The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-13 00:00:00

THE SPEKE MYSTERY.

The correspondent of the Manchester Guardian tells a
good story of the Speke search. He says :—" In the
searches made by the police for some trace of the missing
Mr. Speke, a strange discovery is said to have been made
in a dilapidated house in one of the slums of Westminster.
In a kitchen was found a chopping-block, made fast to
the floor, of the kind that butchers ordinarily use. No
ostensible purpose could be assigned for it in such a situa-
tion; and no ordinary force was sufficient to move it. By
accident one of the police touched a spring, and the top
(found to be a lid) flew open, and it was discovered that the
sham block was not only hollow, but that it communicated
with the main sewer."

On this paragraph the Times remarks :—" In the present
state of public alarm occasioned by the disappearance, no+
only of Mr. Speke, but of several other persons, such ter-
rible inventions as chopping-blocks communicating with
main sewers might produce a panic. To any one, indeed,
knowing anything of main sewers the story would carry
its own contradiction on its very face. To those who are
not acquainted with such constructions it may be neces-
sary to say that the paragraph in question bas not an
atom of truth for its foundation. Without attempting to
solve the mystery of Mr. Speke's disappearance, we be-
lieve we are justified in stating that the police are now in
possession of information which promises to supply a sort
of clue to the mystery of Mr. Speke's absence, though, of
course, this promise may be disappointed."
A correspondent of the Times writes as follows :—"Try
unfortunate experience is the loss of my son, a young man
20 years of age, of most exemplary character. He went
wasi e
n no known
. He
took no money or lot
for a walk from Regent-street, at 2 o'clock, p.m., on the
4th July, 1865, ancdhhases
neverwith been
; there heard of
since.
reason for his leaving, and his affectionate nature pre.
eludes the idea thhadat, iftb
ealoi vme,ahmeenzuld
watersleav ag
leave hisand
motliez
in suspei.s.,,
I employed divers to search the do epest parts. Every
hospital, every workhouse, I went to myself. The police
made the usual inquiries, though they seemed to decide
at once it was a voluntary absence, for which he certainly
would have required money, which he left behind. Thr
French vessels, the army and navy recruiting service,
were communicated with—though his staid character wa,
quite against any suppcsition that it would be success-
ful. I advertised in the Times and daily papers, and
at intervals continued the advertisement in the Times.

though I could not afford the large reward offered by Mr.
Speke's friends. To the last advertisement I received a
letter, well-written and spelt, dated from ' London,' cau-
tioning me not to give money to a party who would most
likely call on me with news. The writer said he was a
steward on board a Mississippi steamer which had taken the
young man 1,000 miles up the country, and signed his name
' Bennett' only, saying he was going into the country, and,
in the meantime, not to listen to anyone or give money
t'll I heard frt on him again, which I never have, nor ha.l
anyone come to me fur money. A tall, dark whiskered
man was seen watching my house some days after, but did
not call. I took theletter to Scotland-yard, but they seemed
to think little of it, advising me to cozmnunicate with the
American police, which Idi ;. Mr. Kennedy, the head
superintendent in America, took immense trouble and
great interest in the case, for which I feel most gratoful.
He found beyond doubt there was no such name steward
on the Mississippi steamers, neither had any young Eng-
lishman for three years been in that locality. My belief
now is, there was some fear of one of the gang giving in-
formation. I have preserved the letter in case it might
ever prove any clue. I see in the attack on Mr. M`Keown
a ' coloured man' is named. Could that in any way be
connected with the steward in my letter ? My son was
sft. 10in, high, well dres.sed in black, a gold watch and
Albert chain, linen marked Gudge,' believed only to
have had 2s. in money with him."

, -- ,__---___.,__________
TIIEA.TRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. 1 TO LICENCED VICTUALLERS.
Sole Lessee and Man -Ter, Mr. F. B. Chatterton. ESTABLISHED 1812.
!
THIS EVENING will he performed the Comedy of THE
WILLIAM HOLDICII and CO.,
HYPOCRITE. Mr. Phelps ; Messrs. Edmund Phelps, Charles
14‘,,,ner, J. Rouse, W. C. Temple, F. Moreland; Mrs. Hermann LICENCED VICTUALLERS' DRATEES, No.
Vezin, Mrs. H. Vandenhoff, Miss Kate Hartleur. 105, Fleet-street, corner of Farringclou-stroot ; and at No.
After which, the Drury Lane annual grand Christmas i, The Pavement, Clapham-common (Southern Branch).
Pantomime, written by E. L. Blanchard, Esq., entitled
FANV FEE FO FUll ; or, Harlequin Jack the Giant i
Killer.
Morning Performance every Wednesday and Satur-
day until Feb. 15.

THEATRE ROYAL, II A YMARIiET.
Sole Lessee, Mr. Buckstone. ,
,
THIS EVENING, THE BROKEN-HEARTED CLUB. Mr.
Gordon, Mr. Braid, Mrs. Chippendale, &e.
To be followed by A WIFE WELL WON. Messrs. Sothern,
Bue,kstone, Howe, Kendal, Rogers, Braid, Weathersby, &c., and
Ito blnson.
After which, AN UTTER PERVERSION OF THE
BRIGAND. Messrs, Compton, Kendal, Rogers, Clark, Braid,
Weathersby, Johnson, &e.; Mesdames Burke, Wright, Dalton, i
&c.

THEATRE-ROYAL, TIA.YMARKET.-MR.
GEORGE TURPIN, Box Book-keeper, begs most respect-
fnlly to announce that his ANNUAL BENEFIT' will take place
01 WEDN ESDAY, 19th February, 1368, on which occasion will
be performed the Comedy of DAVID GARRICK! With (by
desire) BOX. AND COX! And other Entertainments!

rai lIEATRE ROYAL, Al)ELPIII.
Sole Proprietor and Manager
rs , Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Directress, M. Alfred Mellon.
THIS EVENING, UP FOR THE CATTLE SHOW.
After which, at 8, NO THOROUGHFARE. Mr. Fechter (his
43rd appearance here), Mr. Billington, Mr. H. Neville, Mr. It.
Phillips, Mr. CI. Belmoro, Mr. C. J. Smith,.land Mr. Beni :Min
Wobster; Mies Carlotta Leclercq (her 43rd appearance), Mrs.
Alfred Mellon, Mrs. Billingtmomn,
ence at 7 Lewis, etc.
Co

0Y A L PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
9-1 A) Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining.
THIS EVENING, a Grand Combination of Two Great
Dr. 11117,5, THE OCTOROON and A MIMI NA POGUE. Mr.
and Mrs. Dion Boucicault
Lee Clarke, Mr. Vining; Messrs.
Dominick Murray, Dan son, G. F. Neville, J. G. Shore, Mac-
lean, 11. Forrester; 'Mesdames Henrietta Simms, E. Barnett
Eiv;lael Sanger; K. Stafford, and Addie.
Scenery by Mr. Telbiu, Mr. F. Lloyds, and assistants.
Doors open at half-past 6, commence at 7.

COUNTER CLOTHS FOR LICENCED
VIC.

• -_
THE only article really suitable for that purpose,
ss. 6d. per dozen, hemmed, ready for use. Address
105, Fleet-street, and 5, The Pavement, Clapham.

GLASS CLOTHS SUITABLE FOR LICENCED
VICTUALLERS, 7s. 9d. PER DOZEN.
ViTILLINM HOLDICH and CO., No. 105,
V Fleet-street, foot of Ludgate hill ; and No. 5,
The Pavement, Clapham-common.

QUEEN'S THEATRE, Long-acre.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Alfred Wigan.
TILLS EVENING, HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr. John Clayton.
After which will be produced a New and Original Drama,
entitled DEARER THAN LIFE. Michael Garner, Mr. J. L.

Toole.
To conclude with (17th Time) the New and Original Operatic
Extravaganza, by Mr. W. S. Gilbert, called LA VIVANDIERE;
or, TRUE TO THE CORPS. The Scenery by Messrs. W. and
T. Grieve, Johnson, and Assistants. Messrs. J. L. Toole, L.
Brough, and Sanger; Misses P. Markham, F. Addison, Jordan,
illontgomery, Heath, Sylvia, h. Everard, and H. Hodson.
Doors open at Half-past Six, commence at Seven. Acting
ganger, Mr. W. H. Liston.
Box-onlce open daily from Ten till Four.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough.
TH ES EVENING, at 7, OLD SALT: Messrs. Emery, James,
and Belford; Mesdames N. Moore and Gwynne.
After which will be produced a Grand Christmas Operatic
Oriental Extravag,anza. " THE CALIPH OF 13 DAGAII." Messrs.
Thorne, James, Turner, Murray; Mesdames A. Swanborough,
Johnstone, Harland, Holt. ewton, &c.
To conclude with COAL AND COKE. Mr. F. Robson, &c.

HOLBORN THEATRE ROYAL.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Sefton Parry.
THIS EVENING, at Seven, THE FLYING SCUD. Messrs.
Atkins, Price, Garden, Arthur, Westland, Wilmott; Mesdames
Henrade, Goodall, Lennox, and C. Saunders.
After which, the Grand Comic Pantomime of VALENTINE
AND ORSON; or, Harlequin the Big Bear and the Little Fairy.
Mesdames Saunders, Goodall, White; Messrs. Garden, Odell,
Arthur; Mdlle. Montero, Miss Ellis, Lupino, Green, and the
Great Little Rowella.

rFABLE CLOTIIS, in every \Vidth and Length,
expressly for Licence(' Victuallers. Damask Napkins
(or Tray Cloths, Drills for Bar Ap,ons and Towellings of
'very description. Patterns gratis and post free.

CARDIGAN JACKETS made expressly for Bar
k...) use, Warm and Elastic, from ss. 6d. each, for
Ladies' and Gentlemen's use. WILLIAM HOLDICII
and Co., LICENSED VICTUALLERS' DRAPERS, 105, Fleet-
street, City, and No. 5, The Pavement, Clapham-common.

WILLIAM lIOLDICII and CO., LICENSED
VICTUALLERS' DRAPERS, Established. 1812, at 105,
Fleet-street, City; Southern Branch—No. 5, The Pave-
ment, Clapham-common. Patterns gratis and post free,
with Price List,

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
New Management.
Sole Lessee, Mr. B. Webster; Manager, Mr. H. Wigan.
THIS EVENING, HEN AND CHICKENS: Messrs. Ashley,
Stephenson, and O. Vincent; Mesdames L. Moore and Stirling.
After which, A FOND PARENT; or, One Too Many for Him.
Messrs. Ashley and C. Mathews; Mesdames Caulfield and E.
Farren.
To be followed by IF I HAD A THOUSAND A YEAR.
To conclude with BETTY MARTIN : Mr. Geo. Vincent and
Miss E. Farren.
Commence at Seven.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GUARDIAN
C 1 R. GLENIE, of the Sporting ilibrary,
• 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park, London, W., begs to
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or country.
G. R. G. begs to inform the Trade that he is Agent for the
LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN," and can supply it earlier
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zines, and Periodicals as soon as published. Agent for the Joint-
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S i rand.

EIMOSES and SON (the Originators of the
. Ready Made Clothing System) beg to remind the public
that in every departmont of their business a large and varied
STOCK is constantly maintained, find excellence and Cheapness
are combined in a degree hitherto unequalled. The articles corn
prising their stock are too multifarious to be enumerated in an
advc,ytisement, but a list of distinct departments is subjoined:—
READY MADE CLOTHING FOR ADULTS.

READY MADE CLOTHING FOR JUVENILES.

READY MADE CLOTHING for SAILORS and MECHANICS..

CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER.

IIOBIERY AND DRAPERY.

MANn ES, SIIN.NYL,& LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING

HATS AND

BOOTS AND SHOES.

OUTFITS for SEA or SHORE,
List t,f prices, with rules for self-measurement and patterns,
forwarded gratis and post free.
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till 11 o'clock.
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SUN:-
151, MiNORIES
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A 1, I)CiATE.
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:=,;, A I,DGAT .
!.1);3.1.T
A 1. t
;A.
\ti PoII.D rEEET.
fpX
Flii:1)-'.,TitLET.
1, ILA ItT-S LitEET.
2, fiAll r-s
1J VRE Er.
117, ToT FEN H AM-C. RT-ROAD
TOT rE HA 31-COURT-ROAD.
ELTSToN-itOA D.

Country Branch:
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SPECIAL NOTICE.

In cowcquence of frequentniarep;;entations, E. MOSES and

f..... 1.71 it Ile.7,:tlSary to stat 9 that they as not empiov any tra-
vellen. or agenth and that their only Establialgaents are the
abo se-mentioned.