The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-11 00:00:00

CAPTURE OF A RIEAND GANG.

A letter from Roscommon announces the capture
on the 7th inst. of a band of 15 Ribandmen. They

formed part of a gang who for some time past have
been traversing the county, attacking houses, and
demanding arms. Their arrest has caused great
consternation among their associates yet at large,
many of whom have fled the neighbourhood of
their exploits.

LA ffr INTELLIGENCF.—March 10.

JUDGES' CHAMBERS.
(Before Mr. Justice Crompton.)

N Trin MATTER OF MARY ANN SING.-NOVEL AND
PORTANT APPLICATION AGAINST A CONVENT.

A writ of habeas corpus had been issued a few days
since, and was to-day made returnable to produce the
body of a girl named Mary Ann King, supposed to be
detained at the convent of "Our Lady," at Norwood.
Mr. Clarke, of Bedford-row, attended on the part of
the mother of the girl, and Mr. Harting, of Lincoln's-
inn-field, appeared for Laura d'Espinasse, the Mother
Superior of the convent.
The case had attracted a good deal of public notice.
The application was made, and the writ issued oil an
affidavit of Mary King, the mother of the girl, who bad
been some time in the nunnery. The mother detailed
several interviews she bad at Norwood, and declared that
she was anxious to see her daughter, and was willing to
receive her home, and to have her under her maternal
care. It appeared that the girl was 15 last May, and
through Father Cotter, a priest of St. George's Church,
was admitted to the Convent school of " Our Lady," in
1850, for two years. She was advised to let her remain
for six months longer. Her daughter had expressed her
dislike to go abroad, and appeared pleased when she
heard she was was only to be at the convent six months
longer. Subsequently her mother called several times to
take her home, and also with her solicitor, Mr. Clarke,
to see the " Reverend Mother," when it was stated that
the girl was in France. An application was made to Mr.
Justice Crompton, and the writ of habeas to produce
the girl.
No affidavit was used or filed denying the statements
of the girl's mother. The return to the writ set forth
that Mary Ann King had been placed at the convent in
1850 for the purpose of being educated, and put out to
some respectable situation. That in the year 1855 the
girl had of her own free will gone to Havre, in France,
and had obtained a situation there, and that neither the
mother superior, nor any one in the said convent, had
any control or authority over her, nor had they the
custody of the girl at the time the writ was issued. Fur-
ther, the return showed that the lady superior had no
authority over her for twelve months previously, nor
since the writ was granted.
The learned Judge, having read the return, said he
considered it a good and sufficient answer to the appli-

cation.
Mr. Clarke concurred with the view taken by hie
lordship, observing that they had obtained the informa-
tion which they could not procure before the return of
the writ.
The return was ordered to be filed, ;laid the parties
retired.

SIR EDMUND LYONS —For some days past there has
been a rumour prevalent at the naval and military clubs
tbat Sir Edmund Lyons is to be raised to the peerage.
We should not be surprised if such a report should ulti-
mately turn out to be true, as the Whigs have unfortu-
nately always had a strong desire to exercise the power
of creating new peerages, with the vain hope of strength-
ening their position in the Upper House. We have no
objection, as far as we are concerned, to see honours
heaped on Sir Edmund Lyons. He has been a fortu-
nate man throughout life; and, therefore, on the principle
laid down by Napoleon 1., deserves all he gets. I%
presume, however, that the peerage will be granted for
diplomatic services, and not for any naval feats of I.is
performance ; for up to this time we are not aware that
he has done anything meriting distinctions similar to
those bestowed on Nelson, Rodney, Duncan, Howe, or
Jervis. The baronetage is an honourable order. Sir
James Simpson, the Commander-in-Chief of the army,
has been rewarded by being placed in it ; and we shall
be quite satisfied to see Sir Edmund Lyons placed side
by side with his old colleague. Moreover, it R oald
not be right, nor good policy, to elpieciate one service
at the expense of the other.—Morning Herald.