The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-17 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

WILFUL FIRE-RAISING.--An important case of
wilful fire-raising was brought before the High Court of
Justiciary, Edinburgh, on Monday last, against John Adams,
smallware dealer, &c., who occupied a shop at the Cross of
Glasgow, immediately adjoining -the Cross Steeple. It ap-
peared that Adams had insured the goods in his shop for
4001., and within a few days after getting possession of the
policy he put the greater part of the goods away out of the
shop, and subsequently sent them to Liverpool ; and upon
the very day that the goods were shipped for that port the
fire took place. Luckily, when it was discovered (which
was late on a Saturday night), Mr. Robertson, the superin-
tendent of tire-engines, who happened to be near the spot,
broke open the back-door, and got the fire immediately ex-
tinguihed, just in time to shoiv the amount of goods in the
premises, which consisted principally of a few coarse cotton
goods strung on wires throughout the whole premises. The
goods were traced to Liverpool and brought back ; and
Adams was committed fir wilful fire-raising. Upon being
brought to trial on Monday last he pleaded guilty to the
minor charge of " attempt at wilful fire-raising," which the
Court accepted. The sentence was delayed from Monday
till Friday, in order that the judges might have time to con-
sult as to the amount of punishment to be awarded. Adams
was brought up yesterday morning, and, after a severe ad•
monition from the judges, sentenced to seven years' trans-
portation —Edinburgh. Paper of Saturday.
'TIE LATE Ma, WILLIAM CLOWES.—The stock
in trade and personal property of this very celebrated printer
has been valued at 90,000 x. With the exception of a few
bequests, viz., to his executors, and to hi; friend and old as-
sistant, Mr. 1). Phipps, and to his servants, he disposes of the
whole of his property amongst his eight children in certain
proportions, and the residue equally amongst them. To his
sons, William and George, he leaves the business, stock, and
materials, the steam-engines and apparatus, printing ma-
chines and presses, type, machinery, and foundry, andAhe
premises both at Charing-cross and Duke-street, Stamford-
street, the latter, perhaps, the largest of the kind in Europe;
and as a compensation to his son Edward for not having a
share in the business, he leaves him 6,000/. and an annuity
of 400/. His private library of books he leaves to his sons,
Winchester and Edward, and daughter Ann. The plate to
his four daughters, for each of whom he has made a liberal
provision. He executed his will in December, 1845, and ap-
pointed as executors Mr. James Dnucan, !tee of Paternoster-
tow, and Mr. Daniel Nash, of 61, Strand, his son-in-law,
in (conjunction with his sons, 11 illiam and George. The de-
ceased was in his 68th year, and was a native of Chichester,
in which town he served his apprenticeship to the trade;
upon its completion he came to London and started for him-
self; with limited means, and by unremitting attention and
perseverance raised those extensive establishments. It
was most appropriately termed of him, in the record of
his death, that he had been " the architect of his own for-
tune."

HOTEL AND TAVERN-KEEPERS PROVIDENT INSTI-
TUTIoN.—The eighth annual meeting of the members of the
above institution was held on Monday, at the Craven Hotel,
Strand. Mr. Clark, late Mayor of IVindsor, having taken
the chair, the secretary read the report, which stated that
the large increase in the subscriptions and donations, during
the past year, had now completed the suns required by the
rules of the institution, before giving temporary relief to its
members. The balance at the last audit was 6s. 7d.; the
subscriptions and donations amounted to 1,050/. Bs. 5d.; the
dividend to 155/. 155. 6d. ; making a tatal of 1,2061. Bs. 6d.
The sum of 855/. 15s. had been invested during the past
year, which, added to the original funded capital, amounted
to 4,176/. 16s. 10d. After deducting expenses, which amounted
to 100/. Os. 2d., there remained the sum of 238/. 3s. 2d. to be
funded ; which sum completed the 5,000/. required before
they could commence giving temporary relief. The institu-
tion now consisted of 248 members. and 785 honorary mem-
bers and donors. The subscription lists at the last dinner
amounted to 1751.; and, in consequence of the unusually
small amount of this sum, it was suggested that 500/. should
be raied by subscriptions of 50/. each ; and the thanks of
the meeting were given to the gentlemen who had kinily
taken up the subscription lists. The Lord Mayor's collection
amounted to 179/. Ss. The amounts collected at the two last
dinners were respectively 530/. and 170/., making together
700/. The proceeds of a private ball amounted to 53/, which
sum had been handed in. The thanks of the meeting were
unanimously voted to the auditors, secretary, and chairman,
for their unremitting attention to the well-being of the insti-
tution, and the meeting separated.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AT THE UNION BANK,
LIVERPOOL—About one o'clock on Saturday, a gentleman
went into the Union Brink, Brunswick-street, for the purpose
of depositing notes to the amount of 7501. He had the
bundle of notes in his hand when he entered the bank, and
while he took up a pen to write a note upon the counter, he
placed them in the outside pocket of his top coat. When, in
a minute or two after, he put down his hand to feel for them,

they were gone, and no trace of them has since been diE:
covered. It is believed that the thief was one of the London

swell mob, who made his way there in search of what he
could find. There are several of the London swell mob now
in town, and most of them are of very fashionable exterior.
One was apprehended on Saturday, who was believed to have
been concerned in this robbery, but he was discharged, as he
had not any notes, although he had 23 sovereigns in his pos-
session. The numbers of the notes stolen at the bank are
known, and bills have been printed offering a reward of 501.
for the apprehension of the thief and recovery of the pro-
perty. It is singular that the exposures recently made have
not taught caution to gentlemen depositing and receiving
sums of money at banks and other public places. Indi-
viduals who place cash in loose outside pockets are the very
victims whom sharpers use all vigilance to discover. The
notes consisted of six 1001. and three 501. notes, all of the
Bank of England.—Liverpool Albion Of yesterday.
The late lamented Mr. Youatt, in one of his ora-
tions to the members of the Veterinary College, observes—
" That by the improvements in modern chemistry, the
medical profession are enabled successfully to treat diseases
which were previously supposed as not within the reach of
medicine." The truth has been manifested for many years,
but in no instance of greater importance to mankind than by
the discovery of Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills.
CONDEMNED CoNvicli —The day fixed for the
execution of Welch and Matthews, who are at present under
sentence of death, for murder, in Morpeth gaol, is Wednes-
day next. Welch maintains the same hardened feeling of
impenitence which characterised him on his conviction.
Matthews is much depreAsed in his mind, takes little food,
but contemplates his fate with more calmness than he did,
while he is more attentive to the instructions of his spiritual
adviser. The execution will take place in front of the gaol,
at Morpeth, at eight o'clock in the morning.—Newcastle
Journal.

FATAL CAB ACCIDENT.—An inquest was held
on Monday by Mr. Bedford, at Sr. George's Hospital, on the
body of Hannah Mitchell, aged 41. The deceased was a
fancy toy dealer in High-street, Knightsbridge, and between
nine and ten o'clock on the night of last Saturday week, the
deceased was crossing the Knightsbridge-road, when she was
run over by one of Hansom's patent cabs, and the off wheel
passed over her chest. She was picked up in a senseless
state and conveyed to the above institution, where she ex-

pired on Thursday last, from suffocation caused by internal
hemorrhage. Verdict, "Accidental death."

The Clues* and Prince Albert took a drive in an open
carriage on Monday afternoon, in the vicinity of Osborne
House.
The Royal dinner party at Osborne House on Monday
evening included Earl Desert, Colonel and Lady C. Harcourt,
Mr. Ward, and Mr. A'Court Holmes.
Yesterday morning her Majesty and her Royal Consort
took their usual early walk.
The Royal children walked and rode on ponies yesterday
on the beach and in the pleasure-grounds.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager left Cashiobury Park,
Huts, at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, in a carriage and
tour, for town. Her Majesty was attended by the Marquis
and Marchioness of Ormonde, Hon. Miss Mitchell, and Colonel
and Mrs. Cornwall. Sir David Davies, Rev. T. G. Hudson,
and Lieutenant Bedford, R.N., also left Cashiobury Park,
for Town. The Earl and Countess Howe left Cashiobury
Park yesterday, for their seat, Gopsall Hall. Leicestershire.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, attended by her suite,
arrived at her residence, Marlborough-house, Pall-mall,
shortly before four o'clock. His Royal HiAliness the Duke
of Cambridge visited her Majesty after her arrival.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the
Duchess of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester took an
airing in a carriage yesterday.
A Deputation from the Steam Silip Owners' Association,
consisting of Mr. Pattison, M.l'., Mr. Brown, M.P., Mr. C.
W. Williams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bolger, and Mr. W. T. Hall,
with Mr. Morgan, the Secretary, had an interview with the
Right Hon. E. Strutt yesterday, at the. Commissioners Of
Railways office.
A deputation, consisting of the Marquis of Londonderry,
the Marquis of Queensberry, Viscount Newry, Viscount
Castlereagh, Sir James D. Hay, Bart., Sir John APTaggal t,
Bart., Major-General. Hunter Blair, and Sir John Rennie,
had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yes-
terday, at his official residence in Downing-street.
A Deputation of the Factory Delegates from the Short
Time Committee presented yesterday a memorial front the
factory workers of Glasgow, at the official residence of •
Lord John Russell, in Downing-street, in favour of the Ten
Hours' Bill.

Mr. Hastie, M.P., and Mr. Duncan, had an interview yes-
terday with the light lion. Edward Strutt.
A deputation of Irish distillers had an interview ye3terday
with the Chan •ellor of the Exchequer and the President of
the Board of Trade. •

•
Mr. Campbell had an interview with Lord John Ruszell
yesterday.
Dispatches were seat of yesterday from the Colonial•ofce
for the Governor of Gibraltar.
A deputation on the South Wales Railway Bill, consisting
of Mr. Cookson, chairman of the Severn and Wye Railway
and Canal Company; Mr. Bigg (solicitor), and Mr. Coates,
(agent to the company), had an interview with the Right
Hon. E. Strutt yesterday. at the office of the Commissioners
of Railways, in Great George-street.

TRIAL OF THE COINS IN THE
PYX OF THE MINT.
The Lords of her Majesty's most Honourable Privy
Council, held a meeting yesterday morning, in the office of
the Comptroller-General of the Exchequer, for the trial of
the coins in the pyx of her Majesty's Mint.
There were present Lord Cottenham, Lord Chancellor;
the Marquis of Clanricarde, Post-Master-General; the Earl
Auckland, First Lord of the Admiralty; Sir Charles Wood,
Chancellor of the Exchequer; Lord Campbell, Chancellor of
the Duchy of Lancaster; and Lord Monteagle, Comptroller-
General of the Exchequer. The Right Hon. R. L. Shiel,
Master of her Majesty's Mint was also present.
A .jury of goldsmiths were sworn, and were charged by the
Lord Chancellor to make the assay of the coins deposited
as specimens from the different coinages in the pyx of
the Royal Mint, between the 13th of February, 1845,
and the 13th July, 1846, in order to ascertain whether they
were of the requisite fineness and weight, according to the
standard of the currency. The monies bad been coined and
delivered by the Right-Hon. Sir George Clerk, Bart., master
and worker.
The jury having received a portion of the Ancient Trial
Plate retired to make the assay of coins set apart and kept in
the Pyx.
The official account stated that during the period above
named, there had been coined (pursu'ant to Mint Indenture,
dated February 6, 1817) after the rate of 46 29-40 sovereigns
to the pound weight troy, of the standard of 22 carats of fine
gold, and 2 carats of alloy,
Lbs. Troy of Gold Oz. Dwt. Grs.
153,617 4 2 14
That the Sovereigns put into the Pyx amounted to 8,849.
The Half Sovereigns to 1,393.
Total value of Gold Coinage 7,177,770/. Bs.
The silver monies coined during the same period, after the
rate of 66 shillings to the pound weight troy, of the
standard of 11 oz. 2 dwta. fine silver and 18 dwts. of alloy,
Lbs. troy of silver.
286,980
Crowns put into the Pyx
Half-c:owns
Shillings
Sixpences
Groats ll5
Maundy and Colonial monies
Total• value of the Siver Coinage, 947,0341.