The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-04 00:00:00

GLAMORGAN,

TO CAPITALISTS, COLLIERS, AND IRON MASTERS.
MR. F. GLOVER will SELL by AUC LION,
JL on WEDNESDAY, the Bth day of January, 1845, at the
Mackworth Arms Inn, Swansea, at One o'clock precisely,
That valuable MINERAL PROPERTY, known as the Gwaun
Cae Gurwen Anthracite Colliery, situate at Gwaun Cae Gurwen,
in the parish of Langwicke, county of Glamorgan, extending
under 717 acres, and held for an unexpired term of 91 years, at
the very low royalty of 7d. per 1 ton 2} cwt. mineral. The col.
liery has beenestablished at a very great outlay,and the main shaft
sunk to a depth of 90 fathoms, intersecting various seams of coal
and winning the big or Milford vein five feet three inches thick,
which is now working of the most pure and best anthracite In the
mineral basin of South Wales. The works are connected by rail.
way with the well known shipping port of Llanelly, distant 18
miles, at which place the produce of the colliery is delivered at
the low rate of lid per ton per mile, inclusive of locomotives,
waggons, &c. They are also distant from the flourishing port of
Swansea 14 miles, and of which distance the Swansea Canal ex.
and a branch railway has been commenced from
oat of about 4,000/., which irom various facilities
tendsthe
eer eighty nant eas
c,
in.iy be completPd at a moderate outlay, and a junction made with
the Swansea Canal, or ly distant six miles, which on completion will
connect the colliery with the best shipping ports in Glamorganshire
and Carmarthenshire. The iron ore is of the very best quality
and in abundance, and the taking offers ene of the most eligible
sites for the erection of iron works and for the purposes of smelting
and manufacturing iron in the kingdom, there being plenty of lime.
stone in the vicinity. The machinery and plant arc nearly new, of
the best construction, and in excellent order.
Further particulars may be obtained of Messrs. Taylor, Kemp,
and Kingston, solicitors, Bath ; Alfred Russell, Esq., solicitor,
Dartford, Kent ; Messrs. Atkinson and Pilgrim, solicitors, Church.
court, Lothbury, London and at the auctioneer's, 3, Castle.street,
Swansea,

TEE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PASSIONS.
What passions hurt the body, what improve;
Truths as refined as Athens even heard."

The Fiftieth. Thousand. Forty Engravings, prico Is., by post, Is. Cd.
N CHASTITY—its Abuses and Diseases—On
Matrimonial Eligibility and Unfitness—On Infelicitous and
Unproductive Uulons--Curiositios of Medical Experionce—Law o
Divorce, &c.

By R. J. CITLVERWELL,
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Licentiate of
the Hall, and twenty-three years Resident Practitioner In Loudon.
" Of human ills and frailties I discourse,
Those taught by nature and by art acquied.
Of griefs coneeed, and disappointments keen,
Which young and gentle—the matured and sage—
The lonely and the mated—all sustain ,
In kindly spirit herein counsel's given,
How health, how hope, how happiness to gain."

Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row ; Carvalho, 147, Fleet-street ,
Ilatinay, 63, Oxford-street; Mann, 39, Cornhill ; and the Author, 21,
Arundel-street, Strand.—A• horns daily till Two: Eveniugs, seven
till Nine.

A NEW AND IMPORTANT EDITION OF THE SILENT
FRIEND ON HUMAN FRAILTY.

Just published, price 2s. 6d., and free by post (in a sealed envelope),
Price 3s. 6d.,
THE SILENT FRIEND ; a Medical Work on
Human Frailty and Physical Decay, its causes, and the
baneful effects of excessive indulgence and Infection, illustrated
by engravings, with observations on Marriage, and directions for
the removal of certain disqualifications.
!Sy EL And L PERRY and Co.
eublished by the Authors, and sold at their Residence, 19, Berners.
street, Oxford.street ; also by Strange, 21, Paternoster-row ; Purkis,
Cowiptou.street, Sohn; Noble. 109, Chancery-lane; Hannay and
.20., 63, Oxford.street ; J. Gordon, 146, Leadenhall.street, Lon.
uon; stud by all Booksellers In Town and Country
°miens Or TUE Pease.

1. We regard the work before us, ' The silent Friend,' as a
work embracing nest clear and practical views of a series of corn.
plaints hitherto little understood, arm passed over by the majority of
the Medical pratession, for what reason we are at a losst o know.
We must, however, confess that a perusal of this work has left such
a favourable impression on our minds, that we not only recommend,
but cordially wish every one who is the victim of past folly, or muf ki*.
ing from indiscretion, to profit by the advice contained in Its pages."
—Age and Argus.
The Authors of ' The Silent Friend,' seem to be thoroughly
versant -Jab the treatmesit of a class of complaints which are, we
few, too prevalent in the present day. The perspicuous style in
which this book is written, and the valuable bunts it conveys to
those who are apprehensive of entering the marriage state, cannot
fail to recommend it to a careful perusal."—Era.
The CORDIAL BALM or SYRIACUM is exclusively directed
far the cure of nervous and muscular debility, impuissance, ere.
Price I Is. and 235. per bottle. Sold by all Medicine Vendors, of
whom may be had the " Silent Friend." The Five Pound Cases
may be had as usual.
PERRY'S PURIFYING SPECIFIC PILLS are the most effectua
cure for syphilis and secondary symptoms in both sexes, price 2s. 9d.
43. 8.1., and lie, per box.
Consultation fee, if by letter, U. A minute detail of cases is ne-
cessary. Messrs. Perry are in daily attendance, for Consultation, at
their residence, lA, Nerncrs-atreet, Oxford-street, .Londou, from
Eleven till Two, and Five till Eight, and on Sundays from Ten till
1 welve. Ono persime visit only Is necessary to elloctspanusuent

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
DOWNING-STREET, JAN. 1, 1845.
I The, Queen has been pleased to appoint Thomas
Thompson, Esq., to be Superintendent of Police for the
Island of Ceylon.
CROWN-OFFICE, JAN. 3.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.
BOROUGH OF DARTMOUTH.—Joseph Somes, E-1., in
the room of Sir John Henry Seale, Bart., deceased.
WAR-OFFICE, JAN. 3.
s:h Regiment of Foot—Ensign G. S. Home, from the
55th Foot, to be Second Lieutenant, vice Shipley, who
exchanges, Jan. 3.
25th Foot—Lieut. C. J. S. Wallace, from the 26th
Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Roberts, who exchanges,
Jan. 3.
26th Foot—Lieut. B. M. Roberts, from the 25th Foot,
to be Lieutenant, vice C. J. S. Wallace, who exchanges,
Jan. 3.
38th Foot—Lieutenant T. Southall to be Captain,
without purchase, vice Robert Woodhouse, who retires
upon full pay ; Ensign E. T. Gloster to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Southall ; Gentleman Cadet C.
F. T. Daniell, from the Royal Military College, to be
Ensign, without purchase, vice Gloster, Jan. 3.
74th Foot—Lieutenant R. T. Farren to be Captain,
without purchase, vice Vernon, deceased ; Ensign J.
H. Lowndes to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice
Farren ; Sergeant-Major S. Pilkington to be Ensign,
without purchase, vice Lowndes, Jan. 3.
55th Foot—Second Lieut. R. Y. Shipley, from the
sth Foot., to be Ensign, vice Home, who exchanges,
Jan. 3.
Ist West Ind:a. Regiment—Ensign G. Allan to be
Lieutenant, a ithout purchase, vice Wieburg, who re-
signs ; Company Sergeant-Major IT. Jones to be Ensign,
vice Allan, Jan. 3.
Ceps, Mounted Riflemen—J. F. Boyes, Gent., to be
Ensign, without purchase, vice William Fraser, cashiered
by= the sentence ef a General Court-martial, Jan. 3.
Ilosmee STAFF.—G. A. F. Shelton, M. 8., to be
Assistant-Surgeon to the Forces, vice Brown, deceased,
Jan. 3.
UNATTACHED,—Brevet Major John De Lacy, from
36th Foot, to be Major, without purchase, Jan. 3.
AIEMORANDUM.—The Christian names of Second- i
Lieutenant Deere, of the 21st Foot, are Philip Charles.
Conneiesion by the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire.
R.Spooner,Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant, Dec. 16,1844.
Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckingham-
shire.
Royal Bucks, or King's Own Militia—Sir H. Verney,
Bert., to he Major, vice Sir W. L. Young, deceased ;
R. E. Smith, Gent., to he Lieutenant, Nov. 29, 4844.
WHITEHALL, Dec. 27, 1844.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed George Edward
Sharland, of Gravesend, in the county of Kent, Gent.,
to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of
Chancery.
BANKRUPTS.
George Edward Lanham, builder, . Southampton,
to surrender Jan. 15, at half-past eleven, and Feb. 13,
at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore,
official assignee ; Jones, Triuder, and Tudway, John-
street, Bedford.row.
John Weightman, wharfinger, Northampten, Jan. 10,
and Feb. 14, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pen-
nell, official assignee, Basinghall-street, London ; Wel-
ler, King's-road, ray's Inn, London ; • Pell, North-
ampton.
Benjamin Wyment Palmer, coach-proprietor, Da-
ventry, Northamptonshire, Jan. 13, at one, and Feb. 22,
at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, Sam-.
brook-court, Basinghall-street, official assignee ; Wim-
burn and CO., Chancery-lane ; Gery, Daventry.
Andrew Padbury, jun., grocer, Epsom, Jan. 14, at
half-past otie,and Feb, 11, at twelve, at the Court of
Bankruptcy: Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street;
Cat tlin, Ely-place. .
John Newbold. tailor, Nottingham, Jan. 15, and Feb.
12, at eleven, at • the Birmingham District Court. Bit-
tleston, official assignee, Birmingham ; Bowley; Not-
tinham ; Harrison and Smith, Birmingham.
James Ward, engineer, Manchester, Jan. 17, and Feb.
6, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court. Pott,
official assignee. Manchester ; Wathen, St. Swithin's-
lane, London ; Johnson, Manchester.
John Woodhead, slogger, Todmorden, Yorkshire,
Jan. 18 and Feb. 6, at eleven, at the Leeds District
Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds ; Wigglesworth
and Co., Gray's Inn, London ; Barwick, Leeds.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
J. J. Brez, tailor, Cheeter—first div. of 10s. in the
pound, on Wednesday, Jan. 1, and any subsequent Wed-
nesday, at the office of Mr. Morgan, Liverpool.
W. Hall and R. Rainbow, corn and coal-merchants,
Stratford upon-Avon—final div. of 2.1. and 5-18ths of a
penny in the pound, on Thursday, Jan. 9, or any subse-
quent Thursday, at the office of Mr. Bittleston, Bir-
mingham.
.1. Hedderly, druggist, Nottingham—final div. of
Is. sd. and 7-16ths of a penny in the pound, on Thurs-
duy, Jan. 9, and any subsequent Thursday, at the office
of Mr. Bittleston, Birmingham.
J. Grundy, jun., woollen-manufacturer, Ramsbottom,
Lancashire—first div. of 6s. Bd. in the pound, on Tues-
day, Jan. 7, and any subsequent Tuesday, at the office of
Mr. Stanway, Manchester.
J. Harman, common brewer, Whitefriars, City—first
div. of Is. 9d. in the pound, on any Wednesday, tat the
office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
T. M. Morton, eating-house keeper, Bishopsgate-street
Within, City—second div. of sd. in the pound, on any
Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-
street.
T. and J. L. K., risley, tanners, Long-lane, Bermondsey
—third dividend of 1-16tli of a penny in the pound, on
any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-
street.
J. C. Clarke, wine-merchant,, Water-lane, City—first
div. of 94d. in the pound, . any Wednesday, at the office
of Mr. I'enneli, Basingliall-street.....
11. J. Canning, Scotch warehouseman, Wood-street,
Cheapside—second div. of 101. d. in the pound, any Wed-
nesday, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
W. .Mott, lacernan, Regent-street—second div. of
2s. 2d. in the pound, any Wednesday, at the office of Mr.
Pennell, Basinchall •street.
T. Watson, licensed-victualler, Camomile-street, City
—first div. of 2s. 4d. in the pound, on any Wednesday,
at tee office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
E. Holmes, warehouseman, King-street, Cheapside—
first div. of 3s. Bd. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at
the office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
E. Edwards, draper, City-road—first div. of Bid. in
the pourd, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Pen-
nell, Basinghall-street.
W. Straw, carpenter, Cutler-street, Houndsditch—
second div. of 6i.d. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at
the office of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
J. Waddell, insurance-broker, Lime-street, City—first
div. of 9d. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office
of Mr. Pennell, Basinghall-street.
11. Tisoe, carpenter, Hertford—first div. of 2s. 11d. in
the pound, on ahy Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Pen-
nell, Basinghall-street.
DIVIDENDS.
At the Court of Bankruptcy, J3asinghall-street.
W. Cook, grocer, Bungay, Suffolk, Jan. 24, at eleven.
In the Country,
.T. Crick, maltster, Sheffield, Jan. 30, at eleven, at the
Leeds District Court-7. Fisher, linendraper, Selby,
Jan. 30, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court—J.
Jackson, innkeeper, Hull, Jan. 30, at eleven, at the
Leeds District Court—G. Sheppard, corn dealer, Thorn-
ton-le-Clay, Jan. 30, at eleven, at the Leeds District
Court—W. Jackson, baker, Liverpool, Jan. 24 ~ at twelve,
at the Liverpool District Court —G. Grantham, grocer,
Manchester, Feb..l, at eleven, at the Manchester Dis-
trict Court—T.. Robinson, wine merchant, Leicester,
Jun. 25, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court.
CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown
to the contrary, on the day herein-mentioned.
F. B. and W. Stacey, warehousemen, Lawrence-lane,
Cheapside, Jan. G. Webb, mineral water manu-
facturer, Rosamondsbuildings, Islington, Jan. 24—J. F.
Cork and J. L. Do Carle, coach builders, New Bond-
street, Jan. 30-11. B. Palmer, watchmaker, Bath, Jan.
28—S. Askham, commission agent, Bradford, Jan. 27
B. Jones, victualler, Birmingham, Jan 25—J, Peoples,
woellendraper, Liverpool, Jan. 24-11. Watson and R.
Morris, brokers, Liverpool, Jan. 24—G. Ball, carpenter,
Bath, Jan. 24—J. Grundy, woollen manufacturer, Tot-
tington, Lancashire, Jan. 24.
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
F. W. Casson, E. Twining, and R. Casson, surgeons,
Hull—C. Chaloner and J. Orrell, merchants, Liverpool
—E. Edwards, sen., W. C. Short, and E. Edwards, jun.,
tea dealers, Abchurch-lane, City--D. Bradshaw, J.
Schofield, jun., and B. Bradshaw, jan., merchants, Hud-
dersfield—J. Gibbons and J. Roan, cattle salesmen,
Liverpool—J. E., J., and R. Barnett, gunmakers, Nli-
Dories (so far as regards R. Barnett)—J. C. C. Walton
and R. C. Webber, printers, Greenwich—J. and W.
Baker, stone merchants, Wickersley, Yorkshire—C., J.,
and J. Sykes, cardmakers, Almondbury, Yorkshire—W.
Nieman and W. Young, grocers, Bishopsgate-street
Without—T. Allen and E. Champtaloup, merchants,
Lawrence-lane, Cheapside—A, Wilson, sen., A.
Wilson, jun., and W. Jones, dealers in boots and
shoes, Crawford-street, 13ryanstone-square—H. Evers-
field and J. Mabbott, printers, Gravesend—J. Churchill
and T. Spencer, alkali manufacturers, Eccleston, Lan-
cashire—H. Grazebrook, H. Grazebrook, jun., and E.
Senior, iron merchants, Liverpool—G. Jaulerry, 11. Mil-
dred, and J. V. De Goyeneche, Broad-street, City—T.
Forsyth and M. L. Pritchard, sharebrokers, Liverpool—
11. Woodhouse anti C. Ewart, sharebrokers, Manchester
—J. Lees, T. Lister, and W. Lees, ironmongers, Man-
chester—A. Rogers and G. Thorpe, merchants, Riches-
court. Lime-street. City—G. Jameson and T.
J.
Wilson,iyebblinendrapers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne—J. and J. Blannin,
shipwrights, Bristol— J. Biddulpli, jun., G. j

Mary Ann, the wife of William Ashley, deposed—l
live next door to the deceased. Between six and seven
o'clock yesterday evening I heard a stifled scream pro-
ceeding from the house. I became alarmed. As I was
proceeding along (with a candle in my hand) I heard the
door of the house of the deceased shut, and saw a person
in the attire of a Quaker come down the path. As I
reached the gate the prisoner was attempting to open it.
He was confused and trembled very much, and stared
me very hard in the face. I asked him what was
the matter with my neighbour. He made no re-
ply. I then approached the house, and the man
went towards Slough along the public road.
About four o'clock in the afternoon I saw the same per-
son. He was dressed in a long brown coat, which gave
him the appearance of a Quaker. As soon as I entered
the house I saw the deceased lying on the floor on her
back, with her clothes apparently disturbed and nearly
up to her knees ; one of her stockings was half down
and torn, her cap and the shoe of her left foot were off,
and from appearance I should say she had struggled
very much. When I first entered the house she was
still groaning. I asked her what was the matter, but
she made no reply. I thought she was dying. I then
gave the alarm to a neighbour, Mrs. Barrett, who ac-
companied me back to the house. Deceased was still
moving. I went immediately to Mr. Charnpness, sur-
geon, who in a few minutes arrived and bled her ; she
expired almost immediately. I left after the constable
was put in possession of the body. There was on the
table part of a glass of stout, and nearly half a bottle or
the same remained, which was given into the custody
of the surgeon. Deceased has lived in Bath-place two
years. She reported that her husband was abroad,
living with a Quaker gentleman, whose name I under-
stood to be Talbot, and that she (deceased) had herself
lived in the service of the father. Deceased had not
been visited by her husband since she had resided there.
Had heard her say that her master, the Quaker gentle-
113E111, brought her money quaiterly, ut the rate of
one pound per week as part of her husband's wages.
I happened to go into deceased's house at two o'clock in
the afternoon of yesterday, when she said she expected
her master that day. Whilst I was with deceased (about
twenty minutes) our conversation turned upon religion,
and deceased said if she joined any sect it should be that
of the Quakers. The Quaker gentleman is an elderly
full-faced person.
Margaret Jane Barrett, of Farnham Royal, corrobo-
rated the evidence of the former witness.

Keziah, wife of John Harding, of Slough, wh• washed
for deceased, deposed that on Monday last she took home
some clean linen, and was told by deceased not to call
again until the Wednesday or Thursday, as she expected
the old gentleman to come and pay her money, whom
witness understood from deceased was a Mr. Talbot, or
Tawell. Was at the deceased's house on the Monday
previous, at six o'clock, when it appeared the Quaker
called, and at the time asked if I was a lodger, and de-
ceased replied she had no lodger. On his leaving he
asked deceased if she should be alone when he should
come on the following Tuesday or Thursday, and de-
ceased replied, " Very well." After the man left, de-
ceased told me he had only given her a sovereign instead
of thirteen, and had promised to bring the remainder on
the following week.
Mary Ann, the wife of Mr. Moss, of Crawford-street,
had known deceased when she lived at that place, about
four years ago. Had heard deceased state that she had
married this Mr. Tawell's son contrary to his father's
wishes, by whom she had two children, who were living
with her.

Edward Thomas Champness, Vicar of Upton, went to
the Slough station, and saw the Quaker gentleman take
his place in the train, who is the prisoner now appre-
hended. Saw Mr. Howell, the superintendent, who gave
din ctions by telegraph that the prisoner should be
watched to his residence.

Sergeant William Williams, officer of the Great
Western Railway police, Paddington, said that from in-
formation he received from the telegraph-office he was
on the look out for the prisoner, who arrived at Padding-
ton by the twenty minutes past eight o'clock train. Got
into a New-road omnibus. He put on a private coat and
acted as conductor. Rode to the Bank, where prisoner
got out. Received the sixpence from him. He messed
over to the Wellington statue, at the Royal Exchange,
where he stopped a short time and looked around him.
Crossed over to Birch's the pastry-cook, in Cornhill, and
he then went from there to the Jerusalem Coffeu-house,
Cowper's-Court, Cornhill. Got a great coat there from
the waiter, and went into Birchin-lane, and thence over
London-bridge to a coffee-shop in High-street, called the
Leopard, returned over London-bridge to Cannon-street,
where he took a paper from his pocket; afterwards went
down Bush-lane, to 7, Scotch-yard, a lodging-house,
kept by a gentleman named Hughes, where I
left him. This morning, on receiving fresh instruc-
tions, I went with Inspector Wiggins to 7, Scotch-
yard. Prisoner bad left. We there ascertained that his
name was Tawell, and that he said he was a merchant.
From thence we went to the Hall of Commerce, and re-
turned in an hour to the Jerusalem Coffee •house, between
twelve and one o'clock this afternoon, where we found
him, and took him into custody for an offence, and asked
him if he had been to Slough, and he answered that he
kad not. The lodging-house in Scoth-yard was kept by
a Quaker, named Hughes.

Inspector Wiggins deposed to taking the prisoner, and
finding on his person a letter, purporting to come from
his wife, at Berkhamstead, and directed to John Tawell ;
also 2/, 10s. in gold and 21s. 6d. in silver, also a gold
watch and guard.
The prisoner, a highly respectable man in appearance,
on being called in, stated his name to be John Tawell,
and that he was the tow© surveyor at Berkhamstead.
He wished to be allowed to go home on urgent business,
but the Coroner stated that at the present stage of the
business, he must be held in strict custody until Satur-
day next, to which time the inquest was adjourned.
The medical gentleman attended, aad stated that it
would he necessary to analyse the contents of the de-
ceased's stomach before he c,nild make his report.
Much praise is due to the police for their activity, and
also to those gentlemen concerned in telegraphing the
information to town.

TIMPORTANT PROCLAMATION.—GeneraI O'Donnell
has issued a proclamation declaring that after the Ist of
Januery next all vessels arriving in Cuba with slaves on
board will be confiscated. This step has undoubtedly
been taken in consequence of the peremptory demand
made by the British Government in a dispatchfrom Lord
Aberdeen, which has never been published in this
country, but of which we gave a summary some days
since. The British Government complained that Spain
did not evince the slightest intention to fulfil her part of
the treaty stipulation. which existed between the two na-
tions; and a long list of instances was given in which she
had wilfully evaded and disregarded them. The demand
was therefore explicitly and peremptorily made, that
General O'Donnell should be instructed to take precisely
the step mentioned in the above paragraph.—New York
Courier and Enquirer.

The case was first brought under the notice of Mr
Broughton, a few days since, by two brothers of the
missing gentleman, who stated that the latter left home
on the evening of Monday, the 9th ult., to visit a friend
in the neighbourhood of Spitalfields, from whom he
parted in good health and spirits about eleven o'clock the
same night, since which time nothing whatever had been
either seen or heard of him. He had on his person several
private papers and money, to the amount of nearly 61.
The applicants expressed their strong conviction thati
their brother had been murdered, and their suspicions
to that effect were strengthened by the fact that his hat
and handkerchief had been found early next morning on
the bank of the Regent's Canal, near the bridge at Twig
Folly, the former being much crushed and broken, evi-
dently by heavy blows, while some of his papers were
discovered lying on the opposite bank of the canal.
On hearing the above statement, the Magistrate di-
rected Fitzgerald, the summoning officer, to institute a
searching inquiry into the matter in connexion with the
local constables, and the result of their exertions was now
communicated to Mr. Bingham. -
Police-constable Moantfurd, K 108, stated that the
occurrence had created a strong sensation in the neigh-
bourhood, and that previous to the above application
being made at this court, he had, under the directions of
his superintendent, Mr. Young, been engaged in inces-
sant efforts to elucidate the mysterious affair. lie had
ascertained that at eleven o'clock on the night in ques-
tion Mr. May, the missing gentleman, had left a public-
house, in Spitalfields, called the Job's Castle, and that at
twelve o'clock he was seen proceeding in the direction of
his Awn residence, which adjoined the canal, in a partial
state of intoxication. About half an hour afterwards,
a woman named Smith, living at Twig Folly, observed
a person exactly answering Mr. May's description
being led along by a young man, in such a
manner as to excite her suspicions, towards
the canal bridge ; and noticing that the gentleman
was a good deal inebriated, she questioned his
conductor as to his intentions, being fearful he was
about to take some uafair advantage of him ; the
young man, however, made no reply, and she soon
after lest sight of them. The witness had received a
further communication from a woman named Gardiner,
residing close to the canal, who told him that, shortly
before one o'clock, while in bed, she was awoke by a
stifled cry of distress, and at the same moment heard an
exclamation in another man's voice of " Run you -,
run." This was followed by the sound of hasty foot-
steps along the bank, but as all shortly after became
quiet again, she thought it unnecessary to take any fur-
ther notice of the matter. About the same hour a third
woman, named Bissell, living at Old Ford, was proceed-
ing home along a secluded lane leading from the canal
bridge, when she was alarmed at seeing a man, who was
stripped to his shirt, rise slowly up from a ditch skirt-
ing the footpath, and who called out to her in a faint
voice, " For God's sake stop and help use ;" he then
made an ineffectual attempt to scramble out of the ditch,
but he fell back again, apparently in a state of exhaus-
tion. She felt so greatly terrified that she hastened
on, but had only proceeded a few yards when she
encountered a tall man standing still, who
stared at her as she passed him, and continued
watching her till she was out of sight. Immediately
on reaching home, she mentioned the circum-
stance to her husband, but the place in question being a
considerable distance from their house, her husband
thought it would be then useless to take any steps in the
matter. Ihe officer added that he had seen the hat of
the missing gentleman, which had been picked up by two
working men, named Hill and Goldsmith, and he was
satisfied from its appearance that it must have been struck
violently by some heavy instrument, as the crown was
completely beaters in, and one side of it split open down
to the very brim.
Mr. Bingham said he thought he had heard quite
sufficient to justify him in entertaining a suspicion that
some foal play had been practised, and he should, there-
fore, immediately communicate with Mr. Ratford, the
Canal Company's Superintendent, who, he was satisfied,
would as soon as possible cause the water to be drawn
off from that part of the canal in which the body of the
unfortunate gentleman was supposed to have Leen se-
creted.

The magistrate shortly after wrote a letter on the
subject, whwh he placed in the hands of Fitzgerald for
immediate delivery.

RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
We had on Thursday an opportunity of witnessing some
exparnents, conducted at the New-cross station of the
Dover Railway, before Mr. Cubitt and several other
gentlemen of scientific celebrity, with the intention of
testing the value and action of an apparatus invented by
M. Felix de Witte, of Brussels, in order to ease and
smooth down the shocks and jars experienced at the
starting and stopping of railway trains. M. de Witte
was present himself, accompanied by two friends, and
the operations were conducted under his immediate
superintendence.
Without wishing to say anything in any degree harsh
of the invention, it is but truth to state that the trial of
yesterday was a failure—that is to say, that the appa-
ratus, in two successive experiments, broke. This, how-
ever, the inventor contends by no means derogates from
the soundness of the principle of the iustru:nent ; the
failure having, he says, been occasioned solely by a bar of
iron not having been constructed of sufficient thickness.
By Mr. Cubitt's permission, the experiments will be re-
newed in a few days. Another apparatus will be con-
structed at New Cross, under M. De Witte's eye, and
until it has been tried again, it would not be fair abso-
lutely to condemn it. We must say, however, that the
general opinion of the scientific men present on Thurs-
day was against the machine, both as to its construc-
tion and its capability of being practically useful.
The purpose of M. De Witte's apparatus we have de-
scribed to be that of softening down the incidental
shocks and jars which a railway train is always liable
to. Spring buffers have been the means hitherto in use,
in order (comparatively) to attain this desirable consum-
mation. M. Dc Witte proposes to do away altogether
with the buffers, and substitute his own apparatus in
their stead. It appears simple enough, being constructed
of bars of iron joined together by means of joints or
hinges acting horizontally and vertically, and which
joints or hinges are intended to yield as pressure is
applied, thus counteracting the shock of carriages
bumping against each other when a train starts or
stops. The apparatus is, of' course, attached be-
tween every two carriages, forming the connect-
ing link by which the vehicles are fastened
to each other, as well as the agency which is in-
tended to communicate a smoothness of motion to the
whole. In both the experiments tried, a comparatively
slight shock snapped the main bolt of iron asunder; the
joints yielded to a certain degree, but then the leverage
which fell upon the iron proved too much for it, and it
straightway broke off like a carrot.
As, however, the experiment is to be again renewed,
we shall not at present offer any decided opinion on the
feasibility of working M. De Witte's invention, content-
ing ourselves with recording its comparative failure as
far as it has yet been tried, and the unfavourable opinion
of those best able to form a judgment.
Anew lamp was also exhibited at New-cross station
yesterday, which seems calculated to be very useful in
railways. It is a portable self-applying gas lamp. The
gas is produced from naptha of tar, and burns with a
most clear brilliant light, having none of the dimness,
and requiring none of the trimming or tending of ordi-
nary oil lamps. It was exhibited by Mr. Piper, iron-
monger, Shoreditch, and was generally approved of as
an excellent light to be exhibited by trains.

SOUTH SEA HOUSE.
I"*Thuraday a Quarterly General Court of the Propri-
etors of South Sea Stock was held at the Company's
house, for the purpose of declaring a dividend ; Charles
Franks, Esq., the Sub-gorernor, in the chair.
The minutes of the last court having been read and
confirmed,

'1 he CHAIRMAN acquainted the court that it had been
convened for the purpose of declaring a half-yearly
dividend on the Company's stock. He had to state that
the guarantee fund was now completed, and the amount
had been invested in Government securities, but had not
yet been transferred into the name of the Company.
Their proceedings, therefore, with reference to the
dividend, would be the same as they had hitherto been,
and the accounts would be read, as they had formerly
been.

The accounts were then read by the Secretary, from
which it appeared that the sum required from Govern-
ment to make up the usual dividend of the Company was
5,2481 2s. 11d.
The CHAIRMAN, after a brief explanation of the pre-
sent state of the Company's funds, moved that a dividend
of one-and-three-quarters per cent. be declared on the
Company's stock, and that the warrants be payable on
the same day as the Government securities, which was
carried.
Mr. JONES inquired whether it was intended that there
should be a distribution among the Proprietors of the
surplus funds of the Company, or was it intended to carry
on its affairs as hitherto.

The CHAIRMAN, to the last question, replied in the
affirmative ; the Directors had no power to dissove the
Company, even if they should deem it for the advantage
of the Proprietors, which they did not.
Mr. POYNDER then moved a resolution to the following
effect:—" That no further sine he allowed by the Pro-
prietors for the management of the affairs of the Com-
pany than that allowed by the Government—namely,
3001. a year for each million of the Company's stock.
After some discussion, Mr. JONES moved the following:
—" That a special Court of Proprietors be summoned

REMARKABLE FAMILY FOR
NUMBERS AND LONGEVITY.
A respectable correspondent, residing in Moffat-dale,
writes as follows, under date the 26th Dec.:—
" May I ven:UrC t.,) call your attention to a family, re-
siding in Mcffat and its neighbourhood, numbering
originally 1,1, of whom still survive, at ages sur-
passing the usual term of human life, as is very briefly
shown by the subjoined simple tabular statement ?
Should you consider the statistics given worthy of pub-
lication, which I myself deem unique, if not remarkable,
you may rely implicitly on the ages, &c., which have
been forwarded to me direct by a member of the family.
" Yours truly, " G. W.'
Years.
A Female
A Male 66
A Female ... 67
A Male 69 . •
A Female ... 71
A Female ... ... 73
A Mule Died at 11 years.
A Male
A Female ... 79
Twins.
A Female ... 79S
A Male ... Died at 13 years.
A Male Died at 24 year*.
A Male
A Female

11)813 Total.

Average
It is further curious, that the above remarkable persons
were equally divided in regurd,to sex—viz., seven lads
and seven lasses, although few of the latter, or even the
former, whether single or married, can rank themselves
exactly es young folks now.— Dumfries Paper.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT •AT COEHTNS HALL
COLLIERY, KINGSWINFORD.--An inquest was held on.
Thursday, the 26th ult., before the Coroner, J. M.
Phillips, Esq., on the laelks of the eight poor fellows
who met their death whiist descending the shaft of a pit
the previous Monday. A verdict of " Accidental death"
was recorded in each ease. It appears that whilst de-
scending the pit they were singing carols, and perhaps,
looking forward to a merry Christmas, when the next
moment they were launched into eternity. More than
thirty carols were found ie the pockets of one of the
boys.—Ten Towns' lileasenyer.
SUDDEN DEATH IN THE BLACKFRIARS.,ROAD.--011
Thursday evening a shocking instance of tile uncertainty
of human life occurred at the corner of Charlotte-street,
Blackfriars-road. A poor man, named Gordon, residing
at 4, Collingwood-street, was hawking small toys for
sale, when he fell inFensinle to the pavement. Several
persons ran to him, but he had ceased to breathe. His
body was subsequently rercoved to St. Saviour's union
poor-house, where it awaits a coroner's inquest-
ANNUAL RETURN OF' fIIE FIRES IN L0ND0N.......
The records kept by the authorities of the London Fire
Brigade were made up on Thursday. On comparing the
fires during the last twelve months, including the
" alarms," with those of former years—ever since the
brigade force has been established, .viz. in 1833—we
find an increase of tio fewer than 333, the number in
1833 being 593, whilst those during the past year, 1844,
have amounted to 926.

FORGERS or is:SCIENT COINS.—A notice has just
been received from France, to put collectors and anti-
quaries in England on their guard against fresh issue
from the Paris forgers' mint of well-executed imitations •
of rare Saxon and English coins. One of the gang,
who in the west of France recently bore the name of
Noffinan or Hoffman, is now on his road to this country
with a large quantity of these forgeries, mixed up, to lull
suspicion, with some genuine coins. It is supposed he
is connected with a clever forger of ancient coins named
Rousseau, a man who has not the excuse of poverty or
want of education to shield him from the dishonour that
attaches to such pursuits. By a recent law, the obtain-
ing of money bypassing forged coins is a serious offence,
and the injnred party is empowered to obtain a maggic
trate's warrant for the apprehension of the swiadler,
who is liable to transportation upon conviction.—Gen-
tleniun'sWagazine.
VICTORIA PARK..—The operations for the forma-
tion of the new park have been generally commenced,
and are now in complete activity. The external boun-
daries of the fields and plantations required for the site
have all been removed and levelled; the line of park
palings has been laid out, and a con siderable extent of
the latter has already been placed at, the termination by
Hackney-wick. A road, sixty feet wide, is being levelled
across Bonner's-fields, opposite the, Greyhound Tavern,
in Old Ford-lane, which will form the principal entrance
into the park across the Regent's. Canal by a handsome
suspension bridge. The other leading entrance to the
park is marked out at Old Ford, from Grove-street,
which will be the leading thoroughfare from Mile-end-
road, Bow, Poplar, &c.
FOOD FOR A ROMA:CM—Ott Friday evening; be-
tween six mid seven o'clock, a. newly-born infant was
left at the door of St. Martin's 'Workhouse. The infant,
a female, apparently about twenty-four hours old, was
enclosed in a rush basket, with one end left open. It
was dressed in a calico bed-gown. muslin cap, with flannel
underneath. A piece of white calico was wrapped round
the bniy, as also several folds of new flannel ; but none
of those articles had any mark upon them. In the basket
was found a card, on which was written, in a very neat
feminine hand, the following :—" To the Parochial Au- ,
thorities. The fear of exposure and shame compels the
mother to abandon for a time her infant, end commit it
to the care of strangers, whose hearts she prays God to
endue with pity and benevolence. In full confidence of
being enabled to redeem her child hereafter, she earnestly
requests that this card may be carefully preserved, that
the product of an Indented duplicate hereafter may
serve for its identification. Please to have the infant
christened as on back of the card." On the other side
of the card was written, in a bold hand, " Maria M. M.,.
born December 26, 1844. The child is placed with is
wet-nurse, and is now doing well.