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

NA PLES.

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
5362 18,. 8,1, and to creditors holding security 500/.
Mr. 11,,herts, the accountant. put in the balance•sheet,
from which it app-ared that the bad debts, through the
ailure of three builders, tor whom he had done busi-
qess, amounted to more than the sum in which he was
indebted, and was the cause of his failure. He was
-Mowed to pass his examination.
The Court was occupied chiefly in hearing cases fur
discharge of bankrupts from custody under the new Act
for the release of bankrupts in custody to surrender, or
otter having been imprisoned a certain period, and
orders were made, but the cases did not present any
teature of novelty.

CLERKENWELL.-(THIS DAY.)
An elderly, respectable looking men, 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
at his house and introduced himself under the character
designated above. The defendant solicited a subscrip-
tion for the society which he represented. Mr. Alex-
ander, knowing that there were in existence two other
societies ha►ing the same objects, was somewhat sus-
vicious of the genuineness of this, and 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
was known about the institution, its treasurer, go
vernors, or secretary ; all that was known was,
that letters for Mr. Jeffery and the secretary
were taken in there. The witness went then

to the Mendicity Society's ;11111c----es: where he
found the same opinions of the Animals' Friend Society
as he entertained, to be also those of the secretary and
officers of that institution. He desired Jeffery to call on
him last evening, when he gave him, in the form of a
subscription, 55., for which the prisoner gave him a re
mipt. Mr. Alexander then called in a constable of the
Mendicity 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. Fergusen, chief clerk 'of the Mendicit
y Society,
stated that he had made diligent inquiry, and could not
find that the society represented by the prisoner had any
real existence. There were two genuine societies for
the excellent objects professed by the prisoner. They
were The National Animals' Frietd 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
that if the prisoner were remanded he could substantiate
a number of cases against him.

Roust (the officer) said there were upwards of a bun
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 bond fide purpose of forming and supporting
the society named in 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 eves 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 re-opened to
the public. It will be open every Monday, Wednesday,
and li'dday, from ten till four o'clock, until the 30th of
April next (the first week 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 f-w days the last portion of Montagu House,
fronting Great Rasell-street, will be removed.
Amongst the royal contributors to the fund for
the completion of the Cologne Cathedral are the Quern
of England for 3501. the Emperor of Austria for 8.000
florins, the King of Holland for 1,000 florins, Archduke
John of Austria for 300 ducats, and the Duke of Baden
for 2,000 florins.