The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-20 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.-(THIS DAY.).

Charles Smith, aged 42, was charged with stealing a
great coat, &c., from the Gresham Hotel.
The waiter stated that on going upstairs he met the
prism er coming stealthily down with a bundle and um-
brella under his arm. Witness knew the umbrella to be
his own, and suspected therefore that the bundle con-
tained property belonging to the house. He was also
clothed with his (witness's) greatcoat. On being it,ter-
rogated as to his business there, the prisoner said that
he was looking out for a gentleman with whom he had
an appointment at the Gresham. Ho was given into
custody.—The prisoner was committed for trial.

MARLBRO'-STREET—(THIS DAY)
A gentleman, who gave the name of George Gould,
bolding a commission in her Majesty's service, was
brought before Mr. Bingham, charged with assaulting
police-sergeant 4 C, while in the execution of his duty.
At half-past three on Sunday morning complainant
was on duty in Piccadilly, when he saw the defendant,
who was intoxicated, creating a great disturbance. On
being requested to go quietly home, defendant refused,
and struck complainant a violent blow in the face, and
cut his lip. Complainant then took him into cuttody.
Defendant, who treated the matter very flippantly,
was committed to the House of Correction for seven days.

It gives us much pleasure to be able to state that
Lord John Russell has almost entirely recovered from
his recent indisposition. His Lordship attended a Ca-
binet Council at the Foreign-office yesterday (Saturday),
and was present at the performance of the Italian Opera
last night. The temporary illness of the Premier was
confined to an attack of the prevailing epidemic of the
season, and has yielded, as was expected, to change of
air and to slight relaxation from public business. The
rumours respecting any more serious or permanent ill-
ness were entirely destitute of foundation.—Oieserver.
THE FUNDS OF TIM BRITISH MUSEUIII.-Sir R.
Peel, a few evenings since, presented a petition to the
House of '.Commons from the trustees of the British
Museum, in which it is stated " That the only funds
belonging to the petitioners for the support of the
British Museum consist of 30,000/. Three per Cent.
Reduced Bank Annuities, the annual dividend whereof
amounts to 900/.; of a bequest of the late Earl of
Bridgwater, the annual proceeds of which amount to
4161. ; and also a bequest of the late Lord Farnborough,
the annual proceeds of which amount to 861. 3s. 4d."
They then go on to say that the establishment is attends d
with an expense far beyond the annual produce of the
above-mentioned sums, and as the trust cannot, with
benefit to the public, be carried on without the aid of
Parliament, they pray for the grant of further support
towards enabling them to carry on the execution of the
trust reposed in them for the general benefit of learning
and useful knowledge.
_ _ _

TERRIIME CATASTROPIIE.—On Saturday infor-
mation was received at Lloyd's of the following extra-
ordinary and fatal occurrence, which took place on
board the barque Neptune, belonging to Jersey, but
lying in the Welsh Pool. It appears that on Wednesday
last the vessel was loaded with coal, and was lying, for
the night, at Cardiff. The hatchways were all fastened
down, and, from what subsequently occurred, it is quite
clear that a considerable quantity of gas was evolved
from the coal, for on the chief mate, a young
man named John Grovey, striking a match to light his
pipe on the hatchway, a terrible explosion took place,
resembling the discharge of cannon. The cabins and
main hatchways were blown to atoms, the deck was
forced as high as the main rigging, and the unfortunate
deceased was killed on the spot and frightfully mangled.
Several others of the crew were likewise much injured,
bt t. !it is believed, not fatally. The damage done to
e vessel will exceed 4001. An inquest has been held
en the body, and a verdict of " ACcidental death" was
ret irned.
•=i,• W:";:m Mciesworti) paired off in favour of SI,
Bt 3.lwin Caution for extending the income-tax to
Ir land, with General Morrison.