The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-25 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED BALLOON ASCENT

FROM VAUXHALL.

Yesterday the Magistrates of Hall received the fol-
lowing letter on the subject of the intended ascent in aballoon
from Vauxhall-gardens, of a tiger and its keeper :
" Oxley Farm, near Hutshael, Essex, Sept. 22, 1838.
" Gentlemen—You will, I hope, excuse me troubling you
on a subject to which, no doubt, your attention has already
been drawn, I mean the ascent of a balloon, on Thursday
next, as stated by the papers of Saturday, with the intention
of taking up a tiger and its keeper. Now, having had several
balloons descend in the neighbourhood, and having been a
sufferer, by having half a field of oats trodden to dung by the
parties engaged, for which I was unable to obtain any remu-
neration, I do think that the Magistrates are called upon to
prevent such a reckless exposure of life of persons who may
be drawn to the spot at the descent, wherever it may happen.
As to the aeronaut, and those engaged, they may risk their
lives in such an excursion if they please, as they expect to be
gainers by the scheme, but surely the lives of innocent per-
sons ought not to be placed in jeopardy by having a wild beast
precipitated among them, for the purpose of putting money in
the pockets of persons who care not at what cost they do it, as
in the case of the late Mr. Cocking. 'rrus'ing that you will
see that this most ridiculous, but highly dangerous exhibition,
should not be tolerated in a place having the license of the
Magistrates—l remain, Gentlemen, yours respectfully,
" THOMAS GOODRICK."
In reference to the above communication, Mr. Jeremy said
that the parties engaged in carrying into effect such an exhi-
bition as that advertised rendered themselves amenable to an
indictment. The proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens were en-
titled of course to have whatever exhibition they thought
proper within their own grounds, but they were not justified
in sending a man and a wild beast up in a balloon, which
might descend in some place or under such circumstances as
might be attended with the most serious consequences. If,
for instance, anything happened to the keeper of the tiger in
the course of this aerial voyage, there was no knowing what
might occur on the descent of an infuriated animal among a
crowd, who no doubt would be attracted to the spot where-
ever it might happen. The Nlagistrate added, that in the
event of any person coming forward making their com-
plaint verbally, and producing for his satisfaction an adver-
tisement of the intended ascent, he should have no hesitation
in granting summonses against the parties who set on foot
such an exhibition. With respect to the allusion made by the
writer of the letter of the injury he sustained by the destruc-
tion of his oats by the descent of a balloon on his grounds, he
would have been justified in seizing the machine, or in the
event of his not doing that, of bringing an action against the
parties who trespassed upon his property, for, added the Ma-
gistrate, " I would be as much justified in driving a carriage
into another man's field, as an aeronaut is in descending in his
balloon in one."

Mr. Edwin, the chief clerk, said, that if the proprietors
of Vauxhall Gardens were made acquainted with the Magis-
trate's objections to the intended ascent of the man and the
tiger, he was convinced that they would abandon the design
altogether. If, therefore, it was intimated to them that com-
plaints had been made at the office on the subject, there would
be no necessity for issuing summonses against them.
Mr. Jeremy said that he was not at all desirous of granting
summonses against the proprietors, unless they persevered in
carrying into effect so dangerous an exhibition.
An Inspector of the L division, in which district the gar-
dens are situated, was directed to communicate the Magis-
trate's sentiments on the subject to the proprietors, so as not
to render it necessary to have recourse to further proceedings
to prevent the ascent which was intended.

The Commissioners of the Woods and Forests have
directed that the site of the late residence of her Royal
Highness the Princess Augusta, in the Stable-yard, St.
James's, be added for the present to the gardens of the Palace.
A new lodge is in progress at the Stable-yard entrance of
the Park; but it is Lot expected to be completed until the
ensuing spring.

According to accounts from Bordeaux, the vineyards
are in a promising state, and it was expected that, if the wea-
ther should but continue fine there for another fortnight, the
superior quality of the wine would in some degree compensate
for the reduced quantity of produce. The reports from Or-
leans, on the other hand, show that the gathering will not be
more than one-fourth of the average produce.

We learn from all quarters that the harvest is less
productive than was expected, and that, for want of old corn,
none but new is at present brought into consumption. The
fact is, to whatever point we turn observation, not only in
France, but in the other markets of Europe, we are struck
with the general scarcity and threatened dearness of price of
this article. —Echo des Halles.

After the prize fight at Corse Lawn, on Monday,
the gang of thieves accompanying the combatants passed over
Corse-bridge, refusing to pay the toll; and after the fight they
took possession of the Green Dragon inn by storm, placing
one of the combatants in the best bad in the house. Tito
thieves then went into every room in the house, turned out
every cupboard, box, and drawer, which they broke open with-
out ceremony, and openly helped themselves to whatever they
pleased; after this robbery they went to the Stow-bridge,
where they acted in the same way. The cruelty of these
ruffians exceeds belief, for, not content with pilfering what they
chose, they wantonly broke and destroyed things they did rot
find it convenient to steal.—Correspondent of the Worcester
Journal.
DRAYTON MANOR.—Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P.,
has quite recovered from his slight attack of gout. The Hon,
Sydney Herbert, M. P., loft on Alon:lay last, and Sir James
Graham, Bart., M.P., left on the following day for his seat,
Netherby, Cumberland. Sir Henry and Lady Emily liar-
dincre have taken their departure, as also rho Hon. Captain
A' Court, M. P.
On Tuesday last a splendid frinaln specimen of that
rare bird, the peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus), was shot by
Mr. Walter Roper, of this city, whilst in the act of stooping
at some pigeons, and fell on the Duke's Palace bridge. An
almost unprecedented occurrence for a bird of retired habits
like the peregrine, and so rare in Norfolk, to li‘ve been kille 1
in the centre of a large city. It lies b, en preseryed by Mr.
Johnson, animal and bird preserver, St. Giles's, and is aow in
his possession.—Norwich Mercury.