The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-18 00:00:00

was happy that that was the case ; fur, in his opinion,
it was neither more nor less than throwing out an imi-
tation to any discontent and disaffection that might
arise between landlord and tenant, which was the last
thing in the world that should be encouraged. After
some remarks on leases, and the treatment of his
tenants, the Noble Marquis gave, " The Tenantry of the
Newtuwnards Estate—prosperity to them, and may God
bless them."—(Loud cheers.)

Lord CASTIALREACII, on responding to his health being
drank, said—lle had a great deal to thank them for, and
a great deal to be proud of.—(llear, hear.) The mise-
rable-looking mud cabin was now disappearing, and the
neat and more stately-looking slated house took its stead.
The proudest feather in Lord Londonderry's cap was
not the laurels he had won in the field, but the tenantry
over whom he presided.—(Applause.)
Some other toasts were proposed and responded to,
after which the company separated.—Abridged from th©
Northern Whig.

THE SEIZURE of MESSRS. SMITH'S

DISTILLERY.

The seizure, by direction of her Majesty's Commis-
sioners of Excise, of the extensive distillery and rectify-
inn•-house,
6outbuildings, plant, &c., of Messrs. Smith, of
11 hitechapel, has been carried into effect by four chief
examiners of Excise, aided by several inferior officers.
This further step has not only created a great sensation
amongst the numerous tavern keepers and proprietors
of spirit establishments in the metropolis and suburbs,
but has also given rise to much conversation in the com-
mercial and monetary circles. From the best informa-
tion that can be obtained upon the subject, it appears,
that in consequence of the Excise Commissioners baring
for some time past suspected—upon what grounds have
not transpired beyond the firm retailing spirits at a
superior strength and lower price than other distillers—
that Messrs. Smith have not been in the habit of ac-
counting for the full amount of duty payable upon their
stock, the Board of Excise ordered that a most
vigilant, watch should be kept upon their establish-
ments. Fur some time past an Excise officer had been
appointed to be constantly upon the premises, and the
workmen of Messrs. Smith were forbidden to hold
any communication with him on pain of dismissal.
The first step adopted against the firm was about three
months since, when the Excise seized 20 puncheons of
din, and conveyed them to the Government stores in
Broad-street ; but upon the subsequent representations
of Messrs. Smith, the Commissioners ordered fifteen of
the number, with their contents, to be returned. The
remaining five were retained for the purposes of ulterior
proceedings. In the meantime reports were from time
to time made to the Commissioners of the operations
carried forward at the distillery and rectifying-house,
and consultations were held by the legal advisers of the
Board with the Solicitor-General and other eminent
members of the bar, which led to the determination on
the part of the Commissioners :having recourse to ener-
getic and decisive measures. The details of the legal
conferences have not been suffered to transpire, and in
all probability will not reach the public eye untill the
whole matter comes on for public hearing before the
Barons of the Court of Exchequer. The object. how-
ever, which the Commissioners had in view may be
gathered from the fact that officers and others have
been employed to dig up the paving-stones around
Messrs. Smith's extensive premises, and pipes have been
discovered concealed about three feet from the surface
of the earth, connecting the distillery with the recti-
fying-house, which is contrary to the provisions of the
various Acts of Parliament regulating such matters.
The Commissioners having ordered a complete stoppage
of the works, the distillery now presents a gloomy and
wretched contrast to the active bustling scene which it
presented when in full working order, and the deep
trenches dug out in front and around it, exposing the ob-
jectionable pipes to view, are objects daily of increased
public attraction. The loss to the firm by the stoppage
of the works must be a severe one, and Messrs. Smith
have been in the habit of paying to Government for
duty alone between 300,0001. and 400,0002 per annum.
Every portion of the monster establishment has had the
broad arrow affixed to it, and not a cask, waggon, or
utensil has escaped the same mark of condemnation at
the Exciseman's hands. Above 60 workmen, it was
stated, were discharged on Saturday night last, making
the number, including those dismissed on the previous
week, above 120 now out of employment. Messrs.
Smith having memorialised the Lords of the Treasury on
the subject, their Lordships' reply is looked for with
great interest. The buildings alone are estimated to be
of the value of 160,000 L, and should the Board of Ex-
cise succeed in the Court of Exchequer in recovering
the enormous penalties for which the firm are being pro-
secuted, the whole of this valuable property will fall into
the hands of the Crown, and a rich harvest will be
reaped by the officers who have assisted in promoting the
proceedings. In any event Messsrs. Smith will be
put to very heavy expenses in resisting the Crown pro-
secutions.

A NEW KIND OF CANNON.—A letter from Sweden
states that Baron Wahrendoriff has just invented a new
kind of cannon for fortresses. The carriage and the gun
form only one piece. The space occupied is but small, and
as it is not necessary to have the openings at the case-
ments of any great extent, the gunners are better shel-
tered from the enemy's balls.
ONE TURNIP FOR Two LEGS OF MUTTON.—Mr.
Kendal, of Sellet h all, Stainton, lately pulled a turnip,
the circumference of which measured two feet five inches,
and the weight of which was twenty-six lbs. eight
ounces. The outside of this bulb would have held suffi-
cient water to boil two legs of mutton. and the inside
furnished enough vegetables to serve with the meat.—
Lan caster Guardian.

FATHER MATHEW.—Last evening a large meet-
ing of teetotallers and others took place at the Temper-
ance-hall, Carey-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, for the
purpose of adopting measures to relieve Father
Mathew from his embarrassment. The chair was taken
by the Rev. John A. Hearn, who, as well as the movers
of the resolutions, strongly urged the meeting to exert
itself for the benefit of the .‘ Apostle of Temperance."
It was said that nearly 2,0001. had already been publicly
subscribed, in addition to large sums privately forwarded
to Ireland ; but the amount collected was as yet fax
from adequate to relieve Father Mathew's necessities..
The public, said one of the speakers, ought to consider-
itself bound to liquidate his debts, for on its behalf were
they contracted ; and not alone teetotallers, but all per-
sons feeling any interest in the domestic comfort of the
working classes, should contribute their share of relief.
Resolutions for raising funds were carried unanimously.
It was resolved to collect subscriptions, of one penny and
upwards, from the members of every Temperance So-
ciety in the country, and whoever else might feel in-
clined to subscribe. After the passing of resolutions„
thanks were voted to tho chairman, and the meeting
separated.
A SSASSINA rION BY A YOUNG FEMALE.—M. Dan-
brL, who keeps the large bookseller's shop in the
Passage Vivienne, last evening perceived a woman stop
at his doorway, and take away a book from amongst
those placed outside for display. He ran out, and
caught her with the stolen article, a penny almanac, in
her possession. lie was taking her before the commis-
sary of the district, who lives in the Rue St. Pierre-.
Montmartre, when, as they ascended the staircase, the
prisoner drew a poniard-knife, and plunged it to the haft
iu the body of the unfortunate man, who fell dead on
the instant. She then fled, but was apprehended almost
immediately, and taken back before the commissary, who,.
after investigating the matter, committed her for trial.
During the whole evening, up to midnight, the Passage
Vivienne and the Rue St. Pierre-Montmartre were filled
with such a crowd of persons, that it was thought advi•
sable to send for a detachment of soldiers to preserve
order. The body of M. Daub' t'!.e was brought home to
his residence about half-past eleven. Nothing can equal
the despair of his family. The woman was young and
well-dressed, and held a young child by the hand.
Another account states that it was in the office of the
Commissary that she gave the fatal blow.—Galignani, of
Saturday.
MIDDLETON COLLIERY,—On Monday last the
workmen belonging to Middleton Colliery and their
wives, to the number of 520, were entertained at dinner
and tea by Mr. Brandling, the proprietor of those works,
to mark his approbation of their good conduct during a
series of years past, and more particularly of their beha-
viour during the late strike. The speeches which were
on this occasion delivered exhibited a degree of g, od
feeling highly creditable both to master and men.
We have received an account of the seizure of one
of the largest distilleries in the City by order of the
Commissioners of Excise, but for want of proper authen-
tication, we must defer the publication till we have an
opportunity of making full inquiry.— Times.
THE CONVICT ELLEN COOK.— Some circumstances
having come to light, as we understand, respecting the
character of the principal witness against Ellen Cook,
who was transported for 15 years at the late sessions,
means are now taking to endeavour to procure a commu-
tation of her sentence.—Hull Packet.
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON.—A total eclipse
of this luminary will take place on Sunday, the 24th in-
stant, at 42 minutes past 11 o'clock at night.
MISS MARTINEAU.—Mr. William Howitt has pub-
lished a letter corroborative of the statement that Miss
Martineau has been cured, by mesmerism, of a painful
disorder, which was fast sinking her to the grave.
PRACTICAL JOKES.—The Courrier Loir-et- Cher
of the 10th states that several of the inhabitants of the
commune of Villafrancceur are at this moment under pro-
secution on a charge of homicide by imPrunce.tobair They
had at a public-house, by way of Joke, mixed
with the wine of a man who was present,
and forced him
to drink it. The man died twenty-four hours afterwards
of the narcotic effect of the tobacco.
Land Lady Stratheden and family,
returnedord Campbell,to
Strathedene den House on Friday, from a tour on.
the Continent.
ROWLAND STEPHENSON.—This notorious personage,
to whom so many persons, a few years back, owed their
entire ruin, is now in Calcutta, carrying on a speculation
iu railroads.—Hanipshire Advertiser.
Four men have lately been "lynched" in Fannin
county, America, by the most sanguinary process. Their
names were Andrew Jones, Harvey 'White, L. Wray,
and Mitchell, all lately from Missouri, and all notorious
for their rascality before they left. The cause was, for
barbarously murdering and robbing three friendly In-
dians. Upwards of 200 persons attended the trial and
execution. 'Three others, named Benjamin Jones, Jew-
land, and Harris, were arrested and convicted of theft,
and were made to hang the others, and ordered to leave
the country in ten days.
We understand from undoubted authority, that it
is the intention of the Directors of the Great Western
Railway to reduce the fires on the whole of the lice, in
addition to the advantages of by the penny a mile
train for third-class passengers. It is also in contempla-
tion to run a train for first-class carriages only, to per-
form the distance between Exeter and London in five
hours.—Exeter Gazette,