The Sun.
London, England, 1841-08-14 00:00:00

!Iflf SUN, LONDON. SAJITTinAV, /Warier 140441i

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
Vast quantitieS of rain, accompanied with clld winds,
have fallen in this neighbourhood since our last publica-
tion, and although we do not find, from all the inquiries
we have made, that any material injury is likely to result
from these untoward- circumstances hitherto, still consi-
derable alarm begins to manifest itself in the prospect
for the future. The markets are rising rapidly in every
direction, bread consequently is now 9d. the loaf, and it
is expected will soon further advance ; whils:, meat is
proportionably high. So short is the supply of old
wheat on hand, that it is generally supposed importations
from abroad will be necessary to supply the wants of this
country before the new crops can be brought to market.—
Sherborne and Dorchester Journal.
We noticed the favourable change in the weather
which took ploce on Monday the 2d current. Up to
Thursday all was propitious, but on that day heavy rain
again fell, and continued during the whole of that night.
There have since been frequent showers. The continu-
ance of this unseasonable weather is beginninc, to cause
serious uneasiness. • The wheat has been much twisted
and affected with rust, which, of course, will injure the
sample very much when it comes to market. Fortunately
there is a considerable breadth of spring wheat, which
is not so much affected, owing to its having been later
in bloom. The harvest altogether will be fully a fort-
night later than was anticipated in June, in conse-
quence of the excessive moisture, and the want of
solar heat. The late-sown turnips have suffered from
the same cause, but the early ones promise well. As yet,
the oat and barley crops, though thrown back, can-
not be said to be much damaged. Oats generally will be
beyond an average in this district, in grain, but deficient
in bulk. Barley will be a good crop, but late.
The weather in. England and France appears to be the
same as here—too much wet. • This is apparent from all
the papers ; and a gentleman writing to us from one of
the midland counties, remarks—" We have had heavy
rains here, and it is threatening more. The wheats are
fit for the sickle, and some barley has already been taken
to market ; but generally operations are much retarded.
Bread has advanced in price."
We conversed yesterday with a gentleman from Nairn-
shire, who states that the late oats and barley have im-
proved greatly ; but from the superabundance of mois-
ture, the turnip crop, in many places, has gone back.
Here, also, the wheat bas been damaged by rust.—
Inverness Courier.

From a gentleman who has travelled nearly round
Lancashire, and in some parts of Cheshire, within the
last fortnight, during which period he has scarcely ex-
perienced one thoroughly dry day of summer weather,
we learn that a considerable quantity of hay remained
to be housed, and there was a great breadth of grass
still uncut. The grass is rather heavy, and should the
weather take up so as to allow the hay to be housed, the
crop will be much more abundant than that of last year.
Both wheat and oats are remarkably green for August,
and indicate a very late harvest. The size of the ears
vary much ; in some districts they are large and nume-
rous, whilst in cams they are both meagre and scanty.
The straw is long and strong, and considering the preva-
lence of heavy winds and rain, a very small portion only
is laid. This, it is to be feared, is owinc, to the lightness
of the heads, and may account for any deficiency in the
yield when reaped. The potatoes look well, but the heavy
rain has completely saturated the ground, and materially
deteriorated the quality.—Liverpool Mercury.
THE SOUTH HAMS.—The farmer's prospects for the
present year are very good, and they continue to be very
promising. We scarcely ever recollect a season, when
from the commencement to the end of July, the wheat
crop, on the whop; has made a more promising ap-
pearance ; though the storms on the 20th June, and
again on the 20th ult., (lid it an injury, though to no
great extent. Some of the early fields are tangled and
knee bound, and others completely lodged, but notwith-
standing this, the crop is likely to be above an
average one. The harvest will be rather late ;we do not
expect to see much wheat cut until the 18th or 20th inst.
The barley crop will be a very good one, except in some
situations, where, in consequence of the frequent showers
that have fallen within the last two months, it appears
to be very long in the straw, and rather weak, which
generally brings a poor sample. It is very probable,
however, that the crop will be above an 'average one.
The hay harvest is just concluded, and we do not re-
collect a season where the crop was heavier, or, with but
few exceptions, better saved.

The potato crop will be greater than we have had for
many years past.
'There is a prospect also of an abundant crop of turnips.
Apples are but a very partial crop, and but little cider
will be made this season.

In Kent, it is stated the crops begin to show unequivo-
cal carnage ; in Nottinghamshire the continued wet has
produced mildew and rust extensively, but before this
the crop was more than an average one; in Staffordshire
the crops are much laid, but thy have sustained no
great positive damage ; in Bucks the crop promises fair,
the ear being full and large ; in Oxfordshire the wheat
is described as looking healthy, and promising good
crops—if there be fine weather to get them in ; in Der-
byshire the wheat crop is suffering from mildew, and
the red rust has damaged the ear to a considerable ex-
tent ; in Hereford the wheats have been much beaten
down ; in parts of Norfolk mildew prevails to a consider-
able extent ; in some parts of Scotland the same com-
plaint is heard, but in general the accounts from that
country are not very discouraging.—Chelmsford Chro-
nicle.

During the past week the weather has been cold and
variable. Considerable falls of rain have taken place,
and, on the whole, the season has been unpropitious for
ripening the grain crops, which, in consequence, have
slightly suffered. It has, however, been most appropriate
for the potatoes and green crops, which are every where
in the most thriving condition.—Mona's Herald.
The annual hop meeting was held at the Bell Inn,
Castle Hedingham, on Thursday, the sth inst. There
was very little business doing ; one individual sold his
growth (the present year) for 61. 15s. per cwt. Several
samples of '3B and '39 were offered, but did not find pur-
chasers ; the betting was against the duty (150,0001.)
One gentleman sold his growth of barley at 345. per
quarter; another his crop of partridge peas at 40s. per
quarter ; altogether there was less business doing than
in former years.--Cheln4ord Chronicle.
EAST REWORD, AUGUST 11.—It is with surprise,
mingled with feelings of regret, that we have recently
seen the most exaggerated • statements put forth of the
great and serious injury which the corn crops have sus-
tained through the cold and wet weather. We will,
therefore, proceed'to notice the state of the crops as we
have found them, on inspection, both on the clays and
on the sands. And first of the clays—This fine tract,
which includes some of the finest wheat-land in the
kingdom, is included in the parishes of Treswell, Ramp-
ton, North and South Levertons, North and South Wheat-
ley-s, Bole; &c. &c., has now one of the richest coverings
of wheat growing upon it that ever was seen. The
straw is long and strong, the ear large and bold—
the whole free from disease. As compared with the
last year's crops, there is now twice as much growing
on the same quantity of ground, and it is already nearly
ripe ; indeed, before this will be seen by many of your
readers the sickle will have come enced operation, and
the harvest nearly be general. Samples of new wheat
from three of these parishes are now before us, and we
can pronounce them to be fine in quality, very bold, and
likely to yield abundantly. The parish of Rampton,
with its fine open field, containing several hundred acres
of growing wheat, is estimated at from 12 to 14 loads
per acre round. With respect to the barleys in this dis-
trict, they are as abundant as were ever before known, or,
we may add, as they can be desired. The same remark
will apply to oats, which are so good as to create a
feeling of surprise in all who have seen them. The crop
of beans and peas, however, we fear, will be but indif-
ferent. With plenty of straw, there will be but little
and this may be attributed to a blight which they re-
ceived when going limy-blossom, which destroyed the
flower, and left in many instances nothing but a barren
stalk. The crops of grass -and clover in this district have
been good, and a great deal of it got in in good condi-
tidn. The eddish is most abundant, and the pastures as
luxuriant as ever were known. Turn we now to the
sand ; and here we must admit that a greater diversity
exists, particularly amongst the wheat crops, than in the
clays. And this brines to our mind the old distich—
" When the sand doth feed the clay,
Then England woe and well-a-day •
But when the clay doth feed the sand,
Then it is well with Old England I"
Be this, however, as it may, we find on the light and
sandy sells of the Forest of Sherwood, some—and that
a great majority, of the finest crops we have seen for
years. It is true,- in some places a little rust is to be
found, whilst in others the farmers complain of many
of the wheat ears being prtly deaf,—and we believe they
do not do so without reason. Still the great majority is
good, and will be found to be excellent both in quality
and quantity. The crops of barley and oats, too, are ge-
nerally abundant, with here and there a thin covering ;
but these are the exceptions, not the rule. And now, as
it respects the marley and alluvials, soils which extend
themselves to the north and south of this place. We be-
lieve we may assert, without any fear of contradic-
tion, that, in general, all kinds of growing corn have
seldom presented such a cheering aspect. The wheats
are splendid—the barleys strong and abundant, and the
oats everything that can fairly be desired. Here, too,
the beans are remarkably good—we hear but of few com-
plaints, and this satisfies us that there is no reason given
why there should be. Such, therefore, is the general
state of the crops in this -neighbourhood at the present
moment ; and all we want is suitable weather for gather-.
ing in these bounties of Providence.—Nottingham:Journat
The weather still continues precarious and unsettled,
and the harvest cannot be said even yet to have fairly
commenced. Small 'portions of grain are here and there
cut, but it is not yet_ sufficiently ripe, a few days' sun-
shine being required. The protraction of the present
stormy and chilly weather naturally excites considerable
alarm, and if fine warm sunshine does not speedily ensue,
the consequences in injuring the harvest will be very
disastrous. As yet, however, little or no injury has been
ite rrlaegyaer.
sustained, and, as we 'have before reported, the crop of
potatoesat hn c • average.
wheat in point of quantity bids fair to yield more than
is
wheatvlali Pirreeoulr provingiiapreiaenedlvtei; n y of the
stihiruo
diptruaecnsteeiovnuetsctie..o.apr,
ah.
det
the turnips look remarkably well.—Dorset Chronicle.
The weather still 'continues unseasonable. In this
county the hay harvest is far from •finished
being ; and,
within the last few
days it has been uncommon thing
in the neighbourhood of brooks and no
r.r s
to e
men
employed in fishing hay out of the water
ve
to preventse its
being carried quite away by the floods. With respect
to the corn crops, they have sustained, perhaps, no great
deal of positive damage as yet • although in some in-
stances they are partially laid ; but a few days of bright
dry weather would bring them round. We sincerely
trust that a favourable change will speedily, take place,
otherwise the consequences will be I tru y serious.—
Staffordshire Advertiser.

Potts, the Chartist druggist of
Trowbridge, has
been released from Eisherton gaol.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY—Aug. 13.
(Before Mr. Commissiouer FONBLANQUE.)

THE BANKRUPTCY OF WHITMORE, WELLS, AND CO.,
BANKERS, LOMBARD-STREET.

(In the matter of Edward Whitmore, John Wells, John
Wells the younger, and Frederick Whitmore, of Lom-
bard-street, in the city of London, bankers, dealers,
chapman, and co-partners, trading under the firm of
" Whitmore, Wells, and Whiimore.")
This being the day appointed for the final examination
of the bankrupts, the Court was more densely crowded
than at the hearing for choice of assignees, and proofs
were put in with more rapidity than all the clerks at both
sides of the table (six at least) were able to put in the
necessary form. The proximate cause of the failure of
this long-established house arose from advances made to
the house of Daintry, Ilyle, and Co., of Manchester, to
the amount of upwards of 200,0001., their principal busi-
ness as bankers being a 3 agents of country banks, and
comparatively little as a bank of deposit for town cus-
tomers.

An application was made by a solicitor for the parish
of St. Luke's lighting and paving board to prove for a
sum of 483/. Mr. Edward Whitmore was the principal
trustee for carrying out the object of the board, and his
co-partners were his sureties in a bond that he should
do so, but there was a covenant in the instrument that
a demand should be made of the state of the account,
and no such demand having been made, lie Iv ished to
know against what party the proof was to be made ?
The Learned COMMISSIONER said against each of the
separate estates of the then parties to the bond:
Amongst the additional proofs admitted to-day, with-
out any opposition, were the following :-John Barnard
of Harlow, Essex, 2231. 10s. 4d.; John Barnard, of Har-
low, 1,501/. 135.; William Oxenford, of Broad-street,
1931. 15s. 9d. ; William Oxenford, as executor,
1631. 35. 7d ; William Swinscow, of Church-
street, Christ Church, 169/. 6s. 9d. ' • the same
as executor, 586/. 13s. 9d. ; Andrew M'lntosh, of
Langhorne Chambers, .194/. .17s. ; Samuel Adams, of
Ware, Hertfordshire, 3481. 17s. 10d. ; William Ravens-
croft Elsey, 120/. 3s. 10d. ; Mr. J. Barters, Old Broad-
street, 1501. 10s. 7d. ; Frederick Cobb, of St. Helen's,
Ware, 308/. 1 Is. lid.; Mr. .13. Atkinson, King Wil-
liam-street, 267/. 17s. 11d. (deposit account) ; Mr. S. W.
Gurney, of Lombard-street, 2,830/. 3s. ; the same,
1,367/. is. 6d. ' • Mr. Wm. Butcher, Epsom, 496/. 3s. Bd.;
Mr. Charles Barnard, Harlow, 358/. 10s. sd. ; Mr. John
Moore, Burnley, 775/. ; Mrs. Sarah Bulkely, Montague-
square, 652/. 19s. Bd. ; Mr. C. Bulkely, Plymouth,
1,510/. 16s. 10d. ; Mr. Barlow, Guernsey, 132/. 4s. 3d. ;
Mr. T. Gould, Glasgow, 345. 2s. 2d. ; Mr. J. Smith,
Crooms-hill, Greenwich, 373/. I Is. Bd. ; Mr. J. Cooper,
West Smithfield, 157/. 9s. 9d. ; Wm. Powell, Poole,
695/. 10s. 4d. ; Williams, Cooper, and Co., Smithfield,
1,231/. Is. Id.; N. Connop, Brigliton,lso/. 6s. Id.; Mr. T.
J. Trafford, 47/. 16s. ; Mr.illenly Connop, Henley-on-
Thames, 686/. 17s. 9d. ; Samuel Cox, Jersey, 1501.95. 9d ;
Mr. G. L. Cook Curbington (Warwick), 126/. 68. 10d. ;
Mr. A. Smith, Caine, Wellington,'Somerset, 341/. ls. 10(1;
G. Harrison, Longlands, 347/. 9s. ; William 05 wfrey,
Smithfield, 1,027/. 14s. 10d. ; Mr. Wheeler. Lombard-
street, 500/. ; William Ileathorn, Abchurch-lane, 1,713/.
13s. 3d. ; Mr. J. James, Peterborough, 214/. 10s. 10d. ;
Mr. R. Jaquet, 2091. 13s. I Id. ; Mr. A. Johnson, of
Hatfield, Peverell, 2,1391. 9s. ; Mrs. -H. Kaye,
(Wandsworth), 186/. Is. 3d. ; George Nash and others,
as executors of King, 514/. 10s. ; Mr. H. Morris (Peck-
ham), 2001. 13s. 3d.; Mrs. S.M. Shepley (Wandsworth),
876/. 14s. 7d.; Mr. J. Smith, of Watford, 392/. 18s. 10d. ;
Mr. H. Smith, Portland-place, 265/. 2s. I Id; Col. J. W.
Smith, 270/. 3s. 4d.; Mr. J. Gutteridge, 5831. 14s.
9d. ; Mr. W. Hinchley, St. Neot's, 508/. Os. 10d.,.;
Mr. J. Guttridge, as executor, 447/. 4s. 10(1.; Mr. R. J.
Smethurst (Cliorley), 5001.; Mr. 11. Nixon (Manchester),
300/.; Mr. J. Kaye (Wandsworth), 355/. 6s. 6d.; Sir
James Williams, of West Smithfield, 568/. 7s. 7d.; Mr.
11. S. Williams, Regent's-park, 278/. 3s. 24.; Mr. C. A.
St. Ledger, Heath-end House (Gloucester), 1,7111. 6s. 4d.;
Mr. Cornelius Boyle, 533/. Bs. Bd.; Mr. T. C. Whitmore,
of Cotsbrook (Salop), 622/. 3s. 6d.; Francis Warden,
Esq., Bryanston-square, 758/. 2s. 7d.; Mr. G. Thomas,
of Woodbridge. 1761. 1 s. 4d.; Mr. J. S. Smith, 274/. 12s. Id.;
Mr. R. C. Kent, 285/. 17s. 5d.; Mr. S. Horston, Great
St. Helen's, 2351.65. 2d; Mr. F. 0. Dickens, 404/.; Fre-
derick Adolphus Leman, Threadneedle-street, 1,271/.;
Henry Israel, 211/.; Mr. G. Matson, Hackney, 248/. 55.;
Mr. W. Burkitt, Newington-place, 204/4 and Mr. G.
Wrigley, of Manchester; 3,973/.
_ _ _

At this period of the day the Learned COMMISSIONER
said that, having other important public business fixed
for to-day, he could receive no further proofs in this case.
An application was then made on the part of the
bankrupts for another bearing, as, towing to the very
voluminous and complicated nature of their accounts, it
was impossible for them to render such an accurate ba-
lance-sheet as would satisfy their creditors and the Court.
The adjourned hearing was then fixed for the 15th of
September next.

Upwards of two hundred proofs were admitted in the
course of the day ; the aggregate amount of all the proofs
admitted at the present and the former meetings fully
amounts to 250,000/.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
HOME CIRCUIT—Croydon, August 17.
CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Lord Chief' Justice TINDAL.)
TODD AND ANOTHER U. EMLY AND ANOTHER.

This was an action to recover the sum of 1941. for
wine supplied to the Alliance Club, of which the defen-
dants were members.

Mr. PLATT, with whom was Mr. PETERSDORFF, ap-
peared for tha plaintiffs; Mr. THESIGER and Mr. SWANN
were for the defendants.

It appeared from the statement of the Learned Coun-
sel that this action has been twice before tried, and on
each occasion a verdict was returned for the plaintiffs.
In the year 1836 several gentlemen, amongst whom were
the defendants, formed a Club, which was called the Al-
liance, and for which the premises, No. 79, Pall mall, were
taken. A Committee was appointed for conducting the
affairs of the Club, and it was part of their duty to select
tradesmen to furnish the provisions, &c. The plaintiffs,
Messrs. Todd and Bosanquet, were selected to supply the
wines, and a large quantity was sent in. In the year
1839 it was discovered that the undertaking would not
answer ; a%general meeting of the members was called,
and it was resolved, after examining all the accounts,
that the Club should be dissolved. There. were many
outstanding debts, all goods having been; supplied on
credit; and it was found that a subscription of 131. from
each member would liquidate all the debts. A portion of
the members handed in their subscriptions, but others did
not, and consequently the funds were not sufficient to
meet the demands. A balance of 1941. being left in the
plaintiffs' account, they brought this action against the
defendants, who were on the Committee at the time the
goods were supplied.
On behalf of the plaintiffs it was contended that the
defendants, although they did not absolutely order
the wine, were liable for the payment, as they were cog-
nisant of the fact of its being supplied on credit, and con-
sequently must have been aware that they were sanc-
tioning the acts of their agent in giving the order.
A number of witnesses were called, who proved that
the defendants were on 'the-Committee—that they were
aware of, and sanctioned the order being given to the
plaintiffs, and that they were also aware that it was not
paid for.
Mr. TBESIGER addreSsed the Jury for the defendants,
when

The Learned JUDGE summed up, and the Jury in-
stantly returned a verdict for the plaintiffs for the amount
claimed.

In reference to the case of Teevan v. Butt, reported in
Tuesday's proceedings of the Home Circuit, our reporter
states that he is informed that at the time the writ wars
delivered to the defendant, the plaintiff was not his medi-
cal attendant, and he had expreisly declined to be so
some time before ; and that, consequently, no ad-
vantage was taken of that position to serve
the writ ; and also that although the medica
attendance of the plaintiff extended over a period of six-
teen months without any remuneration, no writ would
have been issued or any. legal proceedings taken if the
plaintiff could have obtained the amount without resort-
ing to them. As the statement was ex parte, and the
plaintiff's counsel had no opportunity to reply to it, it is
but justice to him to make this explanation.
Two cases have been disposed of at this assizes which
have caused a good deal of conversation, in consequence
of the extraordinary disparity in the sentences passed
upon the culprits by the Learned Sergeant who offi-
ciates for Mr. Justice Bosauquet. On Tuesday,
a young man, named Francis ;;i'tent, was con-
victed of embezzling some small sums of money
from his employer, Mr. Thompson, a poulterer and
fishmonger, at Wandsworth. It appeared that the pri-
soner had previously borne a most excellent character,
and he was strongly recommended to mercy by his
employer ' • but Mr. Sergeant Teddy said he could
not attend to the recommendation, and sentenced him to
be transported for
seven years. On Wednesday, a man
named John Hough was convicted of having carried on
a systematic plan of embezzlement against his employer,
and he was also, formally, under the statute, proved to
have before been convicted of felony ; and the policeman
also stated that other charges had been brought against
him ; but this man was only sentenced to twelve months'
imprisonment, to the very great surprise of those who
had heard the former trial and sentence.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HO USE.
The father of a patient who died in St. Bartholomew's
Hospital waited upon Sir Peter Laurie, a few days ago,
to complain against the authorities of the establishment
for having, without asking permission of the father,
opened the body of the deceased. The applicant de-
clared, that if the surgeons had mentioned to him that it
was necessary, on account of the nature of the disease of
which his son died, to cause an examination to be made,
he would not, for a moment, have opposed the use of
the knife, but not one -word had been said to him on the
subject.

Sir I'. LAURIE was very much surprised at the state-
ment, and appeared to be quite incredulous, as he wrs
well acquainted with the system at the hospital. He
said it happened that Alderman Lucas, the President of
St. Bartholomew's Hospital, was in the house, and it
was necessary that he should be informed of the cir-
cumstance.

Alderman Lucas having immediately attended and
heard the statement, said at once that he did not believe
one word of it, and asked the applicant whether ho had
seen the body ?
The applicant replied that he certainly had not.
Alderman Lucas—Have you seen the surgeons or the
nurses on the subject ? . The
.applicant said he had not,
but he had been assured by the beadle that the body of
his son was cut up by the surgeons. The young man
had died of delirium tremens.
Alderman Lucas said, that before the applicant came
forward to make so serious a complaint, he ought to
have communicated with the authorities at the Hospital,
and ascertained beyond the least doubt that the body
had been opened. He then desired that the applicant
should meet him at the Hospital, when an immediate in-
quiry should be instituted.

Alderman Lucas yesterday called at the Mansion-
house,
and requested that the result of the investigation
should be publicly stated, to remove any vulgar preju-
dice which might have been excited in the minds of those
who heard the statement. He met the father of the de-
ceased as he had appointed, and took him to the sur-
geons, who were quite ignorant of the matter, as well
as was every nurse and attendant at the Hospital. He
then requested the house-surgeon to go to the house of
of the father, to which the body had been removed from
the bone-house, and accurately investigate into 'the affair
of the cutting; and after the examination the surgeon
reported that there was not a scratch upon any part of
the deceased.—(A laugh.) So much for the correctness
of the declaration that the surgeons of the Hospital had
taken such a liberty. The Alderman then described the
vast liberality, tenderness, and care upon all occasions
exhibited by the admirable establishment of which he
was President.

Sir P. LAURIE reprobated the attempt to excite a pre-
judice against so great and benevolent an institution, and
said that the father of the deceased had called to declare that
he had been misinformed, and that he deeply regretted
not having made inquiry on the subject of those who
were qualified to inform him correctly.
WINE-TASTING IN THE DocKs.—Three young men of
respectable appearance and good character, in the em-
ployment of Mr. Cooper, an extensive warehouseman in
St. Paul's Church-yard, were brought before Alderman
Wilson, charged with having been drunk and disorderly
in the street.

Inspector Brake stated that the defendants upon being
taken to the station-house declared that they had been
wine-tasting at the Docks. A very common practice,
the Inspector said, by which the owners of the wines in
dock were much plundered, and young men led into all
sorts of scrapes and debauchery.
Alderman Wrmos said he was quite aware of the truth
of the Inspector's observation.
The young men, one of whom was not more than 16,
and another 20 years of age, said that having had a holi-
day, and being presented with a tasting-order by an
agent, who! sold wines on commission, they set off for
the Docks, and were overcome by the variety they tasted.
They never before were in such a condition, and assured
the Alderman that nothing should ever induce them
again to " taste" under such circumstances.
The ALDERMAN said he trusted that the owners of
wine in the Docks would be informed by the press (the
only effective way of conveying intelligence of the kind)
of the existence of a practice by which a vast deal of
their property was daily consumed without the least ad-
vantage to them. It was the duty of the Revenue Com
missioners, in his opinion, to issue orders that boys.
who certainly could not for a moment be supposed to visit
the Docks for the purpose of buying, should not be al-
lowed to " taste at all.'

Mr. Hobler said it was pretty well understood that
parties of the sort by slipping half-a-crown to a cellar-
man, could take the choice of the best that could be
found, whoever might be the owner.

A gentleman who was on business in the Justice-room
said that the extent to which wine " tasting" was carried
on in the Docks was quite extraordinary. It was but the
day before he met a big publican, a notorious " wine
taster," with three or four of his swabby• faced, dissolute
companions, returning, at a little after two o'clock, from
the Docks, after having swallowed, in " tasting," eleven
bottles of the most expensive wines, and upon being told
that they might as well have finished the dozen, the
publican said, with a horse laugh, " Ah, Pin d—d if we
don't make up for that to-morrow, for we'll taste' thir-
teen bottles then, and no mistake."—(A laugh.)
Alderman WiLsoN said that he should certainly do all
he could to check the practice. As the present defend-
ants were so respectable, and had erred for the first time,
lie should not inflict a more severe penalty than five shil-
lings upon each ; but let the experienced wine taster be-
ware of him, and let the big-publican have an eye to
himself in his rambles from the Docks.