The Sun.
London, England, 1834-07-28 00:00:00

THAMES POLICE.

Robert Darguet, a waterman and river pilot belonging
to Greenwich, was charged under the Wilful Damage Act
with injuring a boat which he ran down, and nearly
drowned five person, while bringing the Endeavour, of
Scarborough, up the river on Sunday, the 13th instant.
Mr. Gillett, a Greenwich waterman, with his wife and
child, and a Mr. Church, a plumber, of Blackheath, with
his wife, were the persons in the boat. The pilot was
warned on coming up in tho direction of the boat that he
would sink it, and he could easily have kept out of the way,
but he laughed at the intimation then given. In a few
minutes afterwards the bobstay of the schooner struck the

boat and sunk it. All the persons in it were instantly im-
mersed in the water, and were saved with great difficulty by
the boats of another vessel. The exertions• of Matthew
Groves, a waterman of Greenwich, are particularly entitled
to praise, for two of the party but for his exertions must
have been drowned. It was the opinion of the persons in
the boat that Darguet must have sunk it wilfully.
The MAGISTRATE dismissed the complaint, thus leaving
it in the power of complainants either to proceed by action
for the injury, or to indict for the capital offence.
Edward Stephens, the captain of the Queen Adelaide, a
small steamer running between Hungerford-market and
Greenwich, was summoned before Mr. BRODERIP, charged
with acting as master, not being licensed to do so by the
Watermen's Company, by which he had incurred the
penalty of 5/. A former master of the same vessel was
fined 51. some weeks back, and Stephens was on Saturday,
the 19th instant, convicted in the penalty of 40s. for the
same offence. •

Mr. Banyon, clerk of the Watermen's Company, stated
that their jurisdiction extended. between Yantlet Creek, in
Kent, and Windsor ; and in answer to a question from
Stephens' solicitor, he said he was not aware of any steamers
being licensed by the Company.
It was contended for Stephens that the Watermen's
Company had no power to license steamers, and conse-

quently no jurisdiction over them. They were not even
mentioned in the Act of Parliament. It was further con-
tended that the power of licensing possessed by the Corn.
pany extends only to boats that do not carry more than
eight persons.

--The defendant was fined 5/. ; but gave notice of his in
ion to appeal against the decision.

Captain Grant, master of the Royal Sovereign, Margate
steam-packet, was charged with " assaulting and beating"
three gentlemen on the river Thames, the same being a
common and ancient highway, by running down a boat con-
taining Mr. Thomas Masterman, an opulent brewer, of
Broad-street, Ratcliff, Mr. Edward Heath, a shipowner,
and Mr. Wm. Heath, his uncle, off Greenwich, on the even-
ing of Wednesday, the 16th instant, by which they very
narrowly escaped drowning.

From the evidence it appeared that the complainants
went out in a wherry for the purpose of bathing, and, about
nine o'clock, Mr. Masterman and Mr. W. Heath were in

the boat, lying on their oars, off the Isle of Dogs, opposite
Greenwich, waiting for Mr. Edward Heath, who was in the
water, when the Royal Sovereign hove in sight, coming up
the river with the tide. They immediately began pulling in
towards the north shore to get out of her way, and Mr. E.
Heath, by the advice of the others, took hold of a rope
astern, to save himself from being drowned by the swell
from the steamer's paddles. Directly afterwards the Royal
Sovereign seemed to alter her course, and bear towards
them at a very' rapid rate, on which they hailed her as loud
as they were able, and continued pulling towards the shore,
but the steam-vessel came after them, as if it was giving
chase, and came stem on direct upon their boat. She
was struck in midships, and the gunwale stove in, by which
she filled and went from under them. Mr. E. Heath, who
had been bathing had just before got into the boat by the
advice of his friends, as a collision seemed inevitable, and
Mr. Masterman, at the moment the boat was struck, or
two or three seconds before, jumped up and made a spring
at the steamer's chain cable, to which he clung, while ano-
ther seized the bobstay, and kept the boat and the third
person from actually going down, until they were taken
into the watermen's boats, which put off to their assistance.
The boat then swung round on the larboard bow, and sunk.
The three complainants said they were saved as by a mi-
racle, and that very great neglect, to say the least of it,
was•exhibited by the conductors of the steamer. Mr. E.
Heath lost all his clothes and money.
Two watermen, who saw the accident, confirmed the
statement of the complainants.
Mr. BRODERIP said the case was one of such great im-
portance to the public, whose lives and property were
hourly put in peril by the dangerous navigation of the
steamers, and particularly by the velocity of those con-
stantly running to Gravesend, that the Magistrates would
not dispose of the case summarily, but were determined to
send it to the Sessions.

Mr. Ryland, for the defendant, begged it might be un-
derstood that he had a complete answer to the case, and
he could prove, by a host of witnesses, that the gentlemen
caused the mischief by their own imprudence. He should,
of course, reserve his defence.
Defendant was then held to bail, in two sureties of 50/.
each, and himself in 100/.

MEMOIRS OF HENRY SALT, ESQ., LATE CON-
Stl.-GENERAL IN EGYPT.—This work possesses the two-fold
attraction of a book of travels in a highly interesting country,
and the history of a man of first-rate science and enterprise.
As a piece of authorship it will rank with the best productions
of its class. It is written in an unaffected style, and its hero
is so frequently allowed to speak for himself, that it possesses
all the advantages of an autobiography. The history of Mr.
Salt is curious : he' began life as a portrait painter, but was
unsuccessful, and afterwards gladly accepted the offer of
Lord Valentia to accompany him to India as a draughtsman.
ht 1809 Salt was sent by the British Government to Abyssinia
with presents to the sovereign of that country. In 1815 he
was appointed Consul-General in Egypt. From this period
his researches for antiquities were constant and indefatigable.
He devoted his private property (5,0000 to collect antiquities
for the British Museum, and was rewarded, as public benefac-
tors are usually rewarded for such services. Altogether this
is one of the most important and interesting works of the pre-
sent season.—United Service Gazette.

SINGULAR EFFECT OF SUPERSTITION.—At
Roche fair, within a few miles of this place, on Tuesday last,
whilst a merry-andrew belonging to an itinerant exhibition
was delighting a gaping multitude with his jests and gambols,
one of a numerous colony of rooks located in a neighbouring
grove was seen approaching the village, and after hovering
over the spot on which the exhibition stood, alighted on a line
which supported the upper part of the booth, where the sable
visitant sat, as if delighted with the music, &c. After some time
the bird flew off to its companions, and fluttered and cawed as
if inviting them to proceed to the enchanted spot, but not
being able to succeed, it flew back with the rapidity of a
hawk following its prey, and without stopping, alighted on the
head of the posture-master, by whom it was caught. An old
woman who had seen more than ninety summers, and in whose
yard the booth was placed, declared that the occurrence was
an evil omen, as such another circumstance had happened
when she was a child, and shortly after about 200 persons had
died of a fever that raged in the parish. To avert, if possi-
ble, a similar visitation, the old woman, backed by a number
of persons, insisted that the booth should be immediately re-
moved from the village, and notwithstanding the remonstrances
of the showman and of the less superstitious part of the audi-
tory, this was effected, to the great dissatisfaction of the spec-
tators, and the great loss of the performers.— West Briton.

A great convivial meeting, composed of the electors who
supported Sir John Hobhouse in the contest which has just
terminated for the represention in Parliament of Nottingham,
was held on Friday evening, in the large room of the Ex.
change for the purpose of celebrating the Right Hon. Baro-
net's return.
Four tiers of tables stretching the length of the great room
were placed for the party. At a little after eight o'clock,
Sir John Hobhouse, accompanied by Lord Rancliffe and Mr.
Wakefield, his proposer and seconder, by the Mayor, Alder.,
men, and other members of the Corporation, and by numerous
other distinguished friends, entered the room, and was re-
ceived with long-continued cheering. At each corner of the
room a banner was hung bearing the inscriptions—" Our Pa-
triot, Grey," " Liberty to all the World," and " The Con-
stitution in its Purity."
THOMAS WAKEFIELD, Esq., was appointed to the chair, and,
in proposing the health of Sir John Hobhouse, said he re-
gretted.that the Right Hon. Baronet had not been allowed a
hearing in his own defence on the day of nomination. It was
fair, it was right, it was just, that the electors should have a
full explanation of the circumstances which brought Sir John
Hobhouse amongst them as a candidate—( Hear, hear)—and
that they should know there was no individual had more in-
fluence in that choice, or did more to conduce to his being
now their Member than any one individual, be he rich or poor,
who tendered his vote for him.—( Much applause, and " Hear"
from Sir John Hobhouse.) On the 16th July he (the Chair-
man) received a letter from their late ROTesentative, Lord
Duncannon, stating the arrangements which might take place,
and that probhhly he might be called upon to take another
office, and be called to the House of Peers ; but, as these ar-
rangements were not certain, his Lordship begged he would
not mention them to any individual. He could not, of course,
make it known ; at the same time his Lordship stated " that
many of their friends in London had been thinking that, if
such an event should take place, that Hobhouse, whom they
long wished to see in Parliament, would make a good repre-
sentative for the town of Nottingham."—(Applause.) At
that time no intimation that his (the Chairman's) friend (if he
might be allowed to call him so) had been given that ho was
likely to become connected with the Administration or a
member of the Cabinet.
Sir Jonx HOBHOUSE--I knew nothing about the matter
whatever.—( Cheers. )
The ChAIRMAN
. continued by observing, that he wrote to
Lord Duncannon, stating that be regretted exceedingly that
they should lose his services as their representative ; but if
from his duty to his country, his Lordship felt himself called
upon to resign the representation of_ Nottingham, he (the
Chairman) could not, and would not, pretend to state to the
electors who was a fit and proper person to become their re-
presentative—( Applause)—but he did not think, from the
character of Sir John Hobhouse, and from the estimation he
believed he was held in, that he would be received by the
electors as a suitable person ; and he added that, in making a
private communication, if it were thought desirable that he should
be their representative, he would, as soon as he could, state there
would be a vacancy, and call a meeting of the electors. On the fol-
lowing day (Thursday) he received another letter from Lord
Duncannon, stating that he was appointed to the Home Office,
and was to be raised to the Peerage ; the other arrangements
were not certain, and would not be known by the time of the
post leaving London. On that same day he received a letter
from Gen. Ferguson—(Applause)—to say that he believed
Sir J. Hobhouse would be appointed to the situation of Com-
missioner of Woods and Forests, vacant by Lord Duncannon;
and that if the electors of Nottingham were inclined to choose
him, he ( Sir R. Ferguson) believed they would be conferring
a benefit on the country in establishing the principles of the
Government, by showing their testimony of entire approbation
of it, and by this means enable it to persevere—(Hear, hear)
—and he believed the elevation of Lord Duncannon, and the
appointment of Sir John Hobhouse was the surest pledge of
their intention.--( Cheers.) On the same day that he received
these communications, a London Paper, to his surprise and
astonishment, contained an announcement that Lord Dun-
cannon was Home Secretary, and that Sir John Hobhouse had
succeeded him as Commissioner of Woods and Forests, and
that he was gone down to Nottingham, and was to be their
representative. This was done before he had an opportunity
of consulting any of the electors. On the same day a com-
munication was received from the friends of Mr. Eagle that ho
intended to offer himself for the town of Nottingham. Those
who announced Mr. Eagle must either have been in commu-
nication before, or have received a communication from him,
as soon as the arrangement became known, and if so, how
could they, with consistency or decency, charge any party or
public body with wishing to cram a member down their throats
--(Hear, hear)--when they themselves were the individuals to
do so, backed by the influence of Mr. O'Connell ? He (the
Chairman) would ask the company whether the individuals
(alluding to the Corporation) who had been charged with
making the town of Nottingham an Old Sarum borough,
had not always, and in the worst of times, struggled to render
service to the town, and to save it from Tory thraldom..._.( Hear,
hear, and cheering.) He hoped they would excuse him while
he alluded to the recommendation of Mr. Eagle by Mr. O'Con-
nell. About six days before that recommendation came down
to Nottingham, Mr. O'Connell and his "tail".—(Laughter)—
signed a document, addressed to Lord Althorp, saying there
was no security for the country against Tory domination, un-
less the present Administration was continued.—( Hear.) He
then, notwithstanding, sent down his recommendation, and on
the next day he called on a gentleman, whose name as it was
communicated to him (the Chairman) in confidence, he was not
at liberty to mention, but whom they all knew, as one whose vera-
city was unquestionable.—( Cheers, the company understanding
to whom the Chairman alluded.) He called upon that gentle-
man, who, making his " recantation of recommendation," said
that hearing that Sir J. Hobhouse had gone down to Not-
tingham, he was sorry he had recommended Mr. Eagle ; but
that he felt convinced that Mr. Eagle would resign as soon as
he was aware that Sir John was a candidate. They all knew
the able manner in which Mr. O'Connell had advocated th•-
people's cause---(" Hear, hear," from Sir J. Hobhouse)--but
he (the Chairman) thought they would agree with him that
Mr. O'Connell ought not to interfere with the right of election
of the people of this country.--( Hear, hear.) lie should not
impose his dictation on the electors of Nottingham, and thus
propose to them a candidate—and such a candidate I—( Laugh-
ter, and clapping of hands)—to elect at his bidding. After
regretting the differences which had occurred between the
electors present and the Radicals, and disclaiming having used
any influence to forward the election, lie concluded by propos.-
ing the health of Sir John Hobhouse.
Sir J. Honnouse, when the applause with which he was
received had subsided, said that he fancied himself again amongst
his old friends, the people of Westminster, with whom he
commenced his Parliamentary life ; and if the generous and
worthy people of Nottingham had not condescended to rescue
him from the undeserved calumny of which he had been made
the victim—( Hear, hear)—it was probable he should have
passed the remainder of his days in private life. To the elec-
tors of Westminster he owed everything ; but to the people of
Nottingham, under the difficult circumstances in which he was
placed, he should ever return his very great thanks for the.sup-
port which they gave him in the election, and they should ever
possess his heartfelt gratitude for its result.—( Applause.)
Was it possible, he would ask, that a man who for years had
served the people, would come to Nottingham, and think to
deceive the people.—( Hear, hear.) Shameful I disgusting
impossible I He, one of the people, that he could think of
coming to them to deceive them, and disgrace himself I To
come to Nottingham for such a purpose I it was too trumpery
to be at all likely.—( Hear, hear.) The attack made upon
him was not for him, for they (the electors) had given the an-
swer, that he was now Member for Nottingham.--( Great
cheering.) He owed his present situation in the Government
to the opinions arising out of those subjects which the people
alone had made prevalent, and which will finally be the real
master principles of all the Governments of civilized man-
kind.—( Much applause.) He knew what the spirit of the
age taught, and what it was teaching. He was told that
he was an impeding drag on public opinion, which he denied ;
it could not and ought not to be impeded.—(Hear, hear, and
applause). He could have passed down the stream of time
without entering public life, having those means which ren-
dered it unnecessary for him to enter into it ; but he felt the
importance of obtaining Parliamentary Reform.--( Hear, hear)
—and on a public principle he entered into the great struggle
for that measure.—( Applause.) There was now a represen-
tation of the people in that House, which he now called " the
House of Commons," but which, when he entered public life,
was not a House of Commons.—( Cheers.) He had suffered
and struggled much in the cause of the people, and it was me-
lancholy to think that it was now all forgotten. It had been
objected to him, that when he came into public life he was op-
posed to the Whigs. He cared not for names. Why did he
oppose the Whigs in 1819 ? Why, because the Whigs were
not then Reformers ; but now he supported them because they
had become so.—( Cheers.) He was now a Member of Par-
liament, and he owed much to the electors of Nottingham, who
had placed him on the proud pedestal, to enable him to tell
the truth.—( Hear, and applause.) He was not there as a
Cabinet Minister to conceal secrets, because the present Go-
vernment had no secrets—( Cheers)—and let it go forth to the
world (continued the Right Hon. Baronet impressively), be-
cause they are opposed to predominance throughout the
world. —( Great cheering.) He could say that the party of 1819
was not the party of the present time—( Hear, hear)—whose
principles were sound, and based on those of the Reform Bill,
and not wild and ridiculous principles. The present Govern-
ment, he believed, understood the interests of the people of
England, and would attend to any suggestion that might be
made to them by the people of England.--( Hear, bear.) The
electors of Nottingham had returned two Members who had
been added to the Reform Cabinet—Lord Duncannon and
himself.

[The Right Hon. Baronet was here interrupted, by a piece
of lead having been thrown among the company, It was sent
with great force, whistling into the room through the end
window, from the street. In its fall it struck a gentleman
who was seated at one end of the tables nearly at the extreme
end of the room, and who narrowly escaped being seriously
injured by it. As soon as it was ascertained that no seriou
injury had been the consequence]
The Right Hon. Baronet proceeded. He was not the luau
to deceive them, and he assured theme 12% rto t 3,...,4, t,..,; v ),..
.-4 '
he conferred upon him could induce him to sacrifice the ditty
rived which
when
no wheed
wasthe take his
The time hadis leave of them, and if now ar.
tom.
Parliamentary conduct he should appear not to do his duty
hi
duay
towards them, he hoped they would not fail to tell kin) that
Baronet did
Hear, hear.) The Right Hon.
pernesteernetdthveemry.(
feelingly into the great attachment
nottherne
which he felt for the people of Westminster,
the warm rem!•
lections of whom could never be eradicated from his heart;
and again referred to the kindness of the peopte of 'Notting.
ham who had put the stamp on his =---(Che"t )
public conduct. The Right Hon. ,Baronet again assured the company that z•

•
should endeavour never to give them cause to repent the trust
they had that day confided to him, and that heovould instantly,
should they require it, restore it to their hands ; and pledging
himself that he would do every thing in his power to promote
the welfare of Nottingham, concluded amidst loud and long-
•ntinued cheering.
The health of Lord Rancliffe was next drunk amidst the
most enthusiastic cheering. His Lordship acknowledged the
compliment, and proposed as a toast " The present Admini-
stration, and success to them." The toast was drunk with
three times three, and great applause.
Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE said as a member of the Administra-
tion, and as a Cabinet Minister, he should not perform his
duty if he did not, on behalf of his colleagues and hirrfself,
return his most respectful and grateful thanks. He believed
the present Government Was founded on the principle and in-
tention of doing the utmost possible good to the people.—
(aravo, and cries of " Hear, hear," with loud cheering.)
The healths of the Lord Chancellor and Lord Denman
were .then proposed by Lord Rancliffe, and drunk with much
applause.
" Sir Ronald Ferguson's health" was next proposed by the
Chairman, and drunk with much enthusiasm.
" The health of the Vice-President" followed.

The CHAIRMAN then said he would be performing an act of
great injustice if he were not to give the health of that Nol?le
individual Earl Grey—(Cheering)—who through life had
advocated the principles of reform, and by whom the prin-
ciples of Charles Grey were carried into effect by Earl Grey.
Enthusiastic applause, and cries of "hear, hear.") They
would not separat%. without expressing the strong feelings of
gratitude which tliby owed to Earl Grey, who had, he re-
peated it, carried into effect in advanced life the. principles of
his early youth.—(Great cheering, amidst which his Lord-
ship's health was enthusiastically drunk with three times three.)
Sir JonN HonHousE rose to return thanks, and having ob-
served that he had had the honour of being Lord Grey's pub-
lic servant, and having pronounced an eulogium on his Lord-
ship, whose character, he said, was not for the present time,
for posterity—( Cheers) said
" Let others hail the rising sun,
I bow to him whose course is run."
•

" Lord Duncannon's health" was then drunk with mud,
Applause, after which the company separated.
Sir John Hobhouse left Nottingham at six o'clock on Satur-
day morning, fur London.