The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-15 00:00:00

THE PHILIPSTOWN OUTRAGE.

It seems we had too good an opinion of the present
Government when we credited the report that it was
about to cause an investigation into the shocking
transaction at Philipstown. The Government will
do no such thing—it still stands on the Coroner's in-
quest. But the matter cannot stand here. We again
ask, who was the Coroner ? Did he charge the Jury ?
Who were the witnesses ?—who the Jury ?—what the
evidence? What was the conduct of the parties even
after the day of the dreadful deed ? What were their
intentions previously 2—and did not the knowledge of
them keep away from the party a respectable gentleman,
on whom a gross outrage had been previously plotted ?
The' facts must and should come out, in spite of all the
money lavished for suppression, and all the paragraphs
for intimidation.—Pilot.

LONDON CITY MISSION.--On Thursday fore-
noon the annual meeting of the London City Mission
took place at the Music-hall, Store-street, Bedford-
square ; R. C. Bevan, Esq., took the chair. The Secre-
tary read the annual Report of the Committee, from
which it appeared that an addition of several friends to
the Society had taken place since their last annual meet-
ing. The number of missionaries was then 52 ; it was
now 59. Some changes had taken place in the distribu-
tion of the missionaries, and the chief new districts allotted
to their exertions were those which most required them;
viz., Field-lane, Saffron-hill, Cow-cross, the inhabitants
of which were in a most deplorable state of spiritual
destitution. In one of the courts north of Holborn-hill,
containing 391 souls from the age of six upwards, 280
could not read, and of that number 119 were upwards
of 20 years of age. In the same vicinity there were found
107 heads of families unable to read. In other localities
out of 158 persons 102 could not read, and elsewhere out
of 106 only 77 could read. The Report concluded by
appealing to all charitable Christians for further sup-
port. On the motion of the Rev. Hughes Ilughes,
seconded by the Hon. and Rev. B. Noel, the Report was
received. The usual thanks having been voted to the
chair, the meeting broke up.
BUTCHERS' CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.—
On Thursday a meeting of the members of the above
society took place at the Freemasons' Tavern. Mr. Gib-
lett, the President of the Institution, took the chair,
and stated that the object of the meeting was to hear
and receive the annual Report of the Committee, and to
elect officers for the ensuing year. The Secretary read
the Report, by which it appeared that G. Edwards, Esq.,
of Shaftesbury-terrace, Pimlico, had bequeathed to the
Institution the sum of 1001. There had also been a
bequest of a similar sum by Mr. Desstam. During the
past year the sum of 9371. had been applied to the sup-
port of fifty-two indigent members of the trade. The
total receipts last year amounted to 1,8151, and the dis-
bursements rose to the sum of_ 1,1151. 13s. ld., leaving
a balance in the Treasurer's hands of 6991. 6s. 11d. The
total number of persons or pensioners maintained by the
Institution since its establishment was 94. The Report
was then adopted. Mr. Giblett was re-elected President,
and the other minor officer; appointed. The meeting,
thanks having been voted to the President, then separated.
MERCHANT TAILORS' COMPANY. The
Master and Wardens of this ancient and loyal corpora-
tion have issued invitations to their brethren of the Livery
to a banquet at their hall on Wednesday, the 26th inst.,
to celebrate the christening of his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales.

GARDENERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.
—The third annual meeting of this Society, of which the
Duke of Cambridge is President, was held on Thursday,
at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand; Mr. Sangster,
F.H.S., in the chair, who was supported by most of
the leading nurserymen in the neighbourhood of the

metropolis. Mr. Bowler, the Ifonoiitry Secretary, read
the Report of the Committee, which congratulated the
meeting on the improving prospects of the Society.
Durin the past year an additional sum of 2001. had
been invested in the Three per Cent. Consols, and a
balance was left in the banker's bands of 581. 6s. 11d. It
was intended to invest an equal sum from the forthcoming
subscriptions, and to add two pensioners to the list of
those who are already the recipients of the bounty of
the Society. The total sum received during the past
year was 310/. 1 ls. 10d. A new Committee was ap-
pointed, and in the evening a--numerous party of the
subscribers and friends of the Institution dined together
at the same tavern.

ROSS.— EXTRAORDINARY AND DETER-
DUNE]) SUICIDE.—On Sunday morning last, the family
of a respectable tradesman named Phipps, an engineer
and wall-sinker, resident in the churchyard, Ross, was
thrown into a state of dismay by the discovery of the
body of William Phipps, his son, who had destroyed
himself, and was found hanging in an outhouse in the
occupation of his father. It appears that the deceased
was a young man, 18 years of age, of generally sober and
steady habits. In the early part of the day on Sunday
he attended church, and much surprise was created by
his absence from home during the night of Sunday. The
unfortunate youth had strapped his legs together with a
leathern strap and buckle, for which purpose he must
have been seated on a platform or floor, which divides
one part of the shed, so as to form a partial upper story ;
this must have been done. it is supposed, after he had
reached the elevation by means of the ladder, which was
left standing, and up which it is not probable he could
have stepped with his feet so confined. A handkerchief
had been carefully tied over his face, with the corner
hanging below the chin, so as to prevent the possibility
of sight. In this state he was cut down, and removed
to his father's house, where the body awaits the Coro-
ner's inquest. No cause whatever can be assigned for
the committal of the act ; the youth was in possession of
robust health, and the enjoyment of apparent happiness.
—Hereford Journal.
_ _

BRUSSELS, JAN. 12.—The average price of
Wheat last week was 21f. 35c., and that of Rye 12f.
52c. per hectolitre. Wheat remains free from import
duty, while Rye is subject to a duty of 21f. 50c. per
1,000 kilogrammes. The export duty on both is only
25 centimes per 1,000 kilogrammes.—The central section
appointed to examine the affair of the British Queen
steamer, after having dedicated to this affair the first
week of the Christmas holydays, met again yesterday.
Several journals have erroneously stated that the ques-
tion was decided. The central section had decided that
it will meet to-morrow to visit the British Queen, and
examine it in detail. It is hoped that immediately after
this has been done, the report may be drawn up and pre-
sented to the Chamber.

FATAL MAIL COACH ACCIDENT.—We regret
to state that the Lynn mail was upset between Mel-
bourne and Royston, about half-past two o'clock
yesterday morning. The guard, coachman, and one
outside passenger, were thrown with some violence
upon the road, and, unfortunately, the coach fell upon the
driver, and caused his death almost immediately. The
guard escaped unhurt, and the passenger with but slight
injuries. The deceased was a very timid man, and not
many minutes previous had requested the guard to drive
for him, which he was doing at the time of the accident.
Not the slightest blame is attached to the guard.
SERVED RIGHT.—In consequence of the late
disputes on the subject, a new order of precedence, under
the Queen's sign manual, had been received at Calcutta
for the civil and military services of India. This docu-
ment had created some sensation in the Indian bar, in
consequence of the total omission therefrom of the Ad-
vocates-General of the Presidencies ; the controversies of
some of whose wives are said to have led to the order
being issued.—herald.
MEN OF GENws.—There are some features
which, in people of genius, are always the same. They
are uniformly dissatisfied, restless, longing after some-
thing better, nobler, higher, than the present life. They
are awkward in little things, benevolent, modest, yet
ambitious, with violent passions, and a long train of vir-
tues or vices, according to the direction which these pas-
sions happen to take.
SHEEP-STEALING.—If accounts of all the
felonies of this kind, committed within the range of the
Journal, were weekly sent us, we believe the details
would occupy a considerable portion of our columns.
Sheep-stealing is now committed to an extent unheard of
before, and the owners of this species of stock are conse-
quently in continual dread of the boldness of these mid-
night marauders.—Sherborne Journal.
DISTRESSING CASE AND Loss OF LIFE
On Sunday afternoon, the 9th inst., a number of youths
were sliding on a sheet of water at Golden Valley, near
Codnor, in this county, when it appears some thought-
less person passing at the time, threw a penny piece a
considerable distance from the bank for any one who
had courage to fetch it. James Grice, aged 18, son of
John Grice, a collier residing at Golden Valley, eager
to outvie his companions, darted after the penny. In
attempting to pick up the prize, the ice gave way, and
he was suddenly immersed in the water, a depth of only
six feet. The sufferer was struggling in the water, ulti-
mately under the ice and in sight, nearly a quarter of an
hour. After some loss of time a rope was procured and
thrown to him, which he seized, but the terrified com-
panion let slip the end, and before a second could be
procured, the poor fellow, exhausted, sunk to rise no
more.—Derby Reporter.
THE RECENT MURDER NEAR CHInE.—
A report prevailed in this town yesterday that Williams
and Slawson, now in Salop county prison, committed
for trial at the assizes on a charge of murdering Emma
Evans, of Bronygarth, near Chirk, on the 16th ult., had
made a confession that they were guilty of the crime
imputed to them. On inquiry, we find that a confession
has been mad.. The prisoners have been kept apart,
and had no means of communication, but we understand
that each has made a confession, in which they admit
the truth of the evidence against them, and declaring
that no one else was implicated. We are informed that
one of the prisoners committed the murder, at the sug-
gestion of the other, and that admission to the house of
the deceased was obtained by 'knocking at the door, early
in the evening, when on the appearance of the deceased
(she living alonio), she was knocked down and murdered.
For obvious reasons, the particulars of the confession
have not been permitted to transpire.—Salopiun Journal.
We are informed that invitations have been sent
to Thomas Wakley, Esq., the Radical M.P. for Finsbury
and to. John Walter, Esq., to attend the dinner to be
given by the ratepayers of Nottingham, on Tuesday,
next, and to Mr. J. Brewster, as Chairman of the Not-
tingham Union.—Nottinyhani Review.
A GAMEKEEPER SHOT.—A most unfoeunate
accident happened at Baylham on the 3d instant,
just at the close of a day's shooting. A rabbit sprung
up at which Sir William Middleton shot, and, unfor-
tunately, at the moment he pulled the trigger, Hick-
ling, one of the keepers, not seeing that any one was
about to shoot at the rabbit, sprung forward to strike
it with his stick, and throwing himself directly into
the line of fire, part of the charge passed across the
upper part of his face, lacerating the bridge of the nose.
He was immediately taken to his cottage, which is near
the spot where the accident, happened. We are happy
to say that the man is going on weli.—Suffea Chronicle.

MORNING SUN

4'

INQUEST AT BIRIVIIINGHAg•
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
JAN. 13.—The dreadful case of Bassilesa
Steapenhill, who was shot dead by her husband,
Ezra Steapenhill, as stated in The Sun of Mon-
day last, has become one of engrossing interest
at Birmingham. An inquest was held on the
body by Mr. Stinton, and on the followini
Tuesday a Jury was empanelled at the Grant'
Turk, Ludgate-hill. The evidence of John DLO
a boy thirteen years of age, who witnessed the
transaction, brought nothing against Steapenhjb,.
but in the evidence of a young girl named Caroline
Silvers, a curious fact transpired that she 1101
accompanied the deceased to a fortune-tellero)
with the avowed object of inquiry whether she
should die from sickness or from shooting.
Wednesday the inquiry was resumed, btl*
the Coroner ordered that facts should not be
made known till the whole evidence had ar"
geared, and it was in course of continuation at
the moment that our informant left.

Steapenhill, the prisoner, is a young giant
of about twenty-six years of age ; his complexion
is dark, and he was a member of the Tee-totAti
Temperance Society; the wadding of the gun found
in the body of his deceased wife proved to be
part of the "Temperance Advocate " of a recerl
date. The deceased was 25 years of age, anu
had been married to Steapenhill about two years/
and borne him one child. The wound in left
chest was four inches in depth ; much unhapr
ness is reported to have existed between them
i
arising out of family quarrels. The verdict
probably be given to-night.