The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-14 00:00:00

our purpose. T roposition of Lord Ashley, if
successful, must establish the principle that the
Legislature will henceforth, as far as a legis-
lature can, protect the labouring classes from
the power of wealth, how peaceably and openly
soever that power may be exercised, as the
laws already protect all classes from the power of vio-
lence and fraud. This is a great question, but it is
right in justice to all parties that it be perfectly un-
derstood. The introduction of the protective principle
spoken of must work an important, and, as we
believe, a most beneficial change in the whole social
system of the country ; but we think that its ope-
ration will be at first slow, almost insensible indeed,
except by those immediately to be benefited, com
paratively a few, while through all its progress the
reform will be mild and healing. The Ministers, on
the other side, see the magnitude of the change, and
charged as they are with the peace and prosperity of
the country, and therefore justly cautious, if not
timid, they dread the risk of so bold an experiment in
their time.

EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION
AT LYME REGIS.

LYME REGIS, MAY 11.—We have to record a most de-
structive
fire which occurred in this town to-day. The fire
broke out about half-past 9 A.M., on the premises of Mr. G.
Sellers, baker, residing in George's-court. By some means
unknown some furze in aloft adjoining became ignited, and
was speedily in a blaze, which quickly communicated to the
stables of the George Inn, the roofs of which, being com-
posed of thatch, were soon in a complete flame ; and the
dwelling-house of Mr. Sellers, the George Inn, the house
of Mr. J. Channon, and tho whole of the premises
adjoining were quickly burnt to the ground, the
inmates having scarcely time to save any of their
effects. As we have been destitute of rain nearly two
months everything was excessively dry ; and the flames,
aided by a fresh breeze at N.E., spread with the greatest
rapidity, and quickly crossed the street to the
opposite premises, when the Victoria Inn and the
adjoining premises fell a prey to the devouring
element, the whole of the furniture and stock
being entirely consumed. Nothing could now ar-
rest the progress of the flames. Both sides of
Coombe-street being on fire, the greatest consternation
and alarm prevailed. The scene became truly awful,
as several houses caught fire at once, and women and
children were seen running about the streets in a
state of distraction, endeavouring to save some por-
tion of their goods. The wind had now carried the
flames to the stables of the Cups Hotel, which, being
all thatched, burned with the greatest fury, and soon
communicated to the dwelling-house, and the whole of
the extensive premises of the head inn in the town
were soon reduced to a heap of ruins, with barely suffi-
cient time to' save the horses and different vehicles
in the yard. Meanwhile the fire cottinued to pro-
ceed through Coombe-street, the houses on each side
being entirely destroyed, as far as Mr. Munden's on one
side, and the Crown Inn on the other—both being pre-
served by pulling down a house between each and the
fire. The Pilot-boat Inn had by this time caught fire,
and, the flames spreading rapidly, it was soon burnt down,
together with the whole of the adjoining houses on the
left hand, and also behind, with the salt and coal cellars
of Messrs. Prosser. The custom-house next followed,
being levelled with the ground; but all the books and
papers belonging thereto were fortunately preserved.
In spite of the exertions of the firemen, and the
plentiful supply of water to the engines, the fire pro-
ce2ded up the street, and the Commercial Reading-
rooms, the houses of Mr. Bowring, Captain Urquhart,
Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Sellers, Mr. Hooks, Mr. Landrays,
the Conservative Reading-room. the extensive premises
of Mr. J. Sellers, maltster and brewer, the New Inn,
with the buildings behind, were all burnt to the ground.
The only house not wholly burnt being that of Mr.
Templeman's, which is only partially destroyed ; whilst
the shambles oppositeis entirely unroofed, and the clock,
with the spire and vane, totally demolished. In the
afternoon the wind gradually subsided, and the progress
of the flames was fortunately arrested. The amount of
damage done is immense.

The lower part of the town presents a scene of de-
struction and desolation never witnessed here since the
memorable fire of Nov. 5, 1803, when the whole of Mill-
green was destroyed. About forty houses have now
been burnt down, amongst which is the head inn,
and five other public-houses. The greater part,
we believe, are insured, but many have lost their
all, whilst vast numbers have had their goods torn to
pieces and lost by removing to a place of safety. Great
praise is due to the officers and crows of hor Majesty's
cutters Adelaide, Eagle, and Asp, which happened to be
in the roads at the time, and whose exertions to stop the
progress of thc flames, both by assisting in pulling down
the houses and at the engines, were highly meritorious,
as were also those of the inspecting commander and the
coast-guard. Had the fire happened in the night the
consequences must have been much more disastrous, and
probably attended with loss of life.—Shipping Gazette.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(YESTERDAY.)
MANSION-HOUSE.

The LORD MAYOR stated from the chair that he had
received several letters from various parts of England,
Ireland, and Scotland, calling his attention to certain
printed communications which the writers had received
from parties who either were, or pretended to be, com-
mercial firms in and about London. One of the corre-
spondents, a retired tradesman, stated in his letter that
he was convinced the parties must have found his name
in an old directory. As the circulars inclosed in the
letters were all precisely similar, and the signatures were
different, his Lordship was convinced that an extensive
gang of swindlers were engaged in this system for the
purpose of obtaining money, or securities for money,
trom inexperienced, incautious, or distressed tradesmen.
Mr. Goodman (the chief clerk to the Mansion-house)
read the following letter, in which one of the circulars
had been inclosed :

" Bermondsey New-road, London, April, 1844.
" Slll,—Having carried on this agency, as per circular in-
closed, many years, and having metiwith most respectable and
increasing patronage, we beg leave to address one to your re-
spectable establishment, trusting that upon any occasion you
feel disposed to accept our services, you will find them bene
to your interests, and deserving your countenance and
support. If you decide upon this method in making a re-
mittance for our commission at any time, please to send Post-
office orders, as it has frequently occurred that letters inclos-
ing Bank notes have never come to hand, and also a copy of
the undertaking, signed by yourself, when you will be re-
mitted such bills for the amount you request as will not fail
meeting your approval. We always keep on hand bills of all
amounts and dates, from 501. to 3501., accepted by merchants
and factors, and endorsed by respectable brokers, tradesmen,
and agents, and we can also change them in great variety
from time to time, as circumstances may arise to require it, to
prevent their having the appearance of accommodation paper.
Any time, if it should happen you have goods on hand, and
find sales dull or difficult, and wish to make trial by sending
us part, we will use our best endeavours to turn them into
money for you to advantage, towards paying your bills as
they become due, or remit you the cash as they are sold.
This we can attend to at any time, whether you require bills
or not, having a general shipping commission, &c.

" We beg leave to remain,, Sir, yours very respectfully,
" J. MELLISH and CO."

His LORDSHIP having directed one of his officers to
make inquiry relative to Mellish and Co., his messen-
ger soon afterwards returned, and introduced Mr. Perry,
of the Bankruptcy Agency-office in Cornhill, as a gen
tleman who could supply the necessary information on
the subject of the plan.
Mr. Perry, upon looking at the circular, produced a
vast number of copies of it, some of which were signed
Morgan and Co., Old Kent. road ; others signed Smith
and Co., Albany-road ; others Wigram and Co., Bar-
clay-place, Hackney. In fact, there were to these papers
40 or 50 different signatures, and they all contained
copies of the undertaking, which the merchant requiring
the accommodation was to sign. He (Mr. Perry) then
produced a report of an exposure of the nefarious system,
which had appeared in the Times newspaper in the year
1839; by means of which a check was for a considerable
time given to the efforts of those who pursued it as a
trade.

The Lone MAYOR said, it appeared that the time had
again come round for the experiment, which, no doubt,
had been at one time very productive; but he should do
everything in his power, as Chief Magistrate, to render
all the attempts of the gang abortive.
Mr. Perry stated that the new system had been acted
upon ever since the days of the notorious Coster, and
that he (Mr. Perry) could show by documents that the
followers of that notorious person had been constantly
at work in laying expedients for the plunder of the public.
The LORD MAYOR said there was one paragraph in
the circular of a very peculiar kind, and he was surprised
how anybody who read it could for a moment be de-
ceived. The paragraph read, "It is particularly re-
quested, if this circular is of no immediate service, it-
may not be shown, unless to a confidential and respect-
able friend, whose object it is likely to serve, or who
might wish to avail himself of this assistance upon some
future occasion, as it is not multiplicity of business we
want, but respectability, and in the safe, quiet, and mer-
cantile manner." His Lordship then issued particular
directions to the officers of the Mansion-house on the
subject of the extensive firms throughout the metropolis
to which the circular refers.
CLERKENTVELL.

John Anderson was charged with creating a disturbance,
and with assaulting police-constable, 54 G.
The officer deposed, that between nine and ten o'clock on
the previous night, the prisoner who was sober, was
creating a disturbance with tivelor six females, at Cow-cross.
He told him to desist, but the prisoner became more violent.
The witness then attempted to push him away, but the pri-
soner struck him on the breast two or three times. Witness
was obliged to obtain the assistance of another officer to take
him to the the station-house.
The prisoner solemnly denied having struck the officer; he
was talking to some female acquaintances, when the police-
man came up, and pushed him away. He went into his own
house, a marine-store shop. in Cow-cross-street. The police-
man Was quite drunk, and behaved in a most insolent and
the females'
manner, flourishing his baton over witness's and
heads. Were it not for another policeman who
came umpwe sh' when the rattle
N v hwe
na s
prisoners p r sprung, ,
wse4n
tG into wouldhs ho awvne been
much more violenthouse
the constable cameiona,stoind dragged him out, and then took
him to the station-house.
A decent looking mechanic came forward and deposed to
the correctness of what the
,ohnee r stated, whose conduct he
said was quite inoffensive.ppoliceman's manner was
bullying and offensive, and he was ' e drunk.
Mr. LONG (to the policeman)—Did obtain the assist-
ance of another officer? Constable—.
Mr. LONG—Why is he not here ? The constable made no
reply.
Mr. LONG—Did you, as stated, go into this man's house
and drag him out of it ? Policeman—l did go into his house.e
Mr. LONG—And you took him out of it ? Policeman—
Yes.
Mr. LONG—Then why did you not state this on your direct
examination? The policeman made no reply.
Mr. LoNG—The prisoner is discharged. r believe his wit-
ness, and I am sorry to say that I do not believe much of
what has been stated by the policeman, whose conduct has
been most improper, and will, I hope, be made the subject of
inquiry elsewhere.—The prisoner was discharged.