The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-16 00:00:00

THE COUNTY MAGISTRACY.

---
The complaint in the country respecting magistrates'
non-attendance to their public duty seems to be spread-
ing rather widely. Latterly we have had occasion to
notice this neglect in some parts—Leiceslershire the last;
and now, according to the following, which we take from
a Nottingham paper, complaint seems to have arisen in
that county. This evil—for a serious one it is—must be
corrected:—
" We desire, with all respect to the Mansfield bench of
magistrates, to remind them of the desirableness, and
we may add, the imperative duty of attending with more
regularity ,to their official functions. Complaints are
constantly reaching us on this very subject. Persons
have to come miles over and over again, when one
journey would amply suffice, merely because they can •
not obtain a hearing. To go no further back than last
week, there was only one magistrate present ; and one
person complains with respect to that day, that he shall
have to attend a third time, merely because there have
not for the last two meetings been enough magistrates
present to dispose of his case. We are also informed
that, a few weeks since, a large number of poor persons
from Sutton-in-Ashfield, who were summoned for
poor-rates, were sent back again without a hearing,
the magistrates present refuSing to stay and go into
the business. Now, we are quite sure that these
gentlemen would not willingly expose the public,
more especially the poorer portion of the public, to any
loss or inconvenience, and hence we are sure they will
pardon our hinting that men occupying their position
are bound to regard themselves as servants of the public,
and that no business, no pleasure, no personal wish or
inclination, should be allowed to interfere with the
full discharge of those duties, which, by the accept-
ance of the office of magistrates, they have undertaken
to perform."

CONFLICT BETWEEN AN EAGLE
AND BIRD-CATCHER.
The eagles are very ferocious and bold, and sometimes
make desperate attacks upon the bird-catchers, flying at
them as they descend the cliffs, with beak and claws, and
directing their fury against the eyes of the intruders. To
defend themselves against these formidable enemies, the
men carry long knives; and a story is told of a desperate
encounter that took place some six or eight years ago,
between a bird-catcher and one of these sea eagles, which
was well nigh terminating fatally to the former.
The man had been lowered from the top, and hung
suspended from the overhanging precipice, when an eagle
darted at him from out of a fissure in the rock, and com-
menced a furious attack. The bird-catcher drew his
knife and defended himself; but his feathery assailant
eluded for a long time every blow. At length, however,
finding himself closely pressed, and maddened by re-
peated stabs of the knife, the enraged bird gathered up
his powers for a last desperate dart at the man. The
latter saw the impending danger; and, blind to every-
thing but the necessity of a vigorous effort to parry the
attack, raised his knife, and aimed a furious blow at the
eagle. It took effect but too well; the stroke that freed
the bird-catcher from his fierce antagonist, severed at
the same moment almost in twain the rope to which he
was attached, leaving the unfortunate man suspended
but by a single thread or twist of a cable over the yawn-
ing abyss.
In this dreadful extremity, there was nothing left him
but to give the signal by which his companions overhead
would understand that he wished to be drawn up. Most
providentially they perceived this awful predicament, and
slowly and with the greatest precaution commenced
pulling in the rope. It was so slender that there seemed
scarcely a possibility that the almost severed thread
could last until the wretched man reached the top; and
with sickening suspense and dread, he felt the frail link
that still bound him to life, and saved him from the hor-
rible gulf below, stretch and crack beneath his weight.
It required, too, the utmost skill and caution on the part
of those overhead to keep the fractured portion of the
rope from chafing against the sharp knife-like edge of
the projecting rocks; and between the agony of seeing
the fragile thread gradually attenuate and become every
moment weaker and weaker from the continued pres-
sure, and the necessity of drawing it very slowly, lest
some unforeseen shock should cause it to snap suddenly
and hurl the victim into the abyss, the men on the cliff
were in a state of scarcely less suspense than the
object of their anxiety.
At length the unfortunate bird-catcher neared the brow
of the precipice; his companions redoubled their effort-.,
for the rope was every instant showing increased symp-
toms of giving way. It snapped just as he was within
an inch of the top; but not before one of the men had
seized a firm grasp of his clothes, by which he was
enabled to drag him triumphantly over the brink. At
the sight of their comrade in safety, the men, among
whom a breathless silence had hitherto prevailed, raised
a loud shout, but he heard it not. The awful situation
in which he had been so long suspended, was too much
for the poor bird-catcher; he lay stretched on the grass
without sense or motion. For a long time, so profound
was his insensibility, his companions thought ho was
dead; but he recovered at length, though he has never,
it is said, completely gotten over the effects of that fear-
ful hour.—Scenes on the Shores of the Atlantic.

ROBBERY AT CARFIELD HALL,

II ARLO W.
A robbery, of a bold and ingenious nature, was
effected at Harlow, on Tuesday. It appears that, since
the 27th ult., Colonel Wayde had been in Paris upon
business connected with the Rouen Railway, and was ex-
pected on Wednesday at his seat, Carfield Ilall, Ilarlow.
About three o'clock on Tuesday a person, accompanied
by four men, made their appearance in front of the
house, and commenced making preparations, ap-
parently for a survey. Having arranged his theodo-
lite, the leader of the party proceeded to inquire for
the Colonel, sending in his name as George Plaxton,
surveyor, Salisbury -square, Fleet-street. He stated
himself to be well-known to the Colonel, having met
him but a few days prior in Paris. On being informed
that Colonel Wayde was not expected home till the next
day, he appeared much disappointed, observing that he
must have misunderstood the day, the Colonel being
fully acquainted with the object of his visit ; that he
(Plaxton) was now engaged surveying for a new line of
railway, forming a junction between the London and
Cambridge and the Eastern Counties Railway; and that
he was anxious to make his survey, as, from a coversation
he had with the Colonel, he thought the line might be car-
ried out without interfering with Carfield Hall. The servant
ultimately introduced him to Lady Wayde, who believed
his statement. Subsequently he consented to put off his
survey till the next day, when the Colonel was expected
home. To an invitation from the butler to stop at the
hall he objected, observing ti-at he must return to London
that evening, having unfortunately left behind him some
articles which he could only get himself, and having
taken some refreshment, he shortly after left. The first
discovery of the true character of the visitors was made
by the nursery-maid finding the lock of her box picked,
and a portion of its contents scattered about the room.
On going to Lady Wayde's room, it was further dis-
covered that the thieves had been there, but fortunately
a chest of drawers which contained the ladies' jewellery
had resisted their efforts to force. One of the servants
met two of the pretended surveyor's men upon the stair-
case, but took no notice, knowing their master had seen
her lady. On the return of Colonel Wayde (in Wed-
nesday morning, the story respecting the railway turned
out to be a fabrication, and he found himself robbed
of property to the value of between 3001. and 4001.
The following is a list of some of the articles:—A gold
musical box, surmounted with a bird with an opal beak
and diamonds for eyes—the box plays twelve tunes, was
the property of the ex-King of France, and cost 3001.;
also a pair of silver mounted pistols, engraved "C. C. H.,
Seringapatam, 1774;" and from the servant's box, a
small silver watch aad money to the amount of '2l 13s.
—Coui.ty Herald.

THE TIMBER TRADE.—The annual circular of
Messrs. Churchill and Son, a leading firm in the timber
trade, contains some interesting, particulars relative to
this important branch of our national commerce. It ap-
pears, in the first place, from the document, that prices
have varied considerably throughout the season, and
that, while Canadian deals have been upon the advance,
Baltic have receded in as great a ratio ; " timber,"
properly so designated. from all quarters, except St.
John's, having risen to a high point towards the close
of the importation. The stocks on hand of foreign deals
and battens are large. There were of deals, in 1845,
882,936 pieces, whereas in 1846, there are 1,024,577
pieces, and of battens there were in 1845, 368,246 pieces,
against 499,464 pieces in 1846. The stocks of colonial
deals and batter.s, and of red pine timber, have dimi-
nished, but of yellow pine timber we find an increase.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO JOAN JONES, JUN., ESQ.,
of LLANARTIL—With unaffected regret we have to an-
nounce that a lamentable accident has befallen this gentle-
man, the eldest son of John Jones, Esq., and heir of Llanarth.
It appears that Mr. Jones, and several of the members of the
family of Llanarth, were guests of Sir Charles Morgan, and
proposed remaining during the usual festivities of this season
at Tredegar, and, on Friday last-, a brilliant field, composed
of the gentlemen and several ladies from Tredegar, proceeded
to the meet of the Ruperra hounds. Previously to the com-
mencement of the sport of the day, Mr. Jones, who had been
in conversation with a lady of the party, unfortunately put
his horse, a high-spirited animal, at a hurdle gate, that he
supposed to be secured, but which was not the case, there
being no fastening. In the attempted leap, the knees of the
animal struck the top bar, throwing Mr. Jones with such
terrible force, that his head sunk considerably into the mud.
The ladies, terrified at the accident, screamed for succour,
and
'lolls, of the Hendre ; and Mr. Edmund Jones, brother of the
sufferer, assisted in raising him, and a considerable number of
a medical officer of the Enniskilling Dragoons, Mr.
other gentlemen were soon on the spot. Appearances were
most alarming, and several feared that the accident was fatal.
Mr. Jones was conveyed, in a state of utter insensibility, to
Tredegar House, where Mr. William Brewer, surgeon, was
promptly in attendance. We understand that upon exami-
nation, the symptoms indicated concussion, and a slight lace-
ration of a portion of the brain, with partial effusion. The
pulse was clown to forty; the extremities cold; the vitality
slight; the muscles that move the eyeball, the
eyelid, as well
as the pupil, were paralysed; and the geeral character of
the case was alarming. Dr. O'Bryan, physician to the
family, arrived on Saturda7.-. Mr. Clarke, of Bristol, likewise
came over; and, on Sunday evening, Mr. Liston, of London,
for whom a special messenger had been sent, arrived at
Tredegar Park. This eminent gentleman approved of the
course adopted, and imparted much consolation to the family
and friends of the patient, by stating that although the case
Was a perilous one, he had every reason to expect a favour-
able termination. Yesterday the favourable symptoms were
still happily progressing. Though he relapsed at intervals
into a dreamy delirium, he recognised and spoke freely to
those armad Wm.—Monmouthshire Jlerlin.

CLEANSING OF THE STREETS
IN THE CITY BY THE POOR.
Yesterday a deputation from the Association for the
Relief of Metropolitan Destitution, established at the
west-end of the town, waited upon the Lord Mayor for
the purpose of stating the result of the experiment made
in cleansing parts of the City according to their plan,
and requesting his Lordship's sanction to the continu-
ance and more extensive operation of the recently
adopted test. Amongst the deputation were—Mr. C.
Cochrane, the president ; the Rev. Dr. Penfold, Mr. G.
Jones, Mr. T. Burgoyne, Mr. P. Jefferies, Mr. C. Gatliff,
Dr. Bromet, Mr. J. E. Panter, Mr. T. Winkworth, the
Rev. Dr. Sprange, Mr. R. Bowie, Mr. J. Holmes, &c.
Mr. C. COCHRANE, in addressing his Lordship, said
that some persons might imagine the Association par-
took of a joint• stock character. Nothing was further
from the fact. It consisted of many of the most affluent
and influential people in the land, who came forward
spontaneously to carry out the objects by liberal contri-
butions, and there was no association in the metropolis
which taxed the public so lightly, or drew so largely
from the pockets of those who took the most active part
in the operations. The establishment of the baths and
wash-houses, at the celebration of which the Lord Mayor
had officiated with such active benevolence, was neces-
sary for the removal of the sources of contamination and
filth. The establishment of the association, represented
by the gentlemen present, was necessary for the not less
important purpose of preventing the accumulation of that
which invariably was accompanied by disease and demo-
ralization. In their own locality, the society had made
two experiments, one in Regent-street and Oxford-street,
and the other in the Strand, and in both cases the success
was perfect and indisputable. The whole of the inhabitants
had declared their opinion of the efficacy of these tests,
and numbers of them were willing to subscribe largely for
the support of the plan, but unfortunately, at the west-
end of the town, without the consent of the vestries, no
system of an extensive character could be carried out
for the individuals who formed such bodies trembled for
the loss of popularity which they apprehended might
follow from the increase of rates upon the inhabitants,
although it could be proved, beyond all doubt, that the
result would. be an important diminution in most of the
other charges to which rate-payers were liable. The
City of London was differently constituted. Its high
municipal provisions distinguished it from the little
bodies to which he had just referred, and he hoped that
by the encouragement of the most benevolent plan of
cleansing the City streets, through the instrumentality
of the poorest of the industrious poor, the elevated cha-
racter it held in the history of corporations would be
still more powerly sustained. A deputation from the
Society had in November waited upon the Commissioners
of Sewers, to request permission to be allowed to make
the experiment in the City. Their request was imme-
diately complied with. A commencement was made in
the beginning of December, and the experiment would
end with the present month. They hoped and believed
they had accomplished what they professed they were
able to perform, and they were naturally anxious to
hear the favourable opinion of the Lord Mayor, con-
vinced as they were that the testimony of the chief
magistrate of the City of London would be no slight
recommendation to the Government to the adoption of a
great plan by which thousands might be constantly em-
ployed for the benefit of the whole community. Before
they commenced they found that there were numbers of
poor men as willing as they were able to work, and they
had the gratification to know that no complaint whatever
had been made against any of the poor fellows who had
engaged in the acceptable employment which had
been provided for them. The shopkeepers the
public and the police, if he might be allowed
to draw such distinctions, all united in stating that
their conduct was without reproach. It was highly sa-
tisfactory to contemplate so powerful an argument to
show that those who were so ready to charge the poor
with idleness and disinclination to work were not justi-
fied. There they were, by the united testimony of the
official overseers, and all others who passed through the
streets, every moment adding strength to the opinions
delivered in their favour. It had been calculated
that, by the energetic carrying out of the system,
constant well-paid employment could be given to
40,000 industrious men throughout the country.
The advantages to those whose good was chiefly
sought by the Committee in carrying into effect
the objects of the Association would be seen, not
only in the present relief of their necessities, but in the
self-respect which must naturally arise from the
exercise of an independent principle wholly at variance
with the feeling of revolting workhouse humiliation so
generally diffused through the land. When her Majesty
was laying the first stone of the Royal Exchange, she al-
luded in her address in stronger terms to the charity of
the citizens than even to their commercial enterprise, and
the employment of the industrious poor certainly consti-
tuted an essential part of that first of virtues.
The LORD MAYOR said that he warmly approved of
the kind intentions of the Association, exemplified in
finding employment for those who were qualified for la-
bour, but he could not consent to contribute pecuniarily
to the object, for he knew what it was to be mixed up
with associations which necessarily incurred great
expense. He knew that the expense of employing carts,
horses, barrows, &c., as well as paying the men who were
to do the work, would be considerable ; and he knew
the responsibility which was likely to be thrown upon
all who lent their names to projects calculated or in-
tended to benefit society. He knew, also, that there
were Acts of Parliament which provided for the per-
formance of the duty of keeping the streets
clean, and the proper enforcement of which Acts
would be efficacious. There were rates collected for the
payment of the expenses so incurred, and if the work
was not properly done complaints ought to be made by
the inhabitants, who ought to contribute the equal
pound-rate. He conceived that the paving and cleansing
Acts ought to be consolidated with the poor-rate, so that
the guardians might, if they considered it were desirable,
employ the paupers of their own City, without beirg
under the obligation to consult another board, who
might make different arrangements from those, by
which it could be seen whether or not the City poor were
idle and disinclined to labour. In the present state of
these laws the guardians had no adequate opportunity of
testing the authenticity of the statements made preju-
dicial to the character of their poor. His Lordship con-
cluded by expressing his admiration of the totally disin-
terested views of the gentlemen of the Association, and
rejoiced to hear so gratifying an account of the conduct
of the poor persons employed to keep the streets clean,
and of the adequate performance of the duty.
Mr. COCHRANE said the Association never entertained
a thought of dictating to the Board of Sewers, or any
other body connected with the City of London. Their
only wish was to see the plan carried out with effect.
Several other gentlemen of the deputation spoke
upon the subject, and expressed their sense of the very
marked kindness with which his Lordship attended to
their application.
The LORD MAYOR then accepted an invitation to dine
with the Association on the 26th instant., at the London
Tavern, to celebrate their anniversary.

THE LORD MAYOR AND THE
POOR-LAW GUARDIANS OF THE CITY OF
LONDON UNION.

It is strongly suspected in the City that a very great dif-
ference of opinion exists between the Chief Magistrate and
the board of guardians of the City of London Union, on a
subject of considerable importance to the community.
Upon the publication in the newspapers of some observa-
tions made in the justice-room, by his Lordship, on the plan
(long adopted by that Board) of sending poor children to
the asylum at Peckham, upon their application for relief at
Cannon-street, the Board of Guardians transmitted a letter
to him, expressing their regret that such remarks should
have been made upon ex parte statements, denying that there
isted any foundation for them, and representing that his
Lordship mig:A have informed himself of the exact state of
was ex officio one of the members. The letter is said to con-
tainthe case, by attending the meetings of the Board, of which he
resolutions in vindication of the whole of the conduct of
the
that
well t u;
It is necessary to observe that soon after the Lord Mayor
thethrou
e t
co theu country
trp3 o, aor who came within its limits
entered upon the duties of his office, he received information
hoard.g
ha
variety of channels ha the
as ordersof theunder
metropolis
which
the officers of the City of London Union acted were ex-
ceedingly
nagl ypoapr tpsreosfs
that miserable objects upon applying for relief were sent off
with tickets of admission to a sort of asylum at Peckham,
distant nearly four miles from the City, at night, in the
midst cf hail, rain, and storm ; and that on the following
morning they were discharged without the least inquiry into
their claim upon other parishes, or the least sympathy with
their distresses. Into the existence of this most formidable
evil his Lordship pledged himself to make a scrupulous in-
quiry. In a multitude of instances in which wretched
ftiendless children were brought before him, he found
that the same character is given of the proceedings of the
authorities and of the severe and degrading nature of the
treatment to which the object of the Lord Mayor's com-
passion was subjected day by day. Upon former occa-
sions complaints had been made by those who had been
obliged to seek the few hours' refuge which the asylum
yielded, after the exhausting and hungry march of four miles,
but somehow or other an answer sufficiently satisfactory was
always given ; and yet, although the complainants have been
frequently assured from the bench that there was not the
slightest truth in their statements, they retracted nothing in
their accounts of the filth and degradation which they had to
encounter, and persevered in declaring that they would in-
finitely prefer a prison, if the way to it were not irreconcil-
able to their consciences.

In accordance with the expressed intentions of his Lord-
ship, and considering that a better opportunity of testing the
itselfpure h
spirittan the
oft the
commencement
Peckhamof his
establishment
mayoraltycould notn
presentadthe
winter afforded, he repaired, without saying a word about his
intention, to the very spot of which the guardians had always
given so alluring a description. Without, as we have been
given to understand, affording an opportunity to the servants
of the asylum to make the slightest change in the appear-
ancean d inquiredo on of
heac
spot into the condition and characters of
the inmates. We are told that the illusion vanished ple,
the his Lordship bolted into the bed-rooms,
lar
t madeatein i
te then f Man-
sion-house, -
swhat
he had witnessed with his own eves. He condemned the
system upon which the City of London Union had been
com-
pletely under the inquisitive search thus suddenly and
peremptorily made.
It became necessary to answer the letter of the board of
guardians to his Lordship. That answer, it is stated amongst
the guardians, has been given. His Lordship not only re-
pieoant-ehlo till's e,
substancehut enteredhis i
forciblen ta
ap commentsar
particular
conducted, with regard to the distance of the place of refuge
from the heart of the City, in which it ought to be centered,
and especially with regard to the crowding together of young
and innocent females with women of loose character, and
suffering from the most loathsome disease. He expressed
his utter abhorrence of the demoralising influence of such
an association, and denounced it as peculiarly disgraceful to
a city in which there abounded such affluence and charity,
and where such a union establishment for the poor
should exist as would be an example to all the rest of the
country. He regretted to be obliged to accuse the authori-
ties of a most injudicious and absurd parsimony, in selecting
a place of refuge for their poor at such a distance as was cal-
culated to intimidate many from seeking it, and urged the
immediate necessity of preparing an asylum within the boun-
daries of the City, in which accommodation could be provided
for the employment and discipline of the inmates.
It was currently reported yesterday that the Lord Mayor
sent a messenger to the board of guardians, on the daybefore,
to inform them that a building at a 3493 distance from the

centre of the City, and in which there was a greatdeal ofroom,
could be had at a very moderate expense, and that it would
be most advisable in them to take it without delay.

CAMBRIAN and GRAND JUNCTION

RAILWAY.

A meeting of the. Proprietors of this Company was held
yesterday at Wood's Hotel, Furnival's Inn, for the purpose of
taking steps for the immediate dissolution of the Company, in
consequence of the unsatisfactory explanations that had been
given by the Managing Committee of local Directors of the
position of the affairs of the-Company.
Mr. A. LAURENCE said that it was right for him to state
that he and Mr. Webb had been deputed to represent the
other Proprietors at any meeting that might take place, and
also take such steps as might appear to them most desirable.
He trusted that they would now seled a chairman.
Mr. APLAUREN suggested that Mr. Laurence should
take the chair himself, which Mr. Laurence declined, as
being a delegate; and Mr. Webb also declined presiding for
the same reason.

After some delay, Mr. Ley to*k the chair, when a resolu-
tion was proposed, to the effect that all persons present
should give their names, which was carried by a majority;
but several of the gentlemen rising to leave, the resolution
was not persevered in.
Mr. LAURENCE said that he was a shareholder to a large
extent, and residing in Hereford. From the plans and sec-
tions not having been deposited in the usual way, we gave
notice to the banker not to pay the money. The local com-
mittee bad made a most unsatisfactory explanation, to the
effect that they did not think it likely the speculation would
succeed, from the circumstance of the money not having been
paid up in order to enable them to comply with the standing
orders of Parliament, and that the blame lay with their
engineers. (The speaker read a correspondence to this
effect.) He would not trouble them with all the cor-
respondence that took place between Mr. Doudney and himself
on the question. In consequence of not receiving an answer
to a gut stion on the subject from the Managing Committee.
the shareholders of Hereford signed a protest to the effect
that there should be no further outlay of the money until the
Directors should have satisfied the shareholders, at a public
meeting held for the purpose of ascei taining the position in
which the Company stood. It further added, that they would
be ready to assist in the prosecution of the undertaking if
their demand was acceded to. Mr. Doudman replied to this
protest, that they had not decided on the course to be pur. ued.
This drew an answer from him to the effect that, viewing
the position in which matters stood, they could not consent
to the Committee proceeding further.
A long and desultory discussion ensued, which ended in a
resolution, to the effect that a Committee of the Proprietors
be formed to investigate the state of the affairs of the Com-
pany, to correspond with the Managing Committee, and to
call a meeting and communicate the result to the shareholders.
The thanks of the meeting were then given to the gentle-
men from Hereford who had originated it.