The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-19 00:00:00

LONDON,

TU'ESDA,Y

THE STOURBRIDGE AND BROMS

ANOTBER INCEADIARY EIRE AT OVER.
Scarcely two months have elapsed eiece the last fire,
and it is now our painful duty to record another; and
from the circumstances of the case, a more audacious
and diabolical act of iccondiarism we never remember to
have braid of.
On Tuesday night last, about nine o'clock, the alarm
of tire was given by Mr. Thomas Murrill, a fanner, of
the above virage,aud it was soon discovered that n straw
stack in the very centre of the farm yard of Mr. Silk, op-
posite Mr. Mustill's, was in flames. No time was lost in
getting out the cug;ine; but before flat was done the
whole of the buildings were in limes. A large boarded
barn, which had been recently tarred, burnt with such
rapidity and brightness, that at a distance it presented a
most beautiful appearance. The fire then spread to Mr.
T. Mustill's house opposite, which it totally consumed,
as also some outbuildings adjoining. It then spread to the
Red Lion public-house, at the opposite corner, which,
with stables, piggeries, &c., was also destroyed; and
proceeded thence down the lane, and in its fury swept
down the cottages on both aides, destroying altogether
three farm-houses, borne-stalls, twelve cottages, and out-
houses, together with furniture' clothing, &c., belong-
ing to the cottagers, several of whom barely escaped with
enough to cover themselves. What renders the circum-
stances of the above fire different from the other is the
fact that the diabolical incendiary went at nine o'clock
into the middle of the stackyard, and deliberately set
fire to a straw stack—in the teeth, as it Were, of the
owner, Mr. Silk, some of whose family were in the sit-
ting-room, the window of which looked on to the stack
in question. We understand a strict inquiry will be
commenced forthwith, and we hope the villain will be
discovered. Every man in the village should be made
to account for himself, and where he was at the time the
fire broke out.
The following is the correct eccount of the insurances
effected upon the property, but we understand they will
not cover the losses sustained by the different parties :
Sarah Mustill (Royal Exchange), cottage, bakehouse,
and buildings, 5501.; Mary Ann King,
tenant (Suffolk),
house and stock in trade, 2251.; Thomas Mustill (Nor-
wich Union), house and stock in trade, 731.; ditto
(General), farming stock, 401.; James Mustill (Norwich
Union), house, buildings, and furniture, 2101.; ditto
(General), farming stock, 601.; William Garside and
Francis Tookey (Norwich Union), cottages and fur-
niture, 2201.; James Wright (Norwich Union), cot-
tage (tenant uninsured), 501.; Thomas Earl (Suf-
folk), Red Lion public-house, 4001.; Thomas
Brown (Norwich Union), furniture, &c., 15/.; Isaac
Wright (Norwich Union), house damaged, and build-
ings down, 301.; William Bicheno, Black Horse (Nor-
wich Union), furniture, 11.; James Chivers, landlord,
damage, 34; Benjamin Silk (Norwich Union), house,
furniture, buildings, and farming stock, 6401.; William
Trigg (Sun), cottage (tenant uninsured), 1001.; Joseph
Carter (Law), double cottage and blacksmith's shop
(tenants uninsured), 90/.; Underwood Adams (County),
furniture and stock in trade, 26/.; John Brown (insu-
rance unknown), cottage and meeting-house, 1001.;
William Burling (Norwich Union), stock in trade, 10/.
—Total, 2,843/.
The following is a more detailed account of the prin-
cipal property destroyed:—
Farm-house and premises, consisting of large barn,
thatched with reed, boarded and thickly tarred; grana-
ries, pig-styes, bullock-hovels, stables, and other out-
buildings; stack of straw standing in the centre of the
yard in which the fire was first discovered; large stack
of new hay; quantity of beans, and other thrashed corn
—the property and in the occupation of Mr. Benjamin

ENCUMBERED ESTAT-PS ACT.
it we watch the results of the Encumbered Estates I
Act with particular anxiety, it i 5 only the result of a
desire to see that Act in operation which was re-
peatedly
expressed, long before it had received the
sanction of the Legislature, and long before it had re-
ceived that favour at the hands of other journalists
which was heaped upon it as soon as it was seen that
it would " work well." When the state or Ireland
hung like a damp gloom over the empire, and the
word was repeated from man to man throughout the
country that she had ceased to he the difficulty" of
statesmen, and had become their "impossibility," we
saw how practicable it was to clear away this gloomy
atmosphere in the political sky, and how that small
streak of light, that almost imperceptible patch of
blue, not enough to make even an Irishman a pair of
breeches, might be spread out till in time it might,
haply, cover the whole sky. It was needful to begin
by cutting asunder those legal things which bound the
land to so many bankrupt familes, and bound the
unhappy proprietors to estates of which they
possessed only the anxiety and deep and bitter humi-
liation of providing for the claims of annuitants and
mortgagees. But it was needful also, when the land
was released from its entails, that there should be a
market for it.,lt found that market. Doubtless many
an estate was sold at far less than its value. Doubtless
some few struggling proprietors sank Linto beggary,
even worse than their previous lot, through the opera-
tion of the Encumbered Estates Act. But by their
loss the beggary of hundreds was redeemed. A wealthy
purchaser stepped into their shoes, and the estate,
which in many of its fine acres had produced no crops
for years and years, or such unworthy crops as were
only a satire on the cultic ation, began to show other
signs than those it had theretofore exhibited. A new
system of farming was introduced, and though, from
the unparalleled misfortunes which immediately pre-
ceded the passing of the Encumbered Estates Bill, it
is difficult yet to estimate the amount of good it has
effected ; no rational man doubts that that good has
been extensive, and that it has paved the way to an
amelioration f Irish suffering, so devoutly to be
wished.
But it was doubted at the time of this Bill's passing,
and it is still doubted to a very great extent, whether
the social state of Ireland is such as to sanction the
residence of purchasers under the Bill. It gives us
great pleasure, for the sake especially of our Pro-
tectionist friends, to repeat a testimony, which has
already been borne, to the perfect practicability of a
Saxon purchaser residing, with impunity, on his Irish
estate. The witness in question describes the natives
as " very amenable," though requiring a good deal of
looking after to keep them at work. We can under-
stand this perfectly. The Irishman in his own country
has unfortunately been so very ill paid, and has had
so few inducements held out to him to work, that it
would be an utter miracle if something like sloth had
not crept over him. But to show the mildness of
the people—and it is a matter of pride for an English-
man to think that such a virtue is not want-
ing in a race which the constitution of his
country has united to him as his fellow subjects—let
us quote the express words of this witness on another
point. He says, "I am living in a cottage without a
lock or bolt, sleeping en the ground-floor, without
shutters. I would not venture to live in England so
little secured. I have received the greatest kindness
and hospitality from all ranks." What, in Ireland !
a family sleeping without lock or bolt ! But the
fact is capable of explanation. The witness, in the
first place, is a resident landlord. In the next, he is
a man of honour and humanity. Entering upon the
estate he had purchased, his first step " was, to get
rid of the tenants off that portion of the land which
(he) determined to commence improving and farm-
ing." He resorted to no process of extermination. lie
forgave them their rent—half a year's—paid their
rates and charges, and bought their crops by valua-
tion. " Prom such as wished to go to America, I
took their stock also by valuation, and for those who
preferred taking other farms, I allowed their cattle
to remain on my land until they found one. The
smaller tenants, who preferred remaining with him
he employed as labourers, averaging 75 men and 50
women daily. This explains the affection which has
grown up around the Saxon landlord ; he has shown
honour, and received it in return.
But in concluding his testimony to the practicabi-
lity of living in Ireland, he adds certain facts which

ILLEGALITY of the SYNOD AT EXET.

'I- R.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PLYMOUTH HERALD.

GROVE BANKS.

Sir,—May I request the favour of your inserting
the accompanying case and opinion in your next pub-
icntion.

BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT COUNT OF BANK-
RUP rcy, AUG. 18.
IN RE RUFFORD AND WRAGGE.
The last examination o the bankrupts was ap-
pointed for today, but before the commencement of
proceedings it was understood that an adjournment
would take place to a distant day. Mr. Waterfieid,
registrar, presided, in the absence of Mr. Commis-
sioner Balguy. Mr. Ilar ward, of Stourbridge, and
Messrs. Motteram, Knight, and Emmett, solicitors, of
Birmingham, appeared for the assignees ; Mr. James,
of Birmingham, for the bankrupts; and Mr. Price,
Mr. Causes, &c., as solicitors for various creditors.
Few questions of importance arose during the day,
which was chiefly occupied in receiving proots of debts.
Mr. Price, solicitor, of Stourbridge, tendered a
proof cn the part of the British Alkali Company,
sworn to by one of the directors, to the amount of
1,4881. balance of account. This step was taken on
the present occasion, according to Mr. Price, for the
purpose of enabling him (Mr. Price) to examine Mr.
Rufford, jun., with regard to his connexion with the
Alkali Company, and certain bills now in possession
of the assignees.
Mr. Harward and Mr. Motteram contended that
the proof must be made by the registered officer of
the company. The deed of the company did not
govern this matter, but the Act of Parliament.
Mr. Price said that under the company's deed there
was power given for a director to sue or even to take
out a commission of bankruptcy against a debtor, sup-
posing he had committed an act.
The Commissioner was of opinion that the proof of
debt must be made by the registered officer of the
company ; for although it might be true that their
deed gave them the powers stated, it was clear by the
general Act of Parliament that in such an instance
as the present the secretary or other registered officer
was the only person competent to prove.
Mr. Price would explain the circumstances under
which the application was made. Between two and
and three years ago, the British Alkali Company paid
into or deposited in the Bromsgrove bank two bills
of long dates (we understand, not yet due). These
bills together amount to upwards of 13,0001., and
were (it now appeared) subsequently paid by the
Bromsgrove to the Stourbridge bank, as security for
or in payment of money owing by the former to the
latter establishment. When the fiat of bankruptcy
issued, the assignees became possessed of these bills,
and the object of the directors of the Alkali Company
in asking for the examination of Mr. Rufford on the
present occasion was to ascertain from himself his
exact position and connection with that company,
more especially with regard to these bill transactions.
They now applied to examine him upon these points.
The Commissioner said it was competent for any
creditor who had proved his debt to examine any cr
all of the bankrupts; but the proof now tendered
must be sworn to by the registered officer of the com-
pany. It was clear that the present meeting nateat
be adjourned, inasmuch as there had not been suffi-
cient time to prepare the balance-sheet. He sug'-
gested, therefore, that the examination of Mr. Ruf-
'Ord on the points alluded to should be taken regu-
larly at the next meeting.
Mr. Price thought that probably the next might
be the last meeting, and that they would not have
sufficient time to investigate the matter. Perhaps a
special meeting might be appointed.
The Commissioner said the present should be a
short adjournment, and in all probability, seeing the
extensive transactions involved, further adjournments
would take place. He did not think he ought to ap -
point a special meeting.' upon an application like th e
present. If any ere ditor who had proved required It,
6e might examine the bankrupts.
Mr. Price observed that the secretary to the Bri-
tish Alkali Company was in Birmingham, and in all
probability he would prove the debt in question befoi e
the adjournment of the court.
The Commissioner, addressing Mr. Harward, th e
solicitor to the assignees, said he understood that ti: e
elder Mr. Raiford, one f the bankrupts, was not in
court—indeed not in Birmingham—was it so ?
Mr. Harward replied that it was understood that
he present would be an adjourned meeting, and with
the consent of parties, Mr. Rufford's attendance had,
is they thought, been legally excused. The Youngs r
Mr. Rufford and the other partner were present, and
if necessary no doubt Mr. James, the solicitor to th e
bankrupts, would see that the elder Mr. Rufiord
sent for.
The Commissioner—All I can say is that I shall k e
obliged to sit here during the, day, and if, at its close.,
he does not appear, I shall be compelled to proclaim
him.

It will be seen that in the opinion of the two
learned lawyers, whose names are attached, that the
proceedings of the late synod at Exeter, were at en-
tire variance with the laws of the and,. and that all
persons who took part in the same have rendered
themaelvcs amenable to tboee laws. Information has
also reached me that tanother distinguished civilian
has expressed himself most strongly in adhOrdance
with the views set forth by Mr. Peacock and Dr.
Bay fozd,'ancl that were proceedings takefi: against any
of the persons who took part in the synod very serious
consequences would arise.
As synodical meetings in other dioceses are confi-
dently spoken of, it may be well that the public
should be informed through the medium of the press
what are the views entertained by men of the highest
Plyo
N inEou wtuh
, eminence at the bar on this important subject.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
oruAgst sG9otb, GOD AINBSDI. HONOURS TSB QUEEN.

Silk. -
Farm-house and tenements, stables, flour-house, cart
hovels, piggeriea, &c.—The property of Mrs. Sarah
Mustill, ocaupied by Jonathan Payne, labourer, and Mr.
Thomas Mustill, farmer, and Mrs. Mustill, the pro-
prietor. The furniture of each was principally con- •
sumed. The property and furniture are fully insured in
the Royal Exchange, with the exception of Payne's.
Fortunately the granaries, lerge bern, two stacks of now
hay, and a small stack of new wheat were saved.
The old established public-house and premises, the
Red Lion, which has been kept (till within the last week)
for many years by Mr. Thornes Brown; property of
Thomas Earl, brewer, of St. Ives, totally destroyed.
Insured in the Suffolk-office. The present tenant, named
Sansome, brickmaker, who had just taken the house, with
the fixtures, and a portion of furniture, which is nearly
all destroyed, is not insured.
Farm-house, barn, stables, piggeries, and twenty tons
of bay, quantity of poultry, and greater part of the fur-
niture—in the occupation of Mr. James Mustill.
By the exertions of Mr. Moses Silk, Mr. Joseph Gif
ford, and others, the poor cottagers have been placed in
temporary homes, and their wants otherwise provided
for.— Cambridge Chronicle.

will be peculiarly agreeable to our Protectionist
friends, if they wish to know where to spend their
reduced incomes to the best advantage. " I have
grouse, woodcock, snipe, and hares upon my pro-
perty ; yachting close by. Geese and codfish are
brought to me at a shilling each, large turbot 2s. ;
soles one penny each ; fowls lr. a couple ; and every-
thing in proportion." Redd this, Messrs. Young and
Newdegate ; " and then to supper with what appetite
ye may."—Morning Advertiser.

Mr. Rufford, jun., soon after left Birmingham, and
in the course of the evening returned from Leamiag -
ton with his father, who duly surrendered before 1M r.
Waterfield. Mr. Wragge and Mr. F. Rufford had
previously complied with this requirement of the law.
[he debts proved during the day amounted to be -
tween 13,0001. and 14,0001. Those upon the Brome.,-
grove bank were few in number but heavy in
amount. Messrs. Hemmings, the great needle mann -
facturers of Redditch, proved for 4,800/. The tottd
amount of proofs admitted up to this time is about
172,0001.
The further examination of the bankrupts was ad.-
journed until the 30th of October.

THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION
The termination of the annual session of the grew'
council of the nation is, of itself, a fact suggestive of
weighty considerations. On the results of the deli-
berative wisdom of this assembly depend, under
Providence, to a considerable extent, the welfare of
the large and increasing population of these king-
doms, the prosperity of those gigantic dependencies
of England upon which the sun never sets, and, it is
not too much to say, the social and moral progress
and civilization of the whole world. An Englishman,
therefore, naturally pauses on the prorogation of
Parliament to ask what has been done and what rem
mains to do. The means of public intelligence are
now, happily, as we think, so numerous, and the
facilities which every citizen possesses of obtaining an
insight into pu.blic affairs so great, that we shall not
weary our readers by a repetition of the various mea-
sures which have, during the session now termi-
nated, been brought forward. The distinctive
measure of the session of 1851 is, undoubtedly,
that of the Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption
Bill, by which Government, in obedience, we
may say, to the decided pronunciation of the
popular voice, has declared the determination of the
nation to resist the arrogant aggression of the Bishop
of Rome. Beyond this it is almost enough to ob-
serve that propositions for the improvement of the ad-
ministration of justice, for the health, education, and
social amelioration of the people, have been intro-
duced only to be withdrawn. We may at least hope
that the discussion which has arisen on these subjects
will prepare the way for practical legislation at no
distant period. But as public journalists, and espe-
cially as discharging the duties of that responsible
position in a widely-spread agricultural district, we
cannot but express our regret that the session of 1851
should have passed away without any Legislative at-
tempt being made to relieve the depressed state of a
large and important part of the community. The
position of the agricultural body is still that of rusticus
expectans, while the stream of free trade flows on,
and, to all appearances, will continue to flow. " The
great race of nations," says our keen-witted contem-
porary, the Times, "has scarcely yet begun." And how,
it is suggested, is England to "challenge the whole
world, with her huge debt on her shoulders ?" «e beg
leave, in reply to this question, to remind our readers
that there was a time when England had not
only " challenged" the world, but stood in arms
against the world, and that at that time the progress
of the nation, under all the disadvantages of almost
universal war, was such as had never before been
witne;sed. Is it not within the bounds of probability
that the same cause which enabled this nation to
triumph in war, might also, aided by the indomitable
energy and enterprise of its children, enable it to
triumph in the great competition of the world in the
industrial arts of peace ? We know that it is a great
fact that the monetary system introduced by Wil-
liam Pitt carried this ration through the eventful pe-
riod between 1796 and 1815. Is it, we say, unsea-
sonable to suppose that such a system—improved by
all the wisdom of upwards of thirty years' experi-
ence—would enable the agriculturalist, the manufac-
turer, and the merchant, to enter the lists with the
world on the broad field of universal competition ?
his subject has recently been revived, and has ob-
tained the attention of thinking and practical men in
every part of the kingdom. We have no wish to
dogmatize on the question of currency, which all ad-
mit to be difficult and intricate, but we beg leave to
suggest that the circumstances of this nation render
the candid and impartial consideration of the possi-
bility of an amelioration of our monetary system a
primary duty both of constituents and representa-
tives.—Doncaster Gazette.

NEW INVENTION IN BRIDGE.DITILDING. -- Mr.
Samuel Perks, of Emerson-street, Southwark-bridge, engi-
neer, has registered, under the new Act for the protection, of
inventions, his claims to a novelty in building timber bridges,
columns, masts of ships, &c., which consists essentially of a
combination of pieces irregularly crossing, overlapping, bind-
ing, and interweaving, whereby, when secured by bolts,
screws, or nails, and cemented, aed made impervious to wet,
&c., by asphaltum, bitumen, or other convenient cementive
material, solid beams of any length, say 1,000 feet, may be
made, by even unskilful hands, of far greater strength (ac-
cording to his statement) than any single piece of beam
timber, and at far less expense of either time or money than
so much brick or stone work. There are other modifications
of the same principle claimed, such as the formation of masts
and keels of ships, the masts being made of concentric
pieces crossed and bound together to any requisite length
and girth. Specimens of the inventions are deposited in the
International Exhibition. Builder.
AN EXTRAORDINARY SHOT AT AN EAGLE.—Last
week, as Mr. John Hutton was shooting on Scratcbmoor
Scar, about five miles from Penrith, he beheld, to his sur-
prise, a fine eagle soaring above him, ap
toparently watching
the manceuvres of his dog q, and laughing acotn the weapon
which he wielded. Mr. Hutton, however, levelled his gun,
a double-barrelled one, made by Mr. Rowentree, of Penrith,
the celebrated improver of the percussion cap, took a de-
liberate aim, and brought the majestic bird to the ground,
and it was so severely wounded that it died almost instantly,
and what is more striking, the shot used was No. 5, which
is fit only for partridge, and the gun Was of an ordinary
size. The bird measured 48 inches from tip to tip. lie has
haunted this neighbourhood upwards of four years, and "as
frequently been fired at, but always got off unscathed until
he came within range of the muzzle of the Fpgi..ol. 2aat").
—Carlisle Patriot. Atessalei nsi7e,cs:lJ

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