The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-16 00:00:00

THE SUN; LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 16, 1846.

great effect on buildings that were going on. He con-
sidered that the oscillation of the men running up and
down the ladder and scaffold was very likely to have
caused the toppling of the chimneys when the scaffold
was removed, which the deceased and Collins were en-
gaged in doing at the time of the fall. Mortar when
used ought to be let set ; for when it is moved by the
oscillation he had spoken of it gets rotten.
The DEPUTY CORONER said he should then adjourn
the inquiry until Wednesday next.
A person in the crowd here begged permission, before
the inquiry was adjourned, to address the Coroner. His
name was, he said, John Dowler, living in Chelsea. He
was a bricklayer, and wished to give his evidence in de-
fence of his order. He had examined the materials, and
could give evidence respecting them.
The DEPUTY CORONER asked him if he was employed
on the works ?-lle said he was not, but he had exa-
mined the materials since the acciderit, and he wished
the Deputy Coroner would appoint some eminent sur-
veyor, quite unconnected with all the parties to examine
the materials, and give an unbiased and impartial opinion
of them.
The DEPUTY CORONER said he did not like volunteer
evidence, and therefore would not examine him that
night. He might, however, give his name and address
to the summoning officer, and might perhaps be examined
on Wednesd4y.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the
Deputy Coroner remained with the jury for about a
quarter of an hour, when the inquiry was adjourned at
twenty minutes to nine o'clock.
The body of the deceased was removed immediately
after the adj urninent to his lodgings at Kensington to
be " waked," and was followed by a large assemblage of
his countrymen.
Inspector Barefoot, B division, was present at the
inquiry and took copious notes of the proceedings.

THE FALL OF THREE HOUSES
AT OLD BROMPTON—INQUEST ON THE
MAN KILLED BY THEIR FALL.
On Saturday evening, at half-past six, Mr. G. J. Mills,
Deputy Coroner for Middlesex, held an inquest in the
large room of the Hoop and Toy Tavern, Old Brompton-
road, on the body of James Casey, aged forty-three
years, a bricklayer's labourer, in the employ of Messrs.
William and James Emmons, builders, of Rawstorne-
street; Knightsbridge, and Notting-hill, who was killed
by the fall of three new houses in the course of erection
in Alfred-place West, Thurlow-square, Old Brompton,
on the owning of Thursday last.
The inquiry excited intense interest, the room, being
densely and inconveniently crowded by the respectable
inhabitants of the neighbourhood. Amongst those pre-
sent were Mr. Donaldson (late Chairm in of the West-
minster Court of Sewers), district surveyor for the parish
of Kensington, in which the houses were erected ; and
Mr. Blore, the surveyor to Mr. Alexander, on whose
property the houses were erecting.
The jury (on which were several gentlemen con-
nected with building matters) having been sworn, pro-
ceeded to view the body of the deceased, which was
lying in an adjoining room, and which presented a
shocking spectacle. On their return to the inquest room
the following evidence was gone into:—
Patrick Marra deposed that he lived at No. 21, Jen-
nini's-buildings, Kensington. Found the deceased
about seven o'clock on Friday morning in the ruins in
Alfred-place West, Old Brompton. Deceased was quite
dead and stiff, having been covered with a quantity of
bricks and mortar which had been removed from off him.
The body was brought to that house. Deceased had;
been in the employ of Messrs. Emmens all the summer,
but witness had only been on those works for the last five
weeks as a bricklayer's labourer. Witness left the build-
ings about five on the Thursday evening, leaving the de-
ceased and a man named John Collins standing on the
scaffolding, they being the two sCaffolders. Deceased was
quite sober at that time. About ten minutes afterwards
witness was still in the neighbourhood, and head the
noise of the fall of the first two houses. The scaffold
witness had spoken of was round the chimneys of the
middle of the three houses which have fallen.
By the DEPUTY CORONER—Received directions from
Mr. Emmens when he was present, at other times from
that gentleman's son, and when be was not present
from one of the bricklayers of the name of Stockwell.
Did not know the cause of the houses falling down.
Had never pointed out that the materials were improper
for the purpose, and that the buildings were unsafe.
Never took any notice of the materials. Never thought
himself in danger when on the works. Had seen the
surveyor come to look over the buildings, and also Mr.
Holmes, the head-master, who came every day, Mr.
Emmens was doing the work for Mr. Holmes. Never
heard Mr. Holmes say anything about the place being
unsafe. Could not say how often he had seen the sur-
veyor at the buildings.
John Walsh was the next witness examined.—He de-
posed that he had been engaged on the works under
Messrs. Emmens as a labourer for nearly a twelvemonth.
Was not present when the hquses fell. Did not leave
them from any fear of danger, but at the usual time of
leaving the work. Did not think it was his place to ex -
amine the quality of the materials used.
The DEPUTY CORONER inquired if the man Collins,
who was on the scaffold with the deceased when the
houses fell, was able to attend and give his evidence ?
Martin, the summoning officer, said he was not. Col-
lins was still under the care of Mr. Guazzaroni, the
parish surgeon, who said he would not be able to attend
until the beginning of the ensuing week. He was in-
jured on his head, side, and arm.
The DEPUTY CORONER said he was afraid that would
be the case, but had he not opened the inquiry that
evening he could not have done so until Tuesday or
Wednesday next, which would have prevented the body
being removed away from that house until then.
After some conversation bet een the Deputy Coroner
and the jury as to the propriety of -an immediate ad-
journment,
The DEPUTY CORONER said he would first examine
Mr. Holmes, and, while doing so, directed that Mr.
Donaldson and Mr. Blore should leave the room, which
they did.
Mr. Thomas Holmes deposed that he lived in Little
Belgrave-street, Pimlico. He had employed Messrs.
Ernmens to find the lime and labour in erecting the
houses, he (witness) providing the bricks. The numbers
of the houses that had fallen down were 25, 27, and 29.
The erection of those houses was commenced about two
months ago at 655. per rod, by measurement, to be
finished in a workmanlike manner to the satisfaction of
witness. The works were visited by Mr. Donaldson,
the district surveyor, and by Mr. Blore, the surveyor
to 'the estate, the latter almost daily. Witness
objected to any materials he disapproved of; and de-
puted Mr. Chapple, his foreman to do so in his (witness)
absence. Mr. Chapple had done so with respect to a
hundred houses which witness had erected. Mr. Chapple
had never complained to witness that the work of those
houses had not been done properly. Never received any
complaint from the district surveyor on the subject.
Gave the usual notices required by the Building Act to
the district surveyor, which was evident by his attend-
ing. Could not say when he last saw Mr. Donaldson at
the works. It was some time ago when he saw him there.
Saw Mr. Bloomfield, Mr. Donaldson's deputy, there
oftener than Mr. Donaldson. Mr. Blore was also in the
habit of visiting the wot Its, and he expressed a wish that
hoop iron should be used to tie the walls, which was ex-
tensively done.
By the DEPUTY CORONER—Attributed the falling of
the houses to the wet weather, and the number of men
who had been running up and down the ladder and scaf-
fold for 'some days before, which, added to the wet
weather, occasioned the toppling of the chimneys, which
would bring down the whole of the building with it, as
it was all tied together.
The DEPUTY CORONER asked Mr. Holmes if the jury
were then to understand that the chimneys having top-
died on a damp house had occasioned the fall ?
Mr. Holmes replied that and other things together.
The Deputy CORONER said they had then come to this
point, viz., that the accident had been occasioned by
the toppling of the chimneys upon a damp house.
Mr. Benning (a juror) wished to know the height of
the wall above the joists of the attic flooring ? Mr.
Holmes—About twenty feet.
By the DEPUTY CORONER—Witness had not got the
written agreement between him and Messrs. Emmens
with him, as he did not think it could affect the ques-
tion the jury had to decide. Formerly persons building
could put wood in party-walls, but since the New Build-
ing Act had come into operation not an inch must be
put in. In witness's opinion party-walls are not so
sound now as they were before. That was witness's
opinion as a builder. The act came into operation in
.January, 1845.
diffeMreru.eHeoblmetewseetuo ex-
plainthe:Btnlaoioruuitrineniii dirmldhf:dasoieioitett
irnnoiwirnoggoleDeetndus hrasEseAwteavPhwoil DEPUTY
ry
CORONERwha 'was dtehseired
modes of building walls before and after the passing of
the New Building Act.
Mr. Holmes explained that now wood must not be
put into party-walls, which might be done before the
assing of the Act. There was no difference beyond
hat. No wood bonds were now used. The houses
sate,
leaving out
es
et.
for
therefore
roTHrt
eoeh
shwranota:dthooi
feuepoorshi:ehi
tbaraz
and
atanddt
substantial
nt
bonds
hthtouotieaanhas
netlpibeysreswinoihwivnett builtthe alteration
wrtrl
dbyt withouttoeee.honeiadd vte.Teibxodhout buildersTenefrnwdh,
say
sabeam; wosryrinaoctesnahokaoonddesi.
were built in accordance with the provisions of the New
used were Cowley bricks, which were considered the
best of bricks. The mortar was good, for he had seen
worse on other buildings.
The DEPUTY CORONER having directed that Mr. Do-
naldson and Mr. Blore be re-called,
Mr. Donaldson, in answer to questions put to him by
the Deputy Coroner, without being sworn, said that he
had found no occasion to complain of the materials used
or the mode of erection, except that they put bats,
which are small bricks,at the foundation, when he wished
them to pit good bricks there. His duty was only to
attend to the thickness of the wall. Mr. Holmes was
building under an agreement
,with Mr. Alexander (the
owner of the property), and Mr. Blore, his surveyor,
had the right to object to any materials. Thought the
lime used good. Could not prevent builders using bats.
He had only to do with the quality of the brick; used,
and not with the form or size.
had other builders,
that
Mr. Holmes observed that he had had
several walls
not raised very high, fall, and soi
The DEPUTY CORONER remarked a wall fall
did not argue well for its security.
Mr. Donaldson further said that a house might as well
without having the superincumbent weight upon it, it
this
he could not complain, in ,of haste. The be run up in six weeks as in six months, and, therefore,
case
chim-
neys above the attic floor, for the 20 feet, were one foot
ten inches thick, and when that toppled over, it took the
attic joists with it, which caused the front and back
walls to double in, being in a green state. The number
of labourers which follow each other closely in a string,
occasioned a continued rocking of the ladder, and caused
the accident.
The DEPUTY CORONER wished to ask Mr. Donaldson
where he derived that information from, as he was not
there at the time of the accident ? That was just what
the jury wanted to know.
Mr. Donaldson said, from the labourers. He did not
know their names. Marra was one that told him so.
The DEPUTY CORONER asked if the facts which had
been disclosed were known before the Building Act was
passed ?
Mr. Donaldson replied that he'and about twenty other
surveyors were applied to by both members of the Lords
and Commons for their opinions on the subject, and it
was decided that keeping wood out of party-walls would
aeffect e
da greatafter savinga fire
it
wouldf rom fibree . I
seenf
wasa all burnedirnow
ou w hoooupt ,
tie
permittednd
w ao
an
il
ayn haol
goodpesa
party-wall
left
asivnwa
loatl
thathodew buildingoh ne the
rewalls.ewt
Nh, w:ohoradoewsu wadoge wood
aret-
chimneys. Thought more timber might be put in front
walls.

IRELAND.
EMPLOYMENT ON PUBLIC WORKS.
DUBLIN, Nov. 12. With a view of preventing, if pos-
sible, the mischievous abuse of leaving the land untilled,
which threatens to be one of the results consequent upon
the inducement held out by the prospect of lighter la-
bour on public works, a placard, of which the following
is a copy, has been extensively posted throughout the
North Riding of 'Tipperary :

" TO THE LABOURING PEOPLE.

" At a meeting of the Relief Committee of Thurles,
held on the 29th of October, 1846, the following resolu-
tions, proposed by the Venerable Archdeacon Cotton,
and seconded by the Rey. William Barron, were unani-
mously adopted:—
" Resolved—That we have every reliance on the
quiet and peaceable conduct of the labouring population
of Thurles and its neighbourhood. At the same time,
we hereby declare most positively, that we will not a
second time recommend for work, nor give relief to, any
person discharged from the public works by the engineer
or those acting under his directions, or who shall in any
manner oppose or obstruct them.
" Resolved—That as we consider that public works,
though necessary at this time, ought not tc interfere
with the ordinary operations of agriculture, we will not
recommend for employment any person who shall have
left his work in the country, or shall have refused to
accept work when offered to him by any farmer in his
neigbourhood, at fair and reasonable wages ; and if we
find any such persons already employed in the public
works, we will immediately withdraw our recommenda-
tions, and will recommend the engineer to dismiss
them.' "NICHOLAS V. MAHER, Chairman.
"JAMES B. KENNEDY, Secretary."

Mr. Holmes, being recalled, in answer to a juror,
aid, in his opinion, bricks only being used in a wall
was no cheaper than if wood was used.
Mr. Blore, in answer to questions put to him by the
Deputy Coroner, said he saw the buildings on Tuesday
last when he complained that there was not sufficient
bonding in the wall, and told the workmen that they
must take five or six courses of bricks off. He asked
to see Mr. Emmens, but was told he was not there.
He then asked for Mr. Ernmens's son, but he was not
there. He theh saw Mr. Stockwell, the foreman, who
told him what he desired should be done. He was of
opinion that it had not been done, as the wall had,
before it fell, been carried up to a great height. Did
not star
to !see that it was done. Preferred bond tim-
her, hut iron tying does for it. Wood bonds were liable
to fire. Thought, when he wyts last there, that they
%‘-•,.‘re fait. t•io la •- lie had no power to stop
•
them. In his opinion wood was the best bond and tie
to a wall that could possibly be had.
Mr. Donaldson further said that wet weather had a

EDUCATION IN BIR3IINGHAM.
A comraittie. of inquiry, appointed by the clergy of
the Established Church residing in Birmingham, have,
after a long inquiry, produced the following report on
the state of education:—

" The attention of the clergy having been recently
called to the general state of education in Birmingham,
and especially to that of the younger children, a com-
mittee of inquiry was appointed by them to obtain sta-
tistics, and report more accurately on the facts of the
case.

THE MYSTERIOUS R OBBERY AT

PALSY.

"From this report it appears that the population of
the borough of Birmingham cannot be estimated at less
than 200,000 souls; and of this number it is calculated
that 32,000 are between the ages of two years and fif-
teen years, and of these probably 25,000 are in, circum-
stance., to require aid in providing for their education.
On dividing again this number into two classes, accord-
ing to the age at which children are deemed admissible
into infant or national schools, it is found that
about 10.000 are between the ages of two and seven,
and 15,000 between the ages o seven and fifteen.
In regard to this latter class, educational provision
has been made, either by the Church of England or
by other bodies, for 7,749 in daily schools; a proportion
which, comparatively speaking, must be considered sa-
tisfactory, when it is remembEred how large a number of
these are necessarily occupied either at home, in do-
mestic service, or in the workshop. But in regard to
the 10,000 young children between the ages of two and
seven, the case is very different, and altogether unsatisfac-
tory. Provision in infant schools has been made by the
Church of England for 2,260, and by other religious
bodies, as far as it could be ascertained, for 530, leaving
upwards of 7,000 children, all capable of receiving in-
struction, but debarred from it by want of adequate op-
portunities.
" As practically acquainted with the value of early in-
struction and the circumstances of the population, the
clergy 'cannot look upon this state of things without
grave concern and alarm; chiefly for these reasons:—
" 1. These children cannot receive that domestic care
and instruction which children in a higher rank would
do; for in many casts the mothers, as well as the fathers,
are engaged in manufacturing employment, and their
children of necessity entrusted to the care of other chil-
dren, little older than themselves, and altogether inca-
pable of exercising over them any beneficial influence or
constraint, either for their physical or moral improve-
ment.*

"2. The number of private or dame schools esta-
blished throughout Birmingham, while their existence
proves the utter inadequacy of the present educational
provision, forms but a very partial and insufficient
remedy; the mar ner of instruction is loose and ill-
dire:led, the instruction itself defective, and the places in
which it is carried on close and unwholesome.

"3. When children thus brought up attain to the age
of seven years, and become adtaissa,ble to a National
school, the wandering and unsteady habits acquired from
-past years of idleness form a new and serious impedi-
ment to improvement.
"4. The value of labour, and the variety of employ-
ments in which the young are now engaged, make it ab-
solutely necessary that education should begin whilst
yet they can be spared from labour, at the earliest mo-
ment the mind and feelings are ready to receive it. In
a manufacturing population, children, if not educated
very young, will for the most part not be educated at all.
"5. The state of the Infant Schools already estab-
lished in Birmingham, shows their value by the eager-
ness with which the poor avail themselves of their ad-
vantages. They are, without exception, well attended ;
and what is of great consequence, are found capable,
when established in proper situations of nearly, if not
entirely supporting themselves.
" The remedy for the present evil would seem, there-
fore, to consist in the establishment of infant school
rooms, of a cheap and simple construction, in the most
crowded parts of the town. More than thirty situations
may be pointed out where such rooms could be advan-
tageously placed. But, of course, the question whether
this want can be supplied, depends upon the answer to
this question, viz. :—Whether the merchants, manufac-
turers, and inhabitants, who possess the means of sup-
plying it, feel the responsibility of endeavouring to re-
' move this fearful source of misery and crime, which the
absence of early care and instruction necessarily produces.
" We are confident that our brethren of the laity need
only to have the state of the case put before them, in
order to secure their liberality and exertions in a case
so deeply involving the spiritual and temporal welfare of
the next generation. They will, therefore, be-earnestly
requested to attend a meeting, on an early occasion,
when details to which reference has been made can be
fully laid before them, and the question decided whether
these seven thousand infants shall remain without the
means of education, or whether a general effort shall be
made throughout Birmingham to remedy a state of things
so greatly injurious to the best interests of the children
themselves, and the good order and well being of the
community.
" William Spooner, M A., Archdeacon of Coventry.
" John Garbett, M.A., Rector of St George's, and
Rural Dean.

" John C. Miller, M.A. Rector of St. Martin's.

" Grantham M. Yorke, M.A., Rector of St. Philip's.
" Edward Bird, B.A. Rector of St. Thomas's.
" S. F. Morgan, M.A. Rector of All Saints.
" James Prince Lee, M.A., Head Master of King Ed-
ward's School.

" Sydney Gedge, MA., Second Master of King Ed-
ward's School.

" W. B. Smith, M.A., Incumbent of St. John's De-
ritend.

" John Casebow Barrett, Incumbent of St.
" Josiah Allport. Incumbent of St. James's, Ashted.
" George Lea, M.A., Incumbent of Christ Church.
" Isaac t_.;poouer, M.A., Incumbent of SL George's,
Edgbaston.
'• M. A. Collisson, M.A., Incumbent of Bishop Ryder's.
"G. S. Bull, Incumbent of St. Matthew's.
" Daniel Ledsam, M.A., Incumbent of St. Mark's.
" James Oldham Oldham, M.A., Incumbent of St.
Luke's.
" Edward Garbett, 8.A., Incumbent of St. Stephen's.
" Russell Cope, Minister of St. Jude's.
" I). B. Moore, Incumbent of St Andrew's, Bordesley."
* see " Sanitary Report;" page 17, State of Females.

THE STATUE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—It may not have reached you yet, but by and
by the true reason may come out for the sudden deter-
mination to remove the statue. There is at the Opera
House the very fac simile, which is used in Don Juan,
only that is without a hat. Yours,
A LOOKER ON.

A trial before the Court of Assizes, whim': commenced
on Saturday mornings and was cm:tinned on-Sunday till
near midnight, has elucidated the issystery which has
conjectures,
hung over the robbery committed at Issos:sY, in the night
of the 6th of May last, and which, for mare . than a month,
gave rise to innumerable and contradictory on
The house No. 35, in the Avenue de St. ClOllO. • at Passy,
standing alone, with a small garden in front..llo, yard
behind, in which are a coach house and stable wx, ta lofts
over them, was occupied by a M. Vasseur end aiv aung
person named Mdlle. Melanie Lamartiniere, who lived
with him as his wife, and went by his name. They bad
known each other from childhood, and hid become firZilly
attached to each other. M. Vasseur, who is a man of
some fortune, would have married the lady immediately'
on his coming of age, but Could not obtain the consent of
his grandfather, who stood towards him in loco parentis,
as he had lost his father and mothers Their conduct in
every respect was so correct, that every one in the
neighbourhood believed them to be man and wife. On
May 1, M. Passeur set out on a journey for about ten
days. Upon this Mdlle. Lansartiniere made their ser-
vant, Marguerite Berkeley, bring her mattress and bed-
&fig into her own room, and sleep beside her. In the
night of the sth their watch-dog, which during the clay
was chained up in the yard,'but in the night put into the
stable with two English dogs, awoke by his barking
Mdlle. Lamartiniere, who immediately made her servant
get up to see what had disturbed the animal. The girl,
to pacify him, threw some bread out, and then under the
pretence of necessity, went down into the yard. During
the following night, the same alarm was repeated by the
dogs in the stable, but the watch-dog remained silent.
Again Marguerite was made by her mistress to get up.
but, on looking.out of the window, she assured her ,n3is-
tress that there was nothing to be seen.. As the dogs
continued barking, Mdlle. Lamartini4re got ,out of bed
herself, but, upon the repeated assurances of her servant,
returned to it. She however had Scarcely laid herself
down again when, by the light of a small lamp in the
room, she saw a than- standing by her side, and gave a
scream. He covered her mouth with a pillow, and, hold-
ing a poignard or knife in his hand, threatened to stab
her if she made any noise, but assured her he would do
her no harm if she would inform him where ber money,
plate, and jewels were to be found. He said that other
men had come with him and would murder her but for
his protection. After this, the villain proceeded to acts
of brutality upon the person of his victim, who sunk into
a fainting fit. The servant was not in the room at this
time, but came as her mistress was recovering her
senses, and gave her at her desire a glass of water. She
was then shut in alone in her dressing-room, which had
a window opening into the yard, through which she saw
with astonishment her servant come out of the coach-
house. About three in the morning, after remaining
three or four hours, the man went away, and her servant
rejoined her. They locked themselves in the chamber;
but the man soon came back to take, he said, a pocket-
book which he had forgotten. In the secretary he had
found a will, left by M. Vasseur, in which he bequeathed
all his property to Mdlle Lamartiniere. This will, the
readers of the Messenger will recollect, gave rise to many
vague and absurd reports, but which the robber said he
thought was a packet containing bank-notes or bills to
the amount of 10,0001. When he was finally retiring,
Mdlle. Lamartiniire complained that she was left without
a sous till M. Vasseur returned, whereupon he gave her
20f. out of the money he had taken, and sf. to Margu-
erite Berkeley. When she became a little tranquil,
Mdlle. Lamartiniere observed to her maid that she had
not been locked up as she was, for she had seen her come
out of the coach-house. The girl replied that she had
been sent there for the umbrella, which had been seen
there by the robbers. At eight in the morning Mdlle.
Lamartiniere went to the mayor of Passy, and gave in-
formation of the robbery, describing the only man she
had seen as short and fat, with a broad face, and a dark
beard which covered the lower part, and grew very thick
under his chin. Her deposition was confirmed by the
servant girl, who added that when the man went away
he made her give him the keys of the iron gate leading
from the garden on to the read. She said that there
were four men in the house, but she only saw two. How
they got into the premises she could not tell, as the doors
were locked, and none had been forced. On examination
of the premises by the mayor, it was evident that the
robbers were let in by some one inside, and also on ask-
ing why the watch-dog had not seized any of the thieves,
Marguerite asserted that they had shut him up in his
kennell by placing a ladder in front of the entrance.
This, however, could not be, as the dog had more than
sufficient strength to push it aside, and make his way
out. This raised strong suspicions against Marguerite,
which were afterwards confirmed by the following inci-
dent:—The brother of Mdlle. Lamartiniere and M. Fil-
lion, who, after the robbery, went to sleep at the house,
went up to the loft over the coach-house, and there found
two packets of linen, one tied in a sheet, and the other
pinned up in a blue apron, evidently left there by the
thieves on the night of the robbery, and which they
could entertain no hope of getting away without the
aid of some person in the house. This circumstance,
connected with the fact of her being seen by Mdlle.
Lamartiniere coming out of the coach-house while
the robbery was going on, led to the arrest of
Marguerite Berkeley. To her accusation this infamous
woman retorted the most infamous charges against
her mistress, but which the whole tenour of her life, not-
withstanding the unfortunate relation in which, from
obstacles against their marriage, as has been stated, she
stood twards M. Vasseur, was a sufficient contradiction,
and the woman Berkeley was committed to prison. The
truth soon afterwards came out. While at the prefecture
with three girls, named Gourvert, Beauchene, and Gil-
ardot, and a woman named Guerin, who was to be dis-
charged that day, Marguerite gave to to the last-named
a note, written by Gilardot for her, addressed to Bas-
side, the keeper of a wine shop near the Hippodrome,
at the Barrtere de l'Etoile, who, she said, was her
brother-in-law. This was related by Gourvert to
Mdlle. Lamartiniere, whom she saw at the infirmary.
Being afterwards interrogated as to this act, Marguerite
positively denied it. and maintained that she had not
nor could have any brother-in law, as she was a found-
ling. She afterwards, before the examining magistrate,
repeated her vile calumnies against her mistress, all of
which, however, were afterwards completely refuted.
Bes 4 is, on being summoned before the examining ma-
gistrate, denied all knowledge of Marguerite, but as he
bore a strong resemblance to the robber described by
Mdlle. Lamartinilre, the magistrate decided upon con-
fronting them. He sent for her without the slightest
intimation of the reason. On entering his cabinet she
found the girl Berkeley and Bessite, and almost imme-
diately recognised the latter as the man who had robbed
and so brutally ill-treated her. Berkeley endeavoured to
invalidate this declaration by observing that the robber
had a thick beard under his chin, whereas Bessele had
only mustachios and thick whiskers ; but Mdlle. Lamar-
tiniere persisted, and it was afterwards proved that
Pe,sede, at a period immediately subsequent to the rob-
bery, had the lower part of his beard shaved off. This
he admitted, but pretended that it was only according to
his habit during the heats of summer. Consequently
B.?ssede and Marguerite Berkeley were both committed
for trial for the robbery. Berkeley was also accused•of
another robbery. She was, it appears, a natural child,
found abandoned at Nancy, at which place, and at
Metz or the environs, she passed the early part of
her life. She afterwards lived in concubinage with a
man named Peyrot, whom she left, taking with her
200 E, his watch, and other property. She was also
brought to confess that she had been the mistress of
Bessede, and in short had lived a most licentious life.
All the charges in the indictment were satisfactorily
proved, the jury pronounced both the prisoners guilty,
and the Court sentenced them to hard labour at the
hulks for fifteen years, and to be exposed in the pillory.
It is but just and right to add to this sad tale,
that M. Vasseur, in his conviction of the fidelity and
propriety of conduct of Mdlle. Lamartiniere, and as a
consolation for all she has suffered, resolved to make
her his wife, and by bis name she appeared in court as
a witness. On applying again to his grandfather for
his sanction, he received a positive refusal; but firm in
his purpose to do justice he determined to send the
three somsiations required by the law, but the second
being delivered the old gentleman gave his formal as-
sent.—Galignani.

ARMY PROMOTION.
(From the Inquirer of Saturday).
With our feelings about war and military affairs, our
interest is not very strong in the details of army ma-
nagement. Yet, considering the army as one of the in-
stitutions of the country at present deemed necessary,
engaged in, consistently with their sense of right, by
many excellent men, and secured by the people, for their
supposed service, at an immense annual cost, we have a
right to watch the fairness with which its honours and
rewards are distributed, and, if there is any appearance
of individuals being neglected and deprived of what they
might justly expect, because they have bestowed their
leisure in endeavouring to be useful to their country be-
yond the sphere of their profession, such a circumstance
ought to be exposed and condemned.
There are few names more honoured by the friends of
freedom and progress in the British Isles than that of
Colonel Thompson. His various writings show intellec-
tual qualities of the highest order, and his integrity,
consistency, and ardour, in endeavouring to serve his
country, are unquestionable, and above all imputation.
He has the distinguished honour of having first made
the real merits of the Corn-law question understood by
the masses ; and, by his clearness of statement, feree of
argument, variety of illustration, and brilliancy of wit,
having dispelled all obscurity, and made men feel the
real practical importance of free trade.
As a politician, Colonel Thompson has 'sometimes
been called impracticable, and there are both honest and
enlightened Liberals, who cannot always go with him.
On the present occasion we will allow ourselves neither
to blame nor to defend him. We never heard any rea-
sonable person question his great usefulness, on the whole,
as a public man, or the disinterestedness and self-de-
votedness with which he has laboured to promote what
ho thought right. Allowance Must be made for differ•
ence of opinion, as to principles and modes of action ;
but an honest zeal for the public good, supported by
great acknowledged talent, and high personal character,
ought to command respect everywhere ; and what must
be the state of the country, where such qualities are a
disqualification for advancement in the public service?
It appears from the Army List, that Colonel Thomp-
son was the oldest Lieutenant-Colonel of 1829, and, con
sequently, his name ought to have stood first among the
eighty-three officers promoted to be Colonels. W hence
is this omission? What will the people think of their
friend—the friend of freedom and improvement—the in-
domitable enemy of corruption, monopoly, and all mis-
government—being thus deprived of the reward of his
past services? Her Majesty's Ministers are now men
who are called Liberal-,—they are men whose public
conduct has distinctly recognised that Colonel Thomp
son has been right in his arduous Anti- corn-law struggle,
and has done a great service by his eminent success in
that cause. 'I he Commander-in-Chief may not like
free-trade, but he has been obliged to submit to is, and
it is intolerable that he should be allowed to express his
vexation at its success, by indirectly punishing its advo-
cates. _

IMPORTANT POST-OFFICE

NOTICE.

The following important Post-office notice has been
issued from the General Post-office to the public.—

" NOTICE TO LETTER-RECEIVERS.

The times have been when officers were struck off the
list of the army for giving a vote in the House of Com-
mons displeasing to the Commander •in-Chief for the
time being. It might be supposed that such arbitrary
proceedings would no longer be endured; but their
principle is completely r,vived in stopping a man from
the promotion to which length of service entitled him,
because, according to his conscientious conviction, be
has endeavoured to advance the true interests of his
country. The people may now see how devotion to
them is appreciated in high quarters, and to what 11
extent they have reason to confide in a nominally-liberal
Administration. They are called upon to consider
whether officers not on active service are forbidden to
express an opinion, and adopt an independent coursa on
public affairs ; whether the Commander-in-Chief, or
any one acting for him, is entitled to punish noncon-
formity to his views ; and whether military rank is dis-
tributed according to his private tastes, or is bestowed
on the part of the public on those who do their duty.
We confess we are disgusted and indignant at this un-
worthy treatment of a man eminently deserving admi-
ration and. reward ; aivi we could not be satisfied with-
out directing public attention to so gross an at•use of
the power • intrusted to individuals in disposing of

" Several cases having occurred from which there is
reason to believe that some of the receivers are in the
practice of receiving general post letters, with a fee,
atter the regulated time has expired, viz., half-past five,
and sending such letters in the general post-bag, keeping
the bag open till called for by the collecting clerk; or
that they hand the letters to the letter-carrier, who
collects at six o'clock, I think it right to inform them.
that such practice is not only contrary
but is a fraud upon the revenue,
as
k allto bgeel forwarded )a
Superintending President.
to the regeurlaaltions;
letters, posted after half-past five o'e!,,r,na.
stamp
upon
the same night must have an adi igis t
olffice,
or at the
sairxterantod
them, and be no,ted at the Genera
dicet,o,tafkoer
sbervaLchwcPlooestk-:,ffiorcaet intb
el,b(rnanab:brao.-tylcs t r.e.se tb,,efb!rtewaeecino
particular care that the regulations. tahtistenndet
seven o'cl )ck. The ri ceiverswi:l,attbere
established against any one, it will
should any case
President.
:SI 't
mopsltomTs
ra-so,tffiesreu-eGp,
be
~r reported tpo,:tstittrebi

DEATH FROM INJURIES RECEIVED FORTY YEARS
Aao.—On Friday au inquest was held before Mr. Baker
at the George and Dragon, Hoxton-market, on the body
of George Jenkins, a blind man, aged fifty-eight. late of
No. 1, Queen-street, Pitfield-street. The deceased, when
a child, was attacked with the small pox, which caused
the loss of sight in one of his eyes; the eye became
diseased, and grew to an enormous size, being more like
a bullock's eye than that of a human being. When about
fifteen years of age his aunt, in a passion, struck him
with the back of her hand, and in doing so knocked the
eye out of the socket. The irritation thus caused brought
on disease of the hrain, and caused the loss of sight of
the other eye; and from that period the deceased was
subjected to fits of epilepsy. The deceased was for seven
years in the Blind School, and afterwards supported
himself by ropemaking until the death of his aunt, who,
to make all the reparation in her power, left him the
house in Queen-street and 501. a year. On Tuesday last
the deceased paid a visit to his sister, and on his return
home in a very agitated state was takes 'Mr. Packer,
alended him, but medical aid was unavailing;
ure from an attack of epilepsy.

hor,-Tnrz and rewards for the service of the nation.

pin Ci II

Verd

TUE GUN COTTON AND THE BOARD OF ORDNANCE.
CHAPLAIN TO THE LONDON HOSPITAL.—The Rev. —The Board of ordnance has rejected the proposal for
Mr. Ward has been appointed Chaplain to this Hospital. the use of Schonbein's gun cotton in the British army.