The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 6, - 1849.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE.

The 26th half yearly meeting of this company was
held yesterday at Manchester; Mr. Henry Houlds-
worth presided. There was a numerous a tendance
of proprietors.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said it
gave him pleasure to announce that the chair of this
company, which had been so long vacant, would
shortly be filled by a member of the board who had
long devoted much of his time to the business of the
company—he alluded to Mr. Henry Wickham, of
Kirkless-hall.—(Applause) The directors had also
appointed Mr. William Stuart, of Liverpool, vice-
chairman, and when be stated that that gentleman
had devoted three-fourths of his time to the interests
of the company, more particularly to the carrying
forward of the Liverpool and Bury line, it would at
once be seen that he was well qualified to discharge
the duties of his office.— (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed that the company's
seal be affixed to the register of proprietors.
Mr. D. PRICE objected to this proceeding, on the
ground that the register was incorrect, and not in a
legal shape.
The CHAIRMAN said, if the Hon. Proprietor would
lay his complaints before the directors in writing they
should be attended to. Subject to Mr. Prices pro-
test. the seal was then affixed to the registry of share-
holders.

Mr. DUNSTAN, secretary, then read the report,
which stated that the accounts to the 30th of June
last show the following results :—Capital received on
account of calls, 6,804,5511. ; ditto, 6 per cent. pre-
ference stock, 792,477/. ; loans, 2,568,758/. ; total re-
ceived, 10,165,787/. ; calls in arrear, 304,7331. The
total capital which the company is authorised to raise,
including the powers granted by Parliament in the
last session, amounts to 13,854,045/. ; the estimated
outlay to which the directors limited themselves in
their statement to the shareholders, on the 10th of
November, 1848, for the completion of all the works
then in progress, was 11,253,000/. ; the actual outlay
up to the 30th of June last was 10,063,8621 ; the
balance of estimated outlay yet to expend, 1,189,1381.
The lines represented by the above capital comprise
about 200 miles of railway and 16 miles of canal. No
expenditure beyond that sum will be incurred without
the express sanction of the shareholders.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT.
etimtoattehde
t h aOt ft
thee total capi tat aocotnutallcyh
aerxpge
ea
nb
dl
ee d nitrelvseneus
30th of June, 1849, is 7,155,2071. Total charged to
the 31st of December, 1848, 5,730,0441. Additional
capital brought against revenue in the six months
ending June 30, 1849, 1,425,1631.
REVENUE ACCOUNT.

The total receipts of the half-year, including the
leased lines, have been 891 miles ; from the Man-
chester and Leeds and Bolton lines, including the
Ardwiek, Oldham, Ashton, Heywood, Halifax, and
Cleckheaton Branches and Extensions and the Bolton
Canal, 229,3074; 371 miles, Wakefield, Pontefract,
and Goole line and Askern branch, 16,520/.; 318
miles, Liverpool and Bury line (less Tithebarne
street Extension, but including three miles of the
Manchester and Southport line), 30,2354 ; 1578
miles, 276,062/. ; 204 miles North Union,
34 94ths, 22,600/.; 214 miles Preston and Wyre
two-thirds, 11,454/. ; total income from traffic
on 2068 miles for the six months, 310,1151.; income
for the previous six months, 309,579/. ; miles run by
passenger engines, 695,137; ditto by goods engines,
527,824 ; total miles run by engines, 1,222,961.
The working expenses (exclusive of rates and
taxes) amount to 107,3291, showing an in-
crease over the previous six months of 17
per cent. The miles run by the engines have in-
increased 21 per cent.; the length of line worked has
increased 168 per cent. The above charge is larger
than the directors anticipated. They believe, how-
ever, that by far the most important means of re-
ducing the working cost will be found in arrange-
ments with neighbouring companies to supersede un-
profitable duplicate trains. In addition to the usual
expenses, the directors have to report, with deep
regret, two serious defalcations amongst the servants
of the company, The depreciation account has been
opened ha accordance with the plan approved by the
shareholders; the account will appear only with the
closing accounts of each year. The directors see no
reason to change their opinion of the sufficiency of
5 per cent. of the receipts to cover the average charge
for renewals of permanent way and rolling stock.
The balance of the half-year's revenue, applicable to
dividend and interest, amounts to 156,2061., a sum
less by about 15,0001. than was expected at the period
of the last half-yearly meeting. The directors
recommend on the present occasion that the
dividend be at the rate of 4 per cent. per
annum, which will leave a balance, after providing
for the defalcations before named, of 22,8081., to
be carried forward to the next account. By the
constitution of the fifth shares the dividend upon
them will be subject to the deduction of 28 per
cent. for the half year on the amount uncalled.
The total mortgage debt at this date is 700,074/.,
whilst the works and property of the company have
cost 10,063,862/. Important traffic arrangements
have been recently entered into with the London and
North-Western Company, which it is hoped will be
mutually advantageous, and will eventually tend to
lessen working expenses, and save capital. The
directors, however, find with regret that some of the
competing interests in the district are not at present
disposed to an amicable settlement of traffic question,
and a ruinous reduction of rates has recently taken
place, which may require temporary sacrifices to
meet

After alluding to the audit of railway accounts, the
directors record with deep regret the deaths during
the half-year of two directors of the company. The
report of Mr. Hawkshaw, the engineer, shows that
the works are progressing satisfactorily, the per-
manent way and working stock are in good order.
The capital account shows that 10,165,7871. had been
received, and 10,063,8621., of which 845,4131. was
expended during the past half-year, leaving a balance
of 101,924/. The revenue account for the half-year
ending 30th of June, shows that 276,062/. had been
received, and 119,8551. expended, including 12,526/.
for taxes, leaving a balance applicable to interest and
dividend of 156,206/.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, said that it would be observed that the results or
the past half-year were much more unfavourable than
had been anticipated, and the continued reduction of
dividend must necessarily suggest an anxious desire
to learn where the cause of that falling-off lay, and
whether it was in any way attributable to the men
who had had the management of the concerns of the
company. He had no hesitation in ascribing the re-
duction in the general value of railway property, and
in the amount of dividend, to Parliament- It was in
consequence of the undue extension of railways, the
rapidity of development which had been caused by
Parliament repudiating the principles on which, in
calmer moments, they had come to the conclusion to
deal with railway undertakings, and to proceed upon
that gambling principle which haracterised the deal-
ings of Parliament with railways during the years
1845 and 1846. A greater mismanagement of a
great public interest could not be conceived.—(Hear.)
That was the primary cause of the reduction of the
dividends. Then there were other causes, such as
the failure of the potato crop, the failure of the East
India houses, and political excitements, the effect of
which had been to check the development of traffic,

and to limit the extent of commercial operations.
Another fault had been committed by Parliament in
assuming that railways were so profitable that
they could bear a cutting down of rates and fares,
to any amount, and that course had embarrassed
railway companies to a considerable extent. They
were, however, causes operating to produce the diffi-
culties to which he had alluded, which might be
traced to the conduct of the directors. For example,
the great extension of the undertaking, which his
subsequent experience had shown him to be to a con-
sid,-rable extent injudicious. They started with a
large trunk line, their object being to connect the
eastern with the western sea, and their main line with

the principal populous places on the right and left
of the undertaking. They, had endeavoured to carry
out those principles economically ; but Parliament
interfered, and would not allow them to do so. Their
first proposition was to direct branches to Hudders-
field and Bradford; and they went to Parliament
with a scheme that embraced the expenditure of about
a million of money. They were, however, scouted
in Parliament for the poverty of their plans, and the
want of accommodation which they afforded. Next
year they combined with certain parties in the West
Riding of Yorkshire, who might be supposed to be
con versant with the wants of the district, and carried

,
forward another scheme involving an expenditure of
about a million and a half of money. That scheme
was submitted to the Board of Trade, who compared
it with other plans and approved of it. Parliament
again scouted the scheme, and said the
eresuchgradients
this company were proposing to establish were
as could not accommodate the country. He then
defended the course adopted by the directors in di-
viding 8 per cent. dividend at a previous period, while
now it was only 4 per cent., showing that course was
quite warrantable, from the then receipts of the corn-
pany. As to the present rates, however, he protested
against them, as totally irreconcileable with his expe-
rience as to the cost of working railways. The most
important point for future consideration was with
respectse.) toHtehedcidlosninogt ofm mean
ne ctaopistaayl actchoautnatil—fu(tAu
pla uextensions of capital, on whatever grounds, should
be
;
considered taken ofout
breenveefineuiea4 butto expend
if i tw was felt p
desirable,ortionof
hoer
capital in new works, it would be the duty of the
directors to apply to the shareholders for their sanc-
tion to such proceedings. If then, they supposed
the capital closed at 1,253,0001., the only:other points
were the growth of traffic and the limitation of the
working expenses. He knew no reason why the line
should not be worked as cheaply as other large lines.

The working expenses had exceeded the expectations
of the directors, but they were determined to cut
them down in every possible way. With respect to
the development of traffic, he had calculated that for the
last five or six years it had increased at the rate of
about 5 per cent. per annum, or double the rate of the
increase of the population in this district. Founding
his calculations upon this observation, he bad come
to the conclusion that unless there was an unusually
rapid development of traffic, it would be three years
before they could pay 5 per cent. upon the capital
of 1,250,0001. If the railway interests throughout
the country would unanimously ask for an increase
of rates, he believed the small increase of 10 per cent.
upon the present Parliamentary rates would be quite
sufficient to meet the interests of the shareholders
and elevate railway interests from depths into which
they had sunk. He concluded by moving the adop-
tion of the report.
Mr. W. MARSHALL seconded the resolution.
Mr. ATKINSON, one of the auditors, then went
through the various items of the accounts, which he
had minutely examined, and stated, that although he
came to examine them with a strong prejudice against
them, he had been unable to detect anything con
trary to the most rigid and upright conduct.—(Hear,
hear, and applause.)
Mr. PARSONS suggested that every half-yearly
meeting the shareholders should be presented with a
return of the plant of the company, its total amount
and condition.

The CHAIRMAN said there could be no objection
to such a proceeding, and it would henceforth he
adopted.
Mr. PARSONS said he found 300,0001. in arrear on
calls. He wished to know what course the board
would take with respect to getting them in.
The CHAIRMAN said no dividend had been paid to
proprietors whose calls were in arrears.
After some observations on the necessity of en-
forcing calls and consolidating the stock,
Mr. HEALD, M P., complained of the system of
cheap Sunday trips which had been recently adopted
by the company.
The Cruasnuat said that the facilities that were
offered for Sunday cheap trains had been for the pre-
sent withdrawn.
Mr. HEALD, M.P., said he was satisfied with that•
arrangement.
. _ _

After a number of questions had been put and an-
swered, relative to some of the items in the accounts,
the report was adopted, and the dividend on the
various shares approved of.
A resolution was then submitted, authorising the
directors to raise 560,0001. by mortgage, and to con-
sent to the payment in full in advance of calls of any
of the Manchester Bolton and Bury, Manchester and
Leeds, and Liverpool and Bury shares, and afterwards
the consolidation of the same into the general stock of
the company.
At the time the express left this resolution had not
been adopted.

wanting in the construction and management of the
vacuum valve. It was left unprotected from the
action of heat and rain and other injurious influences,
and by degrees it gave way, and slowly admitted the
atmosphere. Then, indeed, the engines were worked,
of necessity, to the very utmost of their power.
The engineer's original estimate of the working cost
of the line upon the atmosperic system, was is. per
train per mile ; whereas, at the early part of the pe-
riod referred to, the actual expenditure was just
treble this amount. In August and September,
however, a reduction of no less than 38 per cent. had
been effected ; and this reduction was still continuing,
when a sudden stop was put to the proceedings. On
the 29th of August, a hasty resolution of abandon-
ment, proposed by Lord Courtenay, was carried, after
considerable discussion, by 11 votes out of 18 ; and it
appears as a marked feature of the case, that no less
than ten of the majority were directors of the Great
Western, and the Bristol and Exeter Railways.
These various facts then go to prove that the dis-
continuance of atmospheric traction, on the South
Devon line, was rather the result of a series of unfor-
tunate casualties than the consequence of any fault
in the system radically irremediable. On the open-
ing of the rai▪ lway between Liverpool and Man-
chester, the amount of coke burnt in the engines was
considerably more than double the estimated quantity;
and, instead of using, as at present, but 81bs. per
horse power per hour, 181bs. were found necessary.
And again, with regard to the vacuum valve, there
is no great practical difficulty about this. If the par-
ticular descripti▪
on of valve supplied to the company
by Messrs. Clegg
and Samuda was difficult and ex-
pensive to maintain in working order, surely the me-
talic spring valve patented by Messrs. Clarke and
Varley, or the economic close tube system of
Messrs, Cunningham and Carter, are not
open to these objections. But the great mis-
take was evidently committed in the engines.
Upon the accurate working of these prime movers de-
pended the whole economy of the system; and to insure
the very perfection of efficiency and workmanship,
their construction (as before stated) was entrusted to
the three most eminent manufacturers of the day. It
may seem a strange remark to make, but I really
belive that this very circumstance was the root of all
the mischief. The manufacture of the Cornish engine
is
well known to be local, peculiar and exclusive, and
it is more than probable, that if the engines in ques-
ti▪
on had been constructed at the foundaries of Hayle,
from the designs and under the superintendence of
regular Cornish engineers, they would not only have
realised the economy required, but they would even
have exceeded the extreme limit which calculation
had assigned in this respect.
The real fault of the atmospheric traction principle
is one of degree only ; its available power is confined
wi▪ thin such narrow limits. The tube generally em-
ployed in practice is 15 inches in diameter, which
gives an area of 176 inches; and this, supposing a
pressure of Blbs. to the square inch, furnishes a
moving force of 1,4081b5. Now, under no circum-
stances or emergencies whatever, can this amount of
power be increased ; hence, unless the traction tube is
considerably enlarged in diameter at certain points of
the line, the gradients are necessarily restricted in
amount of inclination. And it is essential that we
should take another circumstance into account, bear-
ing closely upon the fact of the narrow limit of
attainable power. Either load or speed must not be
extended beyond a given, and a rather confined
boundary.
Seeing that there is this narrow limit to the trans-
mission of power by the direct pressure of the atmos-
phere, various efforts have been made to extend it.
The first and most obvious idea would be to increase
the size of the tube, but such an expedient is inad-
missible in practice. The next conception would
probably be to dispense with a vacuum altogether,
and employ condensed air ; and for this application of
elastic force two or three patents have been taken. In
one of these there is used a machine possessing all the
working characters of a locomotive—pistons, cylinders,
driving wheels, &c. It is supplied with necessary
power through the medium of a pipe laid between
the rails, with which it is capable of communicating.
But any plan founded on this principle only gets rid
of a portion of the difficulties which encumber the
locomotive. The traction principle is not altered ; it
still depends upon adhesion, and embraces all its
concomitant difficulties. The best and most simple
iatt. His invention
applicationiofcondens hasedair beentothi exhibitingspurposr someeisfothatof
p
time past at the Rosemary Branch Tavern, Peckham,
and its merits would certainly have secured it a fair trial
long ere this, upon a scale of practical magnitude, had i t
not been for the influence of those untoward events to
which reference has already been made in the present
communication. It consists of a tube about eight
inches in diameter, provided with a moveable air-tight
piston, which is attached to the train of carriages in
the ordinary way ; one side of the piston is in free
communication with the atmosphere, the other is
acted upon as occasion requires, by compressed air, of
about 45 lbs. to the inch, from a stationary reservoir.
As the tube is but little more than half the diameter
of the ordinary "atmospheric," it offers little more
than a fourth of the area, and, consequently requires
about four times the pressure to make its moving
power equal to this, an effect which is obtained by
the stated pressure of 45 lbs.; but whereas, as before
said, the extreme limit of atmospheric pressure upon
the vacuum system being once reached, no circum-
stances, however urgent, can enable us to increase it,
even by the amount of a single pound ; in this case it
is just the reverse, and should it be requisite to dis-
patch a heavy train, to travel with greater velocity,
or to surmount a series of steep acclivities, an addi-
tional atmosphere is thrown upon the piston with the
greatest ease. IVhen in the last-named case the
i
summit of an nch
ne has been reached, communication
with the reservoir is closed, and the condensed air
already within the tube is allowed to act expansively ;
and in this way the power accommodates itself with
effect and economy to the principal inequalities of the
line.

But there is another point to which I would call
attention. The valve is formed of leather, to which
a layer of vulcanised India. rubber is attached, and
the immense pressure from within the tube operating
upon this elastic cushion, renders the sealing of the
tube almost hermetical. The better to appreciate
the value of this excellent arrangement, we must
refer to Mr. Robert Stephenson's report, the first and
second table in which are devoted to an interesting
record of experiments on leakage. From an exami-
nation of these, it appears, contrary to theoretical an-
ticipations, that the descent of the mercury in the
barometer guage is surprisingly uniform, from 22 to
7 inches in height, from which we may conclude that
equal quantities of air have entered the tube in equal
times. This is, doubtless, at variance with what
might have been anticipated, on the supposition that
the apertures through which the leakage takes place
remain uniform during the fall of the barometer. " A
little consideration, however, is sufficient to show that
the closeness of the longitudinal valve will vary with
the pressure, and, therefore, when the vacuum in the
tube is high, the pressure being increased, the aper-
tures are proportionably diminished."
Considering, therefore, these several important
points in Piatti's system, and especially the power and
unquestionable simplicity of the contrivance, I truly
believe that it is well worth the while of all those
whose capital is embarked in railway enterprise to
investigate more clearly the merits of this invention,
If the system but once had a fair trial upon a mode-
rate scale, and was worked by one or two Cornish
engines of first-rate build and surplus power, and if
these engines were supplied with steam of a high
pressure, and, further, that the principle of expansion
were carried as far as possible—this latter function of
the engine being in conjunction with the mycro-
meter screw of the "cataract," operated upon by self-
acting machanism, in order to suit circumstances—
there is not a question but that a demonstration of
economy would ensue, which would immediately
enhance the value of railway. property.—lsuAM
BAGGS.—Abridged from the Mining Journal.

'HE LONDON HOSPITAL.—Yesterday the quarterly,
meeting of the governors and subscribers of this insti-
tution was held in the committee-room of the hospital,
for the purpose of electing a surgeon, in the room of
John Goldcorp Andrews, Esq., who died a short time
since, Leonard Currie, Esq., the treasurer, in the chair.
Mr. W. J. Nixon, the secretary, read the report, from
which it appeared that during the last quarter there had
been the large number of 1,082 in-patients, 5. 63 patients
cured, 437 relieved, and 82 patients had died, including 31
deaths from Asiatic cholera. Several of the wards in
the hospital have been set apart for the reception of
persons who are attacked with cholera, and who require
immediate assistance. There were also 2,000 out-
patients on the books. During the past year there had
been 2,442 in-patients admitted, and 6,574 out-patients—
making a total of 9,016. The report also stated that
there was a decrease in the hospital estate this year of
8711. 19s. 6d. After some other routine business,
Thomas Blizard Curling, Esq., one of the assistant-
surgeons, was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy of
one of the senior surgeons to the hospital. A strong
contest is expected for the situation of assistant-surgeon.
THE ROYAL PARTY AT A PINCH.-At Arrochar
an amusing incident took place. A gentleman came
ashore from the royal yacht, and mentioned to a tourist
who was loitering at the inn that her Majesty desired to
lunch, and that the provisions had unfortunately been
sent to Tarbert—adding a question as to whether any-
thing could be got in the inn. The gentleman thus ad-
dressed procured two dozens of fresh herrings and seven
large loaves, with which three of the visitors in the inn
pulled off to the yacht. On nearing they were asked
.what as wanted, and replying "provisions for her Ma-
jesty," were ordered to come on board, and were soon
after informed by the purveyor that what they had
brought was very acceptable—and it afterwards ap-
peared that her Majesty really lunched on the loaves
and fishes.

The truest love is the truest benevolence; it ac-
quires an infinite patience out of the very excess of its
suffering, and is content to merge its egotism in the idea
of the beloved object. He that does not know this, does
not know what love is, whatever he may know of passion.
—Eliza Cook's Journal,

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, :Sept. 5.
IN RE JOHN MILES WINNINGTON, KNOWN AS SIR JOHN

MILES WINNINGTON.

This insolvent, who possessed a foreign knighthood,
was heard as far back as 1825, when he was dis-
charged (after a remand for fraudulently contracting
debts) from liabilities computed in the schedule at
8,6001., which amount included several large esti-
mated sums of proctors' costs in a suit for divorce insti-
tuted by the insolvent's wife. In 1842 the insolvent
was indicted for robbing a furrier's shop, and having
been convicted, was sentenced to seven years'
transportation. Last year, by the death of a rela-
tive, the insolvent became entitled to upwards of
1,6001., which 'amount was paid by the executors of
the deceased into the Court of Chancery, whence,
upon application of the assignee, it was removed into
this court.

Several meetings for proof of debts have been held,
but comparatively few creditors have attended, and
to-day Mr. Ingpen, the registrar of Mr. Commissioner
Harris's court, held a final audit meeting, when two
fresh debts were proved, making a total amount of
6001. proved, and about 4001. more remains in al-ey-
ance, of which not more than 1001. is expected to be
admissible, so that, after paying the creditors who
have proved 20s. with interest, there will remain a
surplus which, it is supposed, will be claimed by the
Crown, the insolvent being a convicted felon.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
William M'Creeth was brought before the Lord
Mayor, charged with having forged cheques upon
the house of Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, and
also with having in his possession seven blank cheques
and parts of other cheques, knowing the same to have
been stolen.
Mr. Mullens, of the firm of Bush and Mullens, the
solicitors to the Committee of Bankers for Protection
against Forgeries and Fraud, attended for the pro-
secution, and produced one cheque for 1401., and
another for 121. 7s. 6d., both of which he stated were
forgeries.
Mr. A. Few, a clerk in the house of Messrs. Smith,
Payne, and Smith, said the cheque for 1401., signed
" R. B. Kitchen," and dated the 21st of April, 1849,
was presented to me on the 21st of April at that
counter, and I paid it in notes, one of which was a
note for 1001. Ido not know to whom I paid it.
Mr. G. Willington, also a clerk in Messrs. Smith
and Co.'s house, said, on the 21st of April application
was made to me for a cheque-book in the name of
Mr. R. B. Kitchen. I delivered a cheque-book to
the person who applied, all the pages of which were
numbered 9,179. Here are ten cheques produced,
which were taken out of that book. I have a partial
recollection of the party, and the prisoner is very like
him, but I cannot swear to his identity.
Mr. Cruse, clerk in the issue department of the
Bank of England, said that on the 21st of April the
notes for 1001. and other notes, with the name " W.
Goodman, 14, Kingsland•road," were brought to him,
and he paid them.
Mr. W. Johns, clerk to Messrs. Smart, Buller, and
Smart, solicitors in Lincoln's Inn-fields, said, on
Monday last I presented the cheque produced for 121.
7s. 6d. at Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith's. It
was signed " J. Cottrell and Sons." It was not paid,
and I was required to give an account from whom I
received it. .1 received it from Mr. Richard Wensley,
of the Strand, on the same day. Before I came into
the City a person, whom I knew to be the prisoner,
called on the subject of the cheque, and asked if a
person of the name of Wensley had been there that
morning, and whether I had a cheque of his ? I an-
swered in the affirmative. He asked me to hold it a
little while, and Mr. Wensley would send me the
money for it. I consented and I held it for an hour,
and then I presented it.
Mr. R. Wensley, licensed victualler, of 339, Strand,
said, I paid the cheque for 121. 7s. 6d. to Mr. Johns,
and I received it from the prisoner on Saturday last.
I gave him a portion of the amount, as he did not
require the whole.
The LORD MAYOR—How long have you known the
prisoner ? Witness—Eight or ten months.
The LORD MAYOR.—Had you changed cheques for
him before ?
Witness—l did change a cheque for him some time
ago, and I paid it away to Mr. Curtis, the distiller. I
believe that cheque was got back again.
Heddington, the officer, said—l took the prisoner
into custody at four o'clock this morning, at Mr.
Wensley's house. Haydon, the officer, was with me.
I took him to the station-house, and found upon him
seven blank cheques and four counterfoils. (Here the
witness produced cheques upon the house of Smith,
Payne, and Smith, numbered 9,179.) I asked him
whether his name was M'Creeth, and whether he did
not give a cheque for 121. 7s. 6d. to Mr. Wensley.
He said, " Yes," and I told him there was some mis-
take, and it was necessary that he should explain
about it. He said he had taken it from Mr. Cotter,
for a debt, but where Mr. Cotter lived he did not
know. He believed, however, that Mr. Cotter was a
solicitor. I told him that he must consider himself in
custody. He had in his pocket the seven blank
cheques and four counterfoils.
Michael Haydon, the officer, said—l was with
Heddington and I asked the prisoner where he lived ?
He said at No. 14, Bedford-street, Covent garden.
He afterwards told me that direction was not right,
and that his real address was No. 4, New Exchange.
court, Strand. I went to the latter address and saw
on the second floor, to which he had directed me, a
woman who said she was his wife, and I found there
a pocket-book containing a card and a cheque signed
" Bamfield, Brothers," upon Smith, Payne, and
Smith, for 221. Upon the card was the address
written in pencil, " 103, Kingsland-road," and I also
found a counterfoil of Smith, Payne, and smith.
Mr. T. Tessell, clerk to Messrs. Smith, Payne, and
Smith, said—l was present when the application was
made for the cheque-book alluded to, and my atten-
tion was particularly called to the person who ap-
plied for it. I have no doubt the prisoner is that
person.
The LORD MAYOR—Was the cheque-book given
without being applied for in writing ?
The witness said the party who applied had
obtained the pass-book of Mr. Kitchen, which was
considered tantamount to a written application for a
cheque-book, and he (witness) was called over to
identify the applicant as Mr. Kitchen's son, whom he
was believed to be. Witness thought the prisoner was
Mr. Kitchen's son upon looking at him, and then the
cheque-book was given to him. The evidence was
given upon the best belief of the witness. The trans-
action took place five months since.
It was proved that neither Messrs. Bamfie'd
Brothers, nor Messrs. Cottrell and Sons, whose
alleged cheques were found in the possession of the
prisoner, did not keep accounts at the bank of Messrs.
Smith, Payne, and Smith.
The LORD MAYOR asked the prisoner whether he
wished to ask any of the witnesses questions ? The
prisoner replied in the negative upon each occasion.
The LORD MAyott—l shall remand you till Satur
day next.—Remanded accordingly.
GUILDHALL.

A slight made young man, not yet twenty years of
age, but who was most insolent in his manner, and
who gave his name as John Blomer Weekes, having
no home, was placed at the bar before Sir P. Laurie,-
charged with presenting a pistol, loaded with powder
and ball, at Police constable Shipton, with intent to
do him some grievous bodily harm. There was also
a second charge of sending threatening letters.
The first witness called was
Mr. J. Lovell, of No. 38, Basinghati-street, cloth-
worker, who said—The prisoner is related to me ;
he is my brother, and I received these two letters
from him.

Prisoner (in a violent manner)—l know nothing
of those letters.

Sir P. LAußlß—What trade is he ? Mr. Lovell—
I do not know, as I never saw him more than three
or four times in my life. a _ _

Sir P. LAURIE—Then how is he related to you,
that you have not seen him for so long? Mr. Lovell
—I should have explained that he is related by mar-
riage, I having married his sister. He is a convicted
felon, and has been wandering about the country for
a long time. He has also threatened several times to
keep up a system of annoyance unless I would give
him a character.

Prisoner (violently) —I did not do so.
Sir P. LAURIE (to the prisoner)—Why do you
annoy your brother-in-law ? Prisoner—l did not.
I only wanted to see my sister.
Mr. Lovell—On Friday, the 31st of August, I
received the first letter, which runs thus :
"I now write you to tell you that you may be thank-
ful that your two men were with you in the shop, or you
would not have been now alive; but know this that the
dog's end awaits you. ,
Addressed—" Mr. Lovell, Basinghall-street, City."
The second letter I'received on Monday last, the 3i of
September, to the following effect :
“Mr. --,—As all things grow stronger by age, so
shall my hatred; so, therefore, I hope you will not de-
ceive yourself by sending your hints here to me about the
warrant, or and thing of the kind, as I take no notice
of it; it only serves to expose your own weakness, and
to make you a laughing stock, and I care not what you
do, as I can give any of your messengers a warm recep-
tion, but you shall not have it in your power to send
many more. lam on the watch at every corner and at
every turning you take. I will torment your life and
rejoice over your death." "YOUR ENEMY."
Addressed—" Mr. Lovell, 38, Basinghall-
street, City."
Sir P. LAURIE—You say he is a convicted felon.
What was that for ?

Mr. Lovell—He was committed for burglary and
sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
Prisoner—That's false. It was only three months.
Mrs. Mary Ann Wood Lovell, wife of the last wit-
ness, entered the witness-box, very much distressed,
and was sworn.

Sir P. LAURIE said that, however painful it might

be to give evidence against her brother, it was actually
necessary in so serious a ease. as the present.
Mrs Lovell—l am aware of that, but I must pro-
tect my husband. Beth the letters produced are in
the prisoner's handwriting.
Frederick Shipton, Policeman 114, said, about
half-past 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, from infor-
mation I received, I was about taking the prisoner
into custody, when he pulled out a pistol from his
jacket pocket, and said, "Stand off for your life—one
step, ai.d I'll fire," at the same time presenting the
pistol at me. I rushed at him, and, at about one
yard or a yard and a half, he pulled the trigger,
and the powder flashed in the pan and missed fire.
I threw the prisoner down, and a witness now pre-
sent took the pistol from his hand. The prisoner
then said, " It's a good job it did not go off, or else
you would have had it." I then took the prisoner to
the station-house, and on searching him found some
gunpowder, a bullet mould, and two pieces of iron.
The powder was in a piece of paper in his jacket
pocket. The prisoner himself took the mould out of
his trousers pocket as he was in front of the bar at
the station. I received the pistol from a person named
Hammond. I afterwards took the pistol to Mr.
Loudon, in London-wall, a gunsmith, to draw the
charge, which he did in my presence, and it contained
the powder and ball which I now produce. This is
the pistol which he attempted to fire at me.
Sir P. LAURIE—Was it pointed at you. Shipton—
It was.

Sir P. LAURIE—Were you near enough to hear
the click of the lock ? Shipton—l was. I was not
more than a yard from him. I might perhaps have
been a little more.
Sir P. LAURIE (to the prisoner)—Do you wish to
ask this witness any questions ? Prisoner—No.
Robert Hammond, of New-street, Old-street, said
—I am a cloth-worker, in the employ of Mr. Lovell,
38, Basinghall-street. A warrant being out for the
prisoner's apprehension, my fellow-servant was told, if
he saw the prisoner to give him in charge. Presently
he came back, and said the prisoner was close
at hand, upon which I went to seek for an
officer, and meeting with Shipton, I told him to take
charge of Weekes. The officer advanced for that
purpose, and when within about a yard and a half of
him, the prisoner exclaimed, " Stand back, or I'll take
your life."
Sir P. LAURIE—Did he say that to the officer or
to you ? Hammond—l can't say. The officer ad-
vanced, and the prisoner presented the pistol and
pulled the trigger. The policeman then butted him
with his head, and knocked him down. When down,
I took the pistol from the prisoner's hand.
Sir P. LAURIE—At what moment did he pull the
trigger ? Hammond—Just as the officer was about
to butt him.
Sir P. LAURIE—Did you see the flash ? Ham-
mond—Yes, I did; and it was then the officer
knocked him down. I gave the pistol to the officer at
the station-house. It is the one produced. On the road
to the station-house the prisoner said, " I will do for
Mr. Lovell and you before long."
William Oram, also in the employ of Mr. Lovell,
said, I was present when the policeman attempted to
take the prisoner, and saw him present the pistol, and
a flash took place.
Sir P. LAURIE (to the prisoner)—Do you wish to
say anything? Prisoner—l should like to look at
those letters.
Sir P. LAURIE—You shall see them.
They were shown to him by Mr. Roe, the officer,
and after hurriedly comparing them he said, "Do you
think they agree in style ?"
Sir P. LAURIE—That matters little. I shall com-
mit you for trial for sending the threatening letters,
and also for attempting to take the life of the police-
man, which is one of the most serious offences that has
been before me for a long time.
Mr. Lovell—He presented a pistol at me on Friday
last, and used threats.
The prisoner was then remanded until to-morrow,
for the purpose of having the depositions made out.
MAR YLEBONE.
John Shillinglaw, a gardener, residing at No. 19,
Fitzroy-place, New-road, was placed at the bar before
Mr. Broughton, charged with having threatened to
assassinate his wife and family.
Mr. BROUGHTON ordered the prisoner to enter into
his own recognizance of 25/., and to find two sureties
in 201. each, for his keeping the peace and being of
good behaviour to the family for the next four months.
Twenty-four hours' notice of bail being required,
the prisoner was looked up.
WORSHIP- STREET.
A young man named John Murphy was charged
with having stolen a gold watch and appendages of
the value of 20 guineas, from the person of a well-
dressed and rather good-looking young person, who
was stated to be the wife of a gentleman holding a
situation under Government.
The complainant, who gave her evidence with an
air of perfect coolness and self-possession, stated that
as she was passing through Whitechapel-road between
three and four o'clock on the preceding afternoon, she
was accosted by the prisoner, who engaged her in
con versation, and, after walking by her side for a
short distance, proposed that she should allow him to
introduce her to a female cousin of his, who resided
in the neighbourhood. Feeling a good deal heated
and exhausted from the exercise she had taken, she-
was induced to accept the invitation, and accompanied
the prisoner to a house down an adjoining court,
where they were admitted by a servant who ushered
them into a room on the first floor, and left them to
gether. She remained there along with the prisoner
for upwards of two hours, and on rising to leave at
the expiration of that period she discovered that her
gold watch and chain, to which two costly seals were
attached, and which was suspended from her neck at
the time she entered the room, had disappeared. She
immediately charged the prisoner with having been
privy to the abstraction of the property, but he dis
claimed all knowledge of it, and told her that if she
suspected him to be a thief she had better send for a
policeman. On proceeding down stairs she commu-
nicated her loss to the landlady of the house, and the
latter having also advised her to send for the police,
she called in a constable who was passing and gave
the prisoner into custody.
In answer to questions from the Magistrate •
The complainant said that she was perfectly sober
at the time, but admitted that she had sent out for
some wine, which she paid for with a half-sovereign.
end having partaken of a portion of it with the pri-
soner, she dozed off to sleep and found that she had
been robbed soon after she awoke.
Mr. Hurlstone, the clerk—You say that you re-
mained with him for two hours—did nothing further
transpire during that time besides what you have
stated ? Witness—Really, sir, you must excuse me ;
I cannot possibly answer that question.
Mr. Hurlstone—Pray what is your husband ?
Witness—He holds a situation in the Customs.
Witness—Do you reside with him at present, and
is he aware that you are here to-day ? Witness—Of
course we reside together ; but I must decline to
answer your other question.
Police-constable H 134 stated that while passing a
house of notorious character in Angel-alley, White-
chapel, between 7 and 8 o'clock on the preceding
evening, the complainant, who was standing at the
door in a white satin dress and with her stays in her
hand, called him in and pointed out the prisoner as
having just robbed her of her watch and appendages.
He immediately searched the prisoner, and also the
apartment in which the robbery was said to have been
committed, but without being able to discover the
missing property. The complainant, however, in •
sisted upon pressing the charge, but stated on her
way to the station-house that she had herself taken
the watch and chain from her neck and placed them
upon the table shortly before she missed them.
In answer to the charge, the prisoner earnestly
protested his innocence, and said that it was impos-
sible he could have committed the robbery, as the pro-
perty was not forthcoming, and he did not leave the
place for a moment until he was given into custody.
Mr. TYRWEITT said that he did not feel himself
justified in committing the prisoner upon the un-
supported testimony of the complainant, and he should
therefore order him to be discharged; but if she was
not satisfied with his decision, she was at liberty to
carry the case to the sessions.
The complainant said that she was not actuated by
any vindictive feelings against the accused, but felt
satisfied that he had taken her watch, and she con-
sidered that it was a most cruel robbery.
Mr. Hurlstone—You had better put your husband
in possession of all the circumstances, and leave him
to indict the prisoner if he thinks proper.
The complainant made no further observation, and
the prisoner was discharged.

_
CLERkENWELL.
Margaret Batchelar, aged forty, a well-dressed
woman, who was described in the police-sheet as a

gentlewoman (married), of Brockham-green, near
Reigate, Surrey was placed at the bar before Mr.
Combe, charged by Mr. Ebenezer Thomas Jobbins,
watchmaker, and also carrying on the business of a
baker at 15, Charles-street, Hatton-garden, with
having robbed him extensively.
It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner
was a woman or considerable property in her own
right, and was living with her husband on their
freehold estate at Brockham-green. She was on the
most intimate terms with the prosecutor's family,
having formerly been at school with his sister. She
was in the constant habit of visiting his family during
the last ten years, was allowed access to every part
of the house, used to attend in the baker's shop, and
serve the customers, and deal with the money, and
in fact was treated as one of the family, and the
utmost confidence being reposed in her, no suspicion
was ever entertained that she would be guilty of
plundering them. At intervals during the last ten
years property had been missed from the till,
&c., to the amount of several hundred pounds,
and on some occasions, in consequence of the
losses of the prosecutor, he was unable to meet the
demands of the millers and maltster, and he fre-