The Sun.
London, England, 1828-03-07 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

The Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of Chelsea
Hospital, will hold a Board at the Hospital on Wednesday
the 12th instant, at eleven o'clock, in the forenoon, for the
examination of invalid soldiers claiming pensions for services
er wounds.

The Duchess of KENT entertained the Duchess
of CLAI‘XIiCZ, the Princess Emma of CaI°LATH, and a
select party to dinner on Wednesday, at her apartments in
the King's Palace, at Kensington.
The Princess SOPHIA and the Princess So-
ratA MATILDA. visited the Princess AUGUSTA yesterday, at
her residence, in the King's Palace, St. James's, and par-
took of a dejeuue with her Royal Highness.
The LORD CHANCELLOR entertained the
Cabinet Ministers to dinner on Wednesday, at his residence
in George-street, Hanover-square.

General Lord HILL held his second levee on
Wednesday, at the Commander-in-Chiefs office, in the
Horse Guards, which was very numerously attended.
Prince PoLIGNAc, the French Ambassador,
had a long interview with Earl DUDLEY yesterday, at the
Foreign Office, Downing-street.
The Duke of BUCCLEUCH left his residence,
Buccleuch-house' Privy-gardens, yesterday, for Rome.
A Cabinet Council was held yesterday after-
noon, at two o'clock, at the Foreign Office, Downing-
street, which was attended by Earls BATHURST, DUDLEY,
and ABERDEEN, Viscounts ikIELvILLe and PALMERSTON,
Lord ELLENBOROUGH, Mr. Secretary PEEL, Mr. Secre-
tary Husussox, and Mr. C. GRANT. About four o'clock,
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Mr. HERRIES
joined the other Ministers. The Cabinet broke up soon
after half-past four o'cloci.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

MA AY B. MACNEILL, APPELLANT.-M. MACGREGOR,

RESPONDENT.

This was a very singular case in the Scotch law of mar-
riage. The facts were shortly, that the appellant was
married openly in facie ecclesice on the lGth June, 1816,
to a person of the name of Jollie, a surgeon in Edinburgh.
But it appears that the respondent enjoyed a very intimate
intercourse with this lady some weeks prior to her
marriage to Mr. Jollie; for, in the month of March,
1818, he instituted an action against her in the Scotch
Consistorial Court, claiming her ao his wife on the
ground of a mutual exchange of matrimonial consent, con-
summated by their having slept in the same bed for several
nights, and finally that in May, 1816, they were regularly
and publicly married by a Clergyman. One of the
difficulties of the case arose from the character of the
priest who officiated on this occasion. He had long:been
notorious in Scotland, and was at last tried by the Supreme
Criminal Court for celebrating clandestine marriages, and
banished from the country fey life. The result of the liti-
gation has been a decision of the Consistorial Court, declar-
ing the appellant and the respondent married persons. This
judgment, which was affirmed on the review of the Court
of Session, virtually annuls the other marriage to Mr. Jollie,
on which the parties had relied for years, and of which seve-
ral children were begotten in the confident but precarious
assurance of legitimacy. The appeal from the decision
of the Court below came on for hearing in the House
of Lords in the month of June last; but the discussion
was arrested by an unexpected question from Lord
Eldon. This was, whether Mr. Jollie, and the chil-
dren born of the connexion between him and the appel-
lant, ought not to have been called, or at least to intervene
in the action. On this point cases were prepared ;
and Doctors Lushington and Jenner having closed a very
learned argument on Friday last, the case came on to-day
for judgment on this preliminary objection. Lord Eldon,
after some prefatory observations, called the attention of
their Lordships to a very singular circumstance, in the
present case. Whatever might be the real fact, their
Lordships had the children of Mr. Jollie now before them,
because prima fade they were the children of the mar-
riage which had been declared between the appellant and
the respondent. Prima facie M'Gregor was the father
of these children, and he would continue to possess that
character until divested of it. It was not denied that Mr.
Jollie might intervene ; and in special cases the Court might
call other parties, besides those who bad originally con-
tested the suit. Now, the question was, whether this
case possessed that special and peculiar character ; and in
order to ascertain this, lie would advise their• Lordships
to call upon Counsel to go into the merits of the cause.
It was accordingly agreed to resume the case on Friday
next.

LENT ASSIZES.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.-NORTH LIAIBERLAND,

MARCH 5.

FORGERIES ON THE SCOTCH BANKS.

John Bradley, aged 26, and Charles M'Arthur, aged
26, were indicted fur disposing of and putting away divers
forged Twenty Shilling and Guinea Notes, purporting to
be of the Commercial and Sir William Forbes' Banks of
Scotland.

Mrs. Grace Gribbon, wife of Mr. John Gribbon, draper,
at Alnvvick, deposed, that about 10 o'clock on the morning
of the 18th of August last, the two prisoners came to her
house. Bradley bought a pair of stockings and a hand-
kerchief, which came t• six shillings, he tendered a guinea
note of Sir Wm. Forbes' Bank; she wrote his name upon
it and gave him 14s. in change, and he and the other prisoner
left the shop. About 12 o'clock Bradley came again, as
also did the other prisoner, but he stood at the door.
Bradley bought four pair more stockings; and gave a twenty
shilling note of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, for
which also she gave him change. (Here the witness pro-
duced the two notes she had received from him.)
Mr. John Gribbon, the husband of the last witness,
corroborated her testimony ; adding, that Bradley came
again and made another purchase, and paid with a Com-
mercial Bank Note, for which he gave him change. He
gave the note shortly after to his wile.—(Nete produced.)
Mr. Thomas Appleby stated, that on the same day
Bradley came to him, and asked for change for a 201.
Commercial Bank Note. Witness asked him if it was a
good one? and he replied, "I have worked hard for it,
and it's all the notes I have got. Witness then changed
the note. The prisoner cane back in the evening about
eight o'clock, and asked to purchase a piece of meat ; and
before witness could reach the piece, he threw down a guinea
note of Sir W. Forbes's bank. Witness suspected im-
mediately from this that it was a bad one, and sent it by his
lad to procure change and to ask if it was a genuine one. In
a few minutes after he returned, and said it was bad. Wit-
ness told the prisoaer that he suspected the one he had
given him in the morning was bad also ; and giving it to
the bey, desired hint to ascertain if that was also bad. The
prisoner now manifested the greatest uneasiness, and en-
deavoured to make his escape, but witness cellared hint ;
however, he got away, and witness pursued him to the
shop of Mr. Andersoo, where the boy had gone to chew
the note. Witness and a constable named Cousins went in
and took him into custody, and the note that he had re-
cently offered in payment of the meat was found upon him.
Susannah Thompson keeps a public-house at Alnwiek ;
on the 17th August, the prisoner M'Arthur came to her
house and called for a pint of ale, for which he paid with a
20s. Commercial note, she procured change at Miss Cat-
ternack's, and gave the balance to him.
Miss Jane Catternack produced the note which she re-
ceived from the last witness.

Cousins, a constable, proved apprehending Bradley, and
subsequently he arrested M'Arthur, and twe other men
named 111‘Dermott and Carr, the two latter were discharg-
ed for want of evidence. M'Dermott said, he knew Brad..
ley was confined, but declared he was not aware the notes
were bad, he said he would show him and Ormand, another
constable, where liDermott had hidden some notes, about
300 yards out of the town ; he took them to the spot, and
pointing to a large stone, said they were concealed under-
neath. Ormond turned the stone over and found six notes,
three guinea notes of Sir William Forbes' Bank, and three
20s. Commercial notes.

Mr. James Thompson, one of the tellers in Sir W.
Forbes' Bank, proved that the guinea notes, purporting to
be of that establishment, were forgeries in every respect, and
Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Mercer, two gentlemen of the
Commercial Bank of Scotland, also proved that the whole
of the twenty-shilling notes were forgeries upon that bank.
M'Arthur said that he had the notes from M'Derinott,
whom he accidentally met whilst walking from Edinburgh
to Newcastle. Me was not aware of their being forgeries,
and hoped for a merciful consideration of his case.
The Le►rned JUDGE slimmed op, and the Jury found
the prisoners Guilty, aed they were ordered to be trans-
ported for life.

WESTERDI CIRCUIT.---WINCHESTER, ItARCH 6

ROBOTII/.11 V. LOAD xtLcouusir.

This was an action in forma pauperis, brought by the
plaintiff, late servant to the Noble Defendant, to recover a
sum of money due to him for board-wages and other ex-
pences. It appeared that the plaintiff had been servant to
the Noble Lord for some years, and in 1827 was discharged,
in consequence of a dispute with some of the servants ; at the
time of his discharge, his wages were paid; but the sum
now claimed being for board-wages, money laid out in the
house, turnpikes, and, in fact, nearly every thing connected
with the domestic department of a Nobleman's establish-
ment, were left unpaid; and from what transpired it ap-
peared, that something at the time of the payment of the
wages must have been disputed, for one of the witnesses
who was servant to the defendant at the time the plaintiff
was paid his salary, heard the plaintiff say on leaving the
room, that there was between 20/. and 30/. more due to
him. The defendant paid '7l. I Os. into Court, to cover
any sum that the plaintiff might be able to prove as due
to him at the commencement of the cause.
Mr. Justice LITTLEDALZ recommended a reference,
which was accepted by the Counsel for the plaintiff; but
the Counsel for the Noble Defendant (Mr. C. F. Williams)
would not accede. The consequence was, the Court and
Jury were for some hours engaged in going through the
account, item by item, till nearly every one in Court were
Damages 2131.
tired. The Jury finally gave a verdict for the plaintiff—

The Duke of WELLINGTON was confined
to his residence, in Piccadilly, yesterday, by a cold.

The Right Hon. CHARLES GRANT was, on
Thursday last (the 28th ult.) re-elected for Inverness-
shire. His nomination was proposed by Colonel Macnox-
WELL of the Coldstream Guards, seconded by MaciEncrossi
of Mackintosh, and carried unanimously.
Lieutenant-General KENETH MACKENZIE
will be appointed Colonel of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Re-
giment of Foot, vice Major-General Lord FREDERICK
BENTINcK, deceased.
DIED—At Fetternear House, on Wednesday
the 27th oh., domi LESLIE, Eq. of Baliuhain, Aber-
deenshire.

DESTRUCTION of the NEW BRUNSWICK

THEATRE, WELLCLOSE-SQUARE,

ADJOURNED CORONER'S INQUEST: THIS DAY.

To-day, at a quarter-past nine o'clock, the Coroner and
Jury re-assembled to proceed with the Inquest on the bodies

of those who perished by the destruction of this theatre.
Ewe are requested to correct a mis-statement of two facts
that appeared in a Morning Paper (the Times), namely,
that the builder stated in his evidence that he had paid

1/. 10s. per thousand for the bricks he purchased; .and
that Mr. Carruthers was in the Court, attending the
Inquest ; the truth being that ties builder stated he had
paid 11. 14s. per thousand (as may he seen by reference to
the Sun of Wednesday evening) ; and that Mr. Carruthers
was not in Court, but was, and is, so ill as to be unable to
come out of doors.]
When the Coroner took his seat, and the names of the
Jury were called over, the business was immediately pro-

ceetied with.
Mr. Arding's (the carpenter) examination resumed.
Examined by Mr. Corayn.—The plan now put into my
hand, marked E, No. 3, chews a section through the
building, marked in the plan, from A to B, in No. 2, and
exhibits the whole of the openings as left in the whole of
the front wall. It shows too a longitudinal section of the
stage, dressing-rooms under it, the flies, and the carpen-
ter's and painter's shops ; it is a reversed view of the sec-
tion spoken of yesterday. It 'hews the iron roof also.
Before the flies were put up and the roof put on, for expe-
dition they commenced the floors and the stage. I mean
the iren roof. The woks of the stage and the rooms
under it were going on at the same time. This was not
done by myself and therefore I cannot tell when it was
began. In the former part of my examination I said it
was about the beginning of November when the second
meeting was, and when I went to Mr. Shaw's for timber.
I have not the bill with me for that timber, by which I
could be enabled to state the precise date. The impres-
sion on any mind is, that the timber for the stage was sup-
plied in the course of the third or fourth week in October.
A Juror.—We should wish to know the date more ex-
actly?
Mr. Comyn.—Then, gentlemen, I think I shall get it.
You said it was in the beginning of Nov. when the se-

cond meeting was called ?...1
How soon after that was it that you saw the works going
on ?—On my next visit to the theatre.
But that is too indefinite ?—Perhaps in the course of
three weeks. _ _ _

In the course of three week from when?—l mean, in
the course of three weeks after the meeting at which it

was arranged that Mr. Shaw should do the work.
Where were you then 2-1 was in the theatre.
What part of the works was then in operation ?—The
joists of the stage were first doing► to my view.
As this is of the utmost importance, the Gentlemen of
the Jury may be assured that I shall endeavour not to let
a word relating to it escape. What were those joists for ?
---Those joists were to rest the floor boards upon.
Were the floors then begun ?—At that time they had nut
begun any past of the floors.
How soon afterwards were the floors begun ?—I should
say I saw the floors begun in about a fortnight after-
wards. lam only speaking at present in allusion to those
visits I made as a timber merchant, therefore I cannot

speak with perfect accuracy as to the time ; but I believe
they were begun about a fortnight after the joists were
being put in.
Who was performing those works ?—Mr. Shaw's people
were working at the floors, entirely under the direction
of himself; that is what I believe.
Mr. Shaw was giving the directions ?—I believe so; I
saw him giving them.
I.ly the CoaoNEa—Had you any opportunity of know-
ing what sort of directions Mr. Shaw gave ?—No, none.
By a Juror—Was there any surveyor employed at that
time ?—The architect himself, I believe, to the whole—
Mr. Whitwell.

By the CORONER—Do you know that of your own
knowledge ?—I saw him some six or eight weeks after-
wards in the building, and I received instructions from him.

A Juror—We want to know what we are to under-
stand exactly upon this part? Mr. Shaw did this work.
I don't know whose instructions he had to do it. I did
work there, and 1 had Mr. Whitwell's instructions for do-
ing it some six or eight weeks afterwards.
A Juror—That does not bear on the question at all. Was
the work doing under any surveyor by Mr. Shaw's men?
—I have no means of knowing that.
Another Juror—Was there not a surveyor appointed at
the second meeting, when you met Mr. Shaw ?—The
surveyor's name was not mentioned, I think.
Was there not one appointed at the second meeting ?
There was a surveyor to the building.
You mean Mr. Whitwell?—Yes. The surveyor 1
named was my friend Mr. Benson, who went with me to
guide me in making my estimate. Mr. Benson was not
surveyor of the building; he was merely a friend of mine.
Mr. Comyn.—Had Mr. Benson any thing to do with
the building whatever, except as to going with you in order
to guide you in making your estimate ? Nothing whatever.
CORONER —Do you wish that answer to be taken down
Mr. Comyn ? Mr. Comyn.—Certainly, Sir ; it may be
very important, because when a thing is mentioned in a
public Court, we know how expeditiously it gets into the
public Papers ; and Mr. Benson's name being mentioned,
the Jury will easily understand how necessary it may be
for them to leave it distinctly understood that he had
nothing on earth to do with the building.
Now, Sir, state how long a time it took.to put up the flies
and the workshops ?—I should think the flies took about a
fortnight ; the painter's shop was the next erection, which
probably took three or four days. The carpenter's work-
shop was not erected till within the last throe weeks, there
were two shops, the one the painter's and the other the
carpenter's.
Juror—Did you say completed or erected ?—Completed.
A Juror—You most distinctly said erected.
Mr. Comyn—Within three weeks of what ?—Three
weeks of the completion of the building.
What do you mean by the word " erected ?"—Putting
it together.
When was it completed then ?—lt was not completed
until three or four days of the opening of the house.
After the floors of the stage were completed, be good
enough to describe, for that is the material point now, how
the flies bore upon the building, according to the plan you
have now in your hand ?—One end was supported in the
walls, the other was framed into a trimmer, and the for-
mer supported by strutts from the stage floor. The
painter's shop rested upon the flies. The carpenter's shop
had girders resting in the walls, and was suspended by
bolts and iron straps to the roof.
Be so good as look to the plan marked No. 1.--I have
that plan in my hand.
I see upon that plan the word "Flies" on each side, and
lines; what do the lines represent ?—Joists.
I observe these Joists are numerous ; is that so ?—lt is
so ; they are about a foot apart.
Do those joists bear upon the walls?—At one end they
do.

Can you tell the Cl:ironer and Jury what height the walls
are from the stage to the roof?—No, I cannot tell at all,
as I have no ~ortle.
Will yca state to the Jury where the strutts are placed ?
—Tba strutts or uprights are placed under the trimmer.
What height and thickness are they of?—That I cer-
tainly cannot tell.
Can you tell about the height of them within a few
feet? I should think the first fly was about 14 feet from the
stage.

That is not what I asked you. However, did a struts
support that fly ?—lt
CORONER-What do you mean by the first fly ?—The
first fly from the stage ; there were two tiers of flies.
Mr. Cornyn—When you say there were two tiers of
flies, what do you mean ?—I mean that the one was pre.-
cisely the same as the other, but that the one was over the
other.

Were those flies on both sides the same?—Yes, they were.
Will you state to the Coroner and Jury what support
the upper fly had ?—Strutts as before, that is to say, the
earse as the lower fly.
Can you state to the Jury what distance in height there
was between the flies ?_About seven feet.
State in what manner the floor of the painter's shop
was supported ?—Resting on the second tier of flies.
Does that plan represent truly, as far as yon can judge,
the manner in which the floor was supported by the flies ?
—Yes.
By a Juror.—.That is, the floor of the painter's shop.—
Yes.
The plan was here handed to the Jury and minutely
examined b) them at the suggestion of Mr. Comyn.
Mr. Comyn—Tell the Coroner and Jury about the
length of the joist which supports the floor of the painter's
shop ?—From recollection I would say from 30 to 34 feet.
Can you tell us the thickneso of the joists ?—I believe
that they were about 12 inches by three.
Will you state to the Coroner and Jury whether this
plan represents the girder and the carpenter's shop, and
how it was supported ?—The floor was supported by the
girders, the ends of which lay in the walls of the theatre,
having suspension bolts and iron shafts.
Are the bolts iron ?—Yes.
Does this phut (No. 2) represent the manner in which
the irsuilbolto and the straps support the trimmers of the

flies?--I believe eon the t.rimmere are repitiefited in the

plan, No. 1, by two strait lines.
Will you state in what manner these two bolts which
are represented in this plan as connected with the carpen-
ter's shop were connected ?—The bolt from the roof went
through the centre of the girder.
When it went through the girder how was it connected
with the roof?—ln the iron ties of the roof were placed

long pieces of timber.
The witness now referred to the plan, and explained,
with great minuteness, the parts of the building represented
on it; but it would be impossible for us to convey intelli-
gibly his explanation, unless we were enabled also to fur-
nish a copy of the plan itself.
Can you state in what manner the bolts go from the
girder of the carpenter's shop, and how they are connected
with the roof,—that IS to say, how are the bolts fastened
into the roof?—They are fixed by iron nuts and screws,
and in some places they were strapped. The distinction
between bolts and straps is this—the bolts are attached by
nuts and screws : the straps lap over ; the bolt which goes
through the girder of the carpenter to
's shop, goes up

pieces of timber.
Describe to the Juryhow that iron bolt was fastened—.
With a nut and screw, and au iron plate ; what we call a

washer.
Mr. Comyn now pointed out to the :ury the nuts and
screws, as they were marked on the pi .n. The Learned
Gentleman gave a similar explanation to the Coroner.
The Coroner asked whether the r. Os were counter-
sunk in the timber, or screwed home on the plates ?—1
did not put the nuts in, I merely speak from what I after-
wards saw. I should not think that the nuts were counter-
sunk, having shewn them above the timber in the drawing.
I have described in my former evidence that there were
straps as well as bolts.
State how did the iron roof rest upon the building ?
On its four walls.
Describe in what manner the ends of the roof rested on
the walls?—On the tall-plates, the plates really formed
one continued plate, as they consisted of several pieces of
timber fastened together, and reaching round the four walls
of the building, the roof was simply laid on, or rested
merely on the plate. We also call the four walls, when
finished, the wall.
A Juror—Was the roof secured to the walls ?—No ; it
simply rested on the plate, just in the same manner as if a
tub was inverted and laid on the ground. The roof
was bedded in morter.

Have you ever before seen an iron roof resting •n the
plate merely ?—I never before saw, as I recollect, but two
iron roofs in my life.
Did you see these laid simply on the plate in the man-
ner you have described ?—I do not know how those two
roofs were laid. _ _

Be so good as to describe to the Jury how the roof was
bedded in snorter P—The roof had an iron plate of its own,
composed of a great nnmber of pieces dove-tailed together.
This plate was laid on the timber wall-plate, and bedded
in morter.
Mr. Comm now recommended the utmost attention to
the witness's answers, as the iron roof was the real cause of
the falling down of the building.
The CoaoNva.—What was the length of the pieces
forming the iron roof plate ?—I can't tell.
The COBONER.—I mean the pieces which you said were
dove-tailed ?—I don't know.
A JUROlt.—Had you any connexion with the construc-
tion or putting up of this iron roof ?—I had nothing what-
ever to do with the iron roof.

The CoaowEe—Gentlemen, the witness is speaking o
what he saw; his evidence is the result of his own know•
ledge, and I think that we usefully can hear it, and that
ought to take it down, if the Learned Counsel tenders it to
us. I really do think that this evidence is most important.
The witness is perfectly disinterested, and therefore the
more likely to tell us the truth and the whole truth, as far
as it has come to his knowledge.
By the CORONER-The exhibit, No. 2, shows the man-
ner in which the roof was constructed. How was it con-
structed?—The iron ties of the roof were composed of
wrought iron, like figures grasped together.
[To explain his meaning, he drew on the plan a view of
the manner in they were hooked together.]
The CORONER—Are there any persons who made the
iron roof present? Mr. Comyn—No, Sir ; the roof was
made at Bristol.
The witness continued—l did not make myself so well
acquainted with any other part of the roof as to be able to
speak to the mode in which it was constructed.
Was the roof of wrought or cast iron ? Wrought iron ;
there were gutters.
Mr. Consyn—Of wrought iron ?—No ; of cast iron.
You said in the former part of your examination yester-
day that you supplied all the timber, had you occasion to
go to the theatre at different times afterwards?—l had.
Would the bolts from the first to the second fly, and
from one shop to the other, give any sort of support to the
carpenter's shop which was over the painter's ?—I do not
know ; those bolts were fixed into the flies.
The question was here repeated by the CoaotEn, the
witness not understanding it?—They do not afford any
support to the carpenter's shop. I wish the former answer
to be struck out, as I did not understand the question.
Will you point out the use of those bolts?—The use of
them is obviously to support the flies; they render no
support to the carpenter's shop whatever.
CORONER—When you say the bolts from the first to
the second fly, you mean from the lower to the upper?—
No. I understood Mr. Comyn to mean the reverse. Ile
was going from above to below—working downwards.
Mr. Comyn—No, I assure you I was going upwards.—
(A laugh.)
I think you told me you were at the Theatre several
times after you supplied the timber?—Yes. On an average,
I was there about twice a-week.
From whom did you receive the orders for the different
pieces of timber, necessary to do all this work ?—From Mr.
Shaw.
Did you receive all the orders for every thing neces-
sary for you to supply from Mr. Shaw understand
you now to be speaking of the flies and workshops?
Yes.—Yes.
During this time, while the work was going on, did
you see the architect there ?—Yee, I did.
Did you see him often ?—Not often.
You said before, you did the joiner's work ?—I did
part of it.
The joiner's work is laying the floors, I believe?—l did
not lay them, but I prepared part of the work.
You said, the first fly was supported by the upright
marked iu the plan you have in your hand. Now, how
was the upright from the stage door to the first fly sup-
ported ?—By standing on the stage floor.
Do you know whether it stood upon the part of the
floor under which the joists ran beneath ?—The floor is
composed of the joists and the floor-boards.
Conowen—Did it stand on a floor-board or a joist?_-

Ido not knew, because the floor was ;on ; I should have
put it, if I had done it, over a joist, and therefore I pre-
sume that it was so placed ; but I don't know how it was.
What other part did you do?—The only other part of
the carpenters' work I did of the interior of the thentrewas
the pit ; the joists, the floor, and the seats constituted the
pit.
State in what manner the pit was supported ?—I have
not a plan of the pit, There was a circular wall round the
back of it, upon which lay cast iron girders, from which
sprung brick arches, over which were joists, flooring-
boards, and seats, which formed the pit.
CORONER-What were the flooring boards of ?—luch
and a-half deal.
Yellow or white?—Yellow Christiana deal.
Mr. Comyn—lii your judgment was the Pit properly
support ?—Very much so.
In all its parts ?—Very much so indeed.
As you did not perform any other part of the carpenter's
work, do you know how the Galleries were supported of
your own knowledge, so as to be able to inform the In-
quest ?
_ "

C0R02CER...4 beg pardon ; What were the joists of ?
They were of Dantzic timber; they were of different
sizes, according to the length of their bearings, from 6 by
2A- to 9 by 3 inches.
Will you be so good as to put in those two letters
now ?--(Here the witness threw down two letters upon
the table.)
Mr. Comyn—Why, Sir, do you produce letters now,
that have the effect of interrupting the thread of evidence?
--Because, Sir, I wish to speak the truth.
Mr. Comyn—Well, but these letters are letters ad-
dressed to yourself from somebody else, which surely can-
not have the effect of preventing your speaking the truth,
which you are sworn to do ?
CORONER.—AIIc.'..7 me to look at the letters. (The
letters were now handed to the Coroner.) I find they art
from the deceased It. Maurice to the witness, and perhaps
the Jury wuuld like to hear them read.
Mr. Comyn.—But, Sir, I must mast respectfully object
to their being read at this period. I know nothing of what
they are—they can only be calculated to distract our atten-
tion at present, and which in this very complicated in-
vestigation is to be most anxiously avoided.
CORONER—Then if you will allow me I shall read them
and see whether any thing arises out of them calculated
shorten the inquiry.
Having read them—l think the reading of them wool,
only interrupt us at the present moment ; they are ver)
important letters, and, with the permission of the witness 1

a 111 keep them in my &au ex until a more Csr.Ver.lttt

opportunity occurs of reading them.
Witness—l am
hands of the Coroner.
perfectly satisfied with their being in the

Mr. lor Coyn —Beso good a t
ow h_why
th
they will
s only
ya distractlow tne toy look
our at a
tt e t
--(Great laughter.)
111 r. Cotnyn—Oh, I'll take care of that, Sir.
I was asking you, though you did not build tier
whether you can inform the inquest of the manna in
which they were ,ffected?-1 can.
The Learned Coroner and Jury will under3tand that I
am now examining into this, because this carpenter heir,,
the individual who saw the work, hut did not do it, is thu

most proper person to give evidence respecting it. Ili the
first place then, Sir, will you inform the Jary how tlie
galleries were supported ?—Will you allow me to kgin at

the bottom and go upwards?
Certainly. Now, how were the boxes supported.—
The supporters to the boxes rested on the circular wall I
believe I have already alluded to at the back of the pit,
by wrought iron columns standing on brick pier,
That was the first tier of boxes. The second tier of

boxes had one end resting, on the circular wall as be-
fore, the other end by wrought iron columns standing above

the ones before described. -The gallery was suppoited it

a similar manner ; the principal timbers of .‘%;hichrLq

Over the circular wall to the main walls of the buildhq.
The wrought iron columns were continued through the pl.

lery to the under side of the girders to the carpenter's
shop. You will now see the reason of the earpern,fr'c
shop beginning at one time and finishing at another.
CoxoNna..___Have you now dene with that part
pit and boxes ?—lf I have satisfied you.
There is one question I want to ask : What ties there
were from the exterior walls, or brickwork, into the body
of the Theatre ? We find there was a circular wall : row
were there any ties from that to the external building ?
It united itself to it.

Was there any connection or tie between the brickworL
which was erected within the interior of the house and the
outer walls?—No. There was none. The interior brick-
work stood on its own base. I have before stated, that
the timbers of the gallery, united themselves to the outcr
walls of the building.
And with the exception of that ?—With the exc*tion
of that, and with the exception of the principal timbre of
the boxes, there was no tie to the external part of the build.
ing. There was a tie to the carpenter's shop.
I wish to know for my own information whether any
other person wishes to bear it or not, what connection there
was between the building of brickwork within the four
walls of the carcase of the theatre, and the external wads of
the theatre ?—None, Sir.
There was no tie ?—You said ticnneetion—tiatre was tio
connection.

You are quite sure that there was no connection ? Ara

you sufficiently acquainted with the business cf a brich—
layer, to say that there was no chasing ?..—I du not con-
sider a chase in the wall a connection.

Mr. Comyn—You said there were coluinns hum the
floor to the galleries ?—Yes.
Was any part of the timber work that supported tile
gallery let into the external walls ?—The principal part
of the timbers of the galleries and boxes were let into the
external walls.

In your judgment were the boxes sufficieatly end tafe'y
supported ? Yee.
In your judgment, were the columns which 3-ea Levu
described as running from the bottom to the top, sufficient
to support the weight of the boxes and gallery ?—Ample,
amply sufficient fur their purpose.
Was that purpose the support and strength of the pl..
lery ?--To support the gallery ; they were pervinciicuh.r.
A Juror here observed, that there GV as only one galit r;;.
to the theatre, which might perlisps in fu:ure save zicnici
confusion.

Mr. Cornyn—l want you to inform the Inquest whe-
ther the flies had any other support than those uprights
which you hare already deposed to, and the joists being
let into the external wall,?—No; those let into the walls,
and the other supported by uprights from the stage.

Co enee. a—There was no other?—None 0 le, er ee
other supports than what I have before described.
Mr. Comyn—Had the painter's shop, or the Ts orkshap,
any other support than what you bare described
None.
Take a little time to consider that, and see ss'iiether vca
are correct in the answer you have gii-en ?—1 will add,
there were four posts in the building' which were called,
as I understood, proscenium posts, into which the trim-
mers of the ties were framed.
How high were the supporters ?—About forty feet.
Will you tell us where those posts or supporters Truly.;
from ?—The two front pests were supported by a wall
which was built for the front of the stage, and the two
hack posts by brick piers, brought up from the foundation
of the building. There were four posts in the building
called proscenium poets.
Do you know, Mr. Arding, what the thickness of the
posts was ?—About twelve and a half inches.
What part of the flies or the painters shop, or the
carpenters' workshop, did these posts support?—The trim-
mers of the flies were framed into them. The trimmers
of the first flies, and the trimmer of the second flies, were
secured by the proscenium poets, and the girders of the
carpenters' shop also rested on them.
Nuw, in your judgment u a carpenter, did these poste
give any support to the flies ?—Theee posts certainly gays
strength to the flies, and to the carpenter's workshop ; the
painter's shop was at the back of the building.
You have stated that the uprights stood on the floor of
the stage; Did you ace those uprights and,e,rutts laid into
the joists ?—No.
Were the strutte or uprights let into the joists before
the stage floor was put up ?—I don't know.
There are two terms in the carpenter's trade, nameiy
" floors" and flooring boards?"
What do you mean by floor ?—I do nut mean by that
word " the boards ;" by saying that the upright rested on
the floor, I meant that when the carcase were building,
there were joists laid under the floor-boards ; the uprights
were resting on a piece of board, placed over three or four
joists. This was done before the flooring-boards were tail
on. There was brick-work under the joists.
Did you ever see, whilst the work was going on, ane.
plane of the flies, the painter's shop, the work-shop, er of
the roof?—No.
Did you see a plan of the roof before it was put en ?
No ; I never to this day saw any such plane.
How long have you been a carpenter?---Frees efe is
20 years.
Was Mr. Shaw a carpenter don't know.
Now, l ask whether, from your judgment and experience,
the joists which supported the flies, and which were let into
the external walls, injured these walls ?—Certainlv.
Will you describe how they injured them?.—The walls
of the building, as I before explained, were perfect, but
when these walls were mutilated fur the insertion of tine
joists, they were necessarily weakened ; the walls originally
were entire.
In order to receive the joists must not apertures have
been made in the walls ?—Yes, the walls must tows been
cut into, for the ends of the joists to rest in.
Now tell me again, did this mutilation weaken the
walls?—Most certainly.
In your judgment, and from your knowledge oflmeinets,
what was the cause of this building falling down ?—I can-
not form any judgment or opinion as to the cause of the
fall of the theatre.
I wish now to gu back to the joists; tell me in what
manner these joists were fastened into the walls ? The
joists of the flies were simply let into the walls, and rested
upon them.
Were there any plates or any thing else to faster
them in? Yes, in some places where there were
openings a
piece of timber was let into each pier to eoppere
Thisthe j'othe ists.th:vrtlibnetrhwe
afsroanbtouwtanllinoefinches thebuby sildii2
scantling of —.
Was that timber continuous?—No; this was a peculiar
building from beginning to end.
The timber so laid in from pier to pier in the front wail
only was about three feet six inches long, and was Dentric.
ihe Jury here retired to the Grand Jury-room, fur t
quarter of an hour, in order to obtain some refreshment.

A Meeting took place this afternoon at the
Coburg, for the relief of the aufferers at the Brunswick
Theatre.

KEAN, as we have already stated, has ra=
netvtd his engagement with the Covent-garden managers
for next season. Ile is to perform twenty nights e'

a night.
LANIRTE, in contradiction of the state-
ment of Signor VELIXTI, states that his offer was WV.
and half a clear benefit, which he insured to produce 4.00/.
more; and this Signor VEtturt refused. His first derma
was stm/. and an entire free benefit.
MADAME FEnow.—This lady was engagel
to perform at Manchester for five nights, commencing last
' Tuesday, with a contingent engagement at Bath and
Bristol ; but in consequence of the death of her relation 17
.:he late awful calamity at the Brunswick Meese, she felt
oo much depressed and agitated to perform on that ma.
Her appearsr-er in iostponed till next WrxlneAsy.

SPIRIT OF Mit PrIBLIOJOVIINALS

Fears have been expreeeed by several correspon-
dents, that the commission for inquiring into the
state, of the law, as proposed by Mr. Brougham, or
. rather by those who thought fit to narrow the range
of Mr. Brougham's proposition, may end in another
job. - A former commission, which arose out of the
Forts made by that learned and active-minded gen-
tleman, to restore the almost boundless funds eirich
have from time to time been allotted to charitable
Inetitutions in this country to their pristine uses, has
become a joh and a laughing-stock. .)-othing, in
fact, but an enormous and unretilable report
every twelvemonth, has ever issued from these
Charity Commissioners. who thus make the la-
borious idleness of one year, a pledge to them-
selves for the 'salary of the year succeeding.
Why Mr. Brougham should be Matured for the per-
version to sordid and eiciotte rteposes of an inquiry,
the principle of which, indeed, he powerfully en-
forced, but the agents of which, were appointed,
and the mode and management prescribes, by the
Treeeury, it is not easy to imagine, except on giving
due consideration to the malice and ingenuity of
fection. We trust that Care will be taken, as well
by nominating efficient members, as hy thecking
their waste of the public money, to render the Com-
miesion now about to be established for prosecuting
Mr. Brougham's inquiries into the state of the
ea instrument of some advantage teS the
country, as well as to the individuele composing
is. We own it has an ugly !Appearance, that so
many candidates are destribed as having offered
themselves for the nee,' board of legal inquiry. It
looks as if the emoluments were expected to be on
a larger scale than the duties. Mr, Pee!, We hear it
rumoured, has turned over to the Lord Chancellor
the whole course and coliduct of this new law en-
quiry. The drama is to be Lord Lyndhurst's—the
&malls personcr are to be of his creation—on him
will the eyes of the country be fastened; and if the
piece fails from the casting of the parts, on him will
be the condemnation. Lord Lyndhurst therefore
will, we trust, exercise the most strictly independent
and eright judgment in the choice of his new com-
missioners; and as a guarantee against the waste of
public money, we would recommend the,: they be paid
ad valorem on their labour, not by tim-,--Times.
The Country Magistrates are now airly at a loss
'ow to deal with criminals. Last night, Mr. Dug-
(He presented a petition from the Magistrates of
the county of Warwick, assembled at the Quarter
Sessions, stating the great increase of crime in that
county, and praying the House would take the sub-
ject into their consideration, with a view to the ap-
plication of a remedy. Mr, Littleton presented a
eimilar petition from Staffordshire. What they
principally complained of was the alarming increase
of criminals of tender age. Mr. Littleton said,
" he knew nothing more affecting than to see so
many poor children brought to the bar of the Cri-
minal Court at every Assizes." The Magistrates
think it would be expedient to have summary con-
viction, in certain cases. There can be no ques-
tion that the sending children to prison is not the
-nay to improve them ; and as the object of punish-
ment is chiefly to deter by example, we fear the
condition of the labouring classes iii many parts of
the country is now such, that a prison is rather
looked to as an asluni than as a place *1 suffering.
flowerer this may be, certain it is that we have be-
come a nation of pilferers; and that the evil, so
far mom being temporary, is regularly increasing
'with fearful rapidity. Some of the Members who
spoke last night thought the evil attributable to the
state of the law and its administration, rather than
to the distress of the people. For instance, Sir
John Wrotteslev maid, " it appeared that crime had
increased as rapidly in those counties is which the
labouring classes were employed, as in those in
which they derived a large portion of their subsist-
ence from the Poor Rates ;" and " he believed that
a part of the evil was attributable to the Bill by
which prosecutors being paid their expenses, an en-
couragement was given to prosecutions, as offences
never before prosecuted were now frequently so."
Mr. Portman " thought that separate jurisdictions
-7,-3t-,! injurious ; and that there should be no com-
,mitments except by two er three Magistrates acting
together. As to the great increase in the number of
juvenile offenders, he did not believe that it originated
so much from boys being worse than they were for-
merly, but from the fact that for offences in reference to
which it was now the usage to commit offenders, those
offenders were in former times well whipped by the
individuals against whom they committed the of-
fences, but who were now afraid to take that course
lest an action should he brought against diem for an
assault." One of the consequences of a gratuitous
administration of justice is, that almost every Ma-
gistrate is under thraldom to an attorney, who in-
demnifies himself for his labour in guiding the Jus-
tice by obtaining the payment of heavy bills for
charges of prosecution out of the county rates. It
is noroeious that the expence of prosecution, when
defrayed by prosecutors themselves, disposed people
very much to overlook petty thefts. This was no
doubt a bad state of things, because impunity often
drew a person on front crime to crime, till the end
was the gallows. But in a country without ordinary •
tribunals, and possessing such barbarous substitutes
for them as Justices of the Peace nstoriously are,
and NV itheut public prosecutors responsible for the
cases selected for prosecution, bad as our former sys-
tem was, it was on the whole better than our present
system. In fact, in every attempt to patch up so
very defective a system as that of our Unpaid Magis-
lracv, only adds to the evils of it. It is not calcu-
lated fora state of civilization,but for that early stage
of society when, as Mr. Portman observed, men in
all cases of petty offences took justice into their own
handy, and troubled the Magistrate only with the
more weighty crimes; and when in the progress of
civilization, the ideas of individuals with respect to
the protection to which they are entitled from the
law experience a change, and an endeavour is made
to meet these altered views without a recurrence
to means adapted to the altered circumstances, the
consequences cannot be other than what we wit-
ness. In former times the superior Courts did not

'view Justices of Peace a,: identified with the go-
verning power of the State, and shrunk from con-
tact with them, but treated them as such rude in-
i!!rumetits of judicature ought to be treated. In the
trial of John Foster, for felony, at the Old Bailey,
Juue 1, 1693, for stealing " one bird, called a
magpie, value two-pence, and one bird-cage, value
fourlience, the goods and chattels of one Robert
Counisbey, gentleman, " the following scene is re-
ported :
" Court—Pray, Mr. Conniebey, what was yuur magpie
Werth, and your cage—was it a wire cage?
" Connishey—Worth, my Lord ! I do not know very
well what it was worth ; about a groat or sixpence, as the
indictment sets forth. The cage was a twiggsn cage.
" !—a silly' business—a wise Justice
indeed k he deserves to be committed himself till be learns
more ; have you done for the King and Queen, Mr.
Connishey ?"

The Court, in ehargico• the Jury, made the observa-
tion--" And I must need's say it was a very simple, weak
thing of the Justice of Peace, to commit the poor fellow for
such a trifle."
Such was the treatment Justices of Peace received
• at a time when this description of Magistracy was
suited to the age. To commit for trifles was then
unusual ; and when
it chanced that a Justice acted
otherwise, the Judges treated him as a Police Magi-
strate now treats a stupid constable of the night who
mi,,-uses his authority by detaining a respectable in-
dividual a night in the watchhouse on some frivolous
charge. One consolation Is, that the thing cannot
. go on much longer. The time has evidently come
'When a revision of the Criminal Law and the In-
stitutions for its administration must take place.
Let the cause of the increase of crime be poverty,
poaching, excessive prosecution, or all these corn,bined, we must do something more than tying the
Lands of single Justices, and forcing them to act
always in couples, or communicating the power of
summary punishment.—Morning Chronicle.
The attention of the principal merchants in the
City is deeply engrossed by the proceedings of the

Finance Committee, from the labours of which im-
portant and beneficial results are anticipated. Vari-
ous reports with respect to its operations have found
their way to the Stock Exchange ; but they can
only be considered as unatithorised surmises, for the
Members of the Committee are men of too strict
honour to allow any thing to transpire before they
have made their report to the House, which might
be used for purposes unconnected with the public
good. Those rumours, it has been imagined by
some, had been put forth in the hope of provoking
answers or explanations, from which the views of
the Committee, on particular points, might be
guessed. If so, their object has failed ; and the at-
tempt will only serve to put the Members of the
Committee upon their guard, whatever be the snares
laid for them either in correspondence or converse-
tion.--New Times.

DESTRUCTION OF THE BRUNSWICK

THEATRE.

CORONER'S ADJOURNED INQUEST, AlA.cu 6.
At half-past two o'clock; purstiant to the adjournment
of yesterdar, the Coroner and Jury attended in the Court-
house, Wellclose-square, to prosecute the inquiry into the
cause of the death of eleven unfortunate individuals, whose
names have been already before the public.
Mr. Clough, the district surveyor, also attended, in
order, if called ou, to give every explanation and informa-
tion in his power. The surveyor of the theatre was also
present.
Mr. Hill attended as Counsel for Mr. Whitwell.

Mr. Curnyu was present, as on yesterday.
The Jury being sworn, the clerk then demanded, after
the suggestion of a Juror, if there was any persons present
when the body of Jesse :`,tiles was taken out of the ruin*.

In answer;Williarn Hooper, of Green-street, Back-lane,
St. George's, deposed to having on the night of the accident
been called on from St. Catherine's Dock, to clear away
the rubbish. They commenced at about six o'clock,
at the entrance of the stage dour. After working for
about two hours, they discovered the body of a man
quite dead, and one leg mutilated all to pieces, lying on his
face; part of his body was on the first step of the entrance,
and his legs on the pavement. on the King's highway :
believed that his name was Davidson.

The CORONER 14re intimated to the Jury, that two gen-
tlemen, employed by hie Majesty, were directed to attend,
for the furtherance of the ends of justice, they were Mr.
Nash and Mr. Smirke ; they had suggested to him that
the plans of Mr. Whitweil and Mr. Shaw, the carpenter,
should be furnished, and that some person should be pre-
sent at the examination of the plans in order to ex-
plain them. The plans had arrived, with the exception
of some working plans, which were sent for. Nash, the
carpenter, was in a room with them up stairs, for the pur-
poses of explanation, and he would be examined by those
gentlemen upon techoic.il points, which he should
not, perhaps, think of. Those questions would be
submitted to him, and would he again put to the witness
when upon his oath before the Jury. He (the Coroner )
should therefore suggest that some person whet had a know-
ledge of, and an interest in, the explanation of the plane,
would be present, in order to watch that examination, so
that no injustice could be done to any party.
The Jury at first made some objections to Shaw being
examined by them, but a gentleman was at length ap-
pointed to be present. The parties being all to be exa-
mined afterwards on oath before the Jury, and the
evidence taken to be again elicited by question by the
Coroner, for whom and the Jeryls information the exa-
mining architect's notes were furnished.
The witness was then further examined, and deposed to
the finding of Jesse Miles the carpenter, who was found at
about eleven o'clock at night under the ruins inside the
theatre.

George Pound was then called to identity the working
specification between him and Mr. Whitwell, the architect,
which was produced by Mr. Comyn. The Counsel en the
other aide admitted it to be the one which had been exe-
cuted between Mr. Whitwell and the witness.
The CORONER, however, considered that he could not
allow the instrument to be proved in this way, as it would
be irregular.
. _

A long discusaion here took place as to the propriety of
admitting a document produced by Mr. Cotnyn, lest it
Nhould form a precedent for the interference of Counsel at
Coroner's Invests, but the document was eventnally ad-
Mr. Pound recall ed.—The composition was put well on
the wall, and stoed well. There was no settlement in
any of the walls up to the Saturday preceding the opening
of the Theatre.

Mr. Nash and Mr. Smirke were here called, and the
CoaoNEa asked if it would be dangerous to leave the
walls of the Theatre standing for a week or a little more,
until they were thoroughly examined, as to their proper
erection. They both replied, that the walls w ere upright
et present, and they saw no reason to tear, that tkey would
fall within the time specified.

Mr. Nash further required the specification, and any
agreement that might have been entered into with the per-
sons emplcy-ed, and also if any indemnification had been
given as to the strength and stability of the roof? He
should like to have it prior to giving his opinion. Mr.
Smirke and himself would then be ecabled to form their
opinion upon the stability of the building.
A long desultory conversation then ensued, which,
after mature deliberation, terminated in an understanding
that when the evidence to he adduced was gone through,
the Coroner would read it over to those gentlemen, and
they would then be called upon to give their opinion, some
little time being allowed them for consideration.

BRIGHTON, MARCH s.—The office, so im-
portant in the fashionable world of Brighton, of Master of
the Ceremonies, is at present vacant by the resignation of
Mr. FIRTH. Sal consent among the fashionables
here has pointed out Colonel Eto, as the person most fitted
for this post, and a meeting of the highest ton is to be
held on Monday, for the purpose of installing him into the
office.

Yesterday afternoon, about three o'clock, the
river Thames overflowed its banks, and did considerable
damage to a number of wharfs contiguous to the water side,
in consequence of an extraordinary spring tide, accom-
panied by a strong easterly wind that blew a gale during
Wednesday morning, and which caused the tide to rise
nearly as high as the one in 1812, which did such memo-
rable mischief along the whole of the banks of the river.
The timber wharfs adjoining Waterloo-bridge were yester-
dly completely flooded, and it was with difficulty the men
could prevent the timber from floating away with the cur-
rent. All the low places in Lambeth aad its vicinity were
entirely inundated, and the damage done to the property on
the line of wharfs is extensive.

SELECT VESTRIES.—A meeting of the Com-
mittee appointed by the parishioners of St. James's, West-
minster, to conduct an application to Parliament for the
repeal of the Act constitutin; a Select Vestry in that parish,
took place last evening at 211 r. CAUTY'S Sale Rooms, Pall
Mall, when Mr. Foaas having been unanimously voted to
the chair, a report of the proceedings, or rather intended
proceedings, of the Committee was read. By this it ap-
peared, that the object for which the Committee had been
formed was in order, if pessible, to obtain redress for the
grievances under which the parish laboured in consequence
of die arbitrary and improper measures adopted by the
Select Vestry. The Report having been read, several of
the Members of the Committee took an opportunity of de-
tailing grievances either to themselves or neighbours, and
in the course of the evening several resolutions were passed,
by which it was resolved that the Committee should per-
severe in its efforts to carry into effect the repeal of the
Act constituting a Select Vestry ; and that in order the
more immediatey to effect that object, a meeting should be
held at some future time, at which their distinguished
Member (Sir F. BURDETT j should he invited to take the
chair.—The meeting adjourned shortly before ten o'clock.
STRIKE AMONG THE COLLIERS.—It iS Un-
pleasant to have to state, that the spirit of combination,
which in 1826 caused so much turmoil, loss, and distress
in the west of Scotland, has lately made its appearance
among some of the colliers in this vicinity. For some
time past the pitmen in Sheriff hall Colliery have been re-
stricted in their out-put to 45 tubs—that is, in their
wages, to :225. 6d. a week. A few weeks ago a deputa-
tion from the workmen waited on the proprietor, and re-
quested an advance, it is said, of 2d. a tub. The various
depots being filled at the time, the demand was refused,
and the workmen resolved to enforce compliance. For
this purpose the workmen in Sheriff-hall and Edinons;,on
Collieries abandoned their work, on Monday the 11th in-
stant, and have since been spending their time in idleness.
By this ill-advised strike, it is calculated that about 230
colliers—heads of families—and a number of carters and
labourers have been thrown out of employment. Since
the stock of coals in the depots was exhausted, the tacks-
man of the tolls on the road has experienced a falling off in
his daily drawings of from seven to eight pound.. It is
pleasant to be able to add, that a number of the pitmen re-
sumed their labour on Wednesday. There was a strong
Probability that matters will be amicably arranged with
the rest on Saturday evenirg, and that business would be
resumed on Monday, and go on as usual.—Caledonian
Merceery.