The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-09 00:00:00

ntrlT 12bitton

EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.)

SWEARING IN OF THE LORD MAYOR.

At half-past one o'clock the Judges retired from
the bench to prepare for the reception of the Lord
Mayor and the other civic authorities. During the in-
terval the Court became crowded in every part. The
attendance of barristers was more than usually nume-
rous, and on the bench in the jury-box, and in
other parts of the court, a great number of ladies were
accommodated with seats, and appeared to take a very
lively interest in the proceedings. At two o'clock the
procession reached the entrance to the court, and its
arrival having been announced to their Lordships, they
immediately made their appearance on the bench in full
dresses. The Lord Mayor, the late Lord Mayor, the
Recorder, the City Remembrancer, and other civic func-
tionaries, entered the court, and having taken up their
position in the front row, respectively bowed to the
bench.
The RECORDER then delivered a most eloquent and
powerful address to their Lordships, in which he stated
that he had the honour to present to them the Right
Hon. Sir James Duke, who had been chosen by the
citizens of the city of London, to fill the office of Lord
Mayor for the ensuing year. It was with the perfect
concurrence of both branches of the Corporation, the
Livery and the Court of Aldermen, that this distinc-
tion had been conferred upon him, viz., being chosen the
chief magistrate of their ancient city—the advancement
of Sir James Duke to the place he now occupied, afford-
ing a great instance of the happy opportunities which
our constitution presented to the deserving of every class
of the community to achieve wealth and honour, and to
crown industry and integritry with success. Sir
James Duke entered the civil service of the
navy under the late Sir Peter Parker; he also
served in the Mediterranean under Viscount Ex-
mouth until the end of 1813, and he then became
secretary to Admiral Sir John Doyle, continuing to fill
that occupation until 1814, when his naval services were
terminated by the peace. In 1819 he commenced his
commercial career in the City, and in process of time
his ability and success attracted the attention of his
fellow-citizens. He became a Common Councilman,
and in 1840 an Alderman of the city of London, having
previously been elected to the office of Sheriff in 1830,
in the course of which year he received the honour of
knighthood; and on the termination of his year of
office he was presented by the Corporation with a valu-
able piece of plate, as a token of the respect and esteem
which they entertained for his character, and for the
merit and ability which he had shown in the discharge
of the duties of the office. In connexion with his part-
ner, Mr. Hill, he became a member of a leading firm in
the coal trade, and by good fortune was enabled at that
important juncture to retire from business, leaving
it in the hands of his partner, and thus would be enabled
to discharge his important duties free from those cares
and anxieties which pressed upon the attention of a mer-
chant engaged in the transaction of a great amount ot
business in the city. In 1837 he became a representative
in Parliament for the borough of Boston, and had ever
since continued to represent that place. Having alluded
to the experience which Sir James Duke had acquired
in the administration of justice, in having assisted for
eight years at the Central Criminal Court, while the
judges of Westminster Hall were upon the bench, and to
the late events, which had lately called forth the loyalty
of the citizens of London, he concluded by stating that,
should any period of difficulty and danger arise, they
would confidently rely upon the loyalty and stability of
his character to meet it, being particularly reminded ot
the services rendered by his eminent predecessor, the
late Lord Mayor, in anticipating the emergency to which
he had alluded.
The CHIEF BARON congratulated Sir James upon
the high and distinguished honour which had been con-
ferred upon him.
The form of swearing in was then gone through, after
which the Recorder, as usual, invited the Judges to the
banquet at Guildhall.

SHERIFFS' COURT.-(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCUELL.)
SINGULAR INQUIRY, AND REFUSAL TO GIVE EVIDENCE.—
THE QUEEN ON BEHALF OF SOLOMON V. NORMAN.

This was an inquiry under:a Crown writ, to ascertain
what property the defendant was possessed of. On the
last occasion the witnesses were not present.
Mr. Payne, a solicitor, was now called on to produce
the probate of the will under which it was alleged de-
fendant was entitled to property. Mr. Payne refused
to give evidence until his expenses were paid ; but the
question being reserved, be said, he had not got the pro-
bate, having handed it over to the executor, Mr. Stone.
Mr. Stone was called, and admitted that he had the
document, but did not consider himself bound to
produce it.
The UNDER-SHERIFF said it was an inquiry on be-
half of the Queen, and every one was bound to aid
and assist. The fee of one shilling he considered was
strictly the legal fee, and on that the deed must be pro-
duced.
The probate was then put in, by which it appeared
that the defendant was entitled to 3701.- a year, and a
verdict was given accordingly.
Mr. Payne again applied for his expenses, which
were objqcted to on the ground that on the first day
be would not produce the deed to be read; and on the
second, was called on his subl.•eena, and was liable to an
attachment for not attending.
The UNDER-SHERIFF, however, thought as the wit-
ness had not had nutice to attend on the last occasion,
he was entitled to costs.