great undertak-
ing, we should have been, together with yourselves, the
happy witnesses of his success, and the joyous listeners
of many a congratulation addressed to him. We should
have felt that it would have been most congenial
to his feelings to find that, by the exertions of his
persevering mind, he had been instrumental in
adding another link to the chain of social fellowship and
goodwill which has, and I trust ever will, exist between
this great commercial town and (as he who is gone from
us used to call it) Little Seaham. But it pleased God it
should be otherwise ; and although you will, I feel, ex-
cuse me for reverting to what must be uppermost in our
minds—our sad and melancholy bereavement—still lam
sure I shall be forgiven if, addressing as I do those so
closely connected with the interests of this county, I am
perhaps carried away by devotion to a fond parent's
memory. I cannot but call to mind the deep affection
and interest he ever felt in this the count of his adop-
tion. Following in early years a soldier's fortune, he
by his own exci g }lire
in our country's army, and a seat in our highest senate.
Afterwards, by the chance of life, he became the repre-
sentative of one of the finest properties in the north
Of Iroland, But did all time honours ficKluce him

from the county of his adoption ? Were not the great
means which undoubtedly came into his hands dis- I
pensed, and largely dispensed, in this county, not so I
much for himself, but for those who succeeded him—
were
not the great mineral and mercantile resources of
the county in some degree developed by his exertions—
was not labour employed and money circulated ? And
though it may have cost many an anxious thought and
many a sleepless night for the purpose of business and
responsibility which laid their heavy weight upon him—
though the commencement of his great undertaking was
ridiculed by all, and termed the plaything of the eastern
blast, who can speak more feelingly than I, his son, when
I see Seaham Harbour flourishing and a trade communi-
cation established between it and this important town ?
It is a source of the greatest satisfaction to us, as I feel
certain from your kindness to us on this occasion it is to
you, that (though the projector was not permitted to see
his work completed) she, as whose representative I am
here to-day, has succeeded in completing that under-
taking which her beloved husband began, and of which
posterity will reap the advantages. In her name and
our own I thank you most deeply and sincerely for the
kindness and, affectionate feeling you have evinced to-
wards her and ourselves. Under happier and brighter
circumstances she would have been rejoiced to have been
present on this occasion, and her house would have been
open to all ; but crushed as she is in spirit, and widowed
as she is in heart, she has felt herself wholly inadequate
to the task. Wishing, however, that, though the com-
pletion of my poor father's dearest object should be hailed
by us with every feeling of satisfaction and joy, yet that
the tear of sorrow and regret which must damp her
widowed cheek, should at least be shed in silence over
the loss of one so kind, so brave, and true, the partner
of thirty-five years' happiness. .Bute I have dwelt too
long on selfish subjects, and I must ask your pardon and
forgiveness. In my mother's name I thank you most
sincerely for your reception of us this day, and the inte-
rest you have displayed in this our undertaking. I
would only hope that the union which has existed be-
tween this important town—important in its commerce,
its manufactures, and alcove all its magnificent docks—
and the Harbour of Seahaaa may never he severed, and
that each succeedieg year may give fresh vigour to the
further improvement and development of all those
schemes and operations which have brought forward to
the pre-eniinent position which they hold the resources
of this great and important county. (Applause) The
noble earl then concluded by proposing " Snccess to the
Dock, and Sunderland's Prosperity," coupled with the
name of Mr. Hudson.
The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast in an appro-
priate speech, and concluded by proposing the health of
Lady Londonderry, to which Earl Vane responded.
Among the other toasts were that of the Earl Vane,
proposed by Mr. C. Bramwell ; the Mayor of Sunder-
land ; the Chairman, G. Hudson, Esq., M.P., &c.
In responding to the toast of " the Members for the
Northern Division of the County," Lord A. Vane Tem-
pest spoke as follows :—Accept my warmest thanks
for the kind manner in which you have received
the toast of my health that has been proposed to you
in, I fear, but too flattering terms by my kind friend
Mr. Wright. Personally, I have indeed much to feel
grateful for to this county. I originally became
known to you when inexperienced in public life.
I appealed to the generosity of an important constituency,
who afterwards conferred on me the high honour of
returning me as their representative. When, owing to
circumstances known to you all, I was without a seat in
Parliament, and at a time when, from a sad bereavement
to our family, the county seat was vacant, I was, by the
kindness and indulgence of this great county, permitted
to enter unopposed into the proud and responsible post
of being one of your representatives. I feel I owed this
result not to any merits or personal claims that I could
advance, but to your generosity, and the circumstances
under which I appealed to you, and I can assure you
that—though others might have been proud, with far
greater talents and ability, to attend to your important
interests—no one would entertain a more sincere and
conscientious desire to evince his gratitude by devoting
his time and any capabilities he is possessed of to watch-
iog your interests, and to the best of his power promot-
ing your welfare. Interested as I must ever feel in the
rapidly increasing prosperity of this great country, and
more particularly in the wife development of its mineral
resources, I have felt much gratified at witnessing the
completion of an undertaking which, by the blessing of
Providence, we may confidently anticipate wilt tend to
carry out tbis great end. On such an occasion, the
opening of a work, which, considered as one of private
enterprise, is of no small proportions, one of such great
local interest as connecting Sunderland with her younger
sister Seaham, as well as general advantage and utility,
even ,a stranger's first impulse would be to enquire,
whose was the mind that planned this scheme—whose
the courage and resolve that from the commencement no
dangers frightened, no difficulties deterred ! Would it
not call forth the tear of regret from the most indifferent
to be told that the pulse that warmed to these peaceful
fights of commercial enterprize, as in past days it had
beat tumultuously in battles of more stirring nature, had
ceased in its pulsation— that the talents, the genius,
the courage of the foinder of Seaham Harbour and pro-
jector of this railway had passed away—that God bad
not willed he should live to see the fulfilments of his un-
dertaking. None here, therefore, can think it extraneous
that those near and dear to him who is removed should
on such an occasion pay their humble tribute of respect
to his memory, and regret at his loss-. I read in the
work of a great author, that there were two sorts of
courage—physical courage that despises all danger, will
make a man brave in one way ; and moral courage, that
despises all opinion, will make a man brave in another.
Tne former would seem most necessary for the camp—
the latter for the council ; but to constitute a great man
both are necessary. I believe I shall have your assent,
when I assert that one whose memory we, his sons, must
ever cherish, possessed both qualifications of courage.
The first carried him, heedless of personal danger,
through successful fights, and obtained for him many a
well-earned decoration and distinction—the latter forti-
fied his mind against the opposition of ignorance or pre-
judice, and enabled him to carry through successfully the
great work of Seaham Harbour, and to leave this legacy
of a great design to a mourning wife, who, by God's
mercy, has been the means of his handing down to pos-
terity lasting proofs to testify that during his con-
nection with this -county that adopted him, it be-
came, and remained, the centre of his affections
and regard. I hope this railway will be the
means of indissolubly connecting Seaham with
Sunderland, that it may serve as one of many
arteries that are in future to convey the
streams of commerce and of trade to those magnificent
docks, the complete success of whicb I trust but a short
interval will now demonstrate. (His Lordship resumed
his seat amid the most enthusiastic demonstrations of
applause.
Several other toasts were afterwards given and suit-
ably responded to, after which the party broke up about
seven o'clock.
The same evening the contractors and about forty of
their friends sat down to dinner at the Londonderry
Arms Hotel ; nor were the "navvies" forgotten ; 150 of
them having been treated to a very substantial enter-
tainment in the earlier part of the evening. Could
"Young Nick" have witnessed the hearty enthusiasm
of these British " sons of the spade" on this occasion, he
would, no doubt, have felt there was something like
truth in the old song, which says,
" Queen Bess she gave him her fist with a smile,
And swore 'twas her firm belief,
That the devil himself couldn't conquer the Isle,
at Whilst Britons were fed upon beef."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TA.TTERSALL'S—THIIRSDAY.
The retreat which was suddenly sounded on the side
of Heany for the Great Ebor Handicap caused a great
deal of fencing with intentions, and a brisk running fire
of hints and inuendos. Although only few members
were present, the scene was particularly animated. At
first 5 to 2 was offered on the field, and significant looks
were exchanged, but no blow was struck ; 100 to 35
was then tried, and for a short time it succeeded ; the
next " strike" was for 100 to 30, and it was only to ask
and have. At last 4to 1 was laid in ponies, fifties and
hundreds; some of the takeri, however, being desirous
of " going on" to a heavy amount. A stand was made,
and the layers in turn fell back. Meanwhile a demon-
stration was made in favour of the Grand Inquisitor ;
various sums were inveited on him at prices ranging
from 500 to 30 to 13 to 1. 10 to 1 would have been
taken to some money about Tros, and 12 to 1 in ponies
was booked quietly about Kingston.
ST. LEGER.-- Nothing occurred to arrest the down-
ward tendency of King Tom ; from 1000 to 120, taken
at the commencement, he fell to 12 to 1, taken and
offered. 6to 1 was currently offered agst Dervish ; 8
to 1 taken to a small sum about the Trapper, and 310
to 30 about Scythian.

CLOSING PRICES.
GREAT EBOR HANDICAP.
4to 1 agst Heapy (taken).
Bto 1 agst Tros (take 10 to 1).
12 to 1 agst Kingston (taken),
13 to 1 agst Grand Inquisitor (taken).
BT. LEGEB.

6to 1 agst Dervish.
Bto 1 agst The Trapper (taken).
10 to 1 agst Scythian (taken).
12 to 1 agst King Tom (taken and offered).
DERBY.
20 to 1 agst Rifleman (2000 to 90 wanted).

STRETFORD RAC]
The TRAVFoRD HA]
Age st lb
Bull's Eye 5 8 7
Truegirl a 8 6
Grief
Roller 6 8 4
The STRETFORD HANDIC.
Age st lb
Bull's Eye 5 8 8
Grief
Roller
Syren 4 Z 11
Angelo
The Cripple

:S.—AuG. 21 and 22.

„,
DWI?. Iwo miles.
Age st lb
Angelo
The Cripple
Lady Ponsonby 3 610

One mile and a half.
Age st lb
Lady Ponsonby 3 610
Bucharest ....•• 3 6 8
Vivid .............. 3 6 6
Bridesmaid 3 6 6
Go-away
Miss Fisher

RACING FIXTURES FOR 1854.
AUGUST.
York
Hereford 24 Plymouth
, Eccles 2B Lincoln 31
Chelmsford 29 I
SEPTEMBER.
! Warwick 5 Leicester 2O
I
Lichfield
i Rochesterand Chatham.. 7 I Newmarket F 0 26
!Doncaster 12 Walsall 27
Pontefract 18 natballerton 2B
Pedfctrd 19 ,
_...._

GOO

'TA.

AUGUST 17.—This annual aquatic festival commenced I
yesterday, for two days' sport, and showed symptoms of
being managed by a cramping committee. Last year all
England was invited, and some good racing was the
consequence, the Kitten (Mr. Harvey's) being the prin-
cipal winner ; but some of the local nabobs being dis-
pleased at the departure from Goole of the two prizes
obtained by her, amounting to the overpoweringly mag-
nificent sum of 201., it was decided this year to throw the
regatta open only to the Ouse, Trent, and Humber.
The rail brought down a fair sprinkling of verdants from
the i,.terior, and the steamers afforded their quota of
visitors. The morning was cloudy, with wind at W.
by N. The afternoon turned out rather squally, the
wind varying' between N. and W.
The first event came off at 1.35, by six yachts starting
for a prize of 81. 10s.—the course being from Saltruarshe
to Howden, and back to Goole. Going up they passed
Goole—Frolic, Ist ; Pearl, 2d ; Flirt, 3d. Near How-
den the order was varied, and they arrived at the goal
off Goole pier—
Pearl
Chance
Frolic 2.37
Flirt soon after, Wonder and Jassamine a long way
astern.
Sailing Match for 41.--Sailing boats Flora, Titania,
Quiz, Neptune, and Henrietta started. Won by Hen-
rietta..
A Rowing Match for 31. was won by Mr. Pearson's
boat, beating two others.
After some delay, caused by the rain, sculling matches
and punt hunts consluded the sport of the day.

THE NEW BEBE ACT.

Yesterday afternoon a meeting of licensed victuallers
was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-
street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, for the purpose of conferring
on how they are affected by the Sunday Closing Act of
last session, and to determine on the best course to be
pursued 11\ them under the circumstances.
Mr. SIMPSON, of Cremorne-wirdens, was called to the
chair, and at some length set forth the inconvenience to
which the trade was subjected by the new bill, and his
surprise that nothing more effectual had been done to
defeat it during its progress through parliament. He
then complained in strong langu ge of the bad faith
with which the trade had been treated by the Licensed
Victuallers' Protection Society, who had been parties
to the bill, and of the daily organ of the trade. It sug-
gested itself to him that it would be expedient for them
now that it had passed and had come into operation,
severally to state how far it affectel their business, and
then collectively to determine on some course which it
would be advisable for them to pursue. - He himself
thought that they ought to appoint a deputation to
wait on Lord Palmerston, and get the public to cn;
operate with them, by getting up petitions for presenta-
tion next session, praying for the repeal of the late act.
Mr. LucE, of Hampton-court, said that the views
and position of the suburban hotel keepers were not
quite identical with those of the metropolitan members
of the trade. Tliose residing in his own district had
lately held a meeting in reference to the question, at
which they resolved to keep their houses open during
the prohibited hours, and to serve their Sunday cus-
tomers, whom they regarded as " bona fide travellers."
On that resolution they had acted, and would continue
to act until the Court of Queen's Bench should decide
who was a traveller. He knew that they had been
reported for having done so, but was uncertain
whether they would be summoned for it immedi-
ately, or whether they would be cautioned by the police
that they were infringing the law, and be summoned
for a repetition of the practice. The suburban trade
wished for a clear definition of the word traveller, and
he thought.they ought to wait on Sir Richard Mayne to
ask him to furnish them with one.
Mr. HINTON informed the meeting that he bad waited
on Sir Richard Mayne in reference to his supplying his
customers with tea and confectionery, but he regretted
that he had omitted to bring under his notice the ques-
tion of what constituted a traveller.
Mr. LucE continued to say that the privilege of
serving tea and confectionery or plain dinners would be
no boon to such as he, as it was only on their wines
that they had any profit.
Mr. FOSTER, of the Railway Tavern, Fenchurch-
street station, accused the Protection Society and their
daily organ of having dealt treacherously by the trade.
Mr. HINTON made a similar statement.
Mr. FOSTER then said that such conduct, in his opin-
ion, would justify the meeting in coming to a resolution
censuring both the Protection Society and the paper in
question, and declared that they had forfeited the con-
fidence f the trade, by sacrificing the interests of the
largest portion of it for the advantage of the few.
Mr. LUCE seconded the resolution.
Mr. HARRIS thought they ought not to provoke the
hostility of a powerful society, Which had large funds in
hand, and which would aid them next session in op-
posing the worst measure with which the trade was
threatened.
Mr. WHITE stated his concurrence in the views of
Mr. Harris.
The CHAIRMAN said that his opinion of the society
was, that they had endeavoured to bamboozle him. It
was absurd to say that they could have done nothing in
opposing the bill. He was sure that when be, an indi-
vidual, had been able to get it considerably modified,
the society could, by an earnest opposition, have defeat-
ed it. They showed such jealousy of his interference,
that ho believed that the bill had been promoted by
them as a compromise to prevent the trade being thrown
open, and he challenged them to deny that they got the
Bishop of London to move for the rejection of Lord
Harrowhy's amendment. To prevent such treachery for
the future they would form a Protection Society for
themselves, and establish a paper of their own.
After some further discussion, the resolution was
unanimously agreed to.
A deputation was then appointed to wait on Lord
Palmerston, a form of petition agreed to, a Protection
Society formed, and a subscription entered into to form
its fund ; after which the proceedings terminated in the
usual manner.

THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS.—A large and influen-
tial meeting of this body took place at Manchester on
Tuesday evening, when the new Beer Bill, closing pub-
lic-houses on Sundays at earlier hours, was very strongly
condemned as interfering with the rights of the public
and the vested interests of a trade comprising 60,000
people, and 2,000,0001. sterling of property. The per-
sons pledged themselves not only to resist further legis-
lation in the same direction, but to take steps for repeal-
ing the obnoxious measure.