The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-04 00:00:00

Naval,. and Military Intelligence.

It is rumoured in the fleet at Portsmouth that a re-
view and mock engagement of the gun-boat flotilla is
likely to take place shortly in the pre.,ence, of her Ma-
jesty. The fleet at Spitheed shifted berths yesterday
afternoon, to make more room for other ships to j
The Griper and Herring gun-boats, Lieutenants Singer
and Gensete, joined yesterday from the eastward. The
Rodney, 92 Captain Wileon, was taken out of dock yes-
terday and mated. The Hawke, 60, Capt. Ornmanney,
is ordered to hold herself in readiness for sea.
Captain the Hen. Janes Drummond, C. 8., is ap-
pointed to suceeed Captain G. T. Gordon as flag-captain
to Vice-Admiral Sir George F. Seymour, K.C.8.,
G.C.H., Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. Captain
Gordon has completed the required time for his flag on
the 'active list.
Her Majesty's ship Grampus, 50, sailing frigate, has
been turned over to the Ordnance authorities for a sup-
plementary powder depot at Portsmouth ; and the
Neptune, 120, will also be appropriated for similar
service.
The following troop and horses were expected to ar-
rive at Southampton last night to embark on board the
Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw steam-ship
Candia, transport No. 213 :-6 officers, 217 men and
180 horses, forming the D troop of the C battery, and
remounts of the Royal Horse Artillery ; Colonel Hyde,
93d Regiment ; Lieut. Rennie, 90th Regiment ; Comman-
der G. B. Burgess ; Captains Rice, J. R. Griffith, J. R.
Ibetson, and Tenneesey, and 21 intermediate passengers.
The screw steam-ship Sanspareil, Capt. A. C. Key,
with the ganboats Skipjack, Sheldrake, Redwing, Lark,
Magpie, and Badger, arrived in Portland Roads on
Thursday evening last, forming the first portion of the
divisions which are to rendezvous in those waters.
The General Screw Company's steamer Golden Fleece,
transport No. 75, which arrived at Southampton on
Sunday morning from the Black Sea, has been ordered
to be again made ready for the transport service.
There are now lying in the Southampton decks the
fol'owing fine steam-shies—viz., her Majesty's screw
steam troop-ship Himalaya, 3,500 tons burden, 700-
horse power. Royal West India Mail Company :
Orinoco (paddle), 2,901 tons burden, 800-korse power ;
Great Western, 1,775 tons, 420 horse power; Avon,
2,069 tons, 450-horse power ; Magdalena, 2,943 tons,
800-horse power. Peninsular and Oriental Company :
—Pera (,crew), 2,620 tons burden, 450-horse power ;
Candia, 2,200 tons, 450-horse power ; Manilla, 535
tons, 60-horse power ; Indus (paddle), 1,700 tens, 450-
horse power ; Tagus, 800 tone, 230-horse power ;
Euxine' 1,200 tone, 400-horse power ; Queen of the
South, Calcutta, and Hydaspes, 1,800 tons burden each,
300-horse power; and the Argo, of 1,850 tens burden
and 300-horse power. The combined tonnage of these
first-class mail steamers amounts to the enormous ag-
gregate of 34,593 tons and 6,160-horse power. Besides
these there are a few steam-ships of a smaller class.
The Atrato, the second largest paddle-wheel steamer
afloat, may also be considered as among the ships
assembled at one time at Southampton, as she only
sailed from that pert with the West India mail, yester-
day afternoon. Of this number there are engaged in
the transport-service the Orinoco, Great Western, Golden
Fleece, Jason, Queen of the South, Calcutta, Argo,
Hydaspes, and Candia,
The Australian Government steam-sloop Victoria,
Captain Norman, will sail from Southampton direct for
tdelhourne this day. This vessel has been delayed three
months in consequence of the screw requiring repair.
The Victoria is fitted with Maudsley's propeller, upon
the differential patent gear principle, which gives the
facility of altering the pitch of the screw while the vessel
is being propelled throueh the water at the greatest
speed. It is the intention of Captain Norman to sal as
much as possible during the voyage, as he has provided
himself with not more than nine days' coals, and will
only avail of the steaming facilities of the vessel down
channel and in calms. The Victoria is of 160 horse
power, and is built to carry two 32-pound guns, 9 feet
6 in. in length, and weighing 56 cwt. each, and 6 32.
pounders of 25 cwt. each, intermediate size. It is ex-
pected from the large amount of canvass which this ves-
sel can spread, and her admirable sailing qualities, that
the voyage to Melbourne will be made in about 65 days.
The Victoria will touch at Plymouth to take a mail for
the Australian colonies.

The Amphion, 34 guns. screw steam-frigate, Captain arousing the country from one end to the other for the
Aetley C. Key, C. 8., is ordered to hare her compasses purpose of getting rid of the centralisation system, which
adjusted, and to take in her ammunition, shell, &c., to- it appeared to be the object of the present Go-
day, and be ready for immediate departure from Sheer- vernment to introduce. (Hear.) He moved, "That
Lees for Elsinore. a copy of the bill, together with a copy of the pe-
The Retribution, 28 guns, paddle-wheel steam-frigate, tition, be forwarded to every corporation in the country."
Captain Thomas Fisher, bearing the ff.% of Rear-Adcniral _ Mr. H. L. TAYLOR seconded the motion, witieh was
of the Blue, Robert L. Bayne', C. 8., having adjusted r c rried unanimously, end the Court adjournei;

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE
SURREY THEATRE.

Yesterday Frederick: Quenmell was brought up at the
Southwark Police•court, before Mr. A'Beckett, for final
examination, charged with attempting to murder Wil-
liam Hurcum in the Surrey Theatre, on the night of Sa-
turday week last.
The investigation excited coneidera'.le interest, and
several of the corps dramatique of the Surrey, Victoria,
and AAley's Theatres were in attendance to hear the
evidence. _ _ _

Mr. Neale, solicitor, of Kennington, attended for the
prisoner.
William Hurcum, whose head was bandaged up, and
hia coat spotted with blood, said—l am a dresser at the
Surrey Theatre. On Saturday night week I was in an
ale shop near the theatre, where the prisoner asked me
to partake of a glass of ale, which I drank, when be (the
prisoner) said, " I mean to have your life this night, and
I will be hatiged for you at Horsemonger•lane, like my
cousin was." I asked him what he thought would be-
come of him if he did so, and why he wanted to do such
a thing, when he replied, "You did something to me a
year or so ago, and I don't forget it." I then left him
playing at dominoes, and I went into the theatre. Some
time afterwards, as ho was wanted at the theatre, I went
again to the ale-house, and told him he was wanted.
He replied, " Thank you, I am much obliged to you."
I again saw him 10 minutes afterwards in the dressing-
room, when he said that he would have' my 'blood, and
challenged me to fight for ss. a side. I replied that I
had not ss. to lose, and pushed him on one side. He
then went out, and as he left said, " I will have blood
for blood."

Mr. A'Beckett—Did the prisoner appear as if he had
been drinking ? Witness—Yes, he appeared to have
been drinking, but he was not drunk.
Examination in chief resumed—Ho was away about
10 minutes, when I was called to the lauding of the
theatre to take some money from a Mr. Leonard, when
I heard him say, "You rascal, I will do for you
to-night, and will be bung for you." I then was in the
act of stooping down to look at the money I was about
to take, when I received a blow on my head. I think I
had my cap on, but I became insensible, and therefore
.cannot _tell ppaitively. I put up my band, and received
other blows on my arms and legs. When I recovered my
senses I found myself lying on the table in the dressing-
room of the theatre. I have been in bed ever since till
this morning, . . . .

By Mr. krßeekett—l have not been in the hospital,
bu% in bed at my own house, and attended by Mr. Dona•
boo, of the Westminster•road.

Cross-examined by Mr. Neale—l have been engaged
at the Surrey Theatre for twelve years. I have known
the prisoner for three or four years, and I never bad any
quarrel with him before, and I cannot account for the
way the prisoner served me on the present occasion. The
prisoner was playing with John Bigley, who was also
engaged in the Surrey Theatre. All that I said to the
prisoner -wag, "You have not taken a chalk on the
game." Several persons were present at the time of the
attack, but no females.

Wm. Leonard said—On Saturday night last I went to
the dressing-room of the Surrey Theatre, and saw Mr.
llurcum there. I said to him come outside, and while I
was in the act of paying him some money he was knocked
down, and blood spurted from his head. I looked round
and saw the prisoner strike him with an iron rod, which
I wrenched from his grasp. After the first blow was
given I heard the prisoner say, "Yon -- I will kill
you." I then seized him, took him into the hall of the
theatre, and sent for a constable.
Cross.examined—lf any words had been used by Hur-
cum before the first blow was given I must have heard
it. He received the second blow as he was falling.

John Measures, 160 L, proved being called into the
Surrey Theatre on the night in question, between 8 and
9 o'clock, and taking the prisoner into custody. On con-
veying him towards the station-house he said that Hur-
cum had struck him, and he could not stand against
him. He received the rod produced from some one, but
he could not tell from whom.

Dr. T. M. Donahoo, No. 3, Westminster-read, said—
On Saturday evening week I was called to see the pro-
secutor in the Surrey Theatre. On my arrival I found
him wounded on the head by some blunt instrument.
He was then bleeding from a scalp wound. I dressed
it, and found that it was a severe wound.
By Mr. Edwin, the chief clerk—He is now progress-
ing favourably, but it will be a long time before he can
perfectly recover. He has no dangerous symptoms at
present.
Mr. Neale wished the prisoner to be further remanded,
so that he could call further witnesses to prove that his
client had received great provocation from the prosecu•
tor before he struck him ; if so, his worship could deal
with the case summarily.
Mr. A'Beckett said it was too serious a case to be
disposed of in the way suggested, and if he had any ad-
ditional witnesses to call they would be heard at his
trial. He had received a letter, it certainly was not an
anonymous one, or he should have destroyed it, but it
was very imoroper to send to a magistrate. The writer
stated the prisoner had received great provocation. It
was signed, " Sarah BokeT."
Mr. Bokes, of the Surrey Theatre, who was in the
court, said that his wife's name was Sarah, and after
looking at the writing sail it was not that of his wife,
but he could prove that the prisoner had received great
provocation from the prosecutor before he committed
the attack.

As he :Vag not present when the prosecutor was in-
jured, the worthy magistrate said that his evidence
could not be received, and the prisoner was fully cJin-
mitted to take his trial ,at the sessions at the Central
Criminal Court.

THE LATE ROBBERY AND ALLEGED
ATTBMPT2D MURDER IN WA 'FORTH.

Yesterday, at the Lambeth Police-court, the young
woman, Lacy Constable, was brought from St. Thomas's
Hospital by Sergeant Coppin, and as soon as the night
charges had been disposed of was placed at the felon's
bar, before Mr. Elliott, on the following charge :
Mr. Lund, tho superintendent of the P division of
police, addressing Mr. Elliott, said the circumstances at-
tend►n; the charge against the young woman at the bar
were of a somewhat singular character, and he begged
to state them as briefly as he could. The prisoner, Lucy
Constable, had been for some months in the service of a
gentleman Lamed Knott, residing in Sutherland•square,
Wal worth, and on Sunday night week was left in charga
of the house, on the family going to church. During
the absence of the family she (the prisoner) gave an
alarm, and on assistance coming to her it was found that
she had a wound in her throat and one also on the right
hand, and these she said had bean inflicted by some
thieves who had got in and robbed the house. It was
found necessary to remove her to the hospital, and while
there, as would be stated by Sergeant Coppin, she bad
inflicted the wounds in her hand and throat herself. He
(Mr. Lund) felt it to be his duty to place the whole of
the circumstances before Sir Richd. Mayne, and that
,gentleman directed that the prisoner should be brought
before his worship on a charge of cutting her threat
with intent to destroy herself.

Sergeant Samuel Coppin was then sworn, and stated-
that, from what he had heard, lie, on the night of Sun-
day, the 24th of last month, went to the house of
Mr. Knott, Sutherland-square, Walworth, at about
eight o'clock, and there found the prisoner, who was
bleeding from a wound in her throat, and was at-
tended by a surgeon, who was dressing the wound
at the time, and she was then taken to the hos-
pital. On the following day he called at the hospital,
and, seeing the prisoner, he asked her to give him
some account of the occurrence. She said that after the
family heel gone to church she heard a ring at the bell,
and on going up, and taking the chain off, the door flew
open, and a man, who was standing on the steps, threw
a coat, or something of the sort, over her head, and at
the same time struck her a violent blow on the side of
the head. He then pushed her down before him to the
bottom of the stairs, when he gave her another violent
blow on the other side of the head, which knocked her
down, and she became insensible. When she recovered,
she saw a man standing opposite to her, and she called
out, "You, villain, you are murdering me." The man
upon this took up a knife off the dresser and came to-
wards her ; and, perceiving that he was aiming a blow
at her, she raised up her hand, and he chopped it. She
then put her arm before her eyes, and she immediately
felt the blood trickling down over her bosom, and she
became insensible. She did not recollect anything after
until she found herself in a water-closet. She staggered
from there as well as she could, and getting to the front
door, which she found shut, she opened it and called out
" Murder;" and some gentleman came to her assistance.
On the Tuesday he saw her again, when he asked her
about some young men she had been -seen to speak tc
before the robbery, but she positively denied speaking
to any one. On the Thursday ho again sage her, and as
soon as she saw him she commenced crying, said she was
a very wicked girl, and would tell all. She then said she
had seen the men he had been speaking to her abent,
and had made an appointment with one of them to call
on her on the evening of the robbery. He called after
the family had gore out and rang the hell, and she let
him in and asked him into the back parlour. He then
asked her to dress and go out with bins, and he remained
in the back parlour while she dressed. While in the back
parlour, he asked her if she could get a glass of wine,
! and she told him she could not, as the wine was locked up.
He said it did not matter, as they should have one when
they went out, and that he expected to meet his sister at
the Elephant and Castle. They then left the house, and
went for a walk, and on reaching the Elephant and Castle
remained there for some time, waiting for the young
man's sister, but did not see her. They next proceeded
to a public-house, where they had a glass of brandy and
water, and the young man accompanied her to the end
of the street, where they parted, with the intention that
they should meet at one o'clock on the following day,
and spend the afternoon together. On going to unlock
the door, she found it ajar, and on going in found that
the house bad been robbed. On discovering this she did
not know what to do, or how to contain herself, but
thought she would make up a story about thieves having
got into the house, and took up the knife and choppeci
her hand ; hut after this not knowing how to face
a her master or mistress, she took up the knife again in

tzncling to kill herself, and inflicted the wound on her
throw.
Mr. Lund said that this was all the evidence be in-
tended placing before bis worship at present, and should
therefore request a remand to a future day.
The prisoner, who is a-very fine and pretty girl, was
then remanded for a week, add was removed from the
bar without saying a Single word.