The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-20 00:00:00

THE N,

-12 to 1 agst Surplice-12 to 1 agst Bachl iter-18 to
1 agst Palma-20 to 1 agst Loadstone (taken)-20 to 1
agst Dough (taken)-25 to 1 agst Escape-25 to 1 agst
Inheritress (taken)-25 to 1 agst Panic (talten)-8 to 1
agst Lord Exeter's lot (taken).
CAMBRII GESHIRE STAKES.-20 to 1 agst Pic Tic
(taken)-25 to 1 agst Glencbmr (taken)-25 to 1 agst
Foreclosu a (taken).
Nothing done o❑ the Derby.

INTELLIG ENCE EXTRA.
CHESTER AUTUMN MEETING, 1848.
Acceptances for the Trades Welter Cup of 40 sovs., &c.
st lb st lb
Go ifrey, eged
NeAForestDeer,aged 11 oBrf by Dick, 4 yrs
Foxwhelp, 6 yrs lO 10 Rally, 4 yrs
Acceptances for the Chester Handicap of 15 sovs.

each
st lb

! st lb
Marianne, 4 yrs
Tallyho, 4 yrs ......
Ilianthos, 4 yrs 6 2
Vesta, 4 yrs 6 2
Sylvan, 3 yrs . .
Fogleman, 3 y rs
Luminous, 4 yrs
Prince Charlie, 3 yrs 5 5
Ribaldry. 3 yis
Reality, 3 y rs
The Lamb, 3 yrs 4 10
Sorceress, 3 yrs 4 6

Wanota, 4 yrs
Sharston, 5 yrs 7 6
Spithead, 5 yrs 7 3
Patriot, aged 7 2
Vanish, 5 yrs
Gaffer Green, aged
Master Downes, 6 yrs 7 0
Romance, 5 yrs 6 13
Hector, 6 yrs
The Swallow, 4 yrs 6 11
Energy, aged
Keleshea, 4 yrs 6 4,
Betty Swipes, 4 yrs 6

AQUA
REGATTA AT

TICS.
WOOLWICH.

Some very excellent rowing took place yesterday at
Woolwich, the competitors being six picked watermen of
that place, who had won the prizes annually presented
by the residents. The race was in five heats, and the
extreme fineness of the weather, added to anticipations
of good sport, produced a very large assemblage of
spectators.
First heat—John Warren (light blue), I ; John
Southgate (black), 0; John Connolly (yellow), 0. The
distance was from the Fisgard to Glenton's ballast wharf,
twice round, and making a course of something like
three miles and a quarter. A very capital start was
succeeded by the men being for a few strokes scull and
scull; then the winner drew gradually in advance, and
retained it to the end, coming in first by some lengths.
Second heat—Edward Round (pink), I ; John Bryant
(red), 0; Joseph Bryant (green), 0. The heat was
started at a great pace, but the two latter men soon
" shot their row," and Round won easily.
Third heat—J. Connolly (yellow), 1; Joseph Bryant
(green), 2; John Southgate (black), 0. It was a capital
heat throughout; they were scull and scull for some
distance, and then the two winners showed in front.
Won by a length.
Fourth heat—Edward Round (pink), 1; John War-
ren (light blue), 2; Joseph Bryant (green), 0. It was a
smart race for some distance, then Round went ahead
and won by several lengths.
Grand heat—Edward Round (pink), 1; John War-
ren (light blue), 0. Warren took the lead, and held it
for about half a mile; Round then gallantly rowed by
him, and ultimately won easily. The prize was a purse
of sovereigns.

CRICKET.

ELEVEN OF ALL ENGLAND v. TWENTY OF LEEDS

AND DISTRICT.

Contrary to the general expectation, after the promul-
gation of a letter i❑ the early part of the season, from
the Committee of the " All England Eleven," to the
effect that, under no state of circumstances, would that
body renew their annual " friendly relations" with the
" Men of Leeds," the "Eleven" were, nevertheless, in
spite and in the teeth of their own declaration, found on
the Victoria Ground at that town (as heretofore) ou
Monday. Having won the toss they also took the bat
in the first instance, and when their last wicket was
lowered they had run up a score of 117, almost the
largest number they have been able to effect since they
quitted town. At the close of Monday's play the scorer's
paper presented the following appearauce:—All Eng-
land, first innings, 117; Leeds, first innings (with six
wickets to go down), 9.

GUTTA PERCHA WORKS.

We lately visited the extensive works belonging to
the Gutta Percha Company, in Wharf-road, City-
road, and confess that we were delighted and asto-
nished. The premises in which the business of the
company is carried on cover a large area of ground.
Several floors of the building are devoted to the
operations of the workmen, amounting :to nearly 170
individuals, including a sprinkling of stout, hearty-
looking boys. The basement is occupied by two
steam-engines, without whose presence the works
would be by no means complete. These groan from
" early morn till dewy eve," in turning lathes in the
engineering department, in kneading the gutta percha,
cutting out soles and heels for boots and shoes, rolling
out driving-bands of every dimension, and heating
the steam-chests, by which the gutta percha is ren-
dered pliable and fit for the hands of the workmen.
On the principal floor there are several powerful
hydraulic presses, used in the process of manufacture;
and we had the good fortune to witness the produc-
tion of a complete dessert service of the most chaste
and elegant pattern, and in imitation of gnarled oak.
The subjects of adornment were brought out in high
relief, and after undergoing the process of varnish-
ing, were surprisingly beautiful, light, and incapable
of being fractured or broken by a tall or a blow. Some
of these sets were of the vine-leaf pattern, in close imi-
tation to nature. These things were pressed out with
some rapidity, but not without great manual labour,
notwithstanding the aid of the powerful presses alluded
to. Inkstands of the most beautiful character, were
also fashioned in a short time ; indeed, all :sorts of
ornaments, elaborated with the most ingenious de-
vices, were made during our stay. We observed a
vast deal of ornamental work, intended to supersede
the labour of the carver. There were frames of large
dimensions ready for the reception of pictures. We
were particularly struck with the appearance of one
intended for a large pier-glass. The foliage was of
the most sumptuous workmanship, and possessed a
sharpness and finish which the hand of man could
scarcely accomplish. A design for a bible cover was
exhibited. The subject harmonised with the nature
of the book it was intended to enclose, and was in
bold relief. It is believed that gutta percha will, in a
short time, be in general use among bookbinders, not
only in the shape of massive covers, but to supersede
the present cotton binding, which. has so pretty an
appearance, but is not of that lastirg character as to
induce persons to adopt it in cases where strength
and durability are required. In other portions of
the factory workmen were employed in making
instruments used by surgeons, to beemployed
in cases
of a delicate nature; others were finishing off the nu-
merous objects just turned out of the moulds. Amongst
the articles of curiosity we observed several yards o
it f
gutta percha rendered exceedingly thin by machi-
nery, and intended for ladies' dresses ; was of a
light pink colour, by no means displeasing to the eye,
and possessed of great strength. By the aid of deli-
cate machinery the gutta percha was run out into
thread, to be used in the manufacture of ladies' work-
bags, fishing-nets, and for a hundred other purposes.
Large tubing, and some with an inconceivably small
bore, was run out to lengths of various dimensions.
Waggon and cart harness, of enormous strength,com •
bined with lightness, we observed hanging up in the
establishment, besides gentlemen's riding whips, and
thongs of every kind. Greatly as we were delighted
with all these things, we had yet another treat to
come, which infinitely surpassed anything we had
seen. We were shown several specimens of enormous
pannelling. in imitation of ancient oak, on which the
carving of the original design was brought up with
remarkable fidelity. Considering that gutta percha
is an indestructible material, we have little hesitation
in stating, that the mansions of the nobility will soon
be decorated with ornamental work produced by this
new system of multiplying objects produced by the
ancients to their glory and eternal honour. The gutta
percha works are under the direction of Mr. Frederick
Moore, a gentleman of great intelligence and me-
chanical knowledge, and we advise all persons, who
have a few occasional hours of leisure, to pay a visit
to Wharf-road, and examine this really wonderful
museum of curiosities. The utmost facility is afforded
to visitors.— Weekly Dispatch.

It is stated as a fact, that since the late insurrection
in Paris, there has been a large importation of human
teeth into this country, which have been taken from the
corpses of the insurgents and their opponents slain
during the battles of the barricades, the object of the
importation being to supply the makers of artificial
teeth with materials for their business, (to us, at least) a
disgusting practice, and fraught, we conceive, with dan-
ger to those who wear them, inasmuch as it is quite pos-
sible they may convey any disease with which their
original possessors were affected to their subsequent
wearers. We therefore consider that the newly improved
Mineral Teeth, just produced by Mr. Moggridge, the
Dentist, of Old Burlington-street, which most accurately
represents the human teeth in that peculiar bony pearly
appearance which the enamel alway has, and is
managed by colouring or tinting them so as to give the
opaque and semi-transparent effect of the real tooth.
Those, therefore, who require such things, need never
fear their detection under any circumstances, while they
are free from any of the dangers we before mentioned,
at the same time they are perfectly incorrodible and free
from any smell or taste.
DREADFUL RAILWAY A ccinENY.—CUELTENIIAM,
MONDAY.—An inquest has been held at the Compasses
Inn here, near the Great Western Railway station, on
the bodies of three railway labourers, viz., Joel Witts,
*aged 32, William Bull, 24; and John Newman, 32, who
were killed on Friday afternoon by a train passing over
them at Ilatherley bridge, near this town. The men
were engaged in laying ballast upon the line of the
Bristol and Birmingham Railway, jointly used
by the Midland and Great Western Railway Com-
panies (being constructed on the double broad and nar-
row gauge), when a luggage train of 54 waggons came
down from Cheltenham, and while these men, and one or
two others, were absorbed in counting the carriages, an
up train came up on the broad gauge unnoticed by them,
and, passing over them, killed three men on the spot,
dreadfully mutilating two others, named Wilks and Ford.
' The coroner (Mr. Lovegrove) having addressed the jury
on the nature of the injury, witnesses were examined as
to the manner in which the accident occurred. The
catastrophe having been proved to result from the care-
lessness of the men killed, the jury returned a verdict of
"Accidental death."

ALLEGED LUNATICS' FRIEND
SOCIETY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—The committee of the Alleged Lunatics'
Friend Society have to thank you for the publication
of Captain W. M. Dixon's letter, with your own able
remarks, in your paper of Saturday, and they only
desire to explain in addition thereto what had been
their course of conduct, and how entirely undeserving
the epithets " prying, inquisitorial, vexatious, frivo-
lous," &c. The case was originally brought under
the notice of the society by a gentleman residing at
Bath, who had himself been much advantaged by the
interference of the society. He sought us, and our
very first proceeding was to acquaint the Commis-
sioners in Lunacy with our information. If the sub-
sequent proceedings have been attended with vexation,
the parties have themselves to blame, hut that the
grounds for our interference were such as to make
them suitably characterised as "frivolous" we deny.
If Captain Dixon will look at the account in the
Bristol Mirror for Sept. 9, he will there see that
Mr. Baron Alderson stated that "he had nothing to
complain of the society for having brought forward
the case," and as this report was prepared solely
for Sir George Prevost's agents, who refused this
society a copy of their reporter's notes of the Judge's
decision on the case (it is an error to say that re-
porters were excluded), Captain 1). will hardly
question its correctness. Mr. Baron Platt also, as
appears by his letter of July 3,1846—0 f which we
enclose a copy—was only withheld from honouring
the society so far as to become a vice-president by
the consideration, that cases might possibly arise
which, as judge, he might have to determine, and in
which the society might be interested ; but he lauds
our object—" tovindicate the rights of the unfortunate
objects of their benevolent exertions," and " relieving
from the most odious imprisonment to which the
hopeless can be doomed those whom circum-
stances may incapacitate from relieving themselves."
We presume to offer the opinions of these two Learned
Judges, as opposed to those of the captain's letters.
The society acted on the affidavits of seven indifferent
persons—the master and mistress of the house
where Mr. Dixon had lodged for five years and eight
months; their two servants, one of whom had been
four, the other three years in constant attendance on
the alleged lunatic ; his banker's clerk, bookseller,
and chemist, who all agreed in their opinion of his
sanity at the time of his imprisonment ; and it was
only, as you have truly stated, by the very adroit
subterfuge of discharging Mr. Dixon as cured about
the 17th July, and certifying him a second time on
the 26th, and then putting in the second set of papers
to our complaint of the inaccuracy and insufficiency
of the original documents, that they found means to
justify their proceedings.
As to Mr. Dixon's state when subsequently
visited by the magistrates, no one acquainted
with these places can wonder at the increase
of his malady after two seizures and confinements
in the mad-house within one month. Yet
the writ of habeas was not sued out till
all access had been refused by the reverend baronet
in writing, and by Dr. Fox personally to Mr. Bolden,
our solicitor, and Captain Saumarez, R.N., and till
the refusal to supply his address after his so-called
discharge of July 17th, was equally made by both
these parties.
Captain D. says, " the defects of the existing sys-
tem (if any do really exist) were not taken advan-
tage of in a wrong way." How stand the facts?
On the affidavits of Dr. Fox's own servants, Robert
Tabor, his butler, and Thomas Powell, his coach-
man (proprietors of private madhouses, can keep
large establishments), it appears that they were sent
by Dr. Fox to Bath on the 14th of June
last, to bring away Mr. G. W. Dixon to
the Northwoods Asylum, and they swear them •
selves " that they had no authority with them."
How would Captain Dixon himself treat such an
attempt on his own personal liberty, by liveried
agents, who had no authority to show for their pro-
ceedings ? Would he then think it a right, or a
" wrong way ?" Was there not a milder course of
treatment to be pursued, in the case of a quiet, ner-
vous, middle-aged gentleman, talented, highly educa-
ted, of independent means, and of mild habits, than
hurrying him away to a private asylum for years ?
The two men renewed their attempt the next
day with one medical certificate (the law requir-
ing two), and compelled Mr. Dixon to accompany
them, calling en route on the surgeon to tell him "to
come to Northwoods to see Mr. Dixon." He came,
saw, and certified him there, notwithstanding the
Bth and 9th Victoria, c. 100, sec. 47, expressly
states that such certificate " shall be signed
by some other physician, surgeon, or apothe-
cary, not being connected with any such house."
Mr. Dixon's increased infirmity from such oft-
repeated shocks on his nervous frame, and from which,
whatever Captain D. may say, this society earnestly
desired to save him, together with the amended
documents, caused the investigation at the Judge's
chambers, and has added another victim to the
private madhouse system.
The committee trust they have sufficiently shown
that they are not obnoxious to the attack of Captain
Dixon, and were fully justified in the steps they took
in this unhappy case, and that as long as " private
wrongs are public injuries," they will receive the
support of the public under similar circumstances.
The society has been established three years, and
its principal object is to procure an amendment of the
law of lunacy, which shall compel a legal and judicial
investigation previous to continued confinement. The
publication and discussion of such cases as these,
which so clearly show the necessity, will doubtless
tend to promote the speedy improvement of the law.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
WM. BAILEY, Secretary.
The Alleged Lunatics' Friend Society's Office,
44, Craven-street, Strand, Sept. 20, 1848.

TO THE EDI7OR OF THE:SUN.
SlR,—Having seen in Me Sun of yesterday a letter
from the respectable firm of Messrs. Simmonds and Co.,
of Southampton-row, Russell. square, jewellers, impugn-
ing the correctness of the report furnished to you by me,
on Saturday, from Clerkenwell Police•court, I think it
will be no more than justice to all parties to state, that
the report itself is in every respect true, except that the
Mr. S. Simmons, jeweller, who was prosecuted in the
case, does not reside in Southampton•row, but South-
ampton-place, Islington.