The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-31 00:00:00

THE MILITIA.

Her Majesty's steam-sloop Vulcan, 6, Com-
mander Seccombe, called at Falmouth on Monday
last and landed the headquarters of the Waterford
Artillery Regiment of Militia, who are to garrison
Pendennis•castle. The Vulcan embarked them at
Queenstown, and took on the remainder of the
corps to Plymouth for duty at that place.

THE LATE FIRE AND LOSS OF THREE_

LIVES AT BATIINAL GREEN.

ALLEGED ARSON-ADJOURNED CORONER'S INQUEST

-SPECIAL VERDICT.

Yesterday, at noon, Mr. William Baker, the
coroner, resumed the adjourned inquest at the
Prince of Wales Tavern, Bonner's-road, Victoria
Park, respecting the deaths of John Metcalf, aged
fifty-two years, Ann Metcalf, aged forty-eight years,
and Julia Maria Metcalf, aged seven years, who
perished at the late fire on the premises of Mr. Jas.
Alfred Harman, silk fringe manufacturer, of No.
27, Anchor-street, near the terminus of the Eastern
Counties Railway, Shoreditch.
The inquest-room was again densely crowded by
persons anxious to hear the proceedings, which
created the utmost interest.
Mr. Sleigh attended for the accused (Mr. Har-
man), and Mr. Roberts was present on the part of
the Liverpool and London Fire Insurance office.
Inspector Deudy and Inspector Wakeford, with
Sergeant Egerton, of the H division, were in at-
tendance on the authority of the Metropolitan
Police Commissioners.

The jury having answered to their names,
The Coroner asked Mr. Vaughan, the summon-
ing officer, whether there was any additional evi-
dence in the case, and being answered in the nega-
tive, he proceeded to sum up the whole of the
voluminous testimony adduced on the two previous
occasions, after which he said the jury could hear
any statement which Mr. Harman thought proper
to make, if his solicitor (Mr. Sleigh) thought pro-
per, but under the peculiar circumstances of the
case he (the Coroner) thought Mr. Harman had
better not make any.
Mr. Sleigh was of a similar opinion.
The Coroner, after a few preliminary observa-
tions, remarked at great length on the various
points of the case, and begged of the jury to dismiss
from their minds any idle reports which they might
have heard, and give a free expressionol their opinion
upon the evidence which they had heard. The case
as affecting Mr. Harman, failed in all its material
portions, and he (the coroner) was of opinion that
no one could be so wretchedly or miserably cruel ,
as to commit such an act, for if they did the
party would be guilty of wilful murder. The un-
fortunate calamity might have arisen by accident
through the gas or from some other cause over
which there was no control. If there was a doubt
in their minds give the party accused the benefit
of it.
The inquest-room was subsequently cleared of
strangers, and the jury were locked up in consulta-
tion about an hour, when the court was again
opened, and the foreman announced that they had
unanimously agreed to the following special ver-
dict : _ _

"That the deceased persons, whilst in a certain
house, then and there on fire, were, by the noxious
vapour and smoke, and the flames issuing from
the said fire, suffocated, of which they then and there
died, but how or by what means the said fire was caused
there was no evidence to satisfy the jury; but they could
not separate without recommending a careful division of
the ',respective duties of the fire-engine keeper and the
escape keeper, so that the engine keeper should be able
to give the greatest assistance in cases of ire, and they
also express their satisfaction at the conduct of the police
and fire brigade, and Barton, the Royal Society's escape-
man, on the occasion in question."
Mr. Harman, who was in the inquest-room, upon
hearing the verdict, said—" Gentlemen of the jury,
I am innocent of the charge brought against mo.,
The proceedings then terminated.

and labour of the claimant. The negro answered under
Oath, denying all the material facts set forth in the cer•
tificate of Commissioner, and- thus, as his counsel
pposed, patting the claimant upon the proof of them
before the State Judge ; but be (Judge Wallace) decided
that, whatever the conduct of the Commissioner might

have been, he could not go behind his certificate, and
that the State had no power to protect any one thus
tillaneusly victimised. Such is slave-catching in Indiana,
. .

4nd so ended a case which lasted about 10 days, pro:
placing intense excitement during its continuance, and
threatening at times to end in open revolt against the
constituted authoritieß.
How much longer will the people of Indiana. and of the
Free States tamely submit to a law which tolerates and
encourages such outrages as I have described I- How
much longer will our. Republican editors and
politi-
cians deal all their denunciations against Kansas villa-
nies, when the same or greater villanies are being
enacted on our own borders I

RETIREMENT OT MR. JUSTICE CRESSWELL.—Yester-
clay a notice was exhibited at the Judges' chambers that
Mr. Justice Cressvvell would attend to transact businesi
on Friday next. In a short time his lordship will retire
from the Court of Common Pleas, to take his seat in the
new Probate Court.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR THORNE.—The
adjourned inquest on the bodies of the three persons
killed by the explosion of the boiler of a portable thrash •
ing-machine on the farm premises of Mr. Ridgiil, of
Thorns moor-ends, near Thorne, Yorkshire, on the 19th
ult., was resumed at the White Hart Inn, at that town,
on Tuesday. Since the last inquiry another of Mr.
Ridgill's sons, Henry, aged 10 years, has died of the
injuries he received at the accident. A third son, named
Thomas, aged 8 years, was *lea much injured, but he is
recovering. All the bodies of the persons killed were
dreadfully mutilated, especially that of Henry Ridgill,
who was shockingly scalded from the head to the abdo-
men, be having stood facing the side of the engine when
the explosion occurred. He was blown 24 yards from
the spot, and not 15 yards, as stated in the last re-
port. The jury having been formally resworn, so as to
inclUde the case of Henry Ridgill in the present investi-
gation, the former evidence was read over, and the foe.
lowing additional facts were elicited :—The witness Fox,
who at the last inquiry explained the state of the engine,
just before the explosion took place, now said that there
was very little water in the engine, and that the steam
was blowing off, but act much could escape owing to the
safety-valve being too tightly screwed down. George
Wright, farm labourer of Thorne, who had lived with
the deceased proprietor of the thrashing-machine (Johns
son) five years, but had left his service about three weeks
before the accident, said the latter always considered
himself competent to manage the engine, but he (witness)
did not. Johnson used to drive the engine at random,
and sometimes put more pressure on than the index could
indicate. Witness had seen the deceased tie a piece of
stick to the valve, to act as a lever, so as to obtain more
pressure. Witness used to remonstrate with him for
doing this, but deceased always insisted that he knew
better how to work the engine than witness did. There
was a water-gauge on the engine, but it had got stopped
up and did not act. The firebox was repaired about
last harvest, and nine new tubes wire put in the boiler,
Mr. Isaac Dodds, engineer at the Holmes Works, Ro-
therani, said he had examined the remains ofthe exploded
boiler. The casing which enclosed the firebox appeared
to be the part torn off by the explosion. The firebox
itself was in good sound condition, and the outside plate
was perfectly sound—it was a quarter of an inch thick.
The boiler, firebox, and tubes appeared to have been in
excellent working condition, and were little worse for
wear. There was no sign of leakage ; the iron was very
good, and the boiler altogether was very creditably made.
The safety-valve was small, but the witness did not think
if it had been larger that the accident would have been
prevented. The evidence of the previous witnesses quite
confirmed the opinion he had formed on examining the
boiler, which was that the accident arose entirely from
an excess of pressure. Before he heard the evidence
he ha I arrived at the conclusion that the safety-valve
must have been sticking, or have been purposely fastened
down. Judging from the perfect state of the fire.
box and the plate at the top of it, he did not consider
that the accident arose from overheating ; there was
evidently water in the boiler at the time of the accident.
I was impossible to say what amount of pressure there
was on at the time of the accident, because the safety-
valve was screwed down to such an extent that it no
longer deserved the name it bore. This class of engine
generally exploded either at starting or at the first letting
off of steam, for when the engine was not working the
water was more at rest than when there was an escape
of steam, and consequently the instant the steam was
turned on the water became agitated, a greater genera.
tion of steam was produced, and a sort of recoil occurred
at the place where the steam was impeded in its escape.
The present sty le of engine was as good as could be pro-
duced. This particular engine was well made, but it
had been seriously neglected. A safer engine could be
produced if the maker was not limited to weight. The
accident was occasioned by mismanagement. The
management of high-pressure engines is now so simple
that it can be understood by almost anybody, and no
doubt Johnson thought he knew sufficiently well how to
work his, but unfortunately he did not, and hence this
accident. The best way to avoid such calamities was to
employ competent persons periodically to inspect the
boilers, aed never to trust the machines to incompetent
hands. In answer to questions from the jury, Mr. Dodds
said he did not think it wise to move an engine when the
steam was up, as was done in this case, although if there
was no excess of pressure it might not do much harm.
It would be well to let the persons who examined these
engines also examine the persons who had the manage.
ment of them, and he would recommend that these
engines should have their full complement of fittings.—
such as water-guages, &c., it being unsafe to trust to
guage-taps alone, for they could not be depended upon.
He also recommended the use of auxiliary safety-valves
which could not be tampered with, ordinary valves being
provided for the use of the driver, and a fired one which
should be beyond his control. The coroner (Mr. W.
Marratt), in summing up the evidence, said said it was
a question whether the attention of the Legislature
ought not
itotwtoh a view t
be directed
the
dto
adoptiontheseacctli accidents with
meansith steamof•
engines,
preventing their recurrence—such as the inspection of
boilers, the existence of the fall complement of fittings,
and the competency of the persons intrusted with en-
Ones. The jury then retired, sad after a s,h,ortWecon-
Fircetd:erick Maud,find
that the deceased, ThnodniAenryb
Ridgill were accidentally
sultation returned the following
Johnson,
Christopher Ridgill,iao of the boiler of a steam thrashing
pngsovnerd
killed by the exP
and mismanagement of the said Thomas
incompetency
deceased. And the jury suggest to the coroner
machine, caused by u. ndue pressure resulting from the
Johnson,
that he should represent to the Secretary of State and
other authorities the necessity of Government or other
inspectors being appointed to institute periodical inspec-
tions of agricultural steam thrashing machines and the
competency of their attendants." The coroner promised
to comply with this request as 110011 as possible and the
proceedings then terminated

_ _ ...,.1

1858 —Fail not to begin the NEW YEAR
• with a DIARY, LETTS'S are kept
by every bookseller in the kingdom. Catalogues gratis. Those
generally adopted by
LADIES are Nos. 10, 12, 18, 20, ARMY and NAVY, 8,9, 10, 11
22, plain or elegantly bound. in perpetual sprg. lock cases,
GENTLEMEN, 8,9, 11, 11, etc. MERCHANTS, BANKERS,
in perpetual sprg- lock cases. ENGLNEERS, etc. 51,52, 53,
CLERGYMEN, 9, 10, 12, 12 enl. 1,2, 3,6, 8,9, 11, with Dr. and
Tablet, Sermon books, etc. Cr. forms, 3s, 4a, 11a, etc.

MEDICAL MEN, 1,2," 8,9, 10, I TRADESMEN: 4,5, 11, 13, 15,

. . . . „
Medical, Professional, etc.
Dr. and Cr. forms, 3s, 118, etc.
LAWYERS, 51, 52, 1,2, 8,9, the FARMER-1, 4, 5,6, 7, 11, 13, etc.
Scribbling, plain or interlyd. MECHANICS, Is. 6d., Is 9d., 6d.
LETTS, SON, and Co., Stationers & Mapsellers,B, Royal Exchange.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,
LA TRAVIATA.

Piccolomini, Spezia, Giaglini, Belletti, Rossi, Vialetti,
and Aldighieri.
THIS EVENING (Thursday, Dec. 31),
LA TRAVIATA.
Saturday—LUClA DI LAMMERMOOR.
Pri !---Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons)
pit and one pair, 21. 2e ; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, 1/. ss.
three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, 103; gallery stalls, 3s 6d
pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s.

FIVHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARIKET,
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
_l_

THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with
SPEED THE PLOUGH. Characters by Messrs. W. Farren,
Compton, Chippendale, Mrs. Poynter, Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam,
and Miss E. Ternan.
After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD; or, Harle-
quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ;
Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ;
Clown, Mr. Charles Leclercq.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-LAST
NIGHTS OF KING RICHARD THE
SECOND, THIS EVENING, and To-morrow.
On Saturday, THE CORSICAN BROTHERS.
On Monday next Mr. Charles Kean will make his first ap-
pearance these two years in the character of Hamlet.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean.

THIS EVENING, will be performed Shakspere's Tragedy
of KING RICHARD 11. King Richard 11., by Mr. Chas,
Kean ; Queen, by Mrs. C. Kean.
After which, a new grand comic Christmas Pantomime,
entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT ; or, The Princess
Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess
Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Harlequin, Mr. Cor-
maek ; Clown, Mr. Hubner; Pantaloon, Mr. Paule ; and
Columbine, Miss C. Adams.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI,
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.

THIS EVENING, THE WEPT OF THE WISH-TON-
WISH. Mr. Wright and Madame Celeste.
After which, a Mythological Extravaganza, entitled
HARLEQUIN, OR THE LOVES OF CUPID AND
PSYCHE. Jupiter, Mr. Paul Bedford ; Mars, Mr. Frank
Hall ; Venus, Mrs. Billington ; Cupid, Miss Marie Wilton ;
Psyche, Miss Mary Keeley.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEA.TRE.—SoIe Lessee
and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.—

THIS EVENING, will be presented DON C.ESAR DE
BAZAN. Principal characters by Messrs. Charles Dillon,
Stuart, Barrett, J. G. Shore ; Mesdames Woolgar and Buck-
ingham White.

To conclude with the Burlesque and Pantomime, LALLAH
ROOKH, and the PRINCESS, the PERI, and the TROU-
BADOUR ; or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert.
Supported by Mesdames Charles Dillon, Buckingham White,
Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Jacobs, and Woolgar ;
Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Fitzhenry, Poynter, and
J. L. Tole. Clowns, Messrs. T. Matthews and R. Stilt ;
Harlequin, Mr. J. Ricketts; Pantaloon, Mr. A. Stilt ; Sprites,
Herr Zeleski and sons ; Columbines, Misses A. Malcolm and
Lees. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Trans-
formation Scene,

Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7.
Morning Performance on Saturday next, Jan. 2, on which
occasion the Boys of the Licensed Victualler? School will
attend.—Doors open at 2, commence at half-past 2.
3oa•office open from 11 to 5 daily.

iIOYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Orsswick.
THIS EVENING, will be performed BROKEN FAITH.]
After which, QUEEN NAB ; or Harlequin Romeo and
Jolliet. Clown, by the Surrey Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Brad.
bury.

TRAND THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. T. Payne.
k.-7 —THIS EVENING, will be performed
HARLEQUIN NOVELTY AND THE PRINCESS WHO
LOST HER HEART. Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbine,
Deulin ; Sprite, Herr Kirt. The Lambert Family
and the Red Man of Agar in their wonderful performance,

Commence at Seven.. Stalls, 38.; Bose; 2i.; Pit, Is.:
Gallery 6d.

CA. NTER T 3 Uit Y HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
Lag company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
B,lections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS,
CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. :—Miss Russell,
Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Miss Brauell, Miss Ray,
Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, and Madame Marietta ;
Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, R. Grover, T. Farrant,
S. Jones, .7. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L.
!lime, Mr. Badgey Mr. Elwarde, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Ber-
nard ; Messrs. S. denims, W. 'I. Critelineld, and E. Mack-
ney. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master
Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at
Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, drc., until twelve o'clock.
Mr. AUGUSTUS BRAITAX will make his first appearance on
Monday, the 25th proximo.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAT—Morn., 47 min. aft. I—Even., 15 win aft 2
To-Monnow —Morn., 45 min. aft. 2—Even., 10 min. aft. 3

THE WEATHER—Surf OFFICE, DECEMBER 31.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
47—highest since noon yesterday.
37—lowest this morning and during the night.
40 —this day at noon.

BAROMETER. 30.55.
WIND, W.N.W. • light, with fine cold weather, and an
evident tendency to frost.
Two O'CLOCK. —The wind has gone round to E.S E. ;
rather fresh, with fine sunshiny weather.

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