The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-20 00:00:00

THE 81:3N, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1847,

THE ACCIDENT ON THE LAN-
CASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY.
HALIFAX, SATURDAY MORNING.—Many rumours
were afloat throughout Friday, not only in t athn-
chester and Leeds, but also in London, that the
h
number of passengers killed and wounded had been
understated, and that many otherpersonefs
twheereeffieia
suf-
ferers thereby.. The following account
investigation .
will
set instituted imt uattetde
matter at
tt the authoritiesstn i
that o
point,
thinet,coa7-ii
pany
at the same time elucidate the circumstances wtrAch
led to the melancholy catastrophe :
The first intimation of an accident having happened
reached the Victoria station of the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Railway by electric telegraph from Roch-
dale,
about a quarter before four on Thursday after-
noon, and immediately on the receipt of the informa-
tion Messrs. Entvrisle and Harper, two of the direc-
tors, together with Mr. Heron, the secretary, and
Mr. Eckersley, proceeded by special engine to the
Sowerby-bridge station, which is situate 28 miles
from Manchester, and 5 from Halifax, for the pur-
pose of assisting the sufferers, and instituting an
inquiry into the circumstances connected with the
occurrence.
The first object which attracted the attention of the
railway authorities, and which there is not the
slightest doubt was the primary cause of the acci-
dent, was that on approaching the Luddenden Foot
station, twenty-six miles from Manchester, and two
miles from Sowerby-bridge station, they observed one
of the rails broken. This circumstance, it is believed,
threw the last carriage off the rails ; and although the
driver of the engine remembers a slight jerk to the
train about the spot in question, still nothing particu-
lar occurred to attract his attention until his arrival
at the Sowerby-bridge station, when the results of
the sad calamity became apparant.
The train to which the accident happened was the
express mail train, which leaves Manchester at one
o'clock for Leeds, and on this occasion it consisted of
the engine and tender and five first-class carriages.
It started from Manchester at its proper time, and
passed the Luddenden Foot station about ten minutes
before two o'clock at its usual speed. Nothing par-
ticular was observed at the station, although it is
quite clear that at this time the last carriage must
have been off the rails. The wind was very high
at the time, and the rain poured in torrents, so that
it was impossible for either guard or engine-driver
to hear an alarm had it been given. The down
line, on which the train was proceeding, was on
the left or northern side of the railway, and the
first indication of an accident having happened was
the leaning outward of the last carriage on the
same side as the platform at the Sowerby station,
which was observed by the officials as the train ap-
proached the station. The circumstances induced the
station master at the Sowerby-bridge station to hoist
the red signal. This caused the engine driver to
slacken his speed, but not in sufficient time to bring
up at the station. The last carriage as it passed, was
then observed to be off the line, and the wheels on
the right side within the rails. About thirty or forty
yards on the Leeds side of the station is an ash-pit,
used for the purpose of enabling the firemen to rake
out the fires of their engines. The last carriage being
off the line plunged into the pit with great violence,
but the coupling irons connecting it with the carriage
immediately preceding resisted the shock, and the
carriage was dragged up again by the impetus still
upon the train, and carried further along the line.
The cross bar of the pit was completely doubled, and
the effect of the concussion was such as to wrench
from the body of the carriage the wheels, which were
found lying on the line forty or fifty yards
beyond the ash-pit, and a little further down
the line the axle of one 'pair of wheels
was also discovered lying across the rails. About
forty yards beyond this was also discovered the
door of the front coupe torn off and lying on the
ground (the carriage had a coupe at each end). The
train was not stopped until it reached the Sowerby-
bridge viaduct, which is distant about 180 yards from
the station. On the officers reaching the centre of
the viaduct they discovered the bodies of three gentle-
men, all of whom had occupied the front coupe, lying
close together on the right side, between the up and
the down line of rails. The train was standing about
fifty yards beyond this point. The last carriage being
entirely divested of its wheels, had been dragged
from the ash-pit of the Sowerby-bridge station like a
sledge oves the rails, and it was still tightly affixed
to the preceding carriage by its coupling chains.
The :glass of the carriage was entirely crushed, as
also were the panels of the carriage on the right side,
but its body had not suffered any material injury.
As soon as the train was stopped, and the nature
of the accident ascertained, every possible assistance
was rendered to the sufferers. On reaching the spot
where the three persons above alluded to lay, one of
the bodies was found frightfully mutilated. It proved
to be that of Mr. Louis Gillard, assistant instrumen-
tal inspector to the Commercial Electric Telegraph
Company, residing at Wakefield. The next body
was that of Mr. Edward Roper Weston, a surveyor-
general to: the Board of Customs, and Mr. Moon,
secretary to the last-named gentleman. With the
least possible delay the unfortunate sufferers were
I conveyed to the Royel Hotel at Sowerby station, but
Mr. Gillard had ceased to exist before his arrival. On
the arrival of Mr. Weston and Mr. Moon at the hotel
they were promptly attended by Messrs. Elliott, Scott,
and Aked, medical gentlemen resident in the neigh-
bourhood. Mr. Weston laboured under concussion
of the brain, the toes of his left foot were cut off, his
right leg was broken, and he had also sustained con-
siderable laceration of the righ thigh and arm. He
rallied for a short time, but gradually sunk, and died
at eight o'clock yesterday (Friday) morning. Mr.
Weston was also attended 1?y Messrs. W. J. Wilson,
J. A. Ransome, and Bowring, of the Manchester In-
firmary, who were dispatched by a special train to
the Royal Hotel, Sowerby-bridge station, the same
night. Mr. Moon was severely bruised, but we are
happy to state that his injuries are not of a serious
character.

Mr. Moon made the following statement to Cap;:ain
Binstead, the superintendent of the railway:—lle
says, immediately after passing the Luddenden Foot
station, the oscillation and uneasy motion of the
carriage convinced us that we were off the line. The
rapid motion, the noise of the wind, and pattering of
' the rain, added to the fact that ours was the last
carriage, convinced us also that we were too re-
moved from the guard to enable us to draw attention
to our position, and we therefore sat still, waiting
tremulously the result. After the lapse of about
three minutes, during which time the carriage was
tossing to and fro in a frightful manner, and dragged
along at a rate of full 30 miles an hour, we found
we were entering the Sovverby-bridge tunnel, which
is about a quarter of a mile in length, and which ter-
minates just before reaching the station. In the
tunnel, lights appeared to be dancing about, and 1
fancied I could perceive the faces of men whom I took
to be porters holding up lights, and our hopes were
that they had seen the predicament our carriage
was in. The train, however, proceeded, and on
approaching the Sowerby-bridge station, the de-
ceased, Mr. Gillard, remarked that he thought
the carriage had righted itself upon the rails again ;
they became conscious that the oscillation was con-
siderably less. I sought this opportunity to seize the
straps which passed along the roof of the coupe, and,
raising my feet out of the window, I thought it the
most secure way to escape danger. I advised Mr-
Weston and Mr. Gillard to do the same, but whether
they did so or not I cannot say, as immediately after
a terrible shock entirely rendered me insensible to
what was passing around me. I remembered nothing
further until after I was picked up and conveyed to
the Royal Hotel.
There were two gentlemen in the hinder coupe of
the same carriage, viz., Captain Ellis, of the Board of
Trade, a Government inspector, and his,l.ashstistant.
They miraculously escaped with a f
and soon after the accident proceeded cutsomant
and bruises. They were on their way etwo Njoirg
journey.
on,
n their
The most extraordinary circumstance connected
with the sad affair is the manner in which the de-
ceased gentlemen and Mr. Moon came to be thrown
upon the line. They must have been ejected from
the carriage at the same moment through the aper-
ture created by the right-hand door of the carriage
e
when it was torn ie off
make The gthereniereasl
escape from the doorliefis, that they
were endeavouring
in question, when a sudden jerk of the carriage preci-
pitated them on to the line.
On minute examination of the rail found broken
near the Luddenden Foot station, a fracture was
found about 18 inches from the end nearest Man-
chester. The short portion remained fast in the chair
at that end, and its broken end in the soil of the road,
about an inch and a half below the proper level of the
rails. •

Mr. Weston was on a tour of inspection, and on his
way to Newcastle, to visit the:Customs' department of
that port, Mr. Gillard was on his way to Leeds, on
business connected with the working of the telegraph.
He was 30 years of age, and has left a widow and one
child to lament his loss.
The inquest on the bodies was to be formally
opened at the Royal Hotel, Sowerby Bridge, this
morning ; but it was understood that it would be
merely confined to the identity of the bodies, and that
the jury would then be adjourned for the inspection of
the line and broken carriage by the Government au-
thorities.

The paragraph which has gone the round of tile
papers respecting the appointment of three new bishops
in Lincolnshire, Cornwall, and llerts, altho=h givenw
with all the appearance of circumstantial accuracy, is
wholly incorrect. In fact, it is impossible to take any
steps in the matter without a specific Act of Parliament.
The consideration of the creation of any new gees, in
addition to that of Manchester, was postponed in the
last session, and nothing further can be decided upon till
the pleasure of Parliament is known upon the subject,—
Observer.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Sept. 18.
(Before Mr. Commissioner EvANs.)
IN RE BONNEY AND BEALE&
These bankrupts were wine-merchants, carrying
on business at Knightsbridge, and Beales now applied
for his certificate, that of his partner (Bonney) hav-
ing been heard about ten days since, before Mr.
Commissioner Fonblanque, and suspended for 18
months.

Mr. Duncan appeared to support the application,
and

Mr. COOKE, who opposed it, stated that Bonney
had been carrying on business for several years, and
had been in a state of embarrassment for some time,
having made a bill of sale of all his furniture in
1843, and continuing to carry on his business, by
raising money at a usurious rate of interest, down to
the year 1846, at which period Beales became partner
with Bonney, undertaking to pay 1,0001. into the
firm, by way of capital, and 1,0001. as premium to
Bonney, but he never brought in one farthing, al-
though he had deducted from the profit of the con-
cern 3361., his alleged means of payment being that
he had a reversionary interest in an estate at Roch-
dale, consisting of some land from which it was
expected to obtain coals ; its value being about
21,0901., to divide amongst five persons. The
bankrupt's share would, therefore, be about 4,3001.,
but he had already received 2,7501., leaving a
balance of 1,6001. in his favour, upon which he could
raise ripthing, having been previously in difficulties,
for in 1844 he became a bankrupt at Manchester,
in partnership with his brother ; and in January,
1846, he filed a petition as an insolvent
debtor, at the same place, with debts to the extent of
1,4691., and had only 35/. worth of good debts. After
this period, he induced Bonney to open a branch
business at Manchester, representing that he (Beales)
had a good connexion there ; and so it appeared, for
he allowed his private creditors to take the goods of
the firm, as set off for their debts, due by him (Beales).
There was a person named Tomkins to whom money
was due, and Beales gave him a receipt for 28/. 195.,
and a bill of exchange for 751., drawn by the firm,
after the fiat was issued, and then went to the office
of the official assignee, entering the transaction in
black ink in the books, as though it had taken place
prior to the issuing of the fiat. In the early part of
this year they were sued, upon which they went to
Morgan and Ridge, wine-merchants, and upon the
representation that all arrangements were settled, viz.,
1,0001. paid into the concern by Beales, they obtained
from Messrs. Morgan and Ridge loans to the extent
of 4561., and two bills of 2001. each, one of which, how-
ever, has not been paid. They were sued shortly
after this transaction, which took place in April of
the present year, by Messrs. Lemon Hart and Co.,
for 5001., and the bankrupts gave them a judge's
order for the amount, including all bills which were
not then due, agreeing to pay the debt by instalments
of 201. a-week, but they failed to pay the first instal-
ment, upon which execution was put in, and all the
property swept away, including the wines of Messrs.
Morgan and Ridge. This took place on the 11th of
June last, the fiat being issued immediately after-
wards.

The bankrupt Beales was then examined at some
length, admitting the charges against him, adding
that the cause of his first bankruptcy was in conse-
quence of having been called upon, as the head of
twelve assignees, to pay certain losses incurred in a
building speculation, known as " the Victoria Park
affair."
Having been cross-examined,
_ _

Mr. D—IINCAN addressed the Court on behalf of the
bankrupt, expressing it to be his duty to admit that
his client had been guilty of great negligence in en-
tering into a concern which was insolvent ; but there
was no mala fides on his (the bankrupt's) part, and
it was the duty of Mr. Bonney to have shown the
state of affairs. Under all the circumstances of the
case, considering that Beales was a young man,
whose great crime had been in not having taken great
care upon becoming a partner with Bonney, who had
been in business twenty-five years, the Learned
Counsel hoped that, in doing justice by suspending
the certificate, which he (Mr. Duncan) would not
insult the Court by asking for, knowing that the ex-
penses exceeded the profits, upon which ground a
suspension generally took place, his Honour would
temper that justice with mercy.
Mr. Commissioner EVANS said that a more reckless
case was impossible to arise. Respecting the arrange-
ment of paying in the 1,0001. as capital, his Honour
considered it a mere contrivance to defraud creditors,
and the bankrupt said that he had no idea that
Bonney was insolvent, but he got a bill discounted at
ten per cent., which was a sign of insolvency. The
certificate must be suspended for eighteen months,
without protection.

soner then assaulted the complainant, and gave him
into custody for felony, which prevented him from
executing the levy. The magistrate discharged
Beaver, but the prisoner was committed for the present
offence.

The prisoner addressed the Bench, and requested
to withdraw his plea. He was scrry for the way he
had acted, and he would leave himself to the mercy
of the Court.

The CHAIRMAN said that officers of the County
Courts must be protected in the execution of their
duty, but as he expreseed his regret the Court would
only fine him 205., and order him to enter into his
own recognizance to keep the peace.
John Brushwood was indicted for assaulting his
wife, and attempting to cut her throat with a knife.
It appeared that the prisoner and his wife were in-
mates of the Guildford Union workhouse, and on the
9th of August last he met the complainant in the
yard attached to the house. He then beat her in a
cruel manner, and with a knife he had in his hand,
attempted to cut her throat. Assistance being at
hand, he was prevented from accomplishing his object,
and secured.

Evidence was brought forward which set forth that
the prisoner was not in a sound state of mind, and
that he was at present under restraint by the work-
house authorities.

The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and
The COURT directed him to be kept in confine.
ment until some arrangement could be made re.
specting him.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
Jeremiah Rees, who was a few days ago charged
with having fraudulently obtained a quantity of goods
from Messrs. Smith and Beard, of Cheapside, was
brought up for final examination.
' The prisoner, who was known to the prosecutors as
the brother of a customer at Dudley, had called, and,
under pretence that he was in the service of his brother
ordered goods, which he, in conjunction with a young
man named Mettonetta, conveyed away from town to
Bristol. The fugitives were speedily followed by one
of the partners, who apprehended them at a house at
the Hot Wells. Mettonetta denied that he was aware
that the goods had been improperly obtained, and was
permitted to put in bail for his appearance at the Cen-
tral Criminal Court.
The prosecutors were disposed to leave the case
entirely in the hands of the Lord Mayor, and with
an apparent wish that a prosecution might be consi-
dered unnecessary.
The LORD MAYOR, however, declared that the evi-
dence was too conclusive to be resisted, and Rees was
accordingly committed for trial.
Elizabeth Donovan, an Irish girl, who had been
several times committed for smashing windows be-
cause she could not " get a place " in London, or a
gratuitous conveyance to Liverpool, appeared before
Mr. Alderman Gibbs, to repeat her application for one
or the other, or " both together," as the poor forlorn
creature expressed herself.
Upon being charged some time ago with having
committed one of those provoking outrages by which
she was in the habit of giving notice of her wants,
she was sentenced by the Lord Mayor to be impri-
soned in Bridewell. She attempted to strangle her-
self, and on being again brought up was sent to the
Compter, her commitment having been endorsed with
the direction to the keeper to cause her to be watched.
Having apparently recovered from the mental dis-
quiet under which she had been suffering, she was
discharged, and as her circumstances did not improve
since that time, it occurred to her that one more ap-
pearance at the Mansion-house might tell better for
her than all the rest.
Alderman Genus—What have you been doing
since you were here ? The defendant--Oh, then,
your Honour, I took the shilling I got when I was
discharged from the prisoner, and I bought a rope
with it to hang myself; and sure enough I'd have
done it stiff enough, but I thought I'd call in upon
the priest in the London-road, as your Lordship ad-
vised me.
Alderman GIBBS—And what did the priest tell
you ? The defendant—Oh, faith ! He said sure
enough that it was the devil that tempted me ; and it
was well for me that I got over the temptation, or I'd
have suffered in body and sowl.
Alderman GIBBS—WeII, I hope you have reflected
upon his advice ? The defendant—Oh, then, upon
my word I have, and he gave me quite a cure for the
temptation ; and here it is. (Here the poor girl pro-
duced a small leaden image of Christ on the cross,
under which were written the words "Agnus Dei.")
He towed me if I'd think of this, and take it out, and
kiss it whenever I'd any bad thoughts, they'd all
vanish like ghosts.
Alderman GIBBS—And you never had any bad
thoughts since ? The defendant--Never the least,
your Honour.

Alderman Grmas—lt never entered your head to
commit self-destruction from that moment ? The
defendant—God bless you! never.

Alderman Gisns—Well, you shall have something
to supply your present wants, and I dare say, if you
apply to the parochial authorities of St. George's. in-
the-Fields, where I understand you have been lodging,
they will pass you to Liverpool.
The defendant—Why, then, the Lord bless your
honour ! sure I'll go.
Alderman Gums then gave the defendant, who
declared that she could easily get once more into
service' at Liverpool,' some silver, to enable her to
make a decent appearance, and said to her, as she
was gratefully taking leave, " I say, young woman,
follow your priest's advice."
GUILDHALL.
Mr. John Friskin, of John-street, Bedford-row,
one of the trustees of Elim Chapel, in Fetter-lane,
appeared to answer the complaint of the Commis•
sioners of Sewers for the City, made under the Con-
tagious Disease Prevention Act, for suffering an ac-
cumulation of offensive or noxious matter to remain
on a piece of land and building upon it, used as a
chapel.
The joint certificate of Dr. Farquhar and Mr. G.
A. Walker, a surgeon, that the chapel was in a filthy
and unwholesomefecitin
persons
adjoining, was put n.
The clerk to the solicitors to the Commissioners
ruen state,.t, and to occupiers of houses
likely to be prejudicial to the
stated the nature of the charge, and said he should
call the two medical gentlemen who had signed the
certificate, to show the necessity for the prompt in-
terference of the magistrates.
Mr. Friskin prayed an adjournment, that he might
call a meeting of the seven other trustees, and obtain
legal advice. He believed he should establish, by
medical evidence, that there had been much exagge-
ration and unnecessary excitement about the matter.
Mr. Tyrrell's clerk said he must oppose any ad-
journment. The order he sought was, that the de-
fendant should abate the nuisance in 48 hours. If
they proceeded at all they should do so promptly.
The place would be again used as a chapel on Sunday.
Mr. Alderman (JOHNSON asked how many trustees
were now present ? Mr. Friskin said there were
four.
The MAGISTRATES thought the defendant had evi-
dently had sufficient notice to prepare for the hearing,
and determined to proceed.

—Dr.l';ci;il;r, of Drury-lane, was examined—He
had visited the chapel twice. On the first visit, on the
2d instant, he descended into the vault, and saw two
or three heaps of broken up coffin wood, saturated
with the fluid matter which had flowed from decom-
posed human bodies. He perceived the stench from
them in tile chapel above. A carpenter, who was with
him, opened one coffin, and found in it what appeared
to be portions of three human bodies ; one was a
portion of a female, but the effluvia was so overpower-
ing that he turned away without minutely inspecting
the parts. They appeared to be portions of bodies
that had been cut up.
Mr. Alderman JourtsoN asked if he apprehended
any danger to his own health from this visit ?—The
Doctor said he should if he had not been in good
health, or had remained longer.
Mr. Alderman HOOPER asked if the place was
a vault, or a cellar ; that is, was it brick-work
overhead, or a ceiling of plaster or wood ?—The
Doctor said it was wood-work above. It was
directly below the floor of the chapel. On the second
visit the effluvia in the chapel was gone. The place
had been prepared for the visit of Sir James Duke,
and the inquest, on Monday last.
Mr. Alderman HOOPER asked how many coffins
there were, and for some description of the vault ?
—The Doctor said he could not ascertain the number
of coffins. There was a door in the floor of the cha-
pel which admitted the visitor to a cellar, each side of
which measured about 40 feet. The coffins were
piled up six deep, without any earth between or over
them. The depth of the cellar was 12 feet in some
parts, and reduced by the piles of coffins to four feet
in others. On the second visit he found a coating of
earth had been laid over.the coffins, and there was no
smell.
There was a vault full of refuse bones, &c.,
opening into one side of the cellar, from which very
noxious effluvia came.
u the lid w
Cross-examined by Mr. Friskin. Could not say
there was not three feet of earth now laid over the
coffin. They did not unscrew the coffin they opened,
b ef there were portions of and to the best of his be.
three bodies in the coffin.
a
Heard the trustees promise Sir James Duke to build
be-
lief
np the entrance to the side vault. Did not observe
the date of the coffin he had spoken of.
Walker,s unfastened,of
St. James's-place, Westminster,
surgeon, described the vaults and its contents in
much the same manner. He found a heap had been
recently shifted from one side to the other of the
cellar, and a terrible stench had arisen from disturb-
ing themass. Thousands appeared to have been
buried in a place adapted only for hundreds. The
abatement of the effluvia was not proof of the re-
moval of the danger. When the effluvia was
li ht the nose immediately became accustomed to
nd failed to distinguish it after the fiat moment.

The existence of the mass he saw was prejudicial to
the health of the neighbourhood, but it could not be
disturbed without increasing the danger. If man
poisoned the air he breathed he must pay the
penalty.
Mr. Alderman JOHNSON asked, if by a further
addition of fresh earth a level surface were formed
and well covered with concrete, would not the mis-
chief be removed ?—Mr. Walker thought it would
not. Fissures would occur, through which the
poison would issue. It had been tried at a mortuary
chapel he visited near Hull, and when the sexton
opened the door he retreated some paces to allow the
stench to escape. Witness went up to the desk, and
found the minister's book thoroughly saturated with
the stench from the mass of corruption below, in spite
of the pains taken to prevent the nuisance.
Mr. Alderman JOHNSON asked what he would sug-
gest should be done in this case as a complete remedy ?
Mr. Walker was not prepared to say.
Mr. Alderman HOOPER asked Mr. Friskin when
the vault was last used as a place of interment ?—Mr
Friskin said at least three years and a half ago. The
trustees when they took the chapel, had a clause in-
serted in the lease, that the relations of persons in-
terred there should not have a right of burial there.
They had lately removed some of the contents of the
vault from one side to the other, and the effect of this
had been exaggerated very much. The nuisance was
now abated, and the chapel being private property no
one had a right to intrude, or interfere with it. They
had employed Mr. Fowler, a builder, to do what was
necessary, though in fact the place could no longer
be deemed a nuisance.
The MAGISTRATES said if the trustees disputed
their authority, it was the duty of the justices to
assert it, and protect the public health. They should
insist on the best remedy being immediately applied
by the Commissioners of Sewers, if the defendants did
not choose to obey the order that would be made.
The order was accordingly made for the immediate
abatement of the nuisance.
WESTMINSTER.

John Dignum, late clerk in the employment of Mr.
Archbutt, solicitor, Chelsea, was finally examined,
charged on suspicion of stealing a gold watch and
chain, and a large quantity of plate, jewellery, and
wearing-apparel, from that gentleman's residence.
The circumstances are briefly these :—On the 4th
instant Mr. Archbutt and family went out of town,
leaving his house in charge of Jane West, a female
servant, and on his return in a few days afterwards it
was found that the different drawers and wardrobes,
in which valuable property had been deposited, had
all been broken open, and plate, jewellery, and other
articles of considerable value, stolen. According to
the account given by the servant West, she left the
house the day after Mr. Archbutt left London, in care
of the prisoner, for three hours, whilst she took a walk
with a friend of his, named Ensor (in custody now
for burglary), who assumed the name of O'Neale.
On her return the prisoner left with Ensor, and on the
following morning she missed the plate. She then
went in quest of Dignum, to acquaint him with the
circumstance, when he said he would come to the office
and find it out, but he neglected to do so, and ab-
sconded from his employment.
The prisoner cross-examined the servant West at
some length, and asked her whether she had not al-
lowed persons to sleep in the house during her master's
absence, and whether he himself had not done so,
which she denied. She, however, admitted that she
had been visited by a large circle of relations and ac-
quaintances, amongst whom was a brother-in-law, who
had been convicted of felony.
Mr. Archbutt stopped the case. After what he
had heard, coupled with the circumstance of his
feeling convinced, from the circumstanee of his linen,
comb, and brush, having been used in his absence,
that some person had been permitted to sleep in the
house, he would not proceed any further against the
prisoner.
The accused was accordingly discharged.
Thomas Ensor was then charged with burglariously
breaking and entering the) dwelling-house of Mr.
Toby, a gentleman of fortune, at Chelsea, and pur-
loining plate and other property of great value. The
particulars of the case were detailed in our last.
There was no fresh evidence adduced, but the
officer in the case stated that if the prisoner was
again remanded, he had some reason to believe that
he could trace the property.
The prisoner was remanded until Thursday.
James Iladderway, a labouring man, was charged
by the authorites of St. Luke's, Chelsea, with threat-
ening to desert his wife and family.
One of the relieving officers said the defendant came
for relief that morning, when it was offered him,
upon his going to work in the stoneyard, which
he refused to do, and declared that unless he had re-
lief he would leave his wife and children a burden
on the parish.
Mr. BURRELL never remembered a case of persons
being committed for threatening to desert.
The relieving officer produced an Act passed in
the reign of James 1., which created the offence.
Mr. Taylor, the chief clerk, in reply to an inquiry
from the Magistrate, expressed his opinion that it
was obsolete.
Mr. BURRELL was evidently not disposed to act
upon it, and upon the defendant's stating that he had
work to go to on Monday, and that he would main-
tain his family, discharged him, at the same time
assuring him that if brought before him for desertio
he weuld-inflict the utmost punishment.
The relieving officer said the frequency of deser-
tion had induced him to bring the matter forward.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Oa Friday a well-dressed boy, about nine years of
age, was brought to this court by a person who had
taken some interest in his welfare, for the purpose of
having advice as to the future maintenance of the
child. It was explained to the Magistrate that the
boy had been supported for some time by persons at
Brighton, who were in such circumstances as pre-
vented them from any longer incurring the burden.
They had sent the child to London to be placed in
the care of his mother, who was a cook in a gentle-
man's family at Brompton. The applicant allowed
the boy to sleep at his house last night, the mother
having absolutely refused to receive her child, or to
make any provision for his maintenance. Applicant
wished to know what he was to do with the child
under such circumstances.
Mr. BINGHAM said, the course for the applicant to
take was to go to the relieving overseer of St. Pan-
cras, and to request him to take the child into the
workhouse as casual poor, and then for the parish to
proceed against the mother for refusing to maintain
her child.

Police-constable Scott, one of the police attached
to the court, was sent with the applicant and the boy
to the St. Pancras workhouse, with a message from
the Bench, to take the boy into the house.
The parties shortly afterwards returned and stated
that the authorities at the workhouse had not only
flatly refused to• receive the boy, but had threatened
to expel the applicants if they did not leave the pre-
mises.

Mr. BINGHAM immediately issued a peremptory
summons against the parish authorities to show cause
why they refused to relieve the boy.
The overseer, Mr. Williams, in a short time made
his appearance in court, and was put in possession of
the circumstances connected with the poor child's
story, and an explanation was required of the parish
authorities for their refusal to give him the relief es-
tablished by law.
The overseer stated, that the refusal to receive the
boy was grounded on one or two reasons. First, the
parish authorities believed it was some trick OA the
part of the boy's Brighton friends and the boy's mo-
ther; and next that they did not conceive the parish
of St. Pancras was liable to be required to receive
the boy. _ _

Mr. BINGHAM said the mother of the boy had re-
fused to support or to receive her child, and the child
had been left in the street. The child, consequently,
became casual poor, and the parish in which he had
last slept was bound to receive the child into the
house, and then to take such steps as might be need•
ful against his parents.
The overseer replied that, with all due deference to
the Bench, the parish did not consider that the boy's
sleeping in the parish for a night or two constituted
such a residence as compelled the parish to interfere.
The boy's residence, he apprehended, was where 'the
mother at present resided.
Mr. BINGHAM said it had been proved that the
mother had refused to receive the child. The child
was, therefore, in a destitute state, and must be re-
turned as casual poor by the parish in which he last
slept. He was quite sure that this was the true view
of the law, and that no lawyer would question this
opinion. If the parish of St. Pancras wished to argue
the point, he was quite ready to appoiat a day to hear
the arguments of counsel.
The overseer said the parish objected on principle,
and with the intention of questioning a magis-
trate's authority.

Mr. BING11;111 replied that he was always reluc-
tant to press hardly on the parish officers, as their
duties were sufficiently onerous and disagreeable; but
this was; one of those disagreeable cases they must
deal with, and he should recommend the parish at
once to relieve the boy, and he would grant a sum-
mons against the mother.
The overseer agreed to this suggestion and left the
court.

On Saturday all the parties were in attendance
including the boy's mother, a middle-aged woman,
named Collinson.
The mother stated that the only reason why she re-
fused to support the child was her inability. She had
been deserted by her husband two years ago, and she
had supported her two children hitherto, but at pre-
sent, being only in service, she was unable to keep
more than one of her children.
Mr. lIINGnAm said her story was doubtlens true,
and her case a hard one, but she could not be per-
mitted to cast her child loose on the streets, and to
make no effort for its support. The course for her to

take was to proceed at once to the parish authorities
of Kensington, and to state to them that she was
unable to maintain the child. The parish authori-
ties would, perhaps, take the child into the house if
she would give a small sum from her wages, or they
would offer to take herself and the child into the
house. If they would not take the child alone, then
he was afraid the mother must also give up her ser-
vice and go into the house to. However, he could do
no more than recommend the mother at once to pro-
ceed to Kensington.
The mother promised to do so, and all parties left
the court.

Susannah Brinton was charged with having robbed
her master, a gentleman named Gregg, residing at
No. 20, Great Marlborough-street.
Mr. Gregg said he had occasion to leave town re-
cently. On his return, amongst other things, he
missed a quantity of shirts and a coat.
Some of the property waa found at a pawnbroker's,
pledged by the prisoner.
She was fully committed.
William Fortune, a boy of about fifteen years of
age, was charged with stealing nine sovereigns and a
gold watch, the property of Robert Mitchell, 'Wind-
mill-street.

The prosecutor said the boy was in the service of
his brother, a saddler, who carried on business at No.
35, Windmill-street. On Thursday week last the
boy got into his bedrcom, and broke open a desk, out
of which he took nine sovereigns. The prisoner then
went into the parlour and took his gold watch, and
immediately decamped.
Charles Herbert, a companion of the prisoner's,
proved that the prisoner had, after committing the
robbery, treated him to the play. Afterwards they
went to Chatham together, where they stayed until
the prisoner had spent, and been robbed, of all his
money. The watch had been pledged for thirty
shillings.

The prisoner admitted his guilt, and was sent for
trial.

WORSHIP-STREET.

Eliza London was placed at the bar for final exa-
mination, charged with having stolen a variety of
costly wearing apparel, a silver watch, and other
articles, the property of Mrs. Ritchie, a milliner, in
Poole-terrace, City-road.
The prosecutrix stated that about three weeks ago,
being in immediate want of a servant, she affixed a
written notice in her window to that effect, and the
prisoner soon afterwards entered the shop and offered
herself for the situation. The manners and appear-
ance of the applicant were so plausible and prepossess-
ing that witness agreed to receive her at once into the
house, and postpone the necessary inquiries into her
character till the following day. The prisoner set
about the performance of her household duties with
the most praiseworthy alacrity, but in the course of
the same afternoon it was discovered that she had ab-
sconded, after carefully selecting the best part of her
mistress's wardrobe, which, together with her watch,
she had carried off. Immediate information of the
robbery was given to the police, but nothing was
seen of the prisoner for upwards of a fortnight, when
her mistress, at length, accidentally met her in the
street dressed out in the stolen finery, which the wit-
ness immediately recognised as her own, and gave
her into custody.
Police-constable Grant, G 62, produced nearly
thirty duplicates, which he had found at the house
of the prisoner's mother, and relating chiefly to male
and female wearing apparel, the suspected produce of
other robberies, to which no clue could be obtained.
It was also proved that the prisoner had been already
convicted at the Old Bailey, and sentenced to three
months' imprisonment, for plundering the house of a
gentleman at Hoxton, on the first day she entered his
service. The prisoner had been subsequently in cus-
tody for other offences, and was well known to the
police of the H division, as being one of the lowest
class of prostitutes perambulating the Whitechapel
district. _ _

On being asked if she wished to say anything,
The prisoner carelessly shook her head,
And the MAGISTRATE ordered her to be committed
for trial.

William Pullen, a carter in the service of Mr.
Coleman, a dairyman at Hoxton, was charged with
having, by "reckless and furious driving, caused the
death of Elizabeth Partridge, a child eight years
of age.
It appeared from the evidence that as Mr. Elliott,
a surgeon in Finsbury-pavement, was passing through
Old-street-road on the preceding afternoon, he heard
a sudden cry of alarm, and at the same moment
observed a heavy cart, driven by the prisoner, and
proceeding at a rapid rate in the direction of Hoxton.
The deceased child was crossing the road at the time,
and before any one had time to avert the calamity,
she was struck down by the horse, and the wheel of
the cart passed over her body. The poor child was
immediately picked up and conveyed, in a dying state,
to the house of her father, a tradesman in the neigh-
bourhood, to which the witness also proceeded, but
she expired a few minutes after their arrival. The
prisoner was, in the meantime, given into the custody
of Sergeant Brannan, to whom he admitted that he
had been driving at a brisk pace, as he was pressed for
time, but expressed great regret at the occurrence,
which he declared to be purely accidental. In his de-
fence the prisoner repeated the same statement before
the magistrate, and was remanded to await the result
of the inquest.