The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-29 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

A ScAßarr OF JUDGES.—It had beerl announced that
the Court of Queen's Bench would sit for some days in
order to dispose of some of the arrears on the special
paper, but it was found that as Mr. Justice Lush
had to go on Circuit, the Winter Assizes having
commenced, it was impossible for the Court to sit on
the day fixed as one judge was required at Chambers
and two at Nisi Prius. Mr. Justice Blackburn explained
this to the suitors, many of whom were much disappointed,
and a belief was expressed that additional judges were
required to keep down the arrears which cause such disas-
trous delay.

A FIRE INSURANCE CASE.—An action has been brought
in the Court of Common Pleas by a chemist named
Raynor against the General Fire and Life Insurance Com-
pany for the sum of £3OO. The plaintiff claimed £2Bl for
the damage done to the stock and fixtures, the bottles
having been broken and the drugs spoilt or evaporated. The
defendants estimated the damage to the drugs at £l5, and
said very few bottles were broken. They thought £5O would
re-stock the shop, and £5O replace all the drugs. The jury
returned a verdict for the plaintiff ; damages, £lOO.
FALLLNG THROUGH A TRAP.—An action was brought in
the Court of Exchequer by a Mr. Isaacs to recover com-
pensation for damages sustained by falling through a trap
in the sale-room of Messrs. Oxenham, the auctioneers, in
Oxford-street. The plaintiff was a broker, who had for
many years been in the habit of attending Messrs. Oxen-
ham's weekly sales, and it was contended that he must
have been aware of the existence of the trap which was in
the lower sale-room, and had been used for bringing up
furniture from the basement for the last thirty years.
The jury, after some deliberation, found a verdict for the
defendants, but wished it to be intimated that in their
opinion Messrs. Oxenham ought to take further precau-
tions with respect to the opening.
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A WIFE.—At the Lincoln
Assizes a man, named William Webb, has been sentenced
to fifteen years' penal servitude for striking his wife on the
head with a hammer. He had escaped from gaol, but was
recaptured.

CHARGES OF ARSON.—At the Central Criminal Court
two cases of arson have been finally heard. A wholesale
boot and shoemaker, at Hoxton, named Russell, was acquitted
by the jury, who said they thought the case one of great sus-
picion, but gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt.
John Cusack, the publican in the Borough, who had been
convicted of setting fire to the Dolphin Tavern, which he
occupied, was sentenced to seven years penal servitude.
Mr. Justice Byles, in passing sentence, said he never re-
membered a case of arson more clearly proved, and had it
not been for his severe illness (rheumatic fever) he should
have inflicted a still heavier sentence, as the crime of arson
had become so common.

CRUEL NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.—A labourer named
Tchan was charged at the Guildhall with neglecting to
provide food for his two children. A relieving officer
proved that he found them in a deplorable con-
dition, huddled on the floor with scarcely anything
to cover them, and they were mere skin and bone. Evidence
shewed that the prisoner and a woman he said was his
wife were out all day long in different public-houses, and
if they took anything home they ate it themselves and
did not give it to the children. Sir R. Carden said it was
one of the worst cases that had ever come before him, and
directed a summons to be taken out against the woman.
SUNDAY TRADING.—A crossing-sweeper, named Hollis,
was summoned at Marylebone Policc-ccurt under an Act of
Parliament passed in 167 G, for having exercised his calling
on a Sunday. The prosecution was instituted by the Associa-
tion for Enforcing the Better Observance of the
Lord's Day. A tobacconist and a greengrocer at Padding-
ton were also summoned for similar offences. They were
all fined in small sums, and the greengrocer said ho should
appeal. The magistrate said the Act was in existence,
however injudicious it might be, and he must therefore
convict them, but the defendant could have a case if he
liked.

The rumour that Mr. Disraeli was to be made a
Knight of the Garter is entirely without foundation.

Mr. Ampblett, M.P., bas been addressing a Libe-
ral-Conservative Association at Selby Oak, and in the
course of his speech referred to the principal topics of
the day. He approved cf the new Bankruptcy Law and
the measures for the abolition of imprisonment for
debt, and for protecting the property of married
women. The Irish land question would, he thought, test
the capacity and patriotism of statesmen on both sides of the
House, but he saw no insuperable•difficulty in doing justice
to Ireland, though he regarded fixity of tenure as a confis
cation of property that would not be confined to Irel Ind.
THE LONGNIDDILY WuALE.—Considerable excite-
ment was occasioned in Kirkcaldy last week by the
announcement that, during the process of flensing the
leviathan brought from Longniddry, a young whale had
been found in it. The young animal, which was perfect in
form, measured 20ft. in length, and about sft. across the
tail. It was exhibited for a short time at the boiling-
house on Pathhead Sands, at a charge of 3d. per head, and
on Thursday last it was removed to Edinburgh. It is now
in the anatomical department of the university there.
The skeleton, it is understood, will be preserved in the
mu.suem.

THE BISHOP OP BATH AND WELLS.—The Bishop
of Bath and Wells has been presented by his friends at
Bury St. Edmunds with a silver epergne thirty-three
inches in height,with a centre dish for fruit or flowers, and
nine branches for glass dishes to suit. The base, which is
richly chased with designs of fern, supports a beautifully mo-
dolled group of stags beneath an oak ; the small dishes are
removable, thus forming a nine-light candelabrum. The
inscription is as follows :—" Presented to the Honourable
and Venerable Lord Arthur Charles Hervey, D.D., Bishop
Elect of Bath and Wells, by about 800 of the members and
friends of the Bury St. Edmund's Athenaeum, as a token of
deep respect and gratitude on his Lordship's retirement
from the presidency of that institution, Nov, 26, 1869."
The presentation was made on Friday, and was feelingly
acknowledged by the Bishop. A bracelet was also presented
to Lady Arthur Hervey.
FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—Mr. W. J. Payne
held an inquest, on Saturday, at Guy's Hospital, London,
respecting the death of the Rev. J. B. Law, M.A., a clergy-
man of the Church of England. The jury having viewed
the body, which was terribly injured, the first witness
called was Mr. James Law, who said he was a merchant in
the City, and deceased was his cousin, a clergyman, aged 63,
and he was in good health when he last saw him. Douglas
Gardiner said he was a porter, employed by the South-
Eastern Railway Company, at New Beckenham station.
At five minutes to two o'clock on Thursday last, witness
was in the booking-office at the station, which is by the
side of the down line. There is an up and down line, and
just below the booking-office there is a foot and carriage
crossin, on the level, and gates, which are fastened when
a train is signalled, and there is a man there to close them.
Witness saw the deceased coming down the road towards
Beckenham. A train was signalled, but was not in sight.
As soon as witness saw the signal, ho closed the gates to
stop carriage, but the little wicket gate for foot passen-
gers was not closed. Deceased came on to the booking-
office, and asked the fare to London. When told that it
was Is. :1,1, he said it was too much, as the fare from
Catford was only 9d. Ile then asked how far it was to
the Crystal Palace, and on being told two miles and a
half, li-3 tahl he would walk. Witness told him to wait
uni,:l the train had pasted, and then loft him and went
into the bo9lsing-office. On coming out again the train
was alongside the platform, and deceased was behind it,
lying on the metals across the up line. Witness went and
picked him up, and laid him on the platform until
the train had had two carriages added to it, and then de-
ceased was put in a second-class carriage and sent to
London. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental
death," accompanying it with a recommendation that a
porter should always be at the gates at a level crossing on
a railroad before the arrival; and until after thO goulura
of traino