The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-16 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left
Bushy House, Bushy Park, the residence of her Ma-
jesty the Queen Dowager, on Tuesday afternoon, and
returned to Richmond.

Her Royal Highness the _Duchess of Gloucester ar-
rived in town yesterday morning from her residence
at Richmond, and left Gloucester House in the after-
noon on her return to Richmond.
The Governor of the Bank of England had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yester-
day, at his official residence in Downing-street.
Mr. Carey, Bailiff of Guernsey, had an interview
with Sir George Grey yesterday. Mr. Harcourt
Vernon had also an interview yesterday with the
Right Hon. Baronet, at the Home Office.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in town
on Tuesday night from Yorkshire.

SOUTHAMPTON—WEDNESDAY.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Iberia, Captain John Bowen, arrived at
Southampton at six, A.M., from the Peninsula,
and landed mails from the following places and dates,
in charge of Lieut. I. J. Wilkinson, R.N., Admi-
ralty agent :—Gibraltar, Sept. 4 ; Cadiz, Sept. 5 ;
Lisbon, Sept. 9 ; Oporto, Sept. 10; Vigo, Sept. 11.
Passengers—Rev. D. Hughes, D.D., Mrs. Sulli-
van, Mr. and Mrs. Crosby, Messrs. P. Sinclair, D.
Cotton, and W. M'lntosh, from Gibraltar ; Messrs.
Resso and Hogan, from Cadiz ; Lord and Lady Ross-
more, Mr. Lorege, Mrs. Blace, Messrs. H. Davis,
James Bainbridge, and Andrew Frezes, from Lisbon ;
Mr. Larrong, from Oporto.
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier was to leave the
river Tagus in the St. Vincent, with the English
squadron, on the 10th September, on a cruise, leaving
the America at Lisbon. On a trial round the Bur-

lings from Lisbon, with the seven steamers, in strong
winds, the Sidon proved the better vessel : the Dragon
broke down. _ _ _

Freight-60 barrels grapes, 50 boxes almonds, 1
cask melons from Gibraltar, 2,258 boxes grapes, 95
half boxes and 20 whole boxes lemons, 6 parcels
specie, 13 packages sundries from Lisbon ; and from
Vigo, 11 oxen, 8 cases eggs.

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN ALLAN,

TO TILE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Snt,—With reference to your report of yesterday's
(Tuesday's) proceedings at Bow-street, I beg to say
that I have seen Captain Allan on the subject of the
charge brought against him, and have also examined
his witnesses, one of whom, and perhaps the most
important, was not examined before the magistrate,
and have thus satisfied myself,[at any rate, that the
charge was altogether groundless, and that the police
grossly misconducted themselves.
I beg to add, that us I have !received the captain's
instructions to bring an action for false imprisonment
against the policeman who took him into custody, the
public will ere long have a better opportuhity of
forming an impartial judgment of the case.
Meanwhile, that the character of Captain Allan as
a magistrate and a gentleman may not be prejudiced,
I shall be obliged by your inserting this letter.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
T. WALKER.
12, Furnival's Inn, September 15, 1847.

THE PARLIAMENTARY COMPANION.
Fifteenth Year—New Parliament. By Charles X.
Dodd, Esq.
We hail the appearance of this most useful manual
of Parliamentary information with thanks to the
compiler for the accuracy of the information which
it contains, and for the shortness of the time which
he has suffered to elapse between the period of the
election and that of the appearance of this made mecum
of politicians and public writers. The plan which has
proved so successful in former volumes of the
Companion has been followed in the present ; and so
well known and so universally approved has the plan
been, that, to ti,,e the words of the preface, "to de-
scribe the kind of information which may be found
in these pages is now, fortunately, a needless task."
The following resume of the Parliamentary statistics
recorded in this new edition may prove not uninte-
resting to our readers :
" I. Two hundred and twenty-three persons who had
no seats in the House of Commons at the period of its
dissolution have been returned to the New Parliament.
Of course a corresponding number have been ejected, or
have retired from public life.
" So large an amount of change has not taken place
since the election of the first Reformed Parliament, the
number having been,
On that occasion, 280 persons,
In 1834 5, at the gene ral election, 184 persons,
In 1837, at the general election, 121 persons,
In 1841, at the general election, 183 persons,
On the present occasion, 223 persons.
" 11. The composition of the House of Commons has
also undergone the following changes: there have been
returned,
A greater number of Railway Directors, Engineers,
and Contractors,
A greater number of Barristers,
A greater number of Merchants,
A greater number of Retail Tradesmen,
A greater number of Political Writers and Lecturers,
A smaller number of Naval and Military Officers,
A smaller number of Persons connected with Noble
Families,
A smaller number of Country Gentlemen,
than on any other occasion since this Annual was com-
menced.
" 111. Many pledges have been exacted by electors,
respecting
The Endowment of the Roman Catholic Clergy,
The maintenance of the Navigation Laws,
The further extension of Free-trade Principles, &c.
" These have been carefully recorded as additions to
the old party designations by which Members have
hitherto been distinguished. Every reader will, there-
fore, be enabled to discover readily
The supporters of Sir Robert Peel's policy,
The friends of Lord John Russell's Government,
The adherents of Lord George Bentinck,
The advocates of ' the People's Charter,'
The Irish Repeal Party, as well as
The other minute subdivisions into which the present
House of Commons has resolved itself."

TUE NEXT 11.LYORALTY.—At a Court of Alder-
man, which was held on Tuesday, Mr. Alderman Sidney,
seeing Mr. Alderman Wood in his place, begged to ask
whether it was his intention on Michaelmas-day to con-
test the return of Mr. Alderman Hooper as the next in
rotation to serve the office of Lord Mayor. Mr. Alder-
man Wood said the support he had received last year,
and expected on the present occasion, would have _
en-
couraged him to do so, but the very precarious state of
his wife's health forbade it. She was in a state that.
rendered it impossible that Ehe could take her
. part in
the honours and hospitalities of the Mansion-house
during the coming year. and he should. therefore 1
BUNN V. JENNY LIND.—I esterd.ay, in
. pursuance
of an order made by Mr. Justice Williams in this matter
serving.t
u r
ned w i
tbhioru.
tAolpdpeossmitaionn.Hooprer will no doubt be re-
(2Snueneno.sf
utheene3bd
Office to
toa
examine witnesses viva voce at Berlin, or any two other
caotrochmaimssbi,e,rnsy,(.amseinsstui
places in Prussia, as to the alleged breach of contract
for which the action is brought. The celebrated com-
poser (mentioned
from o inm
The
the
Meyerbeer is expected to be one of the witnesses
examined under the commission. The commissioner on
the part of Mr. Bunn is Mr. I. G. Lewis, of Ely-place,
his solicitor; and on the part of Mdlle. Jenny Lind, Mr.
Noggins, one of the barristers retained on her behalf in
the action, has been named the other commissioner. It
would seem that the cause is to progress as rapidly as
the forms of the Court will permit, the commission
being made returnable on the 2d of November, the com-
mencement of Michaelmas Term, and it is therefore
txpected that the action will be tried the first possible
opportunity.
The Right Rev. Dr. Wi“Anan has received from
Home the appointment of Vicar Apostolic of London,
pro tempore, till. the arrangements consequent on the
death of Dr. Griffiths are conplote.

LATE STEAM-BOAT EXPLOSION.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. Benjamin Nash, the Secretary to the company,
5, Acacia-place, St. John's Wood—He said he kept a
report book, in which he inso ted the statements
made weekly to him by the captains. There was a
statement in the books of the company from the cap-
tains' report-book to the effect that Edwards, the
stoker, had stated to the captain of the Cricket that
Clarke had tied the valves down. He believed that
Edwards made an exclamation of this nature to the
captain in the presence of the passengers.
The CORONER ordered the book to be produced.
Mr. Nash said he would go to his office and bring
it back immediately.
The inquiry was then adjourned for ten minutes.
Onits resumption Mr. Nash produced the minute-
book.

Mr. M. Chambers suggested that nothing more
than what had reference to the matter in question
should be read.

The CORONER acquiesced, and the following ex-
,ract was read :

" April 25.—The Cricket started at Ito 10. About
three o'clock the stoker came on deck, and said the
engineer had got the valves of the engine tied down, and
that it was not safe to stop in the engine-room."
Mr. Nash—There was no other record in the book
with respect to the matter. Recollected on one
occasion a stoker in the Bee, named Buckley,
had his hair singed and his jacket burned
by his own carelessnes. No record of that
was kept. When he heard of the occurrence
he communicated with Mr. Smith. Edwards was
not discharged for this. He ran up and made
this exclamation before several passengers, instead
of making his statement to the proprietors, who would
have investigated it. He was discharged because the
engineers were, as a body, dissatisfied with him, as he
was a malicious man. The report that Clarke had
tied the valves was discredited as a thing impossible.
Clarke himself said he should be a madman to do such
a thing. He obtained the information from the cap-
tain's weekly book.
To the Jury—Edwards was discharged because he
informed the public that they were in danger.
Mr. Nash said he considered Edwards rightly dis-
charged ; he might have made his statement to the
proprietors. Edwards would have been discharged
whether this had happened or not, because the en-
gineers were dissatisfied with him ; they thought him
a dangerous man. He was a good stoker. When
the entry was made, he called the attention of the
superintendent to the matter, and no doubt he inves-
tigated it.
A Juryman—You bold a very responsible situa-
tion ; but it appears that you are a mere copyist.
You are a very inefficient secretary. -
To further questions, the witness replied that he
certainly did not go and see whether the valves were
tied down. I satisfied myself that the superintendent
of the company made an investigation, and that the
valves were not tied down. He did not have the

aptain's book until the end of the week. The pro-
prietors would hear of anything that occurred imme-
diately from the superintendent. Could not say
whether he communicated the charge immediately to
the proprietors. The superintendent communicated
with the proprietors independently of the information
afforded by the captain's book. The superintendent
was in the habit of seeing Mr. Smith almost daily.
By Mr. Chambers—Mr. Smith was in the habit
of journeying by the boats two or three times a day.
At times he wrote a short note to Mr. Smith stating
what had occurred during the day. He obtained in-
formation in addition to that furnished by the captain.
By Mr. James—Clarke must have engaged Parker.
Had no record in the books of Parker driving any of
the boats ; but he had seen him driving the boats in
the absence of Clarke. Did not know that Parker
was employed in a seed warehouse last winter. Could
not say whether Ball was on board of the boat at the
time Edwards ran up from the engine-room and ex-
claimed that the valves were tied, and that the lives
of the whole of the passengers were in danger. No
watch was kept en Clarke to see whether he tied the
valves down or not. It never occurred to him after
to look at the valves. He had seen spunyarn at-
tached to the levers and hanging down, both before
and after the complaint. In fact he did not pay any
t attention to it. Never saw the levers tied.

Most likely was on the boat the same day or
the next morning. Took no steps himself to
ascertain if it was true. Mr. Polleti gave him neither
a written nor a verbal report to lay formally before
the directors. A few days after—he could not tell
how many—Mr. Smith made a minute examination.
Clarke was called into the office, and Mr. Smith
spoke seriously to him on the subject. He denied it.
He was satisfied with his assurance. Clarke had
driven one of the vessels since the occurrence. He
was the foreman of the engineers, and it was his duty
to be as much in the boats as out of them.
To the Jury—Never saw the covering of the boiler
off. The Cricket was sometimes out of repair. Clarke
did a great many repairs, independently of Mr. Joyce.
He had the character of a first-rate mechanic, and
Mr. Joyce entertained such an opinion of him.
Mr. James said he would call witnesses to show all
the repairs that had been made by Mr. Joyce.
To a Juryman—Clarke repaired the engine last.
He repaired the boats with the aid of other hands.
Last week he had his brother to assist him. The
boat was never laid up for repairs longer than a week.
By Mr. M'lntyre—The denial of Clarke was con-
sidered sufficient, and the denial of the foreman of
the engineers of any company would be considered
sufficient in any case. Believed Buttress took
Edwards from the Cricket into his boat after Clarke
said he would not have him. Edwards went to Mr.
Smith to ask him to reinstate him ; but finding that he
was disliked, he was not re-appointed. His " oration"
did not lead to his discharge. They were all jealous
of Clarke, because he was foreman. Edwards wanted
to get an engineer's situation. He did not, however,
tell him so. Kent, the former engineer, also com-
plained of Edwards in writing.
Mr. Edward Caban, tailor, of 371, Strand, stated
that he was on board the Cricket the day before the
explosion. He took the boat at London-bridge, and
when she was between Southwark and Blackfriars-
bridge there was a loud noise in one of the wheels ;
the boat was stopped, it was rectified, and the boat
proceeded.
Joseph Whalden, foremast hand of the Cricket
since the 14th of May—Was in the engine-room the
day before the explosion. There was nothing the
matter with the machinery on that day. Saw the
engineer take a broom and move up the valves.
Never saw a string attached to the lever. Clarke
never said anything to him about the valves. He
(witness) knew as much about the safety-valves as
the safety-valves knew about him. About a week
before Reisman came in Clarke told him that the
engines were never in better order. Haisman
was about four or five minutes in the en-
gine-room after the boat put to before the
explosion. Heard the steam making a hissing
noise just before Haismau came up. It was
quite an easy noise, but he did not see it, because he
could not tell the difference between steam and smoke.
Very little smoke was coming out of the funnel. Re
was standing alongside the paddle-box on the sponson,
by the engineer and stoker, and a person named
Cripps, all of whom were talking. The passage up
was an easy one, and took about eight minutes.
Usually stopped about ten minutes at the pier. Hais-
man broke the broom handle raising the lever of the
larboard boiler—the one that exploded.
By Mr. James—The boat had been on the blocks
when Clarke said it never was in better order. Saw
the steam blow off when Clarke raised the lever with
the broom handle. The handle was thin and easily,
broken. Had been fourteen years on board steam-
boats, but could not distinguish the difference between
steam and smoke issuing from the funnel. Heard
Reisman open a water-cock and try the quantity of
water in the boiler. Never was in a vessel with the
steam-pipe opening into the chimney. He looked at
the starboard boiler the morning before the occur-
rence, as he thought there was something on fire, and
he could state, on his oath, that be did not see any
rope attached to it.
By Mr. AVlntyre—Knew Parker had driven the
engines once or twice. Had there been a
rope at-
tached to the end of the lever he must have seen it.
Alfred Cripps stated that he was the foremast
hand of the Bee ; and that be had frequently been
employed on board the Cricket. [lad looked at the
engines frequently, but during the whole time he had
been employed be had never seen the valves tied ; in
fact, he never noticed them. Was not acquainted
with the nature of engines. He was on the larboard
sponson when the explosion took place. The boat had
been four or five minutes at the pier at the time of
the explosion. Did not hear the steam blowing off.
Had heard that Edwards had charged Clarke with
tying down the valves. Had heard some of the men
employed by the company say that Edwards was a
smuggler.
Mr. Edward Martin, captain of the boat, was next
examined. He said he 'had filled the post of captain
since July last year. It was not his business to con-
trol the engines or the engineer in any way. The
engineer was rated above him, and paid a higher sa-
lary. He had nothing more to do with the
engineer than giving him the word of com-
mand. Had seen
during the time both Kent a piece of spunyarn
and Clarke were em-
-1 ploy ed. It was several yards long, and the ends
were thrown down into the engine-room. Never
saw it tied. Its use was explained to him as there
to shake the valves. It was used in the other boats,
and when he was appointed to the Cricket he did nut
ask the reason. Had not had his attention called to
the strings. The engine never required any serious
repairs. The boat went very well indeed the morning
of the explosion, so well that he remarked it. He
had landed his passengers, and left the boat three or
four minutes before the explosion took place. Could

not say whether the steam was blowing off or not. His
attention was directed to something else. Saw Hats-
man betw,,en the eves at h time the hovt carve to
Haisman did not an-tiler q:11e1:11•
wished, and the ho-4 6verf.,,t i m;.11;

t.t

usual occurrence, and a hole Wa- 1-Q..1;(1i in -Ile
box in consequence. His attellti,•L t,.kee o,tf
that. Fancied occasionally whilst the karat was l ying
to that steam blew off. He cculd state positively
that she blew steam off at London-bridge. In April
a report was made to him by Edwards that the valves
were tied. He could not positively believe it ;
such a thing was impossible, and therefore he
did not examine the valves. Afterwards he had
made an entry in his book. ;He told the superintend-
dent about it perhaps an hour after ; he also mentioned
it to Clarke, who said, " Could you believe it—can
you believe that I should do such a thing?" to which
he replied, " I Should think not." Having reported
the matter to his superior, he took no further steps
with respect to it. Recollected Meech:km saying on
one occasion, on coining up the ladder, "Do away
with the strings altogether. He could not tell who
the remark was addressed to. Had been freq:tently
in the engine-room since the complaint, and had
no-
ticed the strings ; but made no further observation to
Clarke on the subject.
By Mr. James—When Edwards told him that the
valves were tied, he hustled from him, got on the
paddle-box, and got the boat off. Edwards might
have used the word " saf." Never saw Clarke
drunk. Had seen a good deal cf beer come on board ;
never recollected any gin coming. Believed Mr. Pol.
letti made an investigation after the charge of Edwards.
Heard Edwards say that Clarke drank. Did not think
the public in the boat heard Edwards's statement.
Was on the -pier barge at the time. Did Dot think
any left ; in fact, the passengers increased after.
Their trade was a growing one. Had seen both
Kent and Clarke make the strings fast. Would
swear that he never saw the strings taut. He ex-
pected that Balls, Cripps, Whalder, and the poor call-
boy were on board at the time of the explosion. The
boat was to lay alongside eight minutes. Did
not notice that the steam blew off at
some piers and not at others. It blew off
with a loud noise. A man sitting three feet from the
funnel could not fail to hear it. At times he com-
plained that the speed of the boat fell off. This was
some months ago.
By Mr. M'lntyre—Never went down to look at

the v sires in consequence of the complaint of Ed-
wards. He knew now that the tying down of the
valves was dangerous. He did not give him time to
think about it. If he had been positive that such a
thing was done he should have considered it dan-
gerous. He considered himself safe with the people ;
it was not his business to interfere with the engineer
any more than it was the duty of the engineer to
meddle with his wheels.

By Mr. M. Chambers—Clarke took a good deal of
beer. Should say that the quantity of beer niight
take effect. As far as he could recollect Clarke was
sober on the day of the complaint. Engineers per-
spired much and drank usually a good deal of be-er.
The CORONER said—You have given your evidence •
in a very satisfactory manner. I"wish the other per-
sons employed by the company had thought right to
imitate your example. A contrary course tends to
engender an unfavourable opinion in the minds of the
jury. I wish they %ould imitate your example.
The inquiry was then adjourned until ten o'clock
on Saturday.
Mr. Lloyd said he should be ready to furnish his
report any day next week.

MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS.

NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN

THE WEEK ENDIXG SATURDAY, SEPT. 11, 1847.
Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases ... 372
Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... .., 121
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... ... 143
Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of
. _

Respiration ... 17.5
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels ... 32
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs
of Digestion... ... ... 91
Diseases of the Kidne3s, &c. ••• ••• ••• 16
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. ••• 9
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles 8
Diseases of the Skin, &c. 1
Old Age, or Natural Decay ... ... 41
Deaths by Violence, Privation, or Intemperance 30
Causes not specified ... I