The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-10 00:00:00

MR. DEPUTY BENNOCH.

Mr. Deputy Bennoch has addressed the following to
the freemen and non•freemen of the ward of Cripplegate
Within :

" Gentlemen,—For eight years I have endeavoured
in the Court of Common Council to represent faithfully,
not only the interest of the privileged freemen, but also
the interests of that large body of non-freemen within
this ward, who, to the disgrace of the corporation, possess
no voice in the elections.

"On entering the Common Council I soon found, that
by the large majority of members real independence
was little respected, and that a man to be anything
must be all things to all men. He must mingle
with the cliques that pervade and the coteries
that abound in connection with that, body. While
I met with much to admire, I met with more
to lament. I found many men worthy of all re-
spect, but many more with whom I could never cordially
co-operate ; and discerned without difficulty, that, if
true to my own nature, the area of my influence must
be very circumscribed. Seldom concealing my opinion,
I was looked upon as an interloper, and I rejoice to say,
that little, if any, of their confidence was intrusted to
my keeping.
" When, a few weeks ago, I felt impelled to offer
evidence to the Royal Commissioners, and was sum-
moned before them, I uttered fearlessly and truthfully
what I knew to be the facts—facts which have not been
and cannot be controverted. Then the hostility of the
mass was unleashed—every corrupt motive was imputed
—I was denounced as a traitor, and had every imagin-
able insult heaped upon me.
" Now, however much I may respect Cripplegate
Within—however much I may be obliged to those
friends, of all parties, who have so kindly and so uni-
formly given me their support and unwavering confidence
- --I am, nevertheless, bound to avow, that notwithstand-
itnr, all these gratifications, I am indisposed to subject
myself to secret, cowardly innuendoes, or to open brutal
attacks. The doubtful honour is not worth the posi-
tive annoyance ; and so long as the Common Council
is constituted as at present, I am resolved to enter it no
more.
"My conduct for eight years is before you,—l have
never been a silent member, and I am•not aware of any
pledge made that I have left unredeemed, nor am I con.
scions of having ever given a vote that I now would
wish to see annulled. The trust confided, and seven
times renewed, I return into your hands, I hope untar-
nished ; and should the time come—which probably is
nearer than many of us imagine—when I can promote
your interests, without dishonouring myself, which is
not now the case, you may command my services. Until
then, I am, Gentlemen, your faithful servant.

"FRANCIS BENNOCH.

"Dec. 8, 1853."

SUDDEN DEATH IN MANCHESTER.—Yesterday morn-
ing, whilst Mr. John Phillips, son of Alderman Phillips,
of Old Trafford, Manchester, was sitting at breakfast
with the family, he suddenly fell from his chair, and ex-
pired before medical aid could be called in. Mr. Phillips
had recently returned from a tour in Egypt and other
parts of the East, where he had been the fellow-traveller
of Sir John Potter, and had complained of rheumatic
pains in the chest, but with this exception had been in
good health up to the moment of his death. It was thought
he had died from some disease of the heart.
FOG AT MANCHESTER.— Manchester was again visited
by a fog yesterday of a very dense character. It made
its appearance on Thursday evening, so that for three
whole days and four nights this week the city has been
completely enshrouded in a mist, for the most part so
dense that it was not possible to see five yards in ad-
vance. As if to add to the horrors of this state of
things, the excessive demand for gas drew upon the
supply so much that it became deficient. The actual
consumption of gas on Tuesday, Wednesday, and yes-
terday was not less than 25 per cent. greater than the
ordinary demand, and would have been much greater if
the means of supply had existed. Several accidents,
fortunately not attended by any loss of life, have oc-
curred in Manchester during the visitation.