The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-26 00:00:00

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Yesterday Mr. R. B. Cane, one. of the 'Poor-law In-
spectors, opened au inquiry at the workhouse, in Mary-
lebone, into a charge made -against Mr. Ryan, the
master of that establishment, and Charles Brown and
Matthew Green, two of the porters, of having assaulted
' and beaten with a cane and whip three yoUng women,
named Mary Ann Sullivan, Elizabeth Edmonds, and
Sophia Howard, pauper inmates there. The investiga-
tion was made in the boardroom, in the presence of the
Hon. and Rev. J. T. Pelham, the rector of the parish,
and a considerable number of the guardians, by whom
inquiry had been previously made into the truth of the
allegation. The parties accused were also in attendance,
and so far they have not denied the charge, but plead a
justifioation or extenuation in the great provocation they
received in th ) recusant and contumelious conduct and
the grossly abusive and indecent language of the women
on whom the violence was inflicted. Some of the lan-
guage, as imputed by Green to the witnesses under ex-
amination, but denied by them, was at one time so
utterly shocking as to induce an appeal from the rector
to the inspect )1. to save the ears of the audience from
pollution.
Mary Arm Sullivan, the first witness called, said she
was 19 years of age, and had been in the workhouse
about three months. She was employed in the wash-
house and laundry, and classed with the girls sleeping
in Mrs. Dawson's ward. About three weeks ago, on a
Tuesday, about 1 o'clock in the day, she was employed
in the workhouse yard-cleaning round a box. The mas-
ter asked her to remove the box, and she said she could
not without assistance. The master replied, "You
won't I suppose," and went away. Shortly afterwards,
on the same day she was standing at the door of the
chapel, when the master came and took her and another
girl named Reynolds over to the men's side, and locked
them up in separate refractory cells. This was about
1 o'clock. At 8 o'clock in the evening he came
and took Reynolds out, and put witness into the
cell she had occupied. About half-past 10 the same
evening the master returned alone, and opening her
cell asked her gruffly to cormeout instantly. She replied
all she wanted was a jug of water, as she was famish-
ing. He said, "You won't come out, then ?" She re-
plied, "No, as I have stopped here all this time without •
anything to eat, I may as well stay all night." Be then
turned his head round and whistled, when Green and
Brown, the two porters, came, and Brown put his band
in her hair, saying at the same time, '. Come out !" and
dragged her along a yard, until he came to a dark cor-
ner, when be began beating her with a cane in the pre.
r.,,u?to of he ma 'ter and Green. She caught hold of
ells .e 14-Pse .e t. vrt." Aib'esswn %Vas beatinte hetuand refused
to give it up, when the master, who had a whip in his
hand, also began to bent her. He likewise called for
Green's assistance, and he too, beat her most shamefully.
She was on the ground above a quarter of an hour, and
Brown held her down by the hair of her, head. Green
then left to go to another girl, and witness was alone
with the master and Brown. They took her to a: watch-
box, and Brown again beat her cruelly. She cried for
mercy, and asked him to leave go of her hair ; but the
more she cried the more he pulled her hair. The master
then ordered Brown to take her to her bedroom, and as
she was going there Brown beat her again, and the next
morning she went before the magistrate in the cnnpany
of,a policeman, the magistrate having sent for her and
two of the other girls in the house. The master struck
her with a whip, but she could not say how many times.
He struck her across the back and arms, and once across
the face, where he brought blood, and it was very sore.
She ought to have said that before that Green and Brown
kicked herseverely when she was on the ground, and there
was a large bruise on her shoulder, and several other less
ones over the back. She had all her clothes on during
the time. No blows were given her below the waist. The
master never interfered to prevent either Green or Brown
from striking her, nor did Green or Brown interfere
when the master struck her. The skin was broken on her
hack where she had been struck, and the place bled.
Emma Burchell, another inmate, wiped the blood off her
back with her (wituess's),apron, and there was also blood
on her chemise. Next morning she showed the house
surgeon her back. Before this happened she had not
been at all well, though she was still at work. •
Mr. Ryan, the master, and Green, the porter, declined
to ask the witness any questions, and she withdrew.
Brown, from his own fault, was not present during her
examination.
Elizabeth Edmonds, another inmate in the workhouse,
aged 19, depose] to having been beaten by Brown some
five weeks ago, about 9 o'clock one Tuesday evening,
in the women's yard. The enactor came and ordered her
and the rest of the girls to go to bed, but they did not
go when first asked to do-so. She had some bread and a
tin in her hand, and she asked him to wait until she
took them into the ward. She and another girl, Bur-
chell, got up and were going to the ward, when the mas-
ter ran after them and whistled, and Green and Brown
came directly. She had heard great screaming, and ran
to see what was the matter. Green bad hold of a little
girl named English behind a door, and was shaking her.
e had a cane in his • hand, which he held up, but did
not strike her. Brown then saw witness, and caught
hold of her, saying, "Now, you —. I have caught you,
and I'll let you have it." He took hold of her by the
jacket., and, after a struggle, threw her down and beat
her several thrice with a aerie across the back. She had
all her clothes en when Brown struck her. Ho struck
her as low sea her wait, but not lower. Her skin was
not broken, but it WA9 waled in several places, one of
va h.ch on her shoulders she could see herself. Shesho wed
her back next morning to the house surgeon, who said
ho would speak to the master about it.. Tho master was
in the yard cutside the deer when Erown struck her,
but she could not say ho was pm-sent. Green was inside)
'he door all the time, but said or did nothing to prevent
Brown heating her.
By the Masttr—Emma Burchell washed her (wit-
nese'e back with vinegar before the surgeon saw it. She
did so because it was painful, and the had to go to her
work rest morning.
By Br own--She did not say to the master on the night
in question she would see him before she would go to
bed. She was not ono of the girls who some time ago was
refused admission into the chapel by Mr. Moody, the
chaplain, for disgraceful behaviour. Sho never went
near the chair I (A. laugh.) She bad been three times in
prison, twice for ml earduet in this house, and once for
an assault on the inWron, about 18 months LIZ°. She
dsnied having struck him (Brown) on the night in pies-
tior, alleging that she never had the chance, as lie bad
her down, and was thrashing her with the cane.
Sophiallowsrd, also an inmate of the workhouse,
aged 18, spoke to Mr. Ilyan, her master, throwing her
down and shaking her on the same night, and afterwards
givirg Green or Brown (-he could not say which) a shill-
isg to ftch a ea•Je, with which Green, at a later period
of the evening, on leer refusing to leave the refractOry
cell, where she had been a short time confined, "slashed"
her several times across the face and back, Mrs. Parker,
the assistant matron, holding her round the neck while
he did so. SIM admitted giving Mr. Ryan a kick 'on
that occasion, hut not before he threw her down. In
cross-examination by Green, she emphatically denied
using certain opprobrious and grossly indecent language
which he imputed to her, on his going to the cell and ask-
ing her to come out and give him no further trouble.
Charlotte Garrod, a female searcher at the Blaryle-
bone police-office, deposed that at the request of the ma-
gistrate there she examined the persons of the three
women, Sullivan, Edrrionds, and Howard. Howard was
marked very much about the back and fade as from a
cane, but the skin was not broken. Sullivan was cut
across the loins, and had also marks upon her chin,
which she said were caused by blows. There was no
blood upon her clothes, but the marks were very red.
E lmonds had also been beaten across the shoulders and
down the back is much flee same way. There was ja
serious bruise on the shoulders of one of the girls, but
she did not know which of them it was. Edmonde ap-
peared to have been beaten more than the other twd.
Some of the marks must have been caused by heavy
blows.

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

CHARTIST MEETING ON IIEYHEAD
GREEIV, TODMORDEN.

p ro
ensgernattiunlga tai nn
On Sunday afternoon a large meeting was held on
Heyhead-green shave Todmorden, for the purpose of
congratulatinggadMdrres.
About 150 yards from
gadhldrr.e sjaohtno hiErmos.t on his arrival home, and
the road which skirts the common, a cart was placed for
the speakers, and the number of people who assembled
around it was variously estimated at from 15,000 to
25,000,
Mr. J. ALDERSON was called to the chair, and opened
the meeting by giving out a hymn, commencing
" Great God, is this the patriot's doom !"
He then made a few remarks, in which he deplored the
absence of Fears us O'Connor and other persons, who had
formerly taken a part in their movements—men who bad
been honest, and bad stuck to their prinhiples in the
face of persecution. They had, however, the pleasure of
having their tried friend, Mr. John Frost, amongst
them. (Hear.)
Mr. Selownoet,'of Halifax, moved an address to Mr.
Frost. He announced that their meeting that day was
to inaugurate a fresh organisation for the attainment of
the people's charter, and if the people resolutely deter-
mined to be tree to themselves and their cause they
would effect the object in less than twelve months. Au
address to John Frost, Esq., was then read, and its
adoption moved by the speaker. Mr. Snowdon having
formally presented to Mr. Frost the address as one adopt-
ed by 25,000 of the people of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Mr. JOHN FROST, on rising, was received with loud
applause: He commenced by observing that he ac-
cepted with much pleasure the address which had that
day been presented to him by the good men of Lanca-
shire and Yorkshire. He thanked them for their kind
congratulations on his return to his native land, and
for the kind wish that had been expressed for that
cause for which he had suffered, He believed that
he should yet see the success of that cause—(bear)
—and they might rest assured that his life should
be devoted to the accomplishment of a radical reform in
the-rib-frit° ThFaadresa state's.: that'he was
partially acquainted with the state of public feeling in
England in 1848, but that it was not the fears nor hosti-
lity of the middle classes that destroyed our movement
at that time, but, as in 1839, the unseemly differences
and angry squabbles of those who should have been una-
nimous and devoted to the people they prof mid to lead
which broke us up and retarded the triumph of oar cause.
When he was applied to in 1832 to become a member of
the convention of that period, he pointed out to those
who asked him the consequences that would fellow with
regard to the local power he then possessed. His appre-
hensions were realised, and he was struck off the com-
mission of the peace. But as it was urged that be might
be of service to his country, he consented, from a sense
of duty, to risk his position, and accordingly took his
seat is the convention. Great, however, was his disap-
pointment ; for instead of meeting with men having their
great cause in view, he found men anxious to destroy
particular influences amongst themselves, and the majo-
rity was inefficient for good. After somelurther allusions
to the policy of Chartists at the above period, Mr. Frost
proceeded to describe the state of the penal colonies
where be bad been. He stated that they were in a most
wretched and abominable state in regard to morality.
He narrated one case in particular, in reference to two
youths who had been sent fram Manchester, showing
that a systematic effort was made by the elder crimina's
to corrupt the younger ones, and declared that he would
rather have sons of his own banged at one s than that
they should be sent to Van D:emen's Land. He described
scenes that had come under his own observation—cases
in which he secreted himself, by orders, to detect such
proceedings, which revealed the filthiest and lowest
state of moral feeling that any one could imagine.
Mr. HOOSTAN, of Manchester, expressed his gratifica-
tion in seeing so large a meetinr. He urged upon the
people the necessity of joining associations to promote
their object, and recommended that in towns and vil-
lages, where there are none at present, associations should
be formed. He moved—" That this meeting is of opinion
that the principles for which Mr. Frost has suffered—
viz., the People's Charter—ars the only principles cal-
culated to redeem the people, politically and socially, and
that it pledges itself constantly to agitate the claims of
the same, until it be adopted as the law of the land."
Mr. ERNE'ST JONES seconded the resolution, and said
they should not only honour principles, but the men who
made their advocacy popular by their consistency of con-
duct. He then advocated the propriety of drafting off
people on the church lands and common lands for the
purpose of diminishing the competition in the labour
market, and exp e sed art op.nion that agriculture was
sacrificed to manufacturing interest; a wise policy would
presume a wise medium. He believed there were lands
sufficient, without the slightest confiscation, to effect this
object. He did not approve of small farms, but rather co-
operative farms. By lessening the labour in towns wages
would be raised, and the effects of foreign ,c,mpetition
would be curotEr')al tnce I by cheai,ened provision =. He
considered that a d'ssolution of Parliament was not very
distant, and if he should b 3 returned as a member, as he
did not doubt he should, as well as his friend Mr. Frost,
he we-11'd pledge himself, by their CJ operation, to effect
their object.

A vote of thanks was then moved to the chairman, and
carried.

The address to Mr. Frost, printed in gold on green
paper, was exhibited to the meeting.
The proceadinzs closed by maiiinv a collection, which
am mated to 7/. 10 i.-21funch,ester Guardian.

TREMENDOUS CONFLAGRATION AT

LIMEHOUSE.

A fire of considerable magnitude, and attended with
a serious destruction of property, broke ou*. last night
about eight o'clock (and et midnight was far from
being entire'y extinguished) in a clump of bu 1 Hugs ad-
joining what is termed the Kidney Stairs, or ferry,
eituate near Dowson's ship dock; at Limehouse.
The fire was supposed to have originated from the
spontaneous combustion of some oi!), cloth on the pre-
ini,es belonging to Mr. Gilbert, a sailcloth manufacturer,
&c., whose property was adjoined on either side by the
Plough Tavern, belonging to Mr. Kimmaples, the iron
works in the tenure of Mr. Kelsey, and several others.
Owing to the highly combustible nature of the stock
in trade the flernee spread with the rapidity of lightning,
seizing upon the whole of the contents of the pretniFes,
when the conflagration assumed an appearance which
can only be de-cribed as grand in the extreme, fir out
of every window and through the roof did the flames
rush forth, illuminating every lofty object for many miles
distant. This, as may be suppo,H, drew together many
thousand spectators from -most parts of the metropolis ;
and it is necessary to state that had it not been for the
services rendered by Mr. Howie, the superintendent,
and Inspectors Hulmei and Smith, with a powerful body
of constables, a fearful l•Iss of life must have taken place.
The thoroughfares beieg extremely narrow, men, women,
and children took up their positions on the different
drawbiiigev, and had it not been for the timely aid of
the police, who lifted children over the heads of the
pcpulace, they must have been trodden on and killed.
Every ship near the water's edge at this point was
speedily filled with persons] of both sexes, and, ono in
Messrs. Dowson's dock canted so fearfully that it was
apprehended it would capsize its living freight into the
river. Fortunately, the occupants were persuaded to
leave, and thereby a fearful sacrifice of human life was
obviated.

The tremendouslight in theatmosphere caused a general
turn-out of the engines to take place, and forth with Mt.
Superintendent Braid wood and Mr. Pogo, his officer next
in c)rnmand, with a vast number of firemen and the en-
gines from Schoolhouse• lace, Wellclose-square, Jeffrey-
square, Watling-street, and Farringdon•street, arrived at
the scene of coeflagration, being followed by Mr. Con-
norton with the West of England engine and firemen.
Numerous other engines, both private and also belong-
ing to the London Establishment, from the more distant
depots, attended as quickly as possible, including the
steam-float from Rotherhithe.
By that period the fire bad seized upon two or three
other establishments, and there appeared every proba-
bility of every house on both sides of the street becoming
involved in the general wreck. The firemen, however,
laboured in a most indefatigable manner, and ran no little
zisks, owing t 3 the continued falling of walls and floors,
but in spite of their exertions the fearful element laid
hold of the Plough Tavern and some other premises.
The buildings extending nearly to the water's edge, it
was deemed prudent to remove the shipping and small
craft away, which was done as soon as the tide ran up.
At the time this account was written (12 o'clock at
night) the flames were far from being extinguished, but
we are happy to say that all further extension of mischief
appeared over.

Emma Burchell and Mary Ann Lynch, two young
women, inmates of the house, corroborated much of the
evidence of Sullivan, Edmonds, and Howard. On cross-
examination they admitted having been in prison, Lynch
once and I3urchell several times, for breaches of disci-
pline in the house.
The inquiry was at this point adjourned.

THE BRITISH- ARCHIEOLOGICAL

ASSOCIATION.

BRIDGEWATER, AUG. 25.
The 13th annual meeting of the members and friends
of this learned society commenced to-day. Four days will
be devoted to the examination and exposition of the vari-
ous antiquities which abound in this locality, and the
company will then proceed to Bath and there fix their
headquarters for two days. Various papers on antiqua-
rian and historical subjects will be read and discussed
durirg the week.

The Town-hall has been placed at the service of the
association during their stay at Bridgewater, and every
facility has been afforded by the local authorities to ad-
vance the objects of the society.
The town is of course unusually busy, the attendance
of ladies and gentlemen from various parts being ex-
tremely numerous ; many indeed arrived at the Clarence
Hotel, the headquarters in Bridgewater, as early as
Saturday morning.
A preliminary meeting was held this afternoon at
half past 1 o'clock, in the Council Chamber of the Town-
hall, where the members and visitors entered their names
and temporary places of abode. The company included
some of the most distinguished members of the ssciety,
and the principal gentry and ladies of the county.
At three o'clock a general meeting took place in the
hall, where
Mr. T. J. PETTIGREW, F.R.S., vice-president and trea-
surer to the association, opened the business of the con-
gress with a few introductory observations ; and then pro-
ceeded to give a sketch of the antiquities of Somerset-
shire.

The total loss, at a moderate calculation, must amount
to many thousand pounds, but whether the sufferers
were insured or not it was impossible to tell, owing to
the great excitement which prevailed, and the vast
crowds of persons who lined every approach to the spot,
thereby preventing any one seeing the sufferers.
It was stated that several persons had fallen into the
river and bad been drowned, but from the inquiries
made by the reporter ha ascertained that some five or
six had been pushed into the dock, but that they were
all rescued, and there seems no reason to apprehend
that any one has been lost in consequence of the dis-
astrous event.

Mr. Baddeley, the inspector of the Royal Society for the
Protection of Lie from Fire, was also early in attend-
ance, and rendered great assistance, more especially to
the WeEt of England firemen.
The premises of Mr. Pritchard have escaped, it is un-
derstood, with trifling damage.
Most of the sufferers were insured.

--From the Town•hall the members and friends visited'.
various objects of interest in Bridgewater.. Among the
most prominent are the church, a large and handsome
edifice, the tower and spire of which measure 174 feet
in height ; Admiral Blake's house,*the old house on the
quay, and the castle water gate—any interesting obser-
vations with respect to which will be noticed.
The company dined together at the Royal Clarence at
half-past six o'clock. There wid be a meeting at. half-
past eight this evening for the reading and discussion of
papers, and the exhibition of antiquities, whoa a very
full attendance is expected.

A Glasgow paper reports that a patent has been
granted for a discovery, whereby stone, after undergoing
a certain process, may be converted into paper. The
patentee is Mr, Edward Greenlees, a marble cutter in
Glasgow.
THE LATE FLOUR SEIZURE AT WAKEFIELD.—QUEER
V. JACKSON.—The sabitary inspector of Wakefield has
been served with a copy cf an Exchequer writ of sum-
mons, at the instance of Messrs. John Jackson and
Sons, defendants in the late case of flour adulteration,
for what they conceive to be the unlawful and improper
seizure then made. The damages, as stated in the pre-
liminary notice of action, are laid at 2,0001. Steps will,
we understand, at once be taken to defend the action,
should it by pnweeded withe—Leca# Affroury
_

THE SUM TRADE.—Two large blue books (A. and B),
issued on Saturday, contain a voluminous correspond-
ence with the British Commissioners at Sierra Leone,
Havannah, the Cape, and Loanda, with reports from the
British Vice-Admiralty Courts and from naval officers
relating to the slay() trade. The dateB extend from
April, 1805, to Mara, IM,