ey 
1843.] 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
549 
known. Blake, who possesses an estate near Dublin, 
retired to Ireland after his dismissal, and continued to 
reside there until within the last few days, when he came 
over to the metropolis. In the meantime the Commis- 
sioners of Customs, with the law-advisers of the Crown, 
had determined upon proceeding against Blake for the 
extent to which it had become known he had defrauded 
the Crown. For this purpose a warrant was issued at 
the suit of the Attorney-General, for upwards of 20,000/., 
and another warrant for a much larger sum was issued 
in the City. Mr. Blake was accordingly apprehended, and 
is now in the Queen’s Prison. A second detainer had 
been lodged against him at the instance of the Crown, 
and it is said that the claims against him altogether 
amount to 80,0002. 
Public Meetings.—On Saturday evening a meeting was 
held at the Crown and Anchor, to celebrate the return of 
Mr. Bright for Durham, The Hon. Mr. Villiers presided, 
and was supported by Messrs. Cobden, Bright, Crawford, 
Bowring, Brotherton, Gibson, and Moore, all of whom 
took a part in the proceedings. Mr. Bright thanked the 
meeting for the honour conferred upon Durham, and 
pledged himself to be the unflinching enemy of every 
species of monopoly to the latest moment of his existence. 
He hoped that the electors of London would follow the 
example of the men of Durham and Essex by returning 
Members opposed to corruption and monopoly. In con- 
clusion, he assured the meeting that the 50,0002. collected 
by the League had not been uselessly lavished, but had 
been expended on tracts and books in favour of the repeal 
of the Corn-Jaws, and in paying Anti-Corn-law mission- 
aries, A resolution of thanks to the 488 electors of Dur- 
ham who returned Mr. Bright was carried ; and, in conse- 
quence of the crowded state of the great room at the 
tavern, another meeting was held contemporaneously with 
the above in a smaller room. 
Temperance Meetings.—On Monday a vast concourse 
of people assembled in the Commercial-road to hear and 
see the apostle of temperance, the Rev, Theobald Mathew, 
who had announced his intention of administering the 
total abstinence pledge from all intoxicating drinks in the 
ground lately consecrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop. 
About 10 o’clock Father Mathew made his appearance 
before a Metropolitan auditory for the first time. He 
was received with loud cheers, particularly by his country- 
men, who assembled in great numbers. He-is about 50 
years of age, of mild and expressive features. His un- 
affected manner and deportment, and the simplicity of his 
style when addressing his hearers, appeared to make 
a great impression. Father Mathew opened the pro- 
ceedings by a short but expressive prayer, and then 
Celivered an address, which was listened to with great 
attention, on the of total absti from 
all intoxicating drinks, and the evils of intemper- 
ance. The first persons who presented themselves 
was a Roman Catholic fraternity called the Holy Guild, 
who came in procession to the ground bearing crosses. 
The brothers and sisters of the fraternity knelt down, and 
repeated the words of the pledge after Father Mathew, in 
a loud voice. He then descended from the platform, gave 
them his blessing, and after touching them all on the 
forehead, dismissed them. The same ceremony was 
Tepeated about 12 or 14 times during the day. At 12 
o’clock, Earl Stanhope arrived, and was loudly cheered 
by the people. At this time there were not less than 
80,000 persons assembled, and the Commercial-road was 
nearly impassable. Earl Stanhope and Father Mathew 
shook hands, and the noble Lord addressed the multitude 
for nearly an hour, and said be had been a teatotaller for 
many years, and invited his hearers to follow his example. 
He declared bis intention of publicly taking the pledge 
from Tather Mathew, and warmly eulogised the Rev. 
Gentleman for his useful and patriotic exertions in Ire. 
land, and expressed a fervent hope that his mission in 
Tngland would be attended with similar results. Father 
Mathew then called upon those who were anxious to take 
the pledge with Earl Stanbope to come forward and do 
80. A semicircle was formed, and 300 men and wome 
Knelt down and received the pledge. Earl Stanhope, who 
laboured under considerable agitation, was directly after- 
wards embraced by Father Mathew, who, in the enthu- 
Siasm of the moment, kissed his cheek. The noble Earl 
Smiled, and grasped Father Mathew’s hands, exclaiming, 
“ God bless you, Sir.” The delivery of speeches and the 
Administering of the pledge proceeded until dusk, when 
Father Mathew left the ground, having previously an- 
Nounced his intention of attending the same place for the 
Same purpose every day this week. He was treated with 
8reat respect by all persons, and appeared nearly exhausted 
°n leaving the ground. About 3,000 persons took the 
ledge during the day, one half of whom were Irish.—On 
Tuesday Earl Stanhope again attended, and addressed the 
Meeting in praise of Father Mathew’s exertions. In 
acknowledging the pliment Father Mathew said that 
“he had no sectarian objects inview. Though a Catholic 
Priest, he had been received in the most cordial manner by 
©rgymen and lay members of the Established Church, by 
esleyans, Dissenters, Quakers, and even Jews, and he 
Administered the pledge to millions of allsects. He wished 
© elevate mankind, and to promote the interests of religion, 
8nd the good of the community, by that greatest of all bless- 
Ings, sobriety. The people of Yorkshire, where he had ad- 
Ministered the pledge to upwards of 100,000 persons, 
Wished to pay him for his services, and presents were 
piterea to him from persons of wealth and high standing 
ie Society, but he refused to accept a farthing. He had 
pbended 3002. of his own money since he had been in 
Deland, but he did not regret it; and if he had been dis- 
posed to favour himself and family, he should not have 
een a temperance advocate, and converted millions of 
= 
his own countrymen from drunkenness to sobriety. A 
brother he dearly loved was the proprietor of a large dis- 
tillery in Ireland, the bare walls of which cost 30,0002, 
and he was compelled to close it, and was almost ruined 
by the temperance movement in that country. The hus- 
band of his only sister, whom he also dearly loved, was a 
distiller, and became a bankrupt from the same cause. 
He was sorry to speak of those things, but when he was 
accused of being instigated to do what he had done to 
enrich himself, he felt compelled to deny the charge.’’ 
The proportion of English who took the pledge on Tues- 
day was greater than on Monday. Upwards of 50,000 
persons visited the ground, and many went down by the 
Steamers to Wapping, and by the Blackwall Railway, to 
witness the proceedings, which appeared to excite great 
interest, and have continued daily during the week. 
The Church Service.—On Wednesday, a vestry meeting 
of the Parishioners of All Hallows Barking, was held in 
the parish church, for the purpose of considering the 
changes which have been recently introduced during the 
performance of divine service, and to adopt such measures 
thereupon as might appear expedient. Mr. Howell, the 
senior churchwarden, was called to the chair, and read 
the requisition addressed to him by a large number of the 
resident parishioners, requesting that a meeting might be 
convened. After some discussion on the custom of 
preaching in the surplice instead of the academical gown, 
and on the restoration of the weekly offertory, a series of re- 
solutions was proposed representing to the vicar, the Rev. 
S. J. Knight, that the recent alterations were regarded 
with regret by the vestry, and that the inhabitants were 
desirous of returning to the former mode of conducting 
divine service. These resolutions were seconded, and 
carried with only one dissentient. 
Wood Pavement.—A number of labourers have been 
engaged for some days in removing the macadamised 
stonefon that portion of the Great Western road extending 
from the entrance to Kensington Palace to the western 
end of Kensington High-street, a distance of nearlya 
quarter of a mile, preparatory to the whole being laid 
with wood pavement, by order of the Commissioners of 
the metropolis roads. 
Murder on the High Seas.—Intelligence has been re- 
ceived of the blowing up of the Diana, South-Sea whaler, 
while on her homeward voyage, and the death of her 
commander, under very suspicious circumstances. The 
Diana has for several years been engaged in the South- 
Sea fishery. She left London about three years ago, her 
crew consisting of Captain May (the commander,) chief 
and second mates, steward, and about 18 seamen and 
two boys. She was on her voyage from Ascension to St. 
Helena, when the chief mate and crew on deck were 
alarmed by the report of fire-arms from the cabin, where 
the captain was found shot, the pistol lying in one corner 
of the cabin, about six or seven feet from the body. The 
second mate was below, but denied that he had been in 
the cabin. On her arrival at St. Helena, a day was fixed 
for her departure for England, and a few hours previous 
to the time appointed for the starting the powder-magazine 
blew up, causing the almost total destruction of the vessel. 
Most of the crew at the moment were standing on the 
after part of the deck, and the steward, who was seated 
on a chair near the companion-ladder, was killed on the 
spot. The inquiry instituted by the authorities occupied 
five days, and excited great interest. It was clearly shown 
that the explosion had been caused by the wilful firing of 
the powder-magazine, for on the vessel undergoing an 
inspection by the officers attached to her Majesty’s ship 
Grecian, it was found that a train had been laid from the 
magazine to the forecastle, from the latter of which it had 
been set fire. It was stated that there were several 
hundred-weight of powder, most of which was packed in 
barrels lined with copper, clearly showing that the prepara- 
tion for the explosion must have taken some time, for it 
had all exploded. The jury returned a verdict of “ Wilful 
murder against some person or persons unknown.”? 
Temple Church.—This unique edifice is again to be 
closed after to-morrow for two months, during which 
time it will be thoroughly cleansed from a great quantity 
of dust which hangs about the grooves of the arches in 
the ceiling. The marble pillars are to be polished, and 
the entire wood-work is to be stained dark and polished. 
The pulpit will also be finished, as well as the new seats 
for the choristers, and a building attached to the church 
for the choir. Above 20,000 persons must have visited 
this building by Benchers’ orders since it opened in 
November last, including the greater part of the Royal 
Family and Nobility, and for some months hundreds were 
refused admittance daily, not having orders. The whole 
cost of the repairs, it is said, exceeds 70,000/., which has 
been paid out of the funds of the societies. 
Female Orphaw Asylum.—On Thursday, a ballot took 
place for the election of Chaplain to this charity, when 
the numbers at the close were—for the Rev. Mr. Cattley, 
418; for the Rev. Mr. Curling, 229 :—majority for Mr. 
Cattley, 119. The Duke of Cambridge, President of the 
Institution, recorded his votes, forty in number, in favour 
of the successful candidate. A great deal of angry feeling 
prevailed in consequence of the Committee having recom- 
mended Mr. Cattley to the notice of the Guardians; and 
a resolution expressing censure and want of confidence in 
the Committee, was carried by a large majority. 
Suicide.—On Thursday evening, Mr. Frederick Ancona, 
manager of the Patent Elastic Pavement Company, and 
brother to the well-known architect, committed suicide 
by throwing himself over Waterloo Bridge. It appears 
that he had been spending the afternoon with two friends, 
Mr. Green, jun., son of the aeronaut, and another gentle- 
man, and was returning with them over Waterloo Bridge 
towards the Middlesex shore, about 9 o’clock, when, on 
nearing the third arch from the Surrey side, the deceased 
suddenly exclaimed that he would throw himself over the 
parapet, and, darting from his friends, ran towards the 
next recess. Jn an instant, before either gentleman could 
ascertain the reality of his intention, Mr. Ancona had 
mounted the stone seat in the recess, and precipitated 
himself into the river. Two ladies and a gentleman were 
close to deceased when he entered the recess, and, had his 
manner indicated anything approaching to an intention to 
commit suicide, nothing would have been easier than to 
have arrested the attempt. As it was, the occurrence was 
the work of an instant, and as the tide was running down 
fast, all attempts to recover the body were fruitless, 
although several boats put off immediately from the stairs 
on both sides of the bridge. The agony of his friends 
when the fate of his death became no longer doubtful was 
extreme, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Mr. 
Green could be prevented from throwing himself over the 
parapet. The body has not yet been found. 
High Tide—On Monday afternoon the tide was more 
than usually high. The wharfs along Milbank and the 
opposite side of the river were flooded. A great portion 
of Battersea Fields was laid under water, as was also the 
Lammas Land at Chelsea. In the latter village, Cheyne- 
walk was for a time impassable. At the Waterside, 
Wandsworth, the Thames flowed into the houses. The 
Wandle overflowed its banks, and so high was the tide at 
Putney, that the Thunder steamboat, in attempting to 
pass through the centre arch of the bridge, had the top 
of her paddle-boxes carried away by coming in contact with 
a cross beam at the very top of the arch. 
Southwark.—At the vestry meeting on Monday for the 
parish of St. Saviour’s, the Warden of the Great Account 
moved a rate of 9d. in the pound, to meet the expenses of 
the year. An amendment was moved, that the parishioners 
should not be trifled with by being called upon to pay 
such an amount of rate during the present depressed state 
of trade. After some discussion a division took place, 
when there were for a rate of 6d., 46; for the larger ditto, 
23; giving a majority of one-half the rate-payers present 
in favour of the smaller rate. 
Mortality of the Metropolis.—The following is the 
number of Deaths registered in the week ending Saturday, 
July 22:—West districts, 113; North districts, 167; 
Central districts, 153; East districts, 180; South dis. 
tricts, 177. Total, 790—(398 males, 392 females.) 
Weekly average for the last five years, 903—(461 males, 
442 females,) and for the last five summers, 816, 
{Brobincial Wekos, 
Birmingham.—The state of the iron district continues 
to give rise to great apprehension, and the crisis antici. 
pated in the masters’ memorial, which we lately noticed, 
appears to be fast approaching. The furnaces are daily 
blown out, the horses drawn out of the pits, the works 
closed, and the masters going into the Gazette, while the 
men and their wives and children are going to the work- 
house, or collecting in groups along the roads and fields, 
and, without leaders or organisation, threatening revenge 
against all around them. Distress is now reaching all 
classes. , At a place called Lye, 70 rate-payers were sum- 
moned for non-payment of poor-rates a few days ago, 
when they produced their rent-books to show that they 
could not get a shilling from their tenants, that their pro- 
perty was now useless, and that they themselves were on 
the verge of pauperism. In Dudley it was found, on the 
20th ult., that 200 persons, occupiers of 107. houses, had 
become disqualified for voting from non-payment of their 
rates. At Dudley, the bank of Dixon and Dalton is still 
open, notwithstanding rumours at a distance to the con- 
trary. It is said that they have advanced little short of 
300,0002. to iron and coal masters, who are unable to meet 
their engagements. 
Carmarthen.—The Rebecca riots are still unchecked. 
Mr. Maule, solicitor of the Treasury, with Mr. Raven, 
have arrived at Swansea, and Mr. Vaughan and the 
other parties who destroyed the Bolgoed gate have 
been committed for trial. In the course of the inquiry 
it appeared that a chest of fire-arms had been found 
in the steam-packet office, addressed to Mr. Vaughan ; 
suspicion being excited as to its contents, it was broken 
Open by the authorities, and twelve new muskets, 
two new pistols, a quantity of patent ball cartridges, 
and some powder, were discovered. The Abergwilly- 
gate, upon the road at the entrance to Abergwilly village, 
and at about a mile from Swansea, has been demolished. 
The bar was situated upon the high road leading from 
Abergwilly to Cwmgwilly and Castelpeggin. The number 
of Rebeccaites who attended was large, and their conduct 
firm and determined. They showed by their proceeding 
on this occasion that they had no antipathy to the turn. 
pike-gates upon the main lines of road, but only to the 
private bars; for although the bar which was destroyed 
immediately adjoined a main gate and its toll-house, they 
were not injured—the party contenting themselves with 
the total demolition of the bar. The Rebeccaites, as if 
in utter defiance of the authorities, have also attacked 
and destroyed the Sandy-gate, close to the town of 
Llanelly. It appears that at 12 o’clock at night there had 
been no symptoms of any attack, but shortly afterwards 
Rebecca and her daughters arrived, and the gate was 
speedily destroyed. Penygarn gate, on the-Llandilo road, 
has also been again destroyed. Nota night passes with- 
out a gate being destroyed, although a detachment of the 
73d Foot is patrolling the roads round Carmarthen 
nightly. The plans of Rebecca, however, are so well laid, 
that she and her followers invariably escape being caught 
in the fact. 
Chelmsford.-On Thursday week Mr, Cobden paid a 
