The Express.
London, England, 1859-11-02 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.

Henry Wakefield, letter conic?, was summoned before the
Lord Mayor for being drunk while on duty, and thereby en-
dangering the safety of the public letters.
Mr. Peacock, who appeared for to. Post. office, /aid this
was a ore from the Post-offlos, which had been brought be-
fore his lordship in order to act am a warning to the other
letter carriers. It appeared that upon the evening of the
18th inst., about half-pest 7 o'clock, the prisoner was, while
in Cannon-street, in suck a state of intoxication that it was
quite impoesible for him to take are of the lettere, remit of
which he dropped. They were, however, picked up by an
honest person, so that they were not bet, as they otherwise
would here been. They were of considerable value, and
addressed principally to Mews. Traver,. The defeaust's
excuse was that be had been delivering letters at a wino
inetv.hanCe in Lenience Pountney-lane, where a clerk had
given him some brandy and water, which had very quickly
taken effect. . . .

Tie,-;;;Ti Mayor—Well, what have you tory, defiesdant?
Defendant—My lord, I plead guilty. I did not, bower,
go into • public-hour, but was asked if I would take a drop
of brandy by the clerk, where I had delivered some letters.
I hope you will show mercy towards me. I we. quite un-
aware that It was against the rules whilst on duty, end if
you deal mercifully towards me I will swear that I will never
mete a drop of strong liquor again.
Lord Mayor—l can't look over the enormity of the offence.
It is a great disgreos that you should, while on duty, be
rolling about in a state of intoxication. You ought to hare
had strength to have resisted the temptation. I shell tine ,
you Mk., or one month's imprisonment.
The defendant said he bail not so much money.
The Lord Mayor—Well, from what Mr. Peacock says, I
shall give you a week to pay it in, end (turning to Mr.
Proock) I should recommend that might return to his
duty after a short stiepensioo.
Mr. Pesoock—lt is not the drat time this clerk, named
White, has done the same thing.
The Lord Mayor then celled the clerk forward, and se-
verely reprimanded him, adding that he should not fail to
let his master know, and to ascertain whether it was his
brandy he was giving away, and if no he wee bade to be
placed in the dock for theft.
Mr. Peacock—l am glad that your lordship hen spoken to
him, as no doubt this man (defendant) will low his situation
through him.
The parties then Wt the court.
Janes Smith, • street-hawker, was charged with the
following robbery.
Joeeph Penis. proprietor of Ili•Lordship's Larder Dining
Rooms, said in October last year he was at his bar and
wanted change for • 61. no's. The prboner was standing
by, and some one said, " Here, let him go and get change
for you." Proseimtor did not agree to this, when the other
party said, " Let him go, I have known him far • somber of
' years and I will be responsible for the 51." Proarcutor then
gave him the note, but he bad never seen anything of him
from that day until now.
Mr. Dixon said he wan present at the time, and be did not
like the ides of treating the prisoner with, perhaps, a terser
sum than he had ever had in his pererion before, and told
him to tsar hie bag of ants ea • suet of surety (the prisoner
wee selling nuts at the time).
Cross-rxamined by prisoner—l believe you bad been
drinking, end if I remember right I had paid for something
kw yea myself.
Lied Mayor—What have you to say, prisoner ?
Prisoner—Why, I plead guilty, my lord. They had been
treating me, end I was in • state of intoxication, or I cer-
tainly should never have done rah a thug. I spent part
of the money, but I do not know what became of the other
part.
Lord Mayor—Well, I shall remand you, in order that you
may be dealt with In petty serious