The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 26, 1860.

THE WELLING-TON, ST. JAMES'S-STREET
(Entrance 160, Piccadilly).
Set Dinners as usual. The carte varied, choice, and mode-
rate. Turtle, thick and clear, always ready.
The Billiard Rooms now conducted by J. Roberts, the
champion.
Suppers until One a.m.
Elegant Saloon Dining Rooms for Ladies.

H E
0 X F 0 it D,
6, OXFORD-STREET, W.,

THE MUSICAL ESTABLISHIIENT OF LONDON.

Successful Revival of Offenbach's "ORI'IIEE AUX
ENFERS." The Sisters DELICPIEItRE, az.ed 9 and 13
years. the wonderful performers on the Violin and Xilo-
phone.

Comedy by Duriah and Davies, Fred. Taroche, and Harry
Sydney (the political Momus.
Feats of Atlas by the Brothers Pentland, and Gymnastic
Performances by Lea Freres Victorelli.
NOTICE.—Mr. DAVID FISHER, of the Princess's,
Adelphi, and Haymarket Theatres, will make his first ap-
pearance in his DRAMATIC SKETCHES on MONDAY,
October 1.
In preparation the Lyric Drama of the "RUINS OF
ATHENS," by L. VAN BEETHOVEN, the arguments in which
will be read by a distinguished member of the theatrical
profc salon.
Musical Director and Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans.

Admisslon—Area, 6d.; stalls and balcony, 15 ; private
boxes, with separate entrance, 10s. 6d.
Open every evening at 8.

ARGYLL ROOMS. - GRAND CASINO,
Windmill-street, Piccadilly.
These elegant and popular Rooms, having► been entirely re-
decorated, are now OPEN EVERY EVENING for Concert
and Dancing. Conductor, Signor Luca CURTL Manager,
GRENET.

Admission to Promenade, One Shilling.
Reserved Seats, Two Shillings.

IADADIE TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION,
BAKER-STREET.

NEW EDITIONS. —A MARRIAGE GROUP of their
Royal Highnesses the PRINCESS HELENA and PRINCE
CHRISTIAN ; also a variety of COURT DRESSES of the
most magnificent and costly description. Several iile,dav
furti tlftptluls of the must distinguished Men of the Day
are likewise to be seen.

Admittance, Is. ; children, under ten, half-price ; extra
rooms, 6d.
Open from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m.

WESTON'S GRAND MUSIC HALL,
HOLBORN,

Under New Management.
Proprietors—Messrs. Sweasey and Holland.
Grand Selections from TROVATO ftE and MACBETH by
60 vocalists and a band of 30, conducted by P. Corr'.
GEORGE LEYBOURNE, the Lion Comic, his first
appearance at this HaII—JOLLY NASH, the mirthful—
GEORGINA SMITHSON, the Characteristic Singer and
Dancer—EMMA WEST, Burlesque Actress and Serio-Comic
—JAMES HEMMINGS in his Wonderful Globe entertain-
ment—Great Success of the Eighteen STAR MINSTRELS
—NV. WES P (Stump Orator), PengOaf Comedian—Champion
Dancer, JOE ALLEN—Songs, Duets, Glees, and Choruses
by a company of first-class talented artistes never before
heard in Negro Ministreliy.
Box-office open from 10 till 4.
Doors open at Seven. Commence at Half-past.

CIIO C 0 LATE.-AIENIER'S FRENCH.

CHOCOLAT-MENIER, for Breakfast.

CHOCOLAT-M.ENIER is pure, wholesome, and
delicious.

//ENTER'S FRENCH CHOCOLATE.
Warehouse, 23, Henrietta-street, Covent-garden.

Sold everywhere.

THE CULTIVATION of TEA in the East
Indies is an important feature, and the EAST INDIA
TEA COMPANY have, on account of its great strength and
exquisite flavour, promoted its saie by every means. The
Company are now selling Assam, Cachar, Darjeeling, &c., at
the reduced duty—viz., from 2s. Bd. to 3s. Bd. per lb and
China Teas as usual at Is. 4d. per lb. and upwards.—Ware-
houses, No. 9, Great St. Helen's-churchyard, Bishopsgate.

DUNVILLE'S V.R. OLD IRISH WHISKY,
BELFAST,

Is regularly supplied to the Souse of Lords.

"V.R." IRISH WHISKY.

DUNVILLE OLD IRISH
WHISKY, BELFAST.

London Offices and Stores,
4, BEAUFO RT-BUILDINGS, STRAND, W.C.
Established IR& Quotations on application.

FALKNER'S OLD IRISH WHISKY, " Real
Malt," 19s. per zillion, is sold in bottles and jars, bear-
ing his label and trade mark. Most liberal terms are offered
to the trade for the sale of this zenuine old spirit, which is
coming into universal consumption through England.
For price lists apply at Offices, 14, Strand, London, W.C.
Established in Gratton-street, Dublin, A.D. 1780.

JAMES DALY and CO., Distillers, John-street,
Cork.—" The purest spirit and safest drink in the
world."—Loudon Offices, 7, Printing-house-square, 8.C.,
next the "Times."

JAMES DALT and CO., Distillers, John-street,
Cork, bez to announce that they are able to supply the
trade with their celebrate d Whiskies, in casks or cases, and
to take orders in bond s.r d for exportation, at their offices, 7,
Printing-house-square, London, E.C., the only house in the
square not occupied by the " Times." J. D. and Co.'s whiskies
bring the highest prices in the Australian and other Colonial
markets, as may be observed by reference to the "Journal of
Commerce of Victoria," by which it will be seen that their
whiskies fetch 6d. per gallon and Is. per case over the next
best, and Is. Gd per gallon and 6s. 6d. a case over the lowest
quotation. Always on hand a large supply of wry old
mellow whisky in the finest condition, matured in sherry
casks, unsurpassable in quality and flavour, supplied on the
most reasonable terms.

STARCH MANUFACTURERS
TO R. R. H. THE PRINCESS OP WALES.
GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH,
Used in the Royal Laundry,

AND AWARDED THE PRIZE MEDAL. 1882.
Sold by all Grocers, Chandlers, &o. Ago.

R. SCOTT'S LIVER AND BILIOUS
w PILLS.—A NEVER FAILING REMEDY.—Pre-
Ared without any mercurial ingredient, from the recipe of Dr.
Scott, of Bromley, Kent, will be found invaluable to all who
+offer from bilious and liver nomplaints, inligestion, wind.
%mils, giddiness, dizziness of the eyes, &c. For habitual
votiveness, as a family aperient medicine, and as a purifier
of the blood, they are truly excellent ; mild in their opera-
tion and grateful to the stomach, they create appetite, pro-
mote digestion, and strengthen the whole nervous system.
Sold by W. Lambert, 8, King William-street, Charing-cross.
London, and by most druggists, in boxes,lB. lid., and three
times the' quantity in one, 2s. 9d. Be sure to ask for Dr.
Scott's Bilious and Liver Pills. The genuine are a square
green package. with " William Lambert," engraved on the
stamp.

I%TOTHING DIPOSSEBLE.—The greatest and
J'A most nsef ul invention of the day, AQUA AMARB LL A.
Messrs. JOHN GOSNBLL and CO., Red Bull Wharf, 93,
Upper Thames-street. Perfumers to her Majesty, respect-
fully offer to the public this truly marvellous fluid, which
gradually restores the human hair to its pristine hue—no
matter at what age. The Agna Amarella has none of the
properties of dyes ; it, on the contrary, is beneficial to the
system, and when the hair is once restored one application
per month will keep it in perfect colour. Price one gidnetiper
bottle. or in half bottles. 10s. 6i Testimonials from artistes
of the highest order, and from individuals of undoubted re-
spectability, may be seen on application. Messrs. John
Gosnell and Co. have been appointed Perfumers to her Royal
Highness the Princess of Wales.

HOMELESS BOYS OF LONDON.—FUNDS
are earnestly solicited for fitting up the TRAINING
SHIP. £2.000 required.
Wes. 'WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Boys' Ref age, 8, Great Queen-street, W.C.

OMELESS BOYS OF LONDON.-CON-
TRIBUTIONS are earnestly solicited for establishing
the COUNTRY HOME. £l,OOO required,
WM. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Boys' Refuge, 8. Great Queen-street. W.C.

HOMELESS BOYS OF LONDON. The
Committee are most anxious to provide for 400 boys.
One hundred and fifty are now in the Refuge. The annual
expenditure for supporting the 400 boys is estimated at
£s,ooo, being £l5 a year for each boy. Several kind friends
have promised to pay for one boy each year.
Subscriptions thankfully received by the London and West-
minster Bank, 41, Lothbury, and 214, High Holborn; Messrs.
Ransom and Co., 1, Pall-Mall East; and by
WM. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Refuge, 8, Great Queen-street, W.C.

pROVIDENCE ROWR
NIGHT REFUGE,
FO
HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
14A, Providence-row, Finsbury, E.C.
Sixty Thousand Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, have been given in this Institution to the
destitute, who otherwise would have had to pass the
nights in the bleak streets or under railway arches.
At present nearly 500 Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, are given gratuitously every week. The poor
from all parts aro admitted, the only condition being that
they are homeless and starving. The Manager &c.,
receives no remuneration whatever. Notwithstand-
ing the ' provision made by the Poor Houses, each
night numbers of young
.women, children, and orphans
are, for want accommodation, refused admittance, and have
to spend night after night in the cold, wet, and sleet. To
meet this evil, and to provide more ample accommoda-
tion, .£2,000 has been raised, but to accomplish the
work a sum of at least £l,OOO more will lne required.
Besides providing shelter for the homeless, this year it
is proposed, as far as the donations obtained for the pur-
pose will allow, to give bread and coals to poor tamilies
in want. Will you, in your charity, help, to carry on and
accomplish what has been begun ? Will you help to give
shelter to the really homeless, and food to the really
starving ? The smallest donation will be most welcome,
and, night and morning, the prayers of tho destitute will
be offered in your behalf.
SUBSCRIPTIONS aro earnestly requested, and will be
gratofully received by the Rev. D. GILBERT, D.D.,..N0, 22,
Finsbury-eiros, E.O.

JOHN UOSNELL and CO.'S CHERRY
TOOTH PASTIiI is greatly superior to any tooth
powder; gives the teeth a pearl whiteness. protects the
enamel from decay, and imparts a pleasant fragrance to
the breath. Price Is. 6d.—Red' Bull Wharf. V 3, Upper
Thames-street. London.

KEW GARDENS.—NOTICE.—The Iron and
Citizen Steam Boats have DISCONTINUED running.
for the season.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.-
EXCURSION TICKETS to WINDSOR and BACK
for 25.6 d. in covered third-class carriages are now issued by
certain trains from Aldersgate-street and all other wations
on the Metropolitan Railway, Paddington, Victoria, Batter-
sea, Che:sea, and Kensin,ton stations.
EXCUttSION TICKETS to TA PLOW and BACK 2s. 6d ,
and Henlcv and back 35., in covered third-class carriages, are
also issued by certain trains on Sundays only, from Alders-
gate-street and all other stations on the Metropolitan Rail-
way, Paddington, Victoria, Battersea, Chelsea, and Kensing•
ton stations. '

For lull particulars see handbills.
J. GRIERSON, General Manager.
Paddington, Jnly.

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY
COMPANY.
LOANS ON DEBENTURES.
The DIRECTORS are prepared to receive TENDERS for
LOANS in sums of not less than £lOO, on the following
terms :
6 per Cent. per Annum for a period of Three years.
6i do. do. do. Five do.
5 do. do. do. Seven do.
By order,
GEORGE HOPWOOD, Secretary.
6, Westminster-chambers, Victoria-street, S.W.,
11th September, 1866.

UNDER THE ESPEthAL PATRONAGE OF HER MOST
GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN.
THE ROYAL NAVAL, MILITARY, EAST
INDIA, AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY.

Establiabed in the year 1837.
LIVIIs ASSURED In all parts of the world under most
favourable conditions.

ARTHUR R. HAMILTON, Secretary.
17, Waterloo-place, Pall-Mall, London. S.W.
Additional Agents and Medical Referees wanted in pro-
vincial towns.

YARMOUTH BLOATERS.-12 for 2s. 6d.;
25, 4s. ; 50, 6s. ; 100. Bs. ' • 500, 335. ; 1,000, 50s. No
charge for carriage to London. Cash on delivery. Country
orders paid in advance.—Forwarded by FRED& BA.RNBI,
Purveyor of Fish, Great Yarmouth.

LADIES MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN
EVER.—Dr. CULVERWELL'S LADIES' TUR-
KISH BATHS, Tuesdays. Gentlemen othr‘r days.-3. Great
Marlborough-street, W. 28. A'so the Post Office Turkish
Baths, 19, St. Martin's-le-Grand, ls. 6d. Saturdays and
Sundays, Is.; at both establishments, Is. Greatest purifier
of the blood and belutifler of the skin.

MADAME RACHEL begs leave to CAUTION
Ladies against gross IMPOSTORS who are advertis-
ing- under the pretence of forwarding receipts for Female
Beauty, and who for a few stamps are vending dangerous,
spurious, and destructive compounds in imitation of the
beautiful art of which she stands the sole professor. —4IA,
New Bond-street.

ASPHALTE ROOFING FELT,
ONE PENNY per Square Foot.
CROGGON and C 0., Manufacturers,
63, New Earl-street, 1 London, E.C.
tat, Bread-street,
59, George-square, Glasgow ; 2, Goree Piazzas, Liverpool.

KEATIN G'S PERSIAN INSECT DESTROY-
. ING POWDER.
This Powder is quite harmless to animal life, but is un-
rivalled in destroying Fleas, Bugs, Flies, Cockroaches,
Beetles, Gnats, lltlosquiros. Moths in furs, and every other
species of Insect. Sportsmen will find this an invaluably
remedy for destroying Fleas in their Dogs, as also Ladies
for their Pet Dogs. Being the Original Importer of this
now invaluable article, which has found so great a sale that
it has tempted others to vend a so-called article, the Public
are therefore cautioned to observe that the Packets of the
Genuine Powder bear the autograph of Tboma‘Keating.—
Sold in Packets, Is., 2s. 6d., and 4s. 6d. each ;or Packets,
free by post, fcr 12 Postage Stamps, and 2s. 6d. on receipt of
36 Also in Bottles with Bellows Is. 6d. and 3s. ea, h. by
YARD, LONDON, E.C.
THOMAS KEATING, Chemist, 79, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH,

AT KINS 0 N and Co.,
CABINET MAKERS,
UPHOLSTERERS, CARPET WAREPOUSEMEN,
FURNISHING DRAPERS, and HOUSE AGENTS,
WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE-ROAD.

A BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTIVE CATA-
LOGUE, with Illustrative Sketches of CABINET
FURNITURE and DECORATIVE UPHOLSTERY,
sant free per post or given on application. The Stock,
corresponding to the List, is marked in plain figures, and
comprises
DRAWING ROOM FURNITURE

In new and elegant designs, covered in Rep, Terry Cloths,
French and Silk Damasks, &c. This department is also
enriched with the latest Parisian Novelties, Cabinets,
Whatnots, Davenports, &c.
Good Solid Dining Room Sets in mahogany and oak.
Iron and Brass Bedsteads in great variety.
Who aow patnnt gpring Mattress still stands alone for

cheapness and comfort.
Tho Bedding is all made on the premises and undor

personal inspection.
Thoir famous Polished Pine Bed Room Suites demand
special attention.
Extract from ' The Builder."

" We were shown a short time since a bed room fitted
up by an Earl for his own occasional occupation at the sea-
side, in which every piece of furniture, save the iron bed-
stead, was made of the white wood in question. Dressing
table, washstand, drawers, towel rails, and chairs were as
spotless as the crest of the waves beating on the shore. and
the very height of cleanliness seemed attained."
THE STOCK OF CARPETS
Is one of the choicest in London, embracing Turkey,
Velvet Pile, Brussels, Kidder, Felts, &c.
Floor Cloth, Kamptulicon, Linoleum, and Cork Carpet, cut,
fitted, and laid down to any size and plan.
Furnishing Drapery
of every description.
Damask, Rep, and Pekin Cloths, French and English

s, eze.
THE STOCK OFChintze HOUSEFIOLD LINEN
Is well worthy the attention of clubs, hotels, and Urge
consumers, who will be treated with on most liberal terms.

ATKINSON & CO.,
198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210,
WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE-ROAD, LONDON.

TO CHARITABLE DONORS, the Managers
of Public Institutions, Asylums, and Homes.
The peculiar circumstances of this year, the late mone-
tary crisis, and the
consequent depression of the markets,
in the midst of which ATKINSON and Co. made large
cash purchases, enable them now to offer unusual advan-
tages in the supply of
BEDDING, BLANKETS, COUNTERPANES, and
• SHEETINGS,
besides every description of material for warm Winter

Clothing.

ATIcINSON & CO.,
198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210,
WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE-ROAD, LONDON.

THE KAMES GUNPOWDER COMPANY'S
CRYSTAL Gunpowder, packed in Red Japanned
Canisters ; No. 1, Fine; No. 2, Medium; No. 3, Large Grain.
THE KAMES GUNPOWDER COMPANY, Contractors
to H.M. War Department, solicit a trial of their CRYSTAL
and other Sporting Gunfsowdee, of this year's manufacture.
For strength, cleanliness, and prompt ignition they will be
found unequalled. —Sold by most respectable dealers through-
out the Count rY, and wholesale at the Offices, 45, Lime- street,
London, E.C.

THE " SINGER," New Noiseless Lock-Stitch
FAMILY • SEWING MACHINES.
These machines combine all the Latest Improvements, and
a,•re now on Exhibitim for the first time. being an improve-
ment upon Singer's celebrated "Letter A" Family Sewine
Machine, of which over One Hundred and Eighty Thousand
have been 801 l in all parts of the world. Inspection in-
vited.
Purchasers desirous of securing the best machines yet
brought out should not fail to see them. Cata.o4ues post
free.

—THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
Proprietors and Manufacturers of the world-renowned
"Singer" Sewing Machines.
Chief Office in the United Kingdom, 147, Cheapside,
London.

PR IN TIN G.—TO PROPRIETORS OF
NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, &c.—The Print-
ing and Machining of Newspapers, &c., done on exceed-
ingly favourable terms. Use of Editorial and Publishing
Offices, if required. Estimates forwarded on receipt of
particulars, with .stamped directed envelope for reply.
Address—The Manager "Sun" Prinling Offices, 3, Church-
row, Savoy, Strand, W.C.

EE• -m. REILLY AND CO.,
. GUN AND RIFLE MANUFACTURERS,
502, New Oxford-street, London, _

Have always an Extensive Assortment of MUZZLE and
BREECH-LOADING GUNS, on the most approved sys-
tems, from £lO 10s. upwards. Improved "CENTRAL
FIRE" BREECH-LOADERS. In cases complete, from 25
guineas. Cartridge Cases from 30s. per 1,000. Several first-
class Second-hand Muzzle and Breech-loading Guns at mo-
derate prices. Revolvers, Air Canes, 4tc. Double Rifles for
Africa, India, dm, from 12 guineas.

The Dispossessed German Princes.

BERLIN, Sept. 24.

The Duke of Saxe-Meiningen has issued the fol-
lowing decree and proclamation to his subjects :
" We, Bernhard, by God's grace Duke of Saxe-
Meiningen, &c., after profound and conscientious
examination, have determined upon renouncing the
government of Saxe-Meiningen in favour of his
Highness our well-beloved son the Hereditary Prince
George, Duke of Saxony, and to place that govern-
ment in his hands from this date. In communicat-
ing this fact to our old subjects we cannot abstain
from expressing our gratitude for the proofs of
fidelity and affection they have so frequently given
us during the long continuance of our government,
and from associating therewith at the same time our
most heartfelt wishes for their constant proiperity.
We further announce that we shall in future bear
the title of Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen.
"To my faithful Meiningers,—The iron destiny
of our age has struck us also. I this day quit the
government of the country that I have ruled with
affection and fidelity for five-and-forty years. Ido
it with sorrow and profound emotion. I had hoped
to remain your duke until the end of my days, and
I have only come to this resolution to spare you the
sacrifices I could neither have averted from you nor
from the country in any other manner. The govern-
ment passes to my son, the hereditary Prince
George, whom may God assist in his difficult course.
The prince enters in full vigour upon the new era,
and will probably know better how to adapt himself
to it than would have been possible for me. Receive
him with confidence and affection, as he will cer-
tainly meet you with trust and love. May God
protect my dear country !

" BERNHARD ERICH FREUND."

The Elector of Hesse has addressed the follow-
ing proclamation to the troops of the Electoral
Hesse contingent :
" Generals, officers, sub-officers, and soldiers of
my Hessian division.—The most sorrowful moment
of my life is at hand. The force of events that have
shaken the world, imposes upon me the imperious
necessity of separating from you as your chief in
war. Each of you feels how painful this must be to
me, and nothing but the reflection that, under the
circumstances that have come to pass, my deter-
mination will conduce to your benefit, could have
induced me to resolve upon it, for my constant
efforts have only been directed towards your wel-
fare. Accept my warmest thanks for the services
you have always rendered me. Do not abandon in
future the path of honour and glory ; remain faithful
while conscientiously fulfilling your duty, and re-
member the glorious history of your ancestors for
400 years. I thus release you from the oath of
allegiance you have taken to me as your chief in
war.

" Given at Stettin, Sept. 17, 1866.
" FREDERICK WILTAA3.I, Elector of Hesse."

Presentation of the Robert Raikes Lifeboat.

Last evening, at tho Agricultural Hall, Islington, amid
circumstances of considerable interest, this Sunday-school
lifeboat was formally presented to the Royal National Life-
boat Association. Mr. Alderman Disk, M.P., presided on
the occasion, surrounded by about 1,500 of the young con-
tributors, who occupied the orchestra, and by several mini-
sters and members of the committee.

Richard Lewis, Esq., barrister-at-law, the secretary of
the Royal National Lifeboat Association, attended to re-
ceive the boat.

The Rev. Dr. EDMONDi having offered prayer,
The CHAIRMAN said they had that evening another proof
of what the children of this countrycould accomplish when
they applied their minds to a good work. Already they
had built a missionary ship, and they had sent out the John
Williams to carry glad tidings into the innermost parts of
the earth. (Cheers.) And now they had subscribed to pro--
cure a lifeboat, so that the brave men who were extending
our commerce might be rescued in the hour of peril. Long
might it be before the lifeboat which .the Sunday-school
children of England that night presented to the Royal Na-
tional Lifeboat Association should be required for service,
and in the hour of need might it be effectual in saving life,
and a crew of bravo men never be found wanting to man
it. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Lswts then formally accepted the boat, of which he
gave an interesting description, and entered into details
concerning the services rendered by the society during the
past year.

- Mr. SEARE, the secretary of the fund, presented a report,
from which it appeared that in the commencement of the
movement the greatest encouragement had been given to it
through the kind contributions of Vice-Chancellor Sir W
P. Wood and Sir R. Palmer, both of them Sunday school
teachers. The schools subscribing to the fund were of all
denominations, and the amountfrom each varied from half-
a-crown to £2O. The average amount, however, from each
school had realised about£3. The entire amount subscribed
by the children and their friends had reached £603 Bs. 9d.,
but of this sum the children alone had contributed £544
18s. 6d. The cost of the lifeboat with transporting car-
riage and gear, amounting to £l5O, having been mot, the
balance was already forming the nucleus of a second life-
boat. (Loud cheers.) The boat would be permanently
settled at Brighton, the municipal authorities having
granted a site for the erection of a handsome boat-house.

In the course of the proceedings the children present,
being the representatives:of 150 schools who had taken part
in the movement, sang appropriate melodies under the
able direction of Mr. Runt; of the Tonic-Sol-Fa Associa-
tion, whilst Mr. Coward presided at tho organ.
The ceremony of formally delivering over tho boat to the
institution was witnessed by an immense number of spec-
tators, who testified their approbation by loud cheers.

A Case of Fraud—A Man following his

own Coffin to the Grave•

One of the most remarkable incidents that has ever oc-
curred, the details of which closely border on romance, had
for some time occupied the attention of the detective de-
partment of police of Scotland-yard, and it is now brought
to such a stage that most important revelations will shortly
be made to the French authorities.

It appears that one Vital Douat, a very extensive wino-
merchant of Bordeaux, insured his life to the amount of
100,000 f. in one of the insurance offices in Paris. After
which he returned to his place of business at Bordeaux,
but subsequently failed, and was declared by the laws of
France to be a fraudulent bankrupt to the amount of £24,000.
He suddenly disappeared, and about a month afterwards
his wife presented a certificate, purporting to bo a copy of
the register of the death and burial of her husband, Vital
Douat, in England, at the insurance-office in Paris, and
claimed the amount for which his life had been insured.
Some suspicion arising in the minds of • the officials at
Paris, the insurance money was not paid, and the case was
forwarded to the British authorities for investigation. The
matter was placed by the Home Office in the hands of In-
spector Williamson, chief of the Detective-office, who
directed Sergeant Druscovitch (the officer usually engaged
in foreign inquiries), to collect the whole of the particulars
of the case, as to when and where Vital Douat died, and
also the place where his body was interred. The officer in
commencing his inquiries, although meeting with nume-
rous difficillties, succeeded in ascertaining the following
extraordinary facts:—After quitting Bordeaux, Douat came
to London and took up his residence at Ford's Hotel, in
Manchester-street, Manchester-square, giving the name of
Roberts, when, after remaining for a few days, he desired
a French waiter at this hotel to write him out a certificate
in English, purporting to be signed by Dr. Crittie, to the
effect that one Vital Douat had died on the 29th of Decem-
ber, 1865, of aneurism of the heart. Notwithstanding the
observation made by the writer as to Roberts's requesting
the certificate of death to be written two days prior to the
alleged death taking place, he was persuaded to do it, and
ho wrote the certificate accordingly. On the Ist of Decem-
ber this certificate was presented to the Registrar of Deaths
at Plaistow, in Essex, by Douat, who now assumed the
name of Bernardi, and the death was registered in the usual
way, it being stated that the body was then lying at No.
32, Ann-street, Plaistow. On the same day ho produced a
certificate from the Registrar of Deaths, the sexton of St.
Patrick's Cemetery, Low Layton, ordering a grave to be
dug, and paying the regular burial fees, appointing the
following Sunday for the funeral. Having made these ar-
rangements, he then went, in the afternoon of this day, to
an undertaker in the Mile-end-road, to whom he gave the
name of Rubini, and purchased a full-sized ready-made
coffin, in which he caused to be placed a thick lining of
lead, and the handles altered from the sides to the ends of
the coffin, in the manner usually adopted in France and
other Continental countries. On Sunday, the 3d of the
same month, Douat unexpectedly appeared again at the
undertaker's, paid the agreed price of the coffin, called in
two labourers who were passing by, and had it carried to
the Shoreditch station of the Great Eastern Raiiway,where
it was booked for Leytonstone, and Douat himself was also
a passenger by the same train that conveyed the coffin. ,
When the coffin arrived at Leytonstone Douat accidentally

met with a cart, which he hired, placed it on it, and had
it conveyed to St. Peter's Cemetery for bu rial, Douat him-
self being the chief and the only mourner. The coffin and
supposed body were taken into the chapel of the cemetery,
where the burial service was road over it by the Rev. Mr.
M'Quoid, and in a solemn manner, with all the profuse
ceremonials of the Roman Catholic Church, the ostensible
remains of Douat were consigned to the earth. Tho whole
of these circumstances, which in themselves wore highly
suspicious, without availing himself of the mass of other
information ho had obtained, induced Sergeant Druscovitch
to apply for a•licenco from the Secretary of the Home De-
partment to exhume the coffin said to contain the body of
Vital Douat. This having been obtained, Inspector Wil-
liamson, Sergeant Druscovitch, and two gentlemen who
were personally acquainted with Douat, proceeded to the
cemetery, having previously furnished themselves with
proper stimulants if the effluvium from the body should
require the use of them. The two gentlemen referred to
attended for the purpose of identifying the body of Douat,
as he was Niel' known to them, and the coffin having been
exhumed it was opened, but to the gratification of the
officers and the two witnesses it was found empty, no
stimulants, of course, being required ; and the whole of
the suspicions which had previously been formed were
fully realised. The whole of the funeral was a sham,
and the conviction was forced upon the minds of all that
Douat was still left amongst the living. The weight
of the supposed body of Douat had been made
up for by the introduction of an additional quantity of
lead to the lead lining above stated. Upon these facts being
mentioned a warrant was granted by Sir Thomas Henry,
chief magistrate, for the apprehension of Douat for an
offence against the Registration Act, and a search was im-
mediately instituted by the officers, and the result was that
they discovered the delinquent had taken his departurelor
America, and was thus beyond the pale of the English law.
By correspondence, however, just received, it appears that,
valttarugh Douat evaded the penalties of the English law, he
has recently been captured on his return from America to
Antwerp by the Belgian authorities, and under their Ex-
tradition Act he will be handed over to the French Go-
vernment, to bo dealt with by the tribunals of that country
for his fraudulent bankruptcy, and also for his attempted
fraud on the Paris life insurance office. Should he be con-
victed there, of which there can be little doubt, he will be
amenable to a greater amount of punishment than he would
in England for making the false registration. There is
reason to suppose that his wife, who is at large, may at
some future time beplaced in the samo position as her hus-
band. Thus so far ends this very remarkable history, which
is only another illustration of the maxim, that truth is
sometimes stranger than fiction.