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    THE ANDOVER ABOMINATIONS . BREAK DOWS OF THE DEFENCE . RESIGNATION OF THE "MASTER . " OFFICIAL IXQtJRY KESUilED— Audoveb , Sept . 17 . FOUBIEEXTfl DAT . Ilfii morning , at ( en o ' clock , Mr . Assistaut-Com before A S-Land writer , sent down by Govern . ' - ^ uS ^ SSSft ^ rf the day comm » rWmS inquired of Mr . Parker whether it * i . « intention of the Poor Law Commissioner to rfS ? cSri ujoa the defence of his client ia this SracSdinquh * , as such a course wouMiaaterially nrdadieo him in i » is defence . p jjr Parker said his instructions were to proceed ¦ wi th the inquiry .

    THE DEFENCE . Barriet Annetts , examined by Mr . Missing—I have been four years in this union vrorkhoese . My frst occupation Vss that of nurse to the-children ; the next scullerynieid . 1 think Mr . Ilolly -was niarjied to Miss M'Dougal about March , thres years ago . After their marriage their clothes were sent here to le washed . That was about tkree ^ months after-¦ B-ards . I was then sculleryinaidL Isur the clothes as they arrived from Stockbridge , aad unpacked them . They generally came in a parcel packed in a ' " moulder . " which went backwards and forwards . The parcel did net contain anything besides clothes , unless it was -when I wanted soap . When I wanted soap I used to apply to mistress , andshe sent to Mrs . Holly for soap . When first the clothes w « e sent soap iras sent with them . Sometimes about 31 b ., sometimes 41 b . It ^ as generally sent in a cake . I don't exactly know&ow long it lasted . Was ever anything put into the parcel besides the clothes ?—Xo . sir ; nothing at alL « r .

    Any tea or sugar ?—Oh I no , sir , not the least , sit . The sending of the clothes continued for about twelve month ? , as far as 1 can remember . Did you ever see any single article belonging to the union packed up with the clothes ?—No , sir ; not at sSL sir ; not an article of any kind , sir , except the " moulder . " Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast—I ' always saw the parcels of clothes packed up . Every parcel 3 Iistress never sent a little present to her daughter . ever . Do you mean to tell , upon your oath ?—Yes , sir .

    Stop , did your mistress never put m some little note or little packet for her daughter ?—I never saw icr . - Where was the parcel fastened up ?—It was always sewn up . . Mistress did it with « a slight needle and thread . It was not put into a basket at all until the last three or four times . The " moulder" was thrown over the basket . The things were the two or three jast times packed in a basket , because they were Terymuch tumbled , and Mrs . Holly found fault ¦ with them . The parcfil was made up sometimes upstairs , sometimes down , most times on the kitchen { able . Mrs . M'Dougal was sometimes in the kitchen when it was made up . It was sometimes packed in mistress ' s room . She was not there then . She -was about her business generally . Sometimes she was there . She would come in by ch * nce while I was about it . She took no notice of what I was doin " .

    Do you meau to tell me that your mistress did not buy some little thing in the town ?—No , sir . Question repeated—If she did she used to give it to her daughter when she came here . I never knew ier give her anything , or buy anything for her . Nor send a note to b * r ?—Oh , yes , sir . Not in the same parcel with the clothes . 1 never saw one . 1 must have seen it if she ever had . No parcels besides the clothes ever went to Stockbridge . I never saw it . You were rather on good terms with , youn ? Mr . JI'Doagal ?—Good terms ! I don't know what you mean . 1 was his servant . Do you mean to swear it was not reported that you xrere too intimate with him ?—I don't know ; there might have been a report , but I don't ltnow what was the reason for it .

    Mr . Parker here stopped the examination , and said that Mr . Wcs&alce tmt sitting too near tlie witness mul looking at her in a ivay he should not . Mr . Westlake said " the assistant-commissioner was quite mistaken . Mr . Parker thought it advisable , considering the relative position of Air . Westlake and the witness , that he should not sit so clos « to her with uu face turned towards her in a particular way while she was giving evidence . Mr . Westlake emphatically repeated liis denial , ana left the side of His legal ailvlSCl ' , to avOlti , OS he said , sudt wiwortlitf insinuations . Ik had never once looked at die witness durinj her examination . Do you remember charging any woman with having made such a report ?—So .

    Are you quite sure that you did not threaten a ¦ woman in tiw house for saying you were too intimate ¦ with Mv . M'Dougsil—No . I never threatened any ivoman anything . J should be in a great passion ¦ with any one w-io said so of me , especially with a young boy like that . ( Laughter . ) Then how came you to te so doubtful about the report just now ?—There may be reports of which I . know nothing , as there may be of you and you know nothing about tlwni . Mr . Missing—I should like to have that answer -taken . j VIr . Prendergast—What , about me ? ( A laugh . ) Elizabeth Holly sworn , and examined by Mr . Mssiug—Iaai the wife of Stephen Hollv , of

    Stockbridge , and the daughter of Mr . M'DougaJ . Mv iuskmd is a pare'iuicut-inaker . He carries on business on his own account , and employs from fifteen to twenty-two men , but not so ni : u > y in the winter as in the summer . I Lave been married three years and a half . SInee my mai-riage 1 have been iii the Jiabit of sending my clothes to the union to be washed . X began that about vine months after I was married . I sent the clothes hero to bo washed because mv seeond serraiit was not able to do the washing , and upon those conditions mother agreed to do the washing for me until the girl , Mary Ann Uanks , \ did learn to do it . Sarah Cowdcrr was my first scr-* -.. Taut . I did not send anv clothes here while she was so until the day she left ' me . I found soap for the ¦ washing . Ii was ti yellow soap , but of a different 3 dnd from the union soap , if compared—a bettermost iind . I have never , since my marriage , received any

    present of union soap from Air . or Mrs . M'Dougal . Ivor any soap at all . 2 vor tea in ounce papers . Jsor any tea at all . ( The witness wa ^ asked the same question with regard to cheese , sugar , and candles , which she answered in . the negative . ) I liavc never had so small a quantity of tea in my Jiouse as an ounce . I bay my grocery goods in large parcels , sometimes from London , llomscy , and other places . 1 had a bed from the union w hen I was mar-. rieil . It was a kind of iloek bed in an old tick , and purchased from Mr . Hawkins ( who was present in court ) . 1 never received any sheets from my mother marked " Union sheets . " 1 never had sheets like the union sheets . 1 never used blankets for any bed in my house like the union sheets . 1 have the sheets and b ' ankcts here which wore in use by my servants . I never received any shoes from the union , nor had any made .

    Have you ever received , since your niarriaffo , any one thing from Mr . or Mrs . M'Dougal belonging to the union ?—2 s " o ; nothing , except a basin of dripping the fet Christmas after I was married , which was about nine moutiis after . There might have been 21 b . or 3 : b ., not more . That is the oiilv drippin" 1 cvor received from the house , and that 1 didn't know belonged to it . It w ; is roast beef dripping . Mr . Missits ^ directed the master to produce tie jkc ; lding . Mr . 1 ' rendergast inquired how far Stockbridge was from Amlorcr , and having understood that it was only seven miles , he a ; k « d why the bed and bedding were not produced while the witnesses isi support of the charges were under examination ? It was most irregular . 21 r . Missing said that it was one of the inconve-~_ niences ^ of the coarse pursued by the other side in BCt I ' ariiisJm' particulars of the chamei .

    Mr . Prenu-r ^ ast saiU , that in the opinion of the learned Assis .. int-Conimissioner this charge was included in the others , and he had taken evidence accordingly . It wjis most unfair not to produce the articles before . The witness identified the bed produced as a present from her mother , the sheets its her own , and also the blankets , some of which were m 3 ier husband's Jiouse before she was mniTku . She never received any bed but that , nor any other tick . C-ro 55-exaraini . -d by Mr . Prendergast—What was the name of the croccr in London of whom vou

    purchased articles in JSJ 2 ?—Mr . Uridger . 2 fo , in London ?—I have bought things in London . Tou have got a bill-head , father , I believe ( turning to the master , who h -aided the witness a basket ) . 1 did not buy any grocery in London in the first year after my marriage , nor in the second . I have bought some at Stockbridge . 1 d « salt _ with Mr . Bridger the first two years principally . 1 can ' t say whether lie supplied tho union . 1 hare Jjought some of Mr . Hitchcock . I have dealt with Jiundrsds of shops . "When 1 went but with Mr . JIoHy , if I wanted grocery I bought it . 1 have bought it " at Stockbridge and - > -. We jreneraily touk is hoiuc iu Mr .

    \ Bnuger and your fatner nftimate ? . I know that much of my lather *¦ whom he was Intimate v } th . I ¦ id jjer at the workhouse witi * mv ¦ th ing of their intimacy—nothnuj ,, „ ^ ~ -= —^ nother go over in agig to see over . They never brought ¦ r . nor any at ail lor inc . j ™ ' you any present ?—Slic ' ut uiy clean iincn , and ihat s when your mother and 1 r I ^ . f llIstlwoyoa » of VCr took you any present ?

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    —They never did . They had a p jny of their own when they brought the clothes . Nothing but the clothes ?—No , ^ hey never brought an ything belonging to the union . No , no , I don't ask that . Nothing then except the dripping ?—No ; one basin . JJid younotsay , Why , mothf a , of all the nice things in the world , you ' ve never sent me anything but this dripping ? Ko . I don't thiuk she has all the nice things in the world hero . S ' na did not send th » dripping , 1 took it myself . Where did you < jct it?—From my mother in this house .

    Did you ask for it ?—I did . I told her I was very fond of beef-drapping . - Uow?—On a bit of bread . ( A laugh . ) I told her Hiked beef dripping , and she said she w . uld give me that basin of dripping . It was a white pudding-basin . I don't think it is a union basin . I have got it now . If you have heard of pans of dripping going to Stoekbvidga atu \ coming back empty , it is quite antrue . I am certain I never received a bit of tea , sugar , butter , cheese , or bacon , all tho time from my mother or father . Besides them I have sisters and a brother , and two or three aunts , only one of wlioni have I ever seen in ni&life . I never received any present from them . It was not in their power . The only thing I got was the dripping , which I had a taste for . The sheets produced were in my husband's bouse before I was married . I bought some of Mr . Hawkins , about three months

    after I was married . The sheets produced are those used b y my servant . They are not both here . I did not bring the fellow . It is calico . I will swear that it has been in use three years . It is not much worn . It is not large for a servant ' s bed . I never compared it with the union sheets . Th » y are of brown linen . No girl could mistake this for a brown linen sheet . It appeara they hare though . I have been at home during tho last three or four weeks . I have not slept away as I know of . I have been at Andover , expecting to be wanted . I brought the sheets here this morning , and the bed nearly a fortnight ago , wkeu I estpi ete < l it wniM be wanted . I don't know why I did not bring the sheets at the same time . I brought them and took them back . I brought the blankets too . I brought the bed and the sheets together . I took them away for the bed . My maid sleeps on a feather bed besides this , and she could do that without this one .

    And you took them back without showing them to the witnesses ? Mr . Missing-objected . Mr . Prendergast- ^ Stop a minute . Do you know Sarah Cowdery and Mary Ann Banks ? Witness—Tes , I saw them at the cottage over the way , but I did not show them the shoets . , 1 did not show them to my father or to my mother . I took them back the same day I brought them here . Somebody told me they were not wanted . I can't say who it was . I am sure it was not fath « r . I could not say it was Mr . Curtis who told me that they were not wanted , and I had better take them back . Mr . Curtis—Good God !

    Mr . Prendergast—Oh , yes , Good God ! We understand that . ( A laugh . ) Witness—I can't swear whether it was or was not he who told me so . The sheet now produced was new when I married . The fellow can be brought here . It is off the same piece . I don't know who supplied them . The girls never slept in union blankets in my house . They could not mistake this sheet for a union sheet . I don ' t know anything about union blankets . I have passed by them , but I don't know that they are like those now produced .

    The sheet which lay on my mother s carpet was not brought to my house . I don't know where the new things were bought wh « n I was married , or who supplied the sheets for the servant ' s bed . I did not say that Mr . Bridger supplied me . with grocery tbv tU « first two years . I bought from him occasionally , and sometimes from oth « rs . Where I bought my tea I bought my sugar . ( The witness produced a bill for 2 Slbs . of sucrar in ISil , as bought by her trom Mr . Baker , at liomsey . ) Mr . Assistant-Commissioner—But you were not married in 1 S 41 .

    Witness—But I have bought sugar I know . Mr . Prendergast—But you have sworn that you havs bought this i of a ewt . of sugar for your own use , dated September , 1811 , and paid in January , 1842 , and you iverc married in Marchfollowing ?—Yes , but I mistook this bill altogether , I was confused . I have bought sugar . Mr . Holly can tell you who supplied us regularly , I have bought sugar from Mr , Parker . Mr . Prendevgast—Well , that is ono of the documents for the defence ( throwing down the bill ) .

    My former servants , Cowdery , Banks , and Laishley , I saw at the cottage over the way the first day I CiWlC , but I did not bring the bed there . I did not show it at any time , nor the sheets . It was not my business to do that , or to get any on * else to do it . I don't know thsit I ever boii ^ it any soap in Andover but white soap . Where did you buy the soap you sent here ?—I bought in London , at Winchester , and Romsey , i ot a cwt . at a time . I have bought it at Mrs . Policy ' s in London .

    lhe witness produced a paper , which Mr . Prendergast was about to look at , but Mr . MUsing objected to liis doiugso . . Mr . Prarkcr ruled that he might do so . The paper was a bill , dated Feb . 25 , 1 S 45 . Mr . l ' arker—Where does Mrs . Policy live ? Witness—I can't tell you her direction , but her brother-in-law ' s—31 , ^ Newgate-street . Mr . Parker ( reading the paper)—31 , Newgatestrr-ct , Cripns and Co ., wholesale stationers . Witness—The soap came through that gentleman ' s hands . We deal with him .

    By Air . Prendcrgast—I have bought some soap I sent here at Romsey . I have had some of Mr . Holly ' s shirts once or twice washed here since last Christmas . Going back to the first , I had my washing done here during nineteen months . I bought soap to send here of the same persons I have mentioned , but I have no bills of it . 1 have bills of : in after date , and before , but not one during the nineteen months . I dul n > t always get bill * . I don't know that I ever got a Salisbury bill , or a London bill , or a Stockbridge bill , or a Roir . scy bill , or an Andover bill , or a Winchester bill , during that nineteen months . The soap 1 bought was in colour brown , like the union soap , but rather a lighter colour when compared . It looked better to me when I saw them together , but that was not very often .

    iou can't at all tell me where it came from during that nineteen months ?—I can tell you tho names , but I have not the bills ; I bought it of Baker of ' Ilomsey , ltnd « c of Winchester , a shop in the marketplace at Salisbury , the name of which I cannot recollect . Edmund Bishop Hawkins , examined by Mr . Missing—I am a draper residing in this town . 1 remember being applied to by Mrs . M'Dougal for flock to make a bed . We call it rugging . I think it was on the 17 th of March , 1 S 42 . 1 procured some . I

    do not keep the article by me . 1 was paid for it by Mr . M'lJougal . ( The witness referred to his books . ) It was paid for with other things . There avc entries in the waste-book , journal , and ledger ; but they are not my own making , except in the ledger . ( Tho witness examined the bed , opejied a corner of it , and produced some of the flock . ) That is the kind of rujriring I furnished to Mr . M'Dougal . ( The master iruluecd a quantity of flock from the house . ) That I sold seems to have got hard from use , but they appear to be precisely the same thing . A person might mistake one for the other .

    Would the 23 ib . of rugging you sold appear to have been about the quantity in the bed here ?—I cannot say . By Mr . Prendergast—Tt is entered in the wastelook , 2311 ) . of rugging to the guardians of the Andover union . It is altered . Probably the mistake was discovered . I did not alter it . One of my men , who has left me , made the entry . ( The original entry was scratched across with a pen , and the name " Mrs . M'Dougal" substituted for "the guardians of Andover . " ) In the journal it is entered to Mrs . M'Dougal . I don't know when the alteration was made . I can swear it was made before the journal va « made up . I oid not see it made . Every month we make up the journal , and then I post the ledger . 1 usually do it every month . £± ISs . is entered in the Jetl ^ cr to Mrs . M'Dougal .

    ill , l'render ^ ast—Docs this alteration appear to have been done at the same time and in the same ink ? It is in the same young man ' s handwriting . He is now in a wholesale house in London . I can swear that the original entry and the correction arc both in the i-ame l )< UHl . The bili containing the item of " rugging" was paid with other things in July , 1-3 = 12 . I received it in cash , not by cheque . There is an entry of my own in the wastebook , " Mrs . M'Dougal , by cash , £ 6 Us . lid . " Had is been a cheque , probably I should have mentioned it . I never received a cheque from Mr . M'Dougal on liis own account . I supply the union with sheets . They are altogether a diil ' cvent thing from the stout calico sheet produced by the last witness . The width of the unmade shcetins would be about the width of that

    ot which this is made . I served the union with flock , the same article as that in the bed produced . The | sheeting is what we call lforfar sheeting . A union \ sheet was produced , it was very coarse and brown . ) That is the sort 1 supplied to the union since the h-jusc was opened . | Stephen Ilolly sworn , and examined by Mr . Missing —1 cany on the business of a parchment-maker at f tockurulge , as ranch , I think , as any one in the trade . 1 don't know but that business is my own . 1 ( ton t Know that any one has a better right to" it . 1 Wvisiied the union occasionally since my marriage . Lf , t \ li tilne . <* home in my trap bed linen belonging to the union , nor anv papers of tea . I i : ever saw such a thh in niylifo . I have taken way no cW soap , or candli , nor any article of t \ LiT fJ . tIle union * ° J liouse at Sto ; kbliuge . 1 never knew of any such articles being . Urouglifc to my li « llKC by either Mr . or ff jVl'Douga'J * I travel about three days a week in mv business , to Aewbury . Winchester , Basingstoke , aft through the c ^ ntry- —London very often . I sometimes Lo oa these journeys without my wife . I have most

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    of those times purchased housekeeping articles . I never bought tea in ounce papers . I never know'd an ounce paper come in my house in my life . 1 don t buy such a small quantity . I generally buy sugar a quarter of a hundred weight at a time , unless lump sugar , which I bought at the rate ot . 141 b . or 151 b : Occasionally , when we ' ve been short ,. missus hassent out for a pound or so . When my wife was out with me she bought sugar at any shop , she was not particular where . ( Witness looked at the . calico sheet produced in court by his wife . ) I don't very often make the bed myself , but that ' s tho " quilt" that was in my house before I married . My sister kept the house for me until the time I was married . We were both married on the same day .

    Cross-examined by Mr . Prenderga't—Where is she ?—I don ' t know , I ha ' nt aseen her . I never made my sorvant ' s bed , but I know what I bought before I was married . I never hemmed ' em , nor ironed ' em . I have seen ' em come homo , and looked that they wer « all right . I never counted ' em . Missus did , and sometimes the servants . I did not buy sheeting before I was married . I bought readymade sheets at sales . I might have bought sheets at Stockbridge , or Ilomsey , or I can't say where . I can't say how many sheets I bought at Romsey . Perhaps two or three there or at Stockbridge . I can't say at which place . I bought sheets at one of the places . I bought either two or three , not four .

    Do they call three a pair of sheets ?—I don't tindwstand it . ( A laugh . ) I bought a bed . I did not buy blankets . I buy new blankets and old sheets . I boujh ^ old sheets to give to the servants after wo had done with 'cm . I slept in ' em . I can't say how Jong I used ' em . 1 might have bought ' em about three years before I wa » married . They were sometimes off and sometimes on , and sometimes in the wash all that time . I don't know whether my wife or my sister afterwards gave them to the servants . I bought the bed at the samo sale I bought the sheets , and a good many things besides . It was Mr . Ilulbert ' s sale at Stockbridge , or at one at Romsey . I bought a bed at both , places , and sheets only at one . I bought blankets .

    You told me that you always bought new blankets just now , did'ntyou ?—J \ o , not always . I bought old ones too at a sale by auction . I don't say where I bought the old blankets . Did you not just now give me a reason why you bought new blanluts ?—I don't know . I did not buy new blankets at a sale . Can you give me the name of the grocer who supplied you with tea and sugar during the first two years alter your marriage ?—I buy things at any shop where I be , at different places , where it suits me . Sometimes at Mr . Stavlde's , in London . I don't take money in Stockbridge , so I don't buy there . I think I bought 2 lb . of tea in Loudon during . that twoye ; vrs , but I don't know what tho name was over the door . I didn't put it down . My wife has bought in Andover lib ., or 31 b ., or a ilb . I have bought some ot a travelling teaman , named lleslop , a Scotchman , who lives in Southampton , about a quarter of a pound at a time .

    Mr . Prendergast proposed to call the two servants to question them as to the identity of the bed and bedding . Mr , Missing objected on the grounds so frequently repeated . Mr . Prondergast said , it was an evcry-day practice to recall witnesses to identify property . Mr . Parker—Certainly , it would have been more desirable to have those sheets produced at the time the witnesses were examined . That they were not may be accounted for by the manner in which the charges were presented , and the omission—nothing more—to give those specific details which Mr .

    May promised mo should be furnished to Mr . M'Dougal . As that was not done , we must secure the evidence in the best way wo can . As the sheets and bedding avc no'v here , we will call the witnesses and ask them if these ave the sheets , and this the bed , they used at Stockbridge . Sarah Cowdery , sworn and examined by Mr . Prendergast--I was the first servant to Mrs . Ilolly . The sheets produced are neither of them those " l slept in or upon while there . I am quite sure ol that on a second inspection . It was not of the same kiadofstufFatall .

    Mr . Missing—Look at the bed . Is that the bed you slept on ?—No , sir , it is not . And all your evidence is as true as that , isit ?—I am quite certain that is not the bed . It was like the bed at the union . This is not at all like it . Bring one of the union beds and compare them—anybody can tell the difference . The blankets do not appear to be the same . They were all new when I went there . By Mr . Prendergast—The coarser sheet was not one I slept in . The she « ts I did use were rruicli browner . One of those sliocts is calico , the other is coarser stuff . ( A union sheet was shown to the witness . ) That is more like the sheets I had . it Stockbridge , only they were not so new . They had been washed more a pood deal .

    Mavy Ann Banks sworn , and examined by Mr . Prendergast—I am in service afc Audovcr now . Among the sheets the witness picked out the union sheet and said , That is the sort of shtct I slept in when I was in service at Stockbridge , but nob so coarse or so new . By Mr . Missing—The bed is the samo I slept on at Stockbridge , I'm confident . That is the samo pillow , powdery left that service in July , and I went , there in the December following . This is the bedtick I got out of the press for mistress before the marriage of Mr . Ilolly . By Mr . Parker—I picked somo of the floclc . Mr . Missing ( addressing the Commission *) said he should be unable to go on with any other case today , not expecting so speedy a resumption of the inquiry , lie trusted that Mr . Parker would give a few days , as he had formerly intimated lie would , to get up the defence of his client . It would be tofally impossible to make a defence under existing

    circumstances . Mr . Prendergast observed , that those who had t . nken the eridence for the master must have made him acquainted with what had been charged ; so far he had an advantage . But an adjournment fora day he ( Mr . Prendergast ) would not object to . Mr . Parktr alluded to the adjournment that had taken place last week , and said that lie was willing to agree to nn adjournment , but lie hoped the master would be prepared at an early day to go into his defence . Mr . Missing , after consulting with Mr . Curtis and the defendant , asked for a week . Mr . Parker said it would be very inconvenient to adjourn for so long a period . It was ultimately agreed that , the inquiry should bo adjourned until Tuesday morning next , at ten o ' clock . ' A . vdover . Sept . 10 .

    The Poor Law Commissioners seem to entertain the opinion that there was no ground /' or a further adjournment of the inquiry to enable the master to get up his defence . They , therefore , sent down their Assistant-Commissioner bn the same day that he left tills place , directing him to rescind his adjournment , and to proceed with the inquiry , as the following letters show : — " Poor Law Commission-office , Sonierset-liouse , Sept . IS , ISlo . : " Sir , —I am directed by the Poor Law Commissioners to enclose to you , for your information , the accompanying copy of a letter , which tlie commissioners have this dny addressed to Mr . H'Dougal , tho master of the Andorer Union workhoust . " I am , Sir , your most ohedicnt servant , " Gborcb Coode , Assistant Secretary . " To F . C . Wwtlake , Esq ., Andovir . "

    ( Cop / . ) " Poov Law CoKnmissiowttVB ' -oflico , Somcvset-hous » , Sept . IS , 1 S 43 . " Sir , —I am directed by the Poov Law Commissioners to state that they hav » this day had an interview with their assistant-commissioner , Mr . Parker . " The commissioners arc informal by him , that at your request , and with th » consent of Mr , 'Wesllake's counsel , Air . Parker has adjourned tho inquiry into your conduct on Tuesday next , when you would proceed with your defence to the charges preferred against you . " The commissioners are of opinion that an officer against whom charges of the Mud involved in Ui » investigation now pending in the Andover Union have boon lnnilo on oatlj , is liable to be called upon to give nil CXl > l : m ; i ( iun and enter upon his defence with tho least possible delay .

    " The time which has already olapsed sinco the investigation began lias been amplr sufiiciont , in tlic opinion of th » commissioners ,-to enable you to get together tli * materials necessary for your ( Wjfoncc , especially as most oi the charges relate to facts to b » proved , or disproved , by witnesses on the spot . " Had the board of guardians acceded to the recommendation of tlic commissioners » nd suspended you ( a proceeding which would ncithtr have atsumed your guilt , nor have prejudiced any of jouv rights ) , tliu commissioners might have taken a dili ' ereut view of the course th » y now think it fit to tdopt . " As it is . the commissioners havo requested Mr . Parker to return to Andover forthwith ; and they muse call upon yon to proceed TvitU your defence cither tomorrow or Saturday , and contiuuo with it from day to day .

    " An inquiry hy an assistant-commissioner is not a court constituted in such a manner that an adjournment to a future day can vitiate proceedings taken in the inttrral , and the commissioners , in thus exercising the discretion necessarily reserred to their board , feel confident that tlicj avc not inflicting upon you any substantial injustice . " I am , Sir , your most obedient servant , " George Coode , Assistant-Secretary . " To Mr . M'Dougal , Master of the Union-workhouse , Andover . " These sudden < ii ) d erratic flirtings of the assistant * - commissioner were , as may easily ho conceived , productive of great inconvenience to flic parties'concerned in carrying on the inquiry . Mv . Prendergast went to London , and had only just got home , when he received an intimation of the change of arrangement , and was immediately compelled to return to Andover . A correspondence ensued between Mr . Parker and Mr . Westlake this morning , in which th » former

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    stated that he should proceed to the workhouse at twelve o ' clook , far the purpose of receiving from the master the names ot the witnesses whom he mends tooSl in "is defence . Mr . Westlake proffered the names of the witnesses to support the charges vet uutouehed , but , to his great astonishment , he was informed in a note from-the assistant-commissioner , that "it was not his intention to enter uoon those charges , not having received any instructions from the Poor Law Commissioners . . Really , Mr . Parker ' s memory is sadly at fault sometimes , for it h . refer to the'letters from the Poor Law Commissioners to Mr . Westlake , he will find that they have given that gentleman ail assurance that all the charges 3 llOUld lie duly investigated . Those which remain unopened are of the most direct and important nature , relating to cruelty and the flogging of women with the " cat ' two tails" contrary to the regulations of the Poor

    o , Law Commissioners , and the ringing of the changes on avtioles supplied for the use of tho union by sendinn away large quantities of those articles , and receiving in return smaller quantities of a superior quality . If Mr . Parker persist in declining to hear these charges , application will bo made to the commissioners in London to fulfil the promise that thej should be investigated . At twelve o'clock , according to appointment , Mr . Parker cam * to the board-room of the workhouse . Mr . Prendergast , on the one side , and Mr . Curtis on the other , were in attendance , Mr . Parker , addressing Mr . Curtis , apprised hife that the commissioners had directed him to proceed with the inquiry , and he was bound jto obey them . He proposed , therefore , to-day to receive the names of witnesses to beexamined for the defence , and issue summonses , and to commence hearing them

    tomorrow . Mr . Curtis said he was unprepared to give the nanus of several witnesses , because he did not know that they would give evidence . He must first ascertain that point . Mr . Prendergast thought tlicso delays hard upon tlie persons who had to follow up the charges made against the master . ' Mr . Curtis said he liad some witnesses who were ready and willing to give evidence , and he would call them to-morrow , but he would not ask Mr . Parker to issue summonses for them , nov fov the others .

    Mr . Parker said he must , in compliance with the directions of the coramisioners , press this inquiry with the utmost rapidity ; as Mr . Curtis declined asking for summonses he should go through the eridence and select the names of those witnesses whom ho thought important for tlie defence , and summon them accordinglyupon his own responsibility , by the hands of Mr . Moore , a sheriff ' s officer . ' So then , the master dtclining to furnish evidence for the defence , the commisionek doks SO fob him . In answer to a question from Mr . Prendergast , Mr . Parker said he had no instructions to enter upon the other charges . Adjourned . Asdovek , Sept . 20 .

    FIFTWSTH DAT . At the opening of the court this morning , Mr . Missing inquired of the Assistant-Commissioner whether Mr . Mitchiner had furnished any report of his investigation of the master's accounts and the nnion books ; and , it so , whether that report should be read ? Mr . Parker said , he was in possesion of such a report . 11 * 1 ii IIIA it si fk ** s + neir \\ T r ± \\\ t \ vrt # t 4 r X \ r \ t > i iha AtirniAH T + MrPicndcrgast—Wo blame the false entriesIf

    *' . - . the books are all right upon the face of them , the greater the fraud . Mr . Missing—It is easy to say that . Mr . Prendergast—But we have proved them to be false . We had a tradesman ' s hooks here the other day , and there was a false entry in the waitc-book , consequcntlf tho entries in the journal and . ledger were false also . The books are falsely kept . Mr . Parker read the report , which was an elaborate defence of the master , instead of a mere " aud it

    of his accounts" as it purported to be . It had evidently been drawn up " for the nonce , " and was full of misapprehensions and gratuitous explanation ? of the master ' s po ? ition , and even speculations as to intentions . _ When it was finished reading , Mr . Prendet'gast said , this reminds me of the boy who had to spend 3 d . for his master , and fully accounted for id . ; but his master did not think him a bit more honest . I will undertake to prove that these books are false throughout , and that from the commencement the master has carried on a regular system of fraud . Mr . Missing—What right have vou to say SO ?

    Mr . Prende-rgasfc—What right have you to put in such a document as that ? Mr . Missing—I put it in as part of the defence . Mr . Prendergast—You have no right to do it . It is not a legal document . We say the entries are false , and this gentleman says they are consistently false . DEJF . EKC 13 IN AXjbTVEit TO THE CHARGES OF

    DRUSlvENNESS . The Rev . Chistopher Dodson , sworn and examined by Mr . Missing—I am chairman of the board of guardians of this union , and have been so since its establishment , for nine or ten years . I have been well acquainted with Mr . M'Dougal during the whole of that time . What has been his general character for honesty and correct conduct ?—Perfectly good . Mr . Prendergast—That is , general character ? Mr . Missing—Yes . Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast—I remember Mr . Westlake calling upon me in reference to this matter , lie told mo he had some char-res against Mr . M'Doueal .

    Do you mean to swear that you never heard Mr . M'Dougal was a person of drunken habits ? I do . 1 have heard that he was mmy on Saturday nights . ( A laugh . ) A gentleman of this town told mo sinee this inquiry began . I think it was Mr . Clark . Uu said he had met the master looking very merry on a Saturday evening , walking home . I have heard that he was a person of drunken habits from Mr . Westlake , but not before this inquiry . liad you hoard that he was also irregular with regard to women ?— -Never in my life . 1 had not a suspicion of it . Did you say to Mr . Westlake , when lie told you he had charges against the master , " What is it ? Drunkenness ?"—1 don ' t reeolleet . If I don't remember , 1 don't . I cannot remember that I did . I can say no more . I will not swear that I did not , but I would rather swear 1 did not than I did .

    Mr . Prtndergast—Very likely . But we don ' t want to know what yoic would hather stvear . Will you swear that you did not ? Witness—1 will not . I did not say " women . " I never dreamt of it . I believe I did not . 1 would not undertake to swear that I . did not . I know the guardians . None of them ever mentioned to mo that the master was a person given to drinking . 1 am a magistrate of the county , not for the borough . 1 do not , therefore , know the constables of the town . 1 am here every Saturday , and leave seldom later than four o clock . The Ilev . Charles Henry Redding , vicar of Andover , examined by Mr . Missing—1 " am chaplain to the union workhouse . I have known Mr . M'Dougal from the commencement of the union . His general character during that time , as far as it has been known to me , was perfectly satisfactory .

    Octavius Hammond examined—1 am a surgeon , residing in Andover , 1 was medical oiliooi" to the workhouse from' . March , l&JS , to March , 1830 . I knew Mr . M'Dougal during that period . 1 would rather speak more particularly ol' his character during the time 1 was surgeon to this house . I never knew him act in any way unbecoming or unfitting his station as master of this house . As far as his general * character has come to my knowledge it has corresponded with what I have already said . Of course 1 don't speak of what 1 have heard withiu the last fortnight . Mr . Prcmlcrgasfc objected to ovidonco except as to general character . Mr . Missing wished to know whether his learned friend wished to abide by all the technicalities of a court of law ?

    Mr . Prcndergast said , it was a question for the Assistant-Commissioner to decide . Mr . Parker— i shall take any particular fact bearing on general character . Witness—I . was going to say that I thought his conduct to the inmates humane and kind . Mr . Prendergast—That is not evidence . Witness ( laughing )—1 don't care for that , as long as I get it out . That is six years ago . vou speak of ?—Yes . If the old Dion complained of not getting those allowailCCS , would you consider him humane and kind ? —1 never heard time they did not get their allowances . I think they had their allowances .

    That is your supposition . Perhaps you would expect that the people and the children would complain to you ?—1 see no reason why they should not . 1 have had access to them at all hour ? . They might have complained to me if they wished . The children did not come crying to me and say they had not got their broad and ' hutter . ( A laugh . ) 1 have been in the habit of coining to the house occasionally since I was medical otticcr . I speak of occasions of indisposition , but not among the paupers , when I attended the master ' s family , and on other occasions . I can ' t sav how manv times . 1 can't say once a year .

    During the last six years have you been here six times?—Most unquestionably , and more . I won't say eight times . 1 am sure it averages once a year . I won' 6 say more . I might have visited the house half a dozen times within the last month , and previous to the inquiry . 1 never saw the master drunk . 1 have hoard of his bein « in liquor , and I have generally disbelieved it . ( A laugh . ) I hare heard that on one ' or two occasions he was foon Saturday evenings . There was no specific occasion on which I had . reason to believe it . 1 never heard of his having been drunk in this house .

    The Rev . G , Watson Smytlio examined—I am a guardian and a member of the finance committee . I have known Mr . M'Dougal three years . IJis general character for honesty , i should say , was good , from my capacity as one of the finance committee ; and us to " his humanity , I have always had a very high oi inion , from my own observation and from inquiries Of people who have been in fche workhouse .

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    Mr . Prendergast—Have they not compared him with hia -wife ?—yes . Have they not said that he was a good sort of person compared with his wife ?—Notexactly ; but I have asked my parishioners who ' have been in tho house how they liked the house and the conduct of the master . They said , " Vory well . " I have asked about the matron ; and' Mr . Prendergast—I donfc want that . Mr . Parker decided on receiving it . Witness—They said they did not like her . They complained of her being severe . I do not live in Andover . I am not in tho town on Saturday

    evennigs . I leave about four or nvo o ' clock . I have never heard that the master was occasionally drunk bttbve this inquiry . I have heard many persons speak of it since who have been in public-houses with him , and they told me , one and all , they had never seen him drunk . Ho is under very peculiar temptations of being asked by different people to have glasses of beer and spirits . I have heard also , from otjuu who were not present with him , that he has been drunk . Respectable people told me the reverse . I don ' t go to public-houses . I scarcely know the sound of the Eight Bells . I pass it often . I go to the Star every day I come into the

    town . Mr . Parker asked the witness if the term " severe " meant " strict ? " He replied that he thought it meant strict , but not unkind . Mr . Prendergast—Ask him if they said she was a devil f ( Laughter . ) Witness—They did not . Nor a devil of a temper ?—That is another thing . I am not sure that they said that . I will not swoar that they did not . Mr . Henry Earle , a solicitor of the town , examined . —I was auditor of tko union up to within the last few weeks , for more than two year * . During that time I investigated Mr . M'Dougal ' s accounts generally . My opinion is that he was always CXti'Ginely correct in hia accounts , and rendered every assistance in liis power to the committee in going through them .

    Cross-examined—In going through the accounts did you find the establishment charge for beer correspond with the Medical Ilelirf and Sick Diet Book ?—I found that the beer brought into the house was always certified by the finance committee to be correct . I dare say they did that ; but did you compare the quantity stated to be consumed in the Medical Relief or Sick Diet Book with tlie quantity stated to be consumed in the Establishment Book ?—No ; I don't think that would be much tot , and unless I compared the books with store , I should not like to say anything on . that poiut . I never heard any reports of his drunkenness until this inquiry . I was quire surprised when I did hear them . Is tlie master entitled to double rations ?—Ishould not like to speak upon that point without looking at the books .

    Well ,-but you have been auditor for a long time , tell us what quantity of rations he has a right to subtract from the whole for himself ?—I cannot » peak to that without the books . But that is a sort of principle , you know , to guide you in the investigation of the accounts . If you had compared these books , you would , I think , have found how much he was entitled to take for himself , would vou not ?—I don't remember .

    . RESIGNATION OF THE MASTER . Mr . Missing now rose , aud addressing tile Assistant-Commissioner , said , —I am placed in an awkward and unpleatant position . The extraordinary and most unprecedented circumstance of the resumption of the inquiry to-day , after the adjournment you were so kind * s to grant , and which was acceded to by tlic other side , lms placed it entirely out of my power , and that of Mr . Curtis , to be prepared with tho necessary evidence to counteract the charges o . ' improper conduct with regard to the female inmates preferred against us . You arc , no doubt , aware , sir ,

    that charges of that description are most easy to be made and most difficult to disprove . Such offences , from their rery nature , are generally committed in secret , and not in the presence of third parties , i herefore , it is only by a minute examination of the evidence given in accusing the party , and by documentary evidence , probably bearing upon that statement , that we could , under the most favourable circumstances , rebut such evidence . The charges have been preferred to the Poor Law Commissioners . We asked for time to enable us to make our defence to them . Time was granted by you , but it has been refused by the Poor Law Commissioners ; and the

    consequence is Mr . Parker—I cannot hear any observations upon the course the Poor Law Commissioners have thought Ii t to adopt . My instructions are to proceed with the inquiry , and I apprehend you are going to tell me what you arc about to do . Mr . Missing—The consequence is , tliafc inasmuch as we cannot Jay before the public tlie defence of Mr . M'Dougal in a shape satisfactory either to ourselves or to the public , I take upon myielf the responsibility of advising Mr . M'Dougal to withdraw from this inquiry altogether . I shall , therefore , neither call any witnesses nor attend further upon this inquiry . I be- ? to state also , that it is Mr . M'Doiigal * intention lo tender his resignation to the board of jiuavdians . Mr . Parker—Is that course intended to stop the inquiry ?

    Mr . 'Missing—I do not mesn to stop the inquiry , but to withdraw from it as the ! cg , al adviser , of Mr , M'Dougal ; and Mr . Curtis will do so too I have to express to you , sir , before I leave , my sincere thanks for the great courtesy you nave shown to me throughout . I have , then , no further evidence to offer . Mr . Prendcrgast—That is just tlic KOll of evidence I expected you would offer—nouo at all . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Missing , Mr . Curtis , and their client then left the hall , and proceeded to the board-room . They were soon followed by the Assistant-Commissioner . Tlic unexpected luinounctmenfc created much surprise among the auditory , and was the subject of animated conversation during the absence of

    Mr . Parker , who returned in about an hour , and having filled up a summons , which he sent out by Mooi'C , th « summoning-oilicer , he informed Mr . Preiulergast that he had summoned the master to at-Uucl the inquiry . The master came in , and resumed his former scat . Mr . Parker said—In consequence of the withdrawal of yourself anil your legal advisers , I feel compelled , in imrsuing the inquiry , to summon you as a witness . I shall put the questions to the witnesses myself . The following persons , whom the Assistant Commissioner had named on the previous day , were then called : —

    Mr . Charles M . atch * m , landlord of the Globe Inn , examined—1 have often seen Mr . M'Dougal at my house in the afternoon and evening of . Saturdays . I have seen him intoxicated half a dozen times perhaps . I have kept the house four years and a half . I think he was not capable of managing any business , ile could walk home- except on one occasion , when lie could not walkhomc . It has been mostly in the evenlug that I nave seen him drunk . 1 never saw him so in the day-time . By Mr . Prendergast—lie generally left my house early in the evening , ¦ Mr . William Philip Devon examinee '—I am l .-n , llord of the Oeorgo Inn , Andover . Mr . M'Dougal mis not much frequented myhouse'during the lasttwoor three years . I have seen him the worae for liouor on

    three or four yrnrs a ^ o . 1 believe a Saturday night . I have not often seen him intoxicated . By the worse for liquor , Iineanhe had some difficulty in walking ; that was from ten to eleven o ' cloclc at night , I have not seen him so in the day- ' . imc . 13 y Mr . Prondergast—Tluit wns the last rccasion which I mentioned . There was somo disturbance in my house on a former occasion , when some soldiers wore quartered on me . lie was intoxicated , and addressing the soldiers who were in the market room , said— " Soldiers , retire ! Go to bed ! " They refused to mind him , and said their commanding ofKcer was present , and he had nothing to do with them . There was a little bother ; there was no fight , but what you gentlemen would call "jaw . " ( A laugh . ) They called each other hard nainep .

    Mr . I ' rendergast—Tho lVOl'd "jaw" JS not in my vocabulary . ( A Jaugh . ) Mr . T . L ' ontin examined—I am landlord of the Masons' Arms-inn . Mr . M'Dougal has frequented my house . 1 have seen him drunk s > veral times , perhaps twenty , during the three years and a half 1 liilYC kept tho Masons' Arms . Uy drunk I . mean tlmthe was not capable of taking care of himself . Jt was iu tiie evening , and principally on Saturdays . 1 should pay 1 had seen him incapable of taking care of himself eiuht or ten times .

    By Mr . Prciulurgast—Antony , tho porter , would come for him sometimes , aud younu M'Doujjal sometimes , and finally Mrs . Al'Dougaf would come and fetch lather , son , and porter . I don't mean to say that ( he son and porter wore tipsy . ( A laugh . ' ) She would see them ell out , and follow him . Sometimes the son woukl come h ' rst , and wait half ah hour or an hour , and then tiie porter woukl conn ? , and wait sometimes an hour , or perhaps more , and then tho mistress would come . Tin ' s would take place at ten , Cloven , or twelve o ' clock , and on one occasion it was . Inter than that . He was rather inclined to sina on those occasions . o _ Dili he get on . very well ?—I am not much of a judge ot music . ( A laugh . )

    Mr . Parker—1 kavc not examined all the witn » xses 1 have summoned . If 1 find it necessary I must go on on Monday . I have not yet had anonnortumty ot collecting the names of parties renidin- ' in diftorent parts , and some in London . There arc Air Fitch , Mrs . I'ollcy , Mr . Baker , of Romsev , and somebody at Winchester and Salisbury , whose names l do not know As Mr . M'Doagal has resigned , I a . all vcpovtwlmt evidence 1 have received fo he 1 oor Law UraimsMM . era , and ask them if I am to to on and take other evidence on these diarrrs In answer to a question by Mr . Prunde .-ast

    ihc Assisjant-Commissioncr further'Stated tint ! hv ^ wmff " ft V ll 0 l ( 1 " « oS on lS ! fefi ' ti ^ i ^ ^^^ - ^

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    Mr . 'Prendergast said , they were of the utmost importance , not only to Mr . M'Dougal , but to tee rate payers of the whole union . Adjourned .

    MORE RBSIOSATIOSS . After Mr . Missing announced the intention of Iifs client to resign , they proceeded together to tho board-room , where he repeated tho observations ho had just before addressed to the Assistant-Commissioner , and presented along letter from M'Dougal to the board , in which those observations were considerably amplified , and which ended with a string of thanks for the many kindncsaes he had received from the guardians since he had filled the ofliceof master of the union . This letter must have been prepared before the proceedings of the day commenced . In fact , they appear up to that point to have been preconcerted .

    The tendering of the master's resignation seemed to take the generality of them by surprise , moro especially those who had that very morning given him so good a character upon their oaths . It appeared , however , that they felt . thcmselves bound to accept liis resignation . Air . Missing , in the course of his remarks upon the subject , said ( pointing to the master ) that the Poor Law Commissioners were really visiting the sins of the guardians on the head of that unfortunate individual . The guardians , it will W seen , think themselves more sinned against than simuig .

    Mr . Parker said , that as the master had acted contrary to the regulations of the Poor Law Comniis . sioners , they did not think him a fit person to remain any longer in the workhouse . Ho should , therefore-, be instan tly removed . He ( Mr . Parker ) had a person ready , who " was well accustomed to the details of the management of a workhouse under the old law , and who , no doubt , would be able to attend to do the duty here until a new master should be appointed . Ifc was then proposed that an election of n new master should take place that ( lav fortnight ; but as

    Weyhill fair would take place in about three weeks , Weyhill being close to Andorer , and many of tho guardians interested in it , it was ultimately settled that it should be postponed for a month . ¦ While thissubject was under / liscussion Mr . Parker had lelt the room to converse with Mr . Missing ; and before he returned M'I ) Migal was sent for by the Chairman and atked if he would stay a month to take care of the house ? He said , he was so thankful to the board for all their kindness , that ho would stay twelve months , or as long as he lived , if they wished it .

    When Mr . Parker returned , and found that tho board had decided on retaining M'Dougal to <\ o the duties of master for another month , ho appeared greatly disconcerted , and very emphatically expressed his disapprobation of the course the guardians had just taken . A very stormy discussion ensued , during which Mr . Dodson and Mr . Sniythe , the two clergymen , said they very sincerely regretted that the master had resigned , and that he had come to that determination , for they had as much confidence in him as ever .

    Mr . Boilson ( the Chairman ) ended the altercation by saying , that " thouph he did not wish to fly in the face of the Poor Law Commissioners , if he was to be drilled in every way they thought proper , he should make his bow to them ; " and so saying he took up his hat , and walked away . Mr . Baines , the vice-chairman , said he should do the same , and so he did . Mr . J . Lywood followed their example , remarking that the Commissioners might get somebody else * . he was not going to be humbugged by such people as they . And then the whole board brokeup in most admired disorder . > . Asdoveb , Monday , Skit . 22 .

    The excitement created by the news that the master had resigned , and also the chairman , vice-chairman , and others of the guardians , ha-, been intense . Saturday being market-day , the town was more than URvmlly full of strangers ; who , with the great body of the inhabitants , hailed these events with hearty satisfaction , considering the departure of the master and his men as " a good riddance , " arid ' a circumstance likely to lead to some iinprotemcnt in the jnanafemen ' t of the union . It is almost impos-ible to say how many of the guardians have not intimated their intention of going without the camp , and bearing reproach with their immaculate brother-delinquents . It is tasy enough to tell what is the moving cause of tills desfFtion of office t the resiguatU . n oi dismissal of the master necessarily involves those in censure whoso loin have had him under their control , and have suffered him to pursue a course which has Wl to siieh a result .

    In addition to tho statemftt of what took place at the stormy Meeting of the board on Saturday , I hear that the assistant commissioner was so i !« f ply affected that lie almost shed tears while he expostulated with the unruly members of that board , telling them , that throughout tho inquiry he had leaned towards them and the accused , and endeavoured to further theit view ? , so much so as to bring down upon him tho condemnation of the Poor Law Commissioners ; and this was his reward , lie had stood by them , but now they would . desert him . The whol . " of the proceedings that nioi'iiinjr evinef tl that they had been artfully prejUT&ngcd . The-master hail determined upon soiiding in his resignation , and a letter for that purpose was prenarsd , written , sealed , and directed to tlie

    guardians , announcing that determination , anil was actually in the pouch of liis lean ! adviser before the proceedings of the day began . But it was deemed advisable not to beat a retreat without ui attempt to plaister up tho damaged reputation of the accused , not by evidence to rebut the tacts deposed to , but by an Old Bailey trick ofcallinjf accomplice } to give him , a character . _ They were clergymen , three in number , and their evidence lins elicited almost universal contempt . The church has not been so thinly attended for years as it was yesterday . The rain nii ^ ht account for this in some measure , but 1 know some who stayed away solely on account of tht ; tlisgia created In their minds by the conduct of the clergy throughout the inquiry , and nartic-ularlv ' on Saturday lust . Their

    evidence was perfectly valueless to theirprotcw : it was of the same kind . which a poacher once produced to rebut the testimony of two men who saw Jiiiu lull a hare ; he brought tan men to prove that they did not see him do so . In this case , however , there was an important difference , the majority of tlie witnesses being those who had scon thtmastcr drunk repeatedly , nmlthe meagre minority thoss who professed neither to have seen nor heard of such a tiling , though one of them confessed that the master would get nierrv " on Saturday nights . The Rev . G . W . Smythc was asked by Mr . Prendergast more Uian once or twice whether or no some persons who had been inmates of

    the house had not told him that the mistress was a perfect devil ? In vain was the question repeated ; the rev . witness at often said he had not been so told . But why did the learned counsel so pointedly put the question again and again ? Because some days before , while in conversation , the rev . witness did actually toll him that persons luulso described the mistress to him . The rev , gentleman , as oho of tho witnesses said , sccir to have a memory like a rabbit ' s tail , — very short . But this is the kind of evidence whieli was used to raise up aecrt of masked battery , under which the soldier-master might retreat ; and a "Poore" defence it afforded , although a gallant lieutenant volunteered his professional aid .

    The ingeniously constructed report of the " eminent accountant" furnished no better shelter . JJefiire Mr . Parker proceeded to read it Uo said that Mr . Shaw had lent some assistance to Mr . Mitchiner in getting it up , and had given ifc his sanction , or at least had mail * no objection to any of its statements . Aw , what is the fact ? Mr . Shaw never saw that report until late on Saturday evening , when'M . Parker called upon him and " showed it to liiw , ondeavonringthen to secure the . sanction which in il'O morning he al ' e ^ ed to have been given . Mr . Stow , however , on perusing the report could not express himself satisfied with it , and he is surprised that M" » Mitchiner should ( if he d ' ul ) tell the assiatant-con :-missioncr that he had sanctioned any such report , which he declares to be so cot up as wirofuMv to

    conceal everything that would tell against the master , and to make a case in bis favour by clever management . It is a fact , that Air . Siiaw ' one day positively oiycutc ^ to tiie cours e the " eminent accountant " w ; is taking , and in order that there might be no mistake , wrote a uotc to him cs ^ vessing U \ s dissatisfaction , pointing out certain errors , and requesting attention thereto . Mr . Shaw discovered , by comparing the house-provision book with the ledger , tliat on beef days the Ocei' was short four or five- lmuiuU . The master explained this ly gay ing that a family miclifc come in after the meat was " clown to cook , ami he divided the quantity intended , say for -it ) , among tlio increased number < 15 ; but . to make ui > for that , he put in an ' excess of bacon on the following Saturdayft was further discovered that the bacon was short

    eight or nine pounds on tho very Saturdays following the Tuesdays when the beef was short . This may account , to some extent , for the bone-gnawing . Of this fact , however , the " eminent accountant " " takes no notice . It was well observed by Mv . Premlor ^ ist that if the books were right upon the face of lliein , the greater must be the fraud . The report saems lo present the same aspect ; and it is no answer whatever to tlie charge of having deprived several paupers of the allowances set down against their names , which they have sworn they never \ m <\ . Mr . . Mitehiner endeavours to make an excuse for the master in depriving the children oi' 481 b . ol" bread iu a week , by saying that he supplied them with milk ami that

    with milk a less quantity ot bread would sufiiie . licit this statement , itigenious as it is , oes tor mulling . The bills show that tiie expense of the milk averaacil about Is . 7 * d . per week , and the 4 Sib . of bread would cost about m . io $ d ., so that the mister pocketed the dillerence . Mr . Praidergast did quite ri"ht in pretesting against the introduction of this illegal cloeumenfc ; but it is one of the many wroim steps whieh ¦ tie Assistant-Commissioner and his leal friends lave t-ikcn to serve their mutual client , the muster , it proves too much ; and they nuist have been somcwlmts'iisibleof thnt , or they would nut liavo produced it at an m proper time , The defence in rei'ty to the charges o . peculation , had closed ; ami any such evidence ou » ht to have been given upon oath ( Concluded in our mmt ] t 1 ) tgcj

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    '¦ : ¦ ¦ :: ' : ' : ¦ - , ^' ' .. >¦ TTTK NORTHERN STAR . September 27 , 1845 .

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 27, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1334/page/6/