The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-21 00:00:00

CORN AVERAGES.

No returns of the average prices of grain for the past
week have been issued by the Bard of Trade to-day.
This is not the only instance in which we have had to
complain of the want of attention, not to say neg-
ligence, on the part of those whose duty it is to issue
the returns in question at proper periods. We are
compelled to pay a heavy amount annually to those
parties, who appear to imagine that they aro justified in
meeting their subscribers' H ants at their own conve-
nience!

SHERIFFS' COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCHELL.)
JARVIS V. UNDERWOOD.

This was an action to recover damages done to a boat
belonging to plaintiff. Defendant buffered judgment to
go by default.
It appeared by the evidence that defendant had a
barge, the Alert, moored off Gabriel's-wharf, Lambeth,
where plaintiff had a boat lying. Defendant's men were
warned not to slack the cable of the barge, but persisted
in doing so, and the boat was damaged.
The jury gave a verdict of 81. IF.
HUGHES V. NEWLAND.

This was an action to recover the sum of 701. for rent
of a house in Greville•street, Hatton-garden. There
was no defence; but defendant, on being applied to,
claimed 71. Bi. as a set-off for rates and income-tax, and
121. 12s. f)r goods supplied.
The plaintiff's Attorney said he would take a ver-
dict, :deducting 71. Bs., but as ;t ) the 121. 125., the
allowance of it, as a set-off, would, in his opinion, net
be a bar to an action i❑ the county court. _ _

The Learned UNDER-SHERIFF said there could he no
doubt that evidence could be given of the set-off, and
by giving notice the record could be put in. Is would
be better to give defendant credit for the amount, al-
though he had not pleaded it.
A verdict was g►ven for 501.
The other cases were on bills o' exchange undefende d

SURREY SESSIONS,—(THIS DAY.)
(Before THOMAS PUCKLE, E-q., and a full Bench of
)\lag►istrate,.)
George Clark, for stealing a ham from the shop of
Mary Hawkins, cheesemont.,rrr, lligh-stree, Southwark,
was sentenced to four months' hard labour at Brixton.

Charlotte Foley, a resre2table looking middle-aged
female, was indicts I for stealing two halt-crowns and
other moneys, from the person of Ann James.
Prosecutcix stated that on the evening of the 23d ult.
she entered a butcher's shop in Lambeth-walk, for the
purpose cf purchasing some meat. While she was look-
ing at some beef, the prisoner put her hand in her pocket,
and on turning round she missed her money. She irn•
mediately taxed the prisoner with the robbery; but she
stoutly denied it, and asserted that sho had no money
about her. A policeman was called in, when the mewy
she had when she entered the butcher's shop was found
in her right band. She then stated that it was her own,
and that she intended to purchase her Sunday's dinner
with it.

The prisoner, who seemed deeply affected at her situa-
tion, stated in defence that she did not Ftm4l the money.
The fact was, she picked it up and offred to return it
to the prosecutrix, when the policeman cannain and took
the money away. She was the mother of a large family
and would not commit such an offence.
The CHAIRMAN briefly summed up the case, and the
jury returned a verdict of Guilty, accompanied with a
strong recommendation to mercy.
The CHAIRMAN said it was lamentable to see a female
in her situation placed at the felons' bar. There could be
ao doubt she committed the robbery, and the jury had
with great kindness recommended her to mercy. He
should therefore sentence her to the mitigated punish-
ment of four months at Brixton.

BOW-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
Two gentlemen, who described themselves as Charles
William Clifton and Julius Rau Aubriet, were charged
with creating a disturbance iu the dress circie of the
Lyceum Theatre.
Police Sergeant, A 11, stated that last night he was
on duty at the theatre, and about 9 o'clock he heard a
cry in the dress circle of " Turn him out." lie went up
into the boxes and there fund the two defendants
creating a disturbance in the lobby. They wore talk-
ing, and, to all appearance, quarrelling with a third party,
whom he believed to be Mr. Robert Roxby, the stage
manager. He endeavoured to ascertain the came of the
dispute, but neither of the defendants would pay any
attention to him, and ho was ultimately compelled to
tell them that if they did not make le .s noise it would
be his duty to remove them. This, however, made them
more violent, and he laid hold of Clifton to remove him,
when Aubriet attempted to obstruct him, and protested
that his friend should not be removed. Some other con-
stables came up, and they were, after some considerable
difficulty, removed. . They appeared both of them to
have been drinking.
Two of the placekeepers of the house stated that the
defendants came into the theatre a little before 9 o'clock,
and were admitted into one of the boxes. They wanted
to occupy a front seat, but they were told that the front
range of the box had been taken by some parties who
had not yet arrived. This, however, would not satisfy
them, and Clifton turned round abruptly, and asked
"What business is it to you, you d—d fools?" Eventually
they were compelled to retire.
Mr. Clifton asked one of the witnesses if it was usual
to keep the places till so late as nine o'clock? Witness
—The whole evening.
Mr. Clifton—ls it usual to put persons into a box
where there is not sukient room for them unless they
take the variant front seats? Witness—There were
places for you.
Mr. HALL—Do you put people into a box under the
notion that there is no accommodation for Viem? Wit-
ness—No, sir.
Mr. James Clay, the Member for Hull, stated that he
was in the next box to the defendants, and his attention
was drawn to the defendants by hearing Mr% Clifton
ex-
" What, keep places at this time of night, you
d--- fool, you are without sense or position." This
was loud enough to be heard on the stage, and imme-
diately afterwards there was a cry of " Turn him out,"
from all parts of the house, which led to their being
ejected, but not until after Mr. Clifton had behaved in a
most violent manner, making use of language, inwhich
the terms h end b--- were of frequent occurrence.
Mr. Aubriet did not interfere further than to remark
that his friend should not be turned out.
The Hon. Basil Wilson, who was in the same box
with the defendants, corroborated the sta'ement of Mr.
Clay, and said the conduct of Mr. Clifton wee most un-
justifiable, and his language most filthy and abusive.
There were ladies in the box with them.
Mr. Clifton, in answer to the charge, stated that about
nine o'clock he and his friend presented themselves at
the pay-box of the theatre, and tendered money for the
upper circle. They were told that there was no room in
the upper boxes, but there were plenty of seals in the
dress circle, and upon this representation they paid f
the dress circle. When they got into the theatre there
was uo room in the back of the box, but there were
vacant seats in front, and his friend got into ono of them,
when the box-keeper called out " You have no business
there; come out, sir; the places are taken." And there-
upon the disturbance commenced, several people calling
out ' Turn out the fat beggar." Mr. Clifton was rather
stout. Both he and his friend were sober, and it was a
long time before the parties in authority at the theatre
could make up their minds to prefer a charge, and then
.the charge against them was that of being "drunk and
diaor4erly."

Mr. Aubriet said the real cause of the dispute was the
disgusting system of demanding fees for vats of parties
after they had paid their money for adMission into the
theatre; but he denied that he had behaved is any other
manner than that which became a gentleman.
Mr. Clay and Mr. Wilson admitted this.
Mr. HALL said the conduct of Mr. Clifton was highly
reprehensible; and he was surprised that a man in his
station of life could have indulged in such abominable
language as that which had been repeated in evidence.
Mr. Aubriet's conduct was not of so violent a nature,
though he had obstructed the police, and a distinction
would be made in the fine to Le imposed upon him. Both
parties had rendered themselves liable to be imprisoned
for a month, but, under all the circumstances of the case,
he thought it better to fine Mr. Clifton 51., or three
weeks' imprisonment, and Mr. Aubriet 3/., or fourteen
days' imprisonment.
The fines were paid.

MARIBRU-STREET—(THIS DAY.)
NOVEL SYSTEM OF ROBBERY. - Ellen Clifford, a
middle-aged woman, was brought before Mr. 13inghemp
charged with robbing several children of their cloalo,
under the following circumstances:—
Mrs. Jefferies, the wifc of a tradesman residing is
Carm,ton-street, deposed that on Monday morning Jae,
about 12:o'clock, she dressed her youngest sister ancrsent
her out for a walk. At that time the child had on a plaid
dr s and cloak. In about an hour after the child re-
turned without her cloak, and witness had not seen it
since.

Mary Anne Woodgate, an intelligent little girl, eight
years of age, sister of the last witness, said, on Monday
last she was sent out for a walk, dressed in a plaid cloak.
She walked as far as Cleveland-street, when the prisoner
c <me up to her and slid," My dear, your godmother has
sent me to tell you that you are to have a new
cloak, and that she wants the one you have on for o
pats ern." The prisoner then took off witness's cloak,
and requested her to wait at the corner of Cleveland-
str( et until she returr el. The prisoner never come
back, and witness went home and told her sister what
had happened. She was positive the prisoner was the
woman.

The prisoner was committed on this charge.
The prisoner was next charged with stealing a cloak
belonging to a child named Martha Wilkins. The
child said yesterday she was sent out for a walk dressed
in a plaid cloak. On arriving in Norton-street, the
prisoner came up to her and gave her a pot, apparently
containing pomatum, and told her to take it to hot
mother, and say her grandmother had sent it for her
hair. The prisoner also said that her (the child's)
grandmother told her to take back her cloak for a pat'
tern, as she was making her a new one. The woman
then snatched the cloak from her shoulders and ran away'.
Mrs. White, the wife of a plumber and glazier resid-
ing in Norton-street, said, yesterday afternoon she was
standing at her door, when she saw the prisoner pass
with the cloak produced in her possession. Having seoa
a similar cloak on a neighbour's child, she stopped the
woman and questioned her, and her answers being very
unsatisfactory, witness gave her in charge of a pollee-
c 'tastable, who was passing at the time. She had pre'
viowdy heard of her neighbour's children being robbed.
Offer, 68 E, proved receiving charge of the prisoner,
and taking her to No. 11, Norton-street, the residence
of the child Wilkins, who identified her as the woman
who gave her the pot of pomatum. The cloak was also
identified by the child's sister.
Several other charges having been proved against the
prisoner, she was fully committed for trial.

BANK OF ENGLAND--THIS DAY.

MEETING OF DIRECTORS.

A General Court of the Directors of the Governor
and Company of the Bank of England was held in the
court-houso of the Bank of England this day, at twelve
o'clock, for the purpose of considering a dividend.
J. W. PRESCQTT, Esq., the Governor of the Bank, 00.
cupicd the chair.

Mr. KNIGHT, the secretary, having read the minutes
of the preceding meeting,

The CHAIRMAN said he had to acquaint the Court that
this was the half-yearly Court appointed under the bye*
laws of the Bank to consider a dividend. He had great
pleasure to inform the Court that the profits of the half"
year ending the 28th February last had exceeded the
usual dividend of 3i- per cent. by the sum of 16,106/., and
that the amount of rest on which the dividend
was to be taken was 3,583,4341. Now, a divi-
dend of 4 per cent, without any deduction
on account of income tax would require a sum of
582,122/., which, deducted from the rest, would leave
3,001,3121,, or a shade above 3,000,0001., which the
Court had decided the Bank should hold in the way of
re sr. (Cheers ) Under those circumstances, the
Directors thought themselves warranted in recommend-
ieg to the Court to eleclero a dividend on the present
occasion of 4 per cent. —(Applause.) He, therefore,
begged leave to move that the Court should order a
dividend to be made of 4 per cent. on the capital stock
f the Corparation of the Batik of England, without any
deduction on account of income-tax.
Mr. DE WeeToel felt great pleasure in seconding the
proposition, which he thought would go far to p eserve
t':e harmony which already subsisted bi tween the
Defectors avid the Proprietors. If they looked to the
stste of their Ltisirs for the half-year eud-
ng September last, they would find the ex-
cess in the banking department was about an eve-
raee of 10,000 000/. ; but since that titre there had
been no lets than 12,000,000/ of une.eployed eapits.l to
their hands, From his experience as a banker for
50 years, he to aught of that 12,000,000/. the sum of
6,000/. might have been lecitimately used for deposit in
the Bank, which was quite sufficient to cover all the
demands of the Bank of England ; and, according to
the custom of bankers, in keeping one-third of the de-
posits in their hand.,,, that svou'd have increased the
amount to 18,000,0001. Under those circumstances, he
submitted that a profit should have t eon made of that
6,000,0001. which was in the hands of the Bank. If it
had made even two-and-a-half per cent.,
that would
have realized 150,0001., and enabled the Directors
to have added another half per cent. to
their dividend. In September they had 20,000,0001.
sterling in the Issue Department, and they had
now got as much as 70,000,000/. sterling in that depart-
ment Under the Act of 1844 they had the privilege of
issuing 11,000,0001. sterling of the debt owing to the
B ink by the Government, and 3,000,000/. on the secu-
rities of the Bank. But as the whole of the issue paper
of the Bank amounted to 90,000,000/, it consequently
followed that they had only availed themselves of that
privilege to the extent of 2,000,000/. during the lest half
year. Under these circumstances he thought the Direc-
tors ought to have been more liberal in carrying on
their discounting business. He disapproved of submit-
ting every individual to the present ordeal who wanted
to borrow money on discount at the Bank ; and
he thought a sufficient guarantee would be obtained by
requiring from such a person a reference to a respect-
able banker. He should also strongly recommend the
advance of money on promissory notes to a limited ex-
tent with two good names, and with one good name and
the deposit of title deeds. He would also recommend
the advance of money to oes, counties, and boroughs,
for the purpose of building gaols, lock-up houses, and
lunatic asylums, or for sanitary purposes, on terminable
annuities payable in thirty years, with interest from
3/. to 4/. per cent. He thought that it would be a E afe, pro-
ti table mode of investment if carried to a limited extent.
Teey might depend upon it that Consols would soon be
at par, and if he might be allowed to make a suggestion
ho would say that, it the Government were to reduce the
Three-and-a-Half per Cent. Consols to two-and-a-half
per cent., the country would effect a saving of three
millions a year, which he thought might be applied to
he reduction of the nadonal debt. He concluded by
seconding the resolution which had been moved by the
Chairman.

Mr. FIELDER observed, a great deal had been said re-
specting the repairs and alterations which had bean go-
ing on at the Bank, especially the defensive wall, which
he considered a very excellent piece of workmaashiN
and he was desirous of knowing whether they had bees
paid for, and, if so, whether the cost was included in the
statement which had been read?

The GOVERNOR replied that the whole works had been
paid for more than helve months ago, and that the sum
was included in the half-yearly accounts.
Mr. FIELDER said there had been a great dell of talk
about the Celitornien gold dust which had been brought
to the Bank, but the reason he asked these questions vsss
to ascertain something about the brickdust.—(Hear.) He
wished to know, further, whether the works were now
going on to any great extent, and what they proposed
to do with the additional buildings when erected?
The GOVERNOR replied that the works were draw-
ing rapidly towards completion, and that the additional
premises were considered necessary far conducting the
business of the Bank. Another reason for the altera-
tions was that the timbers of a portion of the premises
were in a state of decay and required extensive repairs*,
Mr. FIELDER asked further whether the Court (a
Directors anticipated any farther alterations of the
building beyond those of common reparation?
The GOVEROR said be had no reason to think at pre-
sent that any additional alterations would be required.
Mr. FIELDER—Then I do hope that you will cone
tinue to give us a dividend at four per cent.—(Hear.)
In reply to Mr. DE WINTON,
The GOVERNOR said the Court of Directors had fol-
lowed the course of those who preceded them, in not
including the Bank premises in the accounts, and be
could not see that any advantage would be derived by 40
Including them. In answer also to another questeen
from the same proprietor, he said no particular rule was
adopted with respect to unclaimed dividends. The only
answer he could give 5 as, that the sum was very trifling,
and that it had been made to form part of the funds of
the Bank, and was employed for the benefit of the pro-
prietors.
Mr. Alderman SAL,MONS rose to make a fesv observa
tions. lie said it was evident by the fact of the "rest"
being kept at three millions, aednotthe allowed to
were
being
directors
accumulate beyond that sum, that
enabled to work the establishment with benefit to the
interest
(luring and notwithstanding the low rate of
during the last year, the directors had been enabled to
accumulate 30
usual dividend 000/. beyond what was required for the
of 3} per cent.—viz., 14,000 L last half-
year, and 16.000/. this half-year. Such being the case,
they were going to receive the t ca.efits of. their fortu-
naterate of 41. yer cent. He trusted,. therefore, that the
position by an increased dividend this day, at the
arrangement which was ceme to this time last year, not
to divide a further amount by breaking into the "rest
of three millions, would not be upset.—(Hear.) II
thought it should now be understood that the sum of
three millions was to
he a permanent " rest," and that
no discussion respecting its alteration should be allowed
to come on without. a proper notice of motion.—(Hear.)
'
Ho was the more mimed to recommend this our"'

because an anonymous advertir.emcnt hail eppfared in
the newsp;pers, two tays, age, inviting he proprit tors of
„ •natd; bitch to give their :Attendance for the
Puroso of hearing cartsin prop'iritious ditcussed,
and no doubt ry disethision would have, taken
I"',ce if the directors i-lad not anticipated the wish
(1:14, the ptriier, by giving an increased dividend.—(llear.
1.0-.) lie protektA against the dectrihe o Mr. De
Illton, that the ilirec!ors ought to force their notes
Pt() circulation. For the last two years the directors
hid inaolg,:d the affairs of the Bank in a way t secure
" confidence, not only of the propt;etors but i.f the
P,‘lbli", but if they gave way to any such act 'rcpt as that
d ny Mr. 1), Winton, he thought it would pre-
. uc'' E7enerat oi•satisfaeli n. H,, c,;ncluded by thank-
ing' the directors f,r the dividend which they had
propose d.
The resolution was then put and carried without the
''lP;htet onoesiton.
The Gov.E'nNon. announced that, as the present dividend
Ras
higher than &it). previous one, it was e:ijoined by
a charter of the company tt,t a b allot should be taken
,
`t't its adoption ; artshe :Should move the adjourilnent
()e; th" Court until Tuesday, the 26th instant, at eleven
°clock, fir ,ho purpose of taknog a ballot.
WisTos, io proposing a •ote of thanks to the
Depnyt-G••veinor, and Court lc, Directors,
binneft from the charge of wishing to force
ev upon the pubic. lie only desired that the rule
ntaer h-triki:)g emnpanics should be obs,rverl by the
'lnk of Ent:into, that too large a surplus should not to
'et'ined in the, c :ffors of the Bank.
Sir PETEa LAURIE; seconded the vo eof thanks. He
°P"d tha. the Governor and directors would not be in-
d tly the remarks which had been made by the
1141ourable Proprietor. fie was sure that the Court of
,ile(Ttors possessed the confidence of the proprietors,
"'' would be ready enough to find fault with them when
u4'eettiarv.
The Court then adjourned until Tuesday, the 26 h
•Ntltut.