The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-16 00:00:00

THE MURDER AT FRIMLEY.

1 CONFESSION OF ONE OF THE MURDERERS.
It will be satisfactory to the public to know that
all doubts respecting the dreadful crime at Frimley
are now completely cleared up by the confession of
one of the guilty persons. Although very little moral
doubt existed that the persons now in custody were
in reality the authors of the crime, yet there was
very great difficulty iu procuring the necessary legal
evidence to establish their guilt, and it is possible
that they might have escaped justice if one of them
bad not made a confession. Of the fact there is not
the least doubt, and the following particulars upon
the subject may be relied upon :—lt appears that on
Monday afternoon Hiram Smith, alias Hiram Trower,
one of the four men in custody upon the charge of
murdering Mr. Holiest, expressed a desire to see
Mr. W. Keene, the governor of Guildford Gao),
where he is confined, stating that he had something
of importance to communicate to him. Mr. Keene
accordingly went to his cell, and the prisoner then
expressed a wish to tell him all he knew of the matter.
The governor informed him that he must take
the responsibility of such a proceeding upon himself,
and that be could not hold out the least inducement
for him to do so, but if he persisted be was at liberty
to make any statement be thought proper. The pri-
soner then made a statement, which was taken donn
in writing by Mr. Keene, of all the circumstances
connected with the dreadful affair, stating that the
burglary was planned by himself and the other three
now in custody, and that the fatal shot was fired by
Levi Harwood. He ako states, that after the murder
the prisoners all came to Kingston together, and Har-
wood went to London to dispose of the stolen pro-
perty, and when he came back gave him 7s. 6d. as
his share. The prisoner entered minutely into the
details of the outrage, but stated that the pistol was
only intended to terrify the inmates of the house into
submission, and that there was no intention originally
to commit any violence. It appears from inquiries
that have since been set on foot that the statement of
the accomplice can be confirmed in many material
points by independent testimony, and if this should be
correct the case will be complete. The prisoners are
to undergo another examination on Friday, and they
will then, in all probability, be fully committed for
trial.

BURGLARY AT MR. HOLFORD'S.
Yesterday morning information was transmitted
from Scotland-yard to the station-house at the rear
of this court of the circumstances attending the bur-
glary at Holford -house, Regent's-park, and the ap-
prehension of one of the burglars. The fact of one
of the burglars being supposed to be dangerously
wounded, owing to the traces of blood being found on
the ground over which he walked or was carried, and
1 the circumstance of a hat being found perforated
I with shot, and blood upon the inside, supposed to be-
long to the wounded man, were also mentioned. The
Commissioners of Police, with a view to the discovery
and apprehension of the man alluded to, have issued
directions that particular inquiries should be immedi-
ately instituted at this side of the water, in order to
ascertain if application for admission to either of the
Borough hospitals had been made by any person suf.-
fering from gunshot wounds, and suspected of being
concerned in the late burglary in the Regent's-park.
Agreeably to these directions policeman Squires, of
the N division, was dispatched in the course of
yesterday to make the necessary inquiries, and
upon visiting St. Thomas's Hospital he ascer-
tained that a man named Bryant had presented
himself there that morning, and exhibited
gunshot wounds in one arm and the back part of
one of his thighs. Upon examination of his condition
he was immediately admitted ; and when questioned
by Squires as to the circumstances attending his
having been wounded his answers were of a nature to
excite suspicion, for he asserted that he was wounded
at a place called East Peckham in Kent, and that it
was at a beershop where be and four other men
" kicked up a row" in the house ; and that the pot-
boy armed himself with a pistol, and shot him in the
arm and thigh. In answer to the question as to where
he lived, he said that it was at No. 13, George-yard,
Whitechapel ; and afterwards, as to the reason he did
not give his assailant into custody, he gave an evasive
answer. Altogether, there is so much suspicion at-
tached to the man that it is considered necessary to
watch him in order that he should not leave the in-
stitution before proper inquiries are made with a view
to discover whether he might not be one of the
burglars either concerned in breaking into Hol-
ford-house, or in the Frimley murder, it being
known that the late Mr. Holiest discharged a gun
at his murderers as they crossed the lawn in
front of his residence. Tte driver of a cab has
also come forward and described, that on the morn-
ing that Holford-house was broken into, between the
hours of 2 and 3 o'clock, while on the rank in Al-
-1 hany-street, Regent's-park, he was engaged by a
man without a hat, and bleeding from a wound in the
head. The man appeared to be weak, and on getting
into the vehicle be desired to be driven to the Strand,
lon reaching which he alighted near Wellington-
street, and walked away. Since then no tidings have
been heard of the man, and the police have received
instruction to trace, if possible, whether he was ob-
served by the toll collectors on the 'Waterloo or Ilun-
gerford-bridges, to have passed over either of them in
the course of the morning in question. During the
examination of the man already in custody at the
Marylebone Police-court, two women were observed
to exhibit much anxiety about the result, and as it
was suspected that they were friends and acquaint-
ances of the accused, they were watched from Mary-
lebone-lane over to the Surrey side of the water, to a
house in Market street, leading into the Borough-
road, which locality is frequented by characters of
the worst description. It is strongly suspected that
the burglars live in this neighbourhood, and the
police are on the alert to discover those at large.

SMITHFIELD MARKET.
Well, the Corporation of London has not been
frightened into hysterics by the thousand-and-one
paragraphs that have appeared in the newspapers, de-
scribing Smithfield Market as a "nuisance' In
spite of the opposition of the daily press, the Islington
Market clique, and sundry interested Members of
Parliament, it would appear that, instead of the
market being about to be abandoned, and a more con-
venient site chosen by the Corporation, it will, in all
probability be considerably enlarged and improved.
It is now proposed that it shall occupy a locality in-
habited by the worst characters that exist in London,
and where the most filthy and disgusting trades,
which ought to be pursued at a distance from the
City, are carried on, to the great detriment of health.
It is notorious to all persons but those who are wil-
fully blind, that a better spot could not be found for
the market. Considerably above the level of the
Thames, ample drainage is thereby secured ; and the
best possible proof of this is, that when the sold and
unsold stock is driven from the pens, in an hour or
two afterwards, the whole space presents an area of
cleanliness which would put to shame some of
our fashionable districts, where the want of sewers is
notorious. Some of the sticklers for Islington Market
have endeavoured to show that the health of the in-
habitants is affected by the exhalations from animal
dung impregnating the air with poison. The best
medical testimony is opposed to this view, and goes to
show that there is not a more healthy spot in the
metropolis. We come then to the nuisance direct.
It is urged that, as oxen and sheep are driven through
the streets of the City at noon-day, the lives of per-
sons are endangered. We should like to have an in-
stance of a fatal accident from this cause pointed out
to us. Formerly it was the practice to get up a bul-
lock hunt on Mondays, and drovers, idle boys, and
great hulking fellows would join in the amusement ;
but since the former have become licensed men, and
the police the real preservers of the public peace,
these scenes have vanished. A stray ox or sheep
may be seen occasionally to obstruct an omnibus, or
take it into its head to ease its feet by walking on the
pavement, but, beyond this, no one can complain
of a nuisance ; and the same thing would occur if
the market were held anywhere else, and perhaps
to a greater extent. Taking this view of the sub-
ject, the Corporation, almost without a dissentient
voice, have agreed to apply to Parliament for a Bill
to enable them to enlarge the market, to the extent
of at least twelve acres. The plan has been pre-
pared by Mr. Bunning, the City architect, and
looking at it on paper, we confess that it appears to us
calculated to set the question at rest. Mr. Bunning
proposes to extend the market to Cow-cross and Vic-
toria-street, now a site of almost barren ground, and
to clear away Sharp's-alley, West. street, and other
real nuisances. He also proposes to erect a commo-
dious Dead-meat Market, and render such other ac-
commodation as must relieve Newgate and other
markets, now carried on in densely-populated neigh-
bourhoods. A large expenditure of money is neces-
sary to complete the scheme; but when we look at
the neighbourhood that will be disturbed, and take
into account the great benefit the working classes will
derive in being able to get meat at a cheaper rate, and
the facility afforded to country butchers for transact
ing business, we think the Corporation are justified in
their endeavour to uphold a market that must ado
greatly to the commerce of the City. We feel morally
assured that when Parliament shall inspect Mr.
Bunning's admirable plan, and listen to explanation!
on the subject, that it will not resist the application
of the Corporation, but grant a Bill, and thus set the
I vexed question at rest.— Weekly Dispatch.

A PUFF As Is A Purr.—A correspondent. of the
lkrew York Courier and Enquirer writes an account of a new
iron safe which was exposed to a heat that completely de-
stroyed its competitor, and from which was taken, after the
trial, a live rooster and a lump of stamped butter. The
butter was harder thin when it was put in, the stamp re-
maining perfect, and the rooster came out alive and well,
only suffering from the cold, and almost frozen by the cold-
ness of the temperature to which he had been exposed.—
Boston Iliad.

October 15, 1850.

COURT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, OCT. 15. W4cit'cl SM.:4I
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness walked early
this morning in OThorne Park and grounds.
The Prince of Wales and the younger members of
the Royal Family, walked and rode as usual.
There was no addition yesterd?y to the Royal dinner
party.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge,
the Princess Mary, and the Hereditary Grand
Duchess of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, arrived at Kew
on Monday evening, from Plasnewydd, Anglesey.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial.
office from the Governor of West Australia.

HUMAN LIFE.
Doubts end fears, a dismal throng,
Hopes that falter on the tongue,
Joys that live but in the eye,
Love whose language is a sigh,
Reckless mirth and ghastly madness,
Laughter meant to cover sadness,
Pains that rend the heart asunder,
smiles above and hatred under,
Weeping, curses, hunger, cold,
Diseases blasting young and old,
Folly, pride, revenge, despair,
Weakness agonized with fear.
Fut men's blood and brethren's strife—
Read and mourn, 'Lis HUNAN LIFE.

Hopes that glorify the earth,
Feeling of immortal birth,
Love that conquers pain and fear,
Homebred joys and friendships dear,
I3allowed memories of the past,
Thoughts that will the stars outlast,
Peace which is of conscience born,
Fancy rainbowed like the morn,
Lover's rapture, maiden's gladness,
And the bridal's joy-wrouht sadri*s,
Poet's charm and Nature's beauty,
Goodness finding bliss in duty,
Husband, sister, brother, wife—
Read, rejoice, 'tis HUMAN LIFE.
JOHN EDWIN CIIIIRCHIS.

DOVER BREAKWATER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sint,—The da'mage sustained by the works of the
New Breakwater, during the late gale, having been
so grossly exaggerated, I am induced to address you
in order that your readers may form a just concep-
tion of what has really occurred. Being lately amid
the work of destruction, and having rather closely
examined its extent and probabilties, I can with some
degree of confidence refute much of what has ap-
peared before the public, and show a state of matters
far different from what they have been led to believe.
The great work itself, the permanent portion, re-
mains quite safe and untouched by the rough gale,
not a stone having been moved in such an awful
storm ; a portion only of the timber staging has been
swept away, and with it the machinery used in work-
ing the diving-bells and setting the heavy blocks of
stone. The timber has been all, or nearly all, re-
covered from the waste of waters. A portion of the ma-
chinery has been brought ashore not much damaged,
the greater part still remains in deep water,
close to the end of the pier, which will render its re-
covery a matter of ease and certainty so soon as the
timber staging is again erected, which is rapidly in
progress. The repeated estimates of the damage done
which have appeared are not only premature but
grievously erroneous; and if a conjecture might be
formed at the present time it would indicate that it is
just possible that the sum of the damage will scarcely
reach that amount of hundreds which have been so
frequently quoted as thousands ; indeed, we know
that the spirited contractors feel quite at ease on the
subject; if they are disturbed at all it is on account of
the slight interruption to the progress of the works,
and not from the great parade of loss and damage ;
in tact, the same view would be taken by any one at
all acquainted with the extent of the operations, the
difficulty and magnitude of the works, the exposed
position of the breakwater, and the great depth of sea
in which the works are now being carried on. It is
difficult to conceive a frame-work of timber fifty feet
high, of construction sufficiently strong to withstand
the resistless roll of the sea upon the works, in a storm
when the Atlantic rushes into the straits concentrated
and gathered up in its wrath, and with fearful violence
forcing a passage through the narrow neck which
cuts us off from the continent. Yet we have the
great fact that up to the period of this disaster, and
when the works had proceeded at least four-fifths of
the whole extent of 800 feet, there has not been the
slightest interruption, loss, or damage to this
.great
undertaking.

Several correspondents, not content with drawing a
very high coloured picture, begin to condemn the
works. One has the conceit to tel► us, in your journal
of the 10th inst., that, "If the masonry had been
completed a greater distance out to sea, that it would
have given way and mode a break through the fifty
feet in width structure." Surely this gentleman has
never seen the structure, or, if he has, he can form
but a poor opinion indeed of the strength of the work.
The masonry as it rises above high water is as stable
as the Isle of Wight, and when once completed will
defy the most ruthless waves of this tempestous coast,
no better proof of which need be adduced than that
it withstood the late gale in an open, unfinished, un-
prepared,' and defenceless state.
Your correspondent, whilst admitting that the
works, so far as they have gone, have had a very good
effect upon the harbour, is contradictory enough to
assert that the sea rolls in heavier into the eastern
side of the old pier. How a pier jutting out upwards
of 600 feet from the shore to windward should cause a
greater roll of the sea in its lee is too absurd to re-
quire any refutation.

He next astonishes us by stating thii the new pier
has had the bad effect of making the bay shallow.
This exceeds any of his previous malversations. In
The Sun of May 22, 1849, I had the honour of having
inserted a demonstration on the principles and causes
continually in operation on the south coast of Eng-
land, at which time I clearly laid down the fixed law,
that let any barrier be erected seaward, that the on-
ward progress of shingle and silt from east to west
is immediately arrested. The remarks I then made
on this subject have been fully confirmed by the ex-
perience of the last sixteen months; and so notorious
is this fact, that we know it to be in contemplation
to remove the harbour sluices, which have been ren-
dered quite unnecessary through the shingle and silt
being intercepted by the extension of the new works.
The statement that " the new work may cause the
whole of the intended harbour of refuge of 700 acres
to fill up," is a happy conclusion to the article
in question, and at once establishes the aim and object
of the writer. Let me, however, tell him that it is
ridiculous to indulge in a strain of prophecy
—it is really too much to compare that vast work
with " the cob at Lyme Regis." I would repeat
what I have said aforetime, that I have stood upon
the works and conversed on the progress, the success,
and the ultimate advantage to be dt.rived therefrom,
with men great by birth, men great by talent, and
men combining the two great attributes of humanity.
It will, then, at least be conceded, that I speak not
unadvisedly; and when the Duke of Wellington but
yesterday walked along , the gigantic work he ex-
pressed a lively satisfaction that no damage was done
to the permanent work, I may be allowed to conclude
by stating, in the most distinct terms,
.that nothing
whatever of any consequence has arisen from the late
gale, or any other cause, to impede, delay, or endanger
the early completion of this, the greatest and most
successful marine work of modern times.
I am, Sir, &c., ALPHA.
London, Oct. 15, 1850.

ENGLAND ALARMED.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—The recent exhibition at Cherbourg appears to
have excited in the minds of our countrymen alarm as to
the unguarded state of England, looking, as some do,
to a future event—that of our neighbours resorting
to the expedient of making war upon us to restore
harmony among themselves.
Without offering any opinion as to the disposition,
friendly or hostile as may be, on the Fitt of the
French towards ourse'tves, an invasion of outolores,
if not an impossibility, can, at least, be rendered a
feat so difficult, and so imminently dangerous to in-
vaders, that unless our neighbours quite lose their
wits we shall be spared the attempt of such a visita-
tion, and in defence of our homes, the necessity of
committing dreadful carnage.
There is a mode of warfare known of which we can
avail ourselves—a means of destruction not less effi-
cacious than it is simple and safe in application, that
can with little instruction be speedily brought into
operation, and which would, in truth, make sad havoc
of an invading expedition. The "ditch" separating us
from France is of ample width for the full develop-
ment of its powers—under an ordinary share of
vigilance, prepared as we should be, if a fleet, con-
veying troops, consisting of steam transports, ships of
the line, and huge war steamers, leave the harbours
of France upon a hostile visit to our shores, swim
back again to port, it would be by a generous and
humane forbearance on our part.
It is
sinceve been
e en muchte
kteonbfer lm tta niel
en te
exhibition,h a t
in
a hint
th he assu not
m
long
sum-
mer of 1844, off Brighton, where a resuscitation, in
appliances,
form,at a ofr
period
d torpedowhen mode
veryo f
alteredwarfare
statevwe•flrsy oiimproved
manifested,pro ed
inducing great changes
trivances would be perfected,
navigation, together with chemicalh.,.
in maritime war operations.
might reasonably ead us to an aTphperesoeonn..eror,ri therefore,that con
this r isnves
tigtunreservedlyiondivestinga d openly it o
brought ucuredey
and under
mystery! and the sooner we model our ideas to
nt is matter
the searchingchangesutte investigation,
in naval matters incident to the march of
invention of the day, the better shall we consult the
interests of England.—l remain, Sir, &c.,