The Express.
London, England, 1860-08-09 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME CIRCITIT.—GUILDFORD, Atinuffr 8.
(Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.)
Clarks Rawson, 48, described sea teacher, and who pre-
sented a wild and haippird appearance, was charged with
feloniously setting fire toli stack of bay, the property of •
farmer named Leonard, residing in the neighbourhood al
Kingston.
Mr. Sharp was instructed for the prosecution ; Mr. May
was counsel for the defence.
This case was specially fixed for yesterday morning, in
consequence of the prisoner having made • desperate at-
tempt at suicide in his cell in Horeemonger-lane Gaol, on
the morning on which the prisoners were to be taken down
to Guildford, od he was not in • condition to be tried be-
fess. The circumstances of the ease were somewhat peen-
Her. It appeared that the stack in question was fired on
the morning of the Tani of May, and the prisoner was met
by • police-constable coming away from the field where the
stack was. After the fire was put out he was still seen
lurking about the spot, and the constable asked him if he
bad seen any one near the stack, and he at once admitted
that he was the person who had set fire to it, and said he
had done so with • lucifer match, and he at the mime time
pulled several matches out of his pocket, and pve them to
the Policeman.
Vi hen the prisoner was asked in the usual form whether
he was guilty or not guilty, he replied that be was guilty.
Mr. Justice Black who had been made acquainted
with the facto, inquired ifWrn, the prisoner was in a condition of
mind to understand the nature of the proceeding that was
going on.
Mr. Lilley said he was instructed that he was not, and
he had witnesses in attendance whom he should like to
have examined.
The jury were accordingly sworn to
_inquire whether the
prisoner was in a fit state of mind to plead, and several wit-
names, his centavo, were examined. From their evidence
it appeared that he had formerly been • schoolmaster at
Kingston, but had become reduced, and latterly he had
been in a very desponding state, and appeared to entertain
the idea that he and hie family would suffer great distress,
and he was eonstantly praying. It also appeared that he
would sometimes go without food for two or three days,
and no entreaties could induce him to take nourishment,ind
the witnesses all stated their opinion that be was of un-
sound mind and not at all aware of the consequence that
would result from his pleading guilty.
Charles Maynard, one of the principal warders of Horse-
monger-lane, stated that when the prisoner was first brought
to the gaol he appeared very wild and excited, and he was
consequently not left by himself. On Friday evening, in
consequence of an alarm that was given, be went to the
prisoner's cell, and found that he had endeavoured tostran-
gle himself with a handkerchief. He was quite insensible,
and the surgeons were rubbing him, but it was • considera-
ble time bider* he came to himself, and he was not in • fit
state to take his trial before that day.
Mr. Jelin Keene, the governor of the prison, produced •
certificate of the surgeon, to the effect that at the present
time the prisoner was of unsound mind.
The jury, upon this evidence, returued a verdict that the
prisoner was not in a fit state of mind to plead, and lie was
rounded back to prison, and ordered to be kept in safe cus-
tody until her Majesty's pleasure should be known respect-
ing him.
ADAMS AND WIFE r. OOZAY.
This was an action for false imprisonment.
Mr. Ribton and Mr. H. Williams were for the plaintiffs,
and Mr. Serjeant Parry and Mr. Bernard for the defendant.
The case was heard on Monday afternoon before Mr.
Justice Blackburn. It ,appeared that the plaintiffs were
husband and wife, and prow in an humble position of life,
and that the defendant, Mr. Gouty, was the landlord of the
Fountain public-house, in the Camberwell-road. On the
evening of Saturday, the 12th of May, Mrs. Adams went
out about 8 o'clock to purchase some necessaries for the
family, and according to her evidence she stopped to pur-
chase some Rowers of • young woman near the defendant's
house, and she told her such a lamentable tale that she
invited her to have some refreshment, and went into the
Fountain and procured • pint of beer, which she asked the
permission of the barmaid to take outside. The flower girl
at this time bad gone away some distance, and the plaintiff
went after her, taking the beer with her. After the beer
had been drunk it seemed that she did not return the pot,
and she was eventually given in charge, and was locked up
from the Saturday night until the following Monday morn-
ing upon the charge of stealing it, sod she was then dis-
charged from custody. The defence set up was that the
plaintiff bed been drinking, and that under the circum-
stances the defendant was justified in giving her in charge.
Mr. Ribten made • very earnest reply on behalf of the
plaintiff, and the jury, after some deliberation, returned a
verdict in her favour, with 101. damages.

NORTHERN CIRCIIIT.—LercAsnra, Avousr 7.
(Before Mr. Baron Martin.)
Simon Den-Aura, late station master at the Brixenden
station of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, wall in-
dicted for forging an endorsement on a cheque, with intent
todefraud the company. It appeared that a carter, named
Worley, employed at the station, sent in his account for
cartage for the month of January list, and this account was,
se is usual, sent to Manchester, when • cheque was made
out for the amount, and sent to Worley under cover to the
, prisoner. Worley never received the money, and it tran-
spired that the xis. oner had endorsed the cheque and drawn
the money. The defence was, that the prisoner had only
done what he had done before, and had drawn the money
which he lost from his pocket at Bury, and intended to make
it good.
His lordship said the forgery was committed when Worm,-
ley's name woe affixed without his consent, and the crime
was no less, though be did intend to make it good. It was
quite time such notions were exploded, for if it were allowed
there would be an end to commercial transactions.
The prisoners/ea sentenced to live years penal servitude.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—Wswi, Auo. 8.
The Mishima of the Bornerest assizes commenced totlay.
The calendar is extremely light, containing only T 3 prisoners
and 214 cases. The following is a summary of the offences
with which than stand cbsrged?—Aseaulting a police con-
stable, 2 ; bestiality, 1 ; burglary, 1 t feloniously abusing
an infant, 1 ; larceny, 10; manslaughter, 1 ; obtaining by
false pretences, 3 ; shooting with intent, 3 ; rape, 1. There
are 33 leas prisoners for trial than at the corresponding
wise of last year.
The muse list was rather heavier than of late years, 13
actions being °stead for trial, of which four are marked
for special juries.
Nu case of interest was tried today.

-LIVERPOOL,

Ms Sours LANCASIITILE Alain&
Mr. Baron Martin opened the comma.-
to•day at St. George's-WI, and the triads will commence
to-morrow monsios. After Use commission Baron Martin
attended Mk te's Church, where prayers were read by
the Bs. doz, the mate.