The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-21 00:00:00

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N°. 18,120.] LONDON, MONDAY 3E !AT -"
S N y OCTOBER 21, 1850.

LATE POISONINGS AT LAUGHARNE.

SUPPOSED CASE OF POISONING.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
The committee of inquiry now sitting at the Dept-
ford Victualling-yard, consisting of Commodore Eden,
Woolwich-yard, president ; Captain Richards, C. 8.,
superintendent of Chatham-yard ; Mr. J. W. Nicholls,
clerk of the cheque, Greenwich Hospital ; Mr. Pin-
horn, of Woolwich-yard, secretary, have been ap-
pointed for the purpose of investigating some com-
plaints brought against the officers of the yard by Mr.
Bovill, an engineer, who hail been conducting some
experiments there to test the merits of a plan ploposecl
by him for grinding wheat.
The committee assemb:ed on Monday, the 14th in-
stvnt, at Deptford, attended by Mr. Robson, the Ad-
miralty solicitor. Mr. Grant, and the master miller
of toe Royal Clarence-yard, having been ordered up
to ati.,end the c.tnrnittee.
Captain W. H. Hall (Nemisis), late of the Drago❑
steam-frigate, is, we understand, about to proceed to
Dublin to visit the " Sailors' Home," that he was the
means of establishing in thit city about two years
ago; Captain Hall will afterwards pay a visit
to Belfast, and the principal seaports of Scotland
and the north of England namely, Glasgow,
Greenock, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Leith,
Newcastle, Shields, Sunderland, Whitby, Hull, &c.,
with the philanthropic intention of making a careful
inquiry into, and of personally examining, the houses
and haunts of the mercantile seamen, their habits on
shore when out of employment, and the state of their
lodging-houses, for the purpose of ascertaining whe-
ther something cannot be done to better and amelio-
rate their condition, and improve their habits. In his
laudable and humane intentions we most heartily wish
him success; and we sincerely hope he may devise
some practicable arrangement for improving the con-
dition, and also the moral character of our much-
neglected British tars.
The late master-commander of the North Star, Mr.
Saunders, it is said, will have the first lucrative post
which becomes vacant, and for which a master is eli-
gible, either in command of a store or troop' ship, or
as master-attendant of a dock or victualling yard.
Paymaster, William Webb (1805) died at Porches-
ter on the 15th inst., aged 65. By the decease of thin
officer, Paymaster A. Lockhart (1809) succeeds to
the half-pay list of 7s. per diem, and Paymaster C.
Dearly (1840) to the 6s. list.

The principal particulars of the late poisonings at
Laugharne have already been detailed in The Sun.
The adjourned i'nqu9st on the body of Mrs. Severne
has been brough C to a close, and resulted in a verdict
of " Wilful Murder" against the prisoner, Elizabeth
Gibbs, against whom, it will be remembered, a ver-
dict of " Wilful Murder" had already been returned
for the poisoning by arsenic of one of her fellow-ser-
vants, also in the employ of Mr. Severre. The fol.
lowing additional evidence to that which has already
appeared completes the case against the prisoner :
John Hughes, surgeon and coroner of Carmarthen,
deposed—l have made an analysis of a packet con-
taining sugar of lead, which I received from Sergeant
Shears. There was " Sugar of lead" written on the
paper. I have analyzed it with the view of detecting
arsenic. Ij found it contained superacetate of lead
and a little sulphur.
Margaret John,wife of John John, a labourer, at
Brixton, sworn, said—l remember the period of Mrs.
Severne's death very well. I had si.en Mrs. Severne
the day after May Fair. She was at that period
quite well. I know Betty Gibbs (the prisoner) very
well. We had some conversation together on a Satur-
day afternoon after Mrs. Severne's death. It was on
the day that Mr. and Mrs. Severne gave her warning.
Betsy Gibbs was crying very much and said she
would be obliged to leave Brixton. She said the
great people around had got her out. She told me
that Mrs. Severne in her lifetime said that she hoped
she would never leave Brixton, and that she hoped
that she (Betsy Gibbs) would be Mr. Severne's
second wife. I told her not to grieve; that she
would get another place quite as good. She replied
she never thought she would be compelled to leave

The neighbourhood of Pontrwydferdegoed has
been thrown into a state of the most painful excite-
ment in consequence of the death of an aged lady
named Mrs. Ann Jones, under circumstances leaving
no doubt of her having been poisoned by arsenic, and
the apprehension of her daughter-in-law, Mt s. Eliza-
beth Jones, as the suspected perpetrator of the crime.
The unfortunate lady was a person of very re-pectAble
family, and had resided at Bronderbleau for a con-
siderable period with her eldest son, Mr. T. Jones, and
his wife. In 1846, the deceased lady's brother died,
leaving very considerable property, and bequeathing
her, among others, a legacy of 1,0001. vs hich she
placed in her son's hands, requesting him to deposit
it at her banker's, at Aberystwyth ; instead, however,
of fulfilling- her intentions, it appears that he
paid in the money in his own name, and appro-
priated a portion of it to his own purposes. This
being discovered, Mrs. Jones commenced a suit for its
recovery, and obtained a verdict. The son, then, with-
out saying anything to his family, went off to Ame-
rica, and his wife and family went to live with his
mother, and, as it is said, treated the •old lady very
unkindly. The old lady having afterwards died
under circumstances of great suspicion, an inquest
has been commenced on the body before the county
coroner, Mr. R. Williams, M.D. The following is a
brief summary of the evidence given at this inquest :
—Mr. Evans, surgeon, of Aberystwyth, deposed to
having made a post mortem examination of the body.
The inner coat of the stomach, upon being opened,
had an unusual appearance of inflammation, to such
an extent as to awaken his suspicions, and to induce
him to send to Bristol to Mr. Herapath, the analy-
tical chemist. In witness's opinion death was caused
by some unusual inflammation produced by the pre-
sence of some irritating substance. The appear-
ances were very different from those of or-
dinary inflammation.—Mr. R. Rowland, surgeon,
also assisted in making the post mortem ex-
amination, but could not undertake to say
whether the deceased was poisoned or not.—Thomas
Beard, police-constable, No. 24, deposed to his
having conveyed the stomach and its contents to Mr.
Herapath, at Bristol. He (witness) knew John
Jones, of Caenmawr, and had heard him say that
about two months ago he purchased twopenny worth
of arsenic at Mr. Humphries' shop at Aberystwyth,
He told witness that the deceased, Mrs, Ann Jones,
had directed him to purchase it, saying that she
wanted a bit of litseniclo kill some rats. Evan Evans
depesed to his having caused the inquest to be holden.
He sent for a policeman after Mrs. Jones's death,
because he knew that she had been ill treated. In
July, 1849, the deceased came from Pengraig, be-
cause she said she could get no peace there. She
said that her daughter-in-law (the prisoner) had
thrown her down stairs, and she had marks of vio-
lence on her arms and head. She said she would
never go back to her daughter-in-law again.—Mr.
William Herapath, analytical chemist, of Bris,',si,
deposed that he had examined the viscera
ceased, which had been submitted toHe dis-
covered arsenic in the subste:nee of the Zit the de-
liver, and
:a the contents of t
died
ei
dniqgtrha
of
sworn,e, Annparsenic
prisoner
sLJnd eoernpf eoho the stomach and abdomen,
which no doubt t, aa caused the death of the deceased.
—Charles Jones, of Caenmawr, was then called, and
asked if he had anything to say respecting the death
aedtrepliedo Ah
Aberystwyth.
eer y
sotthatMondaywb
uyyth. w het before ho
Shea
penny-
worthd ,
said
she
and
d
Jones.
her deposed
ed
dHe
hs
asked
n the
she wanted it to kill rats. He went to lilste Hum-
phries' shop, and was served with it by tie tallest ap-
prentice, who folded it in white paper, and wrote
something on it, which he could, not read. He (wit-
ness) then took it and gave it to the prisoner. When
he gave it to her he told her he was afraid that she
had some mischief in her head, and she replied,
" Nonsense, it is for rats." The witness, on being
questioned, admitted that he had told a different story,
but said that he had done so because he had been
the prisoner had bribed him, and had promised
to give him a pony, and her mother was to give him a
cheese. What he now deposed to was the truth.
The CORONER here adjourned the inquiry, and re-
manded the prisoner.

Brixton.
John David deposed—l saw Betsy Gibbs after Mrs.
Severne's death. She began crying, and said that
she had lost her mistress. I asked ber how long she
bad been ill.— -Betsy Gibbs said that she had not been
ill long, but she was unable to go to church with
master because she (Mrs. Severna) had drunk a pint
of whisky that morning before her master went to
church. I did not believe her, and thought she was
telling me lies, Betsy Gibbs said that she herself had
given the whisky to Mrs. Severne. She told me that
Mrs. Severne got up about eleven o'clock, but almost
immediately was compelled to go to bed again.
Betsy Gibbs then said that her mistress told her to
get her a basin of broth, and to make it of' good fat
mutton, to make it very thick. Betsy Gibbs then
told me that she herself gave her mistress tihthe trbctrh,
about one o'clock, and a very short period before her
master returned from church. On the day of the fu-
neral
and
she I had
then someteld me h
furthertat on Thursday
y before her
mistress died she (Mrs. Severne) drank two pints of
whisky.
Mr. Severne here became exceedingly agitated
and, addressing the coroner, denied in the most em-
phatic manner that Mrs. Severne had drunk any
whisky on the day of her death. As to drinking
any whisky on the Sunday morning, it was an utter
impossibility for her to have done so without his
knowledge, as he had seen her a very short period
previous to his going to church. He hoped such a
report would not go forth to the public without a
contradiction, and he felt bound, out of respect to the
memory of his dear wife, to deny, that she had drunk
any whisky on the Sunday morning.
The CORONER replied, that Mr. Severna's own
evidence contradicted the statement of Betsy Gibbs,
and that it would only show that she was exceedingly
anxious to account for the sudden death of Mrs. Se-
verne. There was always a great deal of idle talk
among servants, to which it was useless to pay at-
tention.
Mrs. David, wife of Mr. David, druggist, of
Laugharne, said she wished to state, that since the
last examination she did recollect the witness Marga-
ret Lewis coming to her shop and purchasing the
powders to which she had sworn. She wished this
part of her evidence to be amended.
By the Jury—l am not clear whether the person
to whom I sold the arsenic was the same person to
whom I sold the powders. I am almost certain I
sold the arsenic to Margaret Lewis, who is called
Benny, the blacksmith's widow." I think she is
the same person.
William Connick was then sworn. He said—l
now remember that on the Sunday Mrs. Severne
Betsy Gibbs (the prisoner) told me, about Eve o'clock,
that Mrs. Severne would not "be long now." I was

APPOINTMENTS.
Commanders—Alexander Little, to be an inspect-
ing Commander of the Lyme Coast-guard District,
vice Thomas Carpenter, resigned from ill-health;
Henry St. John Georges, to the Harwich District,
vice Alfred N. Fairman, removed to the Clyde Dis-
trict, vice John Elliot Bingham, from the Clyde to
the Hastings District, vice J. M. Mottley, service
expired.
Lieutenant—George Bourchier Dawes, to com-
mand the Coast-guard station at St. Lawrence, vice
Crang, appointed first of the Geyser steam-sloop,
Woolwich.
Mates—W. H. Truscott (passed his examination
last week), to the Victory flag-ship, Portsmouth ;
Thomas Stackhouse (June 5, 1850, passed last week),
to the Excellent gunnery-ship, Portsmouth ; Lewis
Barston (April 22, 1850), and F. M. Noel (June 16,
1850), who passed their examinations last week, to
the Royal William, for rank.
Second-Master John Hales (h), to command the
Coast-guard station at Prussia Cove, vice Lieutenant
Sulivan, R.N., D.D.
COAST GUARD SEIZURES.—On the 12th instant
the revenue cruiser Petrel chased and seized the vessel
Le Petit Jeules, with four English and four French-
men on board, having cut away her cargo during
chase. On the 14th inst. the Harpy, revenue cruiser,
seized the Melinday, with the notorious smuggler
Kellaway on board, having cut away her cargo. On
the 15th instant the officers and crew of the Rams-
gate station detained the steamer Queen of the
French, having 821 be. tobacco and 17 packages of
cigars, &c., on board.
African steam-tender arrived at Devonport on
Friday morning, from Sheerness, with supernumera-
ries for the Portland. She took in some boats from
the dockyard and sailed for Sheerness the same
evening.
Aid lighter, Smallinan master, arrived at Devon-
port on Thursday evening, with stores from Chatham.
Birkenhead iron steam-frigate, Mister-Commander
Aylen, has been loaded with provisions and stores for
Ascension ; she will haul off from Portsmouth do At-
yard to-day. As she has landed her guns her com-
passes will require to be re-adjusted, which will be
done to-morrow She has received 50 riggers, 17
rn srines, and 20 boys from the Victory, and has en-
tered about 40 other seamen, making a complement
of :Alout 150.
Sampson steam-frigate was taken out round the
E idystone on Thursday, to exercise her engines.
Tyne store-ship, Master-Commander Wellington,
havitiß• had her bottom coppered, was taken out of
No. 5 dock, at Devonport, on Thursday, and placed
along-side the sheer-hulk, when she had her mists
and nov,,sprit put in, and was again taken to the dock-
yard.
Trident steam-vessel, Lieut.-Commander Risk, has
been ordered to visit the ports on the south coast of
Ireland to raise volunteers for the Albion, 90, at De-
von port.
PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—Mr. H. D. P. Cunning-
heat, R.N., late secretary to Rear-Admiral Rey-
nolds and Moresby, has invented a contrivance for
reefing topsails from the deck, without sending men
aloft. The plan has been fitted on board of the Pe-
ninsular and Oriental Company's vessel Iberia, and
has been found to answer admirably. The sail reefs
itself, and from the time the yard is lowered it is
closed-reefed in two seconds. The reefs may he again
aheken out and the topsail at the masthead in twenty
seconds. The invention is not expensive, because
the present sails and topsail yards can easily be al-
tered at an expense not exceeding 151. per yard and
sail.
The vacant captain's good service pension will be
bestowed upon Captain Aaron Tozer.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Master-Commander
Pettey, arrived this morning from the eastward.
Captain the Right Hon. the Earl of Egmont (1813)
will be the naval A.D.C. to the Queen, vice Loch,
promoted.
PLYMOUTH, OCT. 19.—Her Majesty's steam-vessel
Sprightly arrived yesterday from Portsmouth, with
supernumeraries for the guard-ship, and returned
the same day.
The Portsmouth steam-tug arrived yesterday, with
seamen fur the Portland.
The transport Tyne, having been masted, was yes-
terday placed at the jetty to be rigged.
The surveying-vessel 'Pandora is ordered to be COra•
missioned.
WCOLWICII, OCT. 19.—Commander Edmund A.
Glynn (1848), Lieutenant Henry Warren (1840),
Lieutenant the Hon. Robert Francis Boyle (1843),
Lieutenant James Boucher Bullard (1843), and Lieu-
tenant Thomas Brandreth (1845), have been appointed
to study steam at the factory at Woolwich Dockyard.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Master-Commander
Pettey, left Woolwich on Friday afternoon to convey
supernumeraries from Sheerness and Portsmouth to
Devonport, for service in the Portland, making ready
to proceed to the Pacific station as the flag-ship of
Rear-Admiral Fairfax Moresby, C. 8., who is to re-
lieve Rear-Admiral Phipps Hornby, on the command
at that station since August, 1847. The Portland
will be ready for leaving Devonport in the course of
next week.
Master-Commander Henry William Allen, of the
Black Eagle steam-vessel, is under orders to proceed
in the Advice steam vessel to Greenhithe, on Tuesday
next, to tow the Hercules, 12, store-ship, Master-
Commander Robert Fulton, to the Downs, on her
voyage to Gibraltar, with troops and stores for that
garrison.
The Wasp steam-sloop, Commander Crozier, has
engaged as part of her crew three Kroometa, who had
previously served in the Wilberforce steam-vessel on
the coast of Africa, and were entitled to a sum of
prize-money.
The Earl of Durham barque, laden with pine timber
and masts from Canada, and the Amalie Laura, a
Prussian barque, with timber from the Baltic, were
taken into the basin yesterday to discharge their car-
goes for the use of the dockyard.
The investigation conducted by Commodore Henry
Eden, superintendent of Woolwich Dockyard, and
Captain Peter Richards, C. 8., superintendent of
Chatham Dockyard, held at Deptford Dockyard, to
inquire into the fairness of a trial of an improved flour
mill submitted by Messrs. Bovill, continued during
the greater part of the present week. The invention
is said to consist of a plan for saving all the fine im-
palpableblouscti,ientsthselircii(
rarnion to those g. This
ingmrmcihsineffesected by
moving
floure n mill,.
di:
dust which ecapes, and is in a great measure
on an endless chain, catching
the fine dust of the
flour, and causing it to fall amongst the more heavy
particles and retaining it for use, leaving no waste
"1 whatever.

There was a very considerable feeling in favour of
the prisoner t;n the part of the crowd, and at one time
enn~ida•able danger of a riot to effect her rescue.—
Worth Wales Chronicle.

THE BURGLARS 1N REGENT'S PARK.
Toe daring character of the recent attack on Mr.
tiolford's house, perpetrated as it were in the midst
of a populous city, continues to attract numerous
persons to the premises. On Saturday various gen-
tlemen visited the place, and had all the spots of par-
ticular interest pointed out to them by one of the ser-
vants, who played a prominent part in the scenes of
the eventful night. Mr. Paul, the butler, has caught
a violent cold, and is so hoarse as to be scarcely able
to speak. It now appears that there were six male
servants in the house at the time the burglars entered
it. The statement which has appeared in the public
journals to the effect that two of the burglars re-
mained outside, while the other two entered the
banqueting-room, is not quite correct. Three, it ap-
pears, entered, while one remained outside to watch,
lest his companions in crime should be surprised
in the act of committing the burglary. It was the
man who kept watch that was seen by Mr. Paul,
the butler, on the lawn, after he had been awoke
by the noise. The front of the house, which the par-
ties entered, was, as already stated, the western end;
they had evidently fancied that none of the servants
slept in that part of the premises. It so happened,
however, that while all the other servants slept at the
eastern end, which is: more than 200 feet from the ban •
queting-room, the butler slept immediately above the
latter. But for this fortunate circumstance the burg-
-121.4 would, in all probability, have escaped with their
booty, which would have been most valuable. The
pliateau, off which one of the figures was broken, is
North 7001. On discovering that the mansion had
been entered by thieves, the butler, with great pre-
sence of mind, instead of firing from the window, as
on the impulse of the moment he had determined to
ci, at the man he saw on the lawn, resolved on hur-
rying to the part of the house in which the other
Ink& servants slept, and awakening them; they all
got up instantaneously, and without any other clothes
than their shirts and trousers, rushed out of the house,
with the view of capturing the burglars, dead or
alive. Three of them took the north side of the man-
sion, and the other three the south side, feeling that
this was the most likely way to prevent the escape of
the parties. On seeing the three in the front of the
house advancing the person who had been standing
keeping watch on the lawn, exclaimed, "By God,
we're in for it," and immediately took to his heels.
The butler, however, was by this time close upon
him, and shot him in the head, when he instantly fell
to the ground, apparently dead. In a few seconds
the others got out of the banqueting-room, and rushed
through the adjoining shrubbery. One of them was
fired at by a double-barrelled gun ; and as the piece
was loaded with swan-shot, there can be no doubt
that he must, in different parts of his body, have re-
ceived a part of the contents. The marks of the balls
are visible in the adjoining trees in at least a dozen
places, and spots of the blood of the man shot in the
head were seen by our informant on the leaves of the
trees lying on the ground where he fell. Ooe of the
parties was traced by the blood which flowed from his
wounds to the banks of the canal in the Zoological-
gardens. The other incidents connected with this
affair have been correctly detailed in the public
journals. Mr. Paul states that, when the servants
disturbed the burglars, the banqueting-room was
brilliantly lighted up by lights which they carried
with them. Mr. Holford, who is a bachelor, is at
present in Anierica, and having no near relations in
London, no one has as yet interfered in the present
instance. His original intention was to remain in
the ' United States until January next ; but it is
thought intelligence of this matter will accelerate_ his
return, and that he may be expected by the end of
nest month.

in the kitchen before twelve o'clock at nom, when
she told tee her mistress was very poorly, said
. but
nothing else then. I then went out, and in the
afternoon I wentpn my return I went
into
kitchen, to chapel.
and Betsy Gibbs and myself were
the
done. Ibelieve she came down stairs from her mis-
tress's room. I asked her " How is mistress now?"
She replied that she was very poorly, and added,
She will not be long now." At another time, when
I had some conversation with Betsy Gibbs, she told
we, before Rebecca Uphill's death (for whose murder
the prisoner stands committed), that she smelt the
smell of a corpse in the room, and told me that Re-
becca would not live, On the night of Rebecca's
death Betsy Gibbs said to me, after she was dead, " I
am very glad that Mary Harvey is here, as her father
may say that I gave her something." She meant
Rebecca's father.
This concluding the evidence, the Coroner ordered
the room to be cleared of strangers, with the exception
of the gentlemen connected with the press.
The CORONER then said, be understood there was a
man who could give evidence of some threats being
held out by the prisoner against Mrs. Severne, but
that he had gone to the fair at St. Clear, and it was
uncertain when he would return. He would, however,
again adjourn the inquest if the jury thought such a
course advisable.
Several of the jurymen said
that they hai suffi-
cient evidence before them to enable them to return a
verdict.
The CORONER then proceeded to sum up the evi-
dence, remarking that there were two questions for
the consideration of the jury. The first was, how
and by what means Mrs. Severne came by her death ;
and, secondly, whether any person had a hand or
guilty knowledge in causing her death. The most
material evidence on this point was the testi-
mony of the medical gentleman and Mr. Hera-
path, who stated that they found arsenic in
thesed
body of Mrs. Severne, and that her death was caused
by arsenic. The Coroner then recapitulated the
more important portions of the evidence, and
senic,
con-
tinued—With regard to the cause of death
by
it was very clear it must have been takenar some
to the
time on the Sunday morning. With regard
evidence of the several conversations relative
not to the
corpse candles, the jury would find they were
re-
lated to any person until after there was a suspicion of
foul play. why
There certainly was no reason they
and the should have been related to any person,
con-
versations formed fair suhj.-cts for the consideration
jury. The witness Connick gave a statement the jury.
they learnt
re-
lative to these " death lights," from which
that the prisoner foretold the death of persons deration of
sons in the
from the
family, for she spoke of the lights
going) sarwhat
" best door." It would be for the jury
importance they attached to these conversations fore-
telling fore-
telling death, or whether it was the vere superstition
mein that part of
which prevailed among a certain class
and as if she was
r h of some consi-
deration country. It certainly was WO.
tg she smelt the
duration when they found a persmnienna
wv.h7iitchhreascptuecatllytoafttheer wexarpdresssoicocnur.erkids:eien lc::
feature in pehediernsaostisef
occurred;
deaths
durnstaonfcetehsthtooouf be looked
somethingeotnpassieg wasend passingi egie
iienghtehre
that
Severne's house,
poison in the
smell of a corpse," it was a
on'tor did it appear that
eatasewiwthassutshpaitcht)hne.reOwneaereeemi.orae
yr.
pre-
sence of any white arsenic in
neither did they trace
Mrs. David. If
arsenic, the possession
she possessioneve r
purchasedof Elizabeth
ee y
pGibbs,edieteheee
Margaret Lewis purchased the
was no evidence against
of poison by Margaret Lewis
Betsy Gibbs. They must carry the link further, and
except show that Margaret Lewis had given the poison to
Elizabeth Gibbs. pact to one circumstance,
was present when Mrs.
Severne took food on Sunday
asible for the jury to be-
the jury could not slhNuitthourte'f.rom their minds the very
important fact that no one
Eli-
beth Gibbs, and it was i
was cause 1 by arsenic,
which, too, must -certainlieve otherwise than thatl
y
hive been administered
only a very short period before death. The jury
mdpeouth morning
the only food of which
must also bear in mind that
on the Sunday was prepared by
clewed of every person but the
EMiriza.,bBAvercineibpbasi.took
The room was then
fcconsultation returned as their
jury, who, after a brie
verdict—"
milfu y administered to her by
the effects of poison
which, of course, is tantamount to
Elizabeth Gibb,"
wilful der against the prisoner.
We find that Mary..ii Anne Severne died from
a verdict of murder
atohLe inquest the prisoner was
The investigation into
fpoisoning has excited the these dreadful cases 0
V, t eolantY.
ut-
most interest throug..ou., the
lodAgetd thein
the conclusion
county

venture: --

RID GE

FAILURE of a RAILWAY B
On Saturday morning last an accident of rather a
singular character occurred at the South-Eastern
Railway terminus, London-bridge.
It appears that about two or three years since one
of Warren's patent iron span arches Was thrown over
Joiner-street, Tooley-street, Southwark, in order to
afford accommodation to the increasing number of
persons travelling by the railway. The span, which
was about sixty feet wide, was supported by a number
of iron chains, similar to those in use at the suspen-
sion bridges. From the time the structure was com-
pleted up to Saturday last not the least deflection
was perceptible in any part, but during the past
week or so, in order to afford space for stacking the
bricks used for building the arcade leading to the
entrance of the station, some tons of brick work have
been placed on the roof of the arch. This seems to
have been a greater dead weight than the arch was
intended to bear, for all of a sudden, on Saturday
morning, and whilst a number of pedestrians and se-
veral vehicles were passing under the span, a report
similar to the discharge of a cannon occurred. In an
instant the parties underneath made the best of their
way out, but many were so frightened that they did
not stop running until they reached the end of the
street, no doubt expecting that the arch was about
to fall. It was soon ascertained that the immense

THE LATE OUTRAGE IN BIRMINGHAM.—We are
happy in being able to state that Mr. Marston is pro-
gressing favourably towards recovery from the dreadful
attack made upon him by burglars on the morning of Mon-
day, the 17th inst. He will probably be able to attend at the
public office on Wednesday, the day to which the ruffians
are remanded for examination. On Saturday night another
fellow, named Marshall, was taken into custody at Hands-
worth, and the hat found in the house of Mr. Marston has
been identified as belonging to him.

war a
THE lONIAN ISLANDS —On Saturday
Parliamentaryvarousdispatches
document
from Lordconsiderableof
Seaton
odimensions, con-
taining
n
to Lords issued
Grey
as Colonial Secretary, on the recent changes in the constituf
tion of the lonian Islands. The return ttixtends to 131 folio
pages.

_~ ~

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. --
..
.., .
,;;;" / AI),- OWEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAIL
1
/-,:i. ~.;:, („--/;/;/-07',/-- >Z-/---.7------ SOUTHAMPTON, OCT. 20.—The Royal Mail COM-
//
... ,
, pany's steam-ship Thames, Captain Abbott, arrived
~;.
1 '
_AL ,;;! ~',- --)
!' this afternoon, at four o'clock, trom the VGst Indies,
_ ____
/N ) ‘ • *"`i,/ ''' c----4'------
R with the usual mails, in charge.of Lieutenant Scriven,
,
--2"---71 I .N., Admiralty agent.
The Thames experienced tolerably fine weather,
but was delayed to some extent by continued head
winds and head sea.
The latest dates brought by the Thames are :
Havannah, Sept. 22; Chagres, 24; Ciirthagena, 26;
Jamaica, 28 ; Demerara, 27; Trinidad, 27; Barba-
does, 29 ; Grenada, 28 ; Porto Rico, Oct. 1; St.
Thomas, 2 ; Nassau, Sept. 15 ; Antigua., 30 ; Jlicinei,
29; Santa •Martha, 7; •Grey Tiller:, 17;
The:Thanies brought .on freight 1,251,561 dollars
•on merchants' account., 2501. in Brltisb coin, 2 pack-
ages of pearls, 25 barrels of timer, 85 bases of
pimento, 7 eases of cigan, 31 bilei... etE rsapariila, and
a large ounsber .of pac.k.s2,N of ,un.iries.

G~

[PRICE 51).

weight of bricks on the arch had caused mime of the
cross-stays to split asunder, and for some time the
entire demolition of the whole was expected. A
number of men were quickly set to work, and. having
placed shoring poles under the arch, the dead wOght
was taken from the top; but so dangerous was the
arch considered that it was found necessary to stop up
the thorou7hfan,, and neither passengers on foot or
in vehiclds hove since been allowed to pass through
the street. Tne following is a copy of the r;-port of
the engineer of thti South-E.sster❑ Railway Company
as to the cause of the accident:—

"South-E :stern Railway, Eugitwer's•ualce, Oct. 19.
"Dear Sir,—As the a2ei:-.'e .t of the girder of the
Joiner-stnet bridge may create some unn:wos-,sry ulerm
as to the safety of the bridge, I beg to inform you that
the acci,lcut arose solely from the bricklis)ers
: nick-
ing bricks to the amount of 120 tons on one gird,r
alone, which c.luied a displacement of one of ti.e divi-
stuns of the bridge, but the great excess of the strength
of the bridge is shown by its standing after this diviace-
meat while the weight of bricks stilt remained on it.
"The girder would with ease have borne the 120 tons
equally distributed, which is more weight by half than
could by ordinary circumstances be placed on it.
" It is unreasonable to expect a bridge to be constructed
to bear loading bricks in this way, and no bridge is ex-
pected and calculated to bear such a trial.
I am, dear Sir, yours truly,
" To S. Herbert, Esq."

PETER W. BA RL OW.

COURT OF ALDERMEN.
SWEARING IN THE RECORDER.
On Saturday the Right Hon. J. A. S. Wortley,
the newly-appointed Recorder of London, attended a
Court of Aldermen, called at two hours' notice, for
the purpose of swearing in the highest City law
officer.
At two o'clock Mr. Wortley entered the Court in
his official robes, and took the several oaths at the
table. He had reached London from the continent
Pia three hours previously, and immediately upon
his arrival he comunicated with the Lord Mayor, in-
timating his readiness to commenca the performance
of the duties of his office. The Lord Mayor accord-
ingly directed that his brethren should be summoned
to attend the ceremony, in order that the Learned
Gentleman might be qualified to administer justice
in the Central Criminal Court on Monday.
The RECORDER, having advanced to the chair, ad-
dressed the Court in the following manner :—" My
Lord Mayor,—l beg to be permitted, before I take
my seat in this Hon. Court, to offer to you and the
other members of it my most grateful thanks for
the honour you have done me in electing me to
the office of Recorder of this great city. Under ordi-
nary circumstances, to be chosen to fill the elevated
station of chief judge of the city of London must be a
source of pride to the individual upon whom so emi-
nent a distinction might be conferred, but to be elected
iwhen absent and in a distant country, without !saving
lused any means of solicitation, and, in fact, without
having formed any idea connected witk the appoint-
ment, was a combination of circumstances in the
highest degree flattering to t.l",e individual who has
been the object of your ':,,,ice, and establishes the
strongest claim upon 13i.3 gratitude.—(Hear, hear.) I
hope Ido not say too much when I declare that I
consider my 0-epointinent under such remarkable cir-
cumstances to be the highest and proudest distinction
to wt'ich I could be elevated, not inferior to any of
•
ct3ose honourable distinctions which it is in the power
even of the Queen to bestow.—(Hear, hear.) Allow
me to say that I am not insensible to the serious re-
sponsibilities of the office, whether considered with
regard to the exercise of its judicial functions and the
due administration of justice, or the duties of another
kind connected with it, to which my attention
shall be also directed. I am perfectly aware of the
nature of those responsibilities, and I hope I shall be
found upon all occasions acting with the impartiality
so necessary to be maintained in the situation in
which you have placed me, and that I shall command
your respect if I do not always entitle myself to
your warm approval.---(Hear, hear.) Permit me to
claim your pardon if 1 have been the cause of any
delay or inconvenience by my absence from town.
W hen I heard of the high honour you have done me
I was at the distance of 1,000 miles from this coun-
try, and I immediately set off and availed myself of
all the means of expedition which modern improve-
ment has established to reach the metropolis. I ar-
rived at eleven o'clock this day, and I now appear be-
fore you to express to you the deep gratitude with
which I am impressed by this great mark of honour
and distinction.—(Cheers.)
The Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman was then
warmly congratulated by the members of the Court,
and an immediate adjournment took place. Tne
space behind the bar was crowded with strangers
(luring the ceremony, to which the business was con-
fined.

J A .L;A.
The Thames has brought u, our usual files of
pvers trim! ttiis tuge4let: Wi:t our ptiv,gre ,stl-
vive, up to the! otout,nt of the steatte.r.S departure.
Thellt ws, a tli,":tigh Dot utriuttreit ing, is not. impertan t.
Dittos are to the 28:h Sept.-..mber, one o'clock rat.
The 13tti,k of Jamaica had made it• itr_itetry half-
yenrly report, which was generally npproved of by
ail interested. The fAlowing err: extracts from the
stati.lnent accompanying the report
will be obst-rved, that th 6 net profit realized, on
the past six months vansactions, amounts to 4,106/.
2.-. 4j., a result which, considering the continued depres-
sion which aff,.cts the affairs of the colony, the directors
trust will prove satisfactory to the shuretsolders--a refer-
ence also to its issue and deposits shows that the estab-
lishment continues to enjoy a large share of public con-
fidence and support, and it is further gratifying to the
directors to be enabled to state that the business trans-
acted during the period mentioned in the report has
proved safe and satisfactory, both as regards advances
on foreign bills and island securities.

" This establishment being, alike with every other
local interest, dependent upon the successful cultivation
of the soil, is deeply interested in any measure having
for its object the development and extension of the
island resources—the directors, therefore, consider this
a proper occasion to notice the important efforts which
are being made to introduce, what they trust will prove
a valuable addition to its staple productions. The culti-
vation of the cotton plant has become a subject of ge-
neral interest, and the directors trust that its successful
introductio❑ will be the means of giving profitable em-
ployment to capital, and of relieving the depression and
distress which so generally exist.
" The directors would now recommend that the sum
of 3,000/. ba appropriated to pay a dividend at the rate
of 3 per cent. for the half-year, and that the balance of
profit, 1.1061 2s. 4d.. be carried to the credit of the re-
served surplus fund."

It was expected that the General Assembly of the
island would be summoned to meet about the 22d of
October. Political parties appeared to be quite inac-
tive, and it was almost impossible to form an opinion
of what would form the leading business of the
session. Notice was given prior to the last proroga-
tion of 'the introduction of one or two important
measures connected with the financial condition of the

MINING INTELLIGENCE.
The Mining Journal furnishes the annexed infor-
mation relative to the progress of English mining ad-

country.
The cotton company established in Kingston have
leased a property in St. Andrew's parish, on which
they intend to try the experiment of producing cot-
ton. The property is called Pembroke Hall, and is
leased for three years, with permission given to the
company to terminate the lease at the end of the first
or second year, on giving a quarter's notice. Messrs.
William Wright, Edward Lucas, and James Derby-
shire have been appointed trustees for the body of
subscribei,, as some objection was started to the for-
mation of a regular copartnership. The, capital to be
employed in the experiment is 1,0001.
The weather on the north side of the island is
thus spoken of by the Cornwall Chronicle of Mon-
tego Bay :
The rains in this quarter (St. James) of the un-
try, and we understand they have extended far and near,
have been all that the most sanguine mind could have
wi,hed. We have good reports from Hanover and West-
moreland, and about a week ego we heard that both St.
Ann's and Trelawny were prospering in fine seasons for
next crop;,but we regret to hear trom the former that the
pimento crop had almost entirely faihd, at least it has
come far short of the worst crops in bad seasons. The
present flourishing state of the cane-fields near this town
is truly gladdening to the sight."
In the parish of St. Elizabeth the pimento crop ex-
ceeds that of previous years; indeed it exceeds the
most sanguine expectations of the planters.
The rains had not entirely ceased, although they
had n,,t fallen so heavily during the fortnight anterior
to th a packet leaving. The roads throughout the
island were very much destroyed.
S,,veral cases of colds and influenza were reported.

BARBADOES.—There is little of interest to commu-
nicate from this island. The weather was favourable

The amount of business actually transacted dur-
ing the week does not appear more than an average,
although inquiry for shares has been well maintained,

for the forthcoming crops, which it was believed
would be large. The island was remarkably healthy.
ANTIGUA.—The crops throughout the whole of
this► island are represented as having a most favour-
able appearance. The weather had, however, for
some time past been exceedingly oppressive, but was,
on the whole, not unfavourableto_field operations.

STATIONS OF HER MAJESTY'S SKIPS.--The Imaum

and Inflexible, at Jamaica; Indefatigable, at Grey
Town; Persian, at Corn Island, Musquito shore;
Bermuda, at Carthagena, en route to Jamaica, both
sickly ; Alarm, at Antigua; Mr. Conquer, purser,
died on board, having only joined by the packet from
England of August.

STATIONS OF THE COMPANY'S STEAM- SIIIPS.—The
Dee, Captain Allen, Spanish Main ; Clyde, Captain
Moss, Gulf of Mexico ; Conway, Captain Wooley,
St. Thomas; Eagle, Bdrbadoes ; Derwent, Onelow,
St. Thomas.

JAMAICA MARKETS.
(From Cordova.s Mercantile Intelligencer.)
Prices of breadstuffs, that is, of flour and meal, have
declined since our last. The market was rather heavily
supplied at that period, and there having appeared but
little disposition on the part of the trade to make specu-
lative purchases at the prices then current, holdera were
obliged to submit to lower rates in order to effect sales.
There has been, nevertheless, but little business done,
the trade holding back under fear of a glut of ground
provisions and a consequently reduced consumption of
the imported articles. The markets on Saturday last
were rather well supplied with native vegetables, and
fruit was very abundant. The yield this season pro-
mises to be considerable.
Fish is in ample supply, and last rates are generally
maintained, but there is some sweaty cod on hand,
which, selling at lower rates, aff-cts the demand fur
prime quality. Mackerel and Alewives are in fair sup-
ply, but good herrings are wanted. There are not any
at market, except some inferior parcels, which sell for
almost anything at auction.
The produce market is looking up, and prices are
_ _

especially in leading mines. The anticipated rise in
the price of copper has taken place. At a meeting of
the smelters on Thursday au advance of fd. per lb.
was decided upon. British tin continues steady, and
in moderate request ; and lead active, at fair rates.
Devon Great Consols, Bedford United, Tremayne,
Wellington, Mary Ann, Wheal Seton, South Basset,
and others, continue in demand. The Levant ac-
counts for July and August show—Balance from
last account, 7931.; sale of tin, 2,9981.; copper ore,
2,6661.; sundry receipts, 31.=-6,460/.; mine cost,
3,226/. ; materials, merchants' bills, &c., 1,635/. ; by
dividend of 51. per share, 8001., leaving balance to
next acoount, 7961. At Wheal Seton two-monthly
account there appeared to be a profit of 7761. for the
months of July and August, which allowed a divi-
dend of 51. per share, amounting to' 990/., leaving
a balance to next account of 931. The mine is
lookirlg well, and an increase may be expected at
next audit meeting. At the Fowey Consols meeting,
held at the mine on Tuesday, the accounts for May,
June, July, and August were presented, showing—
Balance end of April, 6,997/.; ores sold, 13,281/. ;
sundries, 781.=.620,3561.; costs and merchants' bills,
12,216/. ; by dividend of 11. 103. per share, 741/. ;
leaving balance in favour of adventurers of 7,398/.
The Stray Park, Camborne Vean, and Wheal Francis
Mines accounts showed a profit of 395/. for the two
months, which, added to balance on last account,
allowed a dividend of 10s. per share, carrying to
credit of next account 3811. The agent's report
states the mines generally to be in a productive posi-
tion. At the half-yearly meeting of the Union Tin
Smelting Company a dividend of 10 per cent. on the
paid-up capital was declared. At Caradon Vale two-
monthly meeting the accounts showed a balance of
591. 4s. 3d. against the mine, when a call of 7s. 6d.
per share was made, in instalments of 55. and 2s. 6d.,
for the 29th of the present month and the 30th of
November. At North Buller quarterly meeting a
balance of 1851. was declared in favour of the mine ;
but to carry out operations still more effectually a call
of 1/. per share was deemed necessary. At the Kirk-
cudbright monthly meeting the accounts showed a
balance of 2001. in favour of the company. Camborne
Consols meeting, called for an especial purpose on
Thursday, was adjourned to that day week, owing to
there not being a sufficient number of shareholders
present to constitute a legal meeting, according to the
deed of settlement. At East Pool two-monthly ac-
count the balance-sheet showed 7371. against the mine.
This amount will be considerably lessened by the re-
ceipt of a large sum in the shape of a dividend from
the estate of Mr. P. V. Robinson. At Wheal Blen-

likely to be well supported for some time. There has
been a rather brisk demand for rum for exportation,
and sugar continues to improve, under a good inquiry
and moderate stock. Pimento is very firm, at our quo-
tations. We do not look for coffee in any considerable
quantity until the commencement of next year; but the
small parcels which are now and then brought in usually
sell at 335. to 38s. per 1001bs.
IMPORTS —From 12th to 23d September inclusive:—
Flour, 65 barrels; fish, 584 tierces, 768 boxes, equal to
3,100 quintals; mackerel, 150 barrels; W. P. lumber,
172,000 feet; wine, 2 pipes, 2 hhds., 32 quarter casks;
cedar shingles, 20
.000; salmon, 55 barrels; butter, 400
firkins and 25 kegs; lard, 50 kegs; soap, 1,415 boxes;
salt, 100-roes; brandy. 2 pipes, 1 bhd.; rice, 100 bags.
EXCHANGE ON LONDON.—Colonial Bank, 30 days,
per cent. prem.; 60 days, 1 cent. prem.; 90 days per
cent. prem. Jamaica Bank, 30 days, lf per oent. prem.;
60 days, 1 per cent. prem.; 90 days, per cent. prem.

RELIGIOUS EXTORTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—An advertisement appeared in your impres-
sion yesterday, announcing a public religious service
to take place to-day in St. George's Catholic Church,
Southwark.
At eleven o'clock, accompanied by two friends, I
presented myself there ; a plate for contributions
being exposed, I put in ls., and Was about to pass,
when the following dialogue took place :—Official—
" The price of admission to the service is Is. each."
Answer—" You have this place open for.public wor-
ship ; your demand is, therefore, illegal. Are there
no free sittings ?" Official—" yes, for the poor."
Answer—" Then we will occupy them." Official
(obstructing the entrance)—" You shall not pass
through this doorway to any part of the cathedral till
you have paid ls. each." All other comers were
mewed in the same manner.
After waiting a quarter of an hour, our admission
was telegraphed by an official within, who, I suppose,
considered us proof against the extortion. Upon ob-
taining entrance a plate was again presented for more
money.
I write this to excite all Catholics who may have
any concern for the sanctity which should pervade
their religious services to use their influence towards
the prevention of any suoh indecent and illegal pro-
ceedings in future at their chief church in this city.
I am, Sir, obediently yours,
Fulham, Thursday. W. T. S.

cowe meeting the account for the quarter ending July
showed a balance of 651. due to the purser, and a call
of 7s. per share was made. At the Wheal Prudence
meeting the accounts were presented, showing—
mine cost for nine months, ending September, 185/. ;
by call, 1281., leaving balance due to purser, 571. A
call of 103. per share was made. A meeting of
shareholders in the West Phoenix Mine was held on
Monday, when an efficient committee of management
was formed."
Respecting foreign mining the only paragraph
worthy of notice is as follows :
"In foreign mines considerable transactions have
taken place in St. John del Rey, Copiapo, Cobre,
Santiago, Linares, and United Mexican. Great
fluctations of price have taken place in the last named
shares. The Linares report to the sth of October
has been received, representing the operations as pro-
gressing in the most encouraging manner. One hun-
dred tons of lead ore were raised in September, and
about the same quantity may be expected for the cur •
rent month. The amount of ore weighed in during
the week is given at 27 tons 15 cwt., whilst the total
quantity at Linares, and the two shipping ports of
Seville and Malaga, appears to be 358 toss 10 cwt.
Letters have been received from the Worthing Mines
to the 224 of June. The report states that Hodgkin-
son's winze had been set at 103. in 1/. Nothing fur-
ther of importance has been advised. The Australian
Mining Company have received advices to the 7th of
June. Anstey's engine shaft has been set to sink at
501. per fin. The prospects are said to be most favour-
able, and only time and capital are required_ to bring
the mines into a profitable position.'

FORGETFULNESS Or Love.—On Wednesday last A
couple of respectableq, more full of love than wisdom, pre-
sented themselves at the altar in Spalding Church, to be tied
in the bonds of Hymen's silken threads, when, by some
unlucky fatality or other, the deed was missing which, nest
to the ring, is •a very necessary requisite on such joyous
occasions. The good clergyman and kind clerk were at
their posts; but the lovers might be runaways or something
else, unless they could show their licence to do as they
pleased; and both the clergyman and clerk, amidst all the
gravity of their sacred office, did well to smile when they
saw the unhappy neglect on the part of
ftheirh youngremem aspi-
-
rants to wedded bliss. Happily, the y couple
bered whore they had left the good deed to do better, and
were scarcely absent ten minutes 'before they re-entered the
sacred edifice. The licence was presented, and the solemn
ceremony was accordingly concluded in due form.—Lincoln-
shirecits
for Souththe
Chronicle.
—toTehneterLinotnodCoOnntrnanC
directorsC O Nare
E t
aboutA C TS .
maintenance of all the way and works ofthe
WesternitA vA
main line an
branches, of some 250 miles, for a period of five Yee,.