The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-17 00:00:00

THE SUN,
_LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 17, 1846.

this proportion is the lower scale of charges in France,
producing for the same number of passengers or weight
of goods conveyed a smaller gross return.

BELGIAN RAILWAYS.

Belgium is the only country which at once traced a
general network of railways. In 1833, Malines being
taken as a central point. lines were projected to extend
east, west, north, and south; and this plan has since been
pursued under all the disadvantages of political and
commercial difficulties, with a perseverance deserving of
all praise.
The guiding principle of the Government in designing
the first railways was to make the Belgian lines the
great means of transit from the Rhine to the sea. Hence
the choice of Malines as a central point. But the
arrangement was purely artificial, and Brussels practi-
cally remains the principal point from whence all the
trains start, Malines being of no more importance than
an ordinary station.
The Belgian Government lines now completed consist
of 539 kilometres, divided into sections, as follows:

Kilometres.

1. The Northern Line. From Brussels to
Malines and Malines to Antwerp, with
two branches . 49
2. The Western Lines—Mslines to Termonde,
Termonde to Ghent, Ghent to Bruges,
Bruges to Ostend, Ghent to Courtray,
Courtray to Tormeny and the frontier 200
3. Eastern Lines—Malines to Louvain, Lou-
vain to Tirlemont, Tirlemont to Waremme,
Waremme to Ans, Ans to Liege, Liege to
Check, ChenC,e to the frontier, Landen
to St. Trond
4. Southern Line—BrusselstoTubise,Tubise
to Soignies, Soignies to Mons, Mons to the
frontier, Brain-fe•Compte to Naun
'The above network commenced on the sth of May;
1835, and was completed in October, 1843.
It consists of 235 kilometres of double way.
324 single way.
Makin.. a total of 559 kilometres. _

The gauge of all the lines is 1 metre 50 = 4 feet S -
inches. The space between tho double line is 2 metres
_.--=--_-. 6 feet. The weight of the rails is 50Ibs. English to
the yard.
Kils. Miles. Francs.
235 = 145 of double line, cost 59,161,724 = 2,366,469
324 „ 202 of single line, cost 89,406,969 „ 3,578,679

559 „ 3t7 118,628,693 „ 5,945,144
The capital necessary for the construction of these
lines was raised as follows :

Effective Nominal
Capital. Capital.
June 18, 1836 ; Loan at 4 per cent. 24,524,164 f. • • 26,886,439 f.
May 25, 1838 ; Loan at 3 per cent. 32,267,236 —45,857,439
June 26, 1840; Loan at 5 per cent. 69,472,643 ..73,857,947
June 29, 1842 ; Loan at 5 per cent. 24,000,000 • .23,484,487

150,264,063 f. 169,816,312 f.
The mean rata of interest being 4.86 per cent. per
annum.

The average cost of the whole series of 550 kilo-
metres, or 347 miles, was 265,883 francs per kilometre,
or 17,132/. per mile, which is thus divided .

per mile.

Frr.ncs. 4
Land and compensation • .• • .
Earthwork, bridges, tunticls, &c. •• 111.227 „ „ 7,163
Permanent way ........... ..... .. „ 48,857 „ ~ 3,146
Stations and buildings
Working stock ••. •• • •
Miscellaneous expensts•• •• •• •••• • • .• 8,403 ~,,550

263,883 17,132
The actual.has exceeded the estimated cost by 128 per
cent. The land required (estimated to cost 17,000,000 f.)
cost actually 54,000,000 millions. The buildings, esti-
mated at 3,000,000, cost 9,000,000. The earthwork cost
also three times its estimated cost. The permanent way,
estimated with 3.51b5. rails to cost 24,000,000, cost actu-
ally 34,000,000, with rails of 501bs. per yard.
The above lines have all been constructed by the Go-
vernment, and are worked entirely by the State. They
constitute the only lines in operation in Belgium, with
the exception cf short irregular lines in the coal districts
of Mons and Charleroi for conveying coals from the pits
to the canals, and a short single line of railway for local
traffic from St. Nicholas to Antwerp.
Eleven lines of railway have been conceded to private
companies, none of which are yet opened to traffic.
The concessions are for terms of years, and, with
slight modifications, embrace conditions very much re-
sembling those adopted by the French Government.
On the expiring of the term of the grant, the Govern-
ment shall immediately become possessed of all the rights
of the grantees.
The shares shall not be quoted, either on the exchange
of Antwerp or that of Brussels, until after the entire
completion of the railway.
The following is a list of eleven lines of railway which
have been conceded to private companies. The term of
the grant is ninety years from the date of the entire
opening. The Tournay and Gurbise, and Landen and
Hasselt lines only, are to be constructed by the company,
but the Government will work them, paying to the com-
pany 50 per cent. of the gross annual receipts for ninety
years.

Miles.

Revenue, for the year ending the 21st of December,
1845, are as follows:
Passengers, first class 397,808
Ditto, second class
Ditto, third class 9,074,796
Soldiers, &c 27,612

Total passengers 3,470,678 producing £255,732
Luggage, 11,041,782 kilog = 10,867 tons,
17 cwt. 3 qrs., producing
Parcels, 241, 661 single packages, at 60 cen-
times each. 45,061,340 41,354 tons,
14 cwt. 1 qr. large parcels
Goods of all classes, 645,501,654 kilog.

16,861

220,311

635,336 tons 5 cwt. 2 qrs.
Specie, 32,848 parcels of money
Carriages, 3,552 in number I
Horses, 2,499 do.
Oxen and cows, 7,597 do.
Sheep and pigs. 30,005 do.
.1

3,224

496,128

The working expenses, detailed as under, for
1843, amounted to 48; per cent. of gross re-
ceipts

Nett profits for 1845 £255,691
YicMing an interest on an expenditure of 148,628,693 f.,
or 5,945,148 i, at;the rate of 4 1-3 per cent. per annum.
The gross receipts for 1845 present an augmentation
over those of 1844, of 1,154,0561. 46,1621., notwith-
standing which, the produco of canal traffic in Belgium
for 1545 also exceeds that for 1844 by 473,6401.
18,9451. The working expencrs for the year 1844
amounted to 51 2-10ths of the gross receipts ; and for
1843, to 61 9-10ths of ditto.

The working expenses are thus divided :
Administration, superior officers, clerks, print.
ing-office expenses, and petty charges
Maintenance of road, workmen's wages, and
works executed, renewal of rails, chairs, and
sleepers
Locomotive engines, wages, coals, oil, &c.,
tools, and materials, repairs of engines and
carriages
Carrying expenses, guards, porters, clerks, in-
spectors, delivering goods in towns, &c.
Money department, clerks at ticket-office, and
goods warehouses, rent of stations, light-
ing, &c.

63.165

116,480

38,060

8,252

Total as above £240,473
The working stock at the end of 1845 consisted of
149 locomotive engines, of which 106 Belgian, 42 Eng-
lish, 1 American, 145 tenders, 654 passengers' carriages,
2,150 goods waggons, 394 trucks, for the service of the
lines ; and there were in construction 1 passenger car-
riage of eighty-four places, on an American model, and
on eight wheels ; 118 passenger carriages ; 4 Post-office
ditto ; 375 goods waggons, various kinds.
The total mileage travelled was 1,702,332 miles, of
which 56 per cent. was for passengers' trains, and 44 per
cent. was for goods trains,
For the last five years the consumption of coke has
been— Kilogs. per League.
1840 96
1841
1842 first five months
S last seven months
66
58

11884443

The saving effected in the last three years is due prin-
cipally to the arrangement by which a bonus is allowed
to the ecgine drivers and foremen of locomotive stations,
in proportion to the reduction effected in the consumption
of coke.
By an order of the Ist of January, 1843, the engine
drivers are to receive a bonus of 24d. for every 73ilbs. of
coke (23 centimes per hectolitre of 35 kilog.) saved upon
the gross quantity allowed for consumption, by the Mi-
nister of Public Works. This regulation quickly showed
its expediency in the result: for the consumption, which
in the first five months of 1842 was 891bs. per mile, fell
in the last seven months to 67 1-101bs. per mile.
By an order of the 6th of May, 1844, foreman of sta-
tions, charged with the management of locomotives, are
to receive a bonus equal to a fourth of that bef re
granted to the engine drivers, in proportion to the saving
of fuel allowed for their respective stations.
Under these two regulations, the consumption of coke
has fallen to its present amount, the lowest expenditure
yet obtained, 411bs. per mile (49 kilog. per league).
The saving in the quantity of coke in 1844, as com-
pared with 1843, represents a value of 4,127/. per annum.
The total amount of bonus paid to engine drivers and
foremen of stations in 1844 was 1,1151. per annum.:
The greatest saving in the consumption of coke results
from the before cited regulations ; but a part of the
saving is attributable to the improvements made in the
locomotive engines.
As a reward for his efforts to that end, a bonus of
6001. has been granted to the chief engineer of the loco-
motive department.
By the adoption of a system of contract by public li
tender, the annual saving upon the local cartage and
delivery of the goods carried by the State Railway has
been 1,560/.
Power is given by law to the Government and to the
contractors to give up the contracts, upon giving three
months' notice.
In examining the returns for passenger traffic at each
of the various stations on the State lines, the number of
travellers and the classes they occupy appear so un-
equally divided, that it is evident there exist many
secondary causes to influence railway travelling, and in-
crease or diminish the receipts under similar circum-
stances but in different localities ; seeming to indicate
that by a proper adjustment of th tariff of rates the
revenue would be increased, and without materially aug-
menting the working expenses. It will obviously re-
quire much research to discover the invariable law that
should govern the fixation of the fares of the three
classes. It is, however, evident that they ought not to
be calculated from one invariable basis for all parts of a
country, traversed by long lines of railway. Thus the
first-class passengers at the Belgian stations on the
Prussian and French frontiers, and at Ostend and Ant-
werp, (the English frontiers), were respectively 16, 14,
17, and 15 per cent. of the total number of passengers
from those stations, while the general average on all the
lines, as has been already shown, was scarcely 10 per
cent. ; and moreover, the receipts from these passengers
were still more increased by the luggage that these tra-
vellers carry with them, which for one cwt. (and a
foreign traveller would certainly bring that quantity of
luggage), is charged 37} per cent., or 3-Bths of the
amount he pays for second class fares; whereas the third
class passengers at the first intermediate stations from
Ostend and from Ghent (Hansbeke and Plaschendall)
were actually 904 and 914 per cent. of all the passengers
at those stations.
The fares to and from the vicinities of great towns
should, for second and third classes, be very low, because
country people, whose business brings them habitually
to towns once or twice a week to fairs or markets, would
feel more severely the cost of conveyance occurring
regularly, than those who travel for enjoyment. The
influence of the seasons also should be taken account of
in fixing the fares, and especially the greater or less
agglomerated population in a particular district; a thinly
populated province traversed by a railway will not sup-
ply a local or intermediate traffic in proportion to the
number of inhabitants, as a densely crowded agricultural
or manufacturing province, even at the same fares, for
their industry and activity naturally leads them to travel
from village to village, if the cost is but little.
As to the extent of railway accommodation in various
countries, and applying a proportionate standard to each,
it appears that England, in the year 1843, had by no
means a disproportionate extent of railways measured
by its population. Taking the population of Great
Britain as having been then 27 millions, of Belgium at
4,250,000, of France at 34i millions, and of the United
States at 17,069,453, it is found that in 1843 there were:
In Great Britain, 2,236 miles of railway opened, or 83
miles per million inhabitants.
In Belgium, 347 miles of railway opened, or 83 miles
per million inhabitants.

In France, 1,087 miles of railway opened, or 31 miles
per million inhabitants.

In the United States, 6,326 miles of railway:opened.
or 530 miles per million inhabitants.
Thus Great Britain and Belgium are relatively in the
same position with regard to extent of railways. As to
the number of passengers transported in the year 1842
in England, on 1,430 miles of the principal railways,
there were 13,705,000 passengers carried, or 9,600 per
mile ; while in Belginm in 1845, on 347 miles of rail-
way, there were 3,470,678 passengers carried, or 10,002
per mile.

The fares in England, as compared with those in Bel-
gium, must provide for the great outlay ; for the heavy
parliamentary and legal expenses, to cover the interest
of which there must be, of course, greater profits ; and
also for the Government passenger duty, the taxes, and
parochial and county rates ; from all of which, in Bel-
gium, the lines conceded to private companies are spe-
cially exempt by a clause in the :law authorising them.
The difference, however, is less than is generally sup-
posed. Taking, for ins.ance, the ordinary mixed train
from London to Dover, a distance of 88 miles, stopping
at the intermediate stations, and performing the distance

in four hours 15 minutes. ...
s. d.
First class fare from London-bridge to Dover 15 0
Deduct five per cent. for passenger duty, and four
per cent. rate; and taxes

Sum received by company
Comparing this with the railway from Ostend to Brussels,
a distance of 89 miles, performed, with stoppages, in five
hours, and applying the fares as before given of the Bel-
gian conceded lines, of Id. 29-100ths per mile per pas-
senger, first class, we have:— s. d.
First class fare from Ostend to Brussels 9 6
Add, lcwt. of luggage, at 483 -I,oooths of a penny
per mile 3 7

Total l3
Which is a very close approximation to the Dover fare.
It is to be observed that the Government fare from
Ostend to Brussels is somewhat less than the above; be-
cause the fares are rather lower on the State lines than
on the conceded lines, and because also, on this particular
railway, as well as on that to Liege from Brussels, the
actual distance is diminished in estimating the fares by
10 kilometres, to compensate for the unnecessary. in-
crease of distance incurred over the ordinary coach road,
by passing by Malines.

LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY, HALF-PAST '
FOUR, P.M.--
The Acadia has not yet arrived. Telegraphic commu-
nication's from Holyhead to noon, report a moderate gale
from the eastward, and from this cause the steamer's
arrival may probably be delayed. Should she have left
Boston on the Ist, she is now out 14 days.
NOVEL IMPORTATION. The Miner, a Swedish
vessel, which arrived at this port last week, as part of
her cargo, had a case of skulls. and they were passed by
the Custom's authorities as " One case containing human
skulls, being specimens illustrative (3.' natural tittury :
value 101." As " special " they are free of duty
Hull Paper.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 16.

VOLLANS V. FLETCHER.—LIKIIILITY OF DIRECTORS TO
PAY CASH DEPOSITS.
In this case Mr. Martin and Mr. Hoggins appeared
for the plaintiff. Mr. Crowder (with whom was Mr.
Ball) appeared for the defendant.
The plaintiff in this case was an attorney, carrying on
business at Hull ; the defendant was a director of the
Birmingham, West Bromwich, and Walsall Railway.
The plaintiff, it appeared, had made application to the
secretary of this company, for an allotment of 30 shares.
Subsequently 10 shares were allotted to him, the deposit
upon which was 211., which sum was paid by the plaintiff
into the Hull Banking Company, on account of the com-
pany. The number of shares of which the company
consisted was 10,000, all of which were allotted, and of
this number 4,840 had been paid upon. The surveys of
the line in question were completed, and were deposited ;
but the deposit of 10 per cent, with the Accountant-Ge-
neral of the Court of Chancery, never took place, and in
consequence the scheme was necesarily abandoned.
It was not proposed to go on with it
in the ensuing session, although the company
still remained in existence. The plaintiff had never
received any scrip in exchange for the bankers' receipt
for the deposits. In the month of February the directors
of the Company resolved upon returning the sum of
7s. 61 to each of the shareholders who had paid up the
deposit of 21. 2s. The plaintiff now brought his action
to recover back the full amount of his deposits, upon the
ground that it was paid for a particular object, viz., to
make the depcsit in compliance with the standing orders
of the House of Commons.

The LORD CHIEF BARON, at the conclusion of the
plaintiff's case, said, that in his opinion the plaintiff was
entitled to recover the sum of 191. 15s. or nothing. The
directors had power to reserve 2s. 6d. per share for pre-
liminary expenses, but they had no legal right to reserve
any more. They ought not to have applied money paid
for the specific object of depositing with the Home of
Commons for any other purpose whatever.
Mr. CROWDER, on the part of the defendant, con-
tended that the agreement on the part of the plaintiff
was not binding, on account of its not being stamped,
and that the company were perfectly ready to deliver
scrip, which the plaintiff refused to take.
The LORD CHIEF BARON said this case differed most
materially from the cases of Nockels v. Crossly, and
Walstab v. Spottiswood ; in those cases the directors
refused to issue scrip. The defendants in this action
were ready and willing to deliver scrip, and had cer-
tainly some ground for complaint of the conduct of the
plaintiff in refusing to take the scrip; his conduct might
in all probability have tended to endanger the interests
of the company by preventing other persons from taking
up their shares also.

After some discussion, it was finally arranged that
the plaintiff should be nxisuited, with liberty to move
to enter the verdict for She sum of 21/., or 19/. 155.,
should the Court be of opinion that the plaintiff was en-
titled to recover either of those sums.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Dec. 16.
CRIM. CON.—ROBSON V. RUDING.
This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a Lieu-
tenant in the 3d Buffs, against a gentleman residing in
Bishopsgate-street, London, to recover damages for the
seduction of his wife.
Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, and
Mr. Bovil appeared for the plaintiff; Sir F. Thcsiger
and Mr. Sergeant Channel for the defendant.
Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD opened the case, going over
the particulars he intended to prove in evidence. He
said the plaintiff was a young gentleman, an officer in
the 3d Duffs Regiment of Foot, and the defendant a
merchant in the city of Lendon, residing at Salvador
House, Bishopsgate-street ; and the action was brought
to recover damages for the seduction of the wife of the
former. The intimacy between the defendant and
the plaintiff's wife commenced in 1841, when
the plaintiff was called away to India The
Learned Gentleman then went on to explain several
circumstances at which the alleged criminal intercourse
had been consummated. The result was a miscarriage, and
a train of events through which the plaintiff became aware
of the injury that had been inflicted on him. The Learned
Gentleman concluded by reading a correspondence which
had taken place between the plaintiff and his wife, while
the former was in India, exhibiting a gradual decadence
of the tone of affection in the wife's letters until the final
rupture which had led to the present action. The
Learned Gentleman then proceeded to call his witnesses.
Mr. Theobald, clerk to Mr. Barrel, the plaintiff's at-
torney, produced an entry from the registry of Stoke
Newington, of the marriage of plaintiff and his wife.
George Shadbolt examined—l am a merchant in St.
Martin's-lane, City. I know the plaintiff, Mr. Robson,
well. He is a son of Major Robson. I saw Mrs. Robson
shortly before the marriage, at the time the marriage
settlement was made. I was one of the trustees under
the settlement. The settlement was made on the 10th
of October, 1837, and a few days before the marriage.
I did not see them together after the marriage before
Lieut. Robson went to India. I saw the latter after he
returned from India. In 1841 the other trustee re.
turned, and I then invested 1,6001., belonging to Miss
Middleton (now Mrs. Robson), in the Three per Cents.
She held the property in her own right. This was on
account of being sole trustee, and it was invested in my
name.

Cross-examined—Plaintiff had, at the time of the
settlement, no property to arrange. The settlement
was of Miss Middleton property alone, and it was
secured to herself after the marriage.
Richard Sargent said—l was the solicitor employed to
prepare the marriage settlement of Mr. and Mrs. Robson.
I produce the settlement, also another subsequently
executed, in 1838, securing to Mrs. Robson a certain
amount of propert) there set forth, which in the interim
had accrued to her.
Cross-examined—Was acquainted with the plaintiff's
aunt, a miliner in Maddox-street. I was paid some
time arter by Mr. Freshfield, solicitor to Colvil and Co.
I did not know why it was he paid me.
Alexander Dawson proved the investment of various
sums in the names of the trustees of Mr:. Robson, and
sundry payments made out of the fund.
Miss Ellen Shadbolt—Miss Middleton had been living
previously with her aunt, Mrs. Kearney. After the
marriage the young couple lived for a short time at Mrs.
Kearney's. I visited them several times there, and they
appeared to be very much attached to each other. Ido
not know where they resided after leaving Mrs.
Kearney's, though I saw them on visits after that time,
and they still seemed much attached.
Cross-examined by Sir F. THESIGER--I did not know
Miss Middleton before the marriage, though I had seen
her once or twice.
Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Dobbin, formerly of the 19th
Regiment, examined—l knew the father of Miss Mid-
dleton well, and also knew the plaintiff. I also have
been acquainted with Miss Middleton. Before rand
after the marriage I was confidentially consulted by both
parties in all their affairs. They appeared after the
marriage very happy, and much attached to each other.
After the plaintiff procured an ensigncy, and went to
India, Mrs. Robson still consulted me on all her pecu-
niary affairs. I was consulted on the purchase of a lieu-
tenancy for the plaintiff. It cost 270/., and was paid
out of a moiety of Mrs. Robson's property, which was
coming to the plaintiff, the arrangement being that one-
half of the property should be secured to each. I re-
collect calling, on the sth of March last year, on Mr. and
Mrs. Robson, at Middleton-square. This was after the
plaintiff had returned from India. I called by appoint-
ment. Mrs. Robson was living there at the time, but I
do not know where Lieutenant Robson was staying. I
was not aware before that visit that there were any
differences ; but I learned there was on a second visit.
Cross-examined—l have been well acquainted with
the plaintiff since a child. He was, I believe, the ille-
gitimate son of Major Robson. Ido not know whether
Mrs. Robson was illegitimate. I visited Mrs. Robson
first at lodgings belonging to Mr. Dimewell, and
subsequently in Edgeware-road. These visits were
during the absence of the plaintiff in India. I
did note see Mrs. Green, the landlady of the house in
Edgeware-road, at the times I called there. The first
time I called at Middleton-square, after the return of the
plaintiff, I did not learn of any dispute between them,
but she afterwards complained of personal violence from
the plaintiff, of his throwing her down and abusing her.
I heard also a statement from the plaintiff accusing his
wife. I tried to reconcile them, but failed in my attempts.
She refused all reconciliation, and though urgently re-
quested by the plaintiff to go with him to Chichester, she
would not. She bad been accused of having a child, and
that under such an aspersion it was impossible she could
again live with him.
Re-examined—The plaintiff denied in toto the allega-
tion of violence.
Colonel McDonald, examined, said—l have known the
father of Mr. Robson for twenty years ; I also know the
plaintiff, and have seen him and his wife together on
several occasions, but cannot speak as to anything be-
tween them. During the plaintiff's absence in India I
called twice on Mrs. Robson, at the house in Edgeware-
road. I called there as a friend of both the plaintiff's
father and himself.
Harriet Kearney said I am the sister of the late Major
Robson. Major Robson died in 1836. He married Miss
Patten, the aunt of Mb s Middleton. I was present at
the marriage of the plaintiff and his wife. She was then
living with her aunt, the widow of Major Robson. The
Missl lo latterbso::
Middleton
haddnl alvop
na3.rttlhmr
es
Qr.
there, She
s iCox,n Rh Regent-street,
eisnnogt
-vsimtsriaet
ererdti, since.emadned o ucas
es
ido
tnMoaslrel
yse.
at Stoke Newington. I knew some time before the mar-
riage of their engagement—l think about August. The
marriage took place in October. Just before the mar-
riage Miss Middleton came to my house, and she lived
there after the marriage. I think they lodged with me
till the following January. They seemed very devoted to
each other. After that they went to live at
Mr. Timewell's, in
Edgeware-road. I often saw them
there, and they seemed greatly attached to each other.
They had a dispute with Mr. Titusewell, and removed to
another lodging in that neighbourhood, from which they
subsequently removed to my sister's, in Maddox-street.
In November, 1833, Mrs. Robson had a child, to which
she became much attached, as did also the plaintiff. I
saw them from time to time down to his joining the regi-
ment, and they still seemed very much attached to each
other. On parting with her husband at Chatham, she
showed much feeling, and addressed a letter to me, in
which she expressed herself in that manner.
The letter was put in and read.
Witness, in continuation--I expected she would have
remained with me during her husband's absence, but she
left. At any time she might have had a home at my
house. I knew she went to lodge at Mrs. Greene's, in
the Edgeware-road, and she remained there, as she
stated, because they treated her kindly. She, some
time after went to another lodging. I did not see any-
thing more of her till my nephew's return in March,
1845. In the meantime Mrs. Robson had been to
Italy and returned. My nephew went to lodge at
Hampstead, and she e as lodssine. in Islington. Abetthis time she esh_d 0, m., out sne could not be pre-
vailed on to come in. She said she might be seen at
t, Middleton-square. I subseqUentlY
called on her with

my nephew, and had tea there. Her conduct on that oc-
casion was very strange, as after tea she said to the plain-
tiff, "Are you not going to Hampstead, sir?" He seemed
much distressed at this, and left the house along with
me. I saw her at Hampstead shortly afterwards, and
her husband was there. Her manner there also was
quite changed towards the plaintiff. After that her
husband went to join his regiment at Chichester, and he
wished her much to go with him, but she refused. I
was not present at any time, either at Middleton-square
or Hampstead, when letters from the plaintiff were foiled.
Cross-examined—Knew that some time prior to the
marriage Miss Middleton clandestinely left Mrs. Robson,
end came to live with me. I admit also that Mrs.
Robson came to me about three weeks before the
marriage, inquiring for Miss Middleton, and that I said I
did not know anything about her. She was at the time
under my roof, and said that the banns of marriage were
ordered to be proclaimed. I never at any time commu-
nicated with Mrs. Robson about the marriage of her
ward with the plaintiff. I received after the marriage a
sum of money for the board and lodging of the
plaintiff and his wife, but I cannot say whether the board
for Miss Middleton prior to the marriage was included.
I recollect, in settling the property of Miss Middleton
before marriage, that it was agreed she should live with
me, and that I should be allowed 801. a year for board.
Both plaintiff and Miss Middleton were under age at the
time of the marriage.
Captain Blair, of the 31 Buffs, examined—At the
time the plaintiff joined the regiment it was in India.
He joined it the latter end of 1839, as ensign. The
regiment was not on active service at the time, nor till
some time after, though it had orders from time to time
to be ready. In 1842 the regiment was en •
gaged in Sinde, and was present at Ferezeshah.
It was not possible, during this time, the re-
giment being in the upper provinces, for an ensign
er lieutenant to save much out of his pay. I know this
as a married man. In 1840 I recollect the plaintiff ob-
taining leave of absence to go to Calcutta, in expectation
of his wife coming out. The distance is one thousand
miles, and is considered a three months' journey. He
rejoined the regiment at Karnaul, and continued with it
till it was ordered home.
Mary Ann Green examined—My husband is Thomas
W. Green, a rope and matting warehouseman, in Fen-
church-street, and resides at 'Michael-square, Hackney-
road. We formerly lived at 10, Portman place, Edge-
ware-road. Mrs. Robson, the plaintiff's wife, came to
live with us in 1839. Her husband came with her, and
arranged to pay 501. a year. Mr. Robson left in about
six weeks. I and my husband eccompanied them to
Chatham on the embarkation of the plaintiff to India.
Their parting was very affectionate. Mrs. Robson con-
tinued with me up till June 1840. While residing with
me her child died, while she was on a visit at Roeharnp-
ton. It was buried from our house in February, 1840.
She was, during the time she lived with me, visited by a
family named Allan, also by a Mrs. Boldon, from Pad-
dington. She livea at first a very retired life. On leav-
ing us she went to lodge with Mrs. Kearney. During
ell this time Mr. Ruding never visited. Mrs. Robson
came back to lodge with us in January, 1841, and
took the first floor, consisting of a sitting. room ar.d bed-
room, communicating by a single door. She partially
boarded with us. Shortly after her return Mr. Ruding
began to visit her. His visits commenced, I think, in
April. He visited about twice a week, and generally in
the evening. He often took tea with her, and Inever knew
the hour that he left. We usually retired to rest about 11
o'clock, and I never knew him leave before. The room
we occupied as a parlour was below Mrs. Robson's bed-
room. I cannot recollect having heard the footsteps of
two persons in the bed-room at the same time. The ser-
vant, Smith, generally opened the door for the defend-
and showed him up stairs. I do not recollect haying
remonstrated with Mrs. Robson in the presence
of the defendant. I had a letter from Mr.
Ruding's solicitor, but I have had no interview with any
one on his account. I have seen the person who called
himself Mr. Ruding a great many times at my house,
perhaps a hundred times in all. I recollect Mrs. Rob-
son being very ill one night in 1841. A pair of addi-
tional sheets were ordered that night. Emma Smith,
the servant, ordered them. Prior to that I had
noticed a great increase in the size of Mrs.
Robson, but I did not, however, make any ob-
servation to Mrs. Robson about it. A nurse was
called in. Some time before this a surgeon, named Mr.
Rugg, had attended her, but on the present occasion Mr.
Pearl, Lisson-grove, was called in. He was sent for at
two o'clock in the morning. The gentleman named
Reding called next day. So I was told
by the servant. Shortly after this illness Mrs.
Robson had a fainting tit ; the defendant had just come
in, and he assisted me, with the servant, in undressing
her and getting her to bed. He called her by the name
of Marian at the time. After she was put to bed I
and the servant went out and left him there. I
remarked at the time, to the servant, in de-
fendant's hearing, that " I did not consider him
a proper person to attend a married lady, and that I
wits a more fit person to do so." He made no answer.
Shortly after he went out, and returned with some
medicine for her. He visited her after during her ill
ness. She kept her bed for about nine days, and he
visited her in her sleeping apartment. On other occa-
sions, when Mrs. Robson was well, I have seen him
from the garden standing at her bed-room window,
I have seen him often there. Once subsequently to the
illness Mr. Ruding invited me to accompany him, with
Mrs. Robson, to the theatre, but I refused. Mr. Rudiug
continued his visits till the latter end of 1841, when Mrs.
Robson left. About a year after this, when Mrs.
Robson had gone to Italy, we received a letter from
Mr. Ruding about a portrait that was in their
poeaession, and wishing it to be forwarded. I know the
handwriting of Mr. Ruding, and have a note from him in
my pocket) it is an answer about an application made
fcr a situation to my nephew. The postcript in answer
to the first letter was addressed to Mr. Meeting,
Salvador House, Bishopsgate-street, and the letter
of application, to which the second letter
is an answer, was also addressed in the same way. My
servant cannot read, but I have seen letters lying on
Mrs. Robson's table addressed to Mr. Ruding. I have
afterwards seen those letters in the hand of my servant,
she having brought them from the drawing-room to the
parlour, in order to be posted. They were in Mrs. Rob-
son's hand-writing.
Emma Smith, the servant, proved the posting the
letters.

Cross.examined—l believe that on several occasions
Mrs. Robson gave lessons in music. I was also told
that Mr. Ruding was very fond of music. I never knew
Mrs. Robson to be very short of money, though I knew
that she sold an outfit she had purchased to go out to
India. I do not recollect Mr. read or Mr. Wilkinson
visiting.
Mrs. Green re•examined—l have heard Mr. Ruding
speak about the Buffs, and state that Mr. Robson was
expected home in March in the year following Mrs.
Robson's illness. I often heard Mr. Ruding speak about
the five baths he had in Nottingham-place. Mr. Ruding
represented himself to be Mrs. Robson's friend and
benefactor, and had nursed her when a child.

The case, it is expected, will occupy the Court all
,his day (Thursday).

SECONDARIES' COURT, Dec. 16.
JONES V. BEULIENIER.

The plaintiff in this case, is a cabinet-maker, in Duke-
street, Aldgate, and the defendant is a tradesman resid-
ing in the same place. The action was brought to
recover the amount of goods sold and delivered.
Mr. Thomas appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Wilde
for the defence.

The facts were these :—ln May, 1845, defendant or-
dered furniture to a considerable amount, which was
delivered. A dispute arose, however, about some chairs,
and, eventually, they were delivered fifteen months after-
wards. The chairs were tmdered on a Sunday morn-
ing, and refused. The goods previously delivered
were paid for at the time, the question for the jury was,
whether defendant had by his own act caused any delay.
Several witnesses were called, those for the plaintiff
making out the plaintiff's case " beyond all doubt
(as Mr. Wilde said), unless defendant's witnesses beat
them."—(Laughter.

Defendant's- witnesses swore in support of his case,
but the jury found for the plaintiff for the amount
claimed, 44 Hs.

SHERIFFS' COURT, Des. 16.

A notice was posted this day at the Sheriff's Court,
Red Lion-square, that the Court will not sit on Thurs-
day next, but the cases not tried that day, will be tried
on Saturdaay at 10 o'clock, the Court sitting by adjourn-
ment. There is the unusually long list of 35 cases already
exhibited.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.

fifty additional
yes-
terday morning, there were the names of
for this
prisoners, making the total number committed
session a hundred and fifty-six.
dealer, residing in
Abraham de Freeze, a generalfor
receiving a large
In the second edition of the " Calendar,''issued
the value of 464, the
quantity of silver-plated goods, hirmingham agent, know-
property of Mr. S. Atkins,
Goodman's-fields,
ing it to be stolen.
llantine were retained for the
Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Ba
defended the prisoner.
Ir. Bodkin
prosecution, and A -
owner of the stolen property, stated
Mr. S. Atkins, the
the 26th September, two persons came
that on Saturday, -
purchased
0 of whom
the extent of 461., under the pretence of
was indicted fur
being about to openassistant to Mr. Atkins, stated that he took
S. Tagg,
the place to which they were ordered to be
the to
goods Miller, the person who had brought them on
sent by
d He was accompanied by the son of Mr. At
to his warehouse, ono a
shop.
kins, and his orders were not to deliver the goods
tphl
iast plated
rgaono d. s , t o
without the money. When he arrived at the
place, ho found it to be an empty shop, which
Miller soon after entered, and was joined almost imme-
diately by another person, named Scott. By one of
these he was induced to go to a public-house in the
neighbourhood, leaving young Atkins in the shop with
the other, and in care of the property. His companion
soon left him, and not returning his suspicions was ex-
cited, and on going to the shop he found the other man
gone away, and the goods missing. Miller and Scott
had since confessed to the robbery.
R. Davis, a policeman, having learned to whom the goods
were sold, went to Mr. De Freeze's shop, and inquired
whether he had bought any plated articles ? He said
that he had, on the 29th September, and had given 481.
for them. That was three days after the goods were 1
stolen.

J. Pike said that he bought the goods of the prisoner
for 21/. De Freez-'s shop was an open bhop, like a
broker's, and he saw them exhibited in the window.
After a week's negotiation he agreed to purchase them
acid p:Liti 21/. for the lot on the. 9til ,410,,,1,0be1. ale aft;
wards sold several of them to different parties.
Henry Bull, jeweller, of Goodman's-fields, stated that
he had bought part of the articles produced in court of

the last wither, Pike. When brought to him they were
in excellent condition.

Mr. Atkins being recalled, said the :marks had not been
obliterated, and in some cases the wrapping paper had
not been changed. He, witness, paid for them in jewel-
lery the prime cost.
H. J. Wing, assistant to Mr. He rbert, of Queen's-
buildings, Brompton, identified two ,of the spirit stands,
some nutcrackers, and a pair of candlesticks, and stated
that they were purchased of Pike fix 51. 10s.
S. Holly, shopman to Messrs. G ant, pawnbrokers, of
42, Albany-gate, also identified part of toe property,
and proved that they had been bought of Pike for six-
teen shillings.
Mr. S. Atkins, on being recalled, said that part of
these goods were of his own manufEte ture. He estimated
the value of the goods at 461.
Mr. BODKIN addressed the jury fo r the prisoner, con-
tending the probability there was ,ot the goods being
bought in the ordinary way of trade He would show
by the open way in which they were exposed for sale by
the prisoner, who had been, in the first instance, sum-
moned as a witness, and in that cap.scity had appeared
two or three times before the magistrate, and also had
given every information in his power.
Several witnesses were called to char acter, all of whom
had known the prisoner for fourteen years, and several
of them more than twenty years, and, who spoke iu the
highest terms.

Mr. Justice P AITTESON summed up.
'1 he -jury, after a very brief consultation, returned a
verdict of Not Guilty.
There was a loud expression of approbation at the ver-
dict, but it was instantly suppressed. The goods were
ordered to be given up to Mr. Atkins.
At the conclusion of the trial Mr. Romrsote made an
application to the Court in favour of Miller, under the
plea that he had given all the information he possessed,
and had been very instrumental in the recovery of the
property.
The JUDGE replied that he would take the matter into
consideration, and consult the Recorder, before whom
both Miller and Scott, his accomplice, had pleaded
guilty last session.
John Orchard, aged 23, a drummer in the Coldstream
Guards, was indicted for stealing a gold -watch, the pro-
perty of the lion. Captain Gritnston, from the guard-
house; at Buckingham Palace, on the 26th of November.
Captain Grimston deposed to having left his watch in
the barrack-room, about eight o'clock in the evening,
and on his return, shortly afterwards, found it was gone.
The corporal of the guard and the sentinel on duty
at the time deposed to the prisoner haying been seen
about the guard-room, and the girl with whom he coha-
bited unwillingly allowed that she had seen a gold watch
in his possession on the night the robbery was com-
mitted, and stated further, that he had requested that it
might be pawned.
'Thomas Walton, a pawnbroker, stated that the watch
had been pledged with him for 41. 10s., by a young
man whom he had never seen before, who gave the name
of Thomas Wilson.

The policeman stated that the prisoner had confessed
the robbery when he was apprehended.
Captain Grimston identified the watch.
_ _

Mr. Justice PATTESON summed up, and. the jury im-
mediately returned a verdict of Guilty. The prisoner
was sentenced to one year's imprisonment, with hard
labour.

At the close of the case, Captain Grimston said that,
by Mr. Jardine's advice, ho applied to the Court
to ascrtain to whom he should give the reward which
he had offered for the recovery of the watch. There
were three persons claiming it—the policeman, a gre-
nadier, and the pawnbroker.
His LORDSHIP intimated that he did not sit there to
give advice on such points as this.

Captain Grimston—l only obey my orders, my Lard,

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
CLERKEN WELL.
The Court was occupied during a considerable time
yesterday morning in hearing a counter-charge pre-
ferred by a female against Constable 240 G, under the
following circumstances :
The constable charged her with being drunk and dis
orderly, and in answer she said the charge was false,
and had been preferred by the constable, because, after
treating him and anothE r to gin at the Pewter Platter
public-house, in Charles-street, Hatton-garden, she re-
fused to allow him to take improper liberties with her.
She stated that she was a person of respectable conduct
and character, and worked for Mr. Winkes, of No. 4,
North-place, and other extensive shopkeepers.
Mr. CO2IBE said this was a case which required in-
vestigation, and he should adjourn it to get the evidence
of the other constable, and some person from the public-
house.
In about an hour those .parties arrived, and their evi-
dence having been taken,
Mr. COMBE said he considered that the policeman had
made out his charge against the prisoner, while she had
failed in substantiating her's against him, and he should
consequently fine her ss. for being drunk.
John Orton was chargeo Hith stealing a quantity of
grains from the Izewery of Messrs. Reid and Co., of
Liquorpond street.
It appeared that latterly the system of pillage going
on by lads like the prisoner, who were continually on
the watch at the grain-shoot when the dairy-carts were
loaded, had very much increased, and several complaints
had been made at the station-house. The prisoner was
observed last night in the act of taking away a large
hamper, which he had filled from the shoot in Liquor-
pond-street, when he was apprehended.
Mr. CommE said he understood all these grains were
contracted tor, and inquired whether the contractor was in
attendance.
Sergeant Boyce replied that he was not.
I,lr. COME said if people made complaints, and then
when the thief was discovered, did not choose to attend
to prosecute, the system was encouraged by themselves
only. As no one was present to prosecute, he should
discharge the prisoner.
Mr. Malle:t, the chief clerk, stated that a benevolent
individual, under the initial signature C. V., had
transmitted a donation of St for the relief of such de-
serving objects as the presiding magistrate might select.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Joke Burke was
,charged with committing an assault
on James Corbet.
The complainant, apprentice to a collier, said he went
on Tuesday night to the Queen's Theatre, Tottenham-
street, Tottenham-court-road, and arrived there before
the doors were opened; but the prisoner, who was late,
got upon the rails at a private door in the neighbour.
hood of the theatre, and jumped down on his shoulders,
and when the complainant refused to bear him on his
shoulders, the prisoner, still standing on them, lifted his
hob-nailed shoe and stamped upon his head so as to cut
it open.
The prisoner said he was thrown off the rails by
another, and could not avoid getting upon the boy's
shoulders.
Myers, the officer of the theatre, said it was a conti-
nual practice followed by the young lads who were late
in coming, to jump off these rails on any one, woman or
man, no matter whom, in order to get in first. It was
impossible to prevent it except by severe punishment.
Mr. HARDWICK sentenced the prisoner to a fine of
205., or ten days' imprisonment.
Lithe Farrell, a most miserable looking wretch, was
charged with stealing a pint pot.
Joseph Silk, stableman, Mason's Arms-yard, proved
the taking of the pot by the prisoner.
The prisoner said, when asked why he had done so,
that his life was miserable, that he had been a soldier,
and was discharged. He was born in the Isle of France;
his father was there in the 87th Regiment. He had been
two years in London, and during all that time he had
been gathering bones and rags, and trying to live ; but
he was both naked and starving. His clothes were such,
and his dirty appearance, that no one would now em-
ploy him or trust him ; and so wretched was he, that he
would prefer being shot to continuing the kind of life
he had been compelled to live.
The Mendicity officers said they had seen him about
the streets begging and gathering rags
Mr. HARDWICK sent him for a month to the House
of Correction, for the unlawful possession of the pint pot.

THE STATE OF THE RIVER.—The Thames already
up by
exhibits
vast floating
ing masses of ice, and a fall of snow,
followed existing severe frost will, in the opi-
nions of old and experienced watermen, render the navi-
gation of the river above bridge impossible. On Tuesday
numbers of men had to be employed in clearing away
the drift ice that had collected round the various steam-
boat piers before the vessels could touch. The damage
done on Tuesday to the floats of the paddle-wheels in the
above bridge steamers, by collision with the ice, was
very great. The Putney boat was obliged to lay up
on Tuesday afternoon, not being able to pass through
Putney-bridge. Above that structure the river is a
field of ice.
COLUMEWS Sourrr.---Tuesday a numerous meet-
ing of persons interested in geographical inquiry was
held at the London Library, in St. James's-square, for
the formation of a society under the above name, the
object of which is the re-publication of ancient works
and travels illustrative of geographical research. The
chair was taken by Sir R. I. Murchison, the late Presi-
dent of the Royal Geographical Society, and several re-
solutions for the formation and conduct of the society
wen!. adopted.
THE FROST.—The thermometer during the night
of ,Monday stood, at the Royal Humane Society's Re-
ceiving House, Hyde Park, at 19, being 13 degrees
below freezing point. This caused the ice to attain far
greater solidity than on the preceding day. During
Tuesday the sliders and skaters upon the various orna-
mental waters in the several parks were very numerous.
We are happy to say that, •owing to the precautions
taken by the society, not a single accident occurred.
Detention of Mails—ln consequence of the bad state of
the roads and the weather a great number.of mails were
overdue on Tuesday morning, particularly on the north
road. The Edinburgh mail of Saturday arrived nearly
forty-eight hours after its proper date, leaving three still
due; in fact, nothing beyond Carlisle has reached town
later dated than Saturday. The whole of the bags due
from the north is fifty-one, and ten by the mail from
Swansea due on Monday. In the north the delay arose
from a heavy fall of snow. The Dutch mail, due on
Sunday, had not arrived on Tuesday, and the Hamburgh
mail of Monday is also overdue.
EXPERIMENTS AT WOOLWICH :.‘rARSITES.—Mr.
Lancaster, jun., carried on experiments on Tuesday
(December 15th), with the rifle °all, submitted by him,
in the form of a sugar loaf. The experiments were made
in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Dundas, C. 8.,
who appeared highly satisfied with the result. About
40 rounds were fired, some at 1,200 yards, some at 900
yards and 600 yards. The whole of the firing was very
good, and, at 1,200 yards, the balls entered the target
to the depth of an ineb. The first three rounds, at 900
eaeo, rntertA the i;oll's eye,- the sins being so
correctly taken, and the fora, of the bull ensuring a
correct course, at that considerable distance, for small
arms,