irkt 3Irtrupults.

I 'A society has been formed in London for organizing a plan for reading the Scriptures aloud in the open air throughout the metropolis and suburbs.

The rectory of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, has been conferred by the Gro- cers' Company upon the Reverend William Windle, M.A., of Magdalen Hall, Oxford. The annual value is about 4001. ; there were thirty eleven candidates.

Alderman Allen devoted Tuesday afternoon, at Guildhall, to the investi- gation of the applications for temporary assistance from the funds of the poor-box. Between eighty and ninety persons received sums varying from half-a-crown to thirty shillings. The most extraordinary case which came under the Magistrate's observation was that of a decrepid old man, ninety- three years of age, who stated he had worked for Mr. Crawshay, the iron- merchant, of Upper Thames Street, for forty years, and during the last fourteen years he had not been able to obtain a living. The Magistrate asked if Mr. Crawehay, who is known to be a most wealthy man, had done anything to assist the applicant? The poor old man said he had done nothing for him. The system there was, " no more work—no more pay," and he had not been able to do any work for the last fourteen years, but the parish had been very good to him. '1 hey had allowed him 4s. per week, out of which he paid 2s. eiri, for his lodging ; so that it only left him is. 6(1. per week to live on, " and that was not much." In relieving this aged claim- ant, Alderman Allen expressed his surprise that Mr. Crawshay should allow such an old servant to become a burden upon the Union, without trying to keep him from starving. On Wednesday and Thursday, Mr. Alderman Allen continued his distribu- tion ; he attempted to deal with all the cases, about 300 each day, but after six hours application, he was only able to accomplish the relief of sixty or seventy each day. The Alderman asks the assistance of persons well known in the investigation of eases ; they may give letters to the poor, and the Alderman particularly request the writers to state the sums necessary to relieve the bearer. At the other police-offices, the Magistrates have applied themselves with praiseworthy assiduity to the work of investigation ; the police take 'an active and intelligent part in the work. Two of them discovered two per- sons starving in the district of Mr. Leigh ,- before aid could be brought one was dead, and the other was too much exhausted to be restored by the food the policeman promptly carried. The condition of the poor in many parts of London is appalling.

Mr. Commissioner Goulburn delivered judgment upon the application of Benjamin Gibbs, one of the members of the leather trade, for a certificate on Monday. He sketched the career of the bankrupt, and his connexion with accommodation bills—The bankrupt's liabilities amounted to 19,8911. Of this amount 80391. only was due to trade creditors. Gibbs bad been originally a clerk in the employ of Hooper and Parkinson, who had put hint in business apparently for their own purposes, to assist in the manu- facture of this accommodation paper. At first, he had been in partnership with one Austin, another clerk of Hooper and Parkinson, and when Hooper and Parkinson drew upon Gibbs and Austin, it was practically drawing upon themselves. By his own showing, Gibbs had not a farthing to begin with ; but, on the other band, he was in a deficiency at the beginning of 1858, to the amount of 10811. He had gone otr living on this accommoda- tion paper, or, as Mr. Commissioner Ayrton had described it, "kite flying." By acting in confederacy, ruin had been spread far and wide. Tho loss fell upon parties, who had been deceived by appearances. The trade creditors would net receive more than Is.- in the pound. Thus be- ginning with worse than nothing, the thing could not lust, and the result was the bubble had burst. The profits, even according to the accountant's figures, had been no more than 4851., *line the 'trade expenses had been 74401.; 'the house expenses, 9351, ; and the interest and discounts, 19541. This last item showed the 'mischief of such a system of trading. When the casewas discussed, Mr. Lawrence had endeavoured to prove that there were' no accommodation bills, because originally'there was leather at the bottom of them ; but to what extent ? The " wings of the kites," as Mr. Pennell had humorously observed, " were just tipped with leather enough to keep them steady ; " that was all. It was to a course like this that the bankrupt had lent himself, and nothing could be more unjust or ruinous to creditors. If Mr. Commissioner Goulburn were to act on his own judgment, he should refuse protection in cases like the one before him. In one of the oldest cases on record as to riocommudation bills—viz., "Fenton and Po- cock" (5, Taunton), Mr. Justice Heath had observed,- `• Whoever draws an accommodation bill, procures another to accept it, and as- gotiates it without telling the person to whom he passes it that it is an accommo- dation bill, is, I think, guilty of a gross fraud, and the Courts have gone much too far in lending support to these mischievous instruments, the evils resulting Fran which we see every day."

That was said in the year 1813, and was said in reference to a single tran- saction. What Justice Heath had said was true in respect to the accommo- dation bill system at the present day. It is desirable to put an end to the system, and the bankrupt's certificate (third class) would be suspended one year. Protection would be granted, but only in deference to the opinions of the Lord Justices.

The affairs of Streatfeild and Co. again formed-the subject of examination at the Bankruptcy Court, on Wednesday. Mr.'Laurence was examined at length by Mr. Linklater : at the time of the bankruptcy, Mundy had ac- cepted for the house 25,000/. ; it " was pure accommodation." He might have told Mundy at the outset that he wanted to make use of him for the purpose of drawing upon him a few three-months bills. This was justbe- fore the panic of 1857 commenced. Could not say thatMunday said when the amount became large that bills would be dangerous, but he did suggest that he (Laurence) should introduce capital from his private property. He (Laurence} might have said that the firm had at that time private property of the value of 200,000/., which was the fact. Mundy had also accepted bills for the Liverpool house. On the 31st of December, 1859, the London house was indebted to the Liverpool house 11,0001. ,• this amount was gradually increased to 28,0001., and it arose on the Liverpool house re- mitting bills upon Barton, Mundy, and ethers. The reason for the London house discounting these bills was, that the Liverpool house could not get them discounted. Messrs. Leyland and Bullen held several thousand pounds of the bills drawn by the Liverpool firm. Told Mundy that the =Liverpool house wanted a few of his acceptances, because they could not discount Bar- ton's paper. In 1859, the amount of accommodation bills drawn upon handy by the London house was 18,0001., the 13,0001. being renewed every four months. The 18,000/. increased to 25,800/. at the time of the bankruptcy. Mr. Laurence then deposed to particular transactions in bills. He was not in the habit of telling the bankers and diseount-houSes that his bills were drawn against hides—certainly not ; he sent down the tills to the banks and got the 'money. -Sometimes the bills were discounted through brokers. Might have had inquiries from the brokers about J. Herbert Smith, one of the acceptors. When he opened an account with the London Discount Company, he had no recollection of Mr. Brightwell, sub-manager of that company, making inquiries about J. Herbert Smith. Had no doubt, if he was asked about J. Herbert Smith, that he said he was good. Had' no recollection of telling Mr. Keighley, manager of the London Discount Com- pany, that the bills were drawn against hides, but would not swear that he did not. 'Would not swear that he did not 'tell Mr. Keighley that he'con- tinned to have the same confidence in his friends, the acceptors of the bilis, as ever, including the acceptors, J. H. Smith, Waring, Mundy, and others. Had the same confidence in them. Did not recollect telling Mr. Keighley that he had the same reliance upon the acceptors. Had no doubt Mr. Keighley had been told that he had the same confidence in J. Herbert Smith and Gibson. lie had told him so. This was at the London Discount Company's office. Did not telflir. Keighley that the acceptors of the bills were all men of capital. He had made to him general statements, that the tanners were good, as they held hides which required time before they could be turned into money. He never told Mr. 'Keigh- ley that all the bills were drawn against goods. He Should say he did net. Mr. Laurence then answered questions as to' the account of Gibson, one of their customers, and related how his partner had negotiated with Gibson's bankers, and met the bills of Gibson by paying in the money in another name, se as to deceive the bankers of that person. 'He had had two conver- sations with Mr. Mellersh on the 28th of May, on the subject of his (Lau- rence) giving him (Mr. Mellersh) a guarantee for Gibson. On the first oc- casion Mr. Mellersh told him Gibson's account was overdrawn 20,0001., and that he should not go on any longer except he gave him a guarantee. Did not know that Mr. Mortimore showed Mr. Mellersh their wealth or their title deeds. Yes, recollected Mr. Mellersh asking for the title deeds of property. Mr. Mortimore showed him him the deeds, and Mr. Mellersh said " Give me them." Mr. Mortimore refused. Knew the objeet of Mortimore was 'to show that he had the-property, and to give him an appearance of having wealth. Mr. Mellersh did not get the deeds, and he went away. On the 2d of June, Mr. Mellersh came again, when he was very angry. He swore and made a great fuss. Mr. "Mortimore took him out Of the way, into the Liver- pool office. Mr. Mellersh told 'him that unless' he gave him 10,000/. two of eon's acceptances would not be paid. He might have then told Mr. Mel- lersh that Gibson was safe. Did not recollect telling "him so. The result was, he gave Mr. Mellersh two bills'Of 60001. eachas a guarantee for Gibson. Did not recollect telling Mr. Mellersh not to put the 60001. bills into the market. Other bills of Gibson's (held by Mr. Mellersh) shortly after fall- ing due, Gibson sent a messenger on horseback, on the Sunday, for 2050/. to meet them, and on the 4th Or 13th of June he remitted Gibson through the London Joint-Stook Bank 20501. With that the bills were ink. The amount was paid by Mr. Clayton, a clerk to a wine merchant at the next door, into Jones, Loyd, and Co.'s, to the credit of Gibson. He (Lau- rence) told Mr. Thomas to pay the amount in another than the right name. Did not wish Jones, • Loyd, and Co. to know that they (Streatfeild and Lb.) had paid the money. The use of Mr. Clayton's name was for the purpose of concealing from Mellersh the nature of their transactions with Gibson, and to discourage inquiry. Told Mr. Thomas, his clerk, to pay the money to the credit of Gibson in a false name. Did not consider this at all ' dishonest towards Messrs. Mellersh. On the subject of his relations with discount houses, Mr. Laurence deposed —Was not aware that lie had Made any representations of any kind-to Overend and Co. They never asked a single question. Had never been asked by them whether the bills were renewals. Had no recollection of having told them that, in one or two instances only, and those for special reasons, the bills were renewals. Did not recollect Messrs. Overend 'and Gurney asking hint if the bills represented goods or trade transactions, or were renewals. Saw Mr. Chapman occasionally. He gave Messrs. Overend and Co. the option of the amount, and they generally took the largest amount. Had discounted with Messrs. Sandeman and Co. The amount was generally 50001. Did not recollect telling them the amount

against leather. To the beet of his belief, he did not. Did not recollect it. [The manner in which the bankrupt here and throughout the day evaded

giving direct answers to questions was such as to cause occasional remarks from the Court.] Would not swear he did not so tell them, but to the beat of his belief he did not. He was never asked whether the bills were re- newals. Did not .say.this after 1857. Believed he did. not. Was firmly impressed that, he did not, but would not swear he did not. Had applied to Messrs. Sandeman for discounts without being able to obtain them. They were not refused discounts when Messrs. Sandeman had money at command. Mr. Sandeman would say, " We have nothing today; look in tomorrow." On referring, he found that the bills discounted by Sandeman up to the 14th of May were about 60001. On the 30th of May, he applied to them for further discounts. Did not urge them for discounts. They had a disin- clination. He always thought-this disinclination arose from want of means only. Had told them they could each (himself and Mortimore) retire with a fortune of 60)000/. At that time he thought so, and that he might have said 100,0001. instead of 60,0001. Sandeman then discounted some of his bills on-Smith said otbers,hacluding accommodation bills on Mundy. After 1857, he had never experienced any difficulty in procuring discounts, except from the effect of the Barak of England adopting the resolution not to lend money in the,farm of re-discoonts. Sandeman and Co. would sometimes say, " Look in tomorrow ; " or " Our country money has not come in." Otherwise, if they had money, they would let him have it. Eteoollected Mr. T. F. Sandeinan calling in shortly before his stoppage. Did not tell Mr. Sandeman that his (Laurence's) failure would be a public calamity. Had not told Mr. Sandeman thatMr. Mortimore had 30,000/. of shares in the London Joint-Stock Bank, but he had that amount of shares in public companies. Had a discount account with Messrs. Bruce, Wilkinson, and. Co. Had no recollection of having represented to Mr. Colson, of Bruce and Co., that all the bills were= good and undoubted people,_and represented hides. Might have told them that the tanners held large stocks .of hides, and their bills were, good. His firm conviction was, that he did not so tell Messrs. Bruce and Wilkinson, but. would not,swear he did not. Did not recollect their closing the discount account, and Mr. Wilkinson being afterwards told . that they (Streatfeild, Laurence, and Co.) had 60,0001. of bills unused in their boxes, but they frequently had a larger amount than that unused. . Had stated to all the banking and discount houses that they (himself and • Mortiolore) were persons onarge property, and he always thought •they were worth 200,0001. No ; he had not told all the banking houses, this. About April last. (the 24th) Messrs. Bruce and Co. discounted for him 25,0001. This was in the months of April and•May. Did not know that they were in the habit of inquiring, about the acceptors of the bills. Sup- posed they might. Judged it was the habit of bankers to do so. Had no means of knowing what they did. Believed Messrs. Bruce and Co. might make inquiries. Thought they might. His belief was, they would not. Never thought what they would do. The London Discount Company had made inquiries respecting J.:Herbert Smith. Inquiry had also been made by Mr.'Keighley about:Mundy, when he (Laurence) told him be was a re- spectable man and safe. Mr. Bruce had not spoken to him angrily about his coming so often for money, when he (Laurence) had said, "Never mind, blow me up, but give toe the money." Oh, no ; could not have said such a thing. To the best of his belief he did not. Was fatly impressed that he did.not, but would not swear that he did not. He had not, as far as his recollection served, denied to •Messrs. Bruce, Wilkinson, and CO. that the bills were renewals. Did not recollect that he denied this ; was fully im- pressed that he did not, but would not swear that he did not.

Mr. Brightwell, the sub-manager of the London Discount Company, gave evidence as to his soliciting discounts from Mr. Laurence. He made in- quiries as to Herbert smith and the acceptors; the order of the directors was not to exceed 40,000/. in discounts for Streatfeilds. "Began to dis- count for Streatfeild and Co. in May, 1857. In that year the discounts were 78,3971., the discount charged 1377/. ; in 1858, the discounts were 152,9671., the discount charged 1620/. ; in•1859, the discounts were 91,0001., the discount charged 961/. ;. in 1860, the discounts were 58,6281., the dis- count charged-791/. Mr. A.ugustus•Keighley, the manager, deposed to the statements of Mr. Laurence to, him " Laurence had represented that the bills were drawn against goodi, and that to be a tanner a man must possess capital (alluding

• to the, acceptors). These representations had been made more than once, and continued to the List. • He (Laurence) had said that he could not have • betterbills than leather bills. If he had ever said that any of the bills were accommodation bills they. certainly would not have discounted them. He never, gave them the slightest reason to doubt the character of his bills." A conversation ensued as to the " tea-spoon " letters mentioned so often in the course of the case. By Mr. Lawrance—"•Was rarely in the habit of writing, to the hsnkrnpt asking for bills. Mr. Laurence-frequently called, when he told him that if he found they could do with bills he would send on. That was-the origin of his (Mr. Keighley's) applications by letter. The Commissioner--"‘Have you any of these letters ?" Mr. Lawrance—" They were the tea-spoon letters. (Laughter.) Your Honour will.recollect that they have already been put in. evidence. A letter from Mr. Xeighley to the bankrupts was here read, containing this passage : " If agreeable, I can take another 10,0001. today, our connexions being now disposed to operate in four months' bills." A letter was also read in which Mr. Keighley.said, " I have a t tea-spoon ' for you today, if agreeable." Mr. Lawrance--" I suppose you know the difference between a tea-spoon, a dessert-spoon, a table-spoon, and a gravy-spoon ?" Witness—" Those are Mr. Laurence's terms, and not mine. The origin of the first term was this : We offered Mr. Laurence upon one occasion 60001., and he observed, Oh ! you are feeding .me with a teaspoon.' " Mr. Lawrance- "When was that ?" Witness—",He was often using the Imam ; they were hie, and not mine." Mr. •Lawrance—"And you adopted his expression ? " Witness—" Yes; , I never heard them used before." Ex- amination continued—" Had -been in Messrs. Sanderson and Co.'s house twenty-five years. Knew that Streatfeild and Co. discounted with them largely—very largely. That was the origin of his confidence. in Streatfeild and Co. Had known.Streatteild and Co. during the twenty-five years they had an account with:Sanderson." Mr. Liuklater—" The tea-spoon phraseo- logy is not the ordinary slang of. the discount world." Winness--" Cer- tainty not in my house." .Examination resumed—" Had never told the bankrupt that odd amounts suited country bankers, better." After some further questions to ,Mr. Lawrence, an. adjournment was ordered to Friday, when Mr. Lawrence was again examined as to the period when certain debts from customers became bad. Mr. Sehrader,was examined as to the transactions of the Liverpool house, and as to a post nuptial settle- ment made by him in 1858. Mr. Sandemann and Mr. Wilkinson, the money dealers, were called to speak to the representations of Mr. Laurence, and in contradiction to, his evidence as to the bond fide character of &treat- feild's bills. An adjournment then took place.

A dramatic version of. Mr.Dickens's Christmas tale, "A Message from the Sea," was announced for representation at the Britannia. Theatre on Tues- day. Mr. Dickens, however, threatened= injunction ; and the perferniance of it was withdrawn.

Astley's was the scene of a terrible death on,Monday. Smith, an under- groom, was attacked by one of, the lions now " performing" there. The lions, three in number, had wrenched off the bar of the cage ; one ef them, "Havelock," seeing the groom, who was hastily retiring, sprang at his% dragged him down, and inserted his claws into the groom's neck. DeatTi must have been instantaneous. Crockett, the Lion,Conqueror, was sent for, and, after much ado, succeeded in shutting up these dangerous performers. At night, however, they performed, as usual, to a crowded house.

The inquest was held on Tuesday. Thomas Grimes, bead groom at Ast- ley's, related how he discovered the position of pool:Smith. Grimes was passing through the stables when he heard a noise near a door leading to what is called the " Ride," an enclosed space where the performers, man and horse, assemble before emerging upon the stage. The noise resembled what would be caused by a man kicking with wooden shoes upon the ground. His first impression was that the stag belonging to the theatre had broken loose, and was pinning a man against the wall. In that belief, and unable to see clearly in the dark, ho sprang forward and raised his foot to kick the supposed stag in the stomach. At this moment, he, saw nothing but two feet encased in wooden shoes. He knew the mart was Smith, be- cause no other person connected with the theatre was in the habit of wear- ing wooden shoes. Just as he was about delivering a vigorous kick, be heard a slight noise behind him, and, turning, sharply rounds saw a lion approaching him in a menacing manner. It was loose in the Ride, and:had approached within a yard of him when he rushed back into the stable and closed the door in the face of the ferocious animal. lie stood behind the door until the lion had gone away, and then passed into the yard by another door.. Another Groom, Reynolds, related the scene of the attack. Smith came into the stables where witness was at work ; and, after talking a few minutes about the coldness of the weather and other matters, said he would go to the harness-room, which adjoins the Ride. He then went away, but in about two minutes afterwards he pushed open a door leading into the stables from the Ride and cried, " Oh ! oh !" Ma tone of affright. Witness looked towards the door and beheld a terrible spectacle. Smith was endeavouring to pass through the doorway, but before he could do so a lion leapt upon him and tore him back into the Ride. The door closed with a spring, and witness saw no more. He cried, " Jarvie, what is the matter ?" but received no reply. He then went into the yard, where he found a man loading manure. The latter was armed with a pitchfork. They cautiously approached a little wicket door leading to the .Ride, opened it a few inches, looked in, and saw the lion with Smith in its mouth, shaking him as a dog would a rat. The animal brid hold of him by the stomach, and Smith appeared to be quite dead. The door was closed immediately, and witness ran for Crockett, who lives in the neighbourhood of the theatre.

The inquest is adjourned till Monday.

Crinoline has had another victim. Miss Maria Eliza Power, of 26, Hyde Park Square, received such severe injuries, owing to her dress catching fire on Thursday week, as to cause her death next day. Verdict, " Accidental death."

The weather has contributed to produce a new institution—the High Carnival of Skating. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, thousands of persons enjoyed the exercise in the Parks, and on the ice were erected booths and bazaars for the sale of edibles. No accidents happened ;

ffi ocial report only mentions a few " cut heads." One little boy fell in a slanting position, and was sucked in. The drags were ineffectually used, and a brave "iceman" (one of the officials of the Carnival), dived in and found the boy, whom he brought to the Humane Society's house, amid great cheer- ing from the spectators. The lad recovered.

On Sunday, thenceidents were numerous. During the night, torchlight processions on the ice and Skating matches were kept up. Iu the middle of theday, there were.30,000 persons on the ice in Hyde Park, 25,000 in 'Re- gent's,Park, 4000 on the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens, and 6000 in St. James's Park. The scene was, highly picturesque ; soldiers, Volunteers, and civilians, being all in motion. That nothing might be wanting, holies joined the irregular quadrille. Victoria Park was dedicated to sliding, and there too, one half of the performers were of the gentler sex. None of the _accidents were fatal ; a.Mr. Neville had his thigh broken, and his-brother was so injured in the head as to become delirious. They had been tripped up.

On Tuesday and.Wednesday, the Parks again presented a brilliantsceoe - the Serpentine was crowded with skaters and sliders ; tents were, erected, illuminated by festoons of crystal hoops and chinese lanterns. At various .points were stationed bands, to the music of which .quadrilles were skated. At eight o'clock on Wednesday night, a grand display of tirewerks took place. Games of, all kinds were resorted to ; howling, nine pins, and en " express skating train " were all in operation.

On Thursday London was visited with a fog—of smoke. At three o'clock it was quite dark ; the business of skating in the Parks was partially.sus,- pended, still about 6000 persona assembled on the-Serpentine. At night 'there were numbers of, persons rushing to and fro through the thick dark- ness with torches, letting off fireworks, and yelling like demons.