The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-28 00:00:00

MARCH 28, 1848.

MYSTERIOUS D TRAGICAL I Nab Af et I'
OCCUIIIZENACEN IN ESSEX. 17tic-
vottrti t to
Much sensation has been created in the county of
Essex, by an occurrence of a very tragical nature,
which took place at Rayleigh, on Thursday list. It
appears that on the previous evening Mr. Thomas
Roberts, a tradesman of that place, who was
the nephew of the Mayor of Rochester, returned
home about twelve o'clnck at night, after playing a
rubbsr of whist with some friends. He appeared in ex-
cellent spirits, and having smoked a pipe with his as-
sistant and apprentice, they all retirtd to bed. Mr.
Roberts went into the bedroom of the two young men
partly dressed, with a candle in one hand and a pistol
in the other, and, in a hurried manner, desired them
to get up, and cell in some neighbours, for there
were seven or eight men in the house, who declared
they would have his money or his life. They imme-
diately ran out, and upon returning, they found Mr.
Roberts on the stairs, with the pistol lying by his side,
and his brains blown out. A surgeon was quickly
brought in, but life was quite extinct. There was not
the slightest appearance of any forcible entrance into
the house, but in the sitting room a candle was burning,
and eight wineglasses, each containing a small quantity
of gin, were standing on the table. Nothing was missed
from any part of the house.
A Coroner's inquest was held on Friday last to inquire
into the circumstances of this very mysterious affair.
The CORONER, upon the opeaing of the case, said that
the first account he had heard of the occurrence im-
pressed him siith the idea that the deceased had de-
stroyed himself, but since his arrival in Rayleigh, he
was induced to think it might be the result of accident.
Several witnesses were examined, who detailed evi-
dence to the effect already stated.
The CORONER, having read over the depositions, ob-
served that the strong presumptton was, that the de-
ceased, when he spoke of robbers being in the house,
must have been labouring under some extraordinary
mental delusion, for after the most searching in-
vestigntion nothing had been detected at all cal-
culated to justify that assertion. It was very difficult
to assign any rational motive for such an as-
sertion, even had the deceased contemplated suicide,
there being nothing to prevent him. The case was in-
volved in mystery, which no further inquiry was likely
to dispel. It was probable that the wound which caused
death was the result of accident ; at all events, the
safest course to adopt would be to return such a verdict
as would leave the matter open to further inquiry,
should fresh evidence be obtained.
The jury, accordingly, returned a verdict, " That the
deceased, Thomas Roberts, came to his death from a
pistol wound, but how or by whom inflicted there was
no evidence to show."
The CORONER then granted his warrant for the in-
terment of the body, and the proceedings terminated.

Anna, Walker's Mushroom, Young Lottery,
Profligate, The Chandler, and Gipsey Queen, also
started, but were not placed.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

The will of the late Thomas Duncombe, Esq., of
Copgrove, in the county of York, was proved in the
court at York, on the 29th ultimo, and in London, on the
6th instant. The personal property within the nrovitice
of Canterbury alone paid a duty on 60,0001. The will
is dated the 19th of February, 1840, and the executors
appointed therein are Lord Faversham, the nephew (then
the lion. William Duncombe), and the Rev. Edward
Duncombe, a son of the deceased, and who alone proved
the will in the respective courts. The testator has be-
queathed to his eldest con, Thomas Slingsby Duncombe,
Esq., a legacy of 50/4 his mansion, and all the mes-
suages, lands. and hereditaments in the township of
Ald borough, Yorkshire, he leaves to his son Edward, and
his heirs for ever. The estates which he held on lease
under h;s Grace the Archbishop of York, situate at
Monckton Naine, he leaves to his son Henry John
Duncombe, together with the tithes arising from the
said estates, and devises to him for his own use the
messuages, cottages, lands, and estates in the parish of
Burton Leonard, in the township of Brearton, Yorkshire,
and all other his real estates, whether in possession,
reversion, remainder, or expectancy, and over which he
held any power of disposition, and not specifically given
or devised. Leaves in trust to his son, the Rev. Edward
Duncombe, and his son-in-law, the Hon. and Rev. John
Venables Vernon, so much capital as, when invested in
the Three per Cent. Consuls, will produce the annual
dividend of 5001. sterling, to apply such dividends to
the use and benefit of his son, George Duncombe, for
his life, and after his decease shall fall into the residue
of the personal estate. Directs that his diamonds,
jewellery, pictures, paintings, busts, statues, library, his
wines, furniture, carriages, and horses, shall be shared
equally among his sons, Henry and Edward, and his
daughters, Emma Dawkins, Frances Barbara Vernon,
and Harriet Vade, and appoints them residuary legatees.
ENORMOUS Sow.—Mr. Gray, farmer, Auchter-
need, has a sow which measures in length, from the
snout to the tail, about five feet nine inches, and in girth
about five feet. It is computed to weigh nearly 5001bs.
This huge animal is only fifteen months old.—Ross-shire
Advertiser.
LEICESTER TRADE.—Trade is in a most depressed
condition. There is scarcely any demand for goods, and
if sales are forced, it must be at a sacrifice. Before the
breaking out of the French Revolution our trade was
beginning to improve ; but the political changes on the
continent alarm merchants and dealers, and a great
number of orders have been countermanded. There is
but little doing in either wool or yarn, as purchases are
limited to actual wants.—Leicester Chronicle.
AIID-EL-KADER.—The Provisional Government
has received a letter from Abd-el-Kader, dated the 15th,
from which ae extract the following passages:
" Citizen 011ivier, your delegate, came to me yesterday,
and informed me that the French are now all united for
one sole object, and have abolished royalty in
order that France may be governed by the re-
public. I was rejoiced to hear this, because I have
read in books that such a state of things is proper for
nations, as it destroys injustice and prevents the strong
from oppressing the weak, and that consequently, all
become brothers." Alluding to his own position he
says :—" I demanded of General Lamoricike to have
me conveyed to Alexandria, in order that I might pro-
ceed from that place to Mecca and Medina, and for
this I asked fur his word as a Frenchman. This
he gave me in a letter in Arabic, which he signed
in French. When this letter reached me, and in
the conviction that the word of the French was sacred, I
surrendered to him. If lie had said, I cannot promise
what you ask,' I should not have surrendered.
I felt certain that the word of the French was
solid, even if given by a private soldier. Things
aro now changed, ar.d this conviction has vanished.
I supplicate you to do me justice, and transform my
sadness into joy and happiness. fear that some of
you may think that I should return to Algeria and re-
vive troubles. This is impossible, and can never happen.
Do not doubt what I say on this subject, any more than
you would doubt if I were dead, for I place myself
among the number of the dead. My sole desire is to
go to Mecca and Medina, there to study and adore God
to my last hour."—Galignani.
MIDDLE-AGE INDUSTRY, ART, AND TASTE
Writers on architectural history have never failed to
dwell on the extraordinary activity displayed by the
church builders of the mediaeval period, and the great num-
ber of structures with which England was covered, almost
as if by magic. "The land was as one vast workshop"
has been echoed and re-echoed, and the strongest words
used to impress this fact on their readers. An exami-
nation of what remains, scattered over our beautiful,
and, notwithstanding the income-tax, still " merry
England," shows that all our notions on this head,
gained from these verbal statements, fall far
short of the truth. Fanaticism, ignorance, and time
have done their work with a vengeance; but still in the
valley and on the hill—in hamlet, village, town, and city,
stand the beautiful monuments of the " dark ages," full
of pleasant memories, beauty, and holiness. Mr. Ed-
n-ar id Sharpe, in his " Architectural Parallels," just
completed, affords a striking proof of the extent of
our architectural riches. The illustrations embrace
fourteen abbey churches of such great beauty and extent,
that it might be supposed all England had been laid
under contribution to produce them; yet on examina-
tion they are found to be, es ith two exceptions, all from
one county, namely, Yorkshire.—Builder.
INSPECTOR- GENERAL OF THE POST. OFFICE.—

Temple, March 25, 1848.

COURT CIRCULAR.

Upon the recommendation, it is generally believed, ce
Mr. Rowland Hill, for whom some time back a new ap-
pointment was devised as Secretary to the Postmaster-
General, another new office has been created, denomi-
nated " Inspector-General of the Post-office, and Mr.
John Ramsey, a senior clerk in the secretary's depart-
ment, has been selected for the important post. His
duties will be to exercise a vigilant supervision over all
the subordinate employes, and to conduct investigations
under special orders from the Postmaster-General. A
circular to that effect has been addressed by Colonel
Moberly to all postmasters and others.
Posz-OFFICE.—MAILS FOR THE WEST COAST OF
AntlCA.—Yesterday notice was issued at the General
Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, that her Majesty's
ship Star, was appointed to convey the mails of the even-
ing of the 31st, fur Madeira, Sierra Leone, St. Michels
(Cape de Verds), St. Helena, and the West Coast of
Africa. Letters for Madeira, ls. 10d. the half ounce;
to Sierra Leone, St. Helena, &c., Is. the half ounce. No
charge for newspapers, except those for Madeira, 2d.
each. No postage having been fixed by law to the Cape
de Verds, correspondence to those islands will be con-
veyed free of charge.
PACICET-SHIP STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AT SEA.—
The packet-ship West Point, Captain Allen, which
sailed from this port on the 27th 'Tannery, arrived at
New York on the Bth instant, after a very severe pas-
sage. When in lat. 3S 30, long. 67, at one, A.M., on the
12th ult.; the ship was struck by :lightning seven times
within au hour, each time the fluid passing down the
mainmast. The whole mast appeared to throw off
sparks like red-hot iron when struck by the smith's
hammer. Most of the watch on deck felt the shock se-
verely. Two men were instantly killed. At the fifth
shock Captain Allen felt himself nearly brought to the
deck, s,) powerful was its effect, although at the time ho
was fifty feet from the mainmast. The names of the
killed were John Armstrong, of New York, and Mar-
cellos Robinson, of Rhoda Island.—Liverpool Albion.
DARING ROBBERY.—Early on the morning of Mon-
day last the house of Mr. John Goss, surgeon, of Pater-
noster-row, was robbed of considerable property, con-
sisting of a silver-teapot, sugar-bacon, silver spoons and
forks, four silver mugs, two gold watches, chain and
seals, and several plated articles, together with some
jewellery and money. The greater part of 'the above-
mentioned articles ware taken from the bedroom of Mr.
and Mrs. Goss, who fortunately slept so soundly as not
to hear the thieves when they entered the room, other-
wise their lives might have been endangered. It would
appear that the thieves must have obtained access to the
house before it was closed for the night, as there was no
trace of their having broken in. Circumstances have
since transpired which have afforded a clue that will
lead to the apprehension of the offenders.
The new American steam-kip United States, Cap-
tain Hackstaff, is intended to leave New York on her
first trip to this port on the Sth April.—Liverpool Albion.

WINDSOR STEEPLE-CHASE.—(THIS DAY)
Handicap Sweepstakes of 25 sous. each, 15 ft., &c.
British Ycomar, list. 11b...(J. Mason) 1
St. Leger, list 61b
Mushroom, lOst 121 b

PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—Another ship, with 1,000
souls on board, has been nearly lost for the want of good
anchors. The packet Madrid, which arrived at South-
ampton on Saturday night, has brought us letters which
state in plain terms the cause of the dismter which befel
the Queen, 110, Captain Bruce, on endeavouring to
bring up in the Bay of Gibraltar, on the 14th instant.
This fine new three-decker went ashore in consequence
of the fluke of her bower-anchor breaking off in the
ground (another letter we have seen says, both flukes of
both ancitores were gone when she hove them up). She
fired guns of distress, and the Polyphemus steam-sloop
got up her power, went to her assistance, and dragged
her off the ground. When will the Admiralty learn to
employ only good workmanship and materials, and the
best principle in the important article of anchors ? Both
Captain Martin and Sir Henry Leek, who have before
commanded this ship, have each made special applica-
tion for the patent anchor, but without effect. The
Queen must now b• hove down or docked at an enor-
mous expense to have her damage repaired.—Times.
The Resistance troop ship, Commander Lowe, bent
sails yesterday, and is making rapid progress towards
completion for service.
The Havannah, 22, Captain Erskine, anchored at
Spithead yesterday morning. She seems a similar class
of vessel to the Brilliant, and will sail in a few days for
New Zealand. _ _

The Diligence naval transport sailed yesterday with
stores for the eastern yards.
The Adventure naval transport, Master Commander
Wellington, which arrived from Plymouth on Friday
afternoon, was towed into harbour yesterday to dis-
charge.
The Carysfort, 26, Captain G. H. Seymour, was paid
off into ordinary yesterday.
The Mercury tender arrived yesterday from Sheer-
ness.

Wind south; moderate breezes, and thick, hazy
Bather, with rain.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS AS
SPECIAL CONSTABLES.
9, St. Swithin's-lane, March 18, 1848.
Sir,—We are directed by the Committee of the Li-
censed Victuallers' Protection Society respectfully to
a,k you, as the first law officer of the Crown, whether,
in the event of a licensed victualler being sworn in as
a special constable to protect the peace, he thereby in-
curs a forfeiture of his license.
The doubt is suggested by the following clause in the
form of the license appended to the 9th ,George IV.,
cap. 61:—
" Provided that the said A. B. shall not in the mean
time become a Sheriff's officer, or officer executing the
process of any Court of Justice, in either of which cases
this license shall be void."
As there are a very large number of this respectable
body who are anxious to preserve the public peace, but
who have been deterred from offering their services as
special constables on account of the above clause in the
license, your early answer to this question will greatly
oblige.
Will you permit us to ask you to allow your answer
to be printed, if it be (as we believe it must be) in the
negative ?—We have the honour to be, Sir, your very
obedient servants,

WIRE AND CHILD.
Sir John Jervis, M.P., &e. &c. &c.,
her Majesty's Attorney-General.

I am of opinion that in the event of a licensed vic-
tualler being sworn in as a special constable, he does
not thereby incur a forfeiture of his license.
JOHN JERVIS.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the
Queen yesterday, at Buckingham Palace.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia paid a visit
to his Royal Highness Prince Albert yesterday after-
noon, at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness
was introduced by Viscount Palmerston, and attended
by his Excellency Chevalier Bunsen, the Prussitta Minis-
ter. In the evening Prince Albert returned his Royal
Highness's visit, at the house of the Prussian Minister,
in Carlton House-terrace.

The Prince and Princess Augustus, of Coburg, and
anaily, left Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon, for
the Continent.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Mr.
George Edward Anson, attended a meeting at the dice
of the Duchy of Cornwall in Somerset House, yesterday.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince
Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took
walking and pony exercise yesterday, and her Royal
Ilighness the Princess Helena was taken an airing.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge visited
her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yester-
day, at Gloucester House.
A Cabinet Council was held, at twelve o'clock yester-
day, at the Foreign-office. The Ministers present wore—
Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis
of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston,
Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of
Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Campbell, the Right
Hon. 11. Labouchere, the Marquis of Clanrioarde, and
Viscount Morpeth. The Council sat two hours.
Viscount de Moncorvo, the Portuguese Minister,
and Count de Reventlow, the Danish,Minister, transacted
business yesterday at the Foreign-office.
Sir 11. E. F. Young had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday, at the Colonial-office.
Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Excise, had an in-
terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday,
at his official residence in Downing-street.
The Earl of Arundel had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday, at the Home-office.
Dispatches from the Governor of Canada, and also
from the Governors of the other North American Pro-
vinces, were received yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Dispatches were also received yesterday at the Colonial•
office, from the Governors of the West India Colonies.

T QUEEN DOWAGER AT MADEIRA.—Her
Majesty's steamer the Jackal, Lieutenant-Commander
Western, arrived at Lisbon, from Madeira, having pre-
ceeded there with letters, on the 7th inst. She brought
word that the Queen Dowager was very well, and had
had a pic-nie cruise for oue day along the shores of the
island. The steamer left the town at eleven, and an-
chored in a small bay at two. The ladies and gentle-
men went ashore, but her Majesty remained, and Sir
David Davies, her physician, also stopped on board.
The Lieutenant-Commander gave a handsome dejewier,
of which her Majesty partook. The weather was so
delightful that sire sat on deck the whole day. A ball
was given at Madam just before the Jaekal left, at
which the officers were present.
DEATH OF LIEUT.-COL. PROCTOR.—This officer,
one of the survivors of the late war, died a few days
since, at Temple Sowerby, Westmoreland. He served
in the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807, and also in
America. He served in the Peninsula during the Co-
runna campaign, and also from 1312 to 1814.
LORD HARDINGE.—The Senior United service
Club have taken the lead in offering a mark of respect to
Lord Hardinge. A dinner is to be given to the late Go-
vernor-General of India on the Bth proximo. One hun-
dred and fifty names have already been subsoribed.—
United Service Gazatc.

THE CALCUTTA CATHEDRAL —At a recent meet-
ing of the Freemasons of the Church, Mr. Stothard gave
some particulars of the rise and progress of St. Paul's
Cathedral at Calcutta. Tho style is perpendicular, with
several modifications to suit the climate. The tower
and spire aro after Norwich Cathedral, with improve-
ments suggested by that of Canterbury, while most of
the details, external and internal, aro from York Min-
ster. The building has been constructed with bricks of
a peculiar kind, specially prepared for the purpose, and
with dressings of Chunar stone, and well covered, in-
side and outside, with chunam, which takes a polish
like marble. The limited means at the command
of the committee would not allow of the entire use of
stone. The cathedral cost 39,8941. ; the pulpit, com-
munion-table, pews, stalls, chairs, and general inter-
nal fittings, 2,289/. ; the clock, by Vulliamy, coat
6751. 10s. ; five bells, 4481. ; bell-trame, 231/. 18s.
3d. ; great windows in the towers cost 971/. 17s. ;
organ, 1,500/. ; the frieght, package, and insu•
ranee of clock, bells, windows, and organ, cost
397/. 10s. The whole edifice is not larger than many
parish churches in this country, such as Saffron Wal-
dron, Halifax, Southwell, and country,
. . . It
seems distressing that 50,000/. should be spent upon a
building, and that the utmost its friends can say of it
is, that " in point of construction it may be creditable."
—lhe Builder.
REVIVAL OF THE FEUDAL SYSTEM.—The village
of Boner Bridge was the scene of considerable excite-
ment for two days of last week, in consequence of a dis•
pute between the Duke of Sutherland and Sir Charles
Ross of Balnagown, regarding the right of salmon fishing
there. The Duke's men, after fishing at the customary
place in the morning, moored their boat, and wont to
their lodgings in their village, when about elevap o'clock
a number of the Balnagown tenants, headed by their
factor and ground officer, were marched down to the
bridge. A party was then ordered to the Sutherland
side to seize the coble and row it across to the Ross aide.
This being quickly effected, the coble and neta were
carried on a cart in triumph to the Ardgay Inn, followed
by the heroes, who were plentifully supplied with spirits,
to drink long life to Sir Charles. Next day another
strong party were sent to demolish the Corf-house,
erected several years ago. by the Duke, and this feat was
as expeditiously accomplished as the former : doors and
windows soon gave way to the battering rams of the be-
siegers.—Ross-shire Adrei ilSer,
HULL, AlAacx 27. Several packages arrived
yesterday, per steamer from Hamburgh, which were for-
warded immediately, per railway for London, without
having undergone the usual inspection by the Custom-
house authorities; it is said they 'contained valuable
property belonging to his Majesty of Prussia, and were
accompanied by the Crown Prince.