The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-25 00:00:00

TH.E SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1849,

been made the scapegoat of other persons. It was a I
very gross case. If the present conviction should 1
eventually prove to be a proper one, and it turned out
that the Court retained the power of transportation,
most undoubtedly this boy would be transported for
seven years, with a view to his being sent to Park-
hurst, where he would be taught some trade. If,
however, he should turn out as he had hitherto
done, incorrigible, then he would be sent on board
the convict ship and forwarded to another country.
He was satisfied that the eleven or twelve convictions
of which they had heard were not the only convic-
tions which this boy had been the subject of, and that
if inquiries were to be made at the City prisons, or at
those of Surrey, or even at Maidstone, it would be
found that he had been an inmate of some of them.
He would now put the jury in possession of the career
of the boy. On the 18th of February, 1847, he was
sentenced to two months' imprisonment ; in May, in
the same year, he was sentenced to one months'
imprisonment; in July, in the same year, he was
sentenced to another imprisonment for one month ; in
the following September he was sent to prison for one
day, and to be whipped; on the 17th of that month
he was sent for two months ; and on the 31st of
December following he was again sentenced for one
month, and to be whipped. Then he had not been
heard of until the 231 of May, in 1848, when he was
committed for one month and to be whipped ; and
again on the 25th of April, in the present year, he had
been sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and to
be whipped. Those were the eight occasions of which
a previous mention had been made, but since then it
had been ascertained that there had been three sub-
sequent convictions, where the boy had been sent to
the Westminster House of 'Correction. He would
now order the le.)y to he remanded till the next
session. The sentence upon the other boy was six
months' imprisonment with hard labour in the West-
minster House of Correction.

CE.

POLICE INTELLIGEN
MANSION-HOUSE.
John Garry was brought before Alderman Salo-
mons, charged with having defrauded the shopman
of a pawnbroker upon what is called the " duffing
rig."
The prosecutor, who is employed in the neighbour-
hood of lloundsditch, stated that on the 26th of June
the prisoner called at the shop, and brought with him
a box containing what appeared to be a ship chrono •
meter. He said the article was made by Brockbank, of
Co wper's court, Cornhill, and that it had cost 801. or
80 guineas. In consequence of this representation
the prosecutor gave him 12/. in advance upon the
watch or chronometer. That (yesterday) morning
the prisoner, no doubt encouraged by the success of
the former speculation, called again, and produced a
silver watch, for which he wanted an advance. The
prosecutor, upon examining the article, found that it
was what was called amongst the trade a " duffer," or
watch got up for the purpose of deception. It was
considered necessary to detain the prisoner, and place
him in the custody of a policeman, and the proeecu-
tor was the more strongly induced to secure the fellow
as it had been found, upon an accurate examination of
the chronometer, that the 80-guinea article was not one
of Breckbenk's making, and was worth no more than
about 21. 10s.
The prisoner, upon being asked by Alderman
SALOMONS, after the usual caution, whether he wished
to say anything, said, "I pledged the chronometer
for a person whose name I gave at the time, and I
know nothing more of its merits."
The prisoner was remanded for further examination.
WORSHIP STREET.
Yesterd Iv Daniel and James Wllson, two respect-
ably-dressed persons, were charged with assaulting
and attempting to extort money from Mr. Thomas
Clarke, a builder, residing in Bentley-crescent,
Kingsland.
The complainant stated, that while returning to his
own residence, between ten and eleven o'clock on the
preceding evening, he stopped to procure some re-
freshment at a public house in Forest-row, Dalston,
where the two prisoners were seated with several
other persons in the parlour ; but he had no conversa-
tion with either of them, as they were entire strangers
to him. He remained there altogether about three-
quarters of an hour, and on leaving, noticed that he
was followed by the prisoners, who overtook him a
short distance from the house, and the first of them,
Daniel, in an abrupt and menacing manner, demanded
his address. He ordered them to go about their busi-
ness, and, refusing to give his address, asked them for
what purpose they wanted it; upon which Daniel
‘Vilson threw himself into a fighting attitude,
and exclaiming that he owed him money for
goods sold and delivered, insisted upon imme-
diate payment. He told them that they were
entirely mistaken, as he had never seen either of
them before that evening, upon which both pri-
soners declared that they would follow him about all
night till they either discovered where he lived or
got the money, and then pushed him about, and con-
ducted themselves in such a threatening manner that 1
he became seriously alarmed, and begged them to let
him alone. The prisoner, Daniel Wilson then struck
him in the face with such force that his hat was
knocked off his head, but he was fortunately stopped
from further violence by a police-constable who bad
been watching their movements, and who hastened up
and took them both into custody.
Loftus, a constable of the N division, stated, that
hearing a loud altercation in the street, he went up
and found the prisoners hemming in the prosecutor,
of whom they appeared to be demanding money, but
who protested that he knew nothing of them. Witness
asked what the money was owing for, and they said
for goods, but would not specify what kind. They
both followed Mr. Clarke threateningly, one on each
side, and on witness demanding their addresses, they
both refused to give any, further than that they lived
in London. Daniel at length struck the prosecutor
in the face, and witness thereupon took them both
in custody to the station, on reaching which one of
them specified the " goods" as pale brandy, amounting
to 195., whilst the other increased the amount in his
version to 21. 155., and said it was for spirits of all
kinds. The prosecutor declared he did not owe either
of them a farthing, and witness was positive that not
a word had been said in his hearing as to what the
money demanded was owing for previously.
Mr. Vann, who appeared for the defence, intimated
that though his clients were now certainly in some-
what reduced circumstances, they had both of them
formerly held a respectable position in society as
licensed victuallers, and, as he was instructed, the
prosecutor had been in the habit of visiting one of
their houses, and in that manner incurred the debt
which the prisoners had demanded the payment of as
previously deposed to.
The prosecutor, with much earnestness, assured the
Magistrate that there were no grounds whatever for
such an allegation, and that he had never upon any
occasion, to his knowledge, entered any house kept
by either of the prisoners, who were both entire
strangers tohim until they had beset him in the manner
described.
Mr. HAMMILL considered that an assault of a very
aggravated nature had been committed upon the com-
plainant, and sentenced each of the prisoners to pay
the full penalty of 51., or to stand committed in default
to the House of Correction for two months.
The prisoners were incapable of paying the money,
and at the close of the court were taken off in the van.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE COUNTESS OF LANS-
FELDT'S (LOLA. 'MONTHS) BAIL.—Yesterday, Messrs.
Davies, father and son, attorneys of Warwick-street,
Regent-street, against whom summonses were issued a
few weeks ago, calling upon them to show cause why
they should not pay over to the Crown the sum of 500/.
each, being the amount of their recognizance for the
appearance of Mrs. Heald, Countess of Lansfeldt, to
answer a charge of bigamy, preferred against her in
August last, were in attendance to answer the case
Against them.
Mr. Bodkin, who appeared for the Messrs. Davies,
said he applied here to-day on behalf of the two gentle-
men who, some time ago, became surety for the attend-
ance of Mrs. Heald, Countess of Lansfeldt, to meet a
charge of bigamy. In consequence of her failing to
appear the recognizances were directed ,to be
estreated. His object now was to have the case
go to the Quarter Sessions, and he thought it would
be acting quite ministerial if the magistrate directed a
distress warrant to bo issued against the defendants,
not that they were desirous of evading the payment
of the 1,000/, but rather that they should have time
to appeal against any decision that might be given
against them.
After some further remarks of not the least interest or
importance,
Mr. BINGIIAM directed an order to be issued, and as
the amount of bail was over the sum stated in the Act,
they would have the power to appeal at the Quarter
Sessions.
Notice of appeal was then given, and the parties left
the court.

throat was covered with blood, which caused them to' (
}relieve that he (prisoner) had cut his wife's throat.
On seeing them enter the room he jumped up in a
dreadful rage, tucked up his shirt sleeves, and
threatened witness and his daughter with violence if
they did not quit the place, which they instantly did,
to save themselves, and, under the full impression that
the prisoner had murdered his wife, he (witness) pro-
ceeded immediately in search of a policeman, and
meeting with Sergeant Miles, and an officer of the N
division, they repaired to the house of the prisoner
and took him iuto custody. Witness procured the
attendance of a surgeon, who dressed the wounds of
the prisoner's wife, who was now confined to her bed
at her residence in a deplorable state and insensible.
Sergeant Miles, 110 N, stated that en Tuesday
night last at about 11 o'clock he was on duty near
Dorset-place, Islington, when he received ;informa-
tion that a man had nearly murdered his wife at No.
9, Dorset place. He went there instantly, and on
entering the house he saw the prisoner covered with
blood. His wife was on the landing place. She was
bleeding excessively, and on seeing witness and his
brother officer she faintly said, "That is my husband
and he has done it, take him into custody." On
questioning her as to how he had done it, she replied
that he had done it with an earthenware utensil, with
which he beat her violently whilst she was in bed. On
taking the prisoner to the station-house he admitted
that he had done it. He was locked up on the charge
of znalicionsly cutting an 1 wounding his wife, who
was unable to attend. Witness produced. a surgeons
certificate, pronouncing the state of the prisoner's
wife, and that she was quite unable to leave her bed
to give evidence against the prisoner.
Police-constable 494 N confirmed this testimony.
Mr. ARNOLD inquired of the prisoner whether he
wi.ihed to say anything to the charge against him ?
. w The prisoner coolly said—l was in bed, when my
wife and myself quarrelled, and she struck me with
an earthen jar, and I don't deny having struck her
with it in return. _ _ _

Mr. ARNOLD asked Sergeant Miles if the prisoner
was drunk at the time ? Miles—He appeared to
have been drinking, but he was not drunk.
The prisoner was remanded for a week, to ascertain
the fntu of his wife.

SOUTHWARK.
Two sailors named Conolly and Reece were brough
before Mr. Seeker for re examination, charged with
stabbing William Brookman, a waterman.
The complainant, who appeared extremely ill, and
has been an inmate of one of the Borough hospitals
ever since the outrage, stated that on Wednesday
morning, between 12 and 1 o'clock, as he was re-
turning home, in walking down Tooley-street he
heard the cry of " Murdar." He proceeded across
the street, and at the corner of Morgan's-lane he
observed a man lying on the ground, and the two
prisoners standing over him, one of whom (Reece)
he saw give the prostrate man a violent kick in the
face. The moment this cowardly act was committed
the two prisoners ran away towards the water side,
when he (complainant) followed them in that direc-
tion, and on coming up with them he remonstrated
with Reece for having brutally kicked the man, and at
the same time expressed his determination not to let
them escape the punishment they deserved. At this
instant Conolly drew out a long and sharp pointed
knife, such as is used by sailors for cutting ropes,
and, flourishing it about, swore that he would
stick it into the first man who approached. Conolly
then rushed at him (complainant) and struck him in
the back with the knife—Reece, his companion, at
the same time urging him to repeat the blow. As
soon as complainant was wounded he fell to the
ground, upon which both of his assailants ran away.
A policman coming up soon afterwards, and finding
that he was stabbed, had him placed in a cab and
conveyed to the hospital, where he had remained up
to that day. He added that he was still very weak
from loss of blood, and was rendered incapable of
using his right arm owing to the infliction of the
wound.
Thomas Palmer, whose face was very much dis-
figured in consequence of a kick inflicted on the bridge
of his nose, stated that on the morning in question he
was walking down Tooley-street with a woman,
when the two prisoners came up and intentionally
jostled him off the pavement into the road. He went
up and asked them why they did it, but had scarcely
uttered the words when Conolly struck him a severe
blow on the neck that knocked him down, and before
he had time to recover himself the other prisoner
gave him a violent kick in the face that disfigured it
in the way in which it now appeared. With some
difficulty he raised himself from the ground and pur-
sued his assailants, and came up with them at the
moment that Conolly stabbed the complainant.
Policeman Hunt 82 M, stated, that hearing the cry
of " Police," he hastened to the spot, and saw the
complainant lying on the ground, bleeding from a
wound near the shoulder. Having procured a cab he
sent the wounded man to the, hospital, whi'e he went
in pursuit of his assailants, whom he found on board
a ship near Topping's-wharf. The witness Palmer
I accompanied him on board, and when that person
pointed out Conolly as the man who stabbed the
complainant, Conolly exclaimed, "Yes, I am the boy,
and here," added he, holding out a knife, " is the
knife that did it, and I tried all I could to do for
him ;" he repeated the latter words several times.
The policeman added that he then took both the pri-
soners into custody, and he produced the knife with
which the complainant was stabbed.
Mr. Hartshorn, an assistant-surgeon at the hospital,
described the nature of the wound ,inflicted on the
complainant, and said it was on the right side below
the shoulder-blade, an inch and a-half in length, and
two inches in depth, and that the point of the weapon
would have penetrated the lungs had it not struck
against the ribs; the complainant was now out of
danger.—The prisoners, who denied the charge, were
committed.

THE GREAT FIRE IN THE CITY.
The fire which broke out on Tuesday evening in
Lower Thames-street and King's Head-court was
attended with a far greater destruction of property
than was at first expected.
It was yesterday ascertained that the stock in trade
belonging to Mr. Bais was exceedingly heavy, and
probably as large as in any house in the same line of
business in London. The back warehouses in King's
Head-court alone were several floors high, and com.
prised two large houses. It was on the third floor of
this building that the outbreak commenced, but upon
the spirits becoming ignited they ran down the stairs
and through the cracks in the floor, having all the
appearance of immense streams of liquid fire, so that
it was at first impossible to tell where the flames
commenced. Between this range of premises and the
front establishment were two strong party walls. The
only means of passing from one warehouse to the
other was a very narrow doorway, but so great was
the body of flame that it rushed through this aper-
ture and fired every part of the front building as well
as the backs of numerous other houses in Fish-street-
hill, Thames-street, King's Head-court, and Pud-
ding-lane.
No fewer than six parish engines were present,
two from Calvert's brewery, several from the Custom-
house, nine land engines of the London establishment,
and that of the West of England Company. Although
the whole of this force was brought to bear on the
flames, not the least check could be put to their
violence, when it was deemed advisable to have the
two large floating engines at Southwark•bridge and
Rotherhithe sent for. The hoses from these powerful
machines were taken through the opposite wharfs, and
by that means many tuns of water were momentarily
thrown into the blazing mass, and eventually the
firemen got the mastery over the conflagration.
Fortunately, the church of St. Magnus, although
exposed to so much danger, from the men standing
on the roof with their hoses from the engines, did
not receive the least injury.
The following is a copy of Mr. Braidwood's official
report of the extent of the damage done :
" Tuesday, October 23, 1849—Called at half-past
5 p.m., by a stranger to a fire in Lower Thames-
street. On arriving found it was in the premises of
Messrs. Bais and Co., wholesale and export druggists,
carrying on business at Nos. 125 and 126, in that
street. The premises were insured in the Hand-in-
Hand, Phoenix, and West of England Fire-offices.
The fire was extinguished by firemen with water
from the New River Company and River Thames.
Engines that attended-12 (land) of the London
Establishment, the two floats A and D, six of the
parish, the Customs, two brewhouae, the West of
England, and several wharf engines.
"'['he damage done is as follows :
" Messrs. Bais's back warehouses in King's Head-
court.—Burnt down. About one-half of front ditto,
in Thames-street, destroyed.
" No. 127. Lower Thames-street, Mr. C. Francis,
coffeeshop-keeper.—Contents insured in the Imperial
Fire-office. Building unknown. Two back windows
burnt out, and considerable damage by fire, water,
and hasty removal.
" No. 123, in the same street.—Mr. J. Jones,
lodginghouse-keeper. Contents insured in the Phoenix.
Roof of premises damaged by fire, furniture injured
by removal, and skylights broken.
"No. 124, in the same street.—Let out in tene-
ments. Similar damage.
"No.', 30, Fish-street-hill.—Mr. J. Cullen, to-
bacconist. Contents insured in the Phoenix-office.
Considerable damage by removal.
"Ditto, ditto.—C. Jayne (private). Contents in-
sured in the Guardian. Similar damage.
"No. 32, ditto, ditto.—Mr. C. Francis, coffee-shop
keeper. Contents insured in the Imperial, and the
building in the Guardian. Back windows burnt out,
and serious damage by water and removal.
"Ditto, ditto.—Mrs. E. Francis (lodger). Contents
insured in the Imperial office. Furniture damaged
by water and removal.
"No. 33, in the same street.—Mr. J. Knott,
booking-office. Contents not insured. Building un-
known. Back windows burnt out, roof nearly

destroyed, and rest of house severely damaged by
water, &c.
" No. 34, in the same street.—Messrs. bus and
Mills, fishmongers. Insurances unknown. Back
windows burnt out, back fronts considerably damaged
by fire, and roof of premises by breakage.
" No. 35, in the same street.—Mr. J. Connett,
butcher. Contents unknown if insured, Building
insured in the Phoenix. Back window frames severely
scorched, glass demolished, and great damage to
furniture, &c., by water.
"Ditto, ditto.—Mr. Vialon, carpenter. Contents
not insured. Backs rooms on third floor, used as
workshops, burnt out, and roof over nearly destroyed.
" No. 36, in the same street.—Mr. C. Raiford,
licensed victualler. Contents insured in the Licensed
Victualler's-office. Building unknown if insured.
The skylights in the Britannia Tavern broken, and
slight damage by water.
" No. ST, in the same street.—Mr. J. F. Boor,
eatinghouse-keeper. Insured in the Licensed Vic-
tualler's office. Stair rails broken, and contents
damaged by water and removal.
" No. 1, Monument-yard.—Messrs. A. and R.
Wilcoxon, upholsterers. Contents insured in the
Mutual and other offices. Skylights broken, and
slight damage by water.
" No. 11, Pudding-lane.—Messrs. J. and G.
Adams, fruit .brokers. Contents insured in the Sun,
and the building in the Atlas. Roof of premises
damaged by fire, and contents by water.
"No, 13, in the same thoroughfare.—Messrs.

Nicholson and Co,, warehousemen.— Insurance un-
known. Roof of premises damaged, lead melted, and
contents damaged by water.
" No. 8, King's Head court —Mr. Blank, basket
maker. Insurance unknown. Front severely
scorched, and glass broken.
" No. 5, in the same court.—Mr. Vialon, plumber.
Insurances unknown. Skylights broken, and slight
damage to roof."
During the whole of the day many thousand per •
sons flocked to the scene, and it required the assist-
ance of a powerful body of police to keep them out of
danger.
LATEST PART ICULARS.—WEDN ESD AY, 9 P.M.—
This evening, whilst the firemen were engaged in
extinguishing a small portion of fire burning in the
basement, another explosion occurred, which at first,
it was feared, had been attended with a loss of life. It
appears that some of the men had entered the cellar
with the branch of an engine, when 111 of a sudden a
terrific explosion occurred from, it is supposed, the
ignition of either a large quantity of :saltpetre or some
of the carboys filled with spirits. In an instant the
flooring in the shop, which had hitherto withstood the
action of the flames, was forced upwards, but fortu-
nately none of thfo firemen received any personal
injury, although they had very hairbreadth escapes.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
CAMBRIDGE, Ocr. 24.—At a Congregation holden
this day, the following graces passed the Senate :-
1. To appoint Mr. Hopkins, of Catherine Hall, and
Mr. Sandesnan, of Queen's College, mathematical
examiners of the questionists who are candidates for
honours in January next.
2. To appoint Mr. G 'skin, of Jesu's Colleg9, and
Mr. Ferguson, of Pembroke College, mathematical
examiners of the questionists who are not candidates
for honours.
3. To appoint Mr. Barrett, of King's College, and
itir. Holden, of Trinity College, classical examiners
of the questionists.
4. To appoint Mr. George Williams, of King's
College, and Mr. Power, of Pembroke College, ex-
aminers in the Acts of the Apostles, in St. Paul's
Epistle to the Hebrews, in ecclesiastical history, and
in Paley's Moral Philosophy.
5. To re-appoint Mr. Rowland Williams, of King's
College, an examiner of the classical tripes of the
ensuing year.
6. To re-appoint Mr. Wratislaw, of Christ's College,
an examiner of the classical tripos of the ensuing
year.
7. To appoint Mr. Cope, of Trinity College, an
examiner of the classical tripos of the ensuing year.
8. To appoint Mr. Andrews', of Queen's College,
an examiner of the classical tripos of the ensuing year.
9. Tc appoint Mr. Peill, of Queen's College, an
examiner at the previous examinations in the Lent
and Michaelmas Terms of the year 1850.
10. To appoint Mr. Woollaston, of St. Peter's
College, an examiner at the previous examinations in
the Lent and Michaelmas Terms_ of the year 1850.

11. To appoint Mr. Witt's, of King's College, an
examiner at the previous examinations in the Lent
and Michaelmas Terms of the year 1850.
12. To allow Mr. Mathison, of Trinity College, to
resume his regency.
13. To allow Mr. Bright, of Magdalene College, to
resume his regency.
14 To allow Mr. Bernard, Hebrew teacher, 301.
from the University chest.
At the same Congregation the following degrees
were conferred :

Honorary Doctor of Law —Right Hon. Sir
James Stephen, Knight of the Bath, Privy Councillor,
and Professor of Modern History in the University
of Cambridge.
Master of Arts—Walter James Armitage, Trinity
College; Edmund Dorman Hodgson, Emanuel
College.
Bachelors of Law—Charles Busbridge Snepp, Caius
College ; Arthur Sperling, Trinity College.
R. S. B. Sanchlands, M.A., Christ Church College,
Oxon, was admitted ad eunduna.
At the Congregation on the 17th instant, Francis
Tate, M.A., University College, Oxon, was admitted
ad eundum. _

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TRIES.—The " Roman grandeur" commonly
ascribed to the subterranean constructions of London

in general, and the almost Flemish purity claimed for
the City sewers in particular, by obsequious reporters
to the Common Council, are day by day disproved
by fresh disclosures, which betray alike the foul
condition of the sewers themselves, and the corrupt-
ness or inefficiency of the local authorities by which
they are administered. The police, employed at Mr.
Simon's instance as domiciliary inspectors, have
lately it appears been mainly instrumental in bringing
to light the underground horrors of the City. A va-
luable report from the Chief Commirsioner of Police,
read at the last meeting of the City Commissioners of
Sewers, and published at length in our yesterday's
paper, shows that the police inspectors have visited
no less than 14,000 out of the 16,000 houses situate
within the precincts of the City. They have brought
their lanthorns to bear with great effect on the dark
caves and noisome cellars of the City; and the flashing

bull's-eye has shot its prying gleaja into the hitherto
unexplored recesses of many a noisome vault, black
and pestilential as that pit in Tower Royal, which
Mr. Deputy Lott picturesquely designated as a
" yawning gulf." These scattered rays the press,
with its broad reflectors, must now collect and con-
centrate, so that the inhabitants of the City may be
enlightened as to the hidden dangers which lurk in
the very ground on which they tread, and judge how
far the men who for so many years have neglected
or approved such abominations, and who still, be it
remembered, uphold the horrors of intramural
slaughtering and sepulture, deserve to be entrusted
with the guardianship of the public health. The first
thing that strikes us in reading the Police Commis-
sioner's report on the results of the fate domiciliary
inspection is the total number of the nuisances dis-
covered. Of these we count no less than 12,432,
distributed among the 14,000 houses visited, and
exclusive of 366 out-door abominations. This total,

it is to be observed, includes only the most crying
grievances, and such as offend even the dull senses of
the sufferers themselves, inured as they are to stench
and squalor. Thus, cesspools only count as nuisances
when burst, as in thirty instances, or when crammed
to the very brim, as in 223 other cases. Privies
within the houses are not accounted nuisances except
when situated in cellars, as they were found to be in
no less than 4,608 cases I Pools of stagnant water
on the premises—drains absolutely choked up and
useless—polluted water-supplies—cellars filled with
putrefying rubbish, or, horrible to tell, actually
employed as cesspools !—such are a few samples
of the nuisances admitted to figure in Mr. Harvey's
bhtck list; such are the abominations which for
years past have been glozed over in smooth
reports on the cleanliness and salubrity of the City ;
such are the disclosures in the teeth of which the
Common Council are still bold enough to maintain
that, since 1832, they have done all in their power—
and all that could be reasonably expected—to protect

the City against fresh invasions of pestilentia
disease. The conclusion, we think, must force itsel:
on every unbiassed mind, that the sanitary affairs o
the City require an administration more active and
enlightened than that .which can be given, in the in-
tervals of their business, by a council of traders; men,
doubtless, very worthy and useful in their way, but
habitually averse to sanitary innovation—utterly
blind to the ulterior economy of broad and compre-
hensive sanitary measures, however costly at the out-
set—and numbering, it may be, amongst their body
more than one proprietor of the squalid tenements
which it is sought to purify. This view is strongly
corroborated by a comparison of Mr. Harvey's report,
just cited, with that by Mr. Haywood, the City sur-
veyor, which was read at the same meeting. To
judge by this latter document, one would take the
City for a perfect paradise of purity. During the last
sixteen years our "Roman grandeur," we are told,
has been extended by no less than 23:1 miles of new
sewers ; the last open ditch has been covered in ; and
not a single gullyhole remains untrapped. Who,
reading of such labours as these, can fail to he struck
with the administrative ability of the City
Commissioners, and the vastness of their sanitary
enterprises ? What generous soul does not burn
with indignation against those who, with us, charge
the City authorities with neglect and incapacity, and
dispute the policy of confiding collective interests to
any other than a central management? These
lively emotions, however, are somewhat counterpoised
and calmed when we find, on turning to the other
report, that of the 16,000 abodes in this balmy Eden,
2,526—0 r nearly one in seven—were found by the
inspectors to be actually unfitted for human inhabita-
tion by noisome stenches, resulting from bad drainage
and the like. And so, all the way through, the
Police Commissioner's report neutralizes the glowing
statements of the surveyor. The glory of Mr. Hay-
wood's trapped gullyholes and " two miles of new
sewer within one year," is dimmed by Mr. Harvey's
hundredfold reports of intolerable " stinks from
gratings ;" thousands of horrible cellar-privies stand
in abatement of the honour due to a few hundreds of
private drains laid down ; and the gratitude with
which we learn that the intramural slaughterers have
been registered, is checked by the reflection that
this registration leaves the horrors of Smith-
field and its slaughter, houses not only una-
bolished, but positively defended and maintained.
Those who read, some tw o years since, the engi•
neer's report on the excellence of the City sewer-
age, and who now peruse Mr. Haywood's " satisfac-
tory" statements, will be reminded of the Tooting
child farm, which was visited monthly by parochial
guardians, who at each inspection duly recorded their
official " satisfaction" in the books; till suddenly the
plague burst forth, and revealed, too late, how easy
the conscience of a local board may be, and to what a
mockery we trust our health when we confide it to
parochial guardianship. We do not, however, deny
that under the pressure of public opinion, roused by
an immense calamity, and seconded by the strenuous
efforts of the press, the Common Council are bestirring
themselves at length, and have met by some partial
measures of abatement the most crying of the City
nuisances. Let them cease to gloze over in one-sided
reports the notorious filthiness of the City; let them,
instead of practising a mistaken parsimony, at once
carry out, on a liberal scale, the great principles of
sanitary reform ; and then they may count on receiv-
ing at our hands a support as sustained and energetic
as our previous strictures have been frequent and
severe. 'We shall feel ourselves disarmed—and that
with infinite pleasure•—so soon as we see the City in a
fair way to be sweetened, and the terrible Destroyers
that lurk in its foul recesses finally hunted out and ex-
pelled. To this end we hold the permanent sanitary
organization of police, as suggested in the Commis-
sioner's report, a very important means. The moral
character of the police would be raised, their influ-
ence with the people increased, and their utility for
the maintenance of order greatly augmented, by this
coupling of beneficent duties with their functions,
heretofore exclusively penal. And, just as standing
armies, by wprogressive transformation from offensive
to defensive, have come to be employed in maintaining
the equilibrium which it was formerly their office to
disturb, and may indeed be regarded at present as a
sort of international police; just so, and by a like
transformation, the domestic police of towns will, we
trust, be employed more and more for the prevention
of those crimes which it has been hitherto their duty
only to detect and bring to punishment. It is, indeed,
this substitution of prevention for cure which mainly
characterises the modern sanitary movements ; and in
proposing to engraft on our system of police a prin-
ciple so salutary and so humane, the Chief Commis-
sioner has our entire concurrence. The recent ex-
periment fully proves that the utilization of the police
for sanitary purposes does not at all impair their effi-
ciency as a repressive corps. We have only to pursue
and complete the transformation thus auspiciously
commenced, and our policemen may become to the
social body, what our doctors are daily tending to
become to the individual man—the watchmen and
conservative ministers of health, rather than the mere
combatants of declared and too often incurable disease.

THE PARISH OP ST. MARTIN AND THE PROPRIE-
TORS OF EXETER HALL.—Yesterday a special petty
sessions, pursuant to adjournment, was held in the
vestry-room of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, to hear the
appeal of the proprietors of Exeter Hall, against their
assessments. The magistrates on the bench were Cap-
tain Bigge, in the chair, E. E. Antrobus, Esq., J. S.
Brooking, Esq., and W. H. Marriott. Mr. Grain ap-
pealed against the assessment of the rates on behalf of
the proprietors, and stated that for the past year the
gross receipts amounted to 4,2001. whilst the expendi-
ture extended to 2,5001., leaving a balance of 1,7001., as
the rateable value of the property. Mr. Le Breton con-
tended, that from the unquestionable success which had
attended Exeter Hall, the parish authorities were per-
fectly justified in increasing their rates from 1,500/. to
2,5001, it appearing from the accounts that had ,been
audited, that since the assessments made in 1848, the
success of the concerts had augmented the income to
more than 1,1001. After considerable discussion, their
worships consulted together, and at length the appeal
was confirmed, with costs. The vestry broke up.
THE SUPPOSED CASE OF CATALEPS T.—The coroner's
inquest respecting the death of Mr. Byron Blythe, at
Bristol, terminated by the jury, after hearing some
further evidence in addition to that already published in
?he Sun, returning a verdict that the deceased "Died
from malignant cholera."

An accident occurred on Saturday last to Richard
Bremridge, Esq., M.P. for Barnstaple, who was hunting
near Youlston with the North Devon hounds, when, in
riding at a stiff pace, the bit of his bridle broke, an:l
his horse galloped off without restraint. Mr. B. con-
sulted his safety by throwing himself from the saddle,
by which, however, he sustained some severe bruises,
and fractured a small bone in the hand. Rumour had
exaggerated the accident, and much concern was evinced
in town at what was feared to be the unfortunate fate of
the worthy gentleman, which was relieved on the Una
particulars becoming known. We are happy to state
that, after being detained to his room fora day or two
in much pain, the Honourable Member is now doing
well.--Devonshire Chronicle.

THE INDIAN CORN AND MAIZE
IN ST. JAMES'S PARK.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Slue—This Pyrenean Maize was pulled up on Oct.
9, 1849. The plants from the American seed remain
standing in their growing state. The above sorts of
corn have been cultivated here this year on two small
plots of ground, of about ten yards square each, in
order to ascertain whether it can be profitably grown
in the soil and climate of England.
The seed, it is said, was sown early in the spring,
in one of the royal gardens, and was planted in the
park early in May on that fine maiden soil—one plot
in the highest state of cultivation, abundantly sup-
plied manure ; the other equally so, less the
manure—in rows about 2i feet apart, and about six
inches asunder in the rows. Soon after, at the proper
time, it was moulded up with a hoe, similar to po-
tatoes, and so soon as the ear or pod was grown to
about one-third of its expected size, the top of the
plant was cut off within two or three inches of the
ear, in order that the corn might receive the full
benefit of the soil, the sun and the air; yet it was not
at maturity, or judged sufficiently ripe to pull up for
harvesting before Tuesday, the 19th of October.
The seed, understood to be principally from the
Pyrenees, was supplied by a Mr. Keene, a respectable
farmer, lately residing there ; but there were also a
few plants raised from American seed. Both sorts
seem to have been planted on each plot, apparently to
test their difference; neither of which were at ma-
turity before the aforesaid date, but the Pyrenees
took the lead in ripening and kept it.
Mr. Keene, from a pamphlet published by himself,
writes as follows :
"The Pyrenean corn, or forty-days' maize, is :from
an estate in the Pyrenees where the average tempe-
rature is very little higher than it is in this country,
and the experiment in St. James's Park has been suc-
cessful, there being now upon the ground a fine healthy
crop.
" The seed was sown late in the season, but its
growth was marvellous, averaging one inch a day for
the first sixty days. The flowering stalk began to
shoot from the sheath about the fortieth day from the
time of sowing [query planting, being myself present
at that time], and in a little more than 120 days it
was ripe as it now stands in rows, with the flowering
stalk cut off about an inch higher than the cob [it
`bears only one] containing the grain.
"It is calculated that bread can be made from pure
maize flour at the cost of a little more then a halfpenny
a pound. The bushel of maize weighing 601bs. will
yield 1001bs. of bread, while on an average an acre of
land will produce 48 bushels of flour.
" The success that has attended the experiment in
London, and those made simultaneously in other parts
of the south of England, show that the plant is suited
to our soil and temperature."
Notwithstanding Mr. Keene's extensive knowledge,
practical experience, and most flattering report of the
progress of this Pyrenean maize, and though I regret
to feel obliged to differ in opinion from such great
authority, I cannot refrain from expressing my be-
lief that this experiment is a decided failure. For
looking at the richness of the land—land within my
recollection and observation that fattened the ox of
George lll.—cultivated on the most scientific prin-
ciples by most able hands from the royal gardens,
aided by this beautiful year of vegetation, together
with ten successive weeks of the finest harvest wea-
ther almost in the memory of man—with these facts
before my eyes, and with all due deference to the
high authority who introduced the experiment for so
laudable and praiseworthy a purpose as the public
good—when I consider the soil, the culture, the
summer, and, above all, the lateness of this crop be-
fore it arrives at maturity even sufficient to be taken
under cover to harden and perfect, how can I come
to any other conclusion than that the seed from the
latitude from whence this came does not suit " the
soil and temperature ". of Great Britain sufficiently
to be cultivated advantageously ?
If the cultivator would be pleased hereafter to fur-
nish the public with the exact number of square yards
in each plot, together with the exact number of pints
of corn grown thereon, distinguishing the different
sorts (if any) and weight, that would be a great fact
towards enlightening our understanding in this matter.
This Pyrenean maize was pulled up, and
tied up in bundles of about the size of a common
wheatsheaf, containing about eight to each plot of
ground, with a truck standing by, for the purpose of
taking them under cover to dry and perfect. The
superintendent being present, very obligingly pre-
sented me with two of the ears of the Pyrenean
corn, so that I am able and willing, and shall with
much pleasure give a few seeds to any agricultural
applicant who wishes to try to raise this sort to a suc-
cessful issue, and which shall be forwarded by post,
free of expense.
Query—Had this been a damp summer, such as we
occasionally experience, of what value would this Py-
renean crop have been, beyond feeding cattle with it
from its green state ?
Again, admitting Mr. Keene's statement, that the
Pyrenean corn bears but one cob, and produces six
quarters of flour an acre—where is there an Eng-
lish farmer to be found, who would grow this sort
of late, uncertain crop, so doubtful of arriving at
maturity, when an acre of the same sort of park-like
land would produce him (without the manure) up-
wards of four quarters of wheat (or an abundant crop
of almost any other grain), which, with the straw,
would be of nearly double the value of the Pyrenean
crop at all times, and under all seasons ?
The late Mr. Cobbett's American corn I have culti-
vated in my garden at Grove Lodge, Winkfield,
Berks, which proved more satisfactory. I have no
interest whatever in this undertaking beyond the
public weal, and I am, Sir, yours respectfully, nearly
at the end of my 78th year, and an old agriculturist,
&c., &c.

W. P. NEEDHAM
28, Lambeth•square, London.

STEAM FROM JAMAICA, via NEW YORK
(From the Jamaica Conservative,:Sept. 20.)
There can be little doubt that British interests must
suffer in every way from the newly-projected line of
steamers between this port and,North America. The
length of time occupied in a passage home by the
British steamers has long been a source of much
complaint—not because the vessels employed were
slow, or because the accommodation was not suffi-
ciently good, but because, with different arrange-
ments, the same ships could perform the work in a
much shorter space of time. In opposition to this it
may be argued that the traffic between England and
Jamaica is not of so much importance as to warrant
a change of plan which, if less expensive in itself,
would prevent communication with other islands, or
render indispensable the building of new ships. Be
this, however, as it may, America, being in a position
to offer greater advantages, must almost monopolise
the passenger trade between this port and England—
an event which cannot fail to injure this branch of
the commercial interest in the mother country. A
passenger who leaves Kingston in the British steamer
—say on the 24th of September—arrives in England
about the 20th of October, which is an average pas-
sage, making the duration of the voyage from 25 to
26 days ; while by the American line of packets, a
passenger leaving Kingston on the 19th of September
arrives in New York on the 25th, sails for England
on the 26th in one of the Cunard steamers, and ar-
rives in England on or about the Bth of October, thus
completing the passage in 19 days. It may be, and
has been, done in 15 to 16 days.
The next item for consideration is the comparative
expense of either route, and here again the Americans
have the advantage.
A first-class passage in the American boat
from Kingston to New York costs 75
dollars, equal to • • • • .. £l5 12 6
A first-class passage from New York to
Southampton in one of the Cunard's
boats costs

20 0 0

Total cost from Kingston to Southamp-
ton by the American line 35 12 6
By the English line a first-class passage
from Kingston to Southampton costs... 52 0 0

Difference in favour of the American boats 16 7 6

A second-class passage by way of the
United States costs—
From Kingston to New York, 60 dollars 12 10 0
And a first•elass passage from New York
to Southampton

20 0 0

Total from Kingston to New York 32 10 0
A second-class passage by the English
steamer costs, at the option of the tra-
veller, 451. or ..

... 40 0 0

Difference in favour of the American line 710 0

In point of accommodation, the American boats
would seem to have a decided advantage, inasmuch as
many important points overlooked by the British have
been sedulously attended to by the Americans. We
do not, of course, allude to the gingerbread, gew-gaw
decorations which ostentation might, in many in-
stances, have spared to good taste ; but there is in the
American boats, for example, the substantial comfort
of a retiring room in case of? too warm, too cool, or
rainy weather. On board a British steamer, if tt:e
vessel be within the tropics, or if there be wet weather,
the passengers must either endure the wet or heat on
deck, or they must retire to the rude half-deck
(where there is not even a seat provided fur them),
unless they prefer the solitude of their berths or the
warm dining saloon, where a smell of yesterday's
dinner ever seems to linger, as if in anticipation of the
coming meal. On board the American boats, on the
contrary, there are neat and comfortable lounging-
rooms, hung with mirrors and protected by sash win-
dows. These chambers are capable of accommodating
about 80 people at a time, and are a delightful resort
after meals, when the spar deck is either too warm or
too wet for pedestrian exercise, This arrangement
alone is 14 consideration.

How it is that the Americans can afford to run
their boats cheaper than the English matters little in
the present inquiry—even now, we think the rates too
high for a six days' passage, and we have no doubt
that when Kingston shall have been made a regular
berth for these boats the fares will be considerably
reduced. We would also suggest that the steamers
should leave here on the 18th instead of the 19th of
the month, in order that their arrival in time for the
departure of the Cunard boat may be insured.

RAILWAY ii Aith; MARKETS.
BRISTOL, OCT. 24.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market was not so ani-
mated to-day, and but little business was transacted. The
sales are—Great Western, 55—Ditto, Quarters, 124 dis.—
Midland Stock, 6 per cent., 1 0.
LIVERPOOL, OCT. 24.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market was very firm
to-day at the quotations. The transactions were as follow :
Lancashire and Yorkshire, Fifths, 6% dis —Liverpool, Crosby ,
and Southport, 3:1/4 dis.—London and North-Western, 111 I/2
—Ditto, New Quarters, I.ls. 3d. p.—Ditto, Fifths, 11% p.—
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, Preference, 10%—Mid-
land, 47—Ditto, Halves, 2114 dis. South-Eastern and
Dover, (No. 4), 6 York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N
E. Purchase), 514, dis.
BIRMINGHAM, Ocr. 24.
STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The transactions to-day were as
follow :—London and North-Western, New Quarters, % p.—
North Staffordshire, 8% dis.— Shropshire Union, 3% dis .
—South Staffordshire, 4 1-1 G dis.
YORK, OCT. 23.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The transactions to-day were as
follow :—North British, Preference, 5 ex in.—York, New.
castle, and Berwick (G.. N. E. Purchase), 21/2—York and
North Midland, 19.

GLASGOW, OCT. 22.
STOCK EXCHANGE. - The transactions to-day were as
Wow :—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 48 —Ditto, Halves
(:No. 1), North British, Quarters, 50s.