The Express.
London, England, 1859-11-03 00:00:00

AN UNFOUNDED CHARGE.

BIR PETER LAURIE.

At the Guildhall yesterday, Mr. Loader, of
Skinner-street, attended before Sir Peter Laurie sad
Alderman Copeland, according to his promise, to pradnos
the little boy, William Webb who, a person who gave the
name of Richard Child, and described himself ea a wine and
spirit agent, of 52 and 63, Ciatched-friers, accused on Satur-
day last of attempting to pick his pocket of a huge pocket.
book, which be carried in the inside pocket of an nuder-ooat,
the boy having in hie band at the time be was charged with
the offence a box about six inches square, containing gold-
leaf belonging to his master. On that °maim' the man
Child, from Me respectable attire and his address, oouateting
of two housee, was looked upon as a person to be »lied on,
and Sir Prier Laurie accordingly gave him the benefit of his
appearance and credited his story so tar as to remand the
tad, for whom a considerable amount of sympathy was
e:peered.
The little boy was now brought forward, and Sir Peter
Laurie said—Where is the prearcittor
Mr. Martin—ls Richard Child here
There was no response to this inquiry, and Mr. martin
then handed in the following letter, which had barn mot to
him in cone/queue of the report of this cue:
"Van Oppen and Picard, wine and spirit merchant',
62 and -63, Crotched Friars, London, 8.C., Nov. 1.
"Dear sir,—Referring to the cue heard before Sir Peter
Laurie on Saturday last, when a boy was charged with at.
tenipting to pick the pocket of a Mr. Richard Child, who
described himself of No. 62 and 63, Crotched-fries, which
we beg to stets that he had no right to do, baring been
merely in our employ on commission, and has: neither office
nor place of residence at the above address,
" We remain, dear sir, yours respectfully,
"VAN OPPEN AND PTCAbD.
" Mr. Geo. Martin, Pollos-court, Guildhall."

Mr. Martin-1 bare also received a letter from a pereat
wbo signs himself A. Neighbour" of the prosecutor,
stating he (Child) occupies a reedy-furnished back room in
Edward-street, Blackfriare-road' and that this is lot the
first accusation of the kind he has made. The letter also
contained other information relative to Child'ageneral habits;
but as the letter la anonymous we do not feel at liberty to
Indorse the assertions.

Mr. Rns (thii;ninMonlng ofdeer)—Richard Child doe' not
anoner. _ _ _

Sir Peter Lanrie—l don't expect he will come; bat it dose
not matter. _ _ _ _ . _ _

Alderman Copelend—l beg your pardon, Sir Peter. We
abloom does signify most materially. This man came before
you and swore that his address was 52 end 33, Crotched-
friary, whereas it seems that was a false address. It also
appears that he is a notorious drunkard ; end if you want to
know more of him, my clerk is outside, who will give you
his history for years peat.
Mr. Loader—l made inquiries about this Richard Child.
and tied that he is a man without a local habitation and s
name;" and Matra. Van Oppen and Picard entirely repu-
diate him.
Sir Peter Laurie—Ale you willing to take this boy back
into your employ 2
Mr. Loader—Most certainly, sir.
Sir Peter Laurie—Then I will discharge him at once;
but remember, boy, it is your good character that hag saved
you.
Alderman Copeland—l am not &laved to let the matter
drop here, fir this man, Richard Child, came hero with s
very cruel charge. He gave • false address, and by his
manner and appearance imposed upon Sir Peter Laurie, a
megtstrate of thirty years' experience, and brought down
upon him the obloquy of such a proceeding, because he (Sir
Peter) believed him on his oath. I ehoold therefore suggest
that proper means be a4opted forthwith to punish this man
for such conduct. Ido not know what course Sir Peter
Laurie inlaid, to pursue with regard to a drunken fellow
who impoeas upon him as this Richard Child has done, but
I certainly am not inclined to let him escape with impunity.
Mr. Loader then thanked the aldermen for the Anambra
given to the cane, c.•d withdrew with the boy Webb and his
friends.

The first of a series of lectures for the winter
SPASM x,u delivered lest evening at the London Emma
patble Hospital, Great Ormond-street, tinseled-square, by

Mr. J. Ruthuford Russell, to a rather

auditory.

Yesterday (Wednesday) All Soup' Church, erected
at Halifax, on the estate and at the sole cost of Mr. Edward
Ackroyd, late member for I:Ladders&ld, was opened for divine
service by the Bishops of Ripe and Durham. The entire costa
independent of the Darla-ground, is estimated at from
60.0001. to 80,0001. A permanent endowment has been pro-
vided by Mr. Aokroyd, in whom the patronage of the new
ectlestaatical pariah of Haley Hill is veered.
DEATH or Du. Louts Srolll4—The death of
this eminent musician was quite tranquil. He bad
been confined to his bed for eight days, and his C4CII.
plaint WWI of such a same as afforded not the Wet
hopes of hi. recovery. As 41004 as the melancholy intelli-
gence reached Brunswick, the two brothers of Dr. Spohr—
one the father of the Countess Sanerma (better known as
the celebrated harpist, Rosalie Spihr). the ether seesaw of
the ducal chambers, both residents—hastened to Hesse-
Cassel, and were present at the last services paid to the
illustrious master. The funeral of the great composer
was marked by many reverential tokens honourable alike to
the living and the dead. The Prises Electoral of Hewn.
Cassel gave orders to hie wart marshal to arrange the whole
of the 'procession, which was half an hour in length. The
Clasen of Hanover sent palm and lame: branches to decorate
the asrcophages. Thg etioruves f the funeral service wee
executed by the leading members of the Opera and the Grua
Dual chapel. Papas of Dr. Spohr, scattered over all
Germany, snivel at various stages of the ceremony to psi
their last tribute of respect to their muter—one or two
coming from Holland. Dr. Spohr was close upon hie 80th
year.