The Sun.
London, England, 1838-02-22 00:00:00

CHARGE OF ARSON.

Tuesday, at one o'clock, bring the time fixed for the
final examination at Maryicbone police-office of Robert
Miffs, on a chrrre of wilfully setting fire to bis .house, No.
28, Iligh-street, Marylebone, on the 221 ult., at the hour al
pointed Mr. Clarkson, for the prosecution, Mr. Thomas, furl
the defence, and the Witnesses bring present, the prisoner wan
brought in an.l placed at the bar b,:fore the sitting Niagi3-
trates, Mr. Rawlinson -and Lord Montford. The ofilee was
criwded to excess.

Robert Story, fireman No. t 3, of the fire brigade, was the
first to arrive with Lis engine at the fire. He was called at a
quarter to one o'clock, and when he got there the house avia
to a body of flames. lie had since been employed.to sift the
ruins well, and found a silver w.;tch with a gold seal, slw() of
a lion attached, and a key ; also a halt-crown piece, one
shilling, and some halfpenCe. lie also discovered some re-
mains of ;coon:- n and linen things, but none of any consequence.
Mr. Jan Thomas Claridge, tailor, NVeymouth-street, re-
membered the night of the fire. On hearing of it ho went to
the :louse, and oa entering the passage saw the prisoner, a
policeman, and an,ther man. Mrs. Miers at that moment
came down stair:, and he conducted her to his resideuce,
where she ent,:ccd the iiarlour and sat do.rn. She appeared
to be partly undressed. He could not see her stays; she had
a shawl over .her slt;ulder, and over that a cloak. She had
no bonnet or cap on, rend from the smooth state of her hair,
he should think she had not been in bed. He left Mrs.

Miers to go and too!: at the fire, and when it was nearly out
rettnnc.l home, when he found the prisoner sitting by the side
of his wife, talking together in a whisper.
Examined by Mr. Clarkson—They appeared to he in a
very cool and comfortable state ; and observing that, lie went
to Mr. Boyle's, and told him how easy they seemed. Witness
asked•prisoacr if he had any idea what caused the fire, and
he said, " None whatever ; he had locked up the shop at half-
past eleven o'cleeK, and did act go in again till the time of
the alarm." Prisoner then sliortly afterwards said he would
fetch a coach ; but witness feiched one.
The depositions were then read over, and the prisoner was
fully committed to Nen-gate for trial.

Mr. Douglas Jerrold's long announced work, en-
titl..d " Men of Character," is at length Lefore the public.
The lovers of wit and humour will fiad abundant amusement
in these volumes, if we may judge from the table of contents,
which comprises the following "distinguished characters"
Adam Buff, the Man " w;thout a Shirt"—Job Pippin, the
Man "who could rot help it''—Jack Runnymede, the Man "of
many thanks"—Creso Quattring, the Alan " who died rich"—
John Applejohn, the Man " who meant well"—lsaac Cheek,
the Man "of Wax"—Matthew Clear, the Man " who saw his
tray"—Barnaby Palms, the Man t‘ who felt•his way"—Titus
Trumps, the Mai "of many hopes." The work is illustrated -
by several capital characteristic etchings, after Thackcry.
ALARMING FIRE.—On Monday evening, about
six o'clock, some passersby perceived flames issuing from tile
second floor front room, occupied as a bedroom,•at the house
of Mr. Cloghern, a gentleman residing' at No. 3, Portman-
place, Edgeware-road. An alarm of fi:e was immediately
given, and the parish-engine of Paddington soon arrived, but,
although there was a plentiful supply of water, it was unable
to act, owing to a defect in the hose. The flames all this
time were raging with unceasing fury and threatened de-
struction to the adjoining dwellings, the inhabitants of which
were busily engaged in removing everything they could. In
about a quarter of an hour the Al•trylebone lone engine arrived,
followed by the .King-street, Wells street, and others, when
by the able assistance of the firemen and ethers in working
them, the fire was prevented spreading and ultimately sub-
dued, but not before the house was entirely gutted and every
article of furniture destroyed. Mr. Clog:horn, we believe, i 3
insured. It is believed that the fire originated by the bed-
curtains catching fire, as at the time it baske out the servant
was about to put the childr.m to bed.

A Very sad event occurred on Thursday during the
ittin7 of the Chamber of Pi c:s. The -diicusston on the
sane 'l3ll hid just bre!d elosr t!, when one of the Noble Piers,
who hal attentively followed the debate, res.° from his seat,
and seizing by the collar one of his lately appointed collengueo,
summoned him in angry terms to return him his badge of the
Legion of Honour. The witnesss7s of thii scene cimld not
but observe as a strange cur:eidetic() that the first applicatiou
or the law under discussion would be to one of those by whom
it had been voted.—Quolidieloe.