The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-24 00:00:00

the morals and welfare of the country. No man
can look at the returns for a moment without
perceiving the race in dishonesty which has been
run between the speculators in Mark-lane and the
dealers at the outports. That there has been
fraud practised by some of these parties there
can be nti ;!oubt. It is impossible, or at least in
the hiOekdegree improbable, that 27,543 quar-
ters can'hive been sold bona fide in London, at
an average price of 30s. 4d. per quarter, while
3,223 quarters were sold bona fide in Lincoln.
r)hire at only 225. sd. per quarter. We are glad
to observe, that the propriety of substituting a
fixed duty for the delusive system of averages is
' generally recognized. Those who are opposed
to the pi inciple of the corn-laws admit, that the
inconveniences and evils of the present system by
far exceed any that could result from the steady
operation of a fixed duty on foreign corn.
We abstain from going into the general dis-
cussion of the expediency of protecting the
home-grower from the unburthened influx of
grain from abroad. In our view, this hardly
seems a legitimate occasion for the inquiry. Not
that we would be understood for an instant to
deny the right to discuss any question of public
policy, when it fairly presents itself, or is fairly
selected. If any class of our countrymen
imagine, that their interests suffer from the
corn laws, they have an undoubted right to
bring the subject forward for the considera-
tion of the public. But, we should have
but an indifferent opinion of the moral con-
struction of that man who would avail himself
of such an opportunity as the present to thwart
and hamper the Government in putting an end
to what all must allow to be a crying and into-
lerable evil. We are, therefore, not desirous
of unnecessarily hazarding the consequences that
may follow a discussion, so liable, as expe-
rience teaches us, to be misconstrued by the
unreflecting and suspicious multitude. The prin-
ciple of the corn-lawg is sanctioned by Parlia-
ment, and, we believe, the general judgment of
the nation. The mode of reducing that principle
to practical effect, is all that we have now under
consideration ; and surely, when the circum-
stances attending the present admission of foreign
oats into our domestic market are considered, we
are certain they will satisfy every well-wisher to
his country, that the fraudulent system of averages
should be forthwith discontinued.

ASSIZE INTELLIG'ENCE.

GUILDFORD, MONDAY, Ave. 23.
CROWN SIDI:. _

- -
Elizabeth Holland was indicted for feloniously stealing a gold
band, a gilt clasp, and several other articles, the property of
Captain Enos South.
Ama Smith,that
they were proprietors
of a house
It appeared from the evidence of Captain Smith and his
lady,irs Jemi
at Richmond, which they let about four years since to Lady
Jane Montgomery ; and Mrs. Smith locked up in a particular
room a quantity
of wearing.apparel
of one hundred and fifty pounds. sand trinkets to the value
he house was subsequently
let to a Mr. Fulton, in whose family the prisoner was a maid-
servant, and on the term of two years being expired, the house
came back into the possession of Mr. Smith. It was then
found that the room where the property had been, was broken
open, and all of it taken away. Suspicion immediately fell
upon the prisoner, who had been left in care of the house for a
short time by Mr. Fulton, and on searching her trunk a part
of the property, consisting of lace,
lace-veils, and silk dresses,
was found, and pawnbrokers' duplicates for several other
articles. • These were produced, and identified by Mr. Smith.
The evidence was strengthened by the testimony of a maid ser-
vant, who had BOW one of the, silk dresses on the prisoner, and
who remarked that it did not fit her well.
The prisoner said in her defence that the lace was the legacy
Of an aunt, and that several other articles were given her in
families where she had lived as servant.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, and sentence of seven
years' transportation was instantly' passed.
Elizabeth Spong was indicted for stealing six sovereigns, the
property of Moses Jacob. It appeared that the prosecutor had
been in the habit of sleeping at en inn at lValton-upon.
Thames ; and being always accustomed to sleep in a portico.
lar room, went on the night in question to it, but found it lock-
ed, and havini.; knocked violently discovered that it was in the
possession of the prisoner. lie then retired to another apart-
ment, and having gone to rest, was awoke about two in the
morning, by the prisoner coming into his room, and somehow
or other his six sovereigns were missing next morning. This
was the case of Mr. Jacob, whose evidence was given in a care-
less mulling manner, which called forth the notice of the Court
more than once.
The prisoner did not retain Counsel, hut it was insinuated
terms, which both denied ;
that the proseeutor and the prisoner had been on very good
Mr. Jacobs with having made the attempt,
but the prisoner roundly charged
room. and broke into her
The following is a sketch of the examination :
Pritioner—How came you, Mr. Jacobs, to sneak into my
room ?
Mr. Jacobs—No, T did not; I opened the latch, and the
staple Caine out of itself.
Prisoner—You know you broke into it violently.
Mr. Jacobs.-011 no, by no means, I was very temperate.
By the CounT.—Will you swear you were not going in for
an Impropti purpose ?
Mr. Jacobs.--On my oath I was not.
Prisoner.—You know, Mr. Jacobs, it is not the first time you
have been after me.
Mr. Jacobs—Never, indeed ; Oh, no.
Prisoner.. You did, Mr. .Tacobs ; you came with a bad in-
tent, and said you came through your sister's room.
By the Couirr.— Did you speak to her, when you went to
her room ?

Mr. Jacobs.--.No, I went to the room because I had often
slept there.
Prisoner.—Look in my face as I look at you, and say so.
Mr. Jacob.—l had no connexion with you whatroinever.
The constable said the prisoner always told the same story,
and produced the staple, which was evidently wrenched by
force from the door.
Mr. LAW, who was retained for the prosecution, said, " This
is a case I can carry no farther," and threw down his brief;
and the Jury, under the direction of the Learned Judge, in-
stantly acquitted the prisoner.

cr~Yr. SIDE.
Before Mr. Baron GRAHAM. •
RICK! V. COTSWORTH.
This was an action on the case against the defendant for the
negligence of his servants in leaving a hole open in the public
highway, in the .Borough-read, whereby the plaintiff fell in,
and was greatly injured. The plaintiff was a publican, living
in Blackfriars-road, and the defendant a master,bricklayer,
employed by the Commissioners of Sewers for Surrey in repair.
ing the sewers in St. George's-fields. In the evening of the
9th of January last, the plaintiff, who is a lusty man, was re-
turning home in a gig with a friend named Wilson ; and on
going through the Borough-road, near the Obelisk in St.
George's-fields, where the main sewer had been opened, for
the purpose of being repaired, he fell into the bole, and
his friend and horse after him, leaving the gig on the
bank. lie was hurt considerably In the fall : a gash of se-
Veral inches in length was :nada n the scalp o f his head, and
he was taken up in a awe olinsensi ibili ty. His chest was
also injured, and for four weeks he was confined tb his bed,
in consequence of the injuries he received, from the effects
of which lie was stated not to have yet recovered. No less
than seven witnesses, including Mr. Wilson, deposed solemnly
that.irt the place where the plaintiff fell into the sewer there
was no railing or other protection against accidents. At each
end of the excavation, and on the opposite side, scafibiding
poles had been placed, but the spot In question was wholly un-
protected. A lantern which alliwtled but a dim light had been
placed at one corner of the excavation. The gas-lights at the
Obelisk gave a considerable light: but not sufficient to enable a
traveller to avoid the danger which happened to the plaintiff.
Mr. Wilson swore positively that the plaintiffand himself were
perfectly sober,. although they had partaken of threaglaaties of
brandy and water that evening with a pUbIiVON, a friend of the
plaintiff. After seeing his friend home, he returned to the spot,
and beard a man -named linghes the foreman of the works,
say to Sullivan, a watchman, In die employment of the defend.