The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-25 00:00:00

CLOSING OF LEWES SAVINGS
BANK.

LEWES, APRIL 24.—This town, this morning, was
thrown into a state of considerable excitement, by
the publication of the following notice :--
"LEWES SAYINGS-BANS—NOTICE TO DEPOSITORS, &C.

" In cons, quence of the continued serious illness of the
actuary, Mr. Henry Bartlett, and some unexp!ained re-
cently discovered errors in the accounts, the bank will
be closed until further notice, and the committee will
take immediate steps to secure the mo, e complete exa-
mination of the depositors' books, of which a large
number have is, t yet been produced. For the present,
they may be left with the treasurer, George Molineux,
Esq., at the Lewes Old Bank.
Lewes, April 23, 1850."
The most remarkable circumstance connected with
this announcement is the fact that about six weeks
ago only the depositors' books were called in by the
managers, and an inquiry then, supposed to be of the
strictest and most gratifying character, was the re-
sult. The best proof of this is the publication of the
following advertisement, which appeared in the Sus-
sex Express of March 16 :
"Lewes Saviegs Bank.—We, the undersigned mem-
bers of the committee appointed at a sp cial meeting of
the trustees and managers to examine the depositors'
books with the ledger, hereby certify that a large pro-
portion of such books have been produced to and exa-
mined by us, and we have found the same correct, and
the whole of the accounts appear to be accurately and
properly kept, and reflect great credit upon the stetu.,ry,
Mr. Henry Bartlett.—(Signed) Burwood Gadlee,
Figg, Geo. Molineux, jun., John Fames, E. Morris,
Wm. Button.—Lewes, March 7, 1850." _ _

At the last annual meeting, it appeared,- by the
statement submitted. by the actuary, that there were
2,125 depositors, whose accounts amounted to
46,8751. 18s. 10d. ; sixty-two charitable societies,
which deposit 3,0601. 25.; and three friendly socie-
ties, 4811. 1 ls. Bd. ; making a total of 2,180 accounts,
with 50,4171. 12s. 6d. deposits.
Mr. Bartlett, the actuary, who is at present suffer-
ing from a most serious illness, bears 'the highest
character, and it is hoped by the depositors that, not-
withstanding the closing of the bank, the errors may
admit of a satisfactory explanation. Of course
nothing official has transpired, but the immediate
cause of the announcement that there were " some
unexplained recently discovered errors in the ac-
counts," is said to be as follows:—List Saturday
night a book from a country depositor was handed to
the manager for the night, of course in the actuary's
absence, with a note requesting payment of the ba-
lance shown on the face of the account, 28/. ; the
whole depcsits being 721., and the withdrawals 34/.
On reference to the ledger, however, the balance was
found to be only 63. The actuary denied that there
was any defalcation, and asserted that the whole
would be found to be a mistake.

Mr. Bartlett has been actuary of the Lewes Sav-
ings Bank about twenty years. His sureties are
bound in moderate sums only.

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY—SALES OF ENCUMBERED
ESTATES.—The sides are proceeding rapidly, but
nevertheless, there are yet no indications of that
" ruinous depreciation" in the value of land predicted
by the Protectionist opponents of the Encumbered
Estates Act. On the contrary, notwithstanding all
the discouraging circumstances arising from the
famine difficulties and the present low prices of agi i-
cu'tural produce, the rates of purchase almost daily
realised are fair and satisfactory ; End w here pro-
perties of a really valuable kind are offered, the rates
obtained have been in some instances now ly as high
as those prevailing before the potato failre c. Others
of an inferior description bring very low
rates, especially when they are in remote and
isolated districts, and the land in such a ne-
glected and impoverished condition, as to re quire
time and the outlay of capital to render it
even moderately productive. There were no less
than six separate sales yesterday, the details of which
possess no interest for your readers, and it will be
sufficient to notice the results. Some of the lots
were by no means attractive—none of them were
considerable in value, and one was merely a lease-
hold interest in a farm of nine acres in the county of
Waterford, held for an unexpired term of seventy-
four years, which was purchased by a tenant-farmer
for 1001. The yearly value was estimated at 131., so
that eight years' purchase has been paid for this ter-
minable interest in a very small holding, and the
rate of purchase must be considered high. But
the experience of the Commission has proved that
much higher prices can be obtained from tenant-
farmers, for small lots, than from any other class of
purchasers.
A small fee-simple estate of 464 statute acres, in
the county of Limerick, with an estimated rental of
3571., produced a very brisk competition, and was
sold to Mr. F. White for 6050/., or seventeen years'
purchase. This was the only property of any consi-
derable value sold during the day.

REPEAL OF THE ADVERTISEMENT DUTY.
(From Punch )
Yesterday, an enormous meeting of advertisers of
all denominations took place in Palace-yard. Mr.
Jenkins, as representing a class (the large class of
domestic servants), was unanimously bellowed to the
chair.

From what we could gather of the sentiments of
the speakers, they were (in fragments) as follow :
" A "Wet Nurse, a Respectable Young Woman,"
thought it was like their impudence that she could'nt
offer to take charge in the newspapers of a precious
baby from the month, without paying eighteenpence
duty to that Lord Russell.
" A Lady's-maid turned 20," who understands
hair-dressing and millinery, gave it upon her honour
and word that the eighteenpence was shameful—abo-
minable—and if the Queen only knew it—it was her
(the Lady's-maid's) opinion—her Majesty would'nt
permit it, that she wouldn't.
" A housekeeper to a single Gentleman or Trades-
man," said they had only to be unanimous to put down
the eighteen-pence for ever and forever. If they warn't
attended to this time, she gave 'em warning for her
part let the Ministry look to his windows !
(Cheers.)
" A Butler in a quiet Family where a Footman is
kept," said, it was well-known that the corn-laws
was repealed, only that the eighteenpence might
go into the Lord Chancellor's pocket, He hoped he
had always been loyal—always in his own person
rallied round the altar and the throne—but the
eighteenpence on advertisements was a fundamental
blow at habeas corpus. He only hoped—it was his
daily prayer—that he should not be druv to join the
Chartists. _ _

" A Footman, single-handed," said it was hin
famous— _ _

" A Groom, or to Drive a Brougham," cried—
" Shabby !"
" A Waiter to an Hotel" asked, if they stood the
eighteenpence, " what next were to follow P"—
And then began a multitudinous roar, hundreds of
advertisements—advertisers we should say—condemn-
ing the eighteenpence.
" The Natural Standard of Sherry,"—hiccuped
" shameful—"
"The Most Approved Stoves" roared "disgusting"—
" The Everlasting Gold Pen" would write it down—
" A Revolution in Light" would show it up—
" What to eat," &c., would not digest it—
And, in fact, every advertising interest—represented
and declared after its peculiar manner—so empha-
tically denounced the continuation of the eighteen-
penny tax on the advertising industry and commerce
of the c aintry, that—
The noise of the meeting coming to the ears of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, whilst in the House, he
was seen to bend over to Lord Russell, and heard to
say, " I see how it is ; we must give the eighteen•-
pence up. 'Tis only a trifle after all—and—yes, I'll
manage it."—Punch.

THE EARL OF ELLESMERE.—The Ermina schooner,
Royal Yacht Club, sailed from Portsmouth yesterday morn-
ing with her noble owner, the Earl of Ellesmere, and a party
of live gentlemen, who accompany his Lordship on a voyage
to the Mediterranean, whither he is gene for the benefit of
his health. •