The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-24 00:00:00

largely. I cannot tell you how many machines I sold .in
Yorkshire. My agent can tell.
Mr. Selfe—Who is your agent ?
Witnss—Mr. Graham.
Mr. Selfe—Where is he to be found ?
Witness—At Weedon.
Mr. Selfe—ls your agent in the Government employ P
Witness—Yes. He is the packer of the rejected cloths
at Weedon.

Mr. Selfe—Can you tell us the names of the Govern-
ment contractors who have purchased your machines ?
Witness—No, I cannot to-day ; I will get a list for you

to-morrow.
Mr. Selfe—Did you sell your machines at the same price
to Government contractors as to private manufacturers ?
Witness—Yes. My machines are in general use at
Weedon at the present time.
After some other witnesses had been examined, the com-
mission adjourned.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.(THIS DAY.)

CLERKENVELL COUNTY COURT.
(Before Mr. Sergeant Imes.)
TUCKER V. FRANCE.-CAUTION TO SERVANTS.-IMPORTANT

CASE

In this case plaintiff, a coachman, sought to recover the
sum of £2 2s. for one week's wages, and one week's wages
in lieu of notice.

Plaintiff said that on the night of the 3d July last he was
driving defendant, then his master, home from the theatre,
and defendant accused him of being drunk, and called a
constable, who pulled him off the box. Plaintiff was per-
fectly sober, and walked home. The following morning
plaintiff called for orders. and defendant told him to bring
his clothes in and he would be paid. Fifteen shillings had been
paid into court. Plaintiff agreed, upon his hiring, for a
week's notice. It was on a Tuesday night he was dis,
charged.
A witness said he saw plaintiff leave the stable-yard on
the night in question perfectly sober. '
For the defence, Mr. France said that on the Tuesday
night upon which plaintiff was discharged he came to the
theatre to fetch himself (defendant) and a party of ladies.
Witness rode upon the box and perceived that defendant
was drunk. He came against a lamp-post and nearly into a
cab. Witness then took the reins, and plaintiff became so
troublesome that he was compelled to call a constable.
Witness would also call his honour's attention to the fact
that even at that time plaintiff was wearing the livery be-
longing to witness.
Plaintiff contended that the clothes belonged to him, but
His Honour said that was not so unless there was a
special agreement to that effect.
Police constable C 10, said he was called by defendant to
remove plaintiff from the box ; defendant said he could
remain if he would keep quiet, but he refused and kept
pulling the reins about. He was very drunk.
_ _ .

His Honour said he could not understand how defendant
came to pay 15s. into court. It was very clear that defen.
dant was entitled to all or none. It had been proved that
he was intoxicated, and he was entitled to nothing.
Verdict for defendant with costs.

FALL OP HOUSES NEAR LUDGATE-

HILL.

Two houses fell yesterday morning in Pilgrim-
street, a semicircular street running from an arch-
way on Ludgate-hill, into the Broadway, Ludgate,
Pilgrim-street consisted of a number of old houses.
some of which have been for a long time past_ in a
very dilapidated state, two of them especially so,
Nos. 3 and 4, belonging to the Vintners' Company,
and in the occupation of Mr. Lewis Solomons,
auctioner and appraiser. Persons who were pass-
ing down Ludgate-hill, at about half-past one
in the morning, say they heard a noise resembling a
slight clap of thunder, and in another moment the
two houses were a heap of ruin. The scene that
ensued was of a most exciting character. Although
in the depth of night, the intelligence spread with
wonderful rapidity, and people were running about
the streets in their night-dresses, all the courts and
alleys with which the neighbourhood abounds con-
tributing to swell the mass of persons who
rushed to the spot to obtain information of the
disaster. The engines of the Londen Brigade were
sent for, as well as the Royal fire escapes, which
promptly arrived.
When the smoke and dust had in some degree
cleared away a pitiable scene presented, itself. he
whole of the two houses had fallen outwards, com-
pletely blocking up the doorway of the adjoining
house, which contained 14 persons, who cried
piteously for help. It was at first supposed that
great loss of life had occurred. Mr. Inspector
Shelford instantly ordered a body of constables on
the spot, and was most ably assisted by Inspector
Nun eham, of the Bow-lane station, who kept the
roadway clear for the firemen, who, with the police,
went to work in an admirable manner, and suc-
ceeded in rescuing 13 persons. Welford., the con-
ductor of the Royal fire escape from Bridge-street
station, also succeeded in rescuing an aged woman
who was in a state of helplessness.
The immediate neighbourhood was densely
crowded the whole of yesterday morning, but
owing to the very admirable arrangements of the
police, no one was allowed to pass the barriers, and
the public were kept out of danger.
Mr. Solomons resided at Islington, and had left
his business several hours before the accident oc-
curred. It was not the habit of Mr. Solomons to
leave any one in possession of the premises during
the night. Had any persons been sleeping there
they must have been buried in the ruins. The city
authorities intend to instipte a most searching
investigation.