The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-16 00:00:00

DOVER COUNTY COURT.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE HON. BROWNLOW
THOMAS MONTAGUE CECIL, COMMONLY CALLED " LORD
BROWNLOW CECIL."

This insolvent, son of the Marquis of Exeter, applied
to be discharged under the act, and Mr. Sargood, the
barrister, was specially retained to support the applica-
tion. The cage attracted a good deal of notice, and op-
position had been given on the part of three creditors :
Mr. Ford, an attorney, of Henrietta-street, Covent-
garden ; Mr. Holloway, patent medicine maker, of the
Strand ; and a Mr. Semple.
Mr. Sleigh, barrister, opposed on the part of Mr. Ford.
The schedule filled by the insolvent, who had been
discharged on sureties, and surrendered, exhibited debts
and liabilities amounting to 13,8191., of which 8,6491.
were set forth as being without consideration, leaving
the actual debts 5,1701., and they principally arose on
" bill transactions." The insolvent had 7151. owing to
him, and it did not appear by the schedule that there
was any available propel ty for the creditors. There
were 60 creditors and four debtors on the schedule.
The insolvency was attributed to the heavy interest and
discount paid on bills of exchange, which had been at
the least 2001. a-year, and to the allowance from the
Marquis of Exeter of 2101. being insufficient for the ex-
penditure. The earliest debt was incurred in 1848.
Among the items of expenditure there was one of 1601.,
extending over several years, as " losses on raring trans-
actions.' There were several residences abroad. The
insolvent had held a commission in the Scots Fusilier
Guards, and sold out some time back for 3,0001., which
was accounted for in the schedule. He had resided
some time abroad, and was arrested at Dover last month
by a bill discounter, on which he went to Dover Castle,
petitioned the court, and obtained bail.
Mr. Toun, an attorney, appeared for Mr. Holloway ;
and Mr. Semple, an attorney, for Mr. Semple, the
creditor.

The case occupied several hours, and was not con-
cluded till past five o'clock. After some technical mat-
ters, the insolvent was examined on his transactions on
the "turf," and the betting books he had kept. It ap-
peared that out of the sale of his commission he had
only 2001., the rest baying been paid to tradesmen and
for betting matters. The Marquis of Exeter paid 1,0001.,
received by the commission to tradesmen, and the bet-
ting debts amounted to 1,8001.

Mr. Ford was called, and proved the money he had
advanced. It was not on a bill transaction. He was
a creditor to a large amount.
From the further examination of the insolvent, it
appeared that Mr. Holloway held a note for 1,0001.
The debt was incurred in 1849, before he sold his com-
mission. He went abroad in 1849, and all he had re-
ceived was 2701. a-year from his father, the marquis,
and the 2001. out of the money realised by his commis-
sion in the Scots Fusilier Guards. He was not entitled
to any property under a will or settlement.
After a lengthened examination Mr. Sleigh, on the
part of Mr. Ford, withdrew from the opposition.
Mr. Sargood expressed his thanks to his learned
friend for the manner in which he had conducted the
opposition. It was due to the insolvent and his family,
to state that there was not a tradesman on the schedule
for a trade debt ; they had all been paid, and he took
credit for the insolvent for the manner in which he had
answered the questions.
The learned Judge (Mr. Harwood) was satisfied with
the manner in which the insolvent had answered the
questions, and he considered that he was entitled to
his discharge.

The insolvent, who is about 26 years of age, executed
the usual forms, was declared entitled to the benefit of
the act, and ordered to be discharged forthwith.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.—A man maned James Brooks,
who was dressed as a police inspector, was brought
before Alderman Moon, charged under the following
remarkable circumstances.

Mr. Burchell, watchmaker and jeweller, at No. 69,
Cheapside, said—Last night, at a little after eight
o'clock, the prisoner came into my shop dressed in the
uniform of an inspector of the metropolitan police and
wearing a grey wig. He said that he was an inspector
of the G division of police, that he had been engaged in
a robbery for a merchant at Bristol and apprehended
the man with 5,000/., and the gentleman was so well
pleased with the job as to determine to present him, and
two other inspectors, who had been engaged in the case,
with a gold watch each, and that he had then come to
buy three gold watches and three gold chains. The
prisoner then selected three gold watches of the value
of 551., and three guard chains, of the value of 301., and
said I was to pack them up and make out the bill, and
he would return in ten minutes, as he had a little busi-
ness to do at the Mansion-house. (Laughter.) He told
me that I was to go with him as soon as he should call,
to his residence in the City-road, and the gentleman
would be there to pay for the watches. He then went
away, and I sent a boy to watch him, and from what i
was subsequently told to me my suspicions were in-
creased. When the prisoner returned, he took up one
watch and chain, and put the chain round his neck and
the watch in his pocket. I told him I must carry the