The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-03 00:00:00

THE ADVENTURES OP AN IMPOSTOR.

George Hall Buckton, a "gentleman" already
unpleasantly known to several hotel keepers at Brighton,
and who has been convicted by the borough magistrates of
vagrancy, s.c., has been " doing " the good people of
Lewes in a similar manner. He was brought up at the
County Hall, on Monday, and charged with obtaining
goods by false pretences from Mrs. Skinning, of the White
Hart Hotel. He has several times been in custody, and
is well known to the police as an hotel thief and beg-
ging letter impostor. About a fortnight ago the
Brighton borough magistrates sent him to prison for
ye:palmy, and oo his release he seems to have at once re-
commenced the dishonest course which ho is alleged to
have practised previous to his committal. Coming from
the gaol at about 9 o'clock in the morning, he is said to
have first visited the Black BMW Inn, where however, he
did not long remain, leaving the house beckase he could
nut be accommodated with a fire. Then be made his way to
the White Hart Hotel, and ordered breakfast, which was
supplied, and which he seemed very much to enjoy. The
" gentleman " then asked for the Times newspaper, and
appeared to be annoyed because Turner, the waiter, could
not lend him a pair of spectacles. Then he did a good deal
of writing, and anxiously inquired of the attendant re-
specting the state of the bonds that morning. About
1 o'clock • clergyman and another gentleman came in
and orde'red luncheon, to which prisoner invited himself,
and, it is said, talked to his companions quite familiarly,
telling them he was going to Hastings, as they were,
by the 2 o'clock train. The " customer," about whom sus-
picions were already entertained, next called for some of
the " best beer in the cellar," but the waiter brought him,
instead. a pint of the sourest he could find " because," he
said, " I had taken stock of hint, and didn't believe
he meant to pay." Having partaken of souse whisky
and cigars, the prisoner naively inquired the amount
of his bill, and was told it was ss. Gd., upon which
he said he bad left his purse at Hastings and could
not pay. He was then given into the hands of the
police, who were somewhat puzzled as to what to charge
hint with, but ultimately decided to bring the amnia-
tion stated above. He told the constables he knew he had
not brought himself within the law, with which he was as
well and perhaps better acquainted than they, and that he
would bring an action against them for false imprison-
ment. On his person were found a number of memoranda
which contained a list of several London firms who owed
him money, principally for interest on cash ; several
names of persons to be proceeded against criminally or in
the county court ; • list of the closing prices of
railway shares on a certain day ;• names of places
which he intended to visit including " Newhaven, Lewes,
Eiatbourne, Hastings, Rye, Maidstone" and, what
afforded a great deal of amusement, a diary, in which
among other things he says, under date March 9, " I
smoked my pipe and drunk my grog until eleven o'clock ;
then to bed, very nice comfortable bed, and a good long
sleep, but the girl did not bring my hot water till
9 o'clock. At 19 o'clock read the Sussex Advertiser."
Again, " Owing to me, by Duke of Cumberland, 12a."
In a list of " persons to call upon" appear the names of
" Lord Llanover, Mr. Harvey Lewis, Mr. Thomas Cham-
bers, and John Bright." His papers also contained •
begging letter addressed to the " Lady of the House," with
the words, " The bearer waits," in the corner of the enve-
lope. The letter sets forth that the writer is • lay preacher
of the Established Church, who through unforeseen cir-
cumstances has fallen into poverty. He wishes to raise :10/.
to enable him to proceed to New York, and whatever you
may, in the spirit of Christianity, be pleased to contribute
towards this object to • poor forlorn and decayed member
of the church of Christ, will be moat thankfully received."
Two lists of subscriptions, containing the names of some
well known London firms as subscribers, were also found.
Subjoined are two extracts from the " Diary :"
"March 3rd.-B.3o—teapot washings, no tea, sugar,
bread, butter, or herring. 11 p.m.—Saint Martin's Church.
Gladstone- -sanctified, hypercritical and wrinkled, though
not more than 56. Sits an pew No. 14, middle aisle.
Wicked souls, many of them no doubt will receive ' the
greater damnation.' Out upon ye, hypocrites ! 1.30
Communion finished. Left church just after William
' Stewart' Gladstone and him two ladies. He departed
from them at the Crimean Statue. The two women went
toll, Carlton House terrace. He went to some club, Pall
Mall, probably the Reform Club. 2 p.m.—Wrote to Right
Hon. W. E. Gladstone, 11, Carlton House Terrace. 4 p.m.
—Wrote again.-5.45. p.m.—Sent messenger with letter.
—G
p.m.—Not in ; an answer will be sent when he comes
in. 6.3o.—Sent to Gladstone again. ' Not in.' Where is
he' At the Reform Club? Wrote to him for 20a. My
bill at the Resteraunt, Grenadier Hotel, Haymarket, is
1 Is. 7d. How shall I pay it without Gladstone's help ?
9 o'clock.-- No answer from Gladstone. Greet the black-
guard ! Support Derby and the Tories against the
Thievish Whigs!" - _

" March a.m. Left B 22, some number as the
convalescent ward at M.B.W. (some other prison) ; down
below, got my own clothes, which have been well scalded.
a.m.—Two loaves. 9.—Governor gave me my discharge.
9.3o—White Hart Hotel, opposite the County Flail. 19—
breakfast ; Times ; no spectacles to be had ; tea, bread, and
butter, two eggs, rasher of bacon, two rounds of toast.
1 o'clock—luncheon : cold roast beef, &c. Detained at
this inn till 4 pat three o'clock. Bobby No. 34 came.
Police Station till —. Go to Barleymow Inn, Betimes-
ton."

The evidence of the waiter at the White Hart having
been taken,

Mr. Goodlee said. although it was evident prisoner's con-
duct wan most dishonest and disgusting, there was not
sufficient evidence of false pretence to enable him to send
the case for trial

He was then discharged.—Brighton Guardian.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE GREAT
EImTERN.—Tbe adjourned inquest upon the body of John
Barrett, the seaman killed no board the Great Eastern as
she was leaving her anchorage in that part of the river
Mersey known aa the Moyne, on the 26th ult., was
resumed yesterday (Tuesday), by Mr. Devey, deputy
coroner for Liverpool. The deceased and about 20 other
men were lifting the anchor by means of a capstan, when
the latter suddenly flew backwards with great rapidity,
prostrating the deceased and other of the sailors upon
the deck. Barrett was killed on the spot and two of hie
all ipmates are now lying in hospital seriously injured. The
inquiry was a somewhat protracted one, many witnesses
being examined, including the leading members of the
firm of Messrs. George Forrester and Co., the engineers who
supplied the new boilers for the big ship, and effected the
repairs to her machinery, &c. They were of opinion that
the accident was probably attributable to an undue strain
upon the capstan, which is driven or worked by steam
power, but none of the witnesses could speak positively
upon that point. It was shown that the pinion or cog
wheel of the capstan was broken. The deputy-coroner
having commented upon the difficulty they had in ooming
toe right conclusion in the matter, the whole of the persons
who witnessed the disaster having gone to sea, the jury
returned a verdict of "Accidentally killed."