The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-09 00:00:00

NAPLES.

The Neapolitan fleet, with 20,000 men, sailed for
Sicily on the 30th ult. The English Admiral is not
to interfere or interrupt it.
The funds at Naples fell at once 1 per cent.

BANKRUPTCY.—(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Commissioner HOLROYD.)
IN RE WOODFIELD.
This bankrupt was described as of Little Ebury-
street, Pimlico, plumber, &c. He owed to creditors
5361. 18s. Bd., and to creditors holding security 500 L
Mr. Roberts, the accountant, put in the balance sheet,
from which it appeared that the bad debts, through the
ailure of three builders, for whom he had done busi-
ness, amounted to more than the sum in which he was
indebted, and was the cause of his failure. He was
allowed to pass his examination.
The Court was occupied chiefly in hearing cases for
discharge of bankrupts from custody under the new Act
for the release of bankrupts in custody to surrender, or
after having been imprisoned a certain period, and
orders were made, but the cases did not present any
t'eature of novelty.

CLERKENWELL.-(THIS DAY.)
An elderly, respectable looking man, who was de-
scribed as Mr. John Jeffery, 22, Canterbury-place,
York-road, Lambeth, solicitor, and chief inspector of the
Animals' Friend Society, was charged before Mr. Tyr-
whitt with obtaining money under false pretences,.
Mr. Alexander, a private gentleman, residing at Hol-
loway, stated that about a month ago the prisoner called
it his house and introduced himself under the character
designated above. The defendant solicited a aubacrip-
ion for the society which he represented. Mr. Alex-
inder, knowing that there were in exir.tence two other
societies having the same objects, was somewhat sus•
icious of the genuineness of this, end requested the
prisoner to call again. In the mean time he made in-
quiries at the house No. 403, Strand, the address of the
supposed society, and was there informed that nothing
.vas known about the institution, its treasurer, go
seniors, or secretary ; all that was known was,
hat letters for Mr. Jeffery and the secretary
were taken in there. The witness went then

to the Mer►dicity Society's offices, where he
round the same opinions of the Animals' Friend Society
is he entertained, to be also those of the secretary and
officers of that institution. He desired Jeffery to call on
last evening, when he gave him, in the form of a
,übscription, 55., for which the prisoner gave him a re
,eipt. Mr. Alexander then called in a constable of the
Nlendicity Society, who was in waiting, and who took
the prisoner into custody. The prisoner offered to re-
turn the money, which was refused by Mr. Alexander
and the officer.
Mr. Ferguson, chief clerk ',of the Mendicity Society,
stated that he had made diligent inquiry, and could not
and that the society represented by ►ho prisoner had any
real exidtence. There were two genuine societies for
the excellent objects professed by the prisoner. They
were The National Animals' Friend Society,in Mark-

lane, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, in Pall-Mall. He could not find that there was
any other real individual named in the prisoner's pro-
spectus but the prisoner himself, and he had no doubt
hat if the prisoner were remanded he could substantiate
a number of cases against him.
Roust (the officer) said there were upwards of a hun-
dred eases.
Mr. HENRY said that under the circumstances he
could not entertain the charge of obtaining money under
false pretences. There was no proof that there was not
such a society as the prisoner pretended, or he might
have the bona fide purpose of forming and supporting
the society named to his pamphlet. At all events, the
case was one of those in which people should be careful
before they parted with their money, as the law supposed
them to do so with their eyes open. There were people
who understood very well that there was in law such a
thing as "the bare lie," and that they could go that far
pretty safely. if they kept clear of the next degree, "the
cheat," and did not mount quite up to " the false pre-
tence." He must take it that Mr. Alexander paid his
money knowing what he was about, or that he did not
take that due precaution which the law expected from
every man. In either case he could not detain the pri-
soner on this charge. If the officers of the Mendicity
Society found a clear case of false pretence or fraud,
they could easily take the prisoner again.

The British Museum was yesterday reopened to
the public. It will be open every Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday, froM ten till four o'clock, until the 30th of
April next (the first we, k in January next excepted.)
From May to September the hours are from ten till
seven. The whole of the new buildings are finished,
and in a few days the last portion of Montagu House,
fronting Great Russell-street, will be removed.
Amongst the royal contributors to the fund for
the completion of the Cologne Oath, dril are the Quet n
of Englii:d for 350/., the Emperor of Austria for 8,000
florins, the King of 1i.11,n0l tor 1 000 fl.rins, Archduke
John of Austria fur 300 ducats, tv,d the Duke of Baden
for 2,000 flail*