The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-31 00:00:00

TJIE INQUEST.

The inquest upon the,_body of Mrs. Barnes took
place yesterday (Tuesday), at the New inn, Belper.
The evidence given was substantially in accordance
with the facts published by us yesterday. The inquiry
was adjourned over till this morning.

FORGERIES ON THE YORKSHIRE
BANKING COMPANY.

LEEDS, DEC. 30.—An extensive forgery has just
been brought to light in this locality. From what has
transpired within the last few days it is evident that
forged notes of the Yorkshire Banking Company
(which has branches in most of the large towns of
Yorkshire) have been rather extensively circulated.
Last Friday two men, named Jones and Jackson,
were committed for trial from Bradford on fiveesepa-
rate charges of having uttered these notes, and in all,
so far as can be ascertained, twenty 51. notes have been
passed in that town alone.
On Saturday last Inspector Granham, of the Leeds
police, having obtained information as to other par-
ties supposed to have paid forged notes at Leeds,
proceeded to Sheffield, and in a public-house there
apprehended three men, one of whom was identified
by two Leeds tradesmen (who accompanied him), as
the man who had paid them each a 51. forged note on
Christmas Eve. On the same evening a great number
of other forged notes were also paid in Leeds.
The three men apprehended are named James
Ellis, Edward Marshall, and John Green. They were
brought to Leeds yesterday (Monday), and underwent
a long examination before Ralph Markland, Esq., and
C. E Macleod, Esq., two borough magistrates.
Mr. Eddison, solicitor, of Leeds, appeared to pro-
secute, and Mr. Wainwright, solicitor, of Wakefield,
for the prisoners.
Mr. Inspector Granham produced a large quantity
of tea, some silk handkerchiefs, and other articles,
which had been found on Sunday in a house in.York-
street, Leeds, and these articles are what appear to
have been purchased by the parties who paid the
forged notes in Leeds on Christmas Eve. As far as
has been ascertained, all the notes paid in Leeds were
passed off on the same evening (namely, on the 24th
inst.), and almost at the same time. Not more than
two hours seemed to have elapsed between the first
payment and the last, though they were made in
different parts of the town.
The evidence produced went to show that on the
evening named Mr. William Malkin, a grocer, in
Boar-lane, received a forged 51. note in payment for
half a pound of tea and two ounces of tobacco, the
value of which together was 2s. hid., and he iden-
tified the prisoner James Ellis as the man who paid
him the note.

Mr. John Birdsell, a grocer, at Timble Bridge, re-
ceived a similar note in payment for some tea and
coffee, amounting to 3s. 61, and he identified the
prisoner Marshall as the man who paid him it.
Mr. Samuel Firth, draper, Marsh-lane, identified
the prisoner Ellis as the man who paid him a similar
forged note (purporting, like the others, to be of the
Doncaster branch), in payment for a black silk hand-
kerchief, the price of which was 4s. 61
Mr. James Winpenny, grocer, of Timble Bridge,
stated that on the same evening he also received a
similar note from the prisoner Ellis, in payment for
half a pound of tea.

Mr. William Hill, draper, Kirkgate, indentified
Marshall as the man who paid him a similar note
likewise on the same evening in payment for a silk
handkerchief and muffler, value Bs. GI
Mrs. Mary Greenwood, of Hanslet-lane, grocer ;
Mr. Ifenry Exley, grocer, Marsh-lane ; Mr. Peter
Whitelock, goocer, Upper Head-row, each produced
forged 51. notes of the same bank, which they had
received the same evening in payment of small sums
of 2e. and 3s. each ; but though they spoke to Ellis
and Marshall as like the men who paid them, they
could not speak positively to their identity.
The prisoner Ellis was also sworn to as having paid
another forged Si. note to Hr. R. Glover, of the Wel-
lington Hotel, in payment for a glass of grog.
Ann Hickman, the person in whose house the pro-
perty bought was found, and who is also the mother-
in-law of the prisoner Ellis, stated that she
never saw the prisoner at her house, and that the
articles found there, and produced by Inspector Gran-
ham, had been left with her daughter, when she
was out.

Avarilla Hickman, daughter of the previous witness,
said that the goods were left on Christmas Eve in a
box, by a man who wore a drab top coat, but who
was stouter than any of the prisoners; that she never
saw the prisoner Ellis at her mother's house on that
night ; that the man who left the goods said his name
was Ellis, and that she had told the inspector of
police so.
Mr. W. Cooper, manager of the Doncaster branch
of the Yorkshire Bank, said he had examined all the
notes produced (nine in number), and he pronounced
them to be forgeries. The signatures to the notes
had bee❑ lithographed and then inked over. The
general appearance of the notes very much resembled
the genuine ones, but there were some important
defects in the German text " Y," in " Yorkshire,"
and the plate from which the forged notes had been
taken was also more than a quarter of an inch shorter
than the plate from which the genuine notes were
obtained.

This being all the evidence at present, Ellis and
Marshall were committed for trial at the next York
assizes; and Green was remanded to Thursday, when
it is expected evidence against him will also be pro-
duced.

FATAL ACCIDENT Fsolll A GUN.-011 Friday Mr.
Joseph Bentall, of the Green Shutter farm, Prittlewell, took
his gun, a double-barrelled one, and his dog, stating he
should go into the fields, look for a hare, and return about
four o'clock. Not returning at the time, the workmen of the
farm searched the fields. About nine o'clock deceased was
found lying on his face, in a field near his brother's house,
with a handkerchief round his head. Life was extinct. It
v, as discovered that the skull was fractured, and part blown
away, evidently from the discharge of a gun, which ap-
peared not to have taken instantaneous fatal effect, as the
deceased had taken off his neckerchief and bound it tightly
round his head, to stop the hemorrhage, and had put on his
pocket-handkerchief also. This was done in a rough man-
ner, as if his strength was failing. Deceased had proceeded
about 80 yards towards his brother's house from the spot
where the accident appeared to have happened before he
fell, and hai passed through a small pond, leaving marks of
blood, where he had evidently struggled to get out on the
other aide. It is thought he had shot a hare, one being
found in his pocket, and while reloading his gun the other
barrel went off. his dog was found lying beside
Essex Herald.

MONMOUTHSHIRE AND GLAMORGANSUIRE BANK-
ING ComPaNy.—A petition has been presented to the
Court of Chancery praying that the winding-up of the
affairs of this bank, which lately failed, may be referred for
settlement to the Commissioners o-t the Bristol District Court
of Bankruptcy, notwithstanding that the Act of Parliament
for winding-up joint stock companies provides that these
Matters, which involve numerous nice que,,tions in law and
equity, shall-be referred exclusively to the Masters in Chan-
cery. The principal reason alleged for the proposed refe-
rrnce is on the ground of convenience to the parties locally
interested, for which purpose, under the Act, a Master Ex.
traordiaary in Chancery may be appointed.

COITIRT
WINDSOR, Drc• 30.
The Queen walked in the Homt-pftik and Slopes
this morning.
The Prince of Waics, the Princess Royal, and
younger members of the Royal family, took their
usulll pony and walking exercise.
His Royal Highae,ss Prince Albert went out shoot-
ing this morning, accompanied by Prince Nicholas
of Nassau, Baron Bentinck, and Lord Cowley. Ccl.
Bouverie attended on Prince Albert, and Baron Hadeln
on Prince Nicholas of Nassau.

At the Royal table last evening at the Castle were
her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Serene
Highness Prince Nicholas of Nassau, the Lady in
Waiting to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
the Baroness de Speth, the Baron Bentinck, Lord and
Lady Cowley, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Baron
Hsdeln, and Baron Roggenback.
The band of the Grenadier Guards attended during
dinner and played the following selection :
Overture, " Belisario"
Waltz, "Die Industriellcn"
Srlection from " Cenerentola"

Carnival de Venise Paganini.
Erinnerung an Lucille Grahn, polka
Her ILjesty's private bind afterwards attended
and pe-rformed—

The Overture " Zerline"
Finale, ht Act " Euryanthe"
Chwur et March du Bwuf Apia " L'lu-
fant Prodigue" .
Dame Bohemienne

....... Auber.
...

Earl Granville, the Queen's Principal Secretary of
State for Poreign Affairs, held a diplomatic levee at
four o'clock yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-office,
Downing-street.
The reception was attended by the Ambassador of
France (Count Walewski), the Ministers of Belgium
(M. Van da Weyer), Buenos Ayres (M. Moreno),
Bavaria (Baron de Cetto), Russia (Baron Brunnow),
Prussia (Chevalier Bunsen), Sweden and Norway
(Baron de Rebausen), United States of America (Mr.
Abbott Lawrence), Greece (M. Tricoupi), Turkey
(M. Musurus), Austria (Count Buol), Portugal (Count
de Lavradio), Brazils (Chevalier de Macedo), Naples
and the Two Sicilies (Prince Carini), Persia (Sheffee
Khan) ; and by the Charges d'Affaires of Peru (M.
-Rivero), Danmark (M. de Bielke), Spain (M.
Comyn), Sardinia (the Marquis Oldoini), Guatemala
and Costa Rica (M. Wallerstein and Colonel Facio).
Their Excellencies appeared in their respective
diplomatic costumes, and such as are members of
Orders of Knighthood wore their respective insignia.
The reception was concluded at half. past five o'clock.

NATIONAL MERCANTILE LIFE

ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

Yesterday the ordinary annual meeting of this so-
ciety was held at the London Tavern, when a report
from the directors was read to the members. The re-
port stated that the office was in a very satisfactory
position, the amount of the sums assured during the
year ending 30th September, 1851, amounting to
178,037/. 10s. 5d., showing an increase upon the year
1850 of 19,221/. 163. sd. The amount of the claims
by deaths during the year 1850 was 11,304/. 73. 7d.;
whereas during the past year they only amounted to
4,694/. 135,, showing a diminution in favour of 1851
of the sum of 6,6091. 14s. 7d. The report of the di-
rectors was received and adopted, and the business
terminated.

In the evening the anniversary of the establishment
of the society was celebrated by a dinner at the same
place, which was presided over by Mr. Robert %YR-
coxon, and attended by the directors, the principal
officers, and a considerable number of the friends of
the institution.

After the customary loyal and patriotic toasts had
been duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of the evening,
" Prosperity to the National Mercantile Assurance
Society." He said that, as chairman of the Life
Board, he should confine his observations to that
department of the business with which he was con-
nected. That company was established in 1838, by
a few noble-minded commercial travellers, who thought
it most desirable that an assurance office should be set
o❑ foot, to which their own class could particularly
resort. During the past year the losses sustained by
the company amounted to a sum under 5,000/. ; and
their income had considerably increased. The whole
of the losses of the society, since its establishment in
1838 up to the present time, by the decease of mem-
bers, amounted only to the sum of 48,0001., and
their present annual income amounted to upwards of
42,0001.—a sum of itself nearly sufficient to pay the
whole of the claims on account of deaths which had
arisen since the commencement of their office.—

(Hear, hear.) Independent of that, the amount which
had accrued to the company, through the lapse of
policies which unfortunate members had not been able
to continue, was highly satisfactory. The flourishing
position of the office was in a great measure attributable
to the care and prudence exercised both by the medical
officers and by the directors of the institution in the
selection of sound lives. The present year had been
one of great change to the office. Since the Ist of
January, 1851, the nature and composition of the
company had been altogether altered. They had
thrown off the trammels of a proprietary and be-
come a mutual life assurance office—(Hear, hear)—
and he thought they would admit that that was a step
in the right direction. Since the establishment of
the office the directors had not litigated a single claim,
but had met every liability cheerfully and promptly,
and he trusted they would long continue to do the
same. It depended upon the body of commercial
travellers of England to make their own property
treble its present value, and by their influence and
their zeal the National Mercantile Assurance Society
might soon be made one of the most useful, as well as
most successful assurance offices in the kingdom.
Mr. TEAPE (one of the members of the Fire
Board) said that, although his branch of the office
was only now in its infancy, it was steadily progress-
ing in importance; and it was in the power of the
commercial travellers to place the fire business in an
equal position with the life department. He con-
cluded by proposing " The health of the body of com-
mercial travellers."

Mr. CARTER briefly returned thanks ; after which
Mr. LawsoN gave "The health of Mr. Robert
Wilcoxon," the chairman, on whom he passed a high
eulogium for his valuable services to the company.
The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast, and pro-
posed the like compliment to Mr. Jenkin Jones, the
secretary.

Mr. JONES; in returning thanks, alluded to the re-
mark of the chairman as to the number of lapsed
policies. It was true that these contingencies were
very profitable to a proprietary office; but he con-
sidered that the object of a mutual office should be
to render every man's policy, no matter what his cir-
cumstances might be, of the greatest possible value to
him ; and if he should be unable. through misfortune,
to keep up his payments, he should not be compelled
to forfeit all his interest in the institution on that
account.

Various other toasts of a complimentary character
followed, including " The healths of the Directors,"
" The Local Agents," and " The Medical Officers,"
and the company separated at an early hour, having
spent a very harmonious and convivial evening.

COLLISION.—THE BLENHEIM AND TRAFALGAR
STICAMERS.—About the time of high water—half-past twelve
o'clock on Thursday a serious collision took place, at the
entrance of the Clarence Dock, between the City of Dublin
steamer Trafalgar and the Belfast Company's steamer Blen-
heim. Thh Trafalgar was engaged in warping into the
Clarence Dock Basin, being properly secured by the usual
cable, guide rope, &c., when, as she was half round the north
corner of the gate, the Blenheim was observed approaching
the Clarence Dock along the walls of the Stanley and Col-
lingwood. From some cause which remains to be explained,
she was not able to slacken her speed in time, or to steer
wide of the Trafalgar, and she struck that vessel violently in
the quarter with her paddle-box, staving in her stem lights,
knocking down her wheel, and seriously injuring other of
her upper work—however, as thus far ascertained, doing no
injury below. So violent was the shock that the cable—a
nine• inch one—upon which the Trafalgar was twisting in,
was broken, and the vessel impelled against the south wall
of the dock entrance, seriously damaging her head and cut-
water. The injury done to the Trafalgar will, we learn, cost
at least a couple of hundred pounds, with a fortnight or
three weeks' detention in port to repair, in all from 3001. to
5001. The Blenheim is herself much injured, having her
paddle-wheel destroyed, and her steering gear displaced.—
Liverpool Times.
THE RAWMARSH COLLIERY EXPLOSION.—The ad-
journed inquest was resumed yesterday. The important
feature in the proceedings was the examination of the Go-
vernment inspector, whose opinion appeared to be that, as
some short time before the accident there had been a fall of
coal in the mine, a quantity of gas had been liberated, and
that coming in contact with one of the lighted candles used
by the men it had exploded. The inquiry had not terminated
when our account was sent of E.

THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR WIGAN. The
adjourned inquest was resumed yesterday at Hindly. The
Government inspector gave his opinion as to the state of the
mine, and the inquiry, which seemed likely to be protracted
to a late hour, was proceeding when our report left.
ANTI-TEETOTAL ROOKS.—SoPIie time ago, in con-
sequence of being too much protected in this district, while
they were severely dealt with elsewhere, the rooks became
so numerous amongst us, and so destructive to all manner of
crops, that the pest was intolerable. In Annandale espe-
cially the mischief done was enormous. A poor hind went
out one morning, and found his young potato crop completely
gone; he returned to his cottage, and sat down and cried in
vexation. How to abate the nuisance became a serious ques-
tion. One yeoman steeped barley in whisky, and scattered
it in one of their places of resort, and then sallied out with a
nung to do for the tipsy vermin. A lot of ten or a dozen of
them were sitting, as glorious as a circle of bailie3 at a cor-
poration dinner, nodding to ore another with such antics,
and tumbling over so fantastically, that our stout-hearted
friend became too generous to take advantage of the drunken
squad; and so he let them go," rogues in grain" though they
were.—Dunfries Herald.

GAME OF CHESS BETWEEN ENGLAND AND BEL-
GIUM.—BRUSSELS, DEC. 28._ This game, which has excited
so much interest and atteution has been gained by the Bri-
tikh champion, Sir John Deaco'n, who beat his adversary, M.
Michaels, the Belgian champion, by 7 to 3. - Journal du
Commerce d'Anvers, Dec. 29.