The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-21 00:00:00

THAMES.

HEARTLESS DESERTION OP CHILDREN, AND EXEM-
rLARY PUNISHMENT.--Thomas Corrigan, a tall, able-
bodied man, about 27 yoars of age, and by trade a brick-
layer, was brought before Mr. Yardley charged under the
Vagrant Act with refusing to maintain his two children,
one aged six and the other four years, and leaving them
chargeable to the Poplar Union.

It appeared from the evidence of Mr. W. B. Foster, as-
sistant relieving-officer of the Poplar Union, that the pri-
soner was a widower and in the receipt of good wages, and
that by the exercise of a little frugality he could maintain
his children and himself comfortably. Instead of doing enik
however, he indulged in sensual gratifications, and totally
neglected his little ones, who were for some weeks half
starved. In September last he abandoned his children, and
they were found by a police-constable on the steps of the
White Horse public-house, Bow, in a state of destitution.
They were taken to the Poplar -Union-house, and have ever
since been maintained at the expense of the ratepayer%
The guardians of the union very properly directed the ap-
prehension of the prisoner, and that it should be followed
up by a prosecution.

The prisoner, in defence, said he had been out of work
for some time, and that when he got into work he would
reimburse the union and maintain his children.
Mr. Yardley—You appear to be in excellent condition—
full of health and able to work. You are a bricklayer, and
there has been plenty of work for people in your trade.
Mr. Foster said that for a long time since the children
were abandoned the prisoner had been earning 4s. 6d. per
day, or 275. per week, and in this statement he was con-
firmed by Mr. Want, another officer of the union.
Mr. Yardley animadverted with considerable severity on
the heartless conduct of the prisoner, and said it was not to
be tolerated that men, who became the father of children,
should cast the burden of maintaining them on the rate-
payers. The prisoner had been earning 275. per week.
Many industrious and frugal labourers maintained their
families on a less sum than that. Ho should make a severe
emscuplu of the ptibuLter as a warning to others, and he con-
victed him as a rogue and vagabond, and sentenced him to
be imprisoned for three months in the House of Correction,
and hard labour.

The prisoner—Will you make it less, Sir ?
Mr. Yardley—Not ono day less. If you don't support
your children when you come out of prison you will be
committed again.

THIS DA Y'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

A very limited supply of English whoat was on offer in
to. day's market, in but middling condition. Fine dry sam-
ples sold without difficulty at Monday's currency. Other-
wise the demand ruled inactive on former terms.

The amount of business doing in all foreign wheats was
very moderate ; nevertheless, importers were firm, and
prices were well supported.
Floating cargoes of grain were firm.
We have to report a fair demand for most kinds of bar-
ley, at full currencies.

New malt was quite as dear as on Monday; but old
parcels were easier to purchase.

Tho supply of oats was limited, and the oat trade ruled
steady, at extreme quotations.
Boans and peas sold on former terms.
Tho flour trade was steady. No supplies have come to
hind from abroad.