The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-01 00:00:00

A _MODERN JACK ~S'HEPPABD.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, MONDAY.
Walter Scott Douglas, a notorious housebreaker,
has made a second escape from the town gaol. Last
autumn Douglas with two other persons since tran-
sported, committed several extensive jewel rob-
beries, and he and they were captured and lodged
in Newcastle Gaol. Under his leadership they all
escaped from the gaol. His two companions were
recaptured, but Douglas did not fall into the hands
of the police until about a fortnight ago, when two
detectives captured him at the " hopping," and had
a narrow escape from being shot, as he had two
loaded pistols on him. Douglas was brought before
the magistrates, and remanded to gaol, with
what results the undermentioned narrative will
disclose. Douglas was confined in a cell in a
department of the prison on the right of the
entrance, and at ten minutes past seven yesterday
morning he was, according to custom, allowed to
pass from his sleeping cell, where he had
passed the night, into a larger apartment, called
the day-room. This room contained a four•legged
table, about four feet long, and three benches
of the same length: The door of this room opens
into a court-yard, the entrance to which, from the
Governor's house, is by an iron gate through rail-
ings of iron, strongly spiked. In the day-room
Douglas was supplied with breakfast at the usual
hour on Sunday morning, and at 25 minutes before
9 o'clock an officer of the prison named Porter went
into this room and brought out the tin on which
the prisoner had had breakfast. He shut the door
after him, but it is not quite clear whether he had
turned the key, by which the door would have been
more securely fastened. The padlock on the out-
side of the door was not fastened, it being the cus-
tom to leave it unfastened during the day. When
the officer left, Douglas was left alone in the day-
room, and about this time the other prisoners and
the officers of the gaol all proceeded to the chapel
in the Governor's house to engage in Divine wor-
ship. Douglas must now have commenced his ope-
rations, and his first act was to force back the sin-
gle bolt of the door of his prison. This he seems to
have effected by the use of two pieces of iron—one
a hooped piece about eight inches long, and the
other shorter and stronger, both of which he left
in the day-room. The door being thus opened, he
would find himself in the prison-yard, barred at the
north end by the gate and high iron rails already
mentioned, and at the other by a strong wall
not less than 15 feet high, while the other
two sides were the walls of the prison. At the
south end of the yard, however, and about a yard
and a half from the wall, is the water-cfoset,
a small square building roofed with slate, and stand-
ing about half the height of the wall. To this
place the prisoner seems to have directed his atten-
tion ; but it was impossible to gain the top of the
wall from the top of this building without having
something to span the space between. For this
purpose Douglas availed himself of the tables and
forms in the day-room. These he brought out, and
placing one of the forms on the top of the other
would thus be able, by making extraordinary exer-
tions, to fix the table with one end on the top of the
water-closet, and to place the feet at the other end
on the side of the wall, within reach of the top. By
crawling up to the end of the table as it was now
placed, Douglas could easily reach the top of the
wall, and could drop down thence into the outer
court yard beneath, being a distance of about 15
feet. By far the most insurmountable obstacle to
the prisoner's escape here presented itself, viz., the
outer wall of the prison, about 30 feet high. To
scale this would seem to be practically impossible,
but Douglas finding a pole of sufficient length,
which had been used by the masons, he must have
reared it against the wall, and fixed it firmly at a
part of the wall opposite the Church Jubilee Charity
School, which stands in a small quiet lane at the
back of the gaol. At this point the wall rises
higher, not only gradually with the rising ground,
but a cornice rises abruptly on the top about a foot
in height. This corner or end the prisoner would
be able to reach by climbing up the pole just men-
tioned; but of course the chief difficulty would
now be to get down into the back lane. How
the means for effecting this object were attained
will probably be a matter of inquiry. As soon
as he reached the bottom he ran up a lane, and
turning into an alley on the right hurried down into
Pandon Dene, where he was lost to view. Imme-
diately on seeing him one of the little girls belong-
ing to the school had run to the porter of the gates
of the gaol and informed him of the man's escape.
The porter at once communicated the intelligence
to Mr. Wood, the Governor of that part of the gaol,
who was then in chapel ; information was given to
the police, and the pursuit of the prisoner was im-
mediately commenced. Parties were started in
different directions, and all yesterday and last night
the police were scouring the country in search of
him, but so far he has eluded them.

FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Thursday afternoon last,
as a detachment of the 29th regiment of foot, which is at
present stationed at Sunderland, was returning along the
line of the Seahain Railway from the beach towards Ry-
hope, where the men had been for ball practice, a coal train
was observed approaching them, and they immediately
stepped out of the way. Unfortunately, at the same mo-
ment there happened to be a passenger train coming in an
opposite direction on the other line, and one of the officers,
Ensign Everard, not observing this, stepped on to it, and
did not percei% a his danger until too late. He was knocked
down by the buffer, and when picked up was quite insen-
sible. He afterwards partially recovered, and was removed
to the barracks, at Sunderland, where he died on the fol-
lowing morning. This melancholy event has cast a gloom
over the town,

MONEY MARKET A ArD CITY NEWS.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.

The transactions in the Foreign and Colonial
Produce Markets during the last few days have
slightly increased. The enquiries for the finer
qualities of sugar suitable for home consumption
have been active, and prices generally have tended
upwards. Tea has been in steady demand at late
quotations, and coffee at public sale realised an ad-
vance of about 6d. per cwt. for the finer qualities of
Plantation Ceylon. Rice has been dull, but no ma-
terial alteration can be reported in value. At the
public sales of cinnamon, prices declined about ld.
to 2d. per lb. on the rates obtained at the last sales
in January. Saltpetre has been inactive at barely
previous values. For tallow there has been a fair
enquiry ; the market, however, is quiet, and prices
have shown a downward tendency.
The following particulars of the number and
tonnage of vessels loading for the Australian colo-
nies are extracted from the usual monthly list com-
piled by Mr. Miller, the manager to the Jerusalem
Coffee-house :

For Vessels. Tons.
Launceston 1 .... 632
Hobart Town 2 ~ .. 1,122
Sydney
Melbourne, Geelong, and Portland Bay 19 .... 15,278
Adelaide 7 .... 4,063
Swan River
New Zealand 5 .... 3,750

Total

A fair amount of business was transacted in the
Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday, and prices
were fully supported. The sales amounted to
10,000 bales. The Railway Share Market con-
tinued rather active, and quotations exhibited in-
creased firmness.

The Committee of the Stock Exchange have ap-
pointed to-morrow, the 2d inst., a special sitting
day in the shares of the Nerbudda Coal and Iron
Company's shares, and transactions in the. same
are to be officially recorded.

A holiday is observed at the Stock Exchange
to-day, as usual on the Ist of May, when the ad-
justment of the half•year's balance renders it neces-
sary to close the Transfer-office.

About £85,000 in gold was sent into the Bank
of England yesterday.
To-day a call of £5 per share, amounting to
£3,750, is due on the Whitehaven and Furness
Junction Preference £2O Shares.

The demand for money continues quiet, and the
rates are still z to 1, per cent. under the Bank of
England minimum quotation. It is consequently
imagined that the authorities will soon lower their
terms in order to compete with the discount houses.
As the specie movement has become favourable, a
further decline in the value of accommodation is
anticipated, and the speculators at the Stock Ex-
change have, therefore, been induced to operate for
s rise in prices.

BRITISH FUNDS-CLOSING PRICES.

(YESTERDAY)

3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 93i I i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities qs i i t
N.w 3 per Cent. Annuities
Anna. 30 Years, expire sth Jan., 1880
Ditto for 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885 171
India Stock
Ditto 5 per Cent.
Ditto Enfaced Paper, 4 per cent —
Ditto 5 per Cant.
981 1
Ditto 5i per Cent.
Ditto Debentures, 1858 96A 7 61
Ditto, 1859
Consols for Account (May 9)
India Stock for Account —
Ditto Account, 5 per cent.
Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 11d 5 9 p
I )itto £5OO 5 9
Ditty Small
FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
(YESTERDAY) .
- -

Brazilian 5 per Cent.
Ditto Accoant
Ditto 41 per cent. 1858
Ditto Scrip, 1860
Chili= 6 per Cent
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Portuguese, 1853, 3 per Cent.
Russian, 1822, £ St., 5 Per Cent ..
Ditto 3 per Cent. 1859
Sardinian, 5 per Cent —
Ditto Account
Sp inish 3 per Cent. —
Ditto Account
Ditto Now Deferred, 3 per Cent. —
Ditto Account
Turkish 6 per Cent
Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan

Dividends on tho above payable in London.
Belgian, 21 per Cent., Ex. 25f
.
Ditto 4} per Cent.
THREE O'CLOCK (YESTERDAY).
Consols, Money 9s}
Ditto Account

THE NORTH AND SOUTH DIS7RICTS

HYDE PARE:

MEETING (THIS DAY).

A meeting of the noblemen and gentlemen who have
associated themselves together to promote the making of a
direct communication between the districts of the metropo-
lis lying north and south of Hyde-park was held this day
at the Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi.
Among those present were the Earl of Grosvenor, Earl
Ducie, D. Mocatta, Esq., W. M. Thackeray, Esq., James
Wade, Esq., C. W. Dilke, Esq., T. E. Cook, Esq., A.R.A.,
H. Brocklehurst, Alderman Lawrence, John Blore, Esq.,
Thomas Longman, Esq., Lieut.-Col. Dickson, Lord R.
Montague, Arthur Nutter, Esq., R. Westmacott, Esq.,
H. Cole, Esq., &c.
The Earl of GROSVENOR, having taken the chair,
said the present meeting had been called for
the purpose of urging upon the Government the
necessity of making a direct communication between the
northern and southern districts of Hyde Park and Ken-
sington Gardens, the want of which had for several years
been a great inconvenience to the public. A committee of
the House of Commons in 1855 reported in favour of such
a communication, and recommended a plan for the formation
of a public road to connect these two districts, so as not to
interfere with the scenery of Hyde Park and Kensington
Gardens. It was to give effect to that recommendation
they had assembled that day, and he trusted their efforts
would be successful. In addition to the convenience the
proposed line of communication would be to the inhabitants
of those districts there were other strong reasons for an im-
proved communication. There was the establishment of
the National Museum and Picture Galleries at South
Kensington, which, it had been suggested, should further
be increased by the addition of the Natural History collec-
tions from the British Museum, the new gardens of the
Horticultural Society, at Kensington Gore, with its ter-
raced flower-garden; and the buildings proposed to be
erected for the Great Exhibition of Arts and Manufacture
in 1862. (Hear, hear.) He trusted their efforts to effect
the desired object would be successful.

Lord DUCIE was strongly in favour of the object of the
meeting, and he begged to move the following resolution,
viz.,—That it was desirable that a more direct communica-
tion between the districts lying north and south of Hyde-
park should be made, and that a committee be appointed,
consisting of the noble chairman and as many gentlemen as
it was thought desirable to further the object in view.
W. M. THICIEERAY, Esq., seconded the resolution, which
was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
_ _

Mr. LONG moved the second resolution, which was to the
effect that the committee organise deputations to the Duke
of Cambridge, the Prime Minister, and the First Commis-
sioner of Works.

Aldarman LAWRANCE had much pleasure in seconding
the motion. He thought the fact that her Majesty had
granted to the inhabitants of Tyburnia and Belgravia a line
of communication directly in front of her palace was a strong
circumstance in their favour, especially as it was proposed
to carry out the plan without, in the slightest degree, in-
terfering with those who frequented the beautiful open
space of Hyde Park. (Hear, hear.)
_ _

Mr. DOVE thought the plan for crossing Kensington
Gardens and Hyde Park was opposed by many
on the ground of the danger to the ladies
and children who frequented the gardens. The plan,
however, would not interfere in the slightest degree
with the comforts of the ladies and children. He had had
a conversation with Mr. Page, the engineer, and he was of
opinion that the whole could be done for 130,000. He
thought the meeting ought to be prepared with some plan
before they waited upon the authorities.
The CHAIRMAN said the present meeting wasnot to decide
or select any plan ; that would be best left to the Chief
Commissioner of Works. They might, however, prepare
themselves to meet certain objections. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DILKE said he thought they need not trouble them-
selves about plans, as he believed the Chief Commissioner
was in advance of them, and had the whole thing cut and
dry. (Laughter.)

Mr. R. WESTMACOTT thought that great difficulty
would be found with the turnpike trusts, which were held,
as the meeting well knew, at very high prices. He thought
the proposed communication was much wanted, and that it
could be done for the price mentioned, but it should be very
clearly stated that the beauties of the park gardens were
not to be disturbed in carrying out the improvement.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Resolutions in favour of raising subscriptions to defray
expenses in organizing the deputations to governing autho-
rities having been agreed to, the proceedings terminated
with a vote of thanks to the noble chairman.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY.—
Monday, April 30.—Admissions on payment, 1,972 ; ditto,
by 811.1931 tickets, 758 ; total visitors, 2,730.

THIR 1.) EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock,

CALCUTTA AND CHINA
MAILS.

The following telegram has been received at Mr.
Reuter's office :

SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 1.
The Pera, with the above mails, passed Hurst
Castle at 3.10 p.m. this day.

CHESTER RACES-(THIS DAY).

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
GROSVENOR STAKES.

Promised Land
Avalanche
Rising Sun 3

Five ran.
PALATINE STAKES.

Butterfly
First Lord
Odo

Six ran.
IVYNNSTAY HANDICAP.

Traducer.

Comforter
La Hollandaise
Seven ran.
MOSTYN STAKES.

Big Ben
Dictator
Longshot
Six ran.
CHESTERFIELD STAKES.

Ben Webster 1
Golden Pippin
Horace
Eleven ran.

LATEST BETTING.

CRESTER CUP.
st• 1 agst St. Albans (taken)
Bto 1 agst Longrange (taken)
10 t• 1 aget Petra taken)
12 to 1 agst Man-at-Arms (taken)
100 to 7 agst Birmingham
20 to 1 agst Gaspard (offered)
20 to 1 agst Blue Ruin
20 to 1 agst Apollyon
20 to 1 agst Independence
25 to 1 agst The Brewer
33 to 1 agst Tame Deer
100 to 3 agst Mouravieff
100 to 3 agst The Squire
40 to 1 aget Marine.
60 to 1 agst 010
SCR ATCHINGS.

CHIESTEIL CUP.—Lifeboat, Trumpeter, Roman Candi%
Rocket, Desdnnona, Secret Treasure, Hibernian, Viatka,
Nutbourne, Ronconi, Bankrupt, Egbert, Cashmere colt,
Concertina colt, and Beeswax Lilly.

CHESTERFIELD STAKES.—First Lord, Andover colt,
Egbert, and Nightingale.
PALATINE STAKES.—Aristocrat.
WYNNSTAN HANDICAP.—Tiara, Maud, Garibaldi, and
Fenella.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF L9RDS—(THIS EVENING.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The North Wales Railway, the Sirhowy Tramroad, and
the Tewkesbury, Upton-upon-Severn, and Malvern Junc-
tion Railway Bills were read a second time.

The Glossop and Marple Bridge Road, and the North
Staffordshire Railway Bills were read a third time and
passed.

THE NAVAL RESERVES.

Lord LYNDHURST rose to call the attention of the
house to the state of the Naval Reserves, and to ask her
Majesty's Minister a for an account of its present condi-

tion. The noble and learned lord said he was
anxious to do so in consequence of the importance of the
subject,and he would much rather have remained silent had
any other member of the house felt disposed to forward the
subject, but as no one appeared willing he had thought it
his duty to do so. In acquitting himself of the task he
should confine himself to facts, and nearly every thing he
should state could be collected from public documents, and
in any remarks he might make he did not intend it to be
prejudicial to the power of any country. He had a short
time ago asked a very eminent engineer, a member of the
committee on fortifications, what would be the surest way
to provide for the defence of the country, and he replied an
efficient navy. He was old enough to recollect the revolution-
ary war, and the war with the French which followed it, in
which the victories gained had rendered our navy so illus-
trious. These were the results of the exertions made at the
time to place our navy in a perfect state, but the executions
had not continued, after the accession to supreme power of
the present Emperor. On the other hand, a commission
to inquire into the state of the navy had been made by the
French Government, and on the lath of December, the
coup d'etat having only taken place on the 2d of December,
the report of the commission had been called for, and he
fully believed that commission was mainly directed against
England. The secretary of that commission stated, that
the first thing to do was to inquire into the number of
ships which France ought to have on the outbreak of a
war, and the president of the commission, in his report,
described the means of landing a large military force on
these shores. The preparations had aroused the Admiralty,
and by great exertions and great expense a fleet had been
raised which equalled, but did not exceed, that of France.
With regard to the alleged equality of the two fleets, he
must be allowed to say, that if our steam fleet were nomi-
nally equally to that of France, it was really much weaker.
High authorities in France had stated that in consequence of
the extensive coast lines which England had to defend, it
was absolutely necessary for her to have a steam navy
double the strength of that of France. He wished to direct
the attention of the house now to the personnel of
the two navies. In the French merchant service every
seaman was liable, in consequence of the inscription mari-
time, to be called on to serve in the navy-of the country,
and the result of such an arrangement was that there was
scarcely a seaman in the French merchant service who had
not ono time or other served in the navy. But what was the
state of the other side of the account—viz., the amount of
force that this country would require. A Channel fleet
equal to that of France, a home fleet, in case of disaster, a
Mediterranean fleet, and a fleet of observation fur the pro-
tection of our distant possessions.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(Tnis EVENING 4
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Commercial Docks Act Amendment; Finn Valley
Railway, and Milford Haven Rdlway and Docks Bills were
considered and ordered for third reading.
The Dublin and Drogheda Railway, and Waterford and
Limerick Railway Bills were read a second time.
Mr. WHITESIDE moved that, in the case of the Dub-
lin Corporation Water (No 2) Bill, the examiner of peti-
tions for private bills have.power to hear parties upon their
former memorials, in reference to the matters referred to
him by the order of this house of the 30th day of April last.
After some conversation the motion was agreed to.
PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented in favour of extending
the jurisdiction in bankruptcy cases to county courts; in
favour of legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister;
in favour of increasing the remuneration paid to medical
officers of poor-law unions, &c.
COURT OF CHANCERY (IRELAND).

Sir E. GROGAN asked the Attorney-General for Ireland
if the Government intended to introduce a bill into Parlia-
ment during the present session, or to take any steps, to
tarry into effect the recommendations of the commissioners
relative to the abolition of the payment of fees in the offices
of the Court of Chancery, Ireland ?
Mr. DEASEY said that it was not intended to introduce
such a bill this session.