The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAIICLI 20, 1861.

CUBITT, Mayor.— A Court of Mayor and
Aldermen, held in the Inner Chamber of the Guildhall
of the City of London, on Tuesday, the 19th day of March,
1861, and in the 24th year of the reign of Victoria of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, &c., &c.
resolved unanimously,—That this Court is desirous of ex-
pressing its deep sympathy with lihr Most Gracious Majesty,
the Prince Consort, and the Royal Family, in their deep do-
mestic affliction upon the lamented death of her Royal High-
ness the Duchess of Kent, who, by the sincerity and con-
sistency of her character, and the exemplary manneiln which
she performed the duties that devolved upon her of educating
the Sovereign of this country, has justly endeared herself to
all classes of society, and whose memory will be ever held in
the highest respect.

WOODTHORPE.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-
TION.—The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of
his Institution will be held at the London Tavern, Bishops-
gate-street, on THURSDAY, the 21st inst., at Two o'clock
precisely.
Vice-Admiral the Earl of HARDWICKE in the Chair.
RICHARD LEWIS, Secretary.
14, John-street, Adelphi, March 16, 1861.

the favourite was beaten, theother two finished a close race
home. Won by half a length, a bad third.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER--TUESDAY.

There was but little business done on any future events
to-day. For the Great Warwickshire Handicap, Rupee
gave place to The Alderman, who had friends at 7 to 2,
while Rupee at one time figured at 7 to 1 (offered). The
other horses quoted were backed for moderate sums, but
there was nothing in very great force-200 to 11 was taken
about Butterfly for the Chester Cup. besides many offers
being made to back Chere Amie.—Kettledrum was sup-
ported at 9 to 1 for the TWo Thousand Guineas Stakes, and
6 to 1 was offered against Klazikoff.—East Sheen was backed
at 9 to 1 for the City and Suburban, and 100 to 8 was taken
about First Lord.—The only transaction that we saw in con-
nection with the Derby was 33 to 1 taken about Rouge
Dragon.—Closing prices

TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKES.
4to lon the field (offered)
GREAT WARWICKSHIRE HANDICAP.
7to 2 agst Aldexman (taken)
sto 1 agst Ruse (offered)
6to 1 agst MlTravieff (taken)
6to 1 agst Prieetor (taken)
6to 1 agst Calpe:(taken)
6to 1 agst Anemia (taken)
THE CHESTER CUP.
200 to 11 agst Butterfly (taken)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
9to 1. agst lieitlaireaken)
4 to lon the field (offered)
33 to 1 agst Rouge Dragon (taken)
CITY AFD SUBURBAN.
9to 1 agst East Sheen (taken)
100 to 8 agst First Lord (taken)
100 to 7 agst Industrious (offered)
20 to 1 agst Benbow (taken)
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES,
100 to 8 agst The Rap (offered)
20_t0 1 agst Danae (taken)

NORTHAMPTON ANI
Earl Spencer's Plat
Age st lb
Miss Julia a 9 6
Gallus
Sweetsauce
Lord of the Manor 5 8 10
Thunderbolt .. 4 8 10
Tiara .. 6 8 0
Lupellus
Fravola 4 7 13
Leontes .. 6 7 12
Ariadne 5 7 10
Ancient Briton 6 7 10
Audrey 5 7 10
Rising Sun .. 4 7 10
Zitella 5 7 9
Royal Sovereign .. 6 7 9
Confusion
New Brighton
Donner and Blitz,— 4 7 8
Spicebox
Pomona 4 7 7
Nutbush
Seclusion
Tattoo
Longshot
Edmund Kean 4 7 0
Feodorowna 4 6 13
Touch-me-Not
Mazzaroni
Parasite
Newburgh
Mousetrap 3 6 12
Blisworth 3 611
Weights published

D PYTCHLEY HUNT.
to. Five furlongs.

Age at lb
Imaus
C by Flying Dutc-
hman, out of 80-.
hemienno
Ataman• 4 6 10
Dr. Nichol
Lima owcr
Ellerton
Nunnery
Southport .. 3 6 4
Polyolbion
Confidence
F by Stockwell, out
of Selina
Warrior 3 6 3
Bluestone
Cantab
Will o' the Wisp
Spanish Fly 3 6 0
Robia
Jingling Johnny 3 6 0
Monastery
Snapshot
Isis 3 5 13
Gabardine 3 5 12
Icarus
Red pole 3 5 10
Whitewell ..
Rawcliffe . : 3 5 10
Lord of tho Tees .. 3 5 10
Chrimhilde
Lopcatcher
March 19, at 10 a.m

AQUA TICS.

DOINGS AT PUTNEY YESTERDAY.
On Monday last, both of the University crews having
arrived safe and sound at their usual hostelries at head-
quarters, Oxford at Mr. Kirby's, the White Lion, and
Cambridge at Mr. Heath's, the Star and Garter, they, as a
recommencement of training, had a sharp spin over the
usual course from Putney to Mortlake, and satisfied the
few of their admirers who had the good fortune to be pre-
sent. If anything, the water being very lumpy, Oxford
bore the palm, their style always being the best under
those circumstances.

On Tuesday, it having transpired that the Cambridge
would have a trial with the London Rowing Club twelve,
at five o'clock, Putney presented a very lively scene,
for notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather,
there was a large number of both horsemen and
pedestrians, who ran up the towing path, likewise
several fours, as well as the pairs who are at present train-
ing fe' thclitelivur-nrita.- Weiasse already informed our
readers that the Oxfor oat, built broalte.-,-._ the Lon-
.vowing Club boat ouse, and the Cambridge boat,
by Searle, at Simmonds.s. The time for starting having
arrived, there was a rush to scrutinise the members of the
Cambridge eight, and certainly there can be no fault found
with their present condition, the appearance of each man as
he entered the boat being critically canvassed, The London
12 require no comment, except that they were without any
training. The 12 immediately after starting took the lead,
and increased the same until passing Simmonds's, when
Cambridge held their own, and gradually gained until
passing the Craven Cottage, when a barge shifting forced
Cambridge to pass inside, and on crossing over, the superior
weight of the 12 enabled them to plough through the rough
water faster than their opponents. London held their way
through - Hammersmith-bridge, notwithstanding all the
exertions of the Cantabs. Soon after the want of condition
on the part of the 12 became apparent, as the light blue
began to draw up gradually, and upon nearing the Barnes-
bridge gave the gallant London crew the go-by, and even-
tually won easily. In the trial last year the Cambridge
won easily.

CAMBRIDGE. at lb
1. G. H. Richards, Trinity lO 5
2. H. J. Chaytor, Jesus
3. W. H. Tarleton, St. John's
4. J. S. Blake, Corpus
5. M. Coventry, Trinity Hall .. 13 0
6. H. H. Collings, Trinity
7. R. P. Fitzgerald, Trinity Ha 11.... ..
11 3
8. J. Hall, Magdalene
Cox. T. K. Gaskell, Trinity
LONDON ROWING CLUB.
1. Messrs. W. Sheriff 7. Messrs. G. Sheiraf
2. 8. Bo
3. 7,* Cox „ ydell
Catty 9. „ .Belfour
4. „ Burgess 10. „ F. Playford
5. „ Schlotell 11. „ Cassamajor
6. A Member of the Culver- 12. „ H. Playford
sity of Cambridge Cox—H. Weston
The next portion of the excitement arose from the Ox-
ford having a spin by themselves, and from the fact of a
watch being passed into the boat it was apparent to all that
a time trial was in progress, and caused a more close inves-
tigation into the merits and supposed demerits of each
oarsman as he took his seat. The result must have been
,very satisfactory, as we heard a staunch supporter of aqua-
tics, as well as a first-rate judge, say," Them"s the boys for
my brass." As the time in which they completed the dis-
tance was not to be get at, we can only assure our readers
that both crews aro well and confident, therefore a clipping
race must be the result.

OXFORD. St lb
1. W. Champneys, Brasenose lO 9
2. E. B. Merriman, Exeter lO 0
3. H. E. Medlicott, Wadham l2 5
4. W. Robertson, Wadhatn ll 8
5. G. Morrison, Balliol
6. A. R. Poole, Trinity . l2 7
7. H. G. Hopkins, Corpus
8. W. M. Hoare, Exeter .... 10 10
Cox. S. 0. B. Ribsdalo, Wadham ...... 9 0
THE BETTING.

The betting at Putney yesterday was even, " Oxford for
choice." Before the competitors had been seen as much as
6 to 4 were betted on the Cantabs ; but after the Oxonians
had had their first spin a reaction set in, and even bettitg
became the order of the day. Two or three bets to " ponies"
at evens came under our notice while the crews were out
yesterday. At the Victoria Club yesterday, however, 16
to 12 was laid on Cambridge,

ASSIZE INTELLIGENGE.

HOMECIRCUIT.—LEWIS,
The buei ness of the for Marchth 19.
the county of
Sussex commenced on Monday by the opening of
the Commission, and both courts sat this morning,
Lord Chief Justice Erle 'presiding on the Crown
side, and Mr. Justice Wightman at nisi pries.
The gaol calendar contains the names of 47 pri-
soners, but none of the offences appear to be of a
serious character. There appears to be one charge
of murder, but the prisoner who is charged with
the murder of his wife ,cannot be tried, as he
is insane, and has been removed to the county
lunatic asylum, by order of the Secretary of
state. The cause list containsl3 entries, of which
six are special jury cases.
Mr. Justice Wightman disposed of the whole of
the common, jury cases during the day, and none
of them presented any features of public interest.

,CROWN SIDE.
(Before Lord Chief Justice Eric.)
Edmund Shepperd, 39, a respectable-looking
man, described as a beershop keeper, and a man of
good education, was charged with wilfully and
maliciously setting fire to a stack of hay, the pro-
perty of Ralph Walker.
Mr. Roupell conducted the prosecution. The
prisoner was defended by Mr. Ribton.
The circumstances of this case were rather of
a peculiar character. It appeared that the prosecu-
tor is an extensive farmer in the neighbourhood of
Chichester, and the prisoner had been in his ser-
vice, but in July :.last there had been some dis-
agreement between them, and the prisoner left his
employment without giving notice, and the prose-
cutor summoned him before the magistrates for so
doing, but the summons was dismissed. There
did not seem to be any ill-feeling between the pri-
soner and the prosecutor on account of this pro-
ceeding, and the former took a beer-shop, at
Chichester, called the Alma, and was following that
occupation at the time this affair happened. After
seven o'clock in the evening, on the 29th of Octo-
ber, a large stack of hay upon the prosecutor's farm
was discovered to be on fire, and on the prosecutor
proceeding towards the spot, he met the prisoner
coming in a direction from the stack, and he told
him it was on fire, and said it was a bad job, and
he went back with him and rendered assistance to
extinguish the fire. On the same night the pri-
soner met a police-constable named Frogden, in the
city of Chichester, and told him that Mr. Walker's
stack had been set on fire, and he said it would be
a " good go" for the old man if it was not insured.
The constable remarked that it was very poor spite
for any one to do such an act, and the prisoner then
went away. No clue could be obtained as to the
guilty party until about a fortnight afterwards,
when the prisoner met the same constable,
and asked him whether he had heard anything
more about the fire, to which he replied that he
had not. The prisoner then said to the constable,
" You can take me down to the police-station."
The constable asked him what for, and he then
said, " For setting fire to Mr. Walker's rick. I
am the man that did it, and no other man. I can-
not live here, and I must go somewhere else. I
have got the same dress on now that I had when I
set fire to the rick. If I had known that he was
insured I should not have done it, and I should not
have done it if Mr. Walker had !behaved to me
like a gentleman." The prisoner, when he made
this statement, appeared to be slightly the worse
for liquor, and the constable took him to the police-
station, when he informediMr. Everett, the super-
! intendent, what the prisoner had stated, and he
cautioned the prisoner, and told him to be careful
what he said, as he should have to repeat it to the
magistrates. The prisoner, after this caution,
made the following statement :—" I am the man
who set fire to Mr. Walker's rick about a fortnight
ago ; that is all the evidence I have to give ; and
if Mr. Walker had been there, I would have set
tire to him if I had had half a chance." The
superintendent took down this statement in writ-
ing, and then asked the prisoner if he had any
objection to sign it, and he said he had not, and
without any hesitation, put his name to the state-
ment. The prosecutor, in answer to questions put
by Mr. Ribton, said that the prisoner worked as
hard as any one else to extinguish the fire, and
that he gave him some money for his services, and
he also said that since the prisoner had been in
custody upon this charge there had been another
incendiary fire upon his farm.
Mr. Ribton made a very ingenious pa inesi to the
a„e,,le a the. pr 5e..,,., said he was
instructed, that notwithstanding the statements
the prisoner was alleged to have made to the police
officers, in reality he was entirely innocent of
the offence imputed to him, and that at the time
he made those statements he was in a state of
excitement from drink, and did not know what he
was saying. Of course, if they believed the story
told by the prisoner, there could be no doubt of
his guilt, and there was an end of the
case, but, he said, in the annals of crime
frequent instances were recorded of persons who
had confessed themselves guilty of crimes of the
most serious description, even that of murder, when
it was satisfactorily established afterwards that they
were entirely innocent ; and in a recent very cele-
brated case, that of the Road murder, a man had
given himself up as the guilty party, when it ap-
peared that he was at Portsmouth at the time the
murder was committed. He then called the atten-
tion of the jury to the fact that there did not appear
to be any ill-will between the prisoner and the pro-
secutor, and it was admitted that he was the worse
for liquor at the time he made the extraordinary
statements upon which alone he was now sought
to be convicted. And there was also this extra-
ordinary circumstance in connection with the case,
that it appeared that since the prisoner had been in
gaol another incendiary fire had taken place upon
the prosecutor's property, which he could not pos-
sibly have had anything to do with.
Lord Chief Justice Erie, in summing up the care
to the jury, said, that undoubtedly the principal,
and, indeed, almost the sole evidence against the
prisoner, consisted of his own confession, and cer-
tainly where a confession was made by a person,
knowing at the time what he was about, it was as
conclusive evidence as could possibly be given.
They had heard the circumstances under which the
prisoner had made statements to two different
officers, and they must deal with the evidence as
men of common sense, and see whether there were
any circumstances that would tend to induce:them
to believe that when the prisoner made these
statements he did not know perfectly well
the effect and nature of what he was saying.
It was very true, as had been stated by the
learned counsel for the prisoner, that there had
been many instances where persons had accused
themselves of offences of which they were innocent,
but in almost every case of the kind with which
he was acquainted there was always some motive
or object for such a proceeding. It did, however,
frequently happen—and it was for the benefit of
the honest and well-conducted portion of the commu-
nity that it was so—that persons sometimes found
the consciousness of guilt such an uncomfortable
companion in their bosom, that they could not help
relieving themselves of it ; and it was for them to
decide whether this was not one of those cases.

The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a
verdict of guilty.
Lord Chief Justice Erle said they had come to
the same conclusion that he had himself formed
from the evidence, and he had no doubt that, either
from the influence of drink or from the feelings that
operated in his own mind, the prisoner had truly
confessed himself guilty of this most serious offence.
It was a crime of the most dangerous description,
and, as an example to deter others, he felt it his duty
to pass a severe sentence, and which was that he be
kept in penal servitude for 10 years.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—YoRK, MARCH 19.
(Before Mr. Justice Hill and a Special Jury.)
THE QUEEN V. GROWTHER.
The defendant was charged with receiving bri-
bery at Wakefield.
This case was tried yesterday, and the jury re-
tired to consider their verdict at 20 minutes to six
o'clock. They were locked up all night in consul-
tation together, but failed to agree upon a verdict.
At the opening of the court this morning the jury
made their appearance in the box, when
Mr. Justice Hill inquired if there was any pro-
bability of their agreeing to a verdict.
A Juror—None whatever, my lord.
The Judge—None whatever—is that so ?
A Juror—Yes, my lord. ',Ye cannot agree.
The Judge—There is, then, no prospect ?
A Juror—No, my lord.
The Judge—l am sorry to hear this in so plain a
case, because it is my duty to detain you until it
becomes necessary for the health of any one of you
that the jury should be discharged.
A Juror—Confining us, my lord, cannot produce
unanimity of opinion.
The Judge, after a short pause, said—l feel that
so strongly that I will take upon myself the respon-
sibility of discharging you.
Mr. Bell, the judge's aesoeiate-►—Gentiemen, you