The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-05 00:00:00

WAKLEY TESTIMONIAL.

A preliminary meeting of the friends of T. NVakley,
Esq., M.P., was held yesterday in the Crown and Anchor
Tavern, to take into consideration the best means of for-
warding the penny subscription now in progress for pur-
chasing a piece of silver plate to be presented to that
gentleman as a testimonial of his worth, and the high
respect in which he is held for bis zeal, impartiality, and
firmness in the office of Coroner.

The meeting was very respectably attended.
Mr. Sandford, of Lincoln's Inn, was called to the
chair.

The CHAIRMAN briefly explained the purposes which
had called them together. lie thought that the services
of Mr.Wakley imperatively called upon them to exhibit,
by some reward like the one contemplated, their appre-
ciation of his great abilities, and the admirable manner
in which he had performed the duties of Coroner. Cer-
tain resolutions would, therefore, be submitted to the
meeting, and ho would at once save the time of the
gentlemen present by calling upon Mr. Sullivan to pro-
pose the first resolution.

Mr. SULLIVAN in moving " that this meeting duly ap-
preciate the indefatigable industry and unflinching pro-
bity of Thomas Wakley, Esq., in the performance of
his duty as Coroner, and considers that he is well en-
.

titled to the gratitude of the country," eulogised in the
warmest manner the conduct of Mr. Wakley, more
particularly in the recent proceedings at Hounslow.
He hoped that the recent changein the amount of punish-
ment would be followed by the total abolition of " the
cat," and when this devoutly-to-be-wished-for consum-
mation should have been accomplished, the friends of
humanity would have to thank Mr. Walley for it.
Mr. A. RAMSAY seconded, and Dr. WEBB, of Mary-
lebone, supported it.
Mr. W. lIINDE, formerly in the 7th Hussars, the same
regiment to which the unfortunate man belonged, then
rose, and in a very earnest and energetic manner
defended Colonel Whyte from the charges of inhumanity
which had been urged against him. He well remem-
bered seeing on one occasion an old soldier tied to the
ladder, when Captain Whyte rushed out, and said to the
commanding officer, Colonel King, "For God's sake,
Colonel King, do not punish that old soldier. I shall be
answerable for his good conduct in time coming." The
man was unbound and pardoned. He also called to
mind a circumstance that occurred in Canada, where,
when they were in daily expectation of being engaged
with the enemy, a man was found in the act of deserting.
He was sentenced to recive one hundred and fifty lashes,
but was pardoned by Colonel Whyte after he had re-
ceived fifty lashes, on his promise of future good conduct.
Ile might multiply many such cases, but lie did not de-
sire to take up too much time. Ile had served under five
colonels, and in no instance had he served under a more
humane and feeling officer; this opinion he was certain
would be corroborated by every soldier in the regiment.
He fully appreciated the services of Mr. Walley, as did
many of his former companions, and ho had no doubt that
a considerable portion of the subscriptions would come
out of tho army.
Dr. EPPS suggested that it would perhaps be better to
confine their approbation of Mr. Wakley's conduct to
his recent services at Hounslow. ➢Zany persons had
expressed their disapprobation of the witticisms with
which the Coroner for Middlesex occasionally sought to
relieve the tedium of business, and he (Dr. Epps) did
consider that this levity was beneath the dignity of a
judge. On these grounds he thought it better that the
resolution should be confined to their approbation of Mr.
Wakley, in the case he alluded to, and he was sure that
that would secure general approbation.
Mr. WHITE moved the following resolution:—" That
the friends of Thomas Wakley, Esq., in consideration of
his independent conduct as Coroner, more particularly
upon the occasion of the late inquest at Hounslow, have
resolved upon offering him some slight testimonial of
the high opinion they have formed of him as a public
officer."

Mr. CHURCH, in an eloquent speech, seconded the
resolution.

Mr. WHITE also moved the third resolution,. " That a
committee be formed to raise a sufficient sum of money
to purchase a handsome piece of silver plate to be pre-
sented to that gentleman."
The committee was then appointed ; and after thanks
had been voted to the Chairman, the meeting broke up.

To Messrs. Morrison, British College of Health,
London, September 4, 1846.
" The play's the thing,
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." (Query
dishonest doctors) HAMLET.

Sir,—l have been thinking,whether it would not be
of infinite service to those doctors, who prescribe rank
poisons " medicinally," it they were to witness the
third act of Hamlet. I think their conscience might
then be pricked when they came to the following de-
scriptions of such poisons.
" Whose effect
Holds such an enmity with blood of man,
That swift as quicksilver it courses through
The natural gates and alleys of the body;
And, with a sudden vigour it doth posset
And curd, like aigre droppings into milk,
The thin and wholesome blood."
Yours, Sze.

A lIYGEIST.
THE GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY.
—ln our report of the meeting of the shareholders of
this company on Thursday, we represented Mr. Spack-
man to have stated that the managing committee
were squandering 40,0001. or 50,0001. of the money of
the shareholders; the statement sl ould have been 401. or
501. a day in unnecessary advertisements, which expen-
diture was declared to be illegal under the Act, until
§fler A gone iii Ateetipg lAACI beQA held.