The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-05 00:00:00

EV'EX:ll44l'a, FEB RILTAit Y 1646,

receipt of fees. These are great improvements, but
we regret that the fees are still to be maintained,
although they are to go for the future to the county
treasurer, in place of into the pocket of the clerk.

The fourth Bill consolidates the different laws ap-
plicable to the protection of magistrates when actions
may be brought before them. Although, as we have
already stated, very few changes of any consequence
will be introduced, we anticipate much benefit from
the inquiry, and from the real state of the law on all
these points being brought prominently forward,
which must lead to its speedy amelioration and im-
provement, and lead to the abolition of the most
crying grievances.

The Swiss Diet, in its sitting of the 31st January,
Passed a deeree expelling the Jesuits by Federal Act
from every portion of the Swiss territory. By a
second decree they determined that the money and
valuables found in the treasury of tho Sonderbund
should be deposited in the hands of the Paymaster-
General of the Confederation, and charged in deduc-
tion of the debt due to the Confederation from the
cantons of the league to defray the charges of the
war.

Madrid papers of the 29th ult. have been received.

The garrison of Chaffirine Islands have built tiara-
coons for shelter from the severity of the weather.
The lines of fortification have been marked out, and
cannon are preparing for them at Ceuta.
There was a heavy fall of snow at Madrid on the
27th ult.

MADILID BoLSA, JAN. 29.—The Three per Cents.
closed at 27 15.16 cash, and a at fifty days ; and
were buyers fur cash at the close. Five per Cents.,
17 at fifty days, and 16 buyers for cash after the
close. Passive Debt, 5i buyers, sellers. Coupons,
12 at fifty days.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
M. Guizor, although suffering severely from the
grippe, addressed the Chamber of Deputies at con-
siderable length on Thursday, on the subject of Swiss
affairs. He defended the conduct of the Government
in intervening in the affairs of Switzerland, and
attempted to ply his old trick of producing garbled
extracts from dispatches, upon M. TILLERS. He read
a portion of a dispatch of M. TILLERS, in 1836, to
the Swiss Diet, in which that gentleman had spoken
of the Swiss Radicals in harsh terms. M.
TRIERS, however, who was present, interrupted
the Minister, and insisted upon the conclu-
sion of the dispatch being read. It was read
accordingly, and was in these words :—" If the
faults of the Swiss Government should lead to an
invasion of the Swiss territory by an Austrian or a
Piedmontese army, France will not suffer it ;" and
the dispatch concluded by declaring that " France
would not form with Austria a little fragment of a
Holy Alliance." M. Gutzor did not continue much
longer to address the Chamber after this exposure of
his bad faith. He relied, like the lute Sir WILLIAM
CURTIq, on his majority, and his majority did not
fail him. The paragraph was passed by a majority
of 80—the numbers being 20G against 126.
The Prince of SYRACUSE was to have left Paris last
evening, for Naples.
The Presse contains the following :
" According to all the communications we have
this day received from Italy, it appears almost certain
that the King of Naples, in engaging to give a con-
stitution to his subjects, yielded solely to a sentiment
of fear, caused by the threatening symptoms of revolt
that were already appearing in Naples, as well as by
very alarming news received from Palermo, where
the insurgents had taken the two huportant posts of
the Bank and the Royal Chateau."
The King of DENMARK has, according to letters
from Copenhagen, resolved upon convoking the States
General for the session; with the view of according
a liberal constitution.

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse
on Thursday at 74f. 50c.; New Loan, 75f. 30c. ; Five
per Cents., 117 f. ; Orleans Railroad Shares, 1,185 f.;
Rouen, 905 f. ; Havre, -140 f.; Great Northern, 535 f.;
Avignon, 552 f. 50e. ; Vierzon, 512 f. 50c, ; Bordeaux,
480 f. ; Dieppe, 255 f.; Basle, 158 f. 75c. ; Paris and
Strasburg, 406 f. 25c.; Tcurs and Nantes, 386 f.
25c.; Paris and Lyons, 390 f. ; Belgian Two-and-a
Half, 50k.
MARSEILLES, JAN. 28.—Marseilles and Avignon,
545 f.; Northern, 5221. 50c.

iII:SINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, F. 4.
Northern •f France, 11 %.—Paris and Lyons, 51;i.

51ARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.)

COVENT-GARDEN.
Potatoes, from 6s to 84 6d per cwt.; Onions, 2s to
3s 3d; and Apples, Is 8,1 to 3s 6d; perhalf-sieve ;
Walnuts, 8d to is; and Oranges, 5s to 12s 6d per 100;
Greens, 2s to Si 3d; Turnips, 2s 6d to 3s; Leeks, 9d to
Is 2d; and Carrots, 4s to 6s per dozen bunches; Savoys,
9d to is 3d per dozen; Celery, Is to Is 9d; Horse-
radish, 2s to 4s Gd; and Brocoli, Is 6d to 3s per bundle;
Filberts and Cub-nuts, 8d to 10d per lb; Spinach, 6s
per sieve.

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THI.7, DAY.)
OLD COURT.
- -r

(Before Mr. Justice Ws r.T.IA MS.)
ARSON.—A youth named William Henry Middle-
brooke, of highly respectable connexiosss, was in-
dicted for feloniously setting fire to the dwelling-
house of his master, Mr. Hanford, the engraver, of
Raherd-street, St. Luke's.
The prisoner was an in-door apprentice to the pro-
secutor, and on Sunday, the sth of December, while
the prosecutor, his wife, and lodgrs were absent in
the evening attending Divine worship, there being no
body left in the house but the prisoner, a fire broke
out in the upper part of the premises. The prose-
cutor and his wife were sent for, and on their return
home they discovered that the fire had originated in
their bedroom. Pursuing their examination still
further, they found that a tin box, containing two
Bank of England notes, one for 10/., the other for
51., and fire sovereigns, which was usually deposited
in the cupboard, had been broken open and the money
stolen. Both the bedroom and the cupboard were
locked bnfore the prosecutor went to church, but on
his return they were both open, and to all appear-
ances some papers in the cupboard had evidently been
set fire to. The prisoner being the only person left
in charge of the premises, was questioned upon the
matter, but the statements he made were so prevari-
cating- and contradictory that the prosecutor gave
him into custody.
A number of witnesses were called for the prose-
cution, but their united testimony did no snore than
make out a case of suspicion against the prisoner.

NEW CO UB T.
(Before the COMMON SERGEANT.)
John Connell, aged 47, a discharged seaman from
the navy, was indicted for feloniously trafficing in sea
men's registered tickets.
Mr. Godson, Q C., and Mr. Peterdorff, appeared
for the prosecution. The prisoner was undefended.
The prisoner was arraigned under the provisions of
the recent Act of Parliament, passed for establishing
an efficient registration of the seamen engaged in the
merchant service, and which makes it felony for a
seaman to sell or part with any ticket that might have
been granted to him in accordance with that
Act. The prisoner for some time past had been in the
habit, with others, of obtaining tickets at various
registration offices throughout the country, and
afterwards selling them to parties who were nut
qualified to hold them. A few weeks ago he pro-
cured a registration ticket at one of the Admiralty
offices in the Minories, describing himself as "John
Connell, born at Kinsale, in the county of Cork,
1801," but, as he was suspected, he was watched,
and caught selling it to a Swedish sailor for 4s.
The prisoner, in his defence, said he was not
aware that he was acting unlawfully in selling the
ticket.

--------
The jury convicted the prisoner, and
The COURT sentenced him to fourteen days' im•
prisonment with hard labour.

MURDER. OF A SOLDIER IN THE

BIRDCAGE-WALK YESTERDAY.

BOW-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
Amelia Mears was placed at the bar before Mr.
l-Tenry, charged with the wilful murder of Henry
Ducker, a private in the 2d battalion Coldstream
Guards, by shooting him with a pistol.
Sarah Sexton, a servant out of place, said that yes-
terday afternoon, about half-past five o'clock, she was
passing through the Birdcage-walk towards Bucking-
ham Palace. She met the prisoner, who was con:int:
in the opposite direction, and saw her fire the pistol
produced at the deceased, who was with her. He fell
dead en the instant. The prisoner threw the pistol
down by his side. Neither she nor the soldier spoke
a word.

The prisoner being informed that she might put
any question she pleased to the itness, asked if she
did not give herself up without attempting to escape ?
The witness replied that she did.
Henry Millington, of 4, East-street, Kensington,
coachmaker, who was also passing at the time, con-
firmed this statement. The man tell forwards. He
pointed her out to a soldier who came up in a few
moments, and she admitted that she shot deceased.
The prisoner here observed that she did not throw
the pistol down, as both witnesses had said, but that it
" fell as it went off."

John Garwood, a private in the same battalion as
the deceased (2d of the Coldstream Guards), said that
he knew the latter, Henry Pucker, very intimately.
Yesterday afternoon, at the time stated-by the other
witnesses, about half-past five o'clock, ; he
was passing through the Birdcage-walk, from
the direction of Buckingham Palace, and
heard the report of a pistol behind him. Tart ling
round to ascertain whence it came, he saw his c um-
rade, the deceased, fall to the ground. He saw him
fall on his face. Did not see any one standing > war
him at that time. Did not sce any woman th ere.
Directly he saw him fall he ran to him, and a get tie
man said it was a woman. Saw a gentleman vvi. th a
pistol in his hand, but did not know who he i.vas.
Saw the prisoner coming out of the barrack-g.ite.
She did nut speak to him. llad seen her before, but
did not knew whether she was acquainted with the
deceased ; had seen them walking together. ; Saw
then, talking together the night before last, when the
deceased was on guard. Did not know whether t hey
were on bad terms. Last night she appeared in bad
spirits and downcast. He saw the deceased and the
prisoner together about a month since. They w ere
then on good terms.
The prisoner, on being asked, said she had no ques-
tion to ask the witness.

Joseph Mills—Was also a private in the 2d bi it-
talion of Coldstream Guards. Did not see the d 'e-
ceased leave the barracks yesterday afternoon. D
not see him at all before he heard the report of fin e-
arns. Did not know whether he was acqurate d
with the prisoner at all.
Christopher Richards, A. 187—Was on duty it s
Birdcage-walk. At twenty minutes to five o'clocl
yesterday afternoon he was standing talking to
brother policeman, when he heard the report of fire-
arm close by. He immediately turned round, and
saw the smoke, and the deceased fall on his face and
hands. He went to him directly, and saw him bleed-
ing from his head behind the ear, where the bail hail
entered, and he heard some one say, "Stop that woman,
she was with him." The prisoner was then walking
away. Witness followed her, and took her into
custody. She was thirty yards from the deceased,
walking towards the Palace. She did not speak, but
looked up as if she was going to faint. Witness gave
herinto the custody of another policeman, and wen;
to look for the pistol. Did not find the pistol. The
person who did took it to the station- house.
Thomas Bishop Paul, A 80, stated that he was in.
Birdcage-walk last evening, about twenty minutes to
five o'clock, and was speaking to a brother constable,
when he heard the report of fire- arms. Saw some
smoke, when he cried, " Good God there's a soldier
shot." Saw the deceased fall, and took the prisoner
into custody, who directly said I did it. Witness
told her to come back with him; and on proceeding
to the station-house, she again stated, " I did it; I
intended to do it ; I intended it a long time. Is he
dead ?" 'Witness said he believed the soldier was
dead, but she made no reply. What he had stated
was all the prisoner said.
Mr. James Beattie—Resided at 20,5, Regent-street;
was a gun-maker. Had seen the prisoner at the bar
on Thursday evening, about ten minutes before eight
o'clock, at his own shop in Regent-street. She
stated she wished to purchase a pistol to shoot
a Newfoundland dog. She said he was a very
savage brute, and they wished to destroy him. Wit-
ness told her he had not got an odd pistol, and that
his pistols were expensive ; but he thought he had one
at the factory that would he as good to shoot a dog
as an expensive one. She asked the price, and
witness said he could let her have it for 10s. Witness
said she had better let one of his men shoot the dog,
to which she replied, that it was too far, as she lived
at Hackney. She said her brother would have come
for the pistol, but he was lame ; but he was quite
capable of shooting the dog. She asked witness to
load the pistol for her, which he did, desiring her to
be very careful of it. Witness loaded it with powder
and a wad upon it, a ball in the wad, and another
wad upon the ball. 'Witness had bolted the lock,
and put the pistol up in abrown paper bag, so that it
could not go off. The prisoner then took the pistol
away with her, after paying the 103. There was
nothing in the prisoner's manner to excite his suspi-
cion ; she was quite calm.
Sergeant Wm. Love was sergeant 6f the battalion
of the Coldstream Guards, and knew the deceased.
At a quarter to five o'clock last night he was going
out of the barrack-gate into the Birdcage-walk, when
it was reported to him a man had been shot. He
went OR to the Queen-square gate, where he saw a
cr,svd of persons, and the deceased lying on the
ground, and remained there till the body was laid on
the stretcher. He accompanied the body to the Wel-
lington Barrack guard-room, where it was placed.
Robert Ellis, one of the inspectors of the A divi-
sion, was on duty at the station-house whets the
prisoner was brought there. She was charged with
firing a pistol at deceased. Witness tcok the charge,
and on the charge being read to the prisoner, shesaid,
"I did it," at the same time giving him three letters,
which he produced, arid requested that lie would read
the large letter. She said nothing more. One of the let-
ters was from the deceased to the prisoner, and another
from the prisoner to the decased, the latter of which was
read, in which the prisoner charged the deceased with
following another young woman because he could get
more money from her than the prisoner, and request-
ing to meet the deceased for the last time. The wit-
ness also stated, that the prisoner took the pistol-bag
now produced from her pocket and gave to witness.
Mr. Joseph Skelton, assistant surgeon to the 2d
battalion of the Coldstream Guards, could not recog-
nise the deceased, the body was so much disfigured.
He directed the body to be carried to the guard-

room in order that he might make some examination.
He had him removed to the guard-room, and it was
there, upon minutely examining him, that he found
he was (lead. The wounds were near the eye on the
left side of the head. He inferred from the nature of the
wounds that they were such as might have been pro-
duced by bullets discharged from a pistol. The
wounds were sufficient to cause death immediately
after their infliction. Thoy were the cause of the de-
ceased's death.

This gentleman being the last witness,
Mr. HENRY: (to the prisoner)—Now you have heard
all the evidence against you, do you wish to say any-
thing to the charge ?
The prisoner, whose face was flushed and covered
with perspiration, hung down her head as during
the greater part of the examination, and made no
reply.
The officer having conveyed the question of the
magistrate to her said—She says she has nothing to
say to the charge.—(Sensation.)
Mr. Ilsisny—Mr. Bickerstene, does any body know
where she has been living ?
Inspector Bickerstone replied at No. 40, Albion-
street. It appeared that she had left the situation
which she occupied there yesterday morning ; her
mistress bad stated this to the police.
Mr. HENRY--You had better have her at the trial.
The witnesses were then severally bound over to
prosecute.

Mr. Burnaby (to the prisoner)—You are com-
mitted to Newgat© to take your trial for this
murder.

The prisoner made no response, and was imme-
diately removed to the cells, apparently much ex-
hausted by the examination, during which she was
accommodated with a chair. She is of short stature,
possesses rather pleasing features, and was rather
smartly dressed.
Samuel !tennis Fulcher, a private, who was sent
for, in order that his evidence might be added to the
depositions, attended in the course of the morning.
This witness said that he knew deceased perfectly
well, being in the same regiment and battalion.
Yesterday afternoon they left the barracks, and
walked together from the barrack-gate to Queen's-
square gate, where they parted. Witness going
through the gate, and up the inclined plane to
Queen's-square. He had arrived at the Broadway,
Westminster, when he heard the report of fire-arms,
but having no suspicions that there was "anything
wrong," did not turn back. He had seen the pri-
soner standing near the barrack-gate when they came
out, and she had followed them at a distanee of about
15 or 16 yards. Ducker must have seen her as they
came out. Witness did not know they were ac-
quainted. They did not speak to one another.
Mr. HENRY inquired whether the sergeant knew
Ducker's age ? The sergeant replied that he was
twenty one.

Mr. HENRY' said that, as the inspector proved the
prisoner's own statement, that she lived at 40, Albion-
street, Hyde Park gardens, it would be unnecessary
to have any witness brought from that place to
prove it.
This fact and the evidence of Fulcher were then
added to the depositions.