The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 2O, MO,

individuals, wives, mothers, sisters, and faithful subjects
of her Majesty, praying the House to reject the Mar-
riage Act.
Mr. Bateson from an Irish congregation, Mr. Duncan
from Arbroath, and Mr. Hastie presented petitions to a
similar effect.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER presented a petition from
Gain borough against the Merchant Marine Bill.
Mr. 0. DUNCOMBE presented a petition in favour
of the scheme of secular education.
Mr. HILDYARD presented a petition from White-
haven in favour of a measure for the suppression of beer
houses.

Mr. ADAIR presented a petition from Suffolk against
certain clauses in the Railway Act.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the Chairman
and Committee of the Anti. Church and State Associa-
tion, praying the House to pass some measure for the
dissolution of the union of Church and State.
Sir B. HALL presented a petition praying the House
to pass some measure of sanitary reform.
Colonel THOMPSON presented a petition from St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields against intramural interments.
Mr. C. LUSHINGTON presented a similar petition
from Clerkenwell.
Mr. COCKBURN presented three petitions from the
corporation of Southampton—one against the Bankruptcy
Act, one in favour of the payment of magistrates' clerks
by salaries, and another in favour of the Burgess's Act.
Petitions were presented against Sunday labour in the
Post-office from numerous places—by Mr. W. Patten
from Garstang;; Mr. Fuller, from Sussex; Mr. 0. Dun-
combe; Mr. Tattoo Egerton, from Alderley; Mr Dt ede!,
Mr. O'Flaherty, Lord Hotham, Sir R. H. Inglis (3);
Mr. Plumptre, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Christ.pher(2), Capt.
Bateson (3), Lord Duncan, from Bath; Mr. Scott, from
Coldstream, and Mr. Cockburn, from Titchfield.
Mr. SCOT I' presented a petition from Dumfries, pray-
ing that the House would not sanction any interference
with the Scotch system of education.
Lord H. VANE presented a petition from Stockton
in favour of international arbitration.
Mr. SEIARNIAN CRAWFORD presented a petition
from certain depositors in the Rochdale Savings' Bank
complaining of the recent defalcations, and praying the
House to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such an
evil; and a similar petition from the guadians of Roch-
dale.
Alderman THOMPSON presented a petition corn-
plaining of agricultural distress.
Mr. SADLEIR presented a petition from Carlow
praying tor an alteration of the spirit duties.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from Montrose
against the Marine Bill; also a petition from Arbroath
praying for son amendment of the Poor-law ..1.0 a.
petition from the proprietors, printers, and publishers of
the Montrose Standard against taxes on knowledge;
also a petition from St. James's in favour of the Inter-
ments Bill; and also a petition in favour of international
arbitration.
Mr. FORBES presented a petition from a place in
the county of Fife against the Marriage Bill.
Sir EDWARD BUXTON presented a petition from
St. Andrew's, Bethnal-green, in favour of a health of
towns' Bill.
MILITARY KNIGHTS OF WINDSOR.

Colonel SAL WEY postponed his motion until the 21st
if May for the appointment of a Select Committee to
inquire into the case of the Military Knights of Windsor.
Mr. E. DENISON gave notice that on bringing up
the report on the Australian Colonies Bill he would
move an amendment to the effect that the legislature of
each colony should have the management of waste lands
within such colony.
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE CROWN.
Mr. ROEBUCK gave notice that on an early day be
would move for leave to bring in a Bill to enable
parties to proceed against the Crown, either in law or
equity, without the consent of the Crown.
AMENDMENTS ON GOING INTO COMMITTEES
OF SUPPLY.

Mr. ANSTEY gave notice that, on Thursday next,
he would move a resolution to the effect, that where
notice was given of any amendment on the queition for
going into Committee of Supply, or Ways and Means,
such amendment should come on for discussion in its re-
gular order, and that no debate on the original question
should take place until such amendment bad been dis-
posed of.
SUNDAY ARRANGEMENTS IN THE POST-
OFFICE.
Mr. FAGAN asked the Secretary of the Treasury
whether it was intended to extend to the post-offices in
Ireland the regulations existing in the provincial offices
in England, as respects Sunday duties, namely, that they
should be closed on the Sundays from ten .L.Dt. to five
P at., except for the necessary receipt and despatch of
mails, the box merely being left open for the receipt
of stamped and unpaid letters; and it so intended, when
was it probable that the alteration in this respect would
be made?
Mr. HAYTER said that, when the original
arrangement was made for the reduction of Sunday
labour in the Post-office, it was in the contem-
plation of the parties who suggested it to extend
the arrangement both to Ireland and Scotland, at
the first convenient opportunity, provided it
should be successful. So far as the measure bail been
carried out in England he (Mr. Hayter) believed it met
with universal approbation, though a good deal of mis-
apprehension had existed on the subject. Inquiries
had lately :been instituted by the Postmaster-General,
with the view of carrying out a similar arrangement in
Ireland and Scotland, and those inquiries having ter-
minate,], he had made an application to the Treasury for
its sanction to enable him to carry the new regulations
into immediate effect, and that sanction had been ob-
tainc d.
Mr. GROGAN asked if it was the intention of the
Government to extend to Scotland and Ireland the pro-
posed regulations with respect to Sunday labour in the
Post-office.
Mr. HAYTER said those regulations would be ex-
tended to Ireland and Scotland, so far as the postal
arrangements in those parts or the kingdom admit of it.
THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

Mr. B. OSBORNE begged to ask the Hon. Member
for Lancaster, the Chief Commissioner for building the
New Houses of Parliament—(A laugh)—a question.
The House would probAly be aware that a Committee
of this House sat in 1846, and they made a report that
they were convinced that so long as certain squabbles
between Mr. Barry, the architect, and Dr. Reid, the
ventlator, contineed, the Houses of Parliament would
never be finished.— (Laughter.) He begged to ask the
Hon. Member (Mr. Greene) whether he had succeeded
in adjusting those squabbles, and whether he was aware
that an action was about to be commenced in one of
the courts of law by the architect against the venti-
lator?—(Renewed laughter.)
Mr. GREENE said he was certainly aware there was
an action pending between Mr. Barry and Dr. Reid, but
happily that subject had not come within the pro-
vince of the Commissioners ; but their best endea-
vours had been applied, of course, to reconcile the
differences between those parties, without, how-
ever, their efforts having been successful. The
Commissioners were obliged to carry on the works
as well as they possibly could—(A laugh)—but certainly
it was no easy matter to arrange matters between the
contending parties —(Hear, hear.)
Mr. B. OSBORNE gave notice that on an early day
he should call the attentian of the House to the desira-
bility of getting rid of both Mr. Barry and Dr.
Reid.—(Loud cheers.)
EVICTIONS IN GALWAY.
Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that to-morrow he
would ask the Secretary of State for Ireland whether he
was aware that as many as 518 ejectment processes had
been served in a single day in the county of Galway. by
which 30,000 persons bad been driven in one day from
their homes?—(Hear, hear.) And whether the system
of ejections was not illegal, and a high crime and misde•
meanour by the ancient common law of Irealand.

REIATCTION OF OFFICIAL SALARIES.
Mr. MILNER, GIBSON asked the Member for Ox.
fordshire whether he meant to proceed with his motion
to-morrow with reference to the reduction of salaries?
Mr. HENLEY said it was certainly his intention to
proceed with his motion to-morrow. The exact terms
of his motion would be printed, and be in the hands of
members to-morrow morning, but it would not differ
materially from the motion now on the votes.
CHARLESTON.

Mr. COCKBURN rose to ask a question of the Noble
Lord at the head of Foreign Affairs, which he said was
occasioned by a case which had lately occurred at the
Thames Police-court. It was whether he was aware of the
practice of the authorities of the town of Charleston, to
seize British subjects, being men of colour, on board
British vessels in the port of Charleston, and to imprison
the m during the time such vessels remain in that port;
and whether her Majesty's Government have made any
efforts with the Government of the United States to pre-
vent British subjects from being thus outraged. The
Hon. and Learned Gentleman characterised this practice
as one not only in direct violation of the law of nations,
but as scandalous and disgraceful to humanity.—(Hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON said the subject to which the
H on. and Learned Gentleman had drawn the attention
of the House was, he was sorry to say, not a new one to
her
Majesty's Government. It was an undoubted fact
that the practice alluded
to the citizens oafudthoef
laws of the state to was one sanctioned by the
It was quite unnecessaer
free states
equally applicable
eriacpaplaicsabtloe
the subjects
any man must entertain o
arose from the unfortunate
the
iytifitteoneexproefss thfbereoipginnionprheicrhs.
this
institutions
which ( C heexei rest .e)a
in
a matter of very serious -I:Lion'
the Southern States of and which were now
difference Majesty's
in the Congress of
the United States. Her
Majesty's Minisjterstayt's?overnment, in 1847,
a ordered
note o herh
th Me
subjectaj to the United Washington to present
States' Government,
and to remonstrate against this law, not merely as incon-
sistent with the usual practice of civilised nations, but as
at variance with certain articles in the treaty
of 1815,
British between the British Government and the
Government, providing for the residence oljßiteited
sub-
jects in the United States territory. The answer
States
the
received from Mr. Buchanan was to the effect
federal Government had no power to ieducethat the
and Legislature of Carolina to move this law, and Senateehet if
the British Goverment insisted upon this, prestki .g the
Government of the United States on the ground founded
upon the article iii the treaty of 1815, the Government at
the United States would find it necessary to take advan-
tage of a clarse lathe ireaty of 1827, which gave power to
eiter party to ennui the treaty on giving 12 months notice.
It was to be regretted that such a practice existed; but,
on the other hand, it was as well that it was a matter of
public notoriety, because every free person of colour
being a subject of her Majesty, who went voluntarily
into the jurisdiction of that state, knew beforehand the
inconvenience he was liable to be subjected to.—(Hear.)
WOODS AND 'FORESTS.
Viscount DUNCAN wished to ask the First Lord of
the Treasury whether any one of the existing Commis-
sioners of Woods has applied for superannuation, and if
so, whether he has obtained it.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL was understood to reply, that

in one case it had been applied for. Mr. Mills had re-
tired on 1,50 t 0/. a-year (as we understood).
Lord DUNCAN had another question to put to the
Noble Lord. Ile wished ask whether it was intended
to appoint any one of the existing Commissioners of
Woods, Forests, Works, &c., to the office of Chief Com-
missioner of Woods, under the Bill now depending in
Parliament for the separation of the two departments?
Lord J. RUSSELL could not answer that question.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.

Sir B. HALL, notwithstanding that it was the inten-
tion of Government to proceed with the Ecclesiastical
Commission Bill this evening, he wished to put a ques-
tion to the Noble Lord, of which he had given
notice, on the subject of a rumour which had
recently gained ground iu the metropolis, and which he
hoped the Noble Lord would be able to inform him
was without foundation.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL begged pardon for inter-
rupting the Hon. Baronet, but he begged to tell bim
that he only received his note at two o'clock this of er-
noon. He immediately wrote off to obtain informa-
tion, but up to this time he had not received an
answer. Perhaps, therefore, the Hon. Baronet would be
good enough to put his question off till to-morrow.
Sir B. HALL had no objection to do so; and in the
meantime he begged to give notice that the question he
should put to-morrow would be to this effect : There
was an office in the Prerogative Court of Canter-
bury, known as the Registrar, a sinecure vslued
at 9,0001. to which the Archbishop of Canterbury had
the power of presenting a successor as the office became
vacant. One of the lives which had b, en nominated
became vacant during the time of the late Archbishop,
which the late primate had neglected to fill ep, and the pre-
sent Archbishop had taken advantage of this omission to
fill up the vacancy. He should therefore ask the Noble
Lord, to-morrow, whether the Archbishop of Canter-
bury had not filled up the vacancy, by nominating Mr.
Sumner, a son of the Bishop of Winchester, to the office?
EVICTIONS IN GALWAY.

Mr. MACCULAGH wished to ask the Right Hon.
Baronet the Sf cretary for Ireland, whether ho had re-
ceived any information relative to certain transactions
which had occurred in Galway. He alluded to a matter
which had formed the subject of comments in the public
newspapers, and which he was sorry to say, was confirmed
by private letters. It was said that there had been latterly
a wholesale system of evictions carried forward in the
Martin estate by the Law Life Assurance Company,
who were the mortgagees, and he wished to ask the
Right Hon Baronet wh‘ ther be had received any infor-
mation on the subject, either in his capacity of Secretary
for Ireland or us poor•law commissioner.
sir vir comPuviLLu Lad no informittion
whatever on the subject.
SAVINGS' BANKS.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
rose pursuant to notice, to move fur leave to bring in
a Bill to amend the law relating to savings' banks.
He was sorry that any delay bad taken place in bring-
ing on the subject before the Honse, having given notice
as early as the first night of the session that he would
move for leave to bring in a Bill, but illness and press
of business had prevented him doing so until
the present time.—(Hear, hear.) He would make no
apology in laying the propositions which he intended to
make before the House, :because all were agreeed as to
the importance of the subject, and few who had turned their
attention to it were unconscious of the extreme difficul-
ties which would beset at any attempt to make an alte-
ration in the present law as concerned these societies,
That some further legislation was necessary as to the
constitution of savings banks, they were all equally
agreed. It appeared that it was nearly forty years ago
when societies were first formed for the purpose
of affording the poor a secure mode of investing
their savings, and of obtaining the payment of
interest upon them. From that time they had
gradually grown up into importance until they now had
as much as twenty millions invested in their hands, and
it was not surprising that these institutions should re-
quire new regulations when their operations had become
so gigantic. But there were other circumstances which
rendered it equally necessary for the Legislature to inter-
fere. Most of the savings banks now in existence were ori-
ginated and supported by reputable and benevolent per-
sons, but they did not give that regular and constant
attendance to their affairs which was indispensably ne-
ces.ary to their attaining a state of efficiency. Without
attributiug any blame to the trustees and patrons of those
banks, he would say, that with few exceptions they gave no
regular attention to their duties, and the affairs of the
banks were generally left to the management of a secre-
tary, an actuary, a clerk, or some other officer over
whom sufficient vigilance was not exercised. From re-
cent failures of those institutions it appeared that the
trustees were in the habit of signing checks in
blank, and also that the cheeks which they
exercised was, in many instances, merely of a nominal
character. The Bill which it was his intention to pro-
pose was entirely a prospective Bill ; and at a later
period of the evening he should propose that a Commit-
tee be appointed to take into consideration the last section
which it contained. He thought it would only encumber the
Bill to extend its operations to past transactions. It
would perhaps be advisable to refer shortly to the his-
tory and progress of these societies, because people
seemed hardly aware of the nature of their constitu-
tion. Not much more than thirty years ago they were
not at all recognised by the Legislature. It was little
more than forty years, as he had already mentioned,
since they were first formed. He believed the
first society was established at Wendover, in 1799.
In 1804 a similar society was formed at Totten-
ham t in 1808 another was formed at Bath, and
in 1810 one was established at Dumfries. The one at
Tottenham was started by 6 benevolent individuals for
the savings of the poorer classes, and they agreed to
allow 5 per cent. npon the deposits. Each of these
6 persons were responsible to the extent of 1001.
They were to have another trustee for every 1001.
Now to such an extent did these voluntary societies go,
that in the year 1847, when the first legislation took
place on the subject, there bad been formed by the
voluntary association of benevolent persons no less than
seventy of those societiea in England, four in Wales,
and four in Ireland ; and the whole object
of that legislation was to prohibit the trustees from
receiving any profits and to provide for the deposit of
the moneys of the societies in the public funds. There
was no security whatever previously for the deposits
except the credit of the trustees, and their honourable
dealings with the depositors. In 1817 the Government
undertook to receive the moneys deposited in the savings'
banks, and to be responsible for them, and to allow a
certain rate of interest thereon. In 1824 an Act was
passed to render it imperative on the trustees
to transmit to the Commissioners for the reduction of
the national debt the deposits to be lodged from time to
time in the banks, and to be invested in the public
funds. From that time the Government became re-
sponsible for all the money transmitted to them, but
they became responsible for nothing else. A certain
rate of interest was allowed to the trustees for the
management of the bank, and the remainder was
to go to the depositors. (Hear, hear.) In
1828 the preceding Acts were consolidated into one. In
was then esacted that the rules should be properly cer-
tified by an officer appointed by the Government. The
trustees were exempted from liability, except for their
own individuals acts of neglect or fraud. In 1844 an
Act was passed, which exempted the trustees from all
liability whatever, and reduced the rate of interest. The
whole duty, and the whole responsibility of the Govern-
ment, consisted in this—the rules of savings' banks were
to be transmitted to the proper officer appointed !by the
Government to certify them, and to see that they
wece in conformity to law. The trustees were per-
fectlp competent to make what rules they pleased, pro-
vided they were but inconsistent with the law. It
was the duty of the Commissioners for the Reduction of
the National Debt to receive any stuns that might be
transmitted to them by the trustees to invest
them in the funds, and to pay them back
to them when wen properly called upon by the
trustees. Annual accounts were only:required to be trans-
mitted to Parliament by the trustees; and the Commis-
sioners of the National Debt had a cheque on the trustees
in the knowledge furnished, and they had also the power
of closing their account with the trustees if they saw fit.
With regard to all other matters the trustees of those
savings banks had a complete control over those banks.
The first question which had been raised•by the recent
discussions on this subject had been as to the extent of
the responsibility of the Government and as to
the responsibility of the trustees. The trustees were
altogether liable for the neglect that might
be incurred by them as individuals; and the Government
were only responsible for the safe custody of such moneys
as had been transmitted from the banks to the Com-
missioners for the reduction of the National Debt.
In the year 1848 the responsibility of trustees was
affirmed, but in 1844 the liability was removed from
them, and it must be perfectly understood that there was
no responsibility. Hon. Gentlemen seemed entirely to
have forgotten the origin of these bodies, that they
were voluntary associations, and not connected with
the Government at all. The Government were merely
their bankers, and responsible for the money that was
paid. Until the last year or two the theory of the re-
sponsibibility of Government had never been advanced,
nor bad any application been made to Government fur
compensation. No instance bad occurred of any loss
having been sustained by the failure of any savings'
bank until the year 1824, at Carmarthaen. The trustees
at that time were liable, but it turned out
that they were not able to supply the deficiency, and
the Lord Lieutenant of the county, he believed, under-
took to compensate all the sufferers. The terms of the
responsibility of the Government was quite a
new one.
Nor did be think that in his pro-
posed measure it would be right to take upon the
Government the charge of making good any defiCiency
which might occur from theneagnlyecggeneral
e.
rany
l
but its
interference owr t
officers. He also thought that
with the appointment of officers in the savings', banks
would destroy that which he held to be a valuable
portion of savings bank, namely their voluntary cha-
racter, but he proposed to appoint a treasurer who would
generally be a local banker, and he would make it a high
crime and misdemeanour fur any other person but the
treasurer to • receive and pay money. By doing this be
thought he should remove the greatest occasion of fraud.
He proposed at the same time to repeal the clause of
the Act of 1844, which entirely did away with the re-
sponsibility of the trustees. They were officers of the Bank,
and although the real responsibility would rest with the
treasurer and manager, it was nothing but right that
the trustees should share in some degree the
responsibility so as to prevent misconduct on their
pert. The first clause of the Bill specified the
duties of the treasurer, and made it a misde-
meanour for any other officer to receive or pay
money. The next question which the Bill dealt
with was the subject of audit. When he
introduced his Bill relating to Ireland, some objec-
tion was taken as to the mode of audit there . estab-
iehed, inasmuch as it could not apply' with any

degree of satisfaction to sea-port towns. It bad,
however, been partially in operation in most
of the large sea-pores in this country where
it had proved m.st successful, and he proposed
to extend the system of audit now in
tioia in Irelani to savings' banks of Engl-inci,
reserving however power to the Treasury- to
send inspectors to examine the books. Thus
be dispo,ed of the second clause. The third
clause dealt with the question of interest to be
allowed on deposits. He proposed that the
Government should act as the bankers of the
depositor. The depositor did not care so much about
interest as the security of his deposits, and
it was only fair that when Government rag
the risk of guaranteeing the repayment of
deposits, without reference to the loss which
might arise on the purchase and sale of stock,
that the interest should be at a low rive.
At present the managers of a savings' bank received
31 ss. as interest on the monies they paid to the Go-
vernment, they allowing 2/.175. 6d. to their depositors. lie
proposed to reduce these two sums to 3/. and 2/. 15!;.
He also proposed that the deposits should not extend
beyond 100/, when the payment of interest would
cease; but the depositor, when his deposits reached
that amount would have the power, it he thought fit, o►
converting his 100/. into stock free of expense.—(hear.)
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

with Mesrs. Stirling and Kinlock for a fortnight, with
power on his part to continue if it was found mutually
advautag..:'ous. The contract with Mr. Watts was that
he should not play within twelve miles of Lon ; but
.hen the th4:atyc was closed he fit himself at liberty to
engage hitm•elf at another theatre.
Mr. SAuGOeD acid there was no doubt of The
Learned Coun.c-1 then proceeded to it:quire of the insol-
vent whr.:t expectations he had of paying the debts he
now owed.

The insolvent said he had every expectation. Before
last December he had various engagements—sharing
engagements in the country. There were, he knew,
some small debts in the schedule—;one of seven guineas,
for cab hire when he was at Manchester, which was the
balance of an account. There were some debts which
he had not paid on account of his inability.
Mr. SA RGOOD said it was well known that in the
theatrical procession there were difficulties in the outset.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS —And I believe in other
professions as well.
lii answer to further questions the insolvent said he
had not been able, for want of means, to pay for the
hire of the cab. Hei had nosy no property to give up to
the creditors—mo theatrical dresses. The dresses he
thed he had on hire of Messrs. Nathan, when he first
o,lrne to Lordon, irs 1348. He had paid Messrs. Nathan
1031. 3s. 61, and now ossi d them 1091. for debts and costs.

A discussion arose respecting the hiring of the goods,
,nti it was stated that more had been paid tor tht m than
they were worth.
The insolvent further stated that he hid not the means
to purchase his theatrical dresses, and therefore) hired
them of Nathan, and had not paid any money until he
was arrested. He was performing at the Olympic
Theatre about five months in 1848, under Mr. Spicer sod
.11r. Danton. He was paid 201. a week, and then it was
increased to 25/., and for two months he had 301. a week.
He had received in the five months about 5001. The re-
mainder of the year he was at Brighton and other places,
Aid trade, he should suppose, 1501. He was not a mar-
ried man, but was in difficulties, and devoted his money
to pay his debts at Liverpool and Manchester, where he
was a resident. He did not know what he owed Messrs.
Nathan, but he did not expect the exorbit int charge they
had made of 1031. He thought that 501. would have
been a moderate charge for the dresses, or 1/. a week.

Mr. Commissioner—PumuPs asked the real value of
the dresses hired. Itholvent—A. mere nothing.
Mr. COOKE—About how much? Insolvent—About 404
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS—Made up for show.
Mr. SARGOOD said it was like hiring a horse and
chaise—more was paid in time ►han the value.
Mr. Coaami.oluner PHILLIPS—That depends on cir-
cumstances. I never did and thing of the kind.
After a few more questions and a conference between
.he counsel,

Mr. COOKE said be had been speaking to his Learned
Friend about paying the debts. He hod an offer to make,
.ut he would not make it before his friend had had toe
ipportunity of opening his case. Mr. Brooke's charac-
er before the public was of gre .t importance to him, and
therefore he had abstained from making the offer, that
the public might know there was nothing in the case to
sifeet his character.

Mr. SARGOOD readily admitted that there was nothing
in the ca•e against Mr. Brooke's character. It was as
• ell that it should go fowl to Vie public.
Mr. COOKE said be had the honour of seeing Mr.
3rooke on the subject before he came into court. His
;13aracter was everything with him, and from his great
talents, the offer he was about to make was one that
would certainly b-nefit the creditors. It was proposed
that, at the end of each year, Mr. Brooke should make
statement of his gro.s receipts, and pay into court one-
aighth for his creditors, so that if he made 8001.,
here would be a 100/. for the creditors.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS said he saw an item in
the proceedings of 8001. for travelling expenses.
Mr. COOKE said the expenses incurred were very
•rent.

Mr. SARGOOD said he should prefer a fixed sum.
Without being personal, actors were known to have some
habits of extravagance.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS—This gentleman has a
character to support, and I see no debt of extravagance
in the schedule. There is nothing in the case to affect
Mr. Brooke's character in the least degree.
It was then arranged that a day should be named for
he final order.

Mr. Bloomer, the creditor in person, opposed. His
.1i bt was only 2/ 16s. 4d., and he had sued Mr. Brooke
in the county court. He wanted his ch bt erased from
the schedule, so that he might have his remedy in the
!ounty court; but the Commissioner t.ild him that it
coukl not be done.

A discussion arose respecting the periods at which
\tr. Brooke was to render an amount of his professional
income; Mr. Sargood wanted it quarterly, but Mr. Cooke
proposed half yearly, and, eventually, the first account
was to be rendered by Christmas next.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS said he understood that
Mr. Brooke was in expectation cf an immediate engage-
ment.

The insolvent said he expected an engagement.
Mr. Commissioner PLTILLIPS—I have very little doubt
hat the debts will be paid, provided he has his health;
see no reason to doubt it.

It was then arranged that the first account should be
rendered at Christmas next, and the 24th May was fixed
tor the final order.

MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.

Yesterday, between one and two o'clock, a rumour
rapidly spread throughout that part of the parish of
Clapham lying near to the Wandsworth-romi, that a
murder and robbery had taken place that morning daring
he hours of Divine service at the house of Mr. John
Meddle, Claremont-place, Wandsworth-road, and that
the person murdered was that gentleman's huusekeepur.
At a few minutes to eleven o'clock, Mr. Maddle left
his house to attend Divine service at Clapham church.
Mr. Maddle returned shortly atter one o'clock, and ring-
ing the bell at the gate several times, and finding he
could make no one hear, he went round to the garden
Kato, which, to his surprise, was unfastened. Ha went

in. The washhouse door was open, as also the back
kitchen, and he was almost paralysed at beholding his
housekeeper lying on her back in the front kitchen, her
legs extending over the threshhold of the door, and her
head lying towards the French windows that open into
the area in front of the holm. Mr. Muddle felt the
body, and believing, as was the fact, that life was ex-
tinct, rushed out and alarmed the neighbourhood. For
some short time so horrified were the n.-ighbours that
none of them, though earnestly appealed to by Mr.
Meddle, would go into the house. At last Mrs. Travash
and Mrs. Staples went in, and found the deceased

lying as stated, but under most extraordinary circum-
stances. Her right leg was partly drawn up under the
body, and entangling the foot, which was without a shoe
(which is missing), was a coil of rope used in hanging
out clothes; her head rested on six or seven folds of
carpeting, and within six inches of the head was a basin
containing about a pint of clean water. The face,
hands, and other parts of the body were cold. There
was not the smallest contortion of features nor, so far as
was observed, any marks of personal violence. The eyes
were closed as if in sleep, and but fur the ghastly ex-
pression of the face it could have hardly been imagined
but sho slept.

The police were very promptly on the spot, as also
Mr. Parrott, jun., the surgeon to the police force, who
examined the body. and pronounced life to have been ex-
tinct some time. He could detect no outward marks of
violence, nor was there any mucus flawiug from the
mouth or nostrils. On entering the house Mr. Maddle
had found it in a state of great disorder, and very soon
discovered that a gold watch, some jewellery, consisting
of rings, Ste., and some plate had been carried off. Mr.
Coleman, the inspector of police, having communicated
with Mr. Bicknell, the superintendent of the V division,
made an examination of the premises, and found that
every drawer, box, and even the iron chest, bad been
opened and ransacked, and a small box, in which the
housekeeper kept her money, was emptied of its contents.
A very great deal more labour appeared to have been ex-
pended i❑ opening the various drawers, cupboards, &c.,
than would have been used by an expert thief. What
the amount of property stolen actually is cannot at pre-
sent be stated. From subsequent information Amused
by Inspector Coleman and his men, it would appear that
two men were seen in a bye-road near the rear of the
house at about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock at
noon, and one of them is described as follows :—Short
stature, with a..blotched face; dressed in a dark coat
with pockets at the side, a black neckerchief and a red
plaid handkerchief containing a bundle. The other was
tall and thin, with curly hair, he was dressed in dark
clothes, and carried a blue big; they went iu the direc-
tion of Balham. Betwee❑ eleven and twelve o'clock a
man was lurking about the bye-lane, and lay down in
the grass in the rear of the house. He was attired in
shabby black clothes and black neckerchief with spot♦.
Another man, about the same time, was seen near the
spot.

At a later part of the evening Dr. Parrott, the father
of the previously, mentioned surgeon, attended by
son, examined the body. Dr. Parrott remarked that
there was no suffusion in the eyes, nor any congebtion;
there was no protrusion of the tongue, and nos the
slightest scratch; and it was further remarked that the
deceased appeared to be in good health.

wlyttre h wa3 looked up. The little girl, and a younger
chtli titlet.p in the rot-tin, were rftn-toved to the workhouse.

When unfortunate wouLin r,-ach-d the hospital
he, eked was found to Iv, fractured, and her fore.;eml
eompletidy beano in. Iler ribs w,•re all broken, and
her lef,; side I,:ercibly injured. At two o'clock yesterday
afternoon Pr4,1,,50r Fergusou, tip, physician to toe
hospital, found the poor womsti in such a prcearion,
state that he at once proc,.'eded to 13,w-street for ihe
magistrate to sums aini take her depo,;iti,iris. Mr. Hail,
the chief magistrate, was soon in attendance, accom-
panied by Inspector Black and Mr. O'Brien, the as-
sistant clerk. The prisoner was brought up in custody
of two policemen. Having heard some one remark
that his wile's head was completely smashed, he
shuddered, and said, " Ah! she must have fallen head-
fir-most." During the time that the depositions were
being taken the prisoner appeared in great agony. The
woman said sho was thirty-five years of age, and her
husband lad frequently beaten her in an unmerciful man-
lier. Sometimes with a poker. Latterly he had been much
more affectionate and kind to her. On Saturday night
they had been out drinking together. They got home
about half-past twelve. In a snort time afterwards she
said or did something which displeased him, when he
struck her over the face a, A2l head. The last blow
knocked some of her teeth out; she then heard him call
fora ptker, and she, to escape, pushed the window up,
fir the purpose of calling assisiance, when she fell or
threw herself out. She knew she was dying, and prayed
for fergiv eaess.
The little girl, who said her name was Martha
Donovan, confirmed what her mother had stated about
the quarrelling, and added, that she ran to the window,
.hen her father followed, and lifting her up, threw ),er
out of window int the back yard. and she fell first or,
her face and then on the back of her heck. She had fre-
qu,ntly seen her father beat her mother.
The prisoner then took a. tarewell of his wife, but
said nothing about the occurrence. He was removed
back to his cell et Bow-street,