The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-19 00:00:00

CORNWALL and D EVON CENTRAL
RAILWAY, AND BRISTOL AND EXE-
TER RAILWAY COMPANY.

" By order of the Directors,
"J. B. BADIIAM, Secretary.
"Bristol Office, 30, Broad-street,
November 13, 1844."
flaying been present at, and taken part in, most of
the public meetings held in Cornwall on the question
of the Central Railway, and having attended as a de-
putation the meetings held " elsewhere"—namely, at
Bideford and Exeter—l can give the most unqualified
contradiction to the assertion that at such meetings it
was stated that " Frederick Ricketts, Esq., had given
his personal support to the Central Cornwall Railway,
in opposition to the Cornwall Railway from Ply-
mouth to Falmouth ;" for on every such occasion it
was distinctly announced that Mr. Ricketts was in no
way connected with the Central Railway, although
his partners in the bank in Cornwall, Messrs. Turner,
Enthoven, Mason, and James, were all members of
the Provisional Committee. This I have repeatedly
affirmed, and the same statement has invariably been
made by the other gentlemen with whom I have
been associated in this undertaking; so far,
therefore, from such representations having been
made as alleged, pains have been taken to
prevent an erroneous impression to which the
connexion of the parties might otherwise have led.
At the great and influential meeting held at Exeter,
on the 2d inst., which I had the honour of addressing,
there were present the representatives of three of the
associated companies—Mr. Saunders, the secretary of
the Great Western ; Mr. Badham, the secretary of
the Bristol and Exeter ; and Mr. Princeps, the secre-
tary of the South Devon Railway—besides Directors
and Shareholders in some or all of these companies.
I ask these gentlemen whether, on that occasion, it
was asserted that " Mr. Ricketts had given his per-
sonal support to the Central Cornwall Railway, or
whether that gentleman was not expressly excepted
from all connexion with it ? I appeal to the re•
porters, and to every gentleman present at that
meeting, for confirmation to the contradiction which
I give to such a statement. I distinctly remember
saying at that meeting—" Gentlemen, if I mis-state
any fact, correct me." Did Mr. Saunders, Mr. Bad-
ham, or Mr. Princeps, venture to question any
representation of mine ? Had I made such a state-
ment as is insinuated in the advertisement signed by
Mr. Badham, could that gentleman have permitted
himself to become an acquiescing party by remain-
ing silent ? The publication of the advertisement in
question furnishes evidence of the peculiar means re-
sorted to to serve a temporary purpose, and to assail,
indirectly, the character of a most honourable man,
merely because his cartners in a banking company
venture to act upon their own judgments, and to
identify themselves with an undertaking calculated to
benefit that county, in the prosperity of which they
had become deeply interested.
With respect to the offer by them of a sum of
money towards the construction of the Central
Railway, I apprehend Mr. Turner's statement at
Truro will be found sufficiently explicit, and that the
advertisement can hardly be expected to obliterate
a fact.
I would suggest to the Great Western Company
the propriety of consulting the county of Cornwall on
the subject of a Cornish Railway, instead of deluding
themselves into the belief that, against the expressed
determination of that county, united as It is in favour
of a central line, they can succeed in carrying out the
coast line, a project calculated to be beneficial only to
the private interests of associated companies, and
obviously detrimental to the public good.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS HARVEY,
Secretary of the Cornwall and Devon
Central Railway.
5, John-street, Adelphi, Nov. 18, 1844.

THE KING OF THE FRENCII..—WINDSOR, MON-
DAY.—On Saturday afternoon Baron Talleyrand, the
Count do Noailles, and M. Rabandy, arrived at Windsor,
from the French embassy, for the purpose of having an
interview with Mr. T. Clark, the newly-elected Mayor,
having been commanded by his Majesty Louis Philippe
to present the worthy chief magistrate with the sum of
5,000 f. (2001.) to be distributed amongst the poor and
necessitous of the town during the ensuing winter. Two
beautifully executed gold snuff-boxes have been pre-
sented from the King of the French to Messrs. Russell
and Stead, the inspectors of police who were on duty at
the Castle during the visit of his Majesty to the Queen.
The female domestics also, connected with the suite of
apartments occupied by his Majesty, were likewise pre-
sented with valuable rings set with diamonds and other
precious stones.
THE POLISH BALL.— Yesterday a numerous
meeting of the Committee for conducting the Polish
ball took place at the Guildhall, Deputy Peacock in the
chair. Lord Dudley Stuart stated that the applications
for tickets were very great, and the strongest hopes
were entertained that the ball would be more than
usually productive. No trouble or expense would be
spared to make the whole of the entertainments worthy
of the occasion, and a larger number of people of high
rank would attend than had been over known to assemble
at their annual meeting for the assistance of tho un-
fortunate Poles. The inconvenience arising from the
dust produced by the chalking of the floor will be com-
pletely obviated by the new system introduced for this
occasion. While the Committee was sitting, many
applications were made for tickets, amongst which were
applications from the French Ambassador and his lady,
the Earl and Countess of Errol, the Ladies Fitzcla-
rence, &c., &c.
THE WELSH MARTYRS.--A public meeting to
memorialise her Majesty to grant a free pardon to those
unfortunate men, Frost, Williams, and Jones, is con-
vened for this evening, at the Hall, . Turnagain-lane,
Skinner-street, Snow-hill. T. S. Duncornbe, Esq., M.P.,
who has recently placed a vast number of memorials in Sir
J. Graham's hands for the same merciful purpose, has
been invited to take the chair on the occasion.
Numerous burglaries, and burglarious attempts,
have taken place lately in this neighbourhood, and there
is no doubt as to the existence of an organised band
of burglars, who have hitherto escaped detection.
Buckingham, the residence of Mr. Bridger at Shoreham,
was broken into a short time ago and some plate stolen;
and this has been followed by several other attempts
in the adjoining parishes. A night or two ago Red
House, occupied by Mr. H. Fuller's bailiff, at Portslade,
was broken into, and also Mr. Harelwicke's, at South-
wick. On Tuesday night the house of Mr. Tompsett,
farmer, at Telscombe, was attacked ; but, hearing a
noise, Mr. Tompsett got up, took his gun, and fired
at the robbers, who then made off. In addition to these,
the house of Mrs. Hurley, at Iford ; of Mr. Goldsmith,
of Bevendean ; of Mr. Blaker, at Patcham ; of the
Rev. Mr. Staveley, at Patcham ; and of the Rev. Mr.
Hutchins, at Telscombe, have been either attempted
or actually broken into, and considerable alarm is felt in
consequence by the occupants of detached dwellings. A
special policeman was yesterday sworn in for Portslade,
and we understand the farmers are about to enter into a
subscription for the purpose of offering a reward for the
apprehension of the daring offenders.—Brighton Herald.
MinAcuLous ESCAPE.—A remarkable instance of
providential escape from untimely death occurred to
three young gentlemen, at Marsden Rock, near South
Shields, on Tuesday last. It appears that a holiday
having been given at the school which they attended, a
number of youths went to Marsden Rock for a little ex-
cursion, and to enjoy the beauties of that romantic spot.
Three of the party descended to the beach and wandered
about for some time; these were sons of Mr. Wealands
Robson, Mr. Wm. Dixon, and Mr. Louie, of Bishop-
wearmouth. The sea was very rough, and the tide was
setting in very strong, when they discovered that the
tide had flowed round them and cut off their retreat.
The little fellows got upon the highest point of the rock,
and the water by this time had reached above their
knees, and was flowing so rapidly that they must soon
have been swept into the surge. Young Dixon was three
times washed off his standing place, but gained it again.
In this juncture a brother of Robson looked over the
precipice, and saw the imminent danger of his young
friends, and instantly ran to the house of Peter Allan,
close by, and gave the alarm. Allan with promptitude
took a rope, and hastened to the rock, and having
lowered down the rope, desired one of the boys to fasten
it round his waist; this was done, and he was dragged
up a height of 70 feet with safety. The other two boys
were rescued in the same way, young Robson cou-
rageously waiting to the last to assist his more frightened
companions. Dixon was in a very exhausted state, and
had to be put to bed at Peter Allan's, where he soon re-
covered so as to walk home; the other two were much
bruised against the rock in being drawn up, but all are
now in a fair way of recovery from injury and fright.
About five minutes after their escape the spot on which
they stood was covered with the foaming surge, so that
their escape was truly providential.—Durham Advertiser.
A GOOD MISTRESS.—At an inquest held yesterday
before Mr. Higgs on the body of a woman who died
suddenly in a fit, one of the jurors said that deceased
was a woman of a most exciteable temper. During his
acquaintance with her he could not count the number of
servants she had ; they were, in fact, innumerable.
Another juror said he knew that dozens of them had not
stayed with her a week. And a third cried, "Pooh,
pooh ! I've known them go to her in the morning, give
notice in the afternoon, and quit in the evening." None
of them could stand her temper, but she was nevertheless
a kind-hearted woman, and would lend or give tbern
money if they wanted it.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—An advertisement appeared in the Times o f
the 16th inst., headed " Bristol and Exeter Railway
Company ;" which is authenticated by the signature of
the Secretary, Mr. Badham, and is in the following
words :
In consequence of statements which have been made
at public meetings in the county of Cornwall, and else-
where, and in some of the newspapers, that the Chair-
man of the Bristol Railway Company, Frederick Ricketts,
Esq., has given his personal support to the Central Corn-
wall Railway, in opposition to the Cornwall Railway
from Plymouth to Falmouth (which latter line has the
undivided support of the Bristol and Exeter, the Great
Western, the Bristol and Gloucester, and the South De-
von Companies, of all of which he is a Director), and that
the banking firm in Cornwall, of which Mr. Ricketts is
the head, has engaged to make a large advance of money
to the central line, I am directed to publish the two fol-
lowing letters, by which it will be seen that those state-
ments were altogether unauthorised by Mr. Ricketts,
and that ho continues to be Chairman of the Bristol and
Exeter Company.

INCENDIARY FIRE AT PANFIELD.--WC regret to
state, that about twelve o'clock on Sunday night last, a
barn upon Currant's farm, the property of Mr. Gosling,
and in the occupation of Mr. John Ratcliff, of Panfield,
situate about a mile and a half from the town of Brain-
tree, was discovered to be on fire. Superintendent
Matins and three of his constables were quickly on the
spot, and two engines were in attendance ; but notwith-
standing the exertions of those present the barn, with
its contents, consisting of the produse of 9 acres of oats
and 2f of beans, a stable and oartledge, were totally
consumed. There appears to be little doubt that this
destruction of property was wilfully occasioned, and at
present there is no clue to the guilty party. The stock
was insured in the Sun Fire-office ; we have not heard
whether the buildings were similarly protected. Mr.
Ratcliff, it will be remembered, suffered from a similar
villanous act in May last.—Essex Herald.
THE CREEP AT ST. PETER'S DOCK.—An alarming
occurrence took place yesterday morning, at St. Peter's
Quay, about three miles below this town, the surface of
the ground for some acres in extent, having been affected
with what in this district is called the creep, being a sort
of incipient earthquake, by which considerable destruc-
tion has been done to property in the neighbourhood,
the extensive building yard of Messrs. Thomas and
William Smith, the eminent ship-builders, having been
rendered for a time entirely useless. The first intima-
tion of danger was observed a week ago, but it was very
slight, amounting only to a rent in one of the houses to
the north of the building yard, which was repaired, and
matters continued in the same state till nine o'clock
yesterday morning. It may be proper to state. that the
dock, though on the north side of the river, is com-
pletely undermined by the workings of the Friar's Goose
colliery, situate on the other side, and it is supposed
the accident has been caused by the working or falling
of the root; or superincumbent strata. At the period
abovementioned, the whole of the men and boys, nearly
200 in number, were at breakfast in the smith's shop and
store, on the north side of the building yard, when they
heard a thundering noise, and on looking out, beheld the
surface of the ground in motion. They ran away from the
spot, and reached a place of safety, and there they were
soon joined by the inhabitants of the neighbouring house
who fled in the greatest consternation. In a few minutes
the heaving of the surface ceased, and, on the men re-
turning to the building yard, they found the ground
rent in various directions, presenting chasms several feet
in depth ; the bottom of the spacious dry dock, capable
of admitting vessels of the largest size, was thrown up
in dreadful confusion ; the sides rent ; and the whole
presented a scene of destruction which might well appal
1 the stoutest heart. The windows in the neighbouring
houses were broken, doors and framework split and
crushed, and several walls were levelled with the ground.
The movement was confined to the building-yard and
the adjacent houses. The quay next the river has sunk
several inches, and the bed- of the river, which before
was " high and dry" at low water, is now covered to the
depth of from eighteen to twenty-four inches. The water
in the river was agitated, and the motion was felt on
board the vessels lying near. The men employed in the
building-yard have been discharged, and all work sus-
pended, and it will be some time before the injury can
be repaired.—Newcastle Journal
THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A BRlDE-
cnoom.—lt will be recollected that a paragraph ap-
peared in the papers last week, giving the details of the
extraordinary and mysterious disappearance of Mr.
Joseph Amis, many years bookkeeper at the Bull Inn,
Aldgate, who immediately after his marriage had writ-
ten a letter to his bride, sending her a bag of sovereigns,
telling her where to obtain the rest of his property, and
concluding by a statement that she would in all proba-
bility never see him again. It appears that previously
to the wedding he made arrangements to come into the
occupancy of the Kent and Essex public-house, High-
street, Whitechapel, and had paid a deposit as earnest
money. On the receipt of his extraordinary letter, his
wife and her friends were naturally greatly alarmed, and
began to fear that he contemplated suicide; although
they knew no cause to which to attribute any mental
distress or annoyance. They have, however, since been
relieved from all their fears and anxieties by the return
of the bridegroom, who having " thought better of the
matter," resolved to come back and claim his wife like a
man. The oddest part of the business is, that he conld
assign no motive for his strange conduct, merely saying
that he experienced a feeling of despondency with regard
to his new undertaking. He is, however, now in pos-
t session of the Kent and Essex.
THE LATE MYSTERIOUS DEATlL—Yesterday Mr.
Wakley and the jury re-assembled at Mr. Olney's, the
Silver Cup, Cromer-street, to further prosecute the in-
quiry respecting the death of Mr. Henry Williams, aged
thirty-eight, managing clerk to a solicitor, residing at
No. 8, Constitution-row, Gray's Inn-road, whose death
was occasioned by the point of some blunt instrument
being thrust into his left eye. After a long inquiry, the
coroner cleared the court of strangers, and examined at
considerable length in private Inspector Barton and the
various police-officers seriatim. The Court having been
closed for above an hour, the jury broke up without any
verdict being formally delivered, but it was understood
that they had made a general return, and that the
coroner had directed the closest privacy, for the pur-
pose of seeing whether any party absconded, in which
event, he stated, he would issue his warrant for the
apprehension of the suspected person, and then reopen
the inquiry. The deceased has left a widow and eight
children.
SPARROW-SHOOTING EXTEAORDINART.—A very
novel and successful mode of shooting sparrows was
witnessed at Deptford yesterday (Monday) morning.
Two men of colour, who from their dress appeared to be
Lascars, were amusing themselves by shooting sparrows
in the proximity of the Docks, which they effected in the
following wanner. Each man was furnished with a
bamboo cane, measuring about three feet in length, also
with a bag of clay pellets, resembling small marbles.
One of the men, ou perceiving a sparrow settle upon the
ground, would approach it within fourteen or fifteen
paces, and applying the tube to his mouth, placing it iu
a line with the bird, would propel one of these pellets by
the force of his breath, through the former at the spar-
row, with sure and certain effect. In the course of a few
minutes they had managed, between them, to kill no less
than 13 of these birds, and were proceeding successfully,
and to deadly was their unerring aim, that, out of four-
teen objects of the above description at which they dis-
charged their pellets, one only escaped, and in that soli•
tary instance the bird was at least 20 paces off the
shooter when the missile was projected at it.r _
In consequence of the receipt by Sir II . Magnay,
Bart., the late Lord Mayor, of a letter from Sir James
Graham, recommending the consideration of the project
of discontinuing the evening sittings of the Central
Criminal Court, the experiment is about to be tried.
On account of the shortness of the notice it will not be
possible to discontinue the evening sittings on the days
appointed for the next session, but preparations will be
made for testing the efficacy of the proposed plan in the
second session of the mayoralty, and the magistrates
will report the re It accordingly.