The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-13 00:00:00

THE HEIR-AT-LAW. SOCIETY.

On Saturday, in the Insolvent Debtors' Court,
case of George Ross, described as the manager of the
Heir-at-Law Society, was resumed, and, after several
hours, brought to a conclusion. On the present occa-
sion some remarkable disclosures were made. Mr. Sat.-
good, in addition to the four complainants, now appeared
for Mr. Readall, owner of the house, No. 14, Chatham-
place, for possession of his premises. The insolvent
preferred conducting his own defence, on the ground
of the want of funds, and because ex parte statements
had appeared in the newspapers. He put in, as his
answer to the various oppositions, a document
of eighteen sheets, which ho was required to
sign, and in which the Heir-at-Law Society was
described in flattering terms as a great public benefit.
At a meeting of the seven directors it was re-
solved that their names should not appear, as it was a
charitable institution, and he was appointed manager
He could not tell whether any of the seven directors
were new alive. The four trustees were his friends. He
had the cases of 635 clients committed to him, and he
produced a power of attorney, signed by 70 persons, to
receive large sums of money. The society had brought
46 suits in Chancery, taken the opinion of counsel on 36
cases, and had brought five actions of ejectment, and
more than thirty cases had lately been referred to the
Parliamentary and Legal Agency Society, in Essex-
court, Temple. The property which the society sought
to recover for heirs-at-law exceeded two millions and a
half of money. He was not the society, but the manager.
He intended to give up the house at Chatham-place to
the landlord when he had got another and was prepared
to go.
Mr. Sargood addressed the Court for more than two
hours, and the insolvent replied.
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER then gave judgment. He
said the case had been more frequently before the
p
Court than any other during the period (now nearly
affordedthir
tyyeaervs)ery p
in whichossible presided.heopphoardtunitytoall He a r
thi
ead
s.
solvent's description of himself as "manager of the Heir-
The question he had to decided was whether the in-
at-Law Society" was a valid one, and he arrived at the
conclusion that he was not the " manager," but the
society itself. He received all moneys and conducted
the whole business for himself, and not for others. There
were no meetings of directors, and no proof had been
given, either by his clerk or by Fletcher, who might be
supposed to know the truth of the matter, that he was
only the manager. It was a sad spectacle to see a man
of his physical and mental powers, at his age—nearly
eighty—in such a position, and he forebore to make
those epithets on the case which he might have done.
Being of opinion that he centred in himself the Heir-at-
Law Society, he came to the conclusion that it was his
duty to refuse to grant the final order, and, added the
Learned Commissioner, " he may extricate himself as
he can."
The consideration of the final order was adjourned
sine die, the effect of which will be to render the insolvent
liable to imprisonment. His case created a good deal of
interest.

FRIGHTFUL SCENE IN W OMBWELL'S MENAGERIE•
—ln a letter from Stafford the following painful occur-
rence is related :—ln the early part of the morning a
lion and a lioness, recently purchased, were added to the
collection, and about nine o'clock one of the keepers, W.
Wombwell, nephew of the proprietor, entered the den in
which they were placed, and they then displayed no
symptoms of ferocity. In the evening. the same keeper
entered the den for the purpose of showing the spectators
the command he had over these brutes of the forest.
Scarcely had he, however, laid down with the than the
lioness darted up with savage ferocity, seized him by the
neck, tearing the scalp off the back part of his head,
and frightfully lacerating his neck with her fangs. Dur-
ing this time the lion had thrown himself across the
body of the unfortunate man, as if to completely over-
power him. The shrieks of the spectators were piercing
and most heart-rending, and instantly a.rush was made
to the entrance. Another keeper, seizing a piece of
iron, instantly made for the den, and with much effect
struck both brutes over the head. They rushed from the
wounded keeper, who was then removed. His death is
momentarily expected. The fright has had a serious
effect upon sever d who formed the company.
VAUXHALL GARDENS.-011 Saturday night a se-
lect party was invited to "Vauxhall Gardens, to witness
a private exhibition of the dancing capabilities of Juba,
the celebrated negro dancer. He is one of a party of
six Americans, whom Pell C" Bones"), late of the St.
James's Theatre, has brought over to this country.
Their performances, vocal and instrumental, were, on
Saturday
night, of a character which cannot fail to
he exhibition.
sings
prove a great attraction ; but the dancing of Juba is
unlike anything ever seen in this country. The
.
manner which he beats time with his feet, and the
extraordinary command he possesses over them, can
only be believed by those who have been present at his
Scarcely less singular is the rapidity with
which
one of his favourite songs. In America
Juba has drawn immense audiences.
The beautiful statue of Venus attiring, by Nelson,
has been added to the works of art at the Colosseum.

CHARTIST MOVEMENTS AND

GOVERNMENT PREPARATIONS.

[A portion of the following appeared in our Third
Edition of yesterday evening;--]
In consequence of the formidable preparations made
by the authorities in garrisoning the different public
buildings, and in organizing the police for immediate
action, it was expected that the events of the day would I
be of a more serious and threatening nature than the
late failures of the Chartist body in getting up their de-
monstrations led people generally to believe would be the
case. Up to three o'clock, however, at which hour one
of the largest meetings was announced to take place, no-
thing of the kind has occurred. Bonner's Fields was to
be the great scene of action, and at an early hour this
morning an immense number of police were marched
upon the ground and took entire possession of it, about
100 men mounted on horseback, having at their sides
formidable weapons, in the shape of sabres or cut-
lasses, and horse pistols; and a great number of those
who were on foot were also supplied with cutlasses. A
body of Chelsea pensioners were stationed in the grounds
of the workhouse abutting on the place of the intended
meeting, and it was stated that a number of horse sol-
diers were also stationed in a barn in the neighbourhood.
Mr. Commissioner Mayne and Captain Hay were riding
about the common on horseback, and giving directions
to the police. The number of people present was very
limited, and many, after waiting some time without the
least sign of a procession appproaching in any direction,
or the least appearance of a meeting taking place, left
the ground with apparent dissatisfaction. About a quar-
ter to two o'clock a cab was seen to drive up rather
rapidly, and having stopped close to where several inspec-
tors were in conversation, two or three persons, who
were supposed to be Chartist leaders, got out and en-
tered into communication with them. The result of the
communication, it was believed, was to the effect that the
police would take the most determined measures to prevent
the meeting if it were persisted in. The parties in question
then retire and were soon surrounded by a mob, to
whom they intimated the intention of the authorities to
stop the meeting, adding, by way of giving a colour to
the affair, that they would be fired on if they did not
depart. One of them, flourishing a stick in the air, then
went round a part of the ground circulating the news,
and advising the people to go home and attend the meet-
ings to be held in their respective clubs and is the dif-
ferent districts. Of course this little bit of excitement
was seized upon with avidity by those who had been
waiting with impatience for something to occur, and
this person was followed by about 400 or 500 peeople
in a direction towards the Bethnal-green-road. Most
of the shops in the neighbourhood were closed or had
their shutters put up ; but the opinion generally
seemed to be that no disturbance would take place.
It is now considered pretty generally that the prepara-
tions of the Government were of too formidable a cha-
racter, and therefore gave an undue importance to the
threats and reported intentions of the Chartist leaders,
which every sensible person knows they are utterly in-
capable of carrying out; but it should be recollected how
difficult it is to disperse, without serious consequences
ensuing, a congregated mass of the lowest class of people,
such as can be collected together on all occasions of
public excitement in the metropolis, unless very great
precautions are taken beforehand.
Up to the hour of our going to press no disturbances
whatever had occurred in the metropolis, nor had the
Chartists or the Irish Confederates attempted to hold
any open-air meetings. No doubt they will have
extensive gatherings later in the evening at their various
meeting-rooms, but as there is every prospect of its proving
a thorough wet night, we may safely conclude that the
streets of the metropolis will remain undisturbed by
Chartist brawls or Irish processions. Still the authorities
have determined not to relax in their vigilance, and
a sufficient guard will remain on duty to repress any
outbreak that may take place. The rain, however, will
afford the metropolis greater protection than all the
truncheons and cutlasses put together.
CROYDON.—Duppa Hill, in the neighbourhood of
Croydon, which was advertised as the scene of a great
Chartist demonstration yesterday, was occupied during
the seasonable part of the day by a few schoolboys
playing cricket. The Chartists did not assemble, and
the advertisement was regarded as a hoax got up to
create a diversion in the disposition of the police force.
The ruse was unavailing, however, as the special con-
stables were on the alert to preserve the peace of the
town and neighbourhood.
No demonstration took place either at Blackheath or
Battersea, as was anticipated.
MANCHESTER, MONDAY .—The magistrates determined
not to allow the meeting .announced for this day, and a
proclamation to that effect was issued, signed by the
Mayor. The special constables, to the number of 10,000,
were summoned to be in readiness this day, and ar-
ragements were made with Lieutenant-General Arbuth-
not, who was present, that a strong body of troops
should be posted in the neighbourhood of the place of
meeting. On learning this, the Chartists issued a
second notice, announcing that the meeting would not be
held, as at first it was intended, in Stephenson's-square,
but in a large room in Campfield, called the Music-hall,
a place capable of holding about 3,000 people. In the
second placard the Chartists denounced those who have
attempted to disturb the peace as the spies of Govern-
ment, who thus act that the authorities may prevent the
people from meeting together. _ _

WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE.—BRADFORD, MONDAY
AFTERNOON, THREE O'CLOCK.—The Chartists of the
West Riding have assembled in great numbers to-day
(Whit-Monday), for the purpose of holding what they
term " A Grand Chartist Demonstration of the West
Riding." The day is very fine, and being almost a
general holiday, it has proved very favourable for the
meeting, to which additional interest has been given by
the apprehension and committal of Ernest Jones, Fussell,
and others. Ernest Jones was announced to be present,
but his " absence has proved good company." The
place of meeting is Toft Shaw Moor, in the outskirts of
this town, and not very far from Tong. Large proces-
sions from Huddersfield, Leeds, Halifax, Wakefield,
and other places, accompanied by flags, banners, and
music, have come to the gathering. A little after
eleven o'clock, Mr. L. W. Wickham, one of the resident
magistrates, rode up to the front of the hustings, and
addressed a sensible caution to the leaders. He said
that large processions, accompanied by flags and bands
of music, like one which had left Bradford, were ex-
tremely objectionable and alarming to the inhabitants
in these towns ; and he had come to discharge a duty,
and to do it in all kindness, and that was to inform the
chairman and all that might take an interest in the pro-
ceedings, that no procession would be allowed to return
through the town. A promise was then made that no
procession would return through the town, and Mr.
Wickham, with two other magistrates, retired from the
ground. A little after twelve o'clock Mr. J. Harris, o
Leeds, was called to the chair, and delivered a brief adf
dress, in the course of which he denounced the recen -
expression of opinion by Lord John Russell, that thet
people wanted no reform, and he urged the people to be
united, and then, he said, they would soon obtain the
charter, and that without the use of physical force. The
speakers were men of only a provincial celebrity, and
their speeches were marked by firmness, and with less
violence than some Chartists have recently indulged in.
Three resolutions have been adopted—the first in favour
of the Charter, " and nothing but the Charter ;" the
second for a Chartist defence fund ; and the third in
condemnation of the trial, conviction, and punishment of
John Mitchel.

LEEDS, MONDAY NIGHT.—A very large meeting of
Chartists was held this afternoon near Bradford. About
30,000 persons were present. The proceedings were
conducted peaceably, but on the return of the mob to
Bradford several of their banners were captured by the
military. The town is now perfectly quiet.
NEWCASTLE-ON- TYNE, MONDAY NIGHT.—The meet-
ing here to-day was a very dull affair, there being only
five or six hundred Chartists present. A great deal of
energy was displayed by the speakers, but very little
sympathy exhibited by the audience. The town re-
mains tranquil.
BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY, S'3o P.M. About fifty
Chartists are assembled in the People's llall. The
town remains quiet, thanks to a steady rain, which has
continued since five o'clock this afternoon.

MANCLIESTER, 10 P.M.—The meeting to. night was
attended by about 2,500 persons. It was addressed by
Mr. Archdeacon and other speakers, who were ex-
tremely moderate in their language. The proceedings
terminated quietly.
LIVERPOOL, 11 P.M —The contemplated meeting to-
night was not held, and the town is perfectly free from
all prob ability of disturbance.
EDINBURGH, 12 P.M.—A Chartist meeting was held
here to-night, at which it was estimated from 12,000 to
14,000 persons were present. The proceedings were
very tame; but, as the people were dispersing, a slight
distubance took place, in which a banner and a drum
which had figured in the meeting were destroyed. A
large body of regular police and special constables who
had been admirably organized were on duty the whole
evening, and their efforts preserved order effectually.
The meeting was held in Bruntsfield Links. The last
accounts received here from Glasgow reported all quiet
in that city.

The reports from Nottingham, Bradford, Oldham, and
the other towns in the manufacturing districts where meet-
ings had been announced to be held were of the same
favourable character. At most of the places named in
this account, as well as in the metropolis, very heavy
rain fell, to which probably must be attributed the quiet-
ness of the proceedings.

ELECTION COMMITTEE.
DUBLIN.

The scrutiny into the validity of Mr. Reynolds's ma-
jority was resumed yesterday, and the petitioners suc-
ceeded in striking off another vote.

ASYLUM FOR FEMALE ORPHANS.—A Special
General Court of this Asylum was held yesterday, for
the purpose of electing ten girls to be received into thu
establishment. At twelve o'clock the chair was taken
by William Shadbolt, Esq., of Greenwich, when the
proceedings commenced. The candidates for admission
were unusually numerous on the present occasion, there
being no fewer than thirty-seven upon the list, and of
these twenty-two were stated to be eight years of age,
and fifteen were entered at nine years. According to
the rules of the institution, girls who have attained the
age of ten years are not admissible. The poll closed at
three o'clock, and shortly after four o'clock the ten suc-
cessful candidates were announced, when the proceedings
terminated, and the Court was adjourned.
MASSACRE OF THREE MISSIONARIES.— The Sydney
papers of the 31st of January, received by the last mail,
announce the murder of three English missionaries at
the Island of St. Christoral, by the natives, in the month
of September last, and the bodies were afterwards cut
up and devoured by the savages. The English attend-
ants on the'm contrived to effect their escape, and had
reached New Grenada in the ship Anonymo, which
vessel brought the news to Sydney.