The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-06 00:00:00

THAMES.

A REFORMATORY FOR BAD HUSBANDS WANTING.—A
respectable and intelligent middle-aged woman, who ap-
peared to be labouring under much anxiety and grief, pre-
sented herself among the applicants for advice and assistance
this morning, and asked Mr. Selfo if he could interfere on
her behalf. She had been married 20 years to her husband,
and had given birth to eight children, six of whom were
alive. Her husband's business was a very prosperous one
while he only paid moderate attention to it, and she had a
comfortable home, paid her way, incurred no debts, saved
a little money, and was enabled to give her children a good
education. Now all was changed. Her husband, for seve-
ral years past, had given way to intemperate habits, his
business had declined, a great portion of his stock was dis-
posed of from time to time to satisfy his propensity for
strong drinks. Her savings were exhausted, her children
in rags, debtors had become clamorous and pressing in
their demands, the rent was in arrear, and rate collectors
were unsatisfied. She could not say her husband had
offered her any personal violence, but he was continually
morose and ill-tempered, insisted on her contracting debts
which could never be paid, spent the greater time in pub-
lic-houses, and set his children a bad example by the
curses, blasphemy, and horrible language he frequently
used in their presence and hearing. If something was not
speedily done to arrest her husband in his evil courses the
ruin of herself and children would be consummated, and a
union workhouse would be their portion.
Mr. Selfe said this was a painful case, and he sincerely
pitied the unfortunate wife and mother, but he could not
interfere. If the husband hal struck his wife, threatened
her, or if she feared that he would ill-use her, he could
then exercise his authority and issue his warrant or
summons. The deplorable facts which the respectable
woman before him had depicted was too often the result of
intemperance, and the utter ruin and degradation of fami-
lies beyond the hope of redemption. The curse of drink
was the cause of three-fourths of the crime and pauperism
of this country.
The applicant said that her husband had been
to five houses this week, and taken measurements of
work which ought to have been done immediately, but ho
was inebriated every night, and other tradesmen were sent
for to execute these orders. She could carry on the busi-
ness better without her husband than with him, by means
of a tru,tworthy foreman. She was ataid her husband
would proceed from bad to work e, and asked if there was
any asylum or reformatory to which he could be trans-
ferred.
Mr. Selfe said there was no reformatory for bad hus-
bands ; if there was it would, he feared, be soon filled.
The applicant then retired from the witness box with the
tears streaming down her cheeks, and lingered about the
Court for some time afterwards.
THE CABMAN AND TILE CORK LEG.—Mr. Daniel
Brooks, a tradesman, carrying on business at No. 153,
High-street, Poplar, appeared before Mr. Selfe to answer
the complaint of a cab driver, named Charles Dawson, who
said he was called off the " rank" at Epping-place, Mile-
end-gate, and took up the defendant and three other persons
at No. 4, Wellington-place, near the Thames Police-court,
Stepney, and drove them to the defendant's house in High-
street, Poplar. There were also two parcels outside. His
fare was 3s. 4d., and the defendant only paid 2s.
Mr. Selfe—How do you make out 3s. 4d. from this place
to High-street. Poplar ?
Dawson—Three miles is Is, 6d., one mile out of the
radias is 6d. more, two extra persons 6d. each, and 2d. each
paccel—total, sir,,3s. 4d., according to Cocker. (A laugh.)
Mr. Selfe—Well, I believe you are right.
10efendant—The distance, sir, is only 21 miles.
Mr. Selfe—The cabman is entitled to charge 6d. for every
fraction of a mile, whether it is a quarter, half, or three-
quarters of a mile, and Is. per mile out of the radius. Now,
what say you to the pat eels ?
Mr. Brooks—They were small parcels. One was my
friend's leg.
Mr. Selfe—Your friend's leg. That was part of another
. person. As we can't decide fractions of miles—how can
we decide fractions of persons. (Laughter.)
Mr. Brooks—lt was a cork leg, sir. It was not my leg.
I have two real ones.
Mr. Selfe—l am glad to hear it. The cabman has car-
ried your friend's lea- safely, and you must pay 2d. for that.
Mr. Brooks—l could have carried the leg under my arm.
Mr. Selfe—That is a curious place to carry a leg—carry
your friend's leg under your arm. I think you must pay
the cabman Is. 4d. more.
Mr. Brooks—Very well, sir. ,Here it is.
Mr. Selfe—Stop Mr. Brooks, you must also pay 2s. for
the summons, and 2s. for the cabman's loss of time. At
other police courts more is allowed, and I am afraid our
tariff is too low for the cab-drivers.
Mr. Brooks paid the money directly, and with great
cheerfulness.

A county court bailiff, named John Sheridan,
has been found guilty of manslaughter by a coroner's jury
at Liverpool. The victim was Sheridan's own wife, be-
tween whom and the husband a quarrel had taken place in
consequence of his unfaithfulness.
Advices from 'Rio, by telegrani via Lisbon, an-
nounce a change of Ministry in Brazil. The new Cabinet
had not been entirely completed at the departure of the
mail, but the appointments thus far comprised the Marquis
De Caxais, President of the Council and Minister of War;
Senor Silva Paranhas, Finance Minister ; Senor Joaquim
Jose Ignacio, Minister of Marine; and Senor Sayao Lobato,
Minister of Justice. The department of Foreign Affairs
would be temporarily conducted by the Finance Minister,
and for the first time there is to be a Mini;ter for Public
Works—a post to be temporarily held by the Minister of
Marine. The latter circumstance is considered satisfactory,
and favourable anticipations are entertained with regard to
the entire Cabinet.