The Sun.
London, England, 1827-12-12 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.—Yesterday, J. Jefferson, col-
lecting clerk to Messrs. Gamble and Co., provision-mer-
chants, Birchin-lane, underwent a final examination on
several charges of embezzlement. He was fully committed
for trial. He has a wife and children.,

BOW- ST RE E 7r. —Yesterday morning Mr. Thomas,
the publisher, of York-street, whose exertions as constable,
in the parish of St. Paul, Covent-garden, we have often
had occasion to notice and approve, was brought in cus-
tody before Sir Hicnn. BIRNIE, charged by Nettleton, the
constable attached to Drury-lane Theatre, with improperly
interfering with his duty, and assaulting him while iu the
execution of it.

Nettleton was engage.] at the Theatre on the night pre-
vious, and after the performances, he was at the box-door
in Brydges-street, endeavouring to make way for a gentle-
man's carriage, when Mr. Thomas came up and began in-
terfering, ordering the persons who were on the steps of
the theatre to go about their business, and taking upon
himself a duty which he (Nettleton) conceived beloncred
to him. He warned Mr. Thomas not to interfere any Fur-
ther, and told him, if he continued to do so, he should re-
move him by force. Mr. Thomas paid no attention to
this, and the complainant pushed him gently from the
steps, whe❑ he immediately struck him a blow on the
breast, upon which, said Nettleton, "I called upon Bond,
jun., to take him into custody."
Bond, jun., and a man employed about the theatre as
a porter or cad, were called by the complainant to confirm
this statement. The officer's evidence went to substantiate
the charge, and the cad, whose willingness to speak ap-
peared to proceed from strong excitement, declared that
Mr. Thonms struck Nettleton in the manner described, i
and also committed an assault upon him (the witness.)
Mr. Thomas, in reply to the charge, stated, that in
pursuance of his dctertnination to put down the nuisances
of the parish, he went to the theatre, where he conceived he
had a right to go, for the purpose of removing the thieves
and pickpockets nightly assembled in droves round the box
entrance.

Sir IlicHAnD Bulbar, who, when the charge was first
stated, manifested some impatience, here interrupted Mr.
Thomas, and with some warmth exclaimed, " You have
no business to suppose any man a thief unless found guilty
by a jury. What right had you to go to the theatre at
all ? It is out of your parish."
Mr. Thomas explained that the front of Drury-lane
Theatre was in the parish of St. Paul, Covent-garden.

Sir RICIIARD BiIINIE—Ay, true, so it is ; but I think
you would have been better employed had you attended to
the protectic,i t.f the houses in the parish, and left the
care of the theatre in other hands. I can't see what busi-
ness constables have at theatres.

Mr. Thomas—The truth is, Sir Richard, that Nettle-
ton disputes my right to go to Drury-lane Theatre and act
as a constable, and I believe this charge was meant to try
an experiment.

Sir R. BIRNIE---I knew it from the first. But this
office shan't be made a cat's patir to try your experiments
with. Turning to the reporters who were busily engaged
with their pencils, the Worthy Magistrate continued,—
" Ay, there you are at it. This is fine nuts for the news-
papers. Whenever they can find an opportunity of expos-
ing and setting constituted authorities by the ears, they are
sure to avail themselves of it ; while the felonies, the legi-
timate business of the office, are omitted altogether. I have
no business with such stuff as this. You may go and indict
one another.
- -

Mr. Thomas, after some further interruption, proceeded
with his defence. He went to the theatre, in pursuance of
what he conceived to be his duty, and because he knew the
box-entrance was constantly crowded with thieves, prosti-
tutes, and the worst characters, Mr. Thomas went upon
the steps for the purpose of clearing them, when Nettleton
came up and told him not to interfere with his business,
pushing him at the same time from the steps. The de-
fendant being determined to perform his duty, merely put
his hand against Nettleton to keep him off, when Bond
came up, and said he had committed au assault. Bond and
Alderson, another officer, then seized him by the collar to
take him to the watch-house, although he well knew that
he was a householder of the parish, besides being a con-
stable, and that he would be forthcoming to answer any
charge in the morning, without being taken into custody
at all. He was dragged, however, to the watch-house, the
officers calling out, " We have got Mr. Thomas, the great
parish constable, huzza !" A number of the thieves about
the theatre, and several young pickpockets, whose abuse he
had endured in attempting to remove them, joined in the cry.
Mr. Cribb, of King-street, formerly one of the church-
wardens of the parish, said, that Mr. Thomas was a very
so* man, .aud altogether too peaceable and forbearing to
,ipahle of etrifizing an oflioer.. .
Mr. Thomas said that the real cause of the treatment he
received was, his known activity in putting down the nui-
sances of the parish.
Sir R. BIRNIE said he would no longer listen to such
rubbish. The parties might, if they liked, go down to
the Sessions, and indict each other.
Mr. Thomas declared that he would proceed against the
officers for a false imprisonment.
The parties then withdrew.
John Jasper, the slave who accompanied his master,
Captain Woodley, of the Royal Navy, a few months ago
from the West Indio., and robbed him of a 501. Bank of
England note, was brought up for a final examination.
Capt. Woodley, however, did not appear, and the pri-
soner was discharged.
UNION- HALL. —Yesterday a respectable-looking fe-
male, named Mary Cox, was brought up in custody,
charged with shoplifting.—She was committed.

MR. GURNEY'S STEAM CARRIAGE.

(From Bell's Life in London.)

The curiosity excited throughout the country by
the rumours which have recently prevailed of the in-
tended substitution of steam-carriages for those drawn
by horses, has induced us take some pains to acquire
information upon so novel a speculation—a specula-
tion, in the success of which so many interests are
involved.

The carriage, so repeatedly alluded to of late, is
the invention of Mr. Gurney, of Argyle-street, a
gentleman well known in the scientific world as the
author of " Lectures on Chemical Science,' who,
after a variety of experiments during the last two
years, has at length brought his plan to perfection.
It is needless to say that, in the progress of such a
work, great difficulties were encountered ; but it is
pleasing to state that Mr. Gurney has, in the end,
met the reward of his ingenious and unremitting per-
severance. The carriage, complete in all its parts,
has, within the last fortnight, been inspected by
scientific and practical men of all ranks, at Mr. Gur-
ney's works in the Regent's Park ; they have seen
it in motion—they have observed the facility with
which it is guided—the rapidity of its progress—the
simplicity of its construction—and, above all, its
perfect
safety ; and the result has convinced them,
that in a very short time it will receive the sanction
of the public—while the application of the same
principle to other purposes of draft, must, from its
economy as compared with the expence of horse-
power, become almost universal. In producing so
great a revolution, many prejudices will, of course,
have to be combated ; but where the benefit of the
nation at large is involved, in this, as in many other
modern inventions, individual interests must give
way to the public good.
Several experimental journeys will in a short time
be made, commencing, probably, with one to Wind-
sor, with a view of exhibiting the invention to his
Majesty. This will be followed by a trip to Bristol
by day—and this again by a journey by night. Upon
the success of these experiments, a great deal of
course, must depend; but, if no material objection
arises, it is fair to presume the end of Mr. Gurney s
indefatigable labours will be accomplished.
We shall proceed to describe the carriage, of which
the above plate affords an accurate view; and this
we shall do rather generally, as a table of reference
is attached, in which each branch of the machine is
numbered and minutely explained. And first as to
its safety, for it is upon this point that the public
are most sceptical. At the first mention of a steam-
boiler attached to a coach, we are not surprized that
the timid should take alarm; the more especially
when we reflect on the numerous melancholy acci-
dents which have occurred from the bursting of such
boilers, both on board steam-vessels and in large
manufactories where steam-engines are employed.
By the ingenious contrivance of Mr. Gurney, how-
ever, all apprehensions on this score are entirely dis-
sipated; and we can with perfect confidence say,
that even from the bursting of his boiler there is not
the most distant chance of mischief to the pas-
sengers. This is a tubular boiler, constructed upon
pWiosophical principles, and upon a plan totally
distinct SEQW any thing preyivolY in use. In-

stead of being, as in ordinary eases, a large vessel
closed on all sides with the exception of the valves
and steam conductors, which a high pressure or ac-
cidental defect may burst, and involve in destruction
those in its neighbourhood, it is composed of a suc-
cession of welded iron pipes, perhaps 40 in number,
screwed together in the manner of the common gas
pipes, at given distances, extending in a direct line
and in a row, at equal distances from a small reser-
voir of water, to the distance of about a yard and a
half, and then curving over in a semi-circle of about
half a yard in diameter, returning in parallel lines to
the pipes beneath, to a reservoir above, thus form-
ing a sort of inverted horse shoe. The water being
supplied, and the steam distributed, as we shall
hereafter describe. This horse-shoe of pipes, in
fact, forms the boiler, and the space between is the
furnace; the whole being inclosed with sheet-iron.
The advantage of this arrangement is obvious, for
while more than a sufficient quantity of steam is
generated for the purposes'required, the only possi-
ble accident that could happen would be, the burst-
ing of one of these barrels, and a temporary diminu-
tion of the steam-power of one-fortieth part. The
effects of the accident could, of course, only be felt
within its own inclosures; and the Engineer could,
in ten minutes, repair the injury by extracting the
wounded barrel, and plugging up the holes at each
end, for which purpose he would be provided with
the proper materials; but the fact is, that such are
the proofs to which these barrels are subjected,
before they are used, by the application of a
_steam-pressure five hundred times more than
can ever be required, that the accident, trifling
as it is, is scarcely possible ; and the boiler
now in use in Mr. Gurney's premises, on a similar
construction, has remained as sound as ever, after
being at work every day for two years. Having
thus described the boiler, we hope intelligibly, and
having, we trust, removed all prejudice on that
head, we shall now endeavour to render the other
details equally clear. The boiler, we need hardly
tell our readers, is the seat of the vital principle in
the steam-engine, for without that steam could not
he engendered, and of course the works must stand
still (our scientific friends will excuse us for being
thus diffuse); and it will appear not a little singular
that Mr. Gurney, who was educated a medical man,
has actually made the construction of the human
body,.and of animals in general, the model of his in.:
vention. His reservoirs of steam and water, or
rather " separators," as they are called, and which
are seen at the end of our plate, are, as it were, the
heart of his steam apparatus, the lower pipes of the
boiler are the arteries, and the upper pipes the veins.
The water, which is the substitute for blood, is first
sent from the reservoirs into the pipes—the opera-
tion of fire soon produces steam, which ascends
through the pipes to the upper part of the reservoir,
carrying with it a portion of water into the separators,
which of course descends to the lower part, and re-
turns to fill the pipes which have been exhausted by
the evaporation of the steam—the steam above pres-
sing it down with an elastic force, so as to keep the
arteries or pipes constantly full, and preserve a regu-
lar circulation. In the centre of the separators are
perforated steam pipes, which ascend nearly to the
' tops, those tops being of course hermetically closed,
so as to prevent the escape of the steam. Through
these pipes the steam descends with its customary
force, and is conducted by one main pipe all along
under the carriage to the end of the platform, which
is, in point of fact, the water tank, where it turns un-
der till it reaches two large branch pipes which
communicate with the cylinders, from which the
pistons move and give motion to the machinery.—
The cranks of the axle are thus set in action, and
the rotatory movement is given to the wheels. By
the power thus engendered also a pump is worked
(which is more clearly explained in our references),
and which, by means of a flexible hose, pumps the
water into the boiler, keeping the supply complete.
The tank is to be replenished at the end of certain
stages, by a very simple process; but it is calculated
that it will hold sufficient (sixty gallons) for one
hour's consumption. The furnace, too, within the
boiler, is also calculated to contain a sufficient sup-
ply of coke or charcoal for a similar period, and may
be fed with equal facility. So much for the boiler
and its adjuncts, and now to the coach itself. In
point of form, this vehicle is similar to the
ordinary stage coaches ; but rather larger, and
stands higher, the roof being nine feet from the
ground. The seats for the outside passengers are
as usual; and here it may be asked, whether those
who ride in the back seats, are not liable to be an-
noyed by the smoke from the chimneys of the fur-
nace ? To which we say no; for in the first in-
stance, there is no smoke, coke or charcoal being
only used ; in the second, the chimneys are above
the level of the seated passenger; and lastly, tha
motion of the carriage will always disperse the
heated milled air coming from the flues.
The present carriage would carry conveniently six
inside and fifteen outside passengers, independent of
the guide, who is also the engineer. In front of the
coach is a very capacious boot—while behind, that
which assumes the appearance of a boot is the case
for the boiler and the furnace, from which, we may
add, no inconvenience whatever is experienced by
the outside passenger, although in cold weather a
certain degree of heat may be obtained if required.
The length of the vehicle, from end to end, is fifteen
feet, and, with the pole and pilot wheels, twenty
feet. The diameter of the hind wheels is five feet;
of the front wheels three feet nine inches ; and of
the pilot wheels three feet. There is a treble perch,
by which the machinery is supported, and beneath
which two propellers, in going up a hill, may be set
in motion, somewhat similar to the action of a horse's
legs under similar circumstances, which assist the
power of the engine in forcing the carriage to the
summit, in case of snow, &c. In descending a hill,
there is a break fixed on the hind wheel to increase
the friction ; but independent of this, the guide has
the power of lessening the force of the steam to any
extent, by means of the lever to his right hand,which
operates upon what is called the throttle valve, and
by which he may stop the action of the steam alto-
gether, and effect a counter vacuum in the cylinders.
lily this means also he regulates the rate of progress
on the road, going at a pace of two miles or ten miles
per hour, or even quicker if necessary. There is
another ever also by which he can stop the vehicle
instanter, and, in fact, in a moment reverse the mo-
tion of the wheels, so as to prevent accident, as is
the practice with the paddles of steam-vessels.—
Thus it would seem that the machine is under more
perfect controul than a carriage with the best con-
ducted team in the country. The duty of the
guide, who sits in front, is to keep the vehicle in its
proper course, which he does by means of the pilot
wheels acting upon the pole, with a facility scarcely
conceivable. This pole, like the handle of a garden-
chair, enables the guide to drive to an eighth of an inch,
to avoid all obstacles, to turn corners, and, in fact,
to do, with greater certainty, that which a coach-
man does by applying his whip or his reins to his
horses. We have seen a child of five years take the
lever and carry the carriage through difficult passes
without deviating an inch from the proper course,
and such is the simplicity of the motion, that the
most ignorant acquire a knowledge of its principle
immediately.
The total weight of the carriage and all its appa-
ratus, is estimated at lfr tons, and its wear and
tear of tho road, as compared with a carriage drawn
by four horses, is as 1 is to 6 ; the mischief done
by the four horses, the feet of which act as picks,
aryvehicle,
being five times greater. When the carriage is in
progress the heard,machinery nor
i therefrool so much vibration as in i s
an n not
ordinary
rd n
the superior solidity of the structure. The engine
has a twelve-horse power, but may be increased to
1G; while the actual power in use, except in as-
cending a hill, is but eight-horse.
The saving. of expence, comparing the outlay of
the steam-carriage with that of a carriage drawn by.
horse 4 from London to Bristol, is very considerable.
—As to turnpikes, no regulation has as yet been
made, nor will the Marquis of Lansdowne notice
the subject until 40 steam-carriages shall be on the
road; but it is intended, in order to avoid disputes,
pp pay it) the ttalteos one-half toll. Were the

DIED. Suff°,holl°
On the 2d instant, at Bungay, in the county of - v
Emily, the wife of Robert Carvell, M.D., and relict °
late Admiral George Vandeput.
On the 7th instant, at his residence on Woolwich" (;1'
mon, Captain Samuel Percy Newell, formerly in the(
fordshire Militia, since in the 4th or King's Own •
went, aged 61.
On the sth instant, in the 97th year of his age, 11".
R. Ledwich, solicitor, late of College-hill.
.ged
iOn the 28th ult., at Bruges, of a nervous fever, --,f,jor
years,l:niialn:olla.lnadryp
by M.
y o YOUNG, daughter
No, oi,ft
General Curving, late of his Majesty's 47th Reg
tide
SUN Orkicz, No. 112, Strand.