The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-17 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

ROBBERY ON AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.—The Kensington
Bank of Philadelphia was entered lately 'by men dis-
guised as policemen, who pretended they were detailed to
catch robbers who were to attempt to rob the bank that
night. On entering, one of the watchmen was sent for
something to drink, and in his absence his companion was
overpowered and secured. On his return, he also was
securely bound, and the burglars set to work. They suc-
ceeded in opening the safe' containing special deposits
only, the main safe defying all their efforts. The amount
secured was about 65,000 dollars, principally coupon
Government bonds, the robbers carefully avoiding
registered bonds, and such securities as could be traced.

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.—A case of cruelty to animals
was brought before the Brill Petty Sessions, Buckingham-
shire. Mr. Hall, farmer, was charged by the officers of
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
with having kept some sheep in a wretched and debilita-
ted state. The animals were skin and bone, and there
was no provision of food about though the ground was
covered with snow. On another farm of the defendant's
he found more sheep in the same sad condition. A
veterinary surgeon corroborated this statement, and said
that a number of the sheep could hardly stagger.
There was no disease about the sheep, and
their state must be attributed to insufficiency of food.
This witness also saw two horses drawing a cart at the
same farm, which were very week, and seemed to have
had no food for two meals. Defendant was fined £lO 13s.
in all, and the moiety of the fine payable to the informant
was sent to the Berks Infirmary.
THE FRAUDS IN THE BOOT TRADE AT DUDLEY.—•At
the Dudley Police Court, the prisoners, Nathan Lesser,
Jacob Lesser, and Janet Lesser, charged with con-
spiring with Hermann Lesser (not in custody) to
defraud the creditors of the first - named pri.
Boner, were agein brought up for examination. The
evidence of the railway company's officials shewed that
during the two months preceding the bankruptcy no
less than twelve tons of goods were sent to Jacob Lesser's
shop and the auctioneers in London. This weight did
not include the goods (II I,lestinely removed to Wolver-
hampton and Manchester. book purchased by Nathan
and Hermann Lesser, and dirtied upon the carpet and
damped to make it look old, after the others had been
burnt, was also put in evidence. Mrs. Cohen, the wife of
the most important witness, said she did not receive a
sum of £27 placed to her credit in the new book. Mr.
Motteram, the prosecuting barrister, drew the attention
of the magistrates to the fact that in this book, which
was evidently made up for the creditors to see, appeared
on September 17th, 1870, " Hermann Lesser, one year's
salary, £250." and again on November 17th, 1870, " Her-
mann Lesser, one year's salary, £250." The prisoners
were again remanded until Monday next, bail not being
allowed.

THE ACCIDENT AT TOULON.--Lif it has hitherto
been difficult to reckon the number of those killed by the
disastrous event at Bandol, it seems quite impossible to
decide as to the cause of the catastrophe. The versions of
the affair vary so much that the important fact is not
decided as to whether the four carriages contained powder,
barrels of cartridges, or shells charged with fulminating
matter. It is known that the four suspected carriages
were at the end of the train, which was quite compre-
hensible, as they were to have been detached at the Seyne
railway station, to be sent to the arsenal of Castigneau by
the branch line devoted to the marine service.

THE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD.—The weekly meet-
ing of the London School Board was held at the Guildhall
under the presidency of Lord Lawrence. Professor
Huxley moved that a committee be appointed to consider
the scheme of education to be adcpted in the public ele-
mentary schools, and to report thereon to the board. He
was in favour of the adoption of a system of technical educa-
tion. Elementary schools ought to be supplemented by night
schools. He recommended the study of art, drawing, and
music, a knowledge of natural phenomena, and the first
principles of elementary science. On the question of
time, history, and other points, the Professor enlarged at
some length. The Rev. Dr. Angus seconded the motion.
The Rev. Dr. Barry also supported the appointment of
the committee. although he did not approve of Professor
Huxley's omission of theological truth. The motion was
then unanimously agreed to.