The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-03 00:00:00

PIINISHAENT OF DEATH.

Mr. EWART gave notice that on the 30th instant he
should move the abolition of the punishment of death.

MORTAIAIN BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. BOWYER said the principle of the bill was
sound, and he had no doubt that when they were
amended in committee the provisions would be satisfac-
tory to the Roman Catholics, who did not wish to be
dealt with in matters of legislation upon any ex-
ceptional or exclusive principle. (Hear, hear.) He
suggested that the bill should be referred to a select
committee, not with the view of obstructing its progress,
bui for the purpose of placing it in such a shape as should
make it do justice to all the great charity interests of the
country. The leading principle involved in the bill was
simply that families should not be disinherited for the
sake of founding charities ; but it required much caution
in framing provisions to carry out that principle, and
that caution could only be secured in a select committee.
Mr. WHITESIDE complimented the hon. and learned
member for Newcastle, upon the skill and ability with
which he had framed this bill, and expressed a hope that
its principle would be extended to Ireland, where provi-
sions could be enforced by the Charitable Trusts Board.

Mr. COLLIER reminded the house that the subject
of this bill had already been investigated by two select
committees, and since the bill was the result of their
labours, he trusted the suggestion of Mr. Bowyer would
not be adopted, as it must inevitably have the effect of
defeating legislation this session.
Mr. HUME concurred with Mr. Whiteside in think-
ing that this bill should be extended to Ireland, while
he hoped that it would be made to embrace Scotland
also.
Mr. EITZGERALD remarked that the charitable
system of Ireland was well established and worked well,
and since the extension of the bill to Ireland, would have
the effect of destroying that system that it would be un-
wise to allow Mr. Whiteside's views to prevail.
Mr. HADFIELD was opposed to the principle of
endowment, believing that they were the source of great
corruption. If a man left money for charitable pur-
poses, he should for his own sake require it to be spent
speedily, and not hoarded up to foster and encourage
abuse.
Mr. HEADLAM, who had charge of the bill, did
not think it would be prudent either to refer the bill to
a select committee or to extend its provisions to Ireland.
Ireland should be reserved for a second bill.

The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to
be committed this day week.

COUNTY COURT EXTENSION ACT
AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill was passed through committee.
CRIMINAL CONVERSATION BILL.
Mr. BOWYER moved the second reading of this
bill, and was

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

MARLBOROUGII-STREET.-(THIS DAY.

A LADY PICKPOCKET.—Ann Thomas, a respectable
looking young woman, with a child in her arms, was
brought before Mr. Hardwicke, charged with stealing a
purse, containing 2/. 10s. in gold and sundry papers,
the property of Mrs. Margaret Wilson, of No. 6, Rose-
terrace, Stoke Newington. George Lewis, an ill-looking
man, was also charged with being concerned in the above
theft.
It appeared from the evidence of the prosecutrix, and
a lady named Ousey, a friend of hers, that yesterday
afternoon they were walking along Oxford-street very
slowly, when the prisoner came between them, and pro•
secutrix felt her hand drawn away from the pocket of
her dress. Witness put her hand to her pocket, and im-
mediately missed her purse, containing 2/. 10s. in gold and
sundry memorandums. She looked around for a police-
man, and while doing so the prisoner went into a shop
close by. Witness not seeing a constable, also went
into the same shop to inquire what was best to be done,
and the prisoner observing her in conversation with
some of the shcpwornen, ran out of the shop and crossed
over the street into Queen-street. Prosecutor followed
her and traced her into a closet in a stable-yard, the
door of which prisoner had shut. Prosecutor held the
door and called for as-istance, when two men came up,
and one of them fetched a constable, into whose charge
prisoner was given. When the prisoner found herself
•in custody she fell down on her knees, and said she was
innocent of taking the purse, and that if she let her go,
she would give her, all she possessed. Prisoner then
pulled out a gold watch and chain and two brooches,
which she gave to witness, who handed them to the
constable.
To prove the male prisoner's connection with the
female prisoner in the robbery, Mr. F. Gibson, 89, Ox-
ford-street, laceman, stated that he saw the female pri-
soner come into his shop and heard her ask too look at
some bonnets. Shortly afterwards two ladies came in,
one of whom was the prosecutrix. The latter ocmplained
that the female prisoner had stolen her purse, and while
they were talking the woman ran out of the shop, fol-
lowed by prosecutrix and her friend. The female pri-
soner was subsequently lodged in the station. In the
course of an hour after the male prisoner and
another man came into the shop, and the pri-
soner asked if they had a straw hat that would fit
him, witness replied in the negative, and he then
saw the purse produced placed on the counter by which
of the men he could not say. Witness took it up and
opened it, and from its contents he was persuaded that
it was the one stolen from Mrs. Wilson. The prisoner,
on being questioned, denied all knowledge as to how the
purse came there ; but witness, having his suspicions,
followed him and the other man into the street, and on
meeting with a constable he gave the prisoner into cus-
tody. The other man made his escape.
The prisoners, who denied all knowledge of each
other, were remanded for a week.

THE WAR. PORTSMOUTH, April 3.—The Fox, 42,
Capt. Tarleton, has arrived from the East Indies, and
has gone on to the Downs and Sheerness, her crew going
to the Baltic.
DISTRESSING DIFFICULTIES.—WhiIe Dr. Chalmers
was busily engaged one forenoon in his study, a man
entered, who at once propitiated him under the provoca-
tion of an unexpected interruption, by telling him that
he had called under great distress of mind. " Sit down,
air ; be good enough to be seated," said Dr. Cnalmers,
turning eagerly and full of interest from his writing-table.
The visitor explained to him that he was troubled with
doubts about the divine origin of the Christian religion ;
and being kindly questioned as to what those were, he
gave, among others, what is said in the Bible about Mel-
chisedek being without father and without mother, &c.
Patiently and anxiously Dr. Chalmers sought to clear away
eachsuccessive difficulty as it was stated. Expressing
himself as if greatly relieved in mind, and imagining
that he hadgainwedanht of a littleisend—‘ ‘
moneyDocto at presentr,"saidthevi, asitondr,
lam in great
perhaps you could help me in that way." At once the
object of his visit was seen. A perfect tornado of in-
dignation burst upon the deceiver, driving him in very
quick retreat from the study to the street door, these
words escaping him among others—" Not apenny,
sir ! not a penny ! It's too bad ! it's too bad ! And to
haul in your hypocrisy upon the shoulders of Mel-
chisedek !"----Memoirs of Dr. Chalmers.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. —At an early hour yesterday
morning the premises of Mr. Bussey, cork cutter, &c.,
Blackman-street, Southwark, were discovered to be on
fire, and it was found impossible to subdue the flames
till the greater portion of the premises were destroyed.
The adjoining houses, severally in the occupation of Mr.
Hendry and Mr. Brook, one as a public-house, and the
other a tallow-chandler's, were also very seriously
damaged.
AUSTRALASIAN PACIFIC STEAM COMPANY.—A meet-
ing of this company took place yesterday, when it was
formally agreed to wind up. The sale of three vessels
to a French steam company has been completed for
170,0001., and the directors have intimated that they
intend to make a first repayment of 51. per share in June.
The number of shares in the company is 12,500 of
_2O/.
each, upon which 141. has been paid, and the ultimate
liquidation is expected to show a profit.