The Sun. — 1852-10-05 (London, England)

FRIDAY.—The Autumn Circuit Court wa here on Monday last by Lords Cockburn and Ivory, who, in terms of the new Act, sat in separate courts, withl the view of expediting the buiiness, nGeT which formerly used to last from ten days to a fortnight, greatly to the inconvenience of jurymen and witnesses, who were detained all that period from their ordinary avocations. On this occasion the calendar consisted of 80 easel, in which 163 persoas were implicated. None of the cases presented any peculiar features of interest or aggravation, if we except char es of a disgusting character, which seem to be on the increase. Three men p g were convicted of rape, or intent, and sentenced variously to imprisonment for six months, transportation for seven years, and transportation for fourteen years. A girl, named Mary Gray, was sentenced to transportation for life for commission of the crime of incest with her father, Daniel Gray. The man had absconded, and was outlawed. Another man, named Smellie, also accused of the crime of incest, WAS outlawed for non-appearance. The most interesting cases were those of enginemen charged with culpable homicide, or culpable neglect of duty. Cases of death by negligence of this kind have of late I largely increased in the mining districts, and the authorities seem determined to Put a atop to them if the law can effect it.  On Thursday, Robert Rowatt, engineman at the coal•pit at Rawyards, New Monklands, was charged with culpably losing command of his engine, by which  three men, named Martin, M‘Lachlan, and Marshall, were dashed to the bottom in the bucket. Martin was killed on the spot, and the two others severely injured. After a long trial, The jury brought in a verdict of culpable neglect of duty, but at the same time recommended the prisoner to mercy on account of his previous good character. Lord Cocxnuitx passed sentence of imprisonment or twelve months, stating that if the jury had found the man guilty of culpable homicide the sentence would have been one of transportation. Previous good character on the part of a prisoner should no doubt be considered, but at the same time they should not forget that a very decent man by a single act of negligence might turn a railway switch the wrong way, by which hundreds of people might be hurried to destruction.  Thomas Morton, engineman at Hamilton Farm, was brought up on a similar charge of losing command of his engine, by which a man named Walter Anderson was killed by the bucket and rope falling on the top of him. This panel was also convicted of culpable neglect of duty, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment.  MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, Oct. 4. The October general quarter sessions commenced at Clerkenwell, but the only business before the Court was the receipt of the jury lists from the high constables of the divisions and hundreds of the county. The magistrates present were—Mr. Pownall (the chairman), Mr. James Roe, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Woodward.  Ths applications for the renewal of old and the granting of new licences for music and dancing will be heard on Thursday. There are 48 applications for the renesiral of licences for music only, and 59 for the renewal of licences for music and dancing. There are 42 new applications of the former character and 10 of the latter.