The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-02 00:00:00

MUSIC.

A COLLECTION OF NATIONAL ENGLISH
AIRS.
Chappell. London, 1838.
" The object of this work," says the editor, in his pre-
face, " is to refute the popular fallacy that England has no
national music, and at the same time to form a collection
of the numerous beautiful airs of the old ballads, in which
England so peculiarly abounds." This object—than which
none can be more praiseworthy—is worthily fulfilled in the
present Number, which conveys a great deal of novel
information that the admirers of our old English minstrelsy
will read with interest.

THE FIRST-OF OCTOBER IN THE

QUEEN'S BENCH.

This long-expected era did not bring immediate liberty to
any debtor confined within this capital of metropolitan prisons.
Jones, a debtor, had received his discharge for yesterday, but
the same want which obliged him to go in would not allow him
to get out namely, he was imprisoned because he could not
pay his creditors' claims, and he is now kept in prison because
he cannot pay the gaoler's fees. About forty others are waiting
to know, from the fate of one or two cases, what will be the
effect of the new Act upon those against whom their creditors
have filed judgments. Several say they think it safer to stay
within and know the worst, than hasten out and runk the risk
of being sent bick again after paying the fees. The generality
of the debtors, amongst whom are many lawyers, think that the
Act for the abolition of imprisonment for debt is a great practical
misnomer, because it abolishes arrest upon mesne process. They
think it is by far too severe upon the debtor, its tendency being
to strip hint of everything for the benefit of his creditors.
Two of the greatest advantages they receive from it are, that
the debtor will henceforward be able to procure a given time
from his creditor, even after a judgment may have been en-
tered, and that he cannot be incarcerated without a consider..
able previous notice, during the date of which be may avail
himself of the time to escape altogether, or to make out the
means of settling. The cruelty of a certain class of creditors will
also be diminished by the obligation which will hereafter de-
volve upon them of contributing to the supporting of
their prisoners in certain cases. But the debtors complain
that it is only the second summons from a Judge to a
plaintiff to show cause for the detention of his prisoner
that will be peremptory. They also complain that eight
shillings and eightpence are too much to be paid to a
Commissioner from the Court of Exchequer for coming to
the prison to take a debtor's affidavit. A Commissioner ad-
ministered one oath yesterday morning, but the money was
paid before the book was kissed. This precaution may be a
hint to persons under certain circumstances.
A remarkable contrast was observable between the officers
of the prison and the debtors. The former were thoughtful
and melancholy, as if they felt on the eve of surrendering the
best part of their dignity and emoluments. They think to a
man that the old system worked better for all parties within
and without the walls than the new one will. The debtors
were collected into groups, oblivious for a time of racket, and
almost of beer—discussing their change of prospects under
the new Act. The words " mesne process, execution, arrest,
judgment, affidavit, remanding, defrauding, hard labour, New-
gate," might be heard on all sides resounding amidst the so-
norous walls. Very few of the picturesque inhabitants of this
heterogeneous city concur in opinion as to the actual scope of
the Act.
It is the general opinion, however, that the Marshal of the
Bench, who is more absolute within his dominions than any
Sovereign in Europe, will henceforth be much circumscribed
in point of emolument and power. The debtors say that in
future it will not be worth a man's while to pay for the range
within the rules of the Bench. It is stated that hitherto the
Marshal has received a prodigious income from the rules--
the rate of payment by the debtor being Si. for the first 1001.
he owed, and 4/. each for all the other hundreds, for per-
mission to enjoy the rules. In the case of such a debtor as
Lord Thynne who was " ruled" for nearly 250,0001., the
Marshal's perquisites must be very large; and it has been
no uncommon thing to see twenty men confined for immense
debts, and yet having large funds in hand, paying for the
rules at the same time. The Marshal, however, has the
credit of having been always willing to compound for his per-
centage with a rich debtor, and to be generously disposed to-
wards a poor one, should either party desire the liberty of the
rules. Since the days of " Tom Coventry," benchers within
the rules have not been permitted to regale themselves at pub-
lic houses. Mr. Coventry, a man of fashion, who had been
arrested for a vast sum, used to drive four-in-hand, attended
by a train of servants. One day he pulled up at a tavern and
ordered glasses of brandy and water for each of the party tb
to be served up in the carriage. A gentleman, struck by the
strange display, looked up, and in the person of the gay cha-
racter recognised his debtor, Mr. Coventry. " How do you,
Mr. ----?" said the latter; " you see how we live in this part
of Europe; pray will you step up and join us?" The cre-
ditor walked away in a rage, and having described the vexa-
tious scene to his fellow-sufferers, a strong representation
was made to the authorities, and the result has been, that all
subsequent debtors have been compelled to eschew the public-
houses a ithin the rules. They and those within the walls
never have had the consolation of reflecting that the best
porter and ale in London must be had in the Bench, The
Marshal puts his official seal on each barrel as it comes
from the brewers to prevent adulteration ; and it is one of
the most responsible duties of the Warden to stand by at the
tapping, and from personal tasting to declare that the liquor is
pure and unexceptionable—even though he should be under
the necessity of drinking half a dozen pints before It a can
make up his mind to issue his warrant for the orthodoxy of
the liquor.

There has been no lack of mirth of late in the Bench—
games of sport have been played for high bets—as much as
1001. a side has been staked within the last month on a game
at rackets. But nocturnal gambling and victimizing have
gone to such wicked lengths that the Marshal has been
obliged to interfere. An aged gentleman, and a veteran pri-
soner also, named Montague, has, we fear, lost upwards of
3,0001. at dice. It seems that he, like many enthusiastic
players before him, thought he had, after much laborious cal-
culation, discovered a system by which he must infallibly win.
Three shrewd fellows, who pretended to no system, clubbed
together, and after permitting him to win a little, and thus
increase the faith in his system, they relieved him to the above
amount. The old gentleman, however, asserts that the
dice were not honest, as he will shortly prove to the world.
in the At present there are three gamblers locked up guard-
room of the Bench—two have been convicted before then en
Mar-
shal, and condemned for hocussing a mat's grogrivaeddor his
winning 631. from him. The third has been 13
friendde abroad to
liberty for having written a letter to an
come and help him to pluck a Mr. Samuel,old but Mr. Samuel's
plumage is still quite safe.

e horticultural
Mr. Whitbread returning from
show at Hitchin last week, party of ladies, in his four..
toy wscitapead a most serious accident.
in-hand coach,
Just after passing
narfireox-trvo'n:tgurfnr-poimke-gate his horses shied at
the road, overturned the
some gipsies, and, cv_!
• tance, acd we arc happy to state, beyond the
no serious injury was sustained.--
ianstsoma deeps ; fortunately several people came
ctoarrtihaegier
Paper.
STATE OF TRADE.--A steady demand still con-
iallaermrfforadnd some bruises,
tinues for all kinds of winter hosiery and gloves. Wool re..
mains firm, but prices generally are without improvement.
_Leicester Mercury.
THE IRON TRADE.—The advanced price of iron
has maintained its ground during the past week. A further
addition to the price was spoken of, but it is considered that
the business done during the last fortnight will barely warrant
such a step.—Midland Counties Herald.