The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-10 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

LE MIROIR FR►ANCAIS; ou, I?eperloire de la Lit-

terature Francaise Contemporailie. Part I.
This is a new monthly publication, intended
to present to English readers of French litera-
ture the cream of the productions of the modern
authors of France as they appear in the reviews
and journals of Paris. The plan is a good one,
and if care and taste are exhibited in the selec-

Lion, the work has a good chance of succeeding.
The preface states, with great truth, that the
view given by English periodicals of the current
literature of France is a very unsatisfactory one;
lout to the great mass of English readers, though
they may lie well acquainted with the French
language, any other is only to be attained with
considerable difficulty. Not a tenth part
of the names that are popular in France,
are at all known as writers to the
English public. Beranger, Dclavigne, La-
rnartine, Tillers, Scribe, Alexandre Dumas, Vic-
tor Hugo, Balzac, Paul de Kock, George Sand,
all these are known in England, by translation
or reputation; but there is a long list of writers
whose works have not yet crossed the Chan-
nel. To quote only the names of one So-
ciety—that of the Gens de Lettres de Paris

—we find it includes Audibrand, Bar-
bier, Bignon, Alphonse Karr, Leon G'ozlan,
Cauchois, Lemaire, Lacroix, Touchard Latbsse,
Souvestre (Emile), Viardot, Gay (Sophie),
Masson, and a great number of others, which are
almost " names unknown." The Miroir is to
be the means of introducing them more closely
to an English circle of readers. The publiCation
is of course only a compilation, and the chief
merit of the conductors will be that of selecting
with care and good taste. The present number
contains a sketch of the " Life and Writings of
Vanini," by M. Victor Cousin, " Georges et
Cecile," by G. De Molenes, "La loppatelle,"
by Masset ; and the commencement of a tale by
Alexandre Dumas, intitled " Fernande." To the
English student of French literature the Miroir
will be a most welcome publication, and to the
support of this large and increasing circle we can
strongly recommend it.

REPORT ON THE PRACTICE OF INTER-
MENT IN TO IVNS. Cloiocs, London, 1844.

The reader who is at all curious in such mat-
ters, will find within the boards of this octavo
volume an immense mass of singular information,
collected from an infinite variety of sources, on
the subject of the present practice of interment
in towns. The subject is one that deeply con-
cerns the.-welfare of the community, and will, we
suppose, engage the attention of Parliament
during the approaching session. For the present
Report on it we are indebted to Mr. Chadwick,
Secretary to the Poor-law Commission, who has
drawn it up with much minuteness and ability,
weighing carefully conflicting evidence—which,
in one or two cases that we could mention, is of
an exceedingly contradictory character—and
coming to a decision which few of his readers
will be inclined to impugn. After giving, in
detail, the statement, pro and con., of a host of
physicians, undertakers, butchers, &c., provincial
as well as metropolitan, Mr. Chadwick comes to
the conclusion that all interments in churches or
in towns are essentially of an injurious, and even
dangerous tendency. Some of the statements
which he adduces in corroboration of this deci-
sion are of the most sickening and loathsome cha-
racter possible, and none can read them without
wondering that a remedy of the evils complained
of has been so long delayed. But decidedly the
most impressive and important portions of the
Report arc those which refer to the habits of the
poorer classes in London, Manchester, and many
of our great manufacturing towns, who, it seems,
are too often in possession of but one room,
where the whole family sleep and take their
meals; so that on the occasion of a death occur-
ing among them, the corpse hastily thrust into a
slight wooden coffin is compelled to remain in
the solitary apartment till the day of interment,
which is often protracted till the process of de-
composition has commenced. As if this was not
revolting enough, the coffin has, not seldom,
been known to do ditty as a table, on which the
day's meal is eaten, and sometimes it has even
been made to answer the purpose of a cup-board,
in which gin, candles, bread, and other tinkles

have been deposited. We can imagine nothing
so demoralising as habits of this sort—the result
of those reckless desperations and utter disregard
of decency which poverty. so often engenders—
and we think Mr. Chadwick is deserving of the
highest praise for having, in the valuable prac•
tical Report before us, directed public attention
to the subject.

HITCHIN PETTY SESSIONS.
THE TROTTING MATCH AGAINST THE BEDFORD
COACH.—The late case of alleged cruelty in driving a
pony from Bedford to London, against the Times Bed-
ford coach, was yesterday brought before the notice of
the presiding Magistrates, at the Town Hall, Malin.
There were present, the Rev. W. Blomfield, Chairman,
the Rev. W. Hall, J. Curling, Esq., the Hon. Mr. Ryder,
F. It. D. Radcliffe, Esq., &c.
Mr. May, the Secretary to the National Animals'
Friends Society, and Mr. Thomas, the Secretary to the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
attended in support of the informations laid by their re-
spective Societies, against the party accused of the
offence.
The information charged the defendant, Alexander
Burke, with having wantonly and cruelly ill-used and
tortured a certain gelding at the parish of Hitchia.
The defendant surrendered, and pleaded Not Guilty.
Mr. Wooller appeared on his behalf.
Mr. THOMAS briefly addressed the Bench, and said
he appeared on behalf of the Royal Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals, to prefer a charge against
Mr. Burke, the defendant, of having acted with wanton
barbarity towards a pony. He then proceeded to state
that the pony in question was matched to go from Bed-
ford to London, and return, and to perform the journey
back to London on the second day in the same time as
the Times Bedford coach. The unfortunate animal did
go to London, but on its way back it was evident it
could proceed no further; but notwithstanding this was
quite apparent to every one, it was urged on, and
another horse was hooked to it, and it was dragged to
Shefford, where it was taken out, and died shortly after-
wards. The following evidence was then adduced:—
William Hand deposed as follows—l am a police-
constable, stationed at Shefford. I recollect the 18th of
December. On that morning I saw the defendant drive
through Shefford towards London shortly after the
Times coach. He was driving two ponies. The one at
the wheel was a grey one. The horses were harnessed
to a common gig at that time. I afterwards saw the
defendant returning at night with the same grey pony,
on his return from London, and I observed that the
pony shook its head, and did not seem able to go any
further. It was taken into the stable of the White Hart,
and I went there and observed that it seemed to be very
much distressed. One man led the pony, and another
walked by his side into the stable. At first it stood up,
but almost immediately afterwards it fell down.
Mr. CURLING—Did the animal appear to fall down ex-

hausted ? Witness—lt did.
Examination continued—About an hour after the
pony was taken into the stable it died. A man was hold-
ing its head, and he let it fall, and said it was all over,
for the pony was dead.
Cross-examined—l did not see Mr. Burke touch the
grey pony either with a whip, or stick, or anything else.
He struck the leader once or twice.
By the BENCH—IIe did not strike him either going or

returning.
Timothy Gornmeth, a police-constable of the F Divi•
sion was next examined. He Maid—l was on duty near
the George and Blue Boar, Holborn, about two o'clock
in the afternoon in question, and I saw the defendant
drive out of the yard immediately after the Times coach.
There was a great crowd of people, and I was obliged to
clear the people away, and there was a talk about Mr.
Burke driving his pony against the coach.
Michael Connor, auc ther policeman, proved that about
a quarter past one o'clock, on the 18th, he saw the de-
fendant driving the Tony towards London. He also
proved that he knew- the grey pony as belonging to the
defendant.
Mr. Charles Tunes deposed that he was a solicitor,
and on the ISth Decepai-ber he saw some person, whom he
could not identify as th e defendant, driving a grey pony
and a galloway nem r the Town-hall, Ilitchin, and
going towards Bedford , He followed him in a gig as far
as the turnpike, and the prisoner, who was driving,
the horses, asked if the Bedford coach was gone through,
and witness replied, " ten minutes." The defendant
then asked him either-'to ride behind or before him, and
not to keep by his tfdt le, and this was all that passed.
The pony seemed very much distressed, in fact, " beat."
It did not touch the cal lar, and the leader seemed to have
had " quite enough."'
Cross exo.mined—;6l iefford is seven miles from Hitchin.
He did not see himil nit the pony in the shafts, but he
did strike the leader.
By the BENCH—S. ht •ffurd is about forty miles from
London.
George I?arrow, a a' ad labourer, proved that he saw
the defendant drivin g • the pony towards London. Wit-
nes.; was putting do\ ca gravel on the road, and the de-
fendant held up his ,ip and said that he was the werst
enemy lie had. lle saw the defendant again on the
afternoon of the s: it ie day—the grey pony seemed
dreadfully distressed,.• and appeared to be dragged along
by the leader, and t0..1 tang on the breeching.
Cross. examined— D id not see any breeching to the
harness.
Richard Oliver, am ) inspector of police, proved that he
saw the pony pas si: ig through Cadicato apparently
dreadfully distresses 1, and the leader dragging it along.
The coach had gone II rough five minutes before. The
pony travelled as t:Rd ugh it could hardly get one leg
before another.
By. Mr. RYDER—Ti .e pony was going at the rate of
eight or nine miles a-a hour when he saw it.
Mr. Tnomes said I .ie had summoned a person named
May, a toll-collector ,1 but he was not present.
Mr. WooLLEn th; . addressed the bench and pro-
' ceeded to contend t .at the specific charge contained in
the information had I not been made out, and that there
was not the least er it :knee of the defendant having acted
with any cruelty toe n Ards the animal; but on the contrary,
all the witnesses li .d positively necratived the supposi-
tion. lle adinitte J the animal habd been set to a task

above its powers, and the failure was in a great measure
to be attributed to the bad state of the roads, for he was
instructed that upon other occasions the animal had per-
formed even greater feats than the one in question. The
animal was a great favourite of the defendant, and was a
source of considerable profit to him ; it therefore was
not likely that he should wilfully cause its destruction.
After some further observations Mr. Wooller called the
following witnesses on behalf of the defendant.
Mr. 11. Milburne deposed that he resided at Holloway,
where he carried on the business of a licensed victualler.
He knew the defendant, and was present When a wager
WAS made for two amounts, 30/. to 101., and 21/. to 7/.
The effect of the wager was that he should stand to win
81/, to lose 27/. The wager was that he was to drive
his pony from Bedford to London and return, against
the time of the Bedford coach, and come again to Lont
on the next day. The condition of the match was that
he was not to use either stick or whip to the pony, er he
would lose his wager; and he said at the time that those
who backed him must not ha angry, f,r he should pull
up if he found his pony the least distressed. Witness
did not consider the match beyond the powers of the
pony to perform. He saw the pony in London, and it
appeared so fresh that, but for his knowledge of the
fact, he should not have thought it had come further than
from Barnet. He saw the pony after this, and it seemed
1 so fresh that. gentlemen were laying even bets in its
favour. Witness was aware that this pony had before
performed some extraordinary feats.
The BENCH thought this had nothing to do with the
case.

Cross-examined—Had known the defendant four years.
Mr. THOMAS—Are you not aware that he has killed
three horses in matches against time ?—After some dis-
cussion as to the admissibility of the question, the wit-
ness said he was not aware of the fact. The witness.
after being pressed, said he had heard that Burke had
ridden a horse twenty miles in an hour, and undertook
to jump over twenty hurdles, and the horse died at the
eighteenth hurdle.
Cross-examination continued—Witness did not ne•
company the defendant in this match, but a number of
people did so. Mr. Spring accompanied him the whole
of the distance. Did not know that the pony was taken
out at Welwyn because it was ill. He had no conversa-
tion with him about the match—in point of fact, he was
opposed to him, so far as the match was concerned, as he
had laid his money against the undertaking being com-
pleted. Mr. Spring and :Burke certainly came to his
house after the match, and said how much they regretted
what had happened.
Mr. RADCLIFFE—You have told us that you laid
against the pony, and yet you have said you were cer-
tain the pony could win. Witness—l put down the
money, in order that the match might be got off.
Mr. RADCLIFFE —And you expected to lose your
money ? Witness—Yes.
Cross-examination continued—Had never heard it
stated that Burke was a considerable gainer by losing
this match.
Thomas Winter, better known as " Tom Spring," de-
posed that he had nothing to do with the making of the
match, but saw it while it was being proceeded with.
The pony was very fresh in his opinion when it started
on the second journey from the George and Blue Boar,
and in his opinion it was able to perform the match.
Witness accompanied the pony to Shefford, and on
Burke coming up to him about two miles from that
town, Burke said to him, "I am beat." Witness told
him he did not think he was, for the pony seemed lively,
to which Burke replied that he found him falter in the
last two or three hundred yards, and he at the same time
said, " You know you have heard me say that the
moment I found the pony was beat, I would pull up at
the first house I came to, and I mean to do it." They
did not know, it being dark, where they were, and on
being informed they were about two miles from Shefford,
they resolved to proceed thither, and gave up the match,
and only went on at a very slow pace, in fact, a jog-trot.
At Shefford every attention was paid to the animal.
The CHAIRMAN—But, notwithstanding that, it died ?
Witness—Yes.
Cross-examined—Witness followed the pony down to
Welwyn. It was taken out there for refreshment, and
gruel given to it, was rubbed down, and appeared quite
fresh. The pace up to town was about eleven miles an
hour. They had leaders. The first was taken at the
Bald-headed Stag, Finchley, the next at Barnet, and a
third at Welwyn. The pony seemed very fresh. Wit-
ness was in a post-chaise, a few yards a-head of the
pony, but he had opportunities of seeing the pony when
they changed. They had no leader between Welwyn
and Shefford. If the leader had dragged the pony along
he must have fallen down. lie (lid not see much of the
condition of the pony after he left Welwyn. Witness
gave the pony some old ale near ShefThrd. It was cer-
tainly distressed when it arrived there.
The BENCH remarked that, according to the testimony
of Mr. Spring, the defendant had at this point said lie
was beat, and he should go no further.
Cross-examination continued—A veterinary surgeon
was called in to examine the pony. It was a beautiful
little pony, and he wished he had its fellow. On the
leth of December the road was very bad. It was a most
unfavourable day in every respect.
By the CHAIRMAN—When the pony was in London,
gruel, with sherry in it, was given to him. It had no-
thing but gruel at Welwyn.
Mr. Joseph Thomas Powell deposed that he was a
veterinary surgeon, and remembered being called in to
see the pony, but unfortunately not before it was too
late. lie was directed to pay every attention to the
pony, and he did so. He examined the body, and in his
opinion its death was occasioned by congestion of the
lungs, arising from the state of the atmosphere, but of
course its death would not have taken place but for the
exertion, although he had no doubt, under favourable
circumstances, it might have accomplished the task.
The CHAIRMAN asked for some explanation.
Witness—The atmosphere was most peculiar. It was
such a day that if you had galloped a horse ten miles, it
would very likely have died. In his opinion the deatk
was occasioned by congestion of the lungs, partly occa-
sioned by fatigue, but as much from the state of the
atmosphere.
Cross-examined—lie was not at all interested in the
match, and in fact he knew nothing about it until lie was
sent for to attend the pony. He. gave a certificate that
the pony had died from congestion of the lungs, occa
sioned by the fog. The air cells of the lungs were
gorged with blood. The stomach was very healthy, but
it was of course nearly empty, and merely contained a
small quantity of oats and beans. He did not observe
any appearance of the pony having sustained great pain
or torture before it died. lie did not observe any whips
marks on the horse's body.
By the BENCH—Had seen many cases where horses
had died from over-exertion, but it was in a great mea-
sure to be attributed to the atmosphere. lie did not
think the match ought to have been attempted on such a
day as this was.
John Miles stated that he was servant to the defendant,
and by his orders he took charge of the pony at Bedford.
It had been under his charge for some time and was in
excellent condition.
Mr. Wooetta intimated that ho had other witnesses
in attendance, but he did not think they would carry the
defendant's case any further.
Mr. THOMAS briefly replied, and submitted that the
charge had been clearly made out, and called upon the
Bench to convict. In the course of his remarks he said
he had no hesitation in expressing his opinion that the
animal had been sacrificed for the purpose of putting
money in the pockets of the parties who made the match.
(The defendant declared with warmth that this was not
true.)
Thel3ench having retired for a short time to deliberate,
upon their return into Court, the CHAIRMAN said the
magistrates were of the unanimous opinion that the
offence had been proved. There could be no doubt that
the defendant must have been aware of the impossibility
of the pony performing the task in such weather, and the
Magistrates regretted that the Act of Parliament did
not give them power to inflict a sufficient penalty to
mark their disgust of the defendant's conduct. I hey
would, however, inflict the full penalty, which was forty
shillings and the costs.
The defendant at first said he should appeal, but even-
tually he consented to pay the penalty and costs.
The information laid by Mr. May was withdrawn.
The proceedings appeared to create a good deal of in-
terest, and the Town-hall was crowded by the inhabi-
tants of Hitehin and the neighbourhood.

PENNY POSTAGE.—CAUTION.---Complaints are con-
tinselly being made that letters and parcels, beyond the two-
penny rate are charged to the receiver, after having been pre-
paid, in money, at the time of being posted. This arises in
consequence of postmasters and receiving-houses not being
provided with stamps that will mark beyond " Paid Two-
pence," and who are, therefore, compelled to mark in red ink
the postage, showing no difference between a letter thus
already paid than one to be received for. It is true the
number of unpaid letters is marked on the way-bill, and dis-
patched with the several bags to the different post towns ; but
until proper stamps are provided it will be impossible to pre•
vent mistakes. The remedy against the evil which the public
have at present, is to ascertain the weight of such letters at the
receiving-house, and then purchase the number of post-labels
required, and placesthem upon the surface themselves—the
street rules of the Post-office forbidding postmasters from label-
ling letters in their effius.—Post Magazine.
DEATH OF TiIE GOVERNOR OF THE MILITARY
KNIGIITs OF WINDSOR.—WINDSOR, MONDAY.—Captain
Thomas Fernyhough, Governor of the lklilitary Knights of
Windsor, expired very suddenly this morning, at his residence,
the Governor's house, in the lower foundation of the Castle.
The late Captain Fernyhough, who had for some time past
been afflicted with a disease of the heart, was taken ill with
the prevailing epidemic, the influenza (arising from the sudden
changes in- the weather), on Friday last, and this morning,
while his medical attendant, Dr. Stanford, was just in the act
of administering to him some weak wine and water, he was
seized with spasms of the heart, and in less than two minutes was
a corpse. Captain Fernyhough received the appointment in
June last, upon the death of the late Governor, Captain J. J.
Cumming, end was greatly beloved end respected by the whole
of the Military Knights and an extensive circle of friends in
the neighbourhood of Windsor and Eaton. Ile entered the
army on the '3sth of November, 1799, and was appointed one
of the Military Knights of Windsor in 11827. Ile was in the
67th year of his age, and has left a widow and four children—
two sons and two daughters. 'f he vacant Governorship is in
the gift of her Majesl, upon the recommendation of the Dean
and Canons of Windsor.
TIIE ESCAPED CONVICT:; FROM NOTTINGHAM
GAOL.—NOTTINGHAM, SATURDAY ISIGIIT.—The unwearied
exertions of the police to discover the hiding places of the de.s-
perate burglars who escaped from the county gaol on New
Year's eve have at length had some degree of success. On
Friday last, in consequence of some intelligence heand t had
hree
re.
ceived, Inspector Raynor, of the Nottingham police,
of the rurals, went to Leeds, and spent the day in makingi,t
in-
quiries respecting I3inus. The next morning, at.nabiautef.L
o'clock, they went to the prisoner's sister's house, Fount-
street,
dii
his hands. scovered
inedliiimme,iiinattleiry psaenzter yd il,ea
„edi
i t ohfanwdacsuhfli
,1
ea
up itsaokn,eri y a
nv a
ij
lelfitT; i.:anrdd scobnrvoeuygel d ht
inNtoot tti eg
aeme dls,y gtahoel. t r riln.h,
fly to gaol, whither he w3atstia,tfamendreydhbasy abnceillinlmeaernn.:lr
terceosnpeertirnsge
of spectators. Nothing to
the others. T e turnkey Lownnes has se far recovered as tc
be pronounced almost out of danger.
Dr.
r. pulley, after suffering an imprisonment Gi
four months in Madeira, has at length teen rcleasc4l V n
JournaL