The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-17 00:00:00

ILab) *lttrUtgaut.

COURT OF QUERN'S BENCH.—APRIL 18.
(Bakes Mr. Julien Crompton.)

norm AND 0111 EBB O. COLLINB.-ALLEOED LIBEL ON

Mr. Perronet Thompeon applied for a criminal informa-
tion against Mr. Edward Francis Collins, the proprietor of
the H sell Advertiser, for two libels published in that journal
on the administration of justice at poTt modons by Mews.
John Smith, Robert Raikes, end J Alfred Sykes, three
=Trtee of the East Riding of Yorkshire. It seemed
oy nsmed George Bedeck, 13 years of u, in the
service of Thomas Johnston, a termer' was charged before
these gentlemen at the Welton PettySendons with stealing
some bread and mast, the property of his master, and gen-
towed by them, under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, toone
month's imprisonment with hard labour. The bread and
meat was missed from the kitchen table after the lad had
finished his breakfast, and ha was followed and overtaken
on the road to the village where his parents resided. He
was riding his master's horse, and had a bundle of clothes
In which the articles were found. Upon being asked by
the magistrates what he bad to say to the charge, he replied
" It's all right, I took the bread and meat.' The first alleged
libel consisted of a short report of these proceedings, in which
it was represented that the boy said he was sick in the morn-
ing, and not being able to eat his breakfast took it with him,
in the hope that he would have a better appetite during the
day, and, according to the affidavits, he made no such alle-
gation. The report concluded by stating that there was
never agrosear case of incapacity on the part of " the great
unpaid,, and that a memorial was being prepared for pre-
sentation to the Home Smeltery, praying for a searching
Investigation into the matter. In the following week there
was a leader in the Half ..feleortieer, founded upon that
report, and commenting in a humorous and sarcastic strain
upon the facts of the case. It then characterised the decision of
the magistrates as most monstrous, end in the last
Inhuman, and said the lad would be more than hum=
did not, in subeequant yeses, imprecate divine vengeance on
their heads, and a:premed a hope that the Home Secretary
would'give such a rap to the knuckles of these Welton Solons
as would raider it impossible that they could ever be mis-
taken for the wise men of the south.

Mr. Justice Crompton—The article alleges nothing cor-
rupt against the magistrates, but merely testa the case as
ow of mistaken judgment. It is most important that this
mart should not interpose its high prerogative upon what is
really but a comment although it may perhaps carry the
right of comment toe far.
Ur. Thompson—The court has interbred in cams where
the libel has been much less gross.
Mr. Justice Wightman—But sash ass most be governed
by its own particular circumstesces. The Impose° of the
commentary:may be very strong, and, such as the court
cannot approve, but, as my learl brother mays, there is no
likrtof corruption.
ompson—l don't put it as a libel upon the magis-
trates, but as one on:the administration of justice.
Mr. Justice Crompton said the sentences at the assizes and
all criminal courts were commented upon very often, and
this court ought to be careful not to interpose its authority to
i stop them when confined within fair limits.
Mr. Justice Wightmen—The magistrates have their
remedy by indictment or soden.
Mr. Thompson said if the court granted a rule most
likely the defendant would apologise, and the trouble and
expense of proceeding by Indictment would be saved.
Mr. Justice Wlghtman—We cannot grant • rale for •
criminal information on any assumption of that kind,
Application refused.