The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-02 00:00:00

TETE VALUE OF AN EYE.

At the Rotherham county court, on We
case was tried of considerable importance tod mnesdaeny, a
e
ployed at iron foundries, and it is the firstaction brou rot
under similar circumstances. E. Burgess was the plain-
ht
tiff, and G. Booth the defendant. The fort:aerie employed
as a puddler, and the latter a " shingler," at the Park
Gate Iron-works. The action was brought to recover 50/,
as compensation for the loss of an eye, and was heard by
a jury. The defendant had the management of a tilting.
hammer of several tons ' weight, and the plaintiff and
other puddlers carried molten iron from the furnace to
the hammer, in round balls, to be beaten and welded,
The process was this :—Two balls were required to be
taken to the hammer in immediate succession, for the
purpose of being welded together. The hammer strike.
on two " faces" or anvils ; the splod" face, which
is so low that on it the balls can only be just
squared ; and the " high" place, on which the
metal
can be beaten quite flat. The first ball is placed upon
the splod face by the puddler, and atter receiving a
stroke or two with the hammer is turned hammer
him, and then left in the care of the shingler, or
manager, who, having in the meantime inserted into it a
rod of iron, called a "staff," lifts it upon the high face, to
be farther beaten. The duty of the second puddler is in
like manner to place his ball upon the spied face, turn it
over, and then move off, leaving the shingler to manage
the welding. On April 15 J. Cole took a ball of molten
ore to Booth's hammer in the usual way. Burgess, the
plaintiff, was some minutes later than he ought to have
been in following with a second ball--a circumstance of
frequent occurrence owing to unavoidable difficulties in
puddling. The plaintiff's ball was unshapely, in conse-
quence of which he was unable to get it upon the splod
face. It should be mentioned that the usual course is for
the shingler to lift the first ball on the high face, and hold
it there quite still, while the secondpuddler places his ball
on the splod face, as, if it is moved about, more sparks are
thrown out, and the puddler is in danger of being burnt.
While Burgess was putting his ball on the splod face a
piece of molten ore flashed into his eye and destroyed it;
and the question at issue was, whetherßooth was to blame
for the injury. The evidence of Burgess was, that Booth
threatened to " burn his liver out," if he did not bring
11;. bis iron, and immediately threw down the staff in a
passion. This caused the metal on the high face to
turn over untier the hammer that was in motion, and
throw out an immense quantity of sparks, one of which
struck the plaintiff's eye and caused the injury. The
plaintiff alleged that if the defendant had held the staff
still, as he ought, the few sparks which the blows of
the hammer would have sent out would have passed in
another direction, and he (plaintiff) would have been in
no danger; and that his injury was entirely the result
of the defendant's carelessness.
Witnesses were caged to say that it was Booth's duty
to have kept hold of the staff to prevent the motion of
the iron on the high face, until the hammer had been
stopped by gagging. They, however, admitted that
there was danger even when that was done.
The defendant, on the contrary denied getting into a
passion and said his object in dropping the staff was to
gag the hammer, in which, however, an assistant antici-
pated him. He admitted that the injury occurred be-
tween the fall of the staff and the gagging of the hammer,
but said it was not unusual to let the staff fall, when, as
in this case, the first ball had, in consequence of delay,
been a good deal beaten, and that no additional emission
of sparks resulted. The injury was purely accidental.
Witnesses were called to support this view. They ad-
mitted that it was an imprudent thing to let the staff
fall, but said puddlers were exposed to danger under any
circumstances, and frequently got their eyes burnt.
Tesy considered that Booth was not blameable, and
some of them alleged that the injury arose from a piece
of metal being thrown from Burgess's ball, during his
attempt to place it on the splod face, upon Cole's ball, on
the other face, and causing the emission of sparks. For
defendant, it was contended that the puddlers should
wear wire gauzes over their faces, as the sbinglers do,
and that if shinglers were to be exposed to actions every
time puddlers were burnt, they would be unable to carry
on their occupation. The jury, however, gave a verdict
for the plaintiff, damages 15/.

THE PRINCESS ROYAL AND THE BALMORAL COTTAGERS.
—Now that the marriage of the Princess Royal is just
at hand, that auspicious event, forms the engrossing sub-
ject of converse with the cottagers on the Balmoral
estates, among whom her Royal Highness is an immense
favourite. And justly so. Nowhere, else, perhaps, is the
state of royalty so entirely laid aside as at Balmoral, and
nowhere else does joyous, sympathetic human nature
shine out more undivguisedly among the young members
of the Royal Family. 11.R.11. the Princess Royal was
wont to be a frequent visitor at many of the humble
cottagei around the palace, and her habits of acute and
intelligent observation had rendered her quite familiar
with the details of lowly life as seen in a Scottish pea.
sant's home. Burns has sung the praises of " parritch,"
"'Scotia's !lamely food." Some of oar readers may be
surprised, while sager faces may relax into a genial
smile, on being told that a princess of royal blood has,
in this nineteenth century, donned the housewife's
apron, and in childish glee "tried her hand" at stirring
the porridge pot. One anecdote we have beard of the
Princess Royal was this:—"Several years ago, when
quite a young girl, a matron, for whom her royal high.
ness had a special liking, had added one more to her
husband's family. The baby, of course, was an object
of superlative interest ; and when the christening was
about to take place, the princess asked to be permitted
to attend and act as god-mother. This was freely agreed
to. The day came, and So did bis Presbyterian reverence,
hut the expected god-mother, from some cause, did not
make her appearance, and after a little the ceremony
went on iu her absence. It was barely cencluded when
the princess came, breathless with haste and excitement.
Oo being told how matters stood, her undisguised feel-
ings found vent in a sorrowful "Oh I but couldn't you
do it over again ? " When the Court left Balmoral last
curnmer, the dtp3ndants were invited up to the lawn to
bid farewell to her royal highness. The feelings of the
p incess so overcame her, however, that she was unable
to make her appearance before them, and the Prince
Consort bade adieu on her behalf. It is a cherished
hope that they
wilt yet see her at Balmoral, though her
home must now be at a foreign court. Invitations to
be in London at the princess's marriage have, we hear,
been sent, by her own special request, to Dr. Robertson,
the Prince Consort's commissioner, and to Mr. Grant,
the head gamekeeper at Balmoral.—Edinburgh Express.
We are authorised to state that the report of Capt.
Shute and Lieutenant Turner, of the 64th Regiment,
having been killed in action at Lucknow is incorrect.
There is every reason to believe that these officers
are alive and well.

MONEY MARKET

A_TD

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CITY, Two O'CLOCK.

In the markets for Foreign and Colonial Pro-
dUce this week a moderate business has been done,
notwithstanding the observance of the Christmas
holidays. Although no public sales have been held,
there has been a good demand privately, and as
money is getting easier and commercial prospects
have improved, the importers ask, and are enabled
to obtain, higher quotations. Sugar, for instance,
has risen ls. to 2s. per cwt., and coffee is ls. per
cwt. dearer, with a good enquiry. Tea, rice, and
spices are all at advanced rates, and in almost all
other articles increased firmness is apparent.

The Bank of England return made up to the
30th December shows some most satisfactory
features. The decrease in the reserve of note 3 is
only about a million and a quarter, although the
two millions of over-issued notes by the Government
letter have been withdrawn. The bullion has in-
creased to the extent of nearly three quarters
of a million, and the other securities have been
diminished to about the like amount. The Govern-
ment securities, of course, show an augmentation
of about two millions, and in the notes issued there
is a falling off of one million three hundred thou-
sand. In the public deposits there is a slight in-
crease, which is usually the case just previous to
the payments of the dividends, and in the private
deposits the decrease is nut very important. The
principal items and the changes they present are
shown in the following table :
Active circulation
Increase
Bullion 11,454 961
Increase
Rest
Increase
Public deposits
Increase
Other deposits 15,072,971
Decrease
Seven-day and other bills
Decrease
Government securities
Increase
Other securities
Decrease
Notes unemployed
Decrease
Since Monday last the imports of specie have
been about 1,064,7161., and the exports 12,320/.
There have been no shipments to the Conti-
nent through the London Custom-house during
the week ending Thursday last.
The City of Sydney has arrived at Suez from
Austirtalia with nearly 200,0001. The Advices
brought by that vessel are—Sydney, Nov. 11, and
Melbourne, Nov. 14. The letters are expected here
on the 6th inst.

Yesterday afternoon the continental exchanges
were generally rather lower.
Money is in limited request, and the terms for
the best description of paper still range from 6 to
7 per cent. The Bank Return has increased the
belief that the directors will put down the minimton
on Thursday next to 6 per cent.

The following memorandum is from the commit-
tee of Mexican bondholders :
The committee of Mexican bondholders have received
advices from Mr. Whitehead, dated Mexico, the 3d
ult. The collections by the port agents of the bond-
holders during the month of November, in cash and bills,
chiefly in Vera Cruz and Manzanillo, amounted to
49,550 dole. 60c., which (after deducting 11,000 dole.
shipped from Manzanillo, that arrived here by the last
steamer from Cnagree) raised the balance in band at the
ports to 63,053 doll', 59a. Of this the La Plata only
brings 12,000 dole. from Vera Cruz, as hard dollars were
not to be got for more, the port having been drained
of them for New Orleans. The prospects of the
Government were somewhat improved by the defeats
of various bands of manrauder, and the failure of a
conspiracy in Tampico, but their financial difficulties
appeared to be as great as ever.

The market for public securities has been rather
heavy today. At first there was an improvement
of to per cent., but owing to a few sales, chiefly
inrealisation of profits, there has been a reaction of
at least I per cent. The approaching settlement
mow begins to operate, and until that is over, the
market will no doubt continue rather uncertain.
Consols from 94,1 -1, receded to 941 4, at which
they are now quoted. New Threes are 941 ; the
Reduced, 94i ; and Long Annuities, 2. Ex-
chequer Bills are 3s. to 6s. prem., and Bank
Stock, 217.

About the usual amount of business has been
done in the Foreign Stock Market, and prices are
firmer. Turkish 6 per Cents. are 981 99 ; Ditto
4 per Cents. 1031 i; Buenos Ayres 6 per Cents.
95 96 ; Grenada New Active, 21; Mexican 3 per
Cents., 20i ; Peruvian 41 per Cents., 791 ; Rus-
sian 5 per Cents., 108 ; Ditto 41 per Cents., 98 ;
Sardinian 5 per Cents., 85 ; Spanish New De-
ferred, 26 ; Ditto Certificates, 51 ; and French 3
per Cents., 69 25 ; and the Exchanges, 25 20c.
The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 6 ; Peruvian
4i per Cents., 78 80 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 106
108 ; and Ditto 41- per Cents., 96 98 ; Portuguese
3 per Cents., 43 45 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 40i 41 ;
and Ditto New Deferred, 251 26, ex div.
A rather large business has been transacted in the
Railway Share Market this morning, and prices
have in most instances improved. Caledonian,
Eastern Counties, N.-Western, Midland, and South-
Eastern advanced 10s. ; Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton, 1/. ; South-Western, 21. ; and
Great Western, 3/. The Foreign and Colonial
undertakings have also been in fair request, and
advanced rates are current. Southern of France
have improved 55., Sambre and Meuse 55., Dutch
Rhenish ss. Grand Trunk of Canada have ad-
vaticed 11. ; Great Western of Canada, 10s. The
new East Indian lines are well supported.
Mining Shares are at full quotations.

In Joint-Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares
the dealings were numerous, and prices have an up-
ward tendency. Union of London improved 10s. ;
Ottoman :Bank, ss. ; Canada Land, 2/. ; and
Electric Telegraph, 1/. to 2/.

BR tTISII FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES—THIS DAY.
(From the Official List.)

Bnsinee done.
,nic Stock
3 ier cent. Reducod Antitaloa
Now 3 per Cont. Annuities 94i
Loin Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860 2
Lai& Bonds, X110)0

nitto, under glow..
Cra Bola for Account
NiZ telegnsr 8111 s, 2ld.
£lOOO
Slialt ......... ....... 4 7 p
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY.
Buenos A Ares Bonds, 6 per Cont.
Ditto Account 96 5
Grenada New Active, 2.} per Cent. 2l
Mexican 3 per Cent
Ditto Account 2l! 201
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent
Ditto Account
Russian tionds, 1522, c St., 5 per Cont —
Ditto Account
Ditto, 46 per Cent.
Sardinian Bon4s, 5 per Cont.
Sp Mph Bowls. 3 per Cent.
litto New Deferred, 3 per Cent. - -
„Ditto Account 26
Spanish Committee Cart. of Coup. not fun. 5.i
Tarkish Bonds, 6 per cent — •
Ditto Account 9Bl 9
Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cent.
Ditto Account lO3l 1
Dividends on the above payable-in Lennon.
French Rentes, 4i per Ceut..
Ditto 3 per Cent.
Consols for-account

par
91A i it

63f. 25c. ©x 25f. 200.
TWO OTLOO&.
94

DARING FORGERY.-0a Thursday a genteelly-dressed
young man, who gave the name of William Charles
Browne, was brought before the Shrewsbury borough
bench on the following charge :—Mr. J. J. Peele,
solicitor to the bank of Messrs. Rorke, E tOD and -,C0.,
stated that the prisoner had called at that bank the
previous day and asked for Mr. Bell, the cashier.
When the latter appeared the prisoner presented a bill of
exchange for 1981. 165., drawn upon A. G. Berrington
and L. Rothschild, described as merchants, Moorgate-
street, London. The bill purported to be endorsed by
Mr. T. C. Ayton, one of the partners of the bank, and
the prisoner paid Mr. Ayton bad requested him to tell
the cashier (Mr. Bell) to discount the bill,
,which was
accordingly done, the imitation of Ayton 's signature
on the back of the bill being astonishingly perfect. A fter
the prisoner had left some doubts began to be eater.
tained of the probability of Mr. Ayton having endorsed
the bill, and accordingly on that gentleman being ,
in seen
the signature was ascertained to he a forgery.
The
prisoner was apprehended the same night, and his
desk, besides several of the notes which he had received
at the bank, were a mass of letters and other documents
which tended to show that this transaction was not the
first of the kind that the prisoner had been engaged it.
He was committed for trial at the ensuing Shropshire
aissues.—Mondmier Examiner.

20
20
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25
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