The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FIUDAY EVENING, APRIL 24 1857,

LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

LITERATURE,

RAILWAYS.

Leasing
Companies

Closing Prices
this day.

Business
this day.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.)
IN BE BAINBRIDGE AND DELL.

Alcazar ; or,. The Dark Ages. By J. R. Baste,
Esq., author of "The Wabash," " Modern
Society in Rome," &c. Three vela. Hurst and
Blackest.

These bankrupts were described as of Southwark
bridge-roal, Southwark, shoenrtkers, and to-day was
appointed for their last ex onination, which bad been
adjourned on several occasions in consequence of the
discrepancies between the accounts rendered by the
bankrupts.

The announcement of a new work by this bril-
liant and successful writer must have been gratif:-
ing to many. Those who had wandered with him
through the lonely and perilous Leek wi,oils, or
who had taken part in the stirring scenes of the
Italian insurrection, must have looke i forward
with pleasure to the prospect of another work from
the pen of a writer so attractive and original. The
success of his former productions wits indeed suf-
ficient to encourage another attempt, and though
the age, the events, and the characters are different,
we anticipate that his readers will admit that the
charm of the style and the interest of the narrative
remain undiminished. Apparently resolved to
avoid the charge of monotony, he carries us back.
seven centuries among the descendants of those
bold Normans who conquered Sicily. William of
Hauteville, the grandson of the great Roger, filled
the throne, but without obtaining much glory, for
posterity has since confirmed the title jestingly
bestowed on him by a rebellious subject, " Wil-
liam the Bad." He is represented as a man of a
cruel and avaricious disposition, a relentless tyrant,
whose slothfulness induced him to let the reins of
government fall almost entirely into the hands of
his favourites. The chief of these, the Lord High
Admiral of Admirals, was also the most unworthy.
He encouraged all his master's crueltie?, and
added many of his own, his great object being to
destroy the King and reign in his place. He
occupies a prominent part in the opening of
the story, but meets the just reward of his
crimes from the hand of one he had injured.
The haughty Norman barons, each of them a little
king, were ill-disposed to brook the tyranny of
one whose grandfather had been their equal. They
formed several strong confederacies against the
king, and proposed that his sou, a child, shoUld
reign in his stead. Unfortunately a chance shot,
aided by a blow from his cruel father, killed the
poor little monarch of half-aiday, and the king
taking advantage of the fickle temper of the people
was soon reinstated in all his dignities. The short-
sighted people allowed themselves to be in-
fluenced by the Saracens, whom King William had
always favoured, and by the priests, who, from a
mistaken wish to preserve order, exerted themselves
to procure the release of the aggressor. The re-
venge of the treacherous sovereign was soon felt
by the sturdy band of confederates ; one of his
favourite punishments had always been putting
out the eyes with red-hot basons, and it may be
imagined he did not hesitate to employ it on such
an occasion. Hanging, exile, confiscation, impri-
sonment, soon left King William leisure to enjoy,
undisturbed, the couches of the Alcazar—the old
Saracenic name for the royal palace of Sicily. The
love story of the Baron Mathew of Taverna and the
fair Countess Clemente, the hero and heroine of
the story, is also founded on fact; indeed the author
assures us that with the exception of a few subor-
dinate characters, whom he names, all the actors in
this stirring drama really existed and acted as he
describes. Mathew of Taverna is portrayed as a
true knightly hero, and the leader of tiie baud
of rebels. He was the slayer of the hated
favourite of the king, the head admiral, and
was hailed by the people as their deliverer.
He applied for the King's consent to his marriage
with the Lady Clemence, but was rudely refused,
though supported by the entreaties of his brother
nobles. He retired with h s friends to his castle
to concert measures, and they finally decided on
his marrying the Countess without waiting for per-
mission. This daring step precipitated the rebel-
lion, whose failure we have before all uued to. The
previous adventures of the Lady Clemente and her
friend, her courageous escape from imprisonment,
and the wild and stormy scenes that f flowed her
marriage, are full of interest. The conclusion of
their adventures we will leave to be lean- d from
Mr. Beste's enthralling narrative; as to those unac-
quainted with tue history of that remote period
it will possess all the attractions of novelty. The
following passage will give some of t.ie excit-
ing nature of the incidents and the graphic power
of the writer. Majone, the Lord Admiral, having
induced the Archbishop Hugo and Mathew of
Taverna, his kinsman, to join in a plot he had
formed to depose the King, gave the Archbishop
reason to distrust his motives. He opposed his
plans, and Majone, finding him inflexible, invited
him to supper and poisoned him. The next day
he kindly came to.visit the sick man---,
• " Caro Hugo !" he exclaimed to the sick prelate, "for-
give the familiarity of my address, dear monsignors, but
it touches me to the heart to see you in this plight."
The archbishop turned away his head in disgust.
"Rejoiced am I to see so many friends and followers
in attendance around you," continued Majone. " This
is not such a wicked world, after all I The sympathy
your friends show for you proves that a good man is
prized—even in this life."
"Do not leave the room, Roberto !" cried the arch-
bishop to his chamberlain.
"No, do not leave us, good Roberto," said the admi-
ral. I have brought here a medicine prepared by the
most skilful mediciner of Italy ; and you shall adminis-
ter it to his reverence. Sure I am teat it will soon re-
store him to his wonted health."
" I am deeply beholden to your lordship, but I had
rather decline it," said the sick man, in a tone and with
a look of concentrated and bitter irony.
"You are too fond of the infidel Saracens, monsignore ;
I shall really suspect that you are only half a Christian,"
persisted Majone, jestingly. " I never trust those Sara-
cen leeches myself. One cannot be certain that they
have a conscience.
"Roberto," cried the archbishop, " come hither.
Here, to this side of the couch. Stoap down. It is
poison," he whispered. "I know it is poison, and he
will force me to swallow it. Send and summon Taverna,
or some other kinsman ; tell them, for the love of
Heaven, to come and save me."
The chamberlain left the couch hastily.
" Send in the Bishop of Syracuse before you go,"
cried the sick man. "Did you not say he was in wait-
ing! Send him in. Instantly! instantly?"
"You had really better take this medicament first,"
persisted Majone ; " it will give you strength to enjoy
the converse of your friends."
The chamberlain, however, without quitting the room,
had, through the half-opened doer, made a sign to those in
the adjoining apartment ;and the Bishop of Syracuse here
entered and took a seat beside the pillow of tne
'6 1 am endeavouring to persuade our worthy friend,"
said the High Admiral, addressing him, " to take a
potion which I have mixed with the greatest care. I
saw the leech myself pour it into this flask," and he
produced one of gold from the folds of his ample cloak.
"Is not his lordship too kind ?" said the archbishop
to his friend, in the sarcastic humour that comes over
some men when ill.
" Indeed I fear me that the stomach of his reverence is
too weak to permit him to take anything at this hour,"
observed the Bishop of Syracuse.
"Set it down on the table, good admiral," said the
archbishop, emboldened by the vicinity of the ether pre-
late, and feeling that no violence would be attempted in
his presence. " Set it down on the table, and I will
swallow it to-morrow. Will not that be soon enough ?"
" As you will, as you will," ejaculated Majone, with
seeming carelessness. " I will carry back the precious
medicine with me ; but you are ill-advised, pour Bacco.
Let us talk of other matters. The king presses you hard
for some pretended debt, as I have heard."
"I thought your lordship had beard of it," sarcasti-
nary remarked the sick man.
" Why, care archivescovo, *ye know that Giorgio
Majone hears of everything that the king does ; and
that his enemies charge him with instigating every
harshness."
"Poor injured man!" sighed the archbishop.
"Indeed it is time that our scheme were put into exe •
cution," persisted Majone. " What says Matteo of Ta-
verna! You have seen him since his return ?"
"He heard of my illness, and, as a kinsman, hastened
to inquire after me," replied the primate.
A fit of spasmodic suffering here cams on —perhaps
the show of it was rather encouraged by the archbishop
in order to break off a conversation that might implicate
his relative. It effectually prevented the continuation
of the dialogue. Majone proposed to the Bishop of
Syracuse to administer his boasted potion while the
invalid was in this almost senseless state ; but to this
the other strenuously objected. Foiled and angry, the
High Admiral at length withdrew.
The chamberlain, Roberto, meanwhile had been on
the point of sending messengers to the Baron of Taverna,
and other friends of his patron, when the young lord
rode up to the gate of the archbishop's palace.
"For God's sake, my lord," cried the chamberlain,
"put an end to this. Majone is with my lord, and trying
to make him swallow some fresh poisonous drug. His
life is not sure for an hour."
Taverna half drew his sword from the scabbard. "As
well do it now as later,' he cried, and was pushing for-
ward.
"Not in my lord's presence," said the chamberlain ;
" besides he has his Mends and followers in the adjoin-
ing room. But what better time could you have than as
he returns home ? You could come upon him in the
shadows of the streets."
"Dust take me for a dastard murderer I" exclaimed
Taverna, angrily.
Another noble Sicilian here rode up to our hero, and
his conversation with the servant of the archbishop was
broken off. But the new comer was one not likely to
tame down the excited feelings of the baron ; it was
Guglielmo Count of Lesina—a man of a stern and fierce
temper, and one of the most violent enemies of the ad-
miral. The two rode aside together.
Half an hour later, Majone, preceded and followed
by a large body of friends and of servants
of
torches, was making his way towards the gate! o
With
Agate, on his return to his tower of 133 Yen
many a laugh and witty jest at the good-oatuore of the
admiral, who had allowed himself to be foiled
ject with which he had visited the archbishop, and which
seort cam
seemed to be pretty accurately surmise
i one hd,
th
one Chaste back
boisterously onwards. Suddenly,
and whispered to the minister that the street was lined
with groups of men in the colours, of the Baron of
M
Taverna and the Count of Lesina. atone turned pale ;
but after a few moments' consideration, he said, ' It is

Mr. Beard, from the office of Mr. Buchanan, now ap
peered for Bainbridge, against whom no opposition was
now made ; Mr. Lawrancc and Mr. Warrand, of Basing-
hall-street, fur Dell, who was opposed by Mr. Turner
on behalt of the assignees. The facts have been fre-
quently noticed. The material point in the case is that
Bainbridge went to America jast before the bankruptcy,
and it was at first eupposed that he had. taken a consi-
derable sum of money, but on inquiry this did
not appear to be the fact. There was, however, a
large deficiency in the partnership account,,, which had
been very irregularly kept. Dell's examination
had been adjourned for further explanations, but those
now given were still not deemed satisfactory.
Mr. Lawrance said there was no opposition to Bain.
bridge, and it would perhaps be better to allow both the
bankrupts to pass, leaving Mr. Dell to adduce further
evidence at the certificate meeting.

His Honour said that he must have the best evidence
as to the accuracy of the accounts; at present be had
only the oath of one bankrupt against the other. If evi-
dence in corroboration could be given it would be better
for all parties.

It was ultimately arranged that the case should stand
over for a month for Mr. Doll to procure the attendance
of persons who, he alleged, could support his statements.

CITY SHERIFF'S COURT.
(Before Mr. Prendergast, Q.C.)
iMPORTANT QUESTION UNDER THE INSOLVENT LAWS.-

GRAVE V. AUSTIN.

This was an adjourned judgment summons. It ap-
peared that after judgment had
.been obtained i❑ this
Court the defendant applied to the Court of Insolvency
and obtained protection under the interim order. Mr.
Buchanan then took an objection to the jurisdiction of
this Court, and the power of the judge to commit,
pending the proceedings in the Insolvent Court, and the
case was ordered to stand over until the Court of In-
solvency had pronounced its judgment.
Mr. Buchanan now said that the Court granted
a final order, and it had been held elsewhere
that this was a complete answer to any pro-
ceedings in respect of a debt for which the
creditor's name was entered in the schedule. By the
last Amended County Court A et, it was clearly laid
down tbat the protection of the Court of Insolvency
should operate as a bar to any punishment under the
County Courts Act—he (Mr. Buchanan) had argued the
case before Mr. Sergeant Manning, at the Whitechapel
Court, and although that learned judge bad previously
committed a great number of persons, he at last came to
the conclusion that he had no authority, as it was quite
clear that the whole of an insolvent's property, present,
past, and to a certain extent, the future property of an
insolvent, was vested in the Court cf Insolvency, for the
liquidation of the debts existing at the time of the in
solvency.

His Honour said that under the City Small Debt
Court Act there was no exception in respect of certifi-
cates in Bankruptcy or orders in Insolvency.

Mr. Buchanan submitted that because his Honour
happened to he presiding in the heart of the C;ty of Lon-
don, he would not act aiza;nst the spirit of an act which
operates a few yards beyond it, and over the whole
country.

His Honour said that at present be would not make
any order, as the defendant had no means, but another
summons might be taken out hereafter, for he would not
allow creditors to be defeated by such means.

MARKET NEW2.—(this Day.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

The arrivals of English wheat up to our market, this
week, coastwise, have bsen seasonably goOd ; but the sup-
ply fresh up to-day, by land carriage, was limited. The
attendance of buyers was by no means numerous, andmost
kinds of home-grown wheat sold slowly, at Monday's ad-
vance in the quotations.
Only limited imports of foreign wheat have been re-
ported. The sale for that grain was inactive, but we have
no changa to notice in prices.
Barley was in moderate supply and fair request, at full
currencies.

We have had a fair sale for malt, and prices were sup-
ported.
The show of oats was moderate, and tho oat trade ruled
steady, at very full prices.
Beans, peas, and flour were firm, but not dearer.

ARRIVALS THIS WEBS.
Wheat. Barley.f Malt. Oats. Flour.
4,030 510 4,360 720 1,460

English
Irish

Foreign 12,010 I 9,320

15,360 1 330

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

Only a moderate supply of beasts was on sale in to-
day's
market, yet all breeds moved off slowly at Monday's
decline in the quotations. We were rather scantily sup-
plied with sheep, which sold freely, and prices were well
supported. Owing to the change in the weather, the
lamb trade was heavy at a decline of 2s. per 81bs. About
400 lambs came to hand from the Isle of Wight. The
show of calves was rather extensive, and the veal trade
ruled heavy at a decline in value from 4d. to Si. per 81bs.
In pigs and mulch cows very little was passing at late
rates.

Per Bibs to sink the offalr.
s. d. 0. d.I a. (1. S. '
Interior Beasts.... 3 4to 3 61PrimeSonthdown 510 6 2
&wend quality.... 3 8 4 o?Large crse. calves 3 8 4 8
Prime large oxen 4 2 4 B:Prime small do 410 5 4
Prime Scots, 4e. 410 5 Ciliarge hogs
Inferior Sheep ...4 6 4 10,Small porkers
Second quality ...4 0 5 2'Snckling calves 23 0 30 0
Prime crse.-wlled.s 4 5 81Quarter old pigs 21 0 28 0

Lamb, 6s OctOd to 63 1(•d.
TOTAL SUPPLY: I rorziox SUPPLY.

Beasts..
Sheep and lambs
Calves 3lO Calves l9O
Pigs 340 Pigs —

NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.
The demand generally was steady, as follows :
Per 81bs by the carcase
s. d. s. d.
Beef, Inferior 3 0 3 4
Do., middling 3 6 310
Do., prime large 4 0 4 2
Do., do. small 4 4 4 6
Pork, large 3 10 4 2
Lamb, 5s

s. d. 5. (1
Mutton, Inferior 3 4 3 8
Do., middling 3lO 4 2
Do., prime 4 4 4 S
Veal.... 3 6 4 10
Pork, small 4 6 5 2
d to 6s 4d.

BOROUGH HOP.
Our market continues to be well supplied with most
kinds of hops. Fine samples move off steadily, at full
quotations, but other qualities are dull.
Mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ lOs to 51 12s ; Weald
of Kent. 3/ 55 to 3l 18s; Sussex, 3/ Os to 3/ 12s; year-
lings, 1/ 10s to 3/ per cwt.