The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-27 00:00:00

THE' SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1841.

had come, would be the next step. To what woulil that
lead ?" This is not le commencement de la fin. It is the
end of a bad beginning. Why, we all know to what it would
lead. The Globe, with an excessive modesty, says, "It is not
for us to predict what would be the result of such an Address
to the Throne." In its stumbling agitation, it says, "We can
only reason from what has occurred under circumstan.ces some-
what similar. If we find in the page of history anything
analogous to the case, and so forth, we can make a pretty cor-
rect conjecture of what will be the course adopted by our gra-
cious Queen." All the Globe's historical recollections are
wrong. There has not been an Address to the Throne within
the scope of our memory or reading, except when the Whigs
got up a meeting at the Thatched House Tavern against Pitt.
The country answered it as it will Sir Robert Peel's appeal to
them ; but hew excessively cowardly it is for the courtiers to
drag in our gracious Queen.
STANDARD.—Ministers have been uniformly de-
feated in the House of Commons through the
whole present Session, and frequently in former Ses-
sions. They have been for six years barely endured
by the House of Lords—and they are still Ministers.
They say that they will dissolve or resign if defeated
on the Corn-law question. Why, they said the
same thing last year with reference to Lord Stanley's
Bill upon which they were defeated—and the year be-
fore they went through a concerted farce of resigna-
tion upon the Jamaica Bill. They would not resign
if defeated on the Corn-law question, though they
would necessarily dissolve in the summer, as an excuse
for huddling over the business of the session, and secur-
ing six months of salary and patronage. Nothing but
such a motion as Sir Robert Peel's can get them
out, or postpone the inconvenience of a dissolution.
But it is said that even if Sir Rohert Peel's motion be
carried Ministers will not resign, and the conduct in 1784
of Mr. Pitt, who retained office in defiance of adverse
votes,is quoted as a decisixe precedent. We long since antici-
cipated the use that would he made of this precedent,
and showed how fiercely it had been condemned by the
Whigs of 1784, the Whigs of 1807, and the Whigs of
1835. Let us, however, compare the cases. Mr. Pitt
was, in 1784, an untried Minister, and the opposition to
him was a direct infringement of the prerogative
of the Crown. Lord Melbourne has had a
six years' trial. Mr. Pitt was the chosen Minister
of the Crown and the House of Lords. Lord Mel-
bourne is not the chosen Minister of the House of
Lords, and there is no proof that he is the chosen Mi-
nister of the Crown. The House of Commons against
which Mr. Pitt had to contend was chosen under the ad-
ministration of his antagonists. Lord Melbourne has
been condemned by his own House of Commons. The
majorities against Mr. Pitt were 8, 14, and at the highest
20. Lord Melbourne has been beaten in his own House
of Commons, by a majority of thirty-six. Never-
theless—and this is the great point of constitutional dif-
ference—Mr. Pitt appealed to the people within two
months from his first defeat, and would have appealed at
once, but for an address from the Commons to the
Crown, deprecating a dissolution, and intimating a pro-
mise of good behaviour. In contrast, Lord Melbourne
has not dared to appeal to the people through successive
years of defeat, though no objection to such an appeal
has been offered by Parliament. . . . .

THE HUSBAND AND THE LOVER.
An old militaire, named A., who fills the post of Mayor
in a commune in the environs of Paris, was returning
home from a sporting excursion a few days since. He
had killed nothing, and was in a sufficiently bad humour,
when a very beautiful pigeon clove the air within shoot-
ing distance. A. fired, and the bird fell to the ground.
On lifting up his prey, the sportsman perceived that the
poor pigeon carried under its wing a small piece of
paper artistically fastened with a silken thread. It proved
to be a mignon billet, which A. opened, and read as
follows :—" Mon bien ame Charles, viens, le tyran est
parti." The Hon. Magistrate turned pale ; his brow
was covered with a cold sweat. It was his wife's hand-
writing ! The " Charles "of whom she made such
tender mention was a rich landed proprietor of his ac-
quaintance, whose frequent visits to A.'s house had al-
ready appeared suspicious. The Mayor's emotion was
vehement., but lasted only for a short time. He drew
forth his pencil-case, wrote at the bottom of the billet,
" Prix fire, trois mille francs (price 2,000 francs), and
signed it with his name. Then, without further hesita-
tion, he proceeded to the residence of the person to whom
the billet was addressed.

" Mon cher voisin," said he, " here is a superb pigeon
which I killed a short time since: I want to sell it to
you," . .

COURIER.—Iii accordance with the tactics of Minis-
ters in Parliament, their retainers out of doors and in the
provinces are at the same time labouring with diligence,
if unrequited with success, to work the popular oracle in
their favour. The oracle, however, is mute ; it makes no
sign, and gives no hope. Another great meeting, as it is
facetiously described in the Chronicle, has been got up
in Liverpool of all places, being the third held there,
all within the compass of some dozen days, with two
days or separate reports of each meeting in that most
acute and provident Journal, by which the number is
doubled with the honest intent of mystifying the
public. At this last meeting, as at both of those
by which preceded, the talking and the walking gen-
tlemen were all the same, and the proceedings and
speeches the exact counterpart of those before. There
were present, for example, that most excellent and dig-
nified Whig-made Knight errant Sir Joshua Walms-
ley, with the Worshipful Aldermen Brooks and Cobden,
of Manchester ; and these worthy persons not only de-
frayed all the talking expenditure of the day, but delivered
the same stereotyped speeches which were before sported
in Liverpool, and have since made the tour of Manchester,
Bolton, Blackburn, &c. Alderman Cobden was abroad as
usual, and in the character of traveller delivered out all
the wonderful things which none but travellers, since the
time of Munchausen, the prince of the tribe, ever see.
Alderman Brooks, who is a well-known wag, retailed the
last capital joke of his own invention ; he had discovered
that the Corn-laws were an "infernal machine." Hear his
own graphic and self-satisfied report of it. " After read-
ing Sir Robert Peel's speech the other day, he said to his
friend Mr. Alderman Cobden, What are we to do about
this infernal machine' (he always called them the infer-
nal machine) the Corn-laws ?" The meeting must have
been convulsed with laughter on the instant, but the fact
is perhaps suppressed by the Radical Liverpool Reporter.
With wit and wisdom thus gracefully confabulating to-
gether, the wit of Brooks and the wisdom of Cobden,
the country will be saved from the " infernal machine,"
it may be hoped, for it really seems a monster as terrific
as the iron devil that tears and prepares the raw cotton
in the cotton mill of Mr. Brooks.

The cher voisin became greatly disturbed on recog-
nising his messenger of love ; but, putting the best face
he could on the transaction, he replied, "It is a singular
fancy of yours, Monsieur A. ; but I am fond of bizarreries
How much for the bird ?"
"Look at the ticket. I shall not abate one farthing."
And he showed the billet which was still fastened
under the pigeon's wing. The gallant opened the billet
with a tolerably good grace ; then he appeared to reflect,
and said, " I rack my brains to no purpose, my dear Mon-
sieur A. I cannot find le mot de cette enigme."
"Le mot ! There are two of them, and here is one,"
replied the sportsman, slipping a ball, quietly, yet so so
to be perceived, into the barrel of his fowling-piece.
The comedy was hastening to a tragic denouement.
The lover was slightly frightened, and replied with po-
lished grace, " But as I have not the slightest difficulty
in honouring your signature, mon cher Monsieur A., I
shall hand you the sum."
The 3,000 f. were counted into the chasseur's hand,
who took them and retired without saying another word.
But all did not end here. When Monsieur Charles had
recovered from his fright, he began to regret the loss of
his gold, came to Paris, took counsel's opinion, and com-
menced proceedings against the Sieur A. for extorting
money 197 threats of personal violence. The latter re-
plied by instituting an action for adultery, supported by a
certain number of very racy letters, of which he had ma-
naged to secure possession. No doubt this affair, if ever
it is brought before the courts of law, will be fruitful in
scandal.—Paris Paper.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
(LLOYD'S.)
LONDON, MAY 26.—Wind this day at noon, light airs
from the north-east, fine clear weather. •
DEAL, MAY 25.—Wind N.N.E., fresh breeze.—Arrived
from the River and sailed the Fuma, for South Australia ;
Commodore, Jamaica ; Richmond, Hill, Berbice ;
Barbadoes ; Numa, Quebec ; Marinero, Bilbao.
SHEERNESS, MAY 25.—Arrived the Moore, from Havre
with loss of anchor and chain.

GLOBE.—Expert as Sir R. Peel confessedly is in al-
the expedients of political chicane, he will scarcely suc-
ceed in his last move, by which he evidently means to
avert the dreaded discussion of the Corn-law question.
Into that discussion there will naturally be introduced an
exhibition of the mischiefs the Corn-laws have wrought
to the tradeland commerce of the country. Well may
the Tories desire to prevent such an exhibition ! The
appalling aggregate of privation and suffering the Corn-
laws have entailed on thousands of our fellow country-
men, when brought, as they will be brought, into public
view , attested by evidence which cannot be contro-
verted, will excite sympathy for the sufferers in all who
have hearts to feel. The death of a system so preg-
nant with physical, social, and moral evils will be
decreed. Its sentence will be pronounced at the coming
election with unanimity pf feeling and of act by every
popular constituency. Throughout the kingdom the
monopolists will fall before the popular indignation,
which will be exerted with determined energy against
them. The advocates of monopoly in articles of
food will be driven from the hustings in disgrace,
as unworthy to represent a free and humane people.
The Tories plainly see that to this result the public
feeling is rapidly and certainly tending. Hence the
desire they manifest to burk the Corn-law discus-
sion ; which, by exposing the results of the present sys-
tem,
will add fuel to the flame already kindled. They
are wise in their generation. The children of light and
of the day will baffle their dark designs : these will drag '
forth to public view the monster-monopolies, which, like
the fabled dragon, have devoured the food on which
whole districts would have been cherished, and crush
them for ever.

LIVERPOOL. MAY 25.—Wind variable.—Arrived the Plant-
er, from Apalachicola ; Messenger, Taylor, New Orleans ;
Nelson Wood, Barclay, Savannah. Sailed the United King.
dom, for New South Wales ; Eliza, Thornton, New York ;
Tamerlane, ditto ; Glengarry, St. John's, New Brunswick
Rowena, Quebec ; Jane, Ancona ; Mary Ann, Webb, China.
Arrived off, the Sarah, from Savannah. The Mary, bound
to Malta, has put back, having been on shore.
DevEtt, MAY 2.s.—Arrived off—The Oberon, Shields, for
Rio Janeiro.

PORTSMOUTH, MAY 25.—Wind N.E.—Arrived the Aury a,
from London, and sailed for Hobart Town. Sailed the Eu-
phrates, for Mauritius ; and Mercury, Quebec. Arrived off—
The Phcenix, from Rotterdam for Batavia.

WEYMOUTH, MAY 24.—Sailed, Geo. Welsford, for Quebec.
FALMOUTH, MAY 24.—Wind variable.—Sailed the Stadt
Dordrecht, for Batavia ; Swift, Quebec ; Braganza, 'Vigo ;
and Commerce, Antwerp.
NEWPORT' MAY 25.—Sailed the Helene, for Ancona; and
Greyhound, Syra.
HULL, MAY 25.—Wind N.E.—Sailed the Ellen, Potter,
for Malaga.
CORK, MAY 23.—Sailed the Amazon, Fife, for St. John's,
New Brunswick.

KINSALE, MAY 22.—Arrived the Shannon, from Liverpool
for Prince Edward's Island, leaky.

THE WEATHER.—NOON, MAY 26.
ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET.
Barometer
Thermometer... 76 Highest 76 f Lowest ..... 53
Wind N.E.—Freezing Point 32 Deg.

FEARFUL COACH ACCIDENT.---OR Tuesday
last, as the Merthyr and Abergavenny snail was on her road
to the latter place, having three outside and one inside (the
only female) passengers, when about three miles from Mer-
thyr the fore axle-tree broke, and the coach upset with a fright-
ful crash andbreakage. All escaped unhurt with the exception
of Mr. George Cocks, a commercial gentleman, who has re-
ceived several severe injuries inwardly and outwardly, and now
lies at the George Hotel, Abergavenny, where every kind
attention that humanity could suggest, or medical aid confer,
were promptly provided by Mr. and Mrs. Holehouse, who had
had previous information of the accident. It is not a little
singular, that the post-chaise brought from Merthyr to take on
the passengers, met with a similar accident a mile short of the
foregoing scene, and that a third one was obliged to be sent
for, which brought the unfortunate sufferer and the inside pas-
senger to Abergavenny; but, strange to say, on its return, one
of its wheels broke down. The bags, weighing about a hun-
dred weight, were brought en by Brown, the coachman,
slinging them around his shoulders, and mounting one of the
leaders immediately after the sad event.
STOPPAGE OF ONE OF THE SHREWSBURY
BANKS.—MONDAY, MAY 24.—The greatest imaginable con-
sternation and surprise were excited throughout this town and
neighbourhood to-day, by the announcement that the long-
established and highly-respected bankers, Price, Jones, and
Edwards, had suspended payment. The blow was wholly un-
expected, and will be most severely felt by the tradesmen of
Shrewsbury, and by great numbers in every sphere of life in
the immediate vicinity. For many years previous to his
demise, which took place a few weeks ago, the acting
partner in the firm was Mr. William Jones, and the other
two (one of whom was known to have a very large pri-
vate propert)y) now allege that th►y believed the bank
not only to have been perfectly solvent, but to have been
in as flourishing and prosperous a state as it had
been in for years previous to Mr. Jones's death. An
adjustment of affairs, satisfactory to the creditors, is pro-
mised at no distant date ; but strange stories (to which, of
course, we shall not give a tangible form) are in circulation as
to a disposal of the private property alluded to having taken
place, that will render the fulfilment of these pledges not quite
so certain or so speedy as could be wished. Trade throughout
this district is in a most lamentable state, particularly in Coal-
brookdale, Wellington, and all along the seat of the great iron-
works on the borders of Shropshire and Staffordshire ; and the
stoppage of this bank following so close, too, on the heels of
the failure of the Commercial—who had several branches in
Shropshire—will tend materially to shake public credit, and
consequently still further circumscribe the little business that is
at present being transacted. The liabilities of Price, Jones,
and Edwards, are not yet known, but they are believed to be
very heavy. Their London agents are Barnett, Hoare, and Co.
Times.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.

TIMES.—This was settling-day in the Consol-market, and
money being less abundant than stock, there was what is
technically called a " bull " account, and the continuation to
next July was as high as a, or nearly 5 per cent. per annum.
These temporary pressures are accounted for by the fact, that
of late the profits to be gained by speculating in the funds
have, from the small variation in the prices, become so trifling.
that many capitalists have withdrawn their money from the
Stock-Exchange to seek a more profitable use for it, so that
the slightest immediate want of money is attended by some
difficulty in obtaining it. During the prop ess of the
present account, the difference between the extreme
quotations has not exceeded i per cent. The de-
bates on the sugar question were scarcely felt at all,
as it was at once perceived in the City that there was
not the slightest prospect of the Ministerial proposition being
carried, and hence the whole affair of the Budget was re-
garded with great indifference. No other political cause for
variation has existed during the six weeks. It is remarked by
the jobbers as a curious circumstance that the quotation to-
day is precisely the same as that on the last day of the last Ac-
count, which, however, chews a trifling decline since that
period, as we have advanced nearer to the payment of the divi-
dends. The prices of stock to-day. in spite of the slight pres-
sure, have been well maintained, partly, probably, on account
of purchases by the Courts of Chancery and Exchequer, to the
extent of 200,0001. or 300,0001., which relieved the Market of
some of its stock. Payments however will, it is said, not be
made till Friday, so that the quantity of money was not in-
creased by the transaction.
By the official return published by the Customs, the ex-
ports of the precious metals from the port of London to foreign
and colonial parts for the week ending Thursday last, was as
under : Ounces.

Silver Coin to Hamburgb .. 3,000
to New York .. . 7,000
to Rotterdam... 30,000
to Belgium . -
Silver Bars to Hamburgh 6 ,000
to Rotterdam 16,00
There was a fair amount of paper offering to-day upon
'Change, and on Hamburgh the supply having rather exceeded
the demand, there was again a trifling improvement in the rate
upon that place. Paxis and Amsterdam may be considered the
same as last post.
oe s ao
n n
The premium on gold at Paris is 94 per mine, which,
feohrao standard
at aredagroisld, oogiLv
London at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 101,4 d. per ounce
eaxtchshanertgeboeing of 25.2539,37,d
itthfelleeewx-s
Paris that gold is 0.06 per cent. dearer in P
than in ..
London.
By advices from Minhur g hthe price of gold is 4301 per
mart, which, at the English Mint
ounce for standard gold, gives an el'icrlice of 31. 17. 101/d. per
exchange at Hamburgh on Londonatan of 13. 71, and the
follows that gold is 0.40 dearer per cent, d short being 13. 84, it
r in London than in
Hamburgh.
The late reaction in the tea trade has directed attention to
the causes which are supposed to have produced ' and these
principally appear to be the large sales which tlit, e importersf
have made by public auction in the course of the last fortnight,
besides the disinclination shown by the legitimate dealers
alers to
purchase more than they actually want. It also
e appearsfu n tliiat
these sales are likely to be continued, which,
of
000
tends to keep the market in abeyance. With respect 'to pecern
lation, although it has been carried on with considerable spit-il
on one or two occasions since the arrival of the late overland
mail, there seems to have been much more caution exercised
than previously, and those who have been the leaders of
it are regarded as the lower classes of the trade, whose
difficulties, if any, would only affect their immediate circle,
and not at all disturb the more respectable connections
of the trade. Among the best informed, little fear is ex-
pressed
of a short supply of the leaf during the present
season, and, even taking the present stock, which, in_
eluding the late arrivals, is estimated at 36,000,0001b5.,
and comparing it with the average annual consumption in the
United Kingdom, for the years 1836, 1837, 1833, 1839, which
is calculated at 38,953,4501 b., it gives very nearly a year's sup-
ply. A short review of the prices since the arrival of the
overland mail shows the extent of fluctuation to have been at
least 6d. per po Ind.
. On the 6th instant Company's Congous
were quoted at Is. 6,1 d. to Is. 61d. per pound money. On the
7th instant they advanced to Is. 81(1., in consequence of the
recall of Captain Elliott ; and on the 9th inst. they further
advanced to Is, 91d. By forced speculation on the 10th they
rose to 2s. oid., but declined the same day to Is. lid., and in
consequence of the heavy sales since made have further de-
clined to Is. Bd., although for the last, two; days they have
been quoted something better.
Private accounts from Paris contradict the statement in La
Presse newspaper, that the house of Laffitte and Co. have
withdrawn from the Texan loan, and, on the contrary, affirm
that they are proceeding with it, and are, indeed, bound by
special contract to do so.
CHRONICLE.—The great move of Sir Robert Peel has
not influenced the funds, whatever effect it may have upon the
destinies of the country. Consols for the settling to-day opened

Deaf persons, and those who are slightly dull
of hearing, and find a difficulty to catch the sound of a distant low
speaker at a public assembly, will find a most astonishing advantage
from the use of the Messrs. S. and B. Solomons' newly-invented
invisible operative Voice Conductor, which, when fitted into the
cavity of the ear is so small, not the least perceptible, nor more un-
comfortable than having a piece of wool in its place. By this ex.
traordinarY and valuable invention, not only does the hearing be.
come acute, but the ears are so much improved by their use, that
individuals, in a great number of instances, can hear most dis.
tinctly without them. It will therefore be seen that persons do
not incur any constant habit of being compelled at all times to
make use of them, and in consequence of the numerous individuals
having been altogether relieved from deafness, they have become is
general use. The Messrs. Solomons' newly invented Spectacle
Lenses immediately they are placed before very aged and imperfect
eyesight, either by day or candlelight, every object becomes clear and
distinct, and the most minute particle is seen with exact distinct.
ness. Their valuable improvements in the material are secrets to
themselves, and are solely confined to their establishments, 39,
Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the York Hotel, and 76,
King William-street, City.

- -
HERRING TRADE.—OUT accounts from Thurso
state that the herring fishing has commenced at that place,
and to the westward of it. For a first trial, the few boats out
have proved fully as successful as could have beer, looked for
at so early a period of the season. At Sandside a trial has
also been made, and attended with some success. Mr. Me-
thuen, fish-curer, Leith, always the first in the field, has had
21 laarrels brought to Wick, and despatched by a boat to be
shipped by steamer at Invergordon or Cromarty for Leith,
and thence forwarded for the Hamburgh market, where we
hope be will find a demand and price equal to what he merits
for kis great exertions in prosecuting the early fishing. Ap-
pearances of fish on the west coast are said to be very good, but
it will be a few weeks before the boats are all equipped and
ready. With us at Wick, preparations are now going on
with some degree of briskness. The rope works are all very
busy. Barrel making and boat building are in active progress.
Bark is getting into demand, at 10s. per cwt. for birch, and
I 2s. for oak bark. Staves sell at 41. per thousand, and head-
ing at 41. ha. per ditto. —John o' Groat's Journal.
THE MARQUIS AND MARCHIONESS OF
ELY'S PA RTIES. —The Marquis and Marchioness of Ely gave
a splendid entertainment, at their residence in Belgrave-square,'
to their Royal Highnasses the Duke of Cambridge and the I
Duchess of Gloucester.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

at 89i to 9, at which quotation they continued for some time,
when, on an extensive purchase being effected, said to be to
the extent:of 200,000 Consols for Friday next for the Court of COURT OF CHANCERY, May 26.
Exchequer, prices improved to 90 to for Money, and 90i to The LORD CHANCELLOR sat in his Court at Westmin
for the opening. The closing price was a shade lower, being
ster to-day.
sellers at 90 for money. Exchequer Bills were 81. to 10s.
MANSER U. THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN RAILWAY
prem.
POST.—This was settling-day in the Consols market, and COMPANY.
the account turned out, as was predicted of it, a decidedly This case came before the Court upon motion to clis-
bear account. The continuation remained at to per cent. solve an injunction granted by the Vice-Chancellor,
all day long, the rates quoted by us yesterday. Money was which restrained the defendants from erecting a bridge,
procured, on the deposit of stock, at from sto 8 per cent., under a certain size, over the River Lea, near the plain-
according to circumstances, the charge depending equally on tiff's mill. The case was partly heard on Saturday, and
the amount wanted and the standing of the parties borrowing. the arguments were resumed and concluded to-day.
Rather a heavy purchase of Consols (200,0001. being the turn The LORD CHANCELLOR, at the conclusion of the ar-
named), was made on account of the Court of Exchequer for guments, ordered the injunction to be dissolved, the
delivery on Friday, at the price of 90k, which gave a fresh
Company undertaking to build the bridge of the re-
impulse to the market, though the current quotation for mo- .
qua* height.
ney was 90 to A small purchase, not perhaps exceeding
30,000/. to 40,0001., was likewise made in the course of the The arguments in this case occupied the Court the
day on account of the Court of Chancery. whole day.
HERALD.—The settlement of the account in the home
market was operated to-day, and was altogether a quiet affair,
the differences being of slight amount, as the fluctuations
during the course of the account were of very trifling conside-
ration. The market was heavy in the beginning of the day
with a tendency to lower rates, but some large purchases of
Consols to the order of the Accountant-General of the Court
of Chancery, to the amount altogether of between 200,000/.
and 300,0001. redressed the balance and stopped the downward
inclination of prices. These purchases were effected at 90 and
94. Altogether it may be considered remarkable that money
operations of such extent should have been so ineffective in
raising the quotations positively, but on the other hand it should
not be overlooked, that their 'negative action was tantamount
to the same thing by preventing a fall and steadying the quo-
tations. Some relief also was afforded to the money market,
so far as the Stock-house is concerned, by this considerable
absorption of stock and disbursement of moneys among the
dealers.

ROLLS' COURT, May 26.
The Master of the Rolls after disposing of the con-
sent petitions on his Lordship's paper, proceeded to hear
motions.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.,
THE INDEPENDENT AND WEST MIDDLESEX ASSU-
RANCE COMPANY.—Mrs. Hannah Cobham, of Augusta-
row, Bermondsey, and a.gentleman of the name of Wal-
lace, appeared, attended by their solicitor, before Sir
Peter Laurie, for the purpose of bringing formal charges
against the Directors of the Independent and West
Middlesex Company.
Sir PETER LAURIE, before he entered into the merits
of the cases, said that he had been heard before the
House of Commons Committee on the subject of the
atrocities committed by the fellows calling themselves
Directors of the Company, and he had mentioned the
particulars of the transactions connected with the frauds
as they had been detailed to him. The Committee were
struck with the statements which he made, but they ob-
served that the victims ought to have attended at the
Mansion-house and made to him from their own mouths
communications on the subject. He was glad to find
that there were several ready to come forward with such
evidence as would enable him to act decisively. But
when first the exposure was made at the Justice-room,
he felt great difficulty in prevailing upon any of the
parties who were plundered to come forward. It hap-
pened that the great majority of cases were those of in-
dividuals who resided in the country, and they looked
upon their chance of restitution as hopeless; while the
comparatively few who resided in town were prevented
either by shame or despair from making their appearance
before a Magistrate at all.
Mr. Kitson, the solicitor to the parties who appeared
stated that several persons informed him that they would
most willingly come forward and mention the nature of
the transactions.

Mrs. Hannah Cobham stated that she called at the
office of the West Middlesex Assurance Company in
Baker-street, on the 7th of December 1838, for the pur-
pose of purchasing an annuity for life. She advanced
the sum of 100/. for which she received an annuity bond
for 9/. 10s. per annum, payable half-yearly during her
life, signed John Wilson, Thomas Knowles, and Edward
Taylor. She again went to the office of the Company
on the 17th July, 1839, and advanced 50/. more for
which she received an annuity bond for the payment of
4/. 15s. during her life. The latter bond was signed by
Taylor, Knowles, and Hustler. Witness received the first
two payments on the first bond, but when she called at
the office in Baker-street, last Christmas to receive her
money, she was told by a young man, who seemed to
belong to it, that the concern was removed to Hart-street.
She could not trace the Company afterwards, but she
heard at Mr. Kitson's office that the whole was a decep-
tion of the worst description.
Mr. Wallace stated that he purchased at the office of
the West Middlesex Assurance Company, on the 10th
of October, 1839, an annuity of 35/. per annum, for his
niece, who was an orphan, and paid down far it the sum of
500/. His neice received a quarter and a half year's
money from the Company—no more.
Sir PETER LAURIE—Did you make any inquiry about
the Company ? Mr. Wallace—Most certainly. I made
what is considered every necessary inquiry. I consulted
a solicitor and a broker, and I heard that the parties
mentioned in the list of Directors were highly respectable.
I entertained not the slightest doubt of the solvency and
good character of the Company, until I went into Mr.
Kitson's one day, and saw the lady who has just given
her evidence, and who happened to mention something
about what occurred in Baker-street.
Sir P. LAURIE—Did you see Knowles when you went
to purchase your niece's annuity ? Mr. Wallace—Yes, and
he was very near getting 1,000/. more front me. In fact,
being an invalid, and having heard so high a character
of the Company, I thought I could not dispose of my
money better than in making such a purchase, and I had
made all my arrangements with my lawyer and my
broker. I made inquiries amongst the bank brokers,
and I heard nothing to alter the opinion I had formed.
If you had not blown upon the transactions of the Com-
pany, in all human probability I should have been robbed
of the additional amount.
Sir P. LAURIE—They kept 10,000/. in the Bank of
England to give colour to the fraudulent measures they
were pursuing. The Bank, however, suspected that
these operations were not exactly creditable, and in-
sisted that they should withdraw their account. They,
however, succeeded in
_plundering the public of the en-
ormous sum of 240,000/. I have reason to believe that
I know where Hole and Knowles are to be found, and I
am most anxious to have them brought before me upon
warrants.
Mr. Hobler having suggested the propriety of consult-
ing the City Solicitor.

Sir P. LiuulE adjourned the case until the arrival of
that gentleman, for whom he immediately sent. The
Alderman then stated the case to the City Solicitor, and
intimated his intention to go to the verge of the limits of
his authority, but said that he should not choose to ex-
ceed it, desirable as it was to bring such wholesale plun-
derers to justice.
The City Solicitor said that, under a recent Act of
Parliament, the warrants of the City Magistrates might
be executed within the four neighbouring counties with-
out being backed, as was formerly required, by the
County Magistrates; but the Aldermen had not jurisdic-
tion to issue a warrant in respect of an offence committed
wholly out of the city.
SirP. LAURIE—May a City officer apprehend, without
a warrant, a person guilty of the offences with which
these men stand charged?
The City Solicitor—lf they have been guilty of felony
the City officers may, but in that case he takes upon him-
self the responsibility of determining whether the party
has, or has not been guilty of felony. It is in all cases
the safer way to prefer the complaint before a Magis-
trate having jurisdiction, and to obtain a warrant.
Sir P. LAURIE informed the City Solicitor that he had
given evidence before a Committee of the House of Com-
mons on the subject, and the Members were anxious to
have some proof of cases before them of persons who
had been actually defrauded of their money. A more
wholesale set of plunderers he had never heard of, than
those who constituted the association.

The City Solicitor said there would be no difficulty in
aftbrding evidence of these facts. He happened to be
present at a recent trial at Kingston, where two of the
Directors of the Company were examined. One of them
was a journeyman locksmith, and the other was in some
equally humble situation. They acknowledged in cross-
examination, that they attended the Board constantly as
Directors, signing the.policies and annuity deeds, and
that they were accustomed to have handed to them at the
Board half-a-crown, and sometimes five shillings, a piece,
for playing the parts of Directors of the Company.
A gentleman who was present during the proceedings
said that at the trial to which the City Solicitor had al-
luded, a letter was produced in the handwriting of one of
the Directors who had absconded, communicating to a con-
fidential friend,upon the proceedings which had taken place
at the Mansion-house when Sir Peter Laurie first brought
their knavery to light. That quondam Director gave an
account to his correspondent of the sums he had plun-
dered and taken away. Various amounts were enume-
rated, reaching in the whole to 26,0001., which he de-
clared was all he had had, and not 100,0001., as had
been erroneously represented to Sir Peter Laurie at the
Mansion-house. He had the effrontery to conclude his
epistle with the following remark—" Whoever says I
got more than 26,000/. by the job ought to be ashamed
of himself. Let him like Peter go and weep, and if he
does not like that let him like Judas go hang himself."
One of the victims who were in attendance asked Sir
Peter Laurie whether there was any fund at the disposal
of the Government or of the Magistrates out of which
the perpetrators of such a flagrant frau-I could be pro-
secuted ? The persons who had been robbxl were most
of them without the means to prosecute, and the guilty
could thus escape from justice.
Sir P. LAURIE said that the City Magistrates had
very little power. In such cases the utility of such
an office as a public prosecutor would be immense. If
the office of the swindlers had been in the City, it would
have been competent to the Corporation to have directed
the City Solicitor to prosecute, and he knew no way in
which their funds would be better applied than in rout-
ing out such pests to society.
The City Solicitor then retired, and
Sir P. LAURIE announced that he should sit again on
Saturday to hear any case that might be brought for-
ward. If the perpetrators of these frauds came into the
City, he should take upon himself the responsibility of
having them apprehended, and brought before him, when
the charges might be preferred, and he should then de-
termine what course to pursue. He felt much gratifica •
tion in stating that Parliament would immediately adopt
means of protecting the public from similar plunder,
whatever might ultimately result from the future pro-
ceedings with respect to the West Middlesex Assurance
Company.