The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-07 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

MADAME RACHEL.—A fiat has been granted by the
.outgoing Attorney-General for a writ of error in the case
of Madame Rachel. The points relied upon in its support
consist chiefly of objections to the jurisdiction of the court
which tried and sentenced the prisoner, and to the corn-
retency of Mr. Commissioner Kerr to sit as a judge at the
Old Bailey since the reconstruction of the City of London
Court. The case will be argued in the Court of Queen's
Bench in the course of next term.
IMPRISONING A LUNATIC.—The lengthened action oa
Johnstone v. Cotham, in which one clergyman sued
another for £5,000 damages for assault and imprisonment,
was brought to a close on Saturday. Chief Justice
Cockburn summed up at some length, and the jury, after
a deliberation of nearly an hour, found for the defendant.
AN OLD TRAGEDY.--After the lapse of more than
eight years the memory of the Stepney murder is revived.
The Master of the Rolls is now called upon to decide who
was the heir-at-law and next-of-kin of the unfortunate
Mrs. Emsley, who left no will. The question is whether
the intestate was the daughter of a man named Spencer,
or of one Samuel Williams. The case was opened in the
Rolls Court on Saturday afternoon.
BRISTOL ELECTION OUTRAGES.—A solicitor in respect-
able practice at Clifton has been committed for trial fox
engaging itithe late Bristol riot.
A Fxx.—A laughable mischance happened the other
D'ght to a thief in the prosecution of his unlawful calling.
William Brown, aged 30, was charged on. Saturday
at the Thames Police•court with breaking into the
New Baptist Tabernacle on Stepney Green, with
intent to commit a felony. Several adults had been
baptised on the previous evening in a large cistern
beneath the level of the floor, which had not been covered
up after the ceremony. The prisoner in the course of his
search for plunder fell into the water, and appears to have
extricated himself with difficulty. In the vestry, how-
ever, he found a bottle of port, which no doubt was accept-
able after his bath, but taking too much he was found the
next morning in a state of helpless intoxication on the
floor. Prisoner was remanded.

The Lord Chancellor has delivered judgment
in the case of " Coles v. Bristowe." The question raised
was very similar to that coLtained in the case of " Grissell
♦. Bristowe," in which the Exchequer Chamber delivered
judgment the other day, and the decision was the saml.

CHANOES IN THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.--
Jrreat changes are in contemplation, says the Athencetim,
in regard to the Ordnance Select Committee and the
manufacturing departments at Woolwich. It is proposed
to abolish the former altogether, and place the latter
under one head, who will be at the same time
Director-General of Ordnance and Commandant of
the Arsenal, where, as well as at the War Depart-
ment, he will have an office; An assistant director-
general and a deputy-assistant will take the place of the
present Assistant Director of Ordnance, and Secretary of
the Select Committee. Two assistant directors will be on
the establishment at Woolwich, and two of the members
of the late Ordnance Select Committee and one associate
member will be associated to the Ordnance Department of
the War Office. It is supposed that there will be increased
economy and efficiency ; but the Ordnance Select Com.
guittee has done a great deal of very honest work.