The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-26 00:00:00

sz, Jtl,li le 11 Ling Ls- Ati-

LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1850.

A melancholy illustration was given last evening
of that deplorable system of mingled extravagance
and parsimony which has hitherto proved so detris
mental to the interests of the Royal Navy of Eng-
-1 and. In moving for the production of certain papers
relating to the management of affairs 'at the Devon-
port Dockyard, the Earl of ST. GERMANS brought
• very forcibly under the consideration of the House
of /words, and through the Ijouse of Lords under the
botice of the public', generally, the lamentable malsd-
ministration of the moneys appropriated by the Legis-
lative to that great repository ofour maritime strength.
Remembering that in 1838 the plan for the construction
of a new basin for that dockyard was officially
adopted, and bearing in mind the circumstance tha
no less au amount than 90,0001. was set aside by the
Government for the liquidation of the expense that
• might thereby be incurred, it is assuredly matter at
once for dismay and reprehension to find that after
such a very considerable expenditure the works are
anything but in a state of completion. That such
should be the case is, of course, disgraceful, but,
unfortunately, no one acquainted with the usual
- conduct of improvements in the naval service can
experience any surprise at the announcement, seeing
that it is only one out of a thousand similar instances of
maladministration. The truth of this is, unhappily, but
too often demonstrated by incidents quite deplorable in
the sea service of a great maritime country like
England. For example, what a sad testimony of this
kind was afforded by the steam-frigate Terrible, of
800-horse power, when, en damaging her keel by
grounding at Plymouth, she was compelled to pro-
ceed m rapidly as possible all the way to Portsmouth,
for the purpose of having her injuries properly at-
tended' to and repaired, there being no dock suffi-
ciently capacious to admit a steam-vessel of her bulk
at Devonport I Apropos of which we are reminded of
the urgent advisability, we had almost said the
imperative necessity, existing for the application
of the screw-propeller not merely to twenty. one
gun
• ships, such as the one just instanced, the Terrible,
but also to the majority of those giant vessels of war
• which are among the principal glories of our naval
greatness, and among the prominent masterpieces of
our naval architecture. Had the screw been applied,
instead of the paddle-wheel, to the Terrible, that
noble steam-frigate would not have been compelled,
in consequence of her excessive breadth, to proceed
from Plymouth to Portsmouth, for the purpose of
having her damaged keel repaired, but would have
been enabled at once to obtain the required
. assistance in the Docks of Devonport.
As it was, the old clumsy, blundering boxes bulging
- out so many feet to starboard and so many feet to
• larboard, prevented the possibility of administering
the desired aid, and compelled the commanding officer
to direct the course of the vessel to a more distant
but at the same time a more accessible locality,
thereby increasing the amount of the
not actually endanger the ship and its own comple-
ment. A circumstance thin, illustrating at once the
necessity of baying a more ratiooal dock accommo-
dation, or, at any rate,
,one more rationally
arranged than the one now part-finished
at Devonport, as well as of applying more generally
to the steam-vessels in our Royal Navy—
the compact
and beautiful system cf the screw-propeller.

_ _ •
Gladly should we recognize the more frequent
application of steam power, as effected by means of
The screw to the larger ships of war in the maritime
,- ,1, • ~-.. 4erviee or England. Gladly should we recognize the
more general adoption of the plan now being carried
Olt in the construction of the 80-gun ship the James
~,„\t tt, a plan which will impart to that magnificent
,-- 'lO cture the vitality of that extraordinary power
p
; • , ...o,
:a lied to machinery by the great discoverer after
~, .
_.....-_.„'
.' *horn it is appropriately designated. By such an

enlightened and liberal proceeding on the part of the
Admiralty, the efficiency of the service would be
most materially enhanced, each of the huge vessels
of war possessing then, according to the
proposed system, that power innate which it can at
present only obtain by the appliance of an external
agency. Then these immense war-vessels would be
enabled to possess a motive power apart from that
dependent upon the winds of heaven, and to possess
it too in a form at all times accessible, and not, as
now, entirely and wholly accidental. Under the
existing arrangements, the men-of-war in the Royal
Navy of England, when becalmed, are compelled, if
a difference of position be deemed requisite, to ob-
tain the assistance of a steam tug, being harnessed
together by one or more hawsers, that may, on occa-
casion, be snapped asunder like packthread, by the
abrupt and counteracting undulations of the deep sea.
Besides, in action, the steam- vessels, such as the
three-gun sloop, the Po7.yphemus, of 200 horse-power,
while dragging the sere wless and steamless man-of-
war into position, might be blown out of the water,
as it were, by the heavy discharges of some enemy's
three-decker, leaving the ship in tow, as before,
altogether helpless ; whereas, by the appli-
cation of steam power, by means of the
screw, to noble vessels like the Superb
or the Impregnable, those men-of-war would be
rendered independent of the smaller steamers hitherto
required for their assistance in cases of emergency. Vi-
tality would thereby be imparted to so much inert mat-
ter, and the general strength and efficiency of the
British Navy be incalculably increased. For the sug-
gestion of improvements of this direct and comprehen-
sive character we look with earnest and sanguine ex-
pectation to the present surveyor of the navy, Captain
Sir BALDWIN WALKER, K.C.B. A man with
his capacities and opportunities should be
the very first to recognize this as a noble and effectual
means of extending and elevating bis reputation
Heartily rejoiced indeed should we be, if in this
manner he were to demonstrate his regard for the
interest of his country and for the prosperity of his
profession. Nor should we be less heartily rejoiced if
the Government were to exercise an economy of the
public moneys so judicious as to appropriate to the
completion of structures like the Devonport Dock-
yard some portion of the annual million squandered
at present calamitously upon the support of the African
squadron

It was our painful duty, yesterday, to notice the
sickening details of a trial for murder, where the
party accused was the daughter of the person whose
mysterious death constituted the subject-matter of
the inquiry. This day we have a still more revolting
task in alluding to the Bideford case, where two per-
sons of the name of BIND (husband and wife) were
charged with the wilful murder of an unfortunate
child who had been entrusted to their care by the
parochial authorities, and to whom they were bound
to afford full protection, and to supply with all the
necessaries of life befitting her station. They took
upon themselves the duties of parents, and they ex-
hibited the grossest disregard of that sacred charge.
It would be impossible to.conceive a more deplor-
able instance of cruelty and brutality than was exhi-
bited towards the wretched victim from the very
commencement of her servitude with the miscreants
under whom she was placed. Blows and stripes
were administered daily to her sinking frame. In
instrument of torture, with which "the cat" pre.
pared fur the especial use and benefit of our gallant
defenders by sea and land, was comparatively a
harmless weapon of correction, was kept in
constant operation. A hazel stick, with "spraggles"
at each side of it, or a " furze stub," were
occasionally substituted for the " cow hide," which
consisted of a short, thick stick, with eighteen lea-
thern thongs attached. It was by no means sur-
prising that the miserable creature sunk under the
continued ill-treatment and the scanty and un-
wholesome food with which she was supplied, al-
though when she went into their service, on the 29th
of September, she was in " perfect health," and was
considered a girl of " cleanly habits." She became
unable to perform her daily tasks. The prisoners
became exasperated, and the cruelty of their conduct
was, if possible, aggravated, they having received
a certain degree of encouragement from a person who
still holds office as master of the union work-
house, and who, in answer to their complaints re-
specting the wretched child, recommended "that
they should correct her properly, and if that would
not do, return her to the house." Unfortunately
they acted on the advice thus given, and the result
was, that within the ensuing fortnight death had ter-
minated the sufferings of the hapless child.
At length the full extent of their criminality and
their danger flished upon the minds of this worthy
couple. Tne sudden and unexpected death might render
an inquiry necessary, and they well knew that thelife-
less body of their victim would speak trumpet-tongued
as to the heartrending cruelties that had been Per-
petrated. We will not say that their own consciences
did not in some degree reproach them, when too late,
for their remorseless conduct towards the helpless and
unresisting child, but the dread of the penal con-
sequences of their enormous guilt had a still more
powerful effect. They used the most abject and de-
grading entreaties to prevent an investigation, which
the circumstances of the case rendered inevitable
They even dared to appeal to the mother, whom they
bad rendered childless, for mercy; and the female
prisoner (if possible, the most guilty of the guilty pair)
implored the bereaved parent "to consider her and
her poor dear children."
This tardy repentance was, however, unavailing--
an inquest was held, and a medical gentleman ex
amined the breathless corpse. Never, perhaps, was a
metre fearful sight exhibited :
" There were several wounds on the leg 3 and thighs,
varying in extent, and apparently inflicted by some rough
or irregular instrument, probably by a birob. There
were bruises on the chest and collar-hone • there was
discolouration of the face ; there were wounds and ab-
scesses on tl • arms and fingers. The skin over the
bowels was discoloured. The bruises on the arms
appeared to be of long standing, probably over a
fortnight."
These would appear to have been inflicted before
Mr. SURMAN gave his humane advice.
" There were two abscesses on the left arm ; the nails
of some of the fingers of the left hand appeared to have
been gone for some time—the bone of the middle finger
was protruding, all the nails were gone. On the right arm
above the elbow was another abscess that had recently
burst. The body was then turned over—on the right
hip was a large slough, the six* of the palm of the hand;
on the posterior part of the hips were several wounds,
which sppesred to have been inflicted some time; they
were covered with plaister. On the shoulders there were
two trivial bruises. The outer layer of the skin of the
back was separated from the inner, the result of the
blood having bean forced out between the two layers of
skin after death."

Such was the description given on oath by a man
of skill and education of the condition of the body of
the unfortunate, MART ANNE PARSONS. Oa the post-
mortem examination be discovered " another bruise
on the back part of the head,' and there was consider-
able extravasation of blood ; the membranes of the
brain were considerably congested, and at the
base of the brain there was also extra-
e x
,v,asation of blood." lie considered that the
injuriescod notof form
ermhaeand
opinionwere thheowcause
a f death,terna l
nithat
but
violence bad been inflicted." And on cross-exatnina-
tion be stated that " the appearances in the head were
the same as in eases of apoplexy."
This testimony led to the acquittalof the •
prisoners.
There was abundant evidence to show that both had
flogged and cruelly beaten the child; that they had
inflicted the injuries on the other parts of the
person, but nothing to bring the fatal
blow home to either. Deeply as we regret
that such infamous conduct. should be perpetrated
with impunity, fully as we participate in the just in-
dignation of the bystanders who gave utterance to
the remonstance—" What ! are these persons to go
entirely without punishment ?' we cannot dissent
from the view of the case taken by the accomplished
and amiable Judge who presided on the trial. He
was sworn to administer justice equally and impar-
tially, to hold the scales with an indifferent hand be-
tween our Sovereign Lady the QUERN and the pri-
soners at the bar. 1-1 e could not sutler any personal feel-
ings of horror and disgust to influence him in the dis-
charge of the important trust confided to his charge.
The prisoners were unquestionably morally guilty. No
doubt could remain that through their inhuman con-
duct the miserable girl had been brought to a cruel
and untimely death; but, unfortunately, there was
not the legal evidence of their guilt which the law
and society require. Far better that such criminals
should escape unscathed than that the law itself should

be strained and violated, and a precedent established of
the most formidable character. If the strict letter of
the law could be disregarded, in order to bring
offenders like the BIRDS or MART NEWTON to punish-
ment, there would be no protection for British sub-
jects, the " trial by jury" would be a vain and use-
less ceremony. The Irish jury, who found a man
guilty of murder because he stole a mare belonging
to the foreman, for which he could not be convicted,
would have acted in a manner worthy of imitation.
None perhaps in the community would feel a more
intense horror of the crime, and a more lively detes-
tation of the criminals than Mr. Justice TALFOURD,
but he had a higher duty to discharge. His was not a
" maudlin sympathy" with the offenders, but a strong
sense of justice that compelled him, however un-
willingly, to give even to such persons the benefit of
the strict letter of the law. Their crime might have
been punished, and justly punished, under a despotic
government, but better that they should escape than
that the rights and liberties of Englishmen should be
endangered.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER 10 THREE.
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
ra sted at 5,000 bales, of which 800 American and 100
Surat were taken for export. The sales compritel
4,000 bales American at 50. to 74c1 150 Egyptian at
60. to 74d., 500 Surat at 44i. to 44d., and 100 Sea
Island at 114 d. to ls. 3J. per lb.—Railway Shares were
quiet.
The produce markets do not seem likely to be very
active this week, although they close on Thursday even-
ing for the holidays. The quantity of Tea taken for
consumption has, however, sensibly increased in the
metropolis within the last few days.
By a direct arrival we have letters and papers of Nov.
19 from South Australia, and they furnish some general
information of ieterest in addition to what has already
been received. Extraordinary quick passages out bad
been made by the ships Benjamin Elkin and Constance.
The Himalaya had likewise arrived, and among her
passengers, 175 in number, several deaths are reported.
The colony seems to be prospering, and great progress
was making in the formation of villages and rural town-
ships in different localities in the agricultural districts.
The reports are encouraging about some of the mines.
The Wheal Margaret Lead and Silver Mining Ccmpany
had made a good assay of several tons of ore. Gold
had been picked up on the banks of the river Torrens.
The Lieutenant- Governor had gone on a visit to the
Tunkillo mines.
From Port Lincoln the advices are not quite so en-
oournging, and the settlement is said to be progressing
but slowly.
The intended new constitution for Australia was ex-
citing much attention. At Adelaide one Chamber seemed
to be the favourite idea, and a local journalist considers
the plan for the formation of an Executive Council unex-
ceptionable. The local Government should have the
control of the waste lands, it is admitted, but not the
power of raising or lowering the upset price at pleasure.
Aceounts of the 23d inst. from Frankfort state that
the fair had commenced under the unfavourable auspices
of continued political complications and a winter tempera-
ture. There was no want of supply of merchandise,
but a scarcity of buyers. The quotations in the Stock
Market were 791 for the Metallic., and 284 for Spanish
Three per Cents. At Amsterdam on the 24th instant
there was no particular change in Dutch Stock.
The condition of the English Stock Market is worse
this morning on account of the further marked decline
in the quotations of the Rentes at Paris, where the un-
certain aspect of political affairs and the intention to
tax transfers of stock have a prejadicial influence. We
conceive, however, that with the expose' of French
finances, which we commented upon yesterday, French
Rentes are at least 10 per cent. too high, seeing also the
restlessness of the Red Republicans and the intriguing
of the Royalists, but a lower range for French stock
should not, unless under apprehension of political troubles,
affect our own fends, and there is the paucity of busi-
ness now chiefly to account for the heavy tone. Consols
have been 954 to 954 for Transfer, and 954 fur Ac-
count. Exchequer-bills have been 625. to 655., and
India Bonds 86s. to 894. premium.
In the Foreign Market the dealings have been chiefly
in reference to the settlement of the Account, and the de-
cline in Consols has affected the quotations. Mexican,
from 294 have dropped to 284; Brazilian, New, have
been Peruvian Active, 714 to 72; and the Deferred,
274 to 274. Portuguese Bonds have been quoted 30 to
31 for the Four per Cents.; Spanish Five per Cents.
have been 354; Russian Scrip has been 1 to 14
premium, and Danish Scrip 24 to 24 premium. Belgian
Four-and-a-Half per Cents. have been 89*, .and Dutch
Two-and-a-Halt per Cents. 554.
Railway Shares are heavy, and Caledonian, South-
Eastern, Brighton, and the York lines, are lower. North
Western, Midland, and Great Western, are tolerably well
supported.
ONE CLOSING
PRIQES OF BRITISH FUNDS O'CLOCK. PRICES.
3 per or ••• 95%% jg 95
3 per Cent. Annuities,l726 9474 943 k
n 118 Bonds.l,oGot
Consols for Account 95,4 % 95;4
Exchequer Bills. 11hd. & 2d
1,000/. June 62 65 p 65 p
5001. June
Small, June
ONE CLOSING
IPRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES.
razilian tionds

Ditto, New, 1829 and 1839 BB%
Danish Bonds, 1825,3 per Cent. —
Ditto 5 per Cent.
Ditto, Scrip 2% % p 2% p
Equador Bonds .. —3 N,
Grenada Bonds, 11/2 per Cent — 16
.ti.exican, 5 per Cent. 1846, with Coupons— .
Ditto, Ex Jan. Coupons ....
Ditto, Account
Peruvian Bonds, 4 per Cent
Ditto, Account
Ditto Deferred
Portuguese 5 per Cents.
Ditto, Converted, 1841 3l 311/2 30
Ditto,4 per Cent.
Russian Bonds
Ditto Scrip l% 1 p 114 p
Spanish 5 per Cent. 1840 164 16 - 16
Ditto. 3 per Cent
Ditto. Account
Beligan, 4% per Cent. ........
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild. .. 554, 564
Ditto. 4 per Cant. Certificates — 86%
PRICES Off PAID. BUSINESS DONE CLOSINti
RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK. PRICE
3irmingham and Ox-
irrd Junct., calls duly
paid, or with a guaran. 20
Do, withoutguarantee 20
Birminp, Wolverh'ton, •
and rudley, calls duly
pd, or with guarantee 15 ..... 21% 2114
Do. without guarantee 15
3nckinghamchire
Caledonian
Ditto, New IC?, Pref... 10
Jhester and Holyhead... 50
Ditto, Preference
.astern Comities........ 20 •••••• 74 % .. 7%
Ditto, extension, 5 per
Cent., No.l 61.135. 4d.... % p
Eastern Union, Class A
(late E. U. Shares) 25
Do. Scrip (6 per cent.) 20 .. .. 17 ... ......
East Lincolnshire, guar.
6 per Cent.
'Treat Northern
Do., %B 6 per Cent..., 91,4 — ...
Do., 5 per Cent. Pref. 12%
reat South. and West.
(Ireland)
relit North of England 100 ••••••
' Great Western 100 ... .. 561% 57
Ditto, 4 Shares
Ditto, Fifths. .., 2O ...... 11 10% ... •• .. 10%
Ditto. New 171—
Hull and Selby .. ...... 50 ......
Ditto, Half Shares ... 25 ...... 48 4 484
Lancaster and Carlisle... 50 ...... 513ja .......
Lancashire& Yorkshire 100
Ditto, ditto lOO ..... 34 341/2 ......... 35
Do. Quarters
Do. New. Gua•6 per ct. 10
Ditto (Huddersfield
and Stuff.)
Do. (W. Riding Union). 114 .. ... 3 %.••••• • 3 !ii
London, Brighton, and
South C0a5t—......100 ...... 79% 79
Do., New, guaranteed
6 per Cent . ...100 133 ...- 133
London and N Western 100 lO5 105 .. 105%
Ditto, New Quarters 12
1l
Ditto, Fift't•
London &S.Western lOO • ...... 62
Slanetteiter,Buxton,and
Matlock 5 —
Manchester, Sheffield,
• and Lincolnshire...100
Do. New 10/. Pref.-- 10
Midland ...—. ...... ....WO ...... 39 £9 toi ...... ..
DO., 50/. Shares
North British ........ ... 25 .... , 9 ... .. ...
North Staffordshire ... 17% 714 1:4
Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton
Reading, Guildford, and
Reigate l5 ..... 15141;4 154
Shrewsbury and Birm... 1314 B% di5........ 8% dis
Ditto ditto, Class B. 9 - ... .. ..... 2 ',14

883/4
68

3/4P

7%
5
10%

39 14
4%
9
7%

Solth Fa4t.sro
Do., No. 3 ............. 30
Do., Registered No. 410 ' C1i%.......... 4%
Wilts,Somerset,& Wey-
mouth ........ ......... 50
York. Newcastle, and
Berwick. .... ......... —25
Do. Newcastle Exton. 20
Do. G.N.E.Preterence 8
York and North Midland 50
FOREIGN BAIL wAY b.
Boulogne and Amiens... 20
East Indian .... ........ ... 5
Luxembourg
8 -- ............ ...
Ditto lO —
Northern of France. l 6
Orleans and Bordeaux.. 7
•••... ••
Rouen and Havre ...... 20
MINES.
Brazilian Imperial
.iOINT STOCK BANKS.
Union of Australia

.
12
21.4

LLOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MARCH 26.—Wind this day at noon N.W.,
light airs, and line dry weather, with frost, as for days
past
LIVERPOOL, Mencn 25.—Wind N., fresh.—Sld. Lucy
Adelaide, Malabar; Robert Puckford and John Sparks,
Calcutta; St. Lawrence, Africa; Irene, Rio Grande.
Alexander, Buenos Ayres to this port, was spoken with
on the 24th ult., lat. 25 N., lon. 43 W., with mizen•noaet
sprung, loss of boats, &c.; carpenter overboard ins gide