The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-16 00:00:00

THE SITV,'I,OIVDON, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 16, 1844;

LITERATURE.

TRELAonSfmaRnY,
LOonFdoHn,IISBT44O.I? Y
The author, or rather compiler, of this work is Mr.
Maunder, already favourably known to the public by
his " Literary and Scientific Treasury," which con-
tained a prodigious mass of the most various infor-
mation packed up in the smallest possible compass.
In the comprehensive volume before us, he exhibits
the same scrupulous regard to sententious bre-
vity, and gives us a well-arranged digest of
the history, from the earliest authentic records,
of every country in the world. These histo-
rical digests must have cost a world of time and
trouble, which, however, will not have been uselessly
expended, for the volume is one that can scarcely fail
to be well received by the public, being clearly and in
the majority of cases, impartially written, and omitting
no one fact of importance. The History of England, as
might be expected, is the longest and most circum-
stantial in its details ; and we have been pleased with
the uniform tone of moderation that pervades it, and
the singular succinctness and simplicity of its style.

THE ISLANDS ON THE EASTERN
COAST OF AFRICA.
TO THE EDITOR OF, THE SUN.
SlR,—The interest that has lately been excited by
what has been termed " French Aggressions in the
South Seas" will perhaps be sufficient to induce at-
tention to the following statement, having reference
to a quarter of the world somewhat distant, but not
less important, than the scene of those transactions,
and allied in character with them as well from their
nature as the circumstance of their having been
partially noticed in some of the articles of in-
telligence which have appeared in your paper.
It is known pretty generally that the semi-bar-
barous nations of Madagascar, the Comoro Isles, Mo-
zambique, and the whole of the eastern coast of Africa
extending from Port Natal to the Straits of Bab-el-
Mandeb, are gradually • springing into life and in•
creasingly becoming the objects of the observation
and commerce of the civilised nations whose ships
and trade approach the neighbourhood. In this state
the progress of those countries is affected both in
kind and degree by the nature of the traffic and in-
tercourse they have with superior nations. It there-
fore becomes a matter of no mean consideration, in a
moral, political, and commercial aspect, that the in-
fluence of Britain should be such as shall sustain her
character and uphold the strength of her power. We
have had our eyes fixed for some time on the opera-
tions of French agents in different parts of the
word, pursuing with avidity the occasions of aggran-
disement that time and circumstances have placed
within their reach, either with the view to the exten-
sion of territorial dominion, or the increase of poli-
tical and commercial advantages for France. It• is
regarded by many as the mere unauthorised acts of
individuals, without the sanction or support of their
respective overnments ; but, although to some small
extent this may be the case, as respects the precise
mode of action, it cannot be well admitted or con-
ceived that these proceedings are the spontaneous and
unaided suggestions of the navy officers who become
the operators in the affairs.
Whether this be worthy of consideration or not, the
present position of Britain demands that in every part
of the globe, where ,her rivals are to be found, she'should
give unequivocal demonstration of determination
to preserve that position in the eyes of the world, and
secure, in the ever-varying and multiplying transac-
tions of distant regions, the rights and advantages her
commerce demands and deserves. And it is beyond
question that, although the principal motive should
arise from internal and independent considerations,
the rivalry in -which she now stands, with the
other - European nations, - and also with the
Western 'Continent, should prompt us to pursue with
spirit and aracrity the opportunities
of defending
and advancing our political and commercial interests
in parts of the •world where they are, with. ourselves,
desirous of partaking- the benefits resulting 'from the
progress of civilisation and the, increasing intercourse
of nations. TheSe remarks are intended to apply to
the locality first adverted to, namely, the eastern
coast of Africa, the Comoro, and other small islands
of the Mozambique• Channel, Madagascar, &c. ; and to
the facts that have been commuicated to me by letter
froM a gentleman who has lived 'at the island of
Anjoan (exclusive of two visits to'England), seven-
teen years, and who is now on his, way hither,
charged with .an embassy from, the Sultan of that
island,and eossessing the most extensive and unequivocal
Means of information on the subjects connected with
the state of those countries, the position they occupy
to each other, and their feelings towards the great
powers whose ships and people visit them, and pursue
the trade their productions and necessities create.-
From his statement, it appears that, although the
intelligence, that obtained:currency here, a short time
since, that the French had taken possession of a port
of Madaqascar, was, contradicted, they are exceed-
ingly active in extending their power in the whole of
that neighbourhood; and, whether by consent or
against the will of their respective Governments,
succeded in assuming domination over some of
the islands, and in some the direction of
their international affairs. In this condition
the surrounding islands feel the need of a
protecting Power, and regard with regret the ab-
sence of British influence and authority, to check the
advances made on their liberties and rights by other
Powers. Igive you the words in which at one part, he
Speaks of the wishes of the Sultan of Anjouan to culti-
vate the intercourse, and derive 'the improvement to
his country by the civilised arts of European nations:
" One powerful motive - that induces the Sultan of
Anjouan 'to greatly prefer treating with English mer-
chants rather than with French merchants; is, 'that
the French havinf already taken possession, unjustly,
of the neighbouring island of Majotti, appertaining
to the same Government; he now lives in fear that
the French Government, with its present ideas of
aggrandisement, will take possession of Anjouan, a
a thing that would never" be attempted if Englishmen
were interested or located in the place, because the
Sultan would then place himself under the protection
of the British flag." .1 will -not stay further than to
remark that the productions of those countries are
known, to be considerable, and that coffee, an article
of the East, becoming every day more and more im-
portanta source of this country's supply, is capable
of extensive increase.
That the • surrounding interests of Britain—the
Cape colony—Mauritius, and the Indian territories,
the growing connexions with the countries by the
Red Sea, and the friendly and improving dominions
of Muscat, and that the slave-trade carried on, against
which the efforts of British cruisers have been directed,
and to which fact attention has lately been drawn by
the publication of Mr. Pascoe Grentill Hill's pamph-
let of " Fifty days on beard a slave-ship," all encou-
rage the cultivation of a good acquaintance with those
countries. •
As the matter may before long come before you in
a more direct form, I will not prolong this,
But subscribe myself your obedient servant,
S. HAYNES ANGIER.
London, March 12, 1844.

THE KING OF PRUSSIA AND MRS

FRY.

It may arise from his besetting uncharitableness of
heart, but Punch was never in love with the King of
'Prussia. When his Majesty, under the auspices of good
Mrs. Fry, went to Newgate, and when in the female pri-
soners' ward, his
.pious
_Majesty dropped upon his
knees and prayed, We thought the King of
Prussia, as the lawyers say, proved too much.
The humility, if true, was too good to last,
And so it has proved ; for though his Majesty
'veas'sO very good a Chrikian whilst in Newgate, he can,
it appears, play the Nicholas in little on the Prussian
:throne. Sweet and touching is it to contemplate a
mighty potentate of earth down upon his knees, with
Bet Sly, Suke Tagrag, Moll Flashly, and twenty 'other
forlorn birds of Newgate,' "in trouble" for felony and
misdeameanor ; beautiful, indeed, is the humility. ! The
matron wonders, and the turnkeys cry, "Bless us ! what
a pious cretur." The story is read and told at melting tea-
'parties ; and the King of Prussia, Mrs: Fry's pet, is
received into the large and tender bosom of female
philanthropy, He is a king of comfits—a king of
sugar-candy!
.His Majesty returns to Prnssia, and with
almost the gloss of his Newgate benevolence upon
him, he becomes Jack-of-all-work to the Emperor of
Russia. He is Nicholas' most humble servant—a tool,
a sconrge, a " Prussian knout in the hand of the
IMperial executioner., A number of Poles, dignified
by misfortune ennobled by suffering patriotism—
take refuge in Prussia . from the bloody fangs
of the 'Russian bear. • They are—in a holiday
mood, it seems, of the Prussian- monareh—permitted by
him to find a hoine in Posen. Their' country deittrOyed
to them, their fortunes shattered by as wild and merci-
less a tyrant as Heaven ever permitted to
in
scourge humanity—they are allowed to find a
Testing-place
the soil ; when; lo ! NicholaS has ugly dreams about
Prussia. They become, planted in
them—they disturb his cheerful thoughts—and, as he can-
not have them back, first for the knout, and then for Si-
beria,why---h4 begs of his brother Prussia to banish them,
accursed from the land. Whereupon Mrs. Fry's pet
shows himself obedient to the greater son of Mischief,
and, whether' or no, the' Poles must pack. The soil
of Prussia is • not favourable to virtuous misery.
Strange are the .symia.thies of Kings. His Majesty
of Prussia could feel for and t pray with illegal
pawning, .with lighway robbery, with embezzlement,
with felony iri its many Shapes • but for defeated valour,
heroic suffering, patriotism its glorious.and glori-
fying nspirations—all such are nought, and must not
find harbour in Posen. In Newgate, the King of Prussia
was a Christian_; what a pity that he should have quitted
it to act journeyman despot at home.—Puneli.

On,tlie:everiing 'of Friday last, a violent thUnder
storm swept ,across various parts of Pembrokeshire.
.• The
lightning was exceedingly srong, and was very 'speedily
followed by terrible bursts of thunder. During the raging
Of the. sturnh the electric fluid entered a cottage in the parish
of Brawdy, near Solva, and instantaneously-destroyed two
felnalea who wtoiu.tlietlimeci—Combrian. l 'dkfl

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
110 USE OF LORDS, March 15.
The House sat to-day, to hear appeals. The Peers
present were Lord Brougham, Lord Cottenham, and
Lord Campbell.

.ELLIS V. HENDERSON.
Their Lordships gave judgment on this case to day,
which was argued some time since before the House.
Their Lordships ordered the judgment below to be re •
versed, with costs.

STIRLING V. EWART.
The arguments in this appeal were commenced to-
day, and not having concluded when their Lordships
rose, the further consideration of the case was adjourned.

COURT OF CHANCERY, March 15.
The Lord Chancellor sat in Lincoln's Inn Hall to-day,
and heard cause and lunatic petitions, none of which
possessed any points of public interest. The remainder
of the day was occupied with the further arguments in
the part-heard appeal of " Smith v. Henley."

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S .COURT, March 15.
The Vice-Chancellor of England was occupied the
whole day with short cases and unopposed petitions.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
NORFOLK ClRCUlT.—Aylesbury, March 13.
CROWN COURT.—(Before Lord ABINGER.)
John Hall, Richard Terry the elder, Richard Terry the
younger, Joseph Terry, Wiiliam Adams, and Thomas Sprat-
ley, were indicted for having committed a brutal assault on
the person of Ann Pepper.
Mr. O'Malley and Mr. Power were counsel for the prose-
cution ; and Mr. Sanders and Mr. Wells defended the pri-
soners.

The prosecutrix is a married woman, and front her evi-
dence (the general outline of which alone is fit for publica-
tion) it appeared that being in the company of her husband
and three friends at Tuigewich- feast in August last, she
met all the prisoners at the Rose and Crown. Being unable
to procure lodgings for the night, from the influx of visitors
into so sequestered a village on that festive occasion, the
party of the prosecutrix repaired to a neighbouring cow-shed,
where, fatigued with the pleasures of the - day, they soon
fell asleep. In the course of the night their slumbers
were disturbed by the entry of . two men, who were
soon followed by . four others: Before many minutes
had elapsed. the intruders developed ,their wicked
purpose, and seizing hold of Mrs. ,Pepper, they
forcibly tore her from her husband, and. ,commenced a
furious attack on the rest of the party, who fled for the con-
stable, leaving the prosecutrix in. their power. No sooner
were her protectors.out of sight than,the prisoners forced the
poor woman into a building hard by,-where they all assaulted
her in a manner, and with a brutality,. which beggars de-
scription. Suffice it to say that the distracted husband on
his return, after the lapse of an hour, found his wife half
dead, and scarcely able to detail her sufferings., She was
taken to the village surgeon, and the authorities set out in
persuit of the offenders;-who for some time eluded detec-
tion. Three of them, however, among whom were, two of
the Terrys, who stood in the relation of uncle and nephew,
were arrested. as they were on the point of embarking for
India with a regiment into which they had enlisted on the
day after the outrage, and the others were ultimately traced
to various inland parts of the country, whither they had
absconded in the vain hope of escape. Five of the ruffians
were most clearly identified to-day by their victim and her
husband, while the sixth was recognised by his cap which
had fallen.from his head in the scuffle at the cow-shed, and
was now positively sworn to as having been worn by him on
the evening at the public-house.
The Learned Counsel. having severally addressed, the jury
on behalf of their clients, the jury without snitch hesitation
found them.all Guilty, and the.wretches were forthwith sen-
tenced to be transported for 20 years. .. 7

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
. (YESTERDAY.)
CLERKENWEL.
Alfred Divett, a poor Irishman, of wild and excited,
appearance, was brought before. Mr. Combe, charged
with threatening to murder Mr. William Berry, an. at-
torney, residing at No. 1, King's-road, Theobald's-road.
The' complainant deposed that the prisoner,- who had
formerly been his' client, came to his office on that
morning, and threatened to murder him. He had re-
peatedly annoyed witness previously, and called him a
' .
Mr. COMBE—What is the cause of all this ? Mr.
Berry (smiling),-I don't know,l am sure ; I bave not
given him any cause. • •
The defendant; who seemed to Abe labouring under
extraordinary excitement, declared• that he was now
• wholly destitute.' He had been in the Spanish Legion
for some years, and-when discharged received a certifi-
' cate for a pension. He then enlisted 'in the 60th Rifles,
and served With his regiment in Corfu, arid other 'places
in the Medieerranean for four years, and was discharged
for desertion at the close, of the last year: He came to
London in the beginning of February, and being with-
out money or,friends borrowed I.L 10s. from Mr.. Taylor,
a publican. at Rotherliithe,. leaving his certificate in
pledge• for the payment of that sum, He subsequently
had a difference with 'Mr. Taylor, who refused to give
him back the ' certificate, 'which was -for the sum of
9/. 2s. 6d. ' lie employed a person named Williams, who
promised to get back the certificate On condition that he
would give him 4/. To this he agreed, 'but Williams
failing in his endeavour defendant emPloyed the com-
plainant,. who obtained the certificate from Mr.
Taylor, but refused to give it to him (defendant)
unless 'he paid 2/. 10s., which sum he had not,
Mr. CosinE (to complainant)—Had you the certifi-
cate ? Complainant—l had.
Mr. Ctrbent —Where is it? Complainant—l gave it
back to Taylor. • •
Mr. ComnE—What is' this 2/. 10s. ? Complainant
My costs. They should have 'been 4/.
Mr. ComiE—Have you been paid this money ? Com-
plainant—Yes ; Taylor paid me, and I gave him the
certificate.
Mr. COMBE—What ! . Taylor paid you ? Why, ac-
cording to your own statement, you had no right to
withhold the certificate from Taylor. Why should he
pay you any costs ? It was' not he employed you. Com-
plainant (laughing)—True, but he did pay me, however.
Mr. CONDE —This seems strange, very strange, indeed.
I have heard of Williams, whom the defendent mentions,
Sts having deluded some of these poor Creatures who
were in the SPanish Legion. Who , would pay the cer-
tificate ? , The defendent said—Mr. Castenado, who was
clerk to the Spanish Commission in London. He en-
treated of the .Magistrate to postpone the further hear-
ing of the case, and grant: him summonses for Williams
and Taylor, when it would appear that he had been most
unjustly treated. ; •
The complainant said he was in fear of his life from
the threats of the defendent, whose mind, he believed,
was disordered.
Mr. COspit said he could not grant summonses for the
attendance of Taylor and Will4aniF, as he 'had no juris-
diction in the matter. .
The defendant said he believed they would attend vo-
luntarily. •
Mr. COMBE said that as the complainant declared he
was in fear of his life, he '
should commit the defendant
until 'the Bth' of April, unless he could find bail.
The defendant declared he had no intention Of injuring
Mr. Berry ; he had called him a swindler, but had not
threatened to murder him. He 'had no friend or rela-
tion inLonctoloninwithtel
o would ecurity for him.
lie was committed.
An unfortunate girl, named Mary Ann Hartwell, was
charged with breaking two panes of glass in the Clerk-
unwell workhouse.

Tho offence was fully proved against her. She had not
been more than a day or two out of prison, having been
committed for a similar offence.

The prisener; a very interesting-looking girl, declared
that she was unable to perform the task assigned her—
Ticking oakum, at whickshe could not earn more than' a
few pence a day. She had been on the tewn; but what-
ever would become of • her, she, would ,never again be a
prostitute., She broke the windows. to be brought be-
fore the Magistrate. - (Here the unfortunate female
burst into a paroxysm of grief, and intreated of the,
magistrate to send her to some asylum where she.might
spendthe rernainder ef her days in tranquillity. , •
Mr. Harnett, the master, said; unless an example were
made of the prisoner, there Would be' no such thing as
governing the other paupers. She had broken two
squares of glass.
•
~Mr.:Monro (the clerk) observed that the girl's deter-
mination not to. go upon the streets was highly creditable
to her. . - • •

,Mr. CONBE said that perhaps if she would promise to
conduct herself well for a few days in the workhouse, he
might be able to get her into'some asylum. •
The prisoner thanked the worthy Magistrateheartily,
and promised compliance. ' • ' - •• •
Mr. Harnett said they could not receive her into the
workhouse.
Prisoner --(sobbing bitterly)-01i; Mr. Harnett, you are
more cruel to me, than the Magistrate.
She was then committed for five days. , ,
The worthy MAGISTRATE told her, that if she came to
him when' she came out of prison on Thursday morn•
ing, he would do all he could for her. • .
The unhappy girl thanked the Magistrate heartily,
and was locked up.
Three men, named Cook, Murray; and Ilfgrston, na•
lives of the north of England, were charged with begging.
Police-constable 45 E deposed that he saw the pri-
soners walking in Bloomsbury square on . that day.
When they saw witness approaching they commenced
begging immediately, and declared to witness that they
-wished to be sent to prison, for they had been walking
about the streets night and day, in a state of starvation,
for the last fortnight.
Mr. CoknE sent them to the workhouse.
Thomas Walker, a fellow of ruffianly disposition, who has
been.frequently before thip Court, was charged with &induct
'of a very outrageous character in the Clerkenwell Workhouse
;OA the previous night. . '
Mr., Hemet, the master of the workhoUse, depoied that at
four o'clock on the previous evening, tbe prisoner came to the
. workhouse ,and demanded relief. The overseer told him to
Foto work (pick oakum), and he should have food and money.
The prisoner became very abusive of the overseer, and put
himself' in a menacing attitude. The overseer directed wit-
ness to put the prisoner out, but, the prisoner, attempted to
jump over the wicket and get into the office in which the
overseer was. Witness repeatedly requested the prisoner
to leave the place, but was at last obliged to use force to
:expel him. He then put. his foot between the door and
the jamb, so as to prevent the door from closing. lie
called witness a b— Irish b—, said the pau-
pers must starve in the workhouse, and that there was not
a shop in the parish but could prove his (witness's) villainy
gict rObery. He then went roupd. to the 'hall-door,. and
commenced kicking at it, so that witness thought he would
have kicked the panels in. His :Outrageous behaviour all the, paupers, and caused a crowd of sixty persons
to assemble round the house. Witness sent fora policeman,
'and had him taken into custody. •
The prisoner, in defence, said he was starving at the time,
and as he_ had. not Weft a morsel of food for two days, he
declinelwoTking until hs hid some food.
Mr. Charle.s Aldberry, assistant-overser, deposed that, so
far from the prisoner's statement being true, 13- hid abun-
dance of food on the evening previous.
Mr. Coxix sentenced the prisoner to find ball• for the
Middlesex sessions.—He Wad committed • ,
,
. ;. . IVARLBOIidOGII-STREET.
Elizabeth ,Williams, a good-looking ..young woman, very
ospectably.drossed, char.gect,viith obtakiiaugoolls by