The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-23 00:00:00

CRIME IN FRANCE.

The Journal des Debats gives the following statistical ac-
count of the state of crime in France :

" In 1826, 1827, 1828, and 1829, the amount of acquittals
in criminal cases was 39 In 100 accusations. In 1832, the ae •
quittals were 41 in 100 ; in 1833, 41 ; in 1834, 40; in 1835,
39; in 1836,40; in 1837, 37; in 1838, 36, in 1839,35.
But in the last four years, the amount has increased two per
cent. The exact average of acquittals in the first period, from
1825 to 1829, gives for the whole number of accusations 38
1-sth per cent. ; and in the second period, from 1833 to 1839,
when the law of 1832 was in force, 3817-100th per cent. The
amount of acquittals is then within 3-100ths of being the
same as under the old legislation. And if since 1835 the
amount is diminished, it must be borne in mind that by the
law of Sept. 9, 1835, the declaration of guilty is obtained
by a majority of seven votes. Now the condemnations on
a simple majority, taking one year with another, being more
than 2 per cent., this amount ought to be taken into con-
sideration in comparing the number of acquittals for the
preceding years, It is then inexact to say that, looking at
the amount of acquittals, repression lies found new force
is the legislation of 1832. If the penal effect of this re-
pression be sought for, it will appear that it has constantly
become weaker by the diminution of the punishment. Thus
the admission of extenuating circumstances is 28 per cent. in
1832, 43 in 1833, 45 in 1834, 46 in 1835, 53 in 1836, 69 in
1837. 68 in 1838, and 70 in 1839. If these results be clas-
sified according to particular crimes it will be foind that from
1838 to 1839, there were 50 declarations of extenuating cir-
cumstances in 64 condemnations for parricide ; 453 in 638 con-
demnations for murder; 136 iii 154 condemnations for poison-
ing ; 39 in 56 condemnations for murder, preceded or followed
by another crime; 217 in 230 condemnations for infanticide.
Thus, on one side the number of acquittals has been nearly
the same, and on the other the repressions have been weak-
ened in an immense proportion for crimes against the per-
son. Have these crimes increased? On this head we
lease aside the number of accusations, to attend simply to
the amount of condemnations involving capital punish-
ment. In 1825, there were 134 condemnations to
death ; in 1826, 150 ; in 1827, 109 ; in 1828, 114 ; in 1829,
89 ; in 1830, 92. After 1832, it will be expected that the
amount ought undoubtedly to be greatly diminished, for the
law of 1832 suppressed the capital punishment in nine of the
cases provided for by the cede of 1810. On the contrary, the
amount has increased; and without the admission of extenuat-
ing circumstances, it would have been 156 in 1834; 178 in
1835; 172 in 1836; 183 in 1837 ; 248 in 1838; and 230 in
1830, that is to say, that in the period of 1825 to 1830 the
Jury gave verdicts against 688 prisoners for crimes punishable
by capital punishment, or 113 a year ; and in the second
period, under the influence of the system of extenuating cir-
cumstances from 1834 to 1839, the number of those crimes was
1,267, nearly double, or 211 a year! We do not certainly
pretend that an absolute value is to be given to statistical in-
formation, and we arc aware that in penal matters it may be
dangerous to receive with too much facility the logic of
figures; but when facts present themselves with such obsti-
nacy, they ought to be taken into serious consideration. These
results are. we think, of such a nature as to awaken the solici-
tude of the legislator, if not on the principle itself introduced in
the law of 1832, at least on the modifications which it will be
useful to apply in its application."

DUDLEY.—A dreadful affray occurred in this town,
early in the morning of Tuesday, the 12th inst., between two
brothers-in-law, named James Bunn and Solomon Robinson,
which terminated in the death of the latter. On their way
together a quarrel ensued between them, and on going out to
tight, Robinson was knocked down by Bunn. When he was
down, he ( Bunn) commenced kicking him most brutally in
the abdomen till he was in an apparently lifeless condition. The
poor fellow was taken borne and every assistance afforded him
but all efforts were unavailing, and atter suffering great torture
he expired on Wednesday morning. The inquest was held be-
fore Wm. Robinson, Esq.., when the Jury returned a verdict
of "Manslaughter " against Bunn, and the Coroner made out
his warrant of committal. Ho is accordingly now in Worcester
gaol, and. will take his trial at the forthcoming assizes.—
Worcestershire Chronicle.

THE DEATH 01' SENOR AGUADO.—The French
Government received, on Tuesday afternoon, a telegraphic
despatch from Bordeaux, announcing that M. Aguado sank
under the attack of apoplexy, at Gijon, in the Asturias, on
the lath inst. A few days before his departure from Paris
he experienced a slight attack, which was considered by his
friends an alarming symptom ; he, however, treated it lightly,
and having promised, for the last four years, to visit his
mines in the Asturias, he determined on undertaking the
journey. He was informed at Bordeaux, that the Spanish
Government had ordered the Isabella 11. stearner,Jying at
Passages, to be placed at his disposal, in order to convey
him to Gijon ; but he declined accepting the offer, pre-
fer;ing to travel thither by land, as it would give him
an opportunity of seeing the country. He repaired first to
Valladolid, where he stopped sonic days, having assigned a
rendezvous in that city to his brother and to Messrs. lie-
misa and Marliani. Ile took his departure thence for Oviedo,
and, it appears that, in crossing the mountains, he under.
went considerable hardship. His progress through them was
retarded by snow during forty-eight hours, which he passed in a
desolate cabin, wanting even the necessaries of lite. A let-
ter written by him, under date Oviedo, the 11th, reached Paris
on Wednesday, in which lie describes the sufferings which he
and his five companions had to endure in those mountains.
Upwards of 100 men were employed in opening a passage for
them, and they had to walk afterwards tire miles knee-deep
through the snow, before they could arrive at the nearest vil-
lage. M. Aguado was only 56 years of age. His father like.
wise fell a victim to a similar attack about the same period of
life. He leaves a property estimated at upwards of 2,000,000/.
sterling, to be divided among his three sons.
Numerous are the quadrilles already forming in
anticipation of her Majesty's grand fancy hall in the ensuing
month. The Princess Augusta of Cambridge forms one, the
dresses of which will consist of the costumes de Coors of the
time of Renri Quatre. Characters from Sir W. Scott will
form another, and there will be a set of bunny Highlanders.
It may not be generally known, but we understand uniforms
will not be admitted, and the will add greatly to the general
effect of the ensemble.

-- -
FRENCH RAILWAYS.
FRENCH CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES.
M. DCFAURE presented the Report.of the', Railroad
Committee, which contained the following articles :
CHAPTER I.—GENERAL ENACTMENTS.-Art. 1. A
system of railroads shall be established, running,—
First, from. Paris to the Belgian frontier, by Lille
and Valenciennes ; to England, by a point on the shore
of the Manche, hereafter to be fixed on ; to the Ger-
man frontier, by Nancy and Strasburg ; to the Medi-
terranean, by Lyons, Marseilles, and Cette ; to the
Spanish frontier, by Tours, Poitiers, Angouleme,
Bordeaux, and Bayonne; to the Atlantic, by Tours
and Nantes ; to the central ports of France, by Bour-
ges, Nevers, and Clermont ; and, secondly, from the
Mediterranean to the Rhine, by Lyons, Dijon, and
Mulhouse.

Art. 2. The construction of the great lines mentioned
in the foregoing article shall be executed with the aid
of funds advanced by the State, by the departments
through which they run, and by the communes in-
terested in the question, and by private industry, in
the following proportions :
Art. 3. 'The indemnities due for ground and build-
ings required for the railroads shall be advanced
by the State, and shall be repaid by the depart-
ments and communes to the amount of two-thirds.
In each department through which a line runs
the Council-General shall fix the share to be paid from
the departmental funds, and for the payment of which
extraordinary means shall be provided. The Council-
G eneral shall designate the communes called on to pay
the remainder of the two-thirds, and will assign the
contingent which each of them shall have to pay ac-
cording to its financial resources, and the interest it
has in the undertaking. No indemnity shall be de-
manded for buildings or ground belonging to the
State.

Art. 4. The other third for indemnities, ground,
buildings, embankments, station-houses, and other
such works, shall be paid by the State.
Art. 5. Rails, sand, materials, expenses of carry.
ing on the railroads, and repairs of all descriptions,
shall be at the charge of the Companies leasing the
railroads. The lease shall regulate the conditions of
carrying on the railroad business, as well as the prices
to be charged.
Art. 6. At the expiration of the lease, the rails and
materials shall be valued, and the amount paid by the
Company which takes another lease, or by the State.
Art. 7. Royal ordonnances shall fix the steps to be
taken for according the railroad business with Custom-
house duties and regulations.
Art. 8. The police, safety, and arrangements of the
railroads shall be fixed by the regulations of the
public administrations.

CHAPTER 2.—PARTICULAR ENACTMENT.-Art. 9:
A sum of 43 millions shall be appropriated for the es-
tablishment of a railroad from Paris to Lille and Va-
lenciennes, by Amiens, Arras, and Douay.
Art. 10. A sum of 11,500,000 f. shallbe appropri-
ated for the part. of the railroad from Paris to the
German frontier, between Hommarting and Strasburg.
Art. 11. A sum of 11 millions shall be appropri-
ated for the common portion of the railroads from
Paris to the Mediterranean, and from the Mediter-
ranean and the ithine, between Dijon and Chalon.
Art. 12. A. sum of 30 millions shall be appropri-
ated for the part of the railroad from Paris and the
Mediterranean, between Avignon and Marseilles, by
'faraseon and Arles. #

Art. 13. A sum of 17 millions shall be appropri-
ated for the common portion of the railroads from
Paris to the Spanish frontier, and from Paris to the
Atlantic, between Orleans and Tours.

Art. 14. A sum of 12 millions shall be appropri-
ated for the part of the railroad between Paris and
the centre of France, between Orleans and Vierzon,
Art. 15. A sum of 1,500,000f.5ha1l be appropriated
to the continuation of the survey of the railroads spe-
cified in Art. 1.

Art. 16. For the lines already mentioned a sunk of
126 millions shall-be granted to the Minister of Public
IVorks, on'the'estimates of 1842 and 1843, in the fbl-
lowing proportions :-- On those of 1842: For the part
• of the Paris and Belgian railroad, between Paris and
Ainiens; 4,000,000 f. For the part of the Paris and
German frontier rail way, between Strasburg andllom-
marting, 1,500,0001. Por the common portion of the
Paris and Mediterranean line, and of the Mediterranean
and Rhine line, between Dijon and Chalons, 1,000,000 f.
For the part of the Paris and Mediterranean Rail-
road, between Avignon and Marseilles, 2,000,000 f,
For the common portion of the Paris and Spanish
Frontier R: ilroad, between Orleans and Tours.
2,000,000 f. For the. part of the Paris and Central
Railroad, between Orleans and Vierzon, 1,500,000 f.
For the continuance of surveys, 1,000,000 f
Total, 13,000,0001. On the estimates of 1843:
For the Paris and Belgian Frontier Railroad,
8,000,0001. For the part of the Paris and Ger-
man Frontier Railroad, between Strasburg and Hom-
wafting, 3,500,000 f. For the common portion of
the Paris and Mediterranean Railroad, and the Medi-
terranean and the Rhine Railroad, between Dijon and
Chalons, 3,000,000 f. For the part of the Paris and
Mediterranean Railroad, between Avignon and Mar-
seilles, 6,000,000 f. For the common portion of the
Paris and Spanish Frontier Railroad, and of the Paris
and Atlantic Railroad, between Orleans and Tours,
6,000,000 t: For the part of the Paris and Centre
Railroad, between Orleans and Vierzon, 3,500,000 f.
For the continuation of surveys, 500,000f.—Total
30,500,0001:

CHAPTER 111.--WAYS AND Muims.—Art. 17. PTO..
vision shall be made for the present from the floating
debt for the part of the expenses which are to remain
chargeable on the State, and the funds thus advanced
shall he definitively repaid from such reserves of the
sinking fund as shall be disposable after the budgets
of 1840, 1841, and 1842, have been provided for.
CHAPTER IV.—FINAL ARRANGEMENTS.--Art. 18.
Each year the Minister of Public Works shall lay be-
fore the Chamber an account of the works executed
in furtherance of the present Bill.
the President took the sense of the Chamber as to
the day on which the discussion on the Bill should
take, place, and, after several suggestions, Monday,
April 25, was fixed on.

We learn that the attempt to reduce the hard earn•
ings of the poor stocking-weavers, at Mansfield, has proved
abortive. A public meeting of the trade was called on Monday,
when the " little bag-hosiers' sliding scale " was made known,
and entirely disapproved of by the whole assembly. The work-
men to whom the abatement had been offered were waited
upon, and readily agreed to a cessation from labour, until the
price they had heretofore received could be obtained.
'fits DERBY " 10 of the 150 bobbin-
net hands, late in the employ of Messrs. Boden and Morley, now
remain at work, the rest having struck. We understand that
about 300/. has been transmitted by the hands in Nottingham
to their brethren in Derby, and that the contributions increase
in amount weekly.—Notiirsphom Review.
The General Steam Navigation Company's mail.
packet, John Bull, Captain J. P. Corbin, arrived yesterday
morning with the Haniburgh
The framework-knitters of Hucknall Torkard,
being desirous of suppressing the truck system, have collected
subscriptions from the inhabitants generally, and have met
with good support, especially from the middle class.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended- by the
Royal Suite, left Buckingham Palace yesterday for
Claremont Park, where the Royal party will spend a few
days, and then return to the metropolis.

Galvanism is now being applied in the blasting of
rocks in the vicinity of Glasgow, and is found to be more effee.
tire than gunpowder.

The .ctiildon tunnel, which unites the Stockton and
Darlington, and the Auckland and Weardale Railways, was
opened for merchand'se and passengers on Tuesday last. The
Directors and friends in several coaches drawn by an engine,.
preceded the coach containing passengers, which was drawn:
by a horse. The tunnel is above a mile long, and passengers
can now be conveyed from London to the South Church station
by railway ; thence to Rainton Meadows by omnibuses, when
they will again be conveyed by railway to Newcastle, so that
the entire distance from London to Newcastle may be traversed
by railway, with the exception of one-and-half hour's travelling
on the road between South Church and Rainton Meadows.
The Darlington Mechanics Library and Reading-
room have decided toadmit newspapers by a majority ofll4 to 8.
CORONER'S INQUEST.-1:11E LATE FATAL ACCI-
DENT TO Mu. M. SA MS.—Thursday evening, at eight
o'clock, an inquest was held at the Star and Gaiter Tavern, in
Pall-mall, before Mr. Higgs, the Coroner for Westminster,
on the body of Mr. William Sams, late of Nb. 1, St. James's-
West, bookseller, print publisher, and proprietor of the loyal
Subscription Library, whose death occurred under the follow.
ing melancholy and distressing circumstances: The. deceased,
between eight and nine o'clock on the evening of Saturday last,
accompanied by Mrs. Sams and his daughter, was driving in a
four-wheeled open chaise carriage, drawn by two horses, along
a lane leading from Hammersmith-bridge, being on their
way to their seat at Roehampton. When within a short
distance of Walham-green, one of the horses became restive,
and the ladies screaming, started the other, and both of the
animals then broke into a furious gallop, and in turning the
coiner into Walliam-greeri, in the direction towards the
church, the vehicle came in contact with a post. '[he collision
was tremendous; the carriage was overturned, and the de-
ceased and the ladies were thrown out. The deceased was
found lying underneath the carriage ; he was extrietited as
quickly as possible, and found to be very severely hart, so much
so, that he was quite speechless, and presently became perfecalv
sl
ouleeknoe n e in
Wednesday Btjam
insensible. He was conveyed to a surgeon'sat ‘Valtialn-greeu,
and afterwards removed to his re
James's-street.,
rooe ent.
O,
where
a posthe expired
'ehis death was found to proceed
ofiebxnauntd til4rte leol o'clock
from concussion of the brain, and a slight fracture of a portion
of the skull. Mrs. Sams escaped with but trifling injury, but
Miss Sams received rather a severe laceration of the neck.
en,
The melancholy catastrophe was purely accidental. Verdict,
Accidental death." The deceased was 49 years of age.
Sll A K ;SPEA RCS t RTII-DAY.—Yestertiav was the
annui versary of the birth-day of the gicat peel William Shaks-
peare, •

His Royal lliglint:ss Prince Albert has presented.
the munificent donation of 501. to the Queen's Hospital,
founded in connexion with the Royal School of Medicine and.
Surgery at Birmingham,
for the purposes of medical clinical
education of the medical students of the Midland Counties.
MAILS FOR INDIA.—The tblitm tog notice has been
issued by the Post-office authorities :—" General Post-office,
April 20. The next mails for Malta, Greece, the lonian
hlsellanedso,n
tEgypt,the
50th3
anii India, via Falmouth, will be despatched
iiistant. The next mail for India, it c. via
Marseilles, will be wade up here on the 4th of May."
Thy appointment of Mr. Crawford to he her Ma—
jesty's Consul in the island of Cuba, confirms the statemena
which we noticed in our last, that Mr. Turnbull no lonvr
held that office. We have the satisfaction of being able to
state, however, that this gentleman remains in Cuba in the
responsible and important post of Protector of Liberated
Africans. —Anti- Staver Reporter.