The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-05 00:00:00

642

assertions, however valuable in themselves,
which are all Mr. Chesterton has given us.
Had the book been intended as a mere collec-
tion of stories, it should have been shorter:
bad it been intended as a partially didactic
work, it should have exhibited better method,
and more compact arrangement. We should
perhaps not omit to observe that Mr. Chester-
ton's habit of giving the initials of those per-
sons whose names he wishes to conceal, appears
to us a most unaccountable proceeding. Such
initials as Sir W-1. B--e, for instance,
though we do not understand them ourselves,
cannot long remain a secret to persons versed
in this species of literature. If it is really
desirable to keep back the names, what good
is it to give the initials ? if not, the reader is
merel) tantalised for nothing.
Of the author's " Revelations "—rather an
affected title for these prison notes—one of
the best passages is that relating to Sarah
Collins :

Seldom have the annals of criminal administration
recorded a more remarkable specimen of systematic but
unreasoning dishonesty than was disclosed in the case of a
rich old gentlewoman, who, for the occasion, assumed the
name of Sarah Collins—her real name beginning with C.
and containing the same number of letters. From all
the information I could acquire, her property appeared to
exceed 20900/. Committed for trial for larceny, she suc-
cessfully negotiated for the absence of the prosecutor,
and, according to her own averment, she paid for that
object 5001. Moreover a designing friend hastened over
from Ireland, on learning her apprehension, and to him
also she handed 5001., in due course to be accounted for ;
a condition which she ultimately found it had never been
his design to fulfil.
The prosecutor silenced, and all seemingly made smooth
for an acquittal, her release would have ensued, but for
the stern sense of justice of the late Lord Denman, then
Common Sergeant. That learned judge penetrated the
scheme of evasion, and resolved to defeat it. Sarah
Collins was indicted for stealing lace from a shop counter,
and the evidence of the policeman, whom his lordship
persisted, notwithstanding the eloquence of counsel, in
examining, and the production of the lace, and the officer's
detail of all the circumstances, were put by his lordship
that, had

to the jury with such perspicuous force, _, as he
defined the duty exacted by the oath they had taken, a
verdict of " Guilty " necessarily ensued; and, after an
impressive address, she was sentenced to one year's im-
prisonment in the House of Correction. There can be
no doubt that his lordship, in that case, deserved the
thanks of the country, since he had defeated the machi-
nations of venal wealth, and had purely administered
justice.
On the examination of her wardrobe, she was found to
possess no tinder-linen. A large wash-leather garment
served her for a chemise, and amply encased her frame.
That unwonted article of female attire was furnished with
variens capacious pockets of like material, undoubtedly
designed to facilitate the secretion of articles abstracted
from shop counters. There was also found in ber pos-
session a memorandum book, containing a multitude of
strange hieroglyphics, together with a mass of legible
addresses, all of which proved tb be shops well suited to
her devices. She was, in fact, a rare example of the rich
and grasping miser.
Mrs. Collins had not been long under my charge ere
she besought nse most urgently to send for a box from her
lodgings, which she averred to contain " papers " of the
utmost moment to her interests. After earnest importu-
nities ou the subject, she wrung from me a consent ; and
to the prison, consequently, the box was dispatched ; while
the landlord who brought it, and his own bill at the same
time, had to defend every item, and fight a severe battle,
ere he could procure a settlement of his account. Mean•
while, I consi.lerately &Unwed the examination of the
" papers," which proved to be of a very strange character.
The female attendant, who bad watched the search, be.
held a weighty parcel beefily withdrawn and thrust under
the garments, then the privon dress, of Mrs. Collins. All
further search was forthwith relinquished. and with prac-
ticable haste the aged prisoner rushed' up jaftbe infirnma,l
where sold and rheumatism had caused, her to be placed,
while the attendant hurried to reveal her suspicions to
the matron. The matron, with great proniptitude, sent
for me, when, to ! those important papers" proved to be
a sum of money, &insisting of notes, much gold, and a
quantity of Miser, amounting, in the whole, to upwards of
2,6401. ,•. ;,1 ,
The wens !that ,maned was perfectly dramatic. The
horror of the miser at, the,dread of lasing her,treasure—
the passionate appeals tu.roe to preserve it for• her—the
stealthy approach tosoirdt me, and the stifled whisper—
" Take what you like for yomicaelf, but ?spare Me some of
it! Don't let it go to Government! "—all indicated
intense excitement. She haa learned that a conviction of
even a trilling felony (that &Wel' remnant of a barbarous
law) involved forfeiture of personal property, and she was
in an agotry of alarm and agitation. t paid, as by statute
required, to Sir Chapman. Marshall, who was thee sheriff,
the eutire amount of the capture ; and thus the treasure
appeared to be finally glibilvaed of, and•the affair subsided.
The newspapers hail circulated—perhaps exaggerated—
Mrs. Collimee wealth ; and, some weeus after -the shore
transaction, a letter came addressed to her, impressed with
a seal in Which the " blood•red band" was' discernible.
The writer wilt don btl'ess ignorant that all letters addressed
to prisoners were inspected by the authorities. 1, of course,
opened this, 'end found it to be an offer of marriage from a
baronet, who tompkoently -seasoned that a change of name
alone could expunge the taint and dishonour of to dues an