The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-24 00:00:00

THE WALSALL ROBBERY ROMANCE.

The youth Simpson, who with another youth named
Samuel Thompson was recently apprehended at Birken-
head, was brought up at the Walsall Police-court on
Monday. Ho was charged in conjunction with Thompson,
with stealing from the office of Messrs. Duignan, Lewis,
and Lewis, on the 15th of October, a bank draft for £670,
bank notes to the value of £135, and £135 in gold.
Thompson was a clerk in the prosecutors' office. On
Saturday week he was absent from business; and, on
inquiries being made, it was found that he had gone away
and could not be traced. Later on, however, it was found
that he and the prisoner were in London, and on Monday
the prisoner's father, who had in the meanwhile pro-
ceeded thither, ascertained that his son and Thompson
had engaged their passage for Australia in a vessel
which was then lading in the dock. Soon afterwards
the prisoner and his companion went to the shipbroker's
office, and learning that Mr. Simpson had been in-
quiring after them they decamped, and it would be
found, at once proceeded to the neighbourhood of Liver-
pool. On Friday night they were arrested at Birkenhead
by the police, as they were attempting to go over to Liver-
pool. On being brought upon the landing stage one of the pri-
soners put his hand into his pocket, and taking out a pocket-
book threw it into the river. He afterwards admitted
that this book contained a considerable sum in gold and
notes. He also attempted to throw something else into
the river, but the policeman in charge managed to
frustrate the attempt, and found that what the youth had
tried to throw into the water was a letter which he
had addressed to his father in Wallsall, intending it to
pass through the hands of a relative in Kidderminster.
In a book in a coat or cape of Thompson's, secured after
his arrest, was found a detailed account of all the notes
and gold stolen from Messrs. Duignan and Lewis, and
in the account opposite the entry of a £2O note of the
Dudley and West Bromwich Bank, and a £5 note, was
written in each instance "H. B. and Co., Oct. 23, 1869."
There were also entries of 130, with a small "s" above,
and 10 with a small " h " above—the one signifying 130
sovereigns, and the other ten half-sovereigns, the number
stolen. The book also contained a statement, shelving
haw the money was to be expended. The subjoined is a
copy of the letter referred to above. The advertisement at
the outset has been cut frem the Telegraph, and pasted
upon the paper upon which the letter was written :
Friday, 1839.—Walsall.—T. W. S.—Tom, dear boy, for
our sake and your own, write, or return at once. I had gone
back home." "My dear papa,—l saw your advertisement
in the Telegraph, and send this letter in answer to it. We
arc all safe, and quite well. I hope you are all well.
Don't let Cater get hold of this, as he may try and trace us
by it. If you got our luggage you will find a box in the
square basket. There are the same letters in it. Give
them to Priss. She will know what to do with them. No
one is to read them. They have nothing to do with this.
Don't you try to trace us by letter, as we shall be
gone, and shall take particular care so that we
cannot be traced. I have sent it through
Aunt Betsey, so that the envelope may not fall into
the hands of Duignan's folks. Sam sends his love to
his mama and sisters, and says he is quite well, and they
arc not to put themselves about. You are not to let Cater
know any more than you possibly can. It is a good job
you made that mistake in London. Keep Farlie safe.
We shall write again soon. We have seen to-day's Post ;
it has given us a hint or two. Don't put yourself to any
more expense, as it will be no good. All will come right
in time. Give my love to mama, Priss, Sc.—l remain
your affectionate son, " T. W. SIMPSON."
A remand_was granted.

DEATH OF A CHILD FROM EATING CHRYSAN-
THEmums.—On Tuesday Mr. R. Blagden, the coroner, held
an inquest at the Lamb Hotel, Westbourno, on the body of
a child named Eliza Pelter, who was poisoned by eating a
number of chrysanthemum blooms, which had been given
to her at school.

The Borsen-Zeitung states that Messrs. Grattoni
and Brassey, and Dr. Strousberg have jointly undertaken
to tunnel the St. Gotthard, and have engaged to complete
the gigantic undert 'king in less than seven years. The
news, though not yet confirmed, is far from being
improbable.

THE NEW G.C.B.—It is announced in the Gazette
that Mr. Elliot, the British Ambassador at Constantinople
is to receive the distinction of G.C.B. Official notice is
also given of the vacancy in the representation of Chester,
consequent upon the elevation of Earl Grosvenor to the
peernge.

Before Kean was twelve, he figured among the
infant imps whom John Keniblo introduced around the
witches' caldron in Macbeth. There his love of mischief
induced him to trip up the heels of his companions so
that they rolled on the stage, in a heap, amid the
laughter of the audience. When Kemble, in his dignified
way, reproved him, Kean penitently begged the manager
to consider that ho had never appeared in tragedy before.

THE PUBLIC lIEALTH.—There was a very high
rate of mortality in London last week. It was 31 per 1,000,
while the rate in thirteen other large towns of the United
Kingdom was 30. The births registered in the metropolis
were 2,185, and the deaths 1859. The latter exceeded by
293 the estimated number, and were 170 higher than those
of the previous week. Scarlet fever was not qUite so fatal
as in the preceding seven days, the (greatest j Mortality
having been amongst the aged. The mean:tempera-
ture Oaring to yjAita 44.8, Qr ap4 acne the 11,19/M1

Cavil 2:PutzT.

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Nov. 23.

Her: Majesty, accompanied by her Royal High-
ness Princess Louise, went out in the Home Park
this morning.

LATEST INTELL LUNGS

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
(Per French Atlantic Cable.)
NEW YORK, Nov. 23.
The steamship Minnesota (of the Guion line), ar-
rived out to-day.

The Inman Steamship Company's steamer City
of Washington also arrived hero to-day.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CLOSING PRICES.

Gold closed at 1261; the highest quotation dur-
ing the day was 1261; the lowest, 1261.
Sterling Exchange on London lO9.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1884
46 " 1885 ll4.
" 1867 ll5l-
10-40 ti
Illinois l3B.
Erie

Cotton—Mid. upland...

Petroleum—Standard White 33ic.
Flour, extra state, $5.10c. to $5.70c. Corn, old
mixed, sl.loc.
According to Messrs. Moffatt, Davidis, and
Co.'s report the receipts of cotton for the last
four days, at all ports, have been 55,000 bales;
and since the Ist of Sept. 775,000 ; shipments to
England, 20,000 bales ; to France, 13,000 ; and to
the Continent 2,000 bales ; total shipments since
the Ist Sept., 345,000 bales. Middling, 101c1.9
cost and freight per steamer.

PORTLAND, Nov. 23.
The Allan (Glasgow) steamship Nestorian ar-
rived out yesterday.

BREST, Nov. 24.
The Transatlantic Company's steamer Ville d°
Paris, from New York, arrived here at five o'clock
this morning, with 98 passengers and $BO,OOO in
specie.

ITALY.
FLORENCE, Nov. 24.

Contrary to expectation the King determined to
leave San Rossore yesterday, and arrived in Fl°-
renee in the evening.

His Majesty was received by the municipal all'
thorities, the National Guard, and the civil and
military dignitaries.
The approaches to the railway station were
densely crowded. Throughout the passage from
the station to the Pitti Palace the King was warmly
cheered and welcomed, the houses along the route
being decorated with flags. The King looked
strong and well.
The Ministerial crisis continues. It is believed
Signor Lanza conferred with the King last night.
The Italie states that in all probability some
members of the present Ministry will form part
of the new Cabinet. In the meantime the sing
has not definitively accepted the resignation Of
General Menabrea.
Signor Lanza assumed the presidency of the
Chamber yesterday, when he made an earnest
appeal to the patriotism of the Deputies to pro-
mote concord and assiduity in the despatch °f
public business, in order to restore the finances and
avert the danger of the country failing to meet its

•
engagement.
The ivazione announces that in various towns °I
Italy it is proposed to hold a popular demonstration
on the Bth of December next, the opening daY °f
the CEcumenical Council.

ROME, Nov. 23.
It is stated that the Empress of Austria is shortly
expected here in order to be present at the accouch"
ment of ex- Queen of Naples.
The Empress, it is said, will stay at the Farness
Palace, while her suite will be accommodated at
the Venezia Palace.