The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-24 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURT&

MANSION-HOUSE.

Mr. Alderman Bose sat on Saturday for the Lord Mayor,
who was unavoidably absent on account of having to pre-
side at the wardmote for the election of Common Qpunall-
men. The worthy alderman nqueded that the prese'would
acknowledge the receipt of the following sums for the poor-
box :—Prom "T.," 9IX. ; from the Saddlers' Onopany, ten
ma • from Mr. Bowan May, one guinea; and from
"M. ins
P. '0.," U. He at the mine time it:premed hie thanks
to the benevolent donors for their kind contributions.

As usual at this period, there were a good many ph-
cants for assistance ; but although this is rendered with-no
niggardly or parsimonious hand, the public may redesigned
that every care is taken to prevent imposition, and that
while professional impostors stand very little chance of
abusing the generosity of the public, no real case of &bees
is neglected, and every gentleman connected with the court
appears to feel sincere pleasure in relieving such cams in •
kind and liberal spirit.
Among the applicants for relief on Saturday was a vety
welldressed woman, apparently about thirty.Bve years old,
who made • rather extraordinary statement.
The applicant, who was evidently a woman of education
dated that she was the wife of a brewer in a large way of
business, but he had left her, and had professed to make a
settlement upon her when he did so, but she had been un-
able to obtain any money under it, and when she applied to
the solicitors who had prepared the deed, upon the subject,
they only laughed at her. She bad ascertained that her
husband was living with soother woman, and she imagined
that they were cohabiting together, but she had since ssoer-
tamped that they were married at Cberteey Church.
The applicant here handed to the alderman a marriage
certificate, and several letters which she said were written
by persons of high condition who had been acquainted with
her family, but she earnestly requested that no names
might be mentioned.
She then went on to may that she had endeavoured to in-
stitute proceedings against her husband for bigamy, but one
solicitor to whom she applied would not undertake the came
unless she paid down 501., and soother required 301,, and as
she was utterly unable to pay either of these sums, she
could not do anything in the matter.
Mr. Goodman, the chief clerk, told the applicant that
she did not require the assistance of a solicitor at all. The
offence was felony, and if she applied to any magistrate of
the county of Surrey, and satiated him that the charge was
well fouuded by the production of the certificates of the
two marriages or otherwise, he would at once grant a
warrant for her husband's apprehension.
The applicant mid she had learned that her husband had
settled Mt a year upon the person who was living with
him as his wife, in anticipation of any legal proceedings
being taken against him, and she believed that he hod also
made a ents the moment he became aware that auy
charge had been prepared against him, to leave the country.
Alderman Rose told her that the magistrate who
_ granted
the warrant would take care to have it executed before her
husband could have au opportunity of getting away.
The applicant thanked the alderman for the information
she had received, but said that the principal object she now
bad in view was to for 110111 e temporary assistance, as she
really was in • state of utter destitution.
Alderman Rose inquired how she had been obtaining a
livelihood down to the present time.
She replied that since her husband bad deserted her she
had supported herself by giving Shaksperian reading, in
different parts of the country.
Alderman Rose, after putting some further questions to
the applicant, directed that 10e. should be given to her to
enable her to proceed to Chertaey, and make inquiries re-
lating to her husband's marriage.