The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 25, 1847.

plaint against a slave, or a slave against a free person.
It takes a way the jurisdiction of asFize court• in
such cases, but leaves to them the jurisdiction in
cases where justice is demanded between slaves
and slaves, or between freemen and freemen. The
Bill will be discussed in a few days. During
'the course of the debate some horrible details were
given of the cruelties practised on the slaves in the
French colonies under the present system. A Bill
has been introduced, allowing an advance of
13,600,000 f., in nearly equal portions, to the Paris
and Lisle, the Marseilles and Avignon, and the Or-
leans and Vierzon Railways.
A project of law was presented to the bureaux to
restore the right guaranteed by the charter, of having
all cases of libel tried before a jury, the law courts hav-
ing recently ruled that libels upon public functionaries
might be tried by the j udges alone, without the interven-
tion of a jury. The Beaurocracy of the Chambers,
however, have refused even to discuss the project for
restoring to the press the rights guaranteed by the
charter. This reminds us of the worst days of the
Vinistere deplorable. The proposal for excluding rail-
way shareholders from the Chambers was rejected
almost unanimously.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.

GITY, QUARTER

11 REE

lie Cotton Market ut Liverpool yk sterday was firm
again. Sales 6,000 bales, of which 1,200 were
American for export, and 500 on speculation. Of the
total quantity sold 4,000 bales were American, at 6d. to
Id. per lb. The market closed firmly.—ln Railway
Shares there was more business doing than for some
time past, and better prices were obtained.
We have no ship arrivals today from any quarter;
but the accounts from the Continent in respect to the
weather and the supplies of grain are as favourable
as those noticed yesterday under this head, and
if the fall in grain can but be established
on two or three successive market days we shall have a
pressure of supplies little expected some weeks ago. If
such be not the case, we will then partly side with those
who stoutly maintain that there is but little grain in the
country, though we know by experience what the money
power of many large holders will enable them to do.
Upon the whole the aspect of affairs has most decidedly
improved ; confidence has been increased, and very
general and sanguine hopes are expressed that the
state of the Money Market must mend. The
directors of the Bank of England have not
had an easy task to perform ; and no doubt
the desire to assist the Government has served
to check their free action. At present the
course is clearer, and we trust the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer will find the new bills generally taken up at the
increased interest of 3d. per centum per diem. Certainly, if
the bankers and capitalists have much cash at their
disposal, a rate exceeding 4i per cent. upon a
security held for n.erely temporary purposes, and
always safe and convenient, is not to be pronounced in-
ad,qUate, especially if there can be any dependence
placed upon the Bank of England, and the continuance
of loans upon long dated paper, as low as 5i
to 5 per cent. per annum. The effect of a
funding 'of bills . would be injurious in more
respects thin one, although the country woulel save
for the time being the difference between 4-k and 3 per
cent. paid upon its floating and fixed obligations respec-
tively.

Thee accounts of the state of the manufacturing
population is gloomy in the extreme. Before the
end of the month 50,000 men will be out of employ at
Rouen. 1,600 men have been discharged from the
calico print-works in the neighbourhood of Paris, and
the directors of the Lyons Railway have declared
that unless they receive assistance from the Govern-
ment, they must discharge 30,000 of their workmen,
The Gazette dos Tribunaux states, that on Satur-
day last, at twelve o'clock, the Committee appointed
by the Court of Peers to investigate the charge
against Geirral CztEitEs received the deposition of
M. DaLpsuir Laisoist, one of the shareholders in the
mines of, Gotthecnans, and of M. THIRRIA, secretary
to the Mining Company. General CUBIERES under-
went a further examination, which lasted until half-
past five o'clock. M. PABMENTIBE, having published
and distributed to the members of the two Chambers
a pamphlet entitled "Short Observations," General
CUBIERES has addressed a complaint to the Attorney
against M. PABMENTIER on the subject of it.
Very little business was done in the Funds in
Paris on Sunday, the beauty of the weather having
attracted nearly all the world to the country. The
Three per Cents. were, however, still more firm than
on Saturday, the price being 78f. sc. (buyers). Our
letters contain the following provincial and German
stock lists :

Perhaps there is at the present moment no place abroad
to which parties here look with more anxious expectation
for au improvement in the Money Market than P“ris-
The embdrrassed position of the railway companies, the
reiterated statements of a probable new loan, and the
tendency of French speculators geaerally, to " lose
heart " the moment a cloud hovers over the
financial horizon, these combined are circumstances
that constantly keep in check here the more buoyant
feeling which ever and anon displays itself.
The Funds have been very well supported, but there
has been again a dogged reluctance to deal, because
neither Bulls nor Bears will exhibit any symptoms of
being the weaker party. To-morrow the " options" will
show, to use a common, but expressive saying,
" which way the cat jumps." Consols have been
871 for transfer, some indication that stock
is in request, but only 87-1 -a for account.
Exchequer bills have been quoted par to 2s.
premium. The New Three-and- a-Quarter per Cents.
have been 81 to 88. Bank Stock has been steady at 189.
' In the Foreign Market there is as little as ever passing.
Portuguese Four per Cents. have been 33i to 34. Dutch
Four per Cents. are 88g. Danish Bonds have been
at 84.

MARSEILLES, MA.Y 18.—Marseilles and Avignon, 717 f.
50c.; Northern, 598 f. 75e.; Paris and Lyons, 432 f. 50e.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 22.
Luxembourg, .114—Namur and Liege, 3A—Northern of
Erance,llA—Paris and Lyons, 54.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
CHESTER, MAT 24, HALF -PAST 8, P.M.--I have just
time to inform you of a frightful accident that has oc-
curred on the Chester and Rhuabon Railway, by the
giving way (it is supposed) of the girder in the centre of
the last arch of the viaduct over the Dee, and close to
the race-course hare. The train left the station at about
a quarter past six, and in less than another quarter, every
carriage was smashed to atoms, and are at the time I
write being taken away in piecemeal. A great number
of persons have been killed, several taken to the infirmary,
but what number of carriages there were, I have not
now time to ascertain.
A Mr. J. Matthews, a highly respectable coachman,
who drives from Barmouth to Rhuabon daily, and from
thence per steam toChester, was on his return home, and
is one amongst the unfortunate individuals. The city is in
the greatest state of excite ment, and thousands are at
the spot.

Business in the Share Market is still very dull, hu
ho:ders do not press sales and obtain fuller prices. I

appears to us that this caution on all hands is satisfac-
tory, and is the best possible preparative for a steady

improvement.

Burrtsu FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)

Bank Stock .. • • • • • • • • 190
Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. 8,;1%
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities • • • • 87% %
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Anna. 88 87%
Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5, 1860 • • BP. 9
Ditto, 30 years, Oct. 10, 1859 • • 8 13-16
Ditto, 30 years, Jan 5, 1860 .. 914 %
India Bonds, 1,0001.
Ditto, under 1,0001.
Consols for May 27
Exchequer Bills. 2d.
1,0001. • • .. • . .. • • par 2p
500/. • • • • .. .• • • 41 p
Ditto, Small • • . • .... 63 p
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Danish Bonds, 3 per Cent .. .. 84
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent. • •
Ditto, Four per Cent • . .• .. 34 33%
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent • • .. 110
Dividends on toe above payable in London.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents.
Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 88%
BUSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER SHARE.
Amber., Notting.,Boston, & Eastrn Jn. 2% .... .. to
Eastern Counties • • • • • . .• .. 20 .... 187 %.. to 19
Ditto, York Extension •• ~• • • 7% •• .• ...• to 6
East Lancashire •• IT
• .. tfi - .. 3: to —.
Ditto, ditto, Nevr Scrip .• I % •• .... to 1.
East Lincolnshire .. • • 6% •. • . 7%%.. to
Great Northern .. .• • . . .... 2%.... to
Great Western • • .. .• .. 85 ....109 108.. to 109%
Ditto. Half Shares • . .. • . 50 .... 63 .... to 63%
Ditto, Quarter Shares .. • • • . 12% .... 1614 to
Ditto. New .- .• .. • • • • .. 4%.... 7% %.. to
Leeds and Bradford .. • . .. 40 .... 84% to
London, Brighton, and South Coast .. 50 .. 51% %to
London and North-Western.. • • .. 100 .• .. 171 to
Ditto, Quarters .. .. L. and B. 7 21% to
Ditto ditto New .. • • .. • 2 .... 11 14 to
Ditto, 40/. Shares .. M. and B. .. 40 .... 65 .. • to
London and South-Western 411. 6s. 10d. 62 .... to
Ditto, New .. • • .. .. 27% .• • • 27 .• .. to
Ditto, Tenths (Consolidated) • . .. 50 •• • • 51% •• • • to
Lynn and Dcreham .. • • .. .. 20 •• • 20% .. ••to
Manchester and Leeds • . . • • 82 •• • • •• .. to
Ditto, Fifths .. .. 5 .... to
Ditto, Thirds (Reg.) .. ..71. 45... • • % dis... to
Manehester, Buxton, and Matlock -. 425. •• • • % dis... to
Manchester and Southampton .. • • 2 •• • • % • ... to
Midland •• •• •• •• •• ••100 •• 113% .... to 115
Ditto, New • • • • .. .. 36 .... 3834 %.. to
Ditto, New • . „ 6 .. •• 7%% .. to
Newcastle and Berwick .. .. 20 .... .... to
Ditto, New • .. 5 .... 614%
North British .• .. • • .. • • 25 .. • . 30 .... to
Ditto, Thirds • • .. • • .. • • 1 .... 2%.... to
North Staffordshire •. .. • • • • 7% .... 9% %..to
Preston and Wyre • . .• • •• 25 .... to

•• •• par
.. • •• •• 87%
•• .
llid. --

The accident was seen by numbers who were playing
at cricket on the Roodu at the time.
I will give yotr fall particulars to-morrow.
P.S. I ought to add that the engineer, being in the
engine, cleared thefaial spot, and saved himself, but saw
the stoker killed, he, with the rest of the carriages be-
hind, all falling, in one common gulph, into the Dee.

9FPICIAL ACCOUNT.
An accidetitt. Wended with fatal consequences, oc-
curred
,14Keveqiuion the Chester and Holyhead Rail-
rlyegrt~,Aellikikliont urtetwattei station: by the
failure of one of the girders of the bridge across the
River Dee, and which is supposed to have arisen
from a defective casting. The engine and tender
got clear over the bridge, but one of the carriages
in the train was precipitated into the river, and four per-
sons are killed, and about five or six others more or less
injured. The stoker also is killed, having been thrown
off the engine by the jerk. No official statement has yet
been received at the London office from the engineers
further than reporting the circumstance.

THE COURT.—Her Majesty and Prince Albert, the
royal children, the Prince of Leiningen, and the ladies
and gentlemen of the Court, are expected to return to
Buckingham Palace about fire o'clock this afternoon,
from Claremont.

MARKET NEWS.—(THIS DAY.)
HAY MARKETS
SMITIIFIELD.--Meadow Hay, 2/ 5s to 3/13s; Clover ditto.
3/ 8s to 4/13s; and Straw, 1/ 6s to 1/ lOs per load. Supply
good, and trade very dull, at drooping prices.
CITMBERLAND.—Meadow Hay, 21 8s to 31 14s; Clover
ditto, 3l 8s to 4/ 12s ; and Straw, 1/ 8s to 1/ 12s per load.
Trade dull, at the above quotations.
WHITICHAPEL.—Meadow Hay, 2/ 5s to 31 13s; Clover
ditto, 315 s to 41 15s; and Straw, 1/ 6s to 1/ lOs per 'oat
A full average supply, and a heavy trade.
COLONIAL.
SUGAR.—The market tor British Plantation has been
steady, about 400 casks having been disposed of, includ-
ing 100 bhds Barbadoes by auction, which sold from
44s 6d to 49s 6d for mid to good yellow. The public
sales have offered 4,193 bags Bengal and 2,885 bags
Madras ; the former was chiefly disposed of
at rather lower prices, but the latter was
nearly all withdrawn. The principal transactions
privately consist of 1,800 bags Manilla, and about 170
cases Bahia, the former at 42s 6d to 435, and the latter
at 42s 9d to 435. The quantity of Briti.h Plantation
landed last week,at the East and West India Docks was
3,084 hhds 374 tierces 862 barrels, and there were taken
for home consumption 864 hhds 69 tierces 193 barrels.
The stock in the same places is 12,400 hhds 1,197 tierces
2,905 barrels.
COFFEE.-2,353 bags Ceylon sold at an advance for
Native, and very good ord at 40s to 40s 6d per cwt. Mid
Plantation was taken in at 60s to 625, and Peaberry
50s to 57s per cwt.
RUDl.—The quantity landed last week at the East
and West India Docks was 868 puns 125 hhds. There
were taken for home consumption 500 puns 74 hhds,
and exported 48 puns 50 hhds. The stock in the same
places is 9,239 puns 1,876 hhds.
RICE.-5,100 bags 2,273 pockets Bengal, 350 bags
Singapore, and 385 bags Carolina was only partially
disposed of at a further decline of 3,1 to 6d per cwt.;
SALTPETBE.-300 bags Berigal brought steady prices.
SPICES.-500 bags Malabar Pepper realised 3id to
aid per h.
TALLOW.—P.Y.C. is 47s 6d to 48s per cwt. on the
spot, and town 49s 6d.
TEA.—There is not much doing.
INDIGO.—The sales conclude to ,day, having rather
improved since they commenced. Up to last evening
13,162 chests had passed, of which 4,896 were sold.

Ditto, Half Shares (A) • • . 8% •.• • 12 .... to
Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A) .. 3)6 .... to
Ditto, ditto (B) • . .. • . .. 3 .... 2 -• .. to
Routh Eastern and Dover .. • . • • 331.28.4 d. 35% •• • • to
Ditto, New (iss. at 321.) No. 1 . 20 . 19% %• • to
Waterford and Kilkenny .. • . 13% •• • • 6 .. • • to 5%
%Vest Riding Union .. ..4/. 25.• .• . % dis • • to
York and Newcastle .. .. 25 .... 35. .. • • to 34%

Ditto, Preference • • .. .• 4 .. • . 6% %% to
York and North Midland .. 50 •• 82 .... to
Ditto, Extension .. 25 •• •. 40 .. •• to 39
Ditto, Preference • • •• •• •• 2•• •• 9X ••.. to
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.

Northern of France •• •• .. •• 8 .. • . 1134 h..to
Paris and Lyons
Paris and Strasbourg • . .. .. .. 5 .. 136 •. •• to
MINES

Real del Monte. Unregistered •• •• .. • • to

LLOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MAY 25.—Wind W. S.W., moderate breeze,
and fine weather.
DEAL, MAY 24.—Wind S.W., moderate.—Arrd.
Anjer. Gerrats, Jaia, for Amsterdam; Corinth, West
Indies, for ditto; Decima, Smit, Batavia, for ditto. Sid.
Calypso, Ellringhatn, Jamaica; City of Derry, Quebec;
Arrd. from the river, Susan, Crisp, Cape of Good Hope;
Concord, Batavia; Emerald, Antigua; Marlborough,
Jamaica; John Brown, Porto Rico; Sunbeam, Cuba.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 24.—Wind S.W., moderate.—Arrd.
Eu, Williams, Callao; Isabella, Tilley, Pernambuco;
Victoria, Londy, Honduras; John Marshall, Murphy,
Philadelphia; Joseph Meiss, Wood, New York. Sld.
Algoma, Boston; Albert Edward, Shanghae; Aurora,
Madras; Enterprise. Halifax; Sophia, St. John's, New
Brunswick; New York packet, Quebec. Off port,
Brilliant, Mauritius; Star brig, and Columbia,
WHITEHA YEN, MAY 23.—Wind S. Sld. Brazil
packet, Antigua.
WAThRFORD, MAY 23 —Wind S.S.E. to W.S.W.—
Sld. Hornet, St. John's, Newfoundland.
LIMERICK, MAY 23. Wind W. Arrd, Robert,
Demean, New York.
BRISTOL, MAY 24.—Wind S.W. Arrd. Caledonia,
avan nab.
BIDEFORD, MAY 22.—Sld. John, Quebec.
PLYMOUTH, MAY 24.—Wind S.W.—Arrd. Montezuma,
Thompson, New Orleans ; her Majesty's steamer He-
cate, Sierra Leone.
SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 24. Arrd. Iberia steamer,
Gibraltar.

MADAME CELESTE'S BENEFIT. ..—.- The talented
directress of the admirably-managed Adelphi Theatre
takes her benefit to-morrow evening, when the beautiful
new drama of the Flowers oftile Forest will beperformed,
in which Madame Celeste will sustain her original
character of Cynthia, a character which she has herself
created, and in which the enthusiasm which she excites is
beyond description. The drama will be followed by a
new comedy, in which, in addition to the strength of the
Adelohi
• company, Mr. Webster will appear ; and the
comedy will be followed by other entertainments. We
expect that the house will be crammed to overflowing
within a few minutes after the doors are opened, and
that those who do not secure places beforehand will
find some difficulty in getting them.
The Royal
Polytechnic Institution was visited
yesterday by the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia,
attended by Admiral Liltru Baron Frederiks, Dr. How-
re
it- II
rowitcb, Ron. Colonel G
v' M. De Berg, and Captain
Schwabe. His Royal
highly gratified with the scighness expressed himself
entific arrangements, more
particularly with the diver and electric eels.
SUICIDE FROM LOSSES ON THE DERBlr.—Yesterday
morning the domestic peace of a respectable family was
disturbed by a painful event arising out of the late
Epsom races. Mr. Frederick Cruso, landlord of the
Crown and Sceptre, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone,
poisoned himself with prussic acid. He had latterly
attended much more to sporting matters, races in par-
ticular, than to his business, and from his irregularity of
living it was suspected that his mind was d sordered.
Not long ago, after some heavy losses on the turf, he
hiund his affairs in an embarrassed condition, and, in a
manner that indicated he had a wish to die, desired his
wife to get some charcoal, that they
might, children and
all, suffocate themselves. He was a loser to a consider-
able amount on the last Derby, and was to have settled
his bets on Tuesday evening, but it is supposed he was
unable to meet them. Yesterday morning he left home
in a cheerful state, and returning at eleven o'clock, went
to his bedroom. Not long afterwards his wile entered
the room and round him lying on the floor insensible.
Mr. Webb, a surgeon, was called in immediately, and
foend that he had taken a large quantity of prussic acid.
The unfortunate man died in tea minutes. After his
death a .azor was found in his pocket.

ACCENT OF MR. GYPSON, AND NARROW ESCAPE
OF THE AERONAllT.—Yesterday, at the Royal Albert
Saloon, among the entertainments offered to the holiday
folks, Mr. Gypson was announced to make a night
ascent in his balloon, to which was to be attached a
model of the late Royal Exchange, when, upon ascend-
ing a certain altitude, its destruction by fire was to take
place, in the midst of a discharge of fireworks. The
model was constructed of wood and eauvass, and was
about eight feet long by three feet broad. Shortly before
nine o'clock, the inflation being stated to be sufficient for
the buoyancy of the aerial machine, the gas being sup-
plied from the Independent Gas Works, Haggerstone,
the car was attached to it, which Mr. Gypson and a gen-
tleman stept into, when, by means of a long rope, the
model was connected to the car. The fusee which was
to ignite the pyrotechnic machinery in the model was
then lighted, and the balloon was released from terra
firma. Its ascending power not being sufficient to raise
tl e model, it reclined outside the garden, when, while in
that position, the fireworks began to discharge, and in a
few seconds the model was in a blaze. Much alarm in-
stantly prevailed for the safety of the aeronaut, as had
the balloon caught, the immense volume of gas in it
would have exploded, and have caused their instant
death. &level of the men in the gardens hastened to
detach the model, but it is supposed that the rope was
cut by Mr. Gyeson, who took the precaution to provide
himself with a knife. The balloon was then seen gra-
dually to ascend, involved in smoke, and Mr. Gypson
waved his flag, when all fears were removed for his
safety and that of his companion. The total destruction
of the model took place in the garden, no personal in-
jury having been received by any of the company.
We learn that Miss Burdett Coutts has presented
the munificent donation of 1008, and Dr. Connop Thirl-
wall, Lord Bishop of St. David's, 201., to the Queen's
College at Birmingham, in furtherance of the plan now
in active operation—viz., to relieve the student intended
for the medical profession from the danger of those vex-
atious, if not degrading services, to which the apprentice
has been too frequently found subjected, and to train
him, under a collegiate system, to combine with profes-
sional knowledge the feelings, habits, and manners of
the Christian, the scholar, and the gentleman.

ROLLS' COURT.-(THTS DAV.)
his Loiihhip was ocoupic.d all the hic)roing with p
Lions, which were thstitutt, of pt.ac Interest.

V ICE-CHANCERY.—CITHIS DAY.)
(Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.)
His Honour was occupied the whole day with cause
petitions, whic contained not the slightest feature of in-
terest.

(Before Vice- Chancellor Sir KiriGni' BRUCE.)
INDIGENT BLIND ASYLUM V. BIRD.
This was a suit on the will of the late Mrs. Mary
Elizabeth Bird, instituted by the trustees of the Indig: tit
Blind Asylum sod the Attorney-General against the
executrix, Susanna Bird.
Mr. WIGRZII said the deceased by her will left 1,000/.
consolidated annuities to the trustees of the Blind Asy-
lum, to be applied to the purposes of the institution, and
the interest of 1,0001. more to be divided among six non-
resident patients, at the rate of 5/. each annually. The
executrix refused to pay over the legacies to the trustees
of the Indigent Blind Asylum. A suit was therefore
instituted, and a reference was trade to the Master, from
whom it now came back for further directions. The
only question seemed to be the identity of the charity
suing with that named in the will of the deceased.
Vice-Chancellor K. BRUCE—Why, there's only the
Institution in the Surrey suburbs ; then what is the rea-
son for such a suit? Why, it is a reflection on Chan-
cery. Where did the lady live ?
Mr. BACON—In London.

Vice-Chancellor K. BTlucE—Where, when we LGn-
doners speak of the Blind Asylum, do we look but to
the large building in St. George's-fields ? Cau there be
a doubt about that ?

Mr. BACON said the executrix would have paid over
the legacies at once if the plaintiffs had undertaken to
indemnify her against all future claims. She had the
greatest antipathy to coming into Chancery.
Vice-Cbaneelior K. BRUCE—That is riot an admission
which I could have expvcted fr m that side of the cause.
Mr. BACON—Truth exacted it from me.

An order was then made fur the payment of the lega-
cies to the trustees of the Indigent Blind Asylum, St.
George's•fielda, a separate account to be kept of the
1.-gacy for non-resident patients, and to be called Mrs.
Bird's Charity Account.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. Wigram and Mr.
Nichols; for the defendants, Mr. Bacon and Mr. Ray.
(Before Vice-Chancellor Sir J. WIGRAM.)
PENROSE V. MORTLAKE.
•
In this case an injunction was applied for in order to
restrain the defendant, who was mortgagor in possession
of a large tract of property in Westmoreland, from cut-
ting timer. It appeared that the plaintiff had become
embarrassed, and had parted with the possession of his
property for a sum of money far inferior to its real
worth. He was only tenant in tail, and therefore was
not empowered to sell it entirely. Not being able to
fulfil his engagements with the mortgagor, the latter had
cut down a great deal of valuable timber in order to re-
imburse himself, and this application was made to the
Court for the purpose of restraining him.
His HoNouß said he would grant the application. The
defendant had not pursued the proper course. He would
also refer the case to the Master to inquire and report
upon what loss the property had sustained.

QUEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.)
(Sittings in Banco.)
MUNDELL V. THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK.
Lord DEstmaN gave judgment in this case at the
sitting of the Court. It was an action brought by the
plaintiff; a lady, to recover the amount of a bond made
in her behalf by the defendant in Brunswick. The de-
fendant pleaded that he was a "sovereign prince" at
the time he entered into the contract, and that he was,
therefore, not amenable to the laws of this country wish
reference to this matter. To this the plaintiff demurred,
and the case in this state was argued at great length.
His Lordship said that the Court thought that ti is
plea was bad, because it stated nothing more than that
the defendant was a " sovereign prince" at the time of
the commencement of the suit. That he wee a
" sovereign prince " ►wen he made the con-
tract was an immaterial fact ; if he was
he was justly entitled to the privileges and prerogatives
belonging to that character, but that he was so entitled
was merely a matter of opinion, and whether he had for-
mally abdicated in favour of another better entitled to
the character was equally a matter of opinion. If, in•
deed, he had been a " sovereign prince" de facto, and
had in that character entered into such a contract with
the plaintiff, and had not bound himself as an individual,
but in his sovereign capacity, the defence set up might
have been a good one ; but " sovereign princes" might
contract obligations in their private character, and on
considerations of a purely personal nature. Neither was
there any presumption that this was an act of state, and
without an averment to that effect the plea simply told
them nothing except that the defendant was a " so-
vereign prince" at the time of entering into the con-
tract. The plea was therefore bad, and the judgment of
the Court must be for the plaintiff, as they considered
that the plea could not be maint,sined.

MASTERS V. BUTLER.

The rule in this case veasdischatgel with costs.

BOYD V. THE ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE COMPANY.

Mr. CRAMPTON proceeded to address the Court in
support of the rule which bad bet-n obtained by the
plaintiff in this case. (The arguments adduced yester;
day will be &nod Ir.puried in our taw report 0
yesteFday.) The Learned Gentleman first addressed
himself to the alleged misdirection of the 10-arned Judge
—namely, that it was for the jury to say whether the
plaintiff had abandoned the ship hastily or not, and
whether he had or had not used all the means at hand
to ascertain the real nature of the injuries which the
ship had sustained. He conceived that the sug•
gestion, that the plaintiff might have acted in
haste, might have had a prejudicial effect upon
the minds of the jury, and induced them to decide in
favour of the defendant. The evidence adduced at the
trial went to show that the plaintiff did not act witb
haste, that he had the ship carefully and efficiently sur
veyed, and only decided upon abandoning the ship when
it was clearly ascertained that she had been so injured
that she was not worth being carried to a distant port,
where she could have been repaired. The Learned
Counsel was proceeding to deal with the question of the
verdict being against evidence, but
Lord I)EN3tart said—Was it not rather unusual, after a
leader had tiddrPssed the court or a jury on this point,
against evidence which he had himself adduced, fur a
junior to follow on the same side?

- Mr. CRAMPTON then concluded by submitting that
the plaintiff had made out a case for a new trial.
Mr. CLEASPY followed on the same side, and con
tended that the evidence rejected at the trial was a ne-
cessary part of the case, and th&t it would have enable,
the Court and the jury to decide whether the ship could
or could not have been repaired, and whether she was
seaworthy or not. He apprehended that the direction
of the Learned Judge was one which might have led the
jury to come to an adverse decision.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL was about to reply, when
Lord DENMAN said—We are quite agreed that the
course taken at the trial may be very important, as
showing altogether the meaning of the direction. We
should like, therefore, to see the short-hand writer's
notes, the fullest that have been taken. We will con-
sider the points raised.

BAIL COURT.-(THIS DAY.)
(Sittings in Banco, before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE.