The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-15 00:00:00

WANDSWORTIL

John Swaine, who described himself as a weaver,
was charged with having, in conjunction with another
man, not in custody, committed the following daring
robbery.
On Saturday evening, between six and seven
o'clock, Alfred Spice, a plain clothes constable, of the
V division, who has exhibited very great activity in
many instances, was on duty opposite the Bedford
Arms, Clapham-road, when he saw the prisoner,
in company with another man, near the
shop of Mr. Taylor, an umbrella maker. Sus-
pecting they intended committing a felony, he went
to a dark spot, and from thence saw them go to Mr.
Taylor's shop; they stopped a minute or two, and
presently came away, carrying between the in four
valuable silk umbrellas. lie seized the two, but the
man not in custody struck him a blow on the head
with an umbrella, and made his escape. The con-
stable retained his hold of the prisoner, who had
three silk umbrellas in his possession, and having
transferred him into sate custody, went back to the
shop, the windows of which were fitted up with pa-
tent glass, the panes being at least three feet square,
and the eighth of an inch in thickness ; one of them
had been " starred," the major part of the glass care-
fully removed, and the property taken through the
aperture, without the knowledge of the inmates. The
missing umbrella was afterwards found in a neigh-
bouring garden, as also the glass tied up in a hand-
kerchief.
The prisoner, who made no defence, was remanded
till Friday.

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.
The thermometer during Sunday night in exposed
situations fell as low as 24 degrees, or 8 degrees below
freezing point ; and, during yesterday morning, it
was down to 20 degrees, the highest elevation it at-
tained being 28 ; but, last evening, the mercury was
still descending, showing every probability of another
night of severe frost. The barometer stood in the
morning at 29.08, but towards the evening was gra-
dually rising. The wind veered to different quarters
in the course of a few hours, but in the evening was
nearly due east, and blew exceedingly cold, with
strong gales. The various ornamental waters in the
royal parks were visited by countless thousands of
persons during yesterday, but far below the number
who flocked to the same places on Sunday. Every pre-
caution was taken by the officers of the Roa al Humane
Society to prevent accidents on the ice ; and, although
very few immersions happened, a great many persons
were seriously injured by falling whilst sliding, and
their heads coming in contact with the points of the
skates were cut open. A very bad accident of this
description took place in St. James's Park. A young
man whilst amusing himself on the ice was tripped
up, and falling with his forehead on the point of an-
other's skate, the flesh was laid bare, and the back of
the eye exposed. The surgeon to the society promptly
attended, and did all that was possible, but it is feared
that the unfortunate sufferer will lose his sight. Several
scientific evolutions were performed by the members
of the Skating Club on the Long-water in Kensington
Gardens, which were witnessed by some thcusand
persons, who, despite of the extreme cold, lined the
bridge over the Serpentine, and the several banks
along the river.
ACCIDENT ON THE ICE IN VICTORIA PARR.—An
alarming accident took place on Sunday afternoon
in Victoria Park, Bonner's-fields, Bethnal-green.
The ornamental waters, occupying an area of about
twelve acres, which was fa zen over, was covered
with people, and upon that part near the entrance
gate the skaters and sliders were unusually numerous.
About four o'clock the ice suddenly gave way, and a
frightful scene took place There were nearly 100
persons precipitated into the water. Many were
clinging to each other, and others held fast by the
pieces of ice. The people on the banks of the canal
rendered every possible assistance, and dragged many
of the sufferers from the ice. One man, regardless
of the inclemency of the weather, pulled off his coat,
hat, and waistcoat, and plunged into the water, and
rescued several men and boys. He returned again
and again to the sufferers until he was nearly ex-
hausted. The struggles and cries cf the people con-
tinued for some time until it was believed all were
saved. Many of them were benumbed with cold, nod
were taken to the neighbouring taverns and public-
houses, and every attention was paid to them. Reports
were abroad yesterday that some of them were in a
hopeless state. It was also stated that two persons
were missing.