The Sun. — 1849-10-20 (London, England)

THE BERMONDSEY MURDER.—Yesterday afternoon summonses were sent out from the office of Mr. Maule, the Solicitor to the Treasury, to all the witnesses engaged in this case, requesting their attendance at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday next, the 23d inst., at ten o'clock, on which day a bill will be preferred before the grand jury against the Mannings for the murder of the late Patrick O'Connor. It was originally expected—indeed it was the intention of the AttorneyGeneral to fix Thursday re,xt for the trial of the prisoners, but in consequence of a letter which was received yesterday morning from Mr. William Massey, one of the principal witnesses, it is extremely doubtful whether the trial of the prisoners will take place this session. Mr. Massey, in his letter to Mr. Bodkin, one of the counsel engaged by the Crown on behalf of the prosecution, states that he is labouring under severe indisposition, and that he is advised by his medical attendant that it will not be prudent for him to leave his house for several days to come, if at all during the ensuing session of the Central Criminal Court. Should Mr. Massey not be able to attend, it will be impossible for the Crown safely to go to trial, as from the fact of Mr. Massey having fur some time lodged in the houso of the Mannings, at Minver-p lace, and having on several occasions been asked by the Mannings what was the most deadly poison, and also what was the best and safest method of destroying life, it is presumed that his evidence will tend in is great measure to fix the crime upon the prisoners. In order that there may be no mistake about the matter an officer and a medical gentleman will this day be dispatched to Derbyshire to ascertain the real facts of Mr. Massey'a indisposition, and should it be found that he is in a fit state to undertake a journey to London, he will be brought up on Monday morning. The counsel en• gaged by the Crown to conduct the prosecution are the Attorney-General, Mr. Bodkin, Mr. Walesby, and Mr. Clark. Up to last night the prisoners had not definitively engaged any Learned Gentlemen to conduct their cases, but it is expected that funds will be produced to enable Mrs. Manning to engage Mr. Wilkins, whom she parti• cularly wishes to be retained. The male prisoner, it is stated, wishes to retain Mr. Clarkson. Should the trial take place on Thursday next, it will in' all probability last till Saturday. EGLINTON IRON WORlll.—The ancient town of Kilwinning has been greatly improved, and its population augmented, by the establishment of the Eglinton ironworks in its immediate vicinity. The Messrs. Baird, to whom these works belong, by their enterprise have quite changed its appearance, and greatly increased the comforts of the inhabitants. It must, therefore, be subject of gratification to all to find their works con• ducted with such spirit, and it is to be hoped profitably to themselves. Three furnaces are in blast, and a fourth one built will be so in a few weeks. The quantity of iron manufactured daily amounts to about 100 tons. The hands employed about these works, including the miners at Dairy, number about 600; so that, reckoning those depending on them, not less than 2,000 depend for their daily bread on the prosperity of the company, WI" winning is a great resort of those engaged in ornamentsl needlework, fled the agents for this species of fanciful embroidery give employment to a great many young girls from the neighbouring towns.—Kilmarnock.lournal.