The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-31 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

Richard Ward Pelham, one of the Ethiopean
serenaders, was charged with com►nitting an asssault
on Charles Lambert Smith, a professional singer of
Yankee songs.
The case having been heard,
Mr. COTTINGHAM said that he should call upon the
defendant to enter into his own recognizances of 511.,
and find two sureties of 251. each, to keep the peace,
and also to pay the damage sustained by the com-
plainant.

GREEN iFICII.
Richard Thomas Graham, described on the police-
sheet of Evelyn-street, Lower-road, Deptford, gen-
tleman, was charged with assaulting Thomas Gunn,
of East street, Walworth ; James Davis, of Thomas-
street, Kennington, and his wife, Sarah Davis, under
the following circumstances:—
Mrs. Sarah Davis stated that she was going home
from Greenwich Fair with her husband and father-
in law —it was about two o'clock, when she met the
prisoner in Union-street, who came up to her, took
indecent liberties with her, and knocked her down.
Witness said her husband was at hand, and would
punish such cowardly and disgraceful conduct.
Prisoner said he would serve her husband with the
like sauce if he appeared. Never gave him the least
provocation, not even spoke a word to him previously
to the attack.

Thomas Gunn proved that he heard a noise some
150 yards ahead, and ran forward, when he saw his
daughter-in-law on the ground calling for aid, and
complained of the prisoner. Witness was in the act
of picking her up, when he received a violent blow or
brows which struck him to the ground; whilst on the
ground the prisoner blackened his eyes and kicked
him most siolently about the jaws and cheek. lie
called' murder, murder." Prisorer ran towards the
fair, and a policeman came up and secured the
prisoner.

Robert Davis said having been out to spend the
day, he was returning home with his wife and father-
in-law. Witness heard his wife call out, he ran to-
wards her, when he saw the prisoner strike her to the
ground. Murder was repeatedly called, and the
police coming up the prisoner was secured.
The witnesses, Gun and Davis, showed the severe
effects of the prisoner's violence about their heads,
eyes, &c.
Police constable 292 R, proved the assault on last
witness, and said he caught the prisoner in his arms
hilst in the act of running away.
A married woman, who was going home at the
time, corroborated the different assaults made by the
prisoner.
The witnesses were severely cross-examined, but
their testimony was unshaken.

Mr. TUAILZ said he was sorry to see a person of
the prisoner's apparent respectability in so degraded a
position. The evidence proved to him that the pri-
soner had acted most disgracefully. He would leave
him the choice of going to the sessions, if he did not
approve of his decision. He meant to fine him the
full penalty of 5/. in each case, in all 151., or three
months' imprhoninent. He had cruelly assaulted a
wife, father-in-law, and son.

The prisoner retired a short time, and returned,
saying he was advised by his friends to pay the fines.

Rorer. ARSENAL, WOOLWICH, MAY 29.—The
gun-carriage noticed on the 18th of the present month
as the invention of Captain the Hon. W. E. Fitzmaurice,
R.N., is to be tested at the butt by being-fired from on
Thursday next. The origin of the plan about to be
tested by the select committee at Woolwich has been
claimed by Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Rochfort,
Artillery Liberating Army of Portugal, late H.E.1.C.8.
Artillery, who states that in the year 1831 the plans
and models of a new gun-carriage were prepared by him,
and submitted fur exhibition before Sir James Kempt,
then Master-General of the Ordnance, by whom the
Lieutenant Colonel was referred to the late General
Miller, at Woolwich. General Miller declined to re-
commend the alterations proposed, alleging they weie
tQo radical, and would be too expensive, and therefore
they could never answer. Lieutenant-Colonel Itochfort
admits that his plan comprised the substitution of iron for
wood for all calibres and all classes of carriages,
a perfectly different and not removable frail hand-
spike, and a quadrant indented under the breach
of the gun, with a toothed pinion and handle
to give the fficer or gunner the means of directing
the gun alone with greater facility to the right or
left, as occasion may require, without having recourse,
as is now the case, to handspikes, whereby the carriage
itself has to be moved tote pondere, altogether. A plan
similar to Lieutenant-Colonel Rochfort's was tried at
the Royal Arsenal during the time General Miller was
Director-General of Artillery, having a fixed trail hand.
spike attached, for directing the gun, which was desig-
nated " the monkey tail," from the position it occupied.
' Captain the lion. W. E. Fitzmaurice's plan has nothing
of that kind, the movements being given by a cross
handle, similar, but much smaller, to the steering-wheel
of a vessel, and by his principle he moves the gun car-
riage, quoins, and everything, toto ponder e, just as it is
delivered from the Arsenal, and only requires the addi-
tion of four pieces of timber, and a rack and pinion,
which costs six shillings. It is immaterial to Captain
Fiszulaurice's plan what size or length the gun is, as the
carriage increases in proportion, and is male the main
power, it composing the lever, which can be worked
nosily with one hand. It may be stated that none of the
officers who have seen Captain Fitzmaurice's plan have
ever witnessed anything of the kind before, although the
principle of moving the gun iu the segment of a circle
was known long antecedent to either of the inventions.
POWERS OF THE COURT OF ALDERMEN OF THE
CITY OF LONDON.—An important question is likely to
arise with reference to the powers vested in the Court of
Aldermen, which is looked forward to with more than
ordinary interest. We are given to understand that
some important records of the wages, for the past four
or five crnturieF, will be brought forward; and, if the
care be established, the decisioa of the Court may be
regaided as final. The matter is one F moment to the
eitizms of London, and is watched very closely on all
sides, being a question of monopoly, and the improper
exercise of assumed power on the part of the courts of
certain city companies, which, we understand, has not
been contested for more than a century. The case will
be brought before the Court of Aldermen on the sth of
June, when a full Court is expected; and, being open
to the pubic, will, doubtless, be numerously attended,
Mr. Alderman Salomons transacted business at the
Office of the Commissioners of Railways yesterday in
the Board of Trade,

REFORM of the LAWS RELATING

TO LUNACY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SETA:

Slll,—The endeavours being made by the Alleged
Lunatics' Friend Society for bringing the subject of
lunacy before ihe Government must meet witn the ap-
proval of ail aho have seen the injurious effects of our
present laws on that subject.
The ease with which pers ;ns of sound mind can be
seized and placed in confinement, from motives of malice,
caprice, or ignorance, is truly lamentable, Medical men
and others, more regardful of their own immediate in-
terests in too many cases, or desirous of being considered
learned in these matters, have written large works on
lunacy, and have extended the original meaning of the
term, mental imbecility, to such an unwarrantable ex-
tent, that the most trifling individual eccentricities can
now be construed into and made to appear as the effects
of " mental delusion," and the energy with which an
individual will repel such a charge is only taken as
stronger evidence to the contrary; and the consequence
is that persons having any motives for wishing the in-
carceration of an, individual, find it one of the easiest
things in the world to do so. The sub.), et is one of vast
importance, and the Alleged Lunatics' Friend Society
have used, and are using, their best efforts for bringing
the matter seriously before Parliatneut, and it behoves
an enlightened public to second their exertions in every
possible way; humane men should bestir themselves to
get the alteration of those laws which permit so mon-
strous an evil, and one which the Legislature have no
interest in continuing; on the contrary, it must cause
men of any reflection the most acute pain and regret.
Instances might be cited to illustrate the pernicious
effects of those laws permitting the confinement of men
and women on charges the most trivial and absurd; but
suffice it to say, that perfectly sane men are annually
seized and placed in confinement, subjected to all the
horrors of a hopeless incarceration, separated from their
friends and relatives, shut out from all that renders life
desirable or even endurable, without the least hope or
opportunity of proving their own sanity, or of letting
friends know where they are, or appealing to any tri-
bunal. These are not fictions, but facts, and fearful
facts; and as members of a community professing good
will to man, as we would relieve another's woes, and
bear one another's burdens, let us unite hand and heart,
and make an effort for the removal of a stain from the
legal enactments of this country, so fearful to contem-
plate and dreadful to endure.
The annual meeting of the Alleged Lunatics' Friend
Society has recently taken place; may I not suggest that
it would be well that their excellent objects may be
more extensively considered by religious bodies in par-
ticular, and indeed by all humane and intelligent indi-
viduals? Surely they are worthy of their serious reflec-
tion. Can we calmly sit down, in inactivity and inani-
tion, and refuse to exert that influence which our several
positions in life give us, while such acts are being per-
petrated in our very streets and houses? Assuredly, if
we can we must not think it too much to be held one day
accountable for those heart-felt pangs, those agonies of
mind and sufferings of body, caused by our apathy and
neglect of duty. Let it never be said, "Ye saw me an
hungered and fed me not, thirsty and gave me no drink,
in prison and affliction and ministered not unto me," or
the emphatic rejoinder must be---" Inasmuch as ye did it
not for the least of these my disciples ye did it not to
me." As the Alleged Lunatics' Friend Society would
gladly afford any information on the subject, and pro-
bably be willing to give a form of petition to both Houses
of Parliament, which might be re copied and remain for
signature at our chapels and meeting-houses, and other
places usually adopted for such purposes, much good
might be done with little trouble; and we have every
reason to hope that the public and religious bodies will
make their voices heard in this matter, and not let slip
an opportunity of making that reparation for past apathy
or neglect which is i❑ our power. I would, in conclu-
sion, give a passing hint to those who may peruse these
lines; and that is, to be on their guard what support
they give, or money they subscribe, for the purpose of
erecting new asylums, for even pauper lunatic asylums
are not free from abuse. Could we remove the walls that
separate the inmates from our view I fear we should be
constrained to admit that a goodly number of sane, well-
meaning individuals are now suffering the miseries of
unjust and hopeless incarceration within establishments
we are accustomed to look at as charitable and honour-
able institutions. Be up and doing, and let not the sin
of apathy and neglect be laid to our charge—" For the
cry of the oppressed has come up to my holy place, and I
aid deliver them, and will not tarry."
I am your obedient humble servant,
JAMES THOS. GODDARD.

London.

CITY OF LONDON CIVIC ELEC-

TIONS.—EXTENSION OF THE iIIANCII
The following is an abstract of the amended Bill " for
the regulation of elections in the city of London, con-
nected with the Corporation thereof, and for preserving
the peace, good order, and government of the said City,"
about to be issued to the members of the Corporation:—
" Preamble—ln the preamble it is stated, that whereas
by the 11th of George 1., cap. 18, it was enacted ' that
the right of election of aldermen and common council•
men for the several and respective wards of the said City
should belor,g and appertain to freemen of the said city
of L-mdon, being householders pa3ing scot, as therein-
after mentioned and provided, and bearing lot when re-
quired in their several and respective wards, provided
that the householders pay respectively the true and
real value of 101. a year, at the least, for each house,
and that such householders be respectively the sole
occupiers of such houses, and have been in actual
possession for twelve calendar months next before such
tl ction:' and whereas it is advisable that the said right
of voting for the aldermen and common councilmen for
the several wards of the said City should be extended and
enlarged; be it enacted:
Clause 1. That so much of the said recited Act as
regulates the right of voting at the said elections, and
the time of the polling, in all cases be repealed.
" Cbuse 2, That the right of voting for aldermen,
common council, or ward officer, for any ward in the
city of London, be vested in every freeman who shall
occupy within the said city or the liberties thereof, as
owner or tenant, or solely or jointly with any other
person or persons, any house, warehouse, counting-house,
office, chambers, shop, • or other building, and shall be
rated at not less than 10/. per annum to the police-rate,
or to such other rate as the mayor, aldermen, and com•
mon council may determine, and in case of the discon•
tiauance or amalgamation of the police-rate with any
other rate.

" Clause 3. The service of summons to pay scot and
bear lot to be deemed good service, if made at any such
house, warehouse, counting-house, B,:c.
" Clause 4. Polling at wardmotes to commence at ten,
A.M. next following the day fixed fur the election, and
at corernon halls at nine o'clock in the forenoon of the
following day. The polling to continue for such one
day only, and close at four. In the case of the election
failing on Sunday, Good Friday, or Christmas-day,
then that it be on the next following day.
" Clause 5. Declaration to be made by the electors in
lieu of oath:—' I du declare that I am a freeman of Lon-
don, and an occupier of premises in the ward of
and that I have not polled before at this election, and
that I am rated in my own name to the police-rate for
the ward of —.' The vote of persons thus refusing to
declare to be rejected and disallowed.

" Clause 6. False declarations to be punished accord-
ing to the statutes provided in the cases of persons con-
victed of wilful and corrupt perjury.
" Clause 7. Aldermen and common councilmen to be
disqualified it they take the benefit of any Act for the
rebel of insolvent debtors, be declared bankrupt, or shall
make any composition with their creditors until twenty
shillings in the pound is paid, or shall altogether absent
themselves from their duty for six calendar months
consecutively, unless pr,vented by illness or other rea-
sonable cause, or by leave of the Court, or shall be con-
victed of fraud, or of any crime, then and every or any
such case such person shall thereupon immediately te-
come disqualified, and shall cease to hold the office of
alderman or common councilman as the case may be,
and the Court of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of
London shall thereupon forthwith adjudge the said office
to be vacant.

" Clause 8 furnishes the declaration to be made by
freemen in lieu of oath or affirmation, on taking up the
freedom :—‘ I, A. 8., do solemnly declare' that I will
be good and true to our Sovereign Lady Queen
Victoria; that I will be obedient to the Mayor of this
City; that I will maintain the franchises and customs
thereof, and keep this city harmless in that which
in me is ; that I will also keep the Queen's peace in my
own person; that I will know no gatherings nor conspi-
racies made against the Queen's peace, but I will warn
the Mayer thereof, or hinder it to my power, and that
all these points and articles I will well and truly keep
according to the laws and customs of this city, to my
power. Frovided that the qualification for the office of
common councilman be the same as that of an elector,
the declaration cited to be filed in the same manner as
the oath or affirmation to be tsken or made, as now by
law directed to be filed.
" Clause 9 provides that the declaration shall have
the same effect as taking the freeman's oath.
" Clause 10, and last, provides that the Act shall be
a public Act, and that it shall be judicially taken notice
of as such."

MANSLAUGHTER BY A QUACK.--On Saturday an
inquest was held upon the body of Ann Flannigan, a young
woman who had died from a poisonous medicine admi-
nistered to her by an Irish quack doctor the previous week.
She had for some months laboured under a scrofulous sore
on her hand, about half an inch square, but which did
not prevent her from following her usual occupation.
Hearing of this quack, she applied to him, when he pro-
mised her a speedy cure of the hand, and ordered her to
procure a bottle of tar water. Having put a powder into
it, he ordered her to take a wine-glass full fasting every
morning. She took the first dose on Saturday morning,
tha 12th inst., and in less than three minutes she was
a corpse. The gas liquor found in the bottle has been
partially analysed by Mr. Greenwood, surgeon, who
believ,,s it to contain impure sub-carbonate of ammo-
nia in large quantities, naptha, or oil of tar, and sulphu-
rate of hydrogen in large quantities. He also thought
it very probable that it contained prussic acid, the
effects produced by the tests applied warranting that
conclusion. The jury, after hearing the evidence, re-
turnPd a verdict of " Manslaughter" against Francis
Daly, alias Murphy, who is described as ama about
five feet six inches, and a hawker of brushes, but occa-
sionally practising quackery. The police are making
active inquiries in order, if possible, to ascercaiu his
whereabouts.-- Wakefield Journal.

A NOBLE EXAMPLE.—James Mackenzie, Esq.,
or the firm of Messrs. Tugwell, Mackenzie, and Glut-
terbuok, benkers, of Bath, has liberally given 1501. to
the Bath United Hospital, and 501 to the General Hos-
pital. The sane gentleman has recently presented the
cashier and clerks of his firm with sums amounting in
the whole to 1,1204 in acknowledgment of their faithful
services.—Bristol Mirror,