The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-11 00:00:00

THE FEMALE SWINDLERS.

On Monday last, the three Whitehouses, whose exa-
mination at Birkenhead and at Manchester, on several
charges of swindling, we noticed on Saturday, were again
brought up at the Borough Court, having been remanded
from Friday. Several debts, in addition to those men-
tioned in our last, were proved as having been contracted
by the prisoners, and never liquidated. Mr. Preston,
boot and shoemaker, proved a debt of 1/. 10s. 9d. for
boots and shoes; Mr. Hayman, a butcher, a sum not
stated, for meat furnished on several occasions ; Mrs.
Sandford, beer-retailer, 7s. sd. for ale and beer ; Mrs
Hodgson, Stanley-street, Bs. Bd. for drapery; Mr. Coo•
per, Red Bank, a sum not stated for stationery; Mrs.
Norbury, Red Bank, 11. 7s. sd. for a mantle, and other
articles; Mr. Slack, greengrocer, 9s. 4d. for milk, pota-
toes, &c.; and Mr. Bullen, Broughton-lane, 15s. 6d. for
provisions. In connexion with the prisoners leaving their
lodgings, in Dale-street, Mrs. Buxton stated that on the
day they left the mother sent her little boy for some
beer, and persuaded her (Mrs. Buxton) to have some at
the same time, urging that as she was rather unwell it
would do her good. Witness accordingly consented, and
the lad was directed to bring the beer for her, at the
time he procured some for his mother. Shortly after
she had drunk some of the beer she felt very sleepy,
and in a few minutes was fast asleep on the sofa; the
servant girl, who also drank a portion, fell down from a
chair, and slept as soundly as her mistress. When they
awoke, which was not until several hours had elapsed,
the servant was sent to put the shutters up in the par-
lour, when she discovered that the family had left. The
candles were burning in the sockets, and the candlesticks
were nearly :Toiled. The towel which was found in the
possession of the prisoners at Chester was again pro-
duced, and identified by both Mrs. Buxton and her ser-
vant, from some peculiarity in the hemming.—Mr.
Maule commented severely on the conduct of the pri-
soners who, he said, were evidently as well acquainted as
himself with the nature of the criminal law, and had very
dexterously managed to evade it. A more extensive and
successful instance of decided swindling had not come
before the court for some years.—Mr. Beswick stated
that a case of passing a counterfeit half-crown could be
proved against the daughter, and he had reason to be-
lieve that others of a similar nature might also be dis-
covered.—Mr. Maude said he should deem it his duty to
give every facility to the
police to make any inquiries
that might bring the prisoners to justice.—The prisoners
were then remanded to Monday next. —Manchester
Guardian.

CHEAP GAS IN THE CITY.—The Parliamentary
Committee upon the gas question, appointed by the City
Commission of Sewers, have determined to proceed at
once to Parliament, for the purpose of obtaining the
necessary powers to lay down mains, and, if requisite, to
manufacture gas, so that it may be supplied to the citi-
zens at from 3s. 6d. to 4s. per thousand cubic feet, in-
stead of the enormous rates now levied by the gas com-
panies.

- REPRESENTATION OF LEOMINSTER.--LEOMINSTER,
FRIDAY, DEC. B.—The resignation of Mr. Henry Bark-
ly, who' has been appointed to a Colonial Governorship,
was formally announced to the electors of the borough
this morning, and although so short a time has elapsed
since the appointment of the late Member became pub-
licly known, there are already three candidates in the
field, and rumour somewhat confidently states, that
others will arrive before the day of nomination. Mr. J.
G. Phillimore, Barrister-at-Law, came into the town
this morning, and having collected his friends around
him, immediately commenced his canvass. Mr. F. Peel
(Sir Robert Peel's son) has been most active since
Tuesday last, but the electors, in the majority of cases,
decline to promise their votes until they ascertain more
certainly what other gentlemen are likely to solicit
them. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart., who is also a
candidate, has issued an address, in which he declares
himself in favour of retrenchment. of the national expen-
diture, an extension of direct taxation, and remedial
measures for Ireland, but against an endowment of the
Roman Catholic clergy.
PLEASANT WAY OF PREVENTING CuoLEEA.--Dr.
Downing prescribes a very pleasant dietary as a pre-
ventative of cholera. Egg, chop, chicken, at breakfast;
mutton, beef, eggs, tripe, rabbit, mince veal, light pud-
dings, at dinner; plain seed cake at tea; if luncheon or
supper be required, then 6, chop or a few oysters; and
at intervals during the day, wine and grog at discretion.
Very comfortable fare—if you can get it.