The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-19 00:00:00

THE DISAGREEMENT BET WEB
THE COURT OF ALDERMEN AND THE

days those in which 10,000 pairs were the victims. Even
the amphitheatre of Flavius did not suffice ; and luxury
introducing rnu,ic and dancing at the banquet, in-
troduced also the gladiatorial combats before the
very table of the guests, which was often sprinkled,
as they feasted, with the blood of two, three, and
sometimes many couples of these hirelings, whose pro-
fession had become of the first importance, whose
numbers and seditions at times perilled the safety of the
city ; and who, in their vanity, adopted a sanguinary
modishness, classifying their performances according to
the people whose manner of fighting they imitated.
There were the Gallic, the Dacian, the Thracian, and
Samnite games ; the Retarii gladiators, who used nets to
entangle their adversaries, defending themselves with
sword and shield ; and the Esscdari, who fought on
chariots drawn by two horses, and armed with spears
like tridents. At times was erected in the midst of the
arena a machine called the Pegna, resembling a tower,
whose different stories were garrisoned, its apex crowned
with weapons and armour, the prize of victory. These
were besieged, and taken, unless successfully defended,
to represent the assault of a fortress. The Pegna were
made with such skill of mechanism, as to open and
close, to increase and diminish their altitude, as if
spontaneously. They were sometimes painted, at
others plated over with gold and silver ; their re-
cesses were often filled with persons condemned to
death, when the Pegna was made to fall to pieces, precipi-
tating these among the wild beasts. Under Diocletian,
the exhibition of these towers in a blaze of fire, which
yet did not hurt the material, was carried to great meg-
nificience. Gladiators were originally none but slaves,
servants, or prisoners of war ; but the armies who con-
tended in later ages were divided into compulsory—that
is, slaves, prisoners of war, and condemned criminals—
and voluntary gladiators, which latter went through a
laborious education of gymnastics, were supported and
well fed by the Lunista, or master of arms of each troop,
and are said to have been remarkably temperate. To
the eternal disgrace of the morals of these ages, it is re-
corded that women sometimes made themselves gladia-
tors, and fought with no other covering than the armcur
used by the men. The passion of the populace for these
amusements was excessive. The seats used to be filled
long before daylight, as the performance was generally
kept up from morning till evening; and we read in Sue-
tonius, that Caligula, once disturbed by noises in the
amphitheatre of the people taking their seats at mid-
night, ordered them all to be driven out with clubs.

WIN TER ASSIZES.
IVOII7'HERN CIRCUIT.—York, Dec. 14.
(Before Mr. Justice CRESSWELL.)
MURDERS AT STARTFORTIL NEAR BARNARD CASTLE.
—George Barker, 19, John Breckon, 24, and Thomas
Rout:edge Raine, 19, against whom two true bills had been
foundP for the murder of Joseph Yates and Catherine
Raine, at Startforth, on the 10th of August, 1845, were
charged with the wilful murder of the former. _
Mr. Bliss, Mr. Pulleine, and Mr. Overend. were counsel
for the prosecution. Mr. Matthews and Mr. Blanshard
defended Barker and Raine, and Mr. Pickering appeared
on behalf of Breckon.
The prisoners, who appeared quite unconcerned,
pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Blass then stated the case to the jury. Gentle.
men, this is not a case which depends upon what is
called circumstantial evidence. It depends on the tes
timony of an eye-witness, who was present at the time
the crime was committed. Yet a good deal of circum-
stantial evidence will be offered and brought before you,
not as creating a case of itself, but as affording reasons
from which you may think that it will be safe for you
to trust the testimony of the principal witness. The name
of that witness is Ann Humphreys. The crime is
charged to have been committed on the night between
Saturday, the 9th, and Sunday, the 10th of August, in
the year 1845. The place was near the bridge of Bar-
nard Castle, on the Yorkshire side of the river Tees.
The person who was murdered was Joseph Yates, a
tailor, and residing in Barnard Castle, in Galgate. The
prisoners belong to Barnard Castle. Some time in
the month of August, 1844, Barker came to de-
ceased with a coat, which he desired might be altered
for him. Barker gave this account of the coat,
that "it was Cotherstone clip, and ranter fashion,"
and that he had bought it at the sale of Captain
Bainbridge. Captain Bainbridge was a person who
occupied a house at Cotherstone, and in his house
a seizure had been made of his furniture in August,
1844, Barker being the person left in possession,
In consequence of that seizure instructions were given to
a solicitor named Coulthard to commence an action, and
Yates was examined and subpceaaed to appear at York
Assizes in July, 1845. Afterwards it was determined
to proceed criminally against Barker. Yates was in-
formed of that determination, and he was told that he
would not be wanted at those assizes, but would be
wanted on a future occasion. The same information was
also given to a person of the name of Walker, and Wal-
ker communicated that information to Barker, telling
him that after the assizes he would be criminally pro-
ceeded against respecting the coat. From the fact of
Yates having been subpoenaed respecting the matter,
Barker conversed with Yates with respect to his account,
threatened him, and inquired of him whether he intended
to appear against him. You will hear the conversation
that took place, and you will hear also the threats made
use of by Barker ; and evidence will also be given by
a person to whom Barker spoke, viz.:—that he (Barker)
desired that person to go with him in order to give Yates
a good "milling." That took place on Saturday, the 9th
of August, 1845, the very day on which the deceased
Yates was killed. And now, gentlemen, I come to the
detail of what occurred on that day. At about eight
o'clock on that day Yates was seen in Thorngate, a
street communicating with Briggate, which leads down
to the bridge at Barnard Castle. He was seen to have
a sovereign in his pocket. From eight o'clock in the
evening until about half-past eleven or twelve, the de-
ceased was seen at several public-houses, drinking and
dancing, and apparently in good health and spirits.
Yates was a small man, with an effeminate voice. Atter
he was seen at Lofthouse's, the last public-house he was
at, he will be taken up from thence by another witness
named Cooper, who walked with him down Briggate,
across the bridge leading from Barnard Castle to Start-
forth, went to Startforth, returned again, and left him
standing on the bridge; this would be about twelve or
one o'clock. The night in question was both dark and
stormy. We shall find him next seen by a person named
Robinson, who, in a little lane called the Loaning, lead-
ing from Briggate to the river, saw Catherine Raine
come out of a public-house kept by a person of the
name of Procter, and go into Briggate, where she 'and
Yates met. Robinson then went into his own house,
and the next we hear of him is by a witness named Dob-
son, who lives further up to Thorngate in Briggate,
and who, being before his house smoking his pipe
for some time, saw Yates and Catherine Raine pass
and repass towards the bridge and from the bridge. Dob-
son then went into his house, and this is the last we see of
Joseph Yates and Catherine Raine until they are taken up
by that important witness Ann Humphreys. We shall
show that all the three prisoners were in Barnard Castle
that eight, and in Briggate and the neighbourhood, and
at last a witness named NVanless saw Barker and Breckon
and Raine together, going down Briggate towards the
bridge. And now, we come, gentlemen, to the testimony
of Ann Humphreys. She was a girl working at a factory at
Barnard Castle, being about 21 years of age, having had
an illegitimate child, living in a house on the left hand of
Briggate as you go down the street, with her father and
sister and child.—(The Learned Counsel here detailed the
evidence of Ann Humphreys, as it will be found sub-
joined.) On the following morning (Sunday) Mrs. Alice
Galland, who resides at Startforth, and goes to Barnard
Castle to Church, went, according to her custom, along
this road to the bridge, and when she got to the place
which I have mentioned, about nine o'clock that morning,
she observed a young man looking over the wall ; she also
noticed his movements, and was particularly struck with
him. As she went along she saw blood upon the ground,
and also observed blood on the stones of the wall. Both
it and the young man excited her attention, and she spoke
to him. In consequence of what he said she looked for
marks of horses' feet. She saw none, but saw marks of
human feet, as if apparently after a scuffle, and saw the
mark of a knee upon the soft ground, as if the knee of a
person wearing corduroy trousers had been pressed
against it. She went to church, and on her return she
found that some mud had been put over the blood, and
mud on the wall so as to obliterate or conceal the blood.
She heard afterwards of the death of Yates. The exa-
mination took place in the month of July in the present
year: She felt a curiosity to attend that examination,
and whilst she was there she was struck with the ap-
pearance of Raine, but how far you think she identifies
him will depend upon her evidence. On that same Sun-
day morning the parish clerk of Barnard Castle was
proceeding to church, where he likewise observed the
blood. A female namedlMary Ann Dalkin heard the
cries on Saturday night, and the windows command a
view of the place in question. On the Sunday morning
she saw the three prisoners looking over the wall, and
apparently busy with something there. Two days
after this the body of Yates was found at a place about
three or four miles lower down the river. It was
observed that he had bruises on his body, and wounds
or cuts, and at the back of his head there was a
considerable injury, with coagulated blood, and blood in
the nostrils coagulated. I consider that affords some
probable inference as to the cause of death, for unless it
was coagulated until it got into the water, it will be for
you to say whether the water would not have washed it
off. Gentlemen, on the night in question the prisoner
Barker went home to his lodgings, where, as will be
proved by a person with whom he slept, he arrived some
time after the period I have spoken of. He will speak
to you as to the state in which he appeared to be, and he
will give you this further important evidence, that the
eto that this circumstance also,
g missing, Barker told him that
next day, which was Sunday, before he (the witness) had
Yatesth
leaatr heard
afterwards
was o t.
Ya
gone.tes b
Addinßarker cautioned him not to mention it;
and, I believe, on more than one occasion, not to di-
vulge the fact ho had mentioned to him. And now, gen-
tlemen, I come to another important stage of the case.
Ann Humphreys made no disclosure of what she had
seen that night, from the time it happened until the 26th
of July in this year. Before that time she appeared to
be in a state which will be described to you. On that
day she had some conversation with a friend of hers, of
the name of Sutcliffe. The result was, that Mrs. Sut-
cliffe took Ann Humphreys to a constable named Pearson,
who took her before the magistrates, and the prisoners
were arrested, examined, and committed.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Immediately after the Lord Mayor quitted the Court
of Common Council on Thursday, after the Aldermen
had one by one abandoned it, in order to render the pro-
ceedings upon the :new Bill of no avail, the Common
Councilmen called Deputy Peacock to the chair. There
were then in the Court 85 members, all of whom were
decidedly opposed to the course taken by the Aldermen
in expressing their dissent from the Bill and any fur-
ther proceedings thereon, notwithstanding the fact, that
they had sanctioned it in all its former stages. The most
active members of the Corporation were the foremost in
denouncing the conduct of the Aldermen, and a spirit
appeared to exist which was likely to gain strength from
the announcement that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen
were determined to persist in adopting measures to de-
feat the object of the Common Council.
Mr. ASHIIRST moved, and it was unanimously agreed
to, that the Town Clerk, the Solicitor, the Remem-
brancer, the Comptroller, and the Common Sergeant, all
of whom are officers appointed by the Court of Common
Council, be requested to attend the meetings of the com-
mittee thus constituted, upon the departure of the Lord
Mayor from the chair.
Mr. Anderton and Mr. Bennock, at the request of the
committee, took down the names of all the members
present.
Mr. ASHUIiST moved, and Mr. W. JONES seconded, the
following resolution:—" That a committee of the mem-
bers of the Corporation of the city of London, being
members either of the Court of Aldermen or of the Court
of Common Council, be now formed to consider the
course to be pursued by them, the rights and privileges
of the citizens of London, their constituents, being in
their opinion in danger."—Carried unanimously.
The same gentleman proposed that a sub-committee,
consisting of twenty-one be formed to consider the sub-
ject and prepare resolutions. The resolution was unani-
mously agreed to, and the following members were ap-
pointed.—Messrs. Peacock, Ashurat, Wire, Anderton,
Lawrence, R. L. Jones, W. Jones Burn, F. H. Hall,
Farrar, R. Taylor, Prior, Bower, Bennock, Finnis,
Selson, King, Blake, Norris, Hartley, and Dr. Lynch.
The Committee then broke up, and
Yesterday the sub-committee assembled for the pur-
pose of preparing the resolutions. Much discussion took
place, and a series of resolutions was prepared for the
consideration of the general committee, before which, a
full explanation of all the circumstances connected with
the matter in dispute, which is said to be the determina-
tion of the Court of Common Council to prevent the
Court of Aldermen from any further extravagant expen-
diture of the City cash, will be made.

AN AMERICAN CURIOSITY SHO
A new curiosity shop has been established in Broad-
way. Among the rare articles it contains we notice the
following:—
A chip from the log which they are everlastingly roll-
ing in all our Legislatures.
One cake of the soap with which politicians try to
wash their hands clean.

THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE.
(From the Roman Advertiser.)
The amphitheatres originally built in Rome were of
wood; the first erected of stone was that named after its
architect, Statilius Taurus, and raised by order of Au•
gustus, who was passionately devoted to the games called
Venationes, or chasing of wild beasts. The Flavian was
commenced by Vespasian, and completed by Titus in the
year 80 of our era; it is said to have been finished in
two years only, at an expense answering to 50 millions
of Roman scudi, without calculating the labours of 15,000
Hebrew slaves employed in the works; and to have been
capable of containing 300,000 persons. It received the
name of Colosseum either from the colossal bronze statue
of Nero opposite to it, or from its own vast proportions,
on account of which the poet Martial celebrates it as
the greatest wonder of the world:—" Mephis may be
silent as to the barbarian miracles of her pyramids, nor
let Babylonia boast any more of her assiduous labours;
nor let the luxurious honours paid to the temple of
Diana be extolled; and let the altar abounding in horns
conceal the god. No more let the Carians laud to the
skies with immoderate praise the Mausolea pendant in
the void air; every labour may cede to the Amphitheatre
of Cmsar; and instead of all others, Fame may now
publish only one achievement." Spectac. Epig,
IV.) It was covered by an awning, for protection
against sun and rain, of the finest linen ; afterwards,
when Roman luxury rose higher, this was made of silk,
and Nero ordered one to be prepared of purple, with
his own figure, driving a chariot, in the centre, and
golden stars scattered round. The rants of seats nearest
the arena, in the part called the Podium, was appro
priated to the senators, ambassadors, and other hie h
functionaries ; also to the vestal virgins. Whilst Rome
was free, all ranks, and both sexes, sat together promis-
cuously ; but under Augustus this was entirely abo-
lished. The knights and tribunes sat above the
senators ; the common people above these, who were
again subdivided by a law of the emperor, the soldiers,
the married and the unmarried men having their sepa-
rate compartments ; and the women, out of motives of
delicacy, in the rows of seats farthest from the arena.
For security, a net work, which at one time is said to
have been of gold, was stretched round the podium, and
stakes of ivory were fixed in its front, so contrived
as to give way, turned by wheels, if any wild beast
should leap against them, and thus repel it. A
canal was also carried round the arena, called
the Euripus. The splendour of its general ornaments
may be divined from the words of the poet Calpurnius :
—" Behold the baltheus" (a terrace carried round the
amphitheatre), " set with gems, and the portico with
gold." Tubes were conducted through the cunece (or
benches), to sprinkle perfumes, especially that formed of
the crocus pounded with wine, which were made to des-
cend from above, and rise from below, pouring their fra-
grant shower over all the spectators. Thus Ovid :
"Nor were yet the seats red with liquid crocus." These
perfumes were also made to flow from statues, which
appeared to perspire. It was first dedicated to the Scy-
thian Diana, who was supposed to delight in human
sacrifice ; afterwards to the Stygian Jupiter, as we are
informed by the Christian poet Prudentius :—" These
are the delights of the infernal Jove ; in these he re-
poses satisfied, arbiter of dark Avernus." An altar was
erected to Dis, and the combats of wild beasts were
placed under the special protection of Saturn. Hence, it
was observed by Tertulltan, that the amphitheatre was
consecrate to the sternest deities; that it was " the
temple of all demons."
The spectacles were exhibited down to the time of the
invasion of the Goths in the beginning of the fifth cen-
tury, for though forbidden by a law of Constantine, as
irreconcileable with the Christian religion, they were
never efficiently suppressed till the reign of llonorius.
Every invention of art, every resource that wealth and
power could command, was expended to add to the fas-
cinations of these sanguinary shows, not, as a more re-
fined taste wculd have required, to idealise, and thus
soften the ferocity of their chaaacter ; but to invest
them with all the vividness of terrific reality. One
writer (Vopiscus) describes how, on throwing open the
portals communicating with the cages of the beasts,
issued forth 1,000 ostriches, 1,000 stags, and 1,000 boars.
Neho exhibited, on one occasion, a succession of dif-
ferent sports ; first the Venationes; then (the arena
being filled suddenly with water) a sea fight ; then
a combat of gladiators, and lastly succeeded a banquet.
The ship Nero had formed to be the instrument of his
mother's death, was taken from the model of one of
those introduced in the amphitheatre. Of this Dio says,
that it was contrived so as suddenly to fall to pieces,
when 700 animals of different kinds leapt forth from
its womb ; and then to re-unite, assuming its original
form. Aquatic and amphibious animals were introduced,
the former when the whole arena was overflown, the
latter, it appears, at other times, as Calpurnius speaks of
having seen the hippopotamus and sea-calf fighting with
the bear. But the most perfect illusion was produced by
the representation of forests, when the whole arena was
planted with living trees, shrubs, and flowers ; and we
read that the earth was contrived to open, and send forth
the wild beasts from its yawning clefts, which were in •
stantly re-covered with shrubs and bushes. Apulcius
speaks of a spectacle in one of the provincial amphi-
theatres, where Mount Ida, as sung by Homer, was re-
presented, planted with trees, and with a fountain spring-
ing from its summit. Martial describes one of these
scenes very graphically ;—" Whatever is said to have
been seen in the Orphean Rhodope, Cmsar has exhibited
to thee on the arena of the theatre : the rocks extended,
and the marvellous forest spread itself, such as one be-
lieves to have been the grove of the Hesperides."
Gladiatorial combats possessed much more attraction
for the Romans than the most splendid exhibitions in
which bestial blood alone was shed. Gladiatorial com-
bats had their origin in the belief that the souls of the
dead delighted in human blood. Thus Homer makes
Achilles slay twelve noble Trojan prisoners on the fune-
ral pyre of Patroclus ; and Virgil makes A.]neas send
slaves to Evander, to be sacrificed in the funeral of Pal-
las. This idea was received by the Romans from the
Etruscans ; hence :the practice of immolating servants
and slaves when their masters died, and, as an improve-
ment upon this, the first combat of gladiators was given
at the funeral of Brutus, in the year of the city 535, by
order of his two sons. It was once proposed to intro-
duce these combats among the Athenians, out of a
feeling of jealousy against the luxuries of the Corin-
thians : The philosopher Demonates rose in the midst
of the assembly, and exclaimed—" Before ye do this,
first cast to earth the altar which, more than a thou-
sand years ago, our fathers erected to mercy 1"
These sanguinary honours to the departed were often
ordered in the testaments of Roman nobles, and
even the funerals of women were celebrated by the
same. It was a severe reproof against the barbarism
of these spectacles, that Spartacus, the general
of the Gauls, gave to Rome, when on the death of his
brother, daring the war, he compelled 300 pairs of her
citizens, his prisoners, to fight together as gladiators.
The combats were generally given on the spot where the
funerals were celebrated, but more frequently in the
forum, the camps, or the circus; it was not till the
avidity of the populace for such sights so increasing as
to demand them distinct from the rites of burial, as
separate entertainments, that amphitheatres were built.
The combats were then given by pretors, consuls,
questors, pontiffs, Sze. to celebrate the day of their en-
trance into office; by emperors on their birthdays, on
every fifth and every tenth anniversary of their acces-
sion; also on occasion of festivals, victories, and triumphs.
Those who filled high places had often their own pur-
poses to serve, in averting the attention of the people
from themselves. Thus Julius Cmsar, whilst edile, gave
gladiatorial shows in which 320 pairs contended and
would have employed a larger number, but that the
senate decreed that this should be the maximum.
One may imagine the frantic excess to which the taste
had been carried in Rome from the preventive laws
made by Augustus, that gladiators should no more com-
bat without permission of the senate ; that the pretors
should not give these spectacles more than twice a year;
that more than sixty couples should not engage at the
same time ; and that knights and senators should never
contend in the arena. Still more may one do so, from
the fact that some years after he was obliged to repeal
this last, because totally useless and contemned ! It
need not surprise us to find a Nero, a Commodus, a
Caracalla, delighting and participating in these contests ;
but it awakens sorrowful astonishment to see Titus
sacrificing the lives of several thousands at the inaugural
games of the Colosseum ; Adrian giving, in one month,
spectacles in which 3,000, and Trajan continuing for 123

A piece of the bond of union, manufactured of South
Carolina cotton by Yankee rope-makers.
The identical first glass which has created all the
drunkards.

The tongue of the very bell which Dr. Young heard
strike one. Pity it is not in that of St. John's, which
never strikes less than twelve.

Some of the iron which entered into the soul of Ugo-
lino, and every prisoner and slave since that day.
A pint of that exceedingly hot water into which
people are perpetually plunging. Also the same frying-
pan that multitudes have been always jumping out of
into the fire.

The lock on the door through which silly youths have
in all ages rushed to destruction.
Picture of an infant manufacture, with Polk and Dallas
in the act of nursing it with the cold water douche.
The bag that contained the specie which Secretary
Walker did not get in Wall-street.
The celebrated piece of chalk which has ever been
the universal standard of measure among men.
The pDrtrait of the " oldest inhabitant" who is sup-
posed to have forgotten more than any'person now exist-
ing ever knew.

The hand of Charity, standing open, with a counter-
feit sixpence in it.
One string of that famous instrument which tickles
people much more than that of Sivori or Paganini ever
did—namely, the Scotch fiddle.
The new yarn, which was spliced into the cord of
Evangelical union on board the Great Western during
the late fearful gale, and taken out again as soon as the
storm was over.

A specimen of a bug, which lives through all the
seasons, and thrives the more for every attempt to ex-
terminate it—the Hum- bug. bug.—lVew York paper.

FREIGHTS. —Accounts from Gottenburgh of the
28th ult., state that 17s. per ton for iron had been paid
to Hull ; and from Dantsic of the Ist current, that char-
ters for spring had been closed at 18s. for London and
Liverpool per last for beams.—Dundee Advertiser.
AUSTRIAN JUSTICE.—It will be remembered that
at the last Waterford assizes two Austro-Lalians, be-
longing to the Anna, of Trieste, were acquitted of the
murder of Keane, the carman, the jury agreeinr, that it
was in self defence that homicide was committed.' It was
believed that one of the Austrians, the small man in par-
ticular, gave the fatal stab to Keane. The men returned
to Italy, but not by the ship Anna, as she sailed previ-
ously to their liberation. But the merciful hearts of
Irish jurors were not of the stuff which administers
Austrian justice. On the arrival of the two sailors in
Trieste, they were imprisoned for the murder of the Irish
man, and brought to trial. The small man was found
guilty, and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. Such
is his penalty in his own land, for killing a man in so
distant a country. It will be seen by this that the Aus-
trian authorities have no great affection for the knife,
and that murder is not thought lightly of in Austrian
Italy. The crew of the ship Anna, which has returned
to this port from the Adriatic, brings this intelligence.—
Waterford Chronicle.
EXPERIMENTS IN GUN COTTON.—Since the expe-
riments recorded in a recent publication of our paper we
hare received the following information from Mr. Halli-
day of experiments made with a superior gun cotton to
`that used previously :—Fifteen grains in a common fowl-
ing-piece projected a ball at fifty yards through three
boards, each 1 inch thick, the latter board being covered
with copper 1-16 inch thick. Between the first and se-
cond board there was a space of 36 inches; between the
second and third 44 inches; the latter resting against n
gate from which a portion of the spars were broken, the
ball projecting it to some distance: the ball could not be
found. Eight grains at the same distance, and with the
same boards situated as before, sent a ball through the
first board into the second, which had a cross-bar of the
same thickness as the board, making-l 4 inches altogether,
and was stopped by an iron bar: the ball when taken
out was found slightly injured. Three grains, in one of
Edge's rook-rifles, sent a ball, at a distance of 25 yards,
through IA-inch plank. Experiments were also tried in
the Ardwick lime pits, when it was found, after several
trials, that 222 grains of gun cotton produced a better
effect than four ounces, or 1,750 grains, of the usual
gunpowder employed in mining operations. So we may
safely estimate the power of the gun cotton as eight
times stronger than gunpowder. Another remarkable
fact with regard to this interesting body is, that when
exposed to a temperature from 200 to 300 dcgs., or, if
kept at the latter temperature for a short time, the cotton
becomes brown, and loses its property of explosion ;
but if thrown into a vessel heated to 350 degs. it imme
diately explodes. Steaming it, as calico printers steam
their cloth, has no effect upon it ; if any, its efficacy is
increased. The acids used (equal mixtures of nitric and
sulphuric acids) were as strong as they could be made,
and used only in such proportions as would wet the
cotton employed. This is the most difficult part of the
operation, and requires dextErity in the management, as
the cotton is apt to take fire unless it is speedily satu
rated with the acid. 'This circumstance, we fear, will
prove a practical difficulty in the manufacture of this
article on a large scale.—Manchester Times.
A ROBBER SHOT.—A distressing affair occurred
on Monday night last, at Forneett St. Peter's, a small
village in Norfolk, near New Buckingham, and about
twelve miles from Norwich. This is an agricultural
village, and the name of one of the farmers residing
there is Robert Bailey. Mr. Bailey has two sons living
at home with him, and about the middle of Monday
night one of these observed some men enter his father's
barn. He had no doubt but their object was to rob it,
and lie awoke his brother and father, and these being
dressed, all three proceeded to the barn. Here they
found three men in the act of filling sacks with wheat

A great many witnesses were then examined, and the
corroborative points spoken to by the Learned Counsel
were established, but the details would occupy several
columns.

Ann Humphreys, the principal witness, was examined
' by Mr. Mass.—She thus described the murder —Raine
got his arm round my waist, and said, " We'll away, and
have a walk just as far as the bridge." We went as far
as the bridge, all of us. Catherine Raine and Joseph
Yates went first, then me and Raine, and then Breckon
and Barker. Yates and Catherine Heine were both very
much in liquor. I can't say how the prisoners were in
drink. Raine said, " We'll go over the bridge," and we
went down the sills. I know the tram-wall. We had
not got down the flags when Raine said to me that
" Yates had some money—how must they do to get it
from him?" Yates and Catherine Raine were then
going down the sills also. I said, " Poor little fellow,
don't meddle of him—he will spend it among you." We
went a little further down the sills, and then Barker
came in front of us, and he said, " Noow, Jos, does thou
intend to go to York against me for that coat?" Yates
said, " He could do no other than go agoinst him."
Barker said, " He should never have the chance of
it." He said no more till we got to the end of the
tram-wall, and then Barker asked Yates for his
money. Yates said he would not give them a half-
penny, but he was willing to spend it amongst them.
tie then asked him again if he was going to York
against him, and Yates said he could do no other than
go against him. Barker said, " Then you —, you
shall never have the chance." Yates cried out, " Don't
knock my eyes out." Raine and Breckon then
went up, and there were heavy blows struck, but I don't
know which of them struck those blows. Yates then
cried out " murder," and Catherine shrieked out too ;
and Barker turned to us and said, if waidid shout out
again, ho would throw us into the water. I did not Cr)'
out. Catherine and I were standing together, up against
the wall. We had got past the flags then. Yates cried
out, "Oh dear, oh dear, is there no one to help me ?" I
knew Yates before. He was like a woman shouting out
more than a man. Barker said, " Yes, he could help him."
Then they all three came a little distance from him, and
Elaine reckoned some money over and said there was 10s.
or 11s. of it. Yates was then up against the wall, per-
haps two or three yards from the men. I was standing
beside Catherine. Yates give a groan out when against
the wall. They all went up to Yates again, and there
was a big splash in the water. The water was very
rough, and Yates was gone, but I (10 not know which of
them laid hands on him. I heard no noise from
Yates after I heard the splash. Catherine said,
" What have you done that for ?" and Barker said,
" If you don't mind yourself you'll get the same."
We all then walked up towards the bridge, Raine and
Barker at the' side of us, and Breckon in front. When
we got to the middle of the bridge Barker asked me if I
would tell about it, and I said I never would.
Barker asked me that down the sills. I then also said I
never would tell. He asked Catherine, and she did not
answer him. On the bridge, when he asked me, and I
said " I would not," he said, " So help you God, you
never will." I said so after him. He then asked

having already fille,l three, when Mr. Bailey surprised
them, and demanded them to surrender. One imme-
diately struck him a severe blow with a large bludgeon
with which he was armed. One of the sons had taken
the precaution to arm himself with a gun, and the
moment he found the blow struck he fired at the man
who struck it, and the contents entered one of his eyes,
and were chiefly lodged in his head. The others were
so frightened that a second was secured, while a third
fled. Messrs. Bailey recognised them all as their own
labourers, and one of them the thrasher. The man that
was -shot, whose name is Brown, arrived at the Norwich
Hospital about three o'clock on Tuesday morning, and
we have not heard that he is at present dead. The
other who was apprehended has been examined, but had
not arrived at Norwich Castle in the early part of this
afternoon. He will, no doubt, be committed for trial.
HINT TO THE CREDITORS OF MILITARY GENTLE-
MEN.-A bookseller, in Glasgow, allowed a military
gentleman, stationed in Glasgow, to run up an account
with him. The regiment, after some time, was ordered
to England, and the officer alluded to forgot or neglected,
as military men as well as others sometimes do, to pay
his account. The creditor took occasion, after he had
left, to remind him of it very civilly, and to request pay-
ment when convenient. No answer whatever was re-
turned. After a decent interval, another application,
equally polite, was made for the money ; but still the
result, or non-result, was the same. Five applications,
extending over a considerable period, were thus made, to
each and all of which the gallant officer maintained a most
provoking silence. The bookseller at last wrote him,
more sharply than before, that if the debt were not paid
in eight dip, he would lay the whole of the circum-
stances before the Commander-in-Chief. There was no
answer even to this, and the creditor, true to his word.
did as he had threatened to do. In a few days, he had
received a letter from the military secretary of the Duke
of Wellington, announcing that the officer alluded to had
been apprised from the Horse Guards of this demand
against him, and that doubtless the account would be
paid. Almost simultaneously the money was sent by
the recusant officer, but without a word of explanation.
We record the fact, as it may be useful to other creditors
in similar circumstances to know that the present autho-
rities at the War-office consider officers bound to Eal,

their debts.— Gla<gow Argus.
At the meeting the night before last, at the City
Hall, for the benefit of the starving people of Ireland, an
executive committee was appointed; also a committee of
four to make collections in each ward of the city.—
New York Herald, Nov. 27.

There were on Thursday no less than 77 mail-bags
overdue, in consequence of th detention of the coavey-
allCes by the snow.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER l9, 1846.

Catherine, and she said, " She would be if she
didn't tell the police as soon as she got into the town."
I lost sight of Catherine not over a minute after she said
she would tell the police. I never saw her again alive.
I saw where Catherine Raine went to—she went into the
river. Breckon ar.d Raine and Barker went with me
after this. Barker said, "If he thought I would tell, he
would fling me in too." Breckon said, "If I did tell,
God would strike me dead in a minute." Before that
Raine and Barker swore me on the bridge not to
tell. They swore me a second time on the bridge,
after Catherine disappeared. I parted with them that
night beside our own door. They then went on to
Briggate end, towards Thorngate. I went home, and
went to bed.

The Court then adjourned till nine the next morning,

'Decenzber 15.

The Court sat this morning at nine o'clock, when the
examination of witnesses for the prosecution was re-
sumed.

The case for the prosecution was not brought to a close
until half-past two o'clock in the afternoon.
Mr. MATTHEWS rose to address the jury on behalf of
the prisoners Barker and Raine. As to Barker, he should
prove an alibi. He should prove that he was in the
house at the time assigned by Ann Humphreys for the
commission of this atrocious deed. He could not trace
Raine in the same way, but he could trace him so far as
he hoped would insure his acquittal al:m; because if Ann
Humphreys' evidence was false as to Barker, he asked
how could it be believed as operating against Rain('?
Mr. Pickering also addressed the jury for the prisoner
Breckon.

The witnesses for the defence were then examined
with the view of proving an alibi in behalf of Barker;
also that the evidence against Breckon and Raine was
too conflicting to be depended upon; and that Yates and
Catherine Raine were tipsy on the evening when they
met with their deaths.

Mr. MATTHEWS—That is the case for the defence, my
Lord.

The Court again adjourned.
December 16.

This morning the prisoners were again placed at the
bar, after which Mr. Buss replied.
Mr. Justice CRESSWELL then summed up the facts of
the case most minutely, and in conclusion said, respect-
ing the testimony of Ann Humphreys, if they believed
her story, they could make the crime no less than mur-
der, but if they disbelieved her, then they must acquit
the prisoners, because whatever noises might have been
heard, whatever appearances might have been presented
at the spot where the 'murder was committed, they
would be no proof that the prisoners had been guilty of
the awful crime with which they were charged. If the
jury, on a full investigation of the case, were convinced
that the prisoners had committed the murder, then they
must perform their duty, however painful it might be,
and return a verdict of guilty. - But if, on the contrary,
they entertained any substantial doubt on the case, then
they must give the prisoners the benefit of that doubt,
and acquit them.

The -jury then retired, and at half-past ten o'clock at
night returned into Court with a verdict of Not Guilty.
Mr. OVEREND, on behalf of the prosecution, said that
it had not been decided whether they should again ar
raign the prisoners for the murder of Catherine Raine.
—York Courant.