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 Board 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-
livsuce, on the part of those who3e 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 are justified in
meeting their subscribers' Hants at their own convu-
nieuce I

SHERIFFS' COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

(BAoze Mr. Under• Sheriff BURCHELL.)
JARVIS V. UNDERWOOD. '

This was an action to recove:. damages done to a boat
belonging to plaintiff. Defendant sulfured judgment to
go by default.
. It appaared by the evidence that defendant bad 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. ls.
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. Bs. as a set-off for rates and income-tax, and
121. 12s. for 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, not
be a bar to an action in the county court. _ _

Th• Learned UNDER-SHERIFF said there could be no
doubt thit evidence could be given 'of the set-off, and
by giving notice the record could bP put in. It would
be better to give defendant credit for the amount, a'-
though he had not pleaded it.
A verdict was given for 00/.
The other oases were on bins o' exchange uantende d

SURREY SESsIOINS,—(THIS DAY.)
(Before THOMAS PUCKLE, Eq., and a full Bench of

Magistrate 3.)
George Clark, for steal g a ham from the shop of
Mary Hawkins, chuesetnongfr, High-stree% Southwark,
was sentenced to four months',hard labour at Brixton.

Cluulotte Foley, a resreJtable looking middle-aged
female, was indtete I fur stealing two hat -erowns and
other moneys, from the person of Ann James.
Prosecutrix stated that on the evening of the 23d ult.
she entered a butcher's shop in Lambeth-walk, for the
purpose t. f purchasing some meat. While she was look-
ing at some beet; the prisoner put her hand in her pucker,
and on turning round she missed her money. She im-
mediately taxed the prisoner with the robbery; but she
stoutly denied it, and asserted that she had no money
about her. A policeman was called in. when tho mon..y
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 aff.-cted at her situa-
tion, stated in defence thait she did not .t-al the money.
The fact was, she picked it up and off-red to return it
to the prosecutrix, when the policeman came in and lock
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. Fie
should therefore sentence her to the mitigated punish-
ment of four monthi at Brixton.

BOW-STREET.--(THIS DAY.)
Two gentlemen, who described themselves as Charles
William Clifton and Julius Rae Aubriet' were charged
with creating a disturbance in .the dress ciree of the
Lyceum Theatre.
Police Sergeant, A 11, stated that last night he was
on duty at the theatre, an 3 about 9 o'clock he heard a
cry in the dress circle of Turn him out." lie went up
into the boxes and there found the two defendants
creating a disturbance in the lobby. They were 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 ast ertain the cauee of the
di4ute, but neither of the defendants would pay any
attention to him, and he 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 ono 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
6 What business is it to you, you d—d fools?" Eventualiy
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 pot persons into a box
where there is not sufficient room for them unless they
take the vacant front seats? Witness—There wete
places for you.
Mr. HALL—Do you put people into a box under the
notion that there is no accommodation for them? 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 tho defendants by hearing Mr. Clifton ex-
claim, " 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 imine-
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, in which
the terms h and b— were of frequent occurrence.
Mr. Aubriet did not interfere further than to remaik
that his friend should not be turned out.
The Hon. Basil Wilson, who was in the same box
with the defendants, corroborated the statement of Mr.
Clay, and said the conduct of Mr. Clifton was teost to - .
justifiable, and language most filthy anti abusive.
There were ladies in the box with them.

Mr. Clifcon, in answer to the charge, stated that about
nine o'clock he and his friend presented themselves
the pay-box of the theatre, and tmule:ed money for the
upper circle. They were told that there was no room in
the upper boxes, but there were plenty of sea's in the
dress circle, and upon this representation they paid for
the dress circle. When they got into the theatre there
was no r,:om in the back of the box, but there were
vacant seats in front, and his friend got intl one of them,
when the box-keeper celled 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
disorderly."

Mr. Aubriet said the real cause of the dispute was the
disgusting system-of demanding fees for seats, of parties
after they had paid their money for admission into the
theatre; bat he denied that he had behaved in any other
manner then 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 stirprised 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 be 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.

MARLBRO'-STREET—(THIS DAY.)
. ,
NOVEL SYSTEM OF ROBBERY. - Ellen Clifford' 9
middle-aged woman, was brought before Mr. Bingham'
charged with robbing several children of their cloak?,
under the following circumstances:—
Mrs. Jefferies, the wife of a tradesman residing 19
Carbinton-street, deposed that on Monday morning hart
about 12'o'clock, she dressed her youngest sister and sera
her oat for a walk. At that time the child had on a Plaid
dross and cloak. in about an hour after the childie.'
turned without her cloak, and witness had not'seell iC
since.
Mary Anne Woodgate, an intelligent little girl, eiglif
years of age, sister of the last witness, said, on Monclol
last she was sent out for a walk, dressed in a plaid cloak.
She walked as far as Cieveland-street, when the prisoner
came up to her and said," My dear, your godmother hBB
sent me to tell you that you are to have a to%
clot k, and that she wants the one you have on for
pattern." The prisoner then took off witness's cloak,
and requested her to wait at the corner of ClevelsOP
street until she returned. The prisoner never woes
back, and witness went home and told her sister WWI'
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 pomatutn, and told her to take it to her
mother, and say liar 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 wows°
then snatched the cloak from her shoulders and ran swat
Mrs. White, the wife of a plumber and glazier resid-
ing in Norton-street, said, yesterday afternoon sbe vyat
standing at her door, when she saw the prisoner pia
with the cloak produced in her possession. Having see°
a similar cloak on a neighbour's child, she stopped the
woman and questioned her, and her answers being veil
unsatisfactory, witness gave ber in charge of a police'
constable, who was passing at the time. She had pre'
viously beard 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 woos°
who gave her the pot of pomatum. The cloak was also
identified by the child's sister.
Several other charges having been proved against Jue
prisoner, she was fully committed for trial.

BANK OF ENGLAND-THIS DAY.

MEETING OF DIRECTORS.
A General Court of the Directors of the Goverpor
and Company of the Bank of England was held in the
court-house of the Bink of England this day, at twelve
o'clock, for the purpose of considering a dividend.
J. W. PRESCOTT, Esq., the Governor of the Bank, Oc.
cupitd the chair.

Ur. 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 3} per cent. by the sum of 16,1061., end
that the amount of rest on which the dividend
was to be taken was 3,583,4341. Now, a diffi'
dend of 4 per cent. without any deduction
on account cf income tax would require a sum 01
582,1221., which, deducted from the rest, would le*"
3,001,3121., or a shade above 3,000,0001., which the
Court had decided the Bank should hold in the way of
rest. -- (Cheers.) Under those circumstances, the
Directors thought themselves warranted in recommend'
ing to the Court to declare a dividend on the preseat
occasion of 4 per cent. —(Applause.) He, therefore,
begged leave to move that the Coutt should order *
dividend to be made of 4 per cent. on the capital stook
( f the Corporation of the Bank of England, without any
deduction on account of income-tax.
Mr. DE WINTON felt great pleasure in seconding tel
proposition, which he thought would go far to p eserVe
the harmony which already subsisted lot tweiai the
Dt.ectors mid the Proprietors. If they loolteCULthe
st.to of their affairs for this—Ma-Year eud-
ng September last, they would find the ex-
cess in the banking department was about an eve'
ra=m of 10,000 0001. ; but since that time there bad
been no le;s than 12,000,0001. of unemployed capital in
th.tr hands, From his experience as a banker for,
50 years, no thought of that 12,000,0001. the sum
6,0001. might have been legitimately used for deposit in
tho Bank, which was quite sufficient to cover all the
demands of the Bank of England ; and. according 10
the custom of bankers, in keeping one- thied of the de'
posits in their hands, that would have increased the
amount to 18.000,0001. Under those circumstances, 11
submitted that a profit should have tent made of the:
6,000,0001. which was in the hands of the Bank. If
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. 60
their dividend. In September they had 20,000,001
sterling in the Issue Department, and they hs,
now got as much as 70,000.0001. sterling in that depart'
meat Under the Act of 1844 they had the privilege 0f
issuing 11,000,0001. sterling of the debt owing to tee
Bank by the Government, and 3,000,000/. on the sect':
rides t.f the Bank. But as the whole of the issue papet
of the Bank amounted to 90.000,000!, it consequengli
followed that they had only as ailed themselves of.thq •
privilege to the extent of 2,000,0001. during the last be'
year. Under these circumstances he thought the Dire'
tors ought to have been more liberal in carrying 011
their discounting business. He disapproved of submit'
ting ► every individual to the pressnt ordeal who weal
to borrow money on discount at the Bank • .an
he thought a sufficient guarant, e would be obtained
requiring from such a person a reference to a respeWn
able banker. He should also strongly recommend the
advance of money on promissory notes to a limited es:,
tett with two good names, and with one good name aDA
the deposit of title deeds. He would also' recommend
the advance of money to &ties, counties, and boroughs
for the purpose of building gaols, lock-up houses,
lunatic asylums, or for sanitary purposes, on terminable
annuities payable in thirty years, with ieterest irons
3/. to 4/. per cent. He thought that it would be a ease, pro'
fitable mode of investment if carried to a limited extent'
Tney might cli pend upon it that Consols would soon he
at par, and if he might be allowed to make a suggettion
he would say that, it the Government were to reduell th 4
Three-and-a- flaif per Cent. Consols to two-and-a-him
per cent., the country would effect a saving of Ore.
millions a year, which he thought might be applied 1:
'he reduction of the na Tonal debt. lie concluded by
seconding the resolution which had been moved by 010
Chairman.

Mr. FIELDER observed, a great deal bad been said re'
spectlng the repairs and alterations which had been ge;
ing on at the Bank, especially the defensive wall, whiff;
he considered a very excellent piece of workmaesherf
and he was desirous of knowing wheeber they bad bee°
paid for, and, if so, whether the cost was included in tke
statement which had been read?
The Govxnwon replied that the whole works had bet!°
paid for more than te elve months ago, and that the bow
was included in the half-yearly accounts.
Mr. FIELDER said there had been a great deal of talk
,
about the C ditornien gold dust which bad been bough'
to the Bank, but the reason he asked these questions
-
to ahcertsin something about the brickdust.—llear.) "'
wished to know, further, whether the works were 1171'
going on to any great extent, and what they propose
to do with the additional buildings when erected?
The GOVERNOR replied that the works were draw(
ing rapidly towards completion, and that the additiooll
premises were considered necessary for cenducting the
business of the Bank. Another reason for the alte:se;
tions was that the timbers of a portion cf the premised
in a state of decay and required extensive repan
Mr. FIELDER asked further whether the Court eve
Directors anticipate) any farther alterations of
building beyond those of common reparation?
The GOVELOR said he had no reason to think at Prea
sent that any additional alterations would be required.
Mr. FIELDER—Then I do hope that you wtll c\°ll'.
tinue to give us a dividend at four per cent.—(lltar'i
Lt reply to Mr. DE WINTON, A I.ol'
The GOVERNOR said the Court of Directors had ,„:
lowed the course cf thole who preceded them. 111;i0
including the Bank premises in the accounts, and 0
could not see that any advantage would be derived by.osn
including them. In answer also to another Ves"
a
from the same proprietor, he said no particular rule w,
ac:opted with respect to unclaimed dividends. The en'Y
answer he could give was, that the sum was very, trifiing,,,
and that it had been made to form part of the funds 01
the Bank, and was employed for the benefit of the pro-
prietors.
Mr. Alderman SALCMONS rose to make a few observe:,
lions. Ile said it was evident by the fact of the "rest
being kept at three millions, and not being allowed to
enabledccum ii attoe
wb eoyt
tocntdh
et heas
tta
hs
proprietors; and notwithstanding the low rate of interest
with the
hdel rheeefit
to r st wtehr ee_
accumulate 30,000/. beyond what was required for theg.
during the last year, the directors had been enabled t
luimshenlhenatt
ar, and I 6.0001. this half-year. Such being the case,
usual dividend of 31 per cent.—viz, 14,000/. last hell
they were going to receive the tenefits of their fortis;
into position by au increased dividend this day, at th
rate of 41. fee cent. Ile trusted, therefore, that tbe
arrangement which It come to this time last year, n?,!
to divide a further amount by breaking into the " to
of three millions, would not be upset.—(Hear.)
thought it should now be understood that the sum or
three millions was to be a permanent " rest," and ths!
no discussion respecting its alteration should be allowed
to come on without a proper notice of motion.—(Pear.)
He was the more inclined to recommend this ono.,

b`-caliee an anonymous advertisement had
.appeared in
titoliewspapers, two t7ays ago, inviting tho propristirs of
• -,"as•k SRtck to giee ti,eir atteudsnef." ft.,r th.
Pur,tose
O. hearing ceit &in propoLitions discust,ed,
49(1 no doubt a discurtsiin would hive taken
Place if • the directors had rittt anticipated the wish
rY the ptirtien by giv:ng an increased
v) He protested against the doe:rine ot. Mr. De
to ton, that the directors ought to farce 044 not.',,
int -0 • ,
Clreuistion. For the last two years the direct,-trs
had -In an?, gt..d the affairs of the Bank in a way t) secure
cite
confidence, not only of the proprietors but of the
Public, but if they gave way to any such att tmpt as that
ejaggest,ff by Mr. 1/,, Winton, he thought is ould pro-
, nett) general dissatisfaction. Ho concluded by thank-
ing the directors fir the dividend which they had
proposed.
• The resolution was then put and carried without the
l'„eghtest 4,ppositsol).
The GOVERNOR announced that, as the present dividend
was higher than an previous one, it was eoined b
the charter of the company tt; t a billot shouldnj be takeny
on its adoi,tiun ; and he should move the adjournment
(I the Court until Tuesday, the 26th instant, at &even,
Walock, f,r the pßrpose of taking a ballot.
kr. DE WINTON, in proposing a vote of thanks to the
• Govttrnor. Doput)-Governor, end Court of Directors,
oiadicatcd hiinte.f from the charge of wishing to force
Inur e."l upon the public. He only desired that the rule
other banking companies should be observed by the
Bank of England, that too large a surplus should not be
Ittained in the 'coffers cf the Bank.
Sir PETER LAURIE seconded the vo`e of thank,. He
inicPed that the Governor and directors would not be in-
-7,ll''rier'd 6y the remarks which had been made by the
,""oourable Proprietor. Ile was sure that the Court of
4J:rectors possessed the 'confidence of the proprietors,
Who would be ready enough to find fault with them when
necessary.
The Court then adjourned until Tuesday, the 26.11
instant: