The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-21 00:00:00

A SELF-IMPOSED PENALTY.

Mr. Selfe requested the atteudance yesterday of
Mr. Marks Stockiart and Mr. Joseph Smith, solicitors, at
Thames Police Court, and upon their arrival mid he bad
taken the liberty to send for them because he wished to
make a few remarks in their presence relating to the late
eouviction of a man named William Dickinson for dis-
turbing the minister and hissing in the parish church of St.
George-in.the•East. When a man made a mistake the
first thing he ought to do when he discovered his mistake
was to acknowledge it. He (Mr. Selfe) had committed an
error publicly, and his acknowledgment of that error ought
to be made public. On Easter Monday a maa named
Dickinson was brought before him charged with
making a disturbance in St. George's church. On
that occasion Mr. Smith appeared for the prose-
cution, Mr. Stsaidart for the defence. There were
numerous acts of parliament directed against disturbances
and brawling in church. Mr. Smith proceeded under the
Act of Uniformity, the Ist of Elizabeth, cap. 2, and
Mr. Stoddart did not object to that course. He con-
victed under the 9th section of the act, and fined the de-
fendant two marks. He entirely overlooked the later
sections of the same net. He had no summary.tririction
under the Act of Uniformity. A person offe • against
the act could only be indicted and convicted at t e next
general sessions, to be holden before any justices of
oyer and terminer, or justices of assize. He acted with-
out jurisdiction, and the conviction was null and void. The
mistake was wholly his own and no one else was amen-
able for it. He was very glad no substantial wrong was
done to Dickinson, who was liable under the act of
Mary, and could have been convicted summarily
and subjected to severe penalties. There were mitigatory
cirownetencee in the case, and he was very glad that he
could fine the man only, and reduce the penalty to a very
low rum. A. a report of the conviction had found its way
into the public journals, he hoped the same publicity would
be given to this explanation. His attention was called to
the mistake for the first time on Thursday night, owing to
the publaation of a very temperate letter signed ' Lax,"
which had appeared in some of the newspapers. That was
one of many advantages reused by the publication of pro-
ceedings iu our courts of juitice. He was glad the mistake
had been brought under the uotice of the public in such a
rwartioas and temperate manner by " Lex." Under all the
circumstances, continued the magistrate, instead of fining
William Dickinson two mouths, or 2ra. Ad., 1 mulct
myself. The sentence is, that Ibe mulct in two marks of
13s. 4,1. each, the penalty I imposed by mistake on William
Dickinson... . . . . . .

Mr. Stoddart said be was only instructed three minutes
before the case was called on, end he had no time to look
at the act of parliament, which had been very rarely acted
upon of late years.
Mr. Selfe—Neither you nor Mr. Smith called my atten-
tion to the penal clauses of the act—rat least not to the ju-
risdiction. I have since looked over the act with some
attention. lam quite satisliml lam wrong.
Mr. Smith said he was quite satisfied he wan in the
wrong, and he really ought to pay half the penalty. It
was a great misfortune to lawyers when they read books
relating to offences which were not prepares! by lawyers.
A book relating to the church ant clergy was put into his
bands on the morning of the day the era* was heard. It
recited the 9th, 10th, and 11th clauses of the Act of Uni-
, fortuity, and stated that for the first offence the
penalty was to be 100 marks, the second offence
1400 marks, and for the third offence the offender
was to forfeit all his goods and chattels, and
to suffer imprisonment during his life. It was not
however stated how the offences created by the Act of
Uniformity were to be proved. He came into court
without the information he required. The act of Miry re-
quired the evidence of two witnesses—he had only • wit-
nem and • half, and be could out proceed under that act., and
he therefore selected the act of Elizabeth, with the con-
sent of his client, the Rev. Bryan King, who was in • fix.
He was very sorry he had misled the magistrate—he had
not been in the habit of misleading any one.
Mr. Stoddart—Well, I think we were all in the wrong.
Mr. Selfe—No one is to blame but me.
The magistrate then took from his pocket 26a. Bd.,
which he handed to Mr. Studded, and the conversation
terminated.

HARWICH ELECTION.—BiIIee the aspect of affairs
in connexion with the approaching Harwich election (which
will take place early next week) was last noticed, matters
have undergone an entire change, so far as the liberal party
are concerned. A ballot taken a few days since with the
view of ascertaining which liberal candidate of the three
gentlemen who originally offered themselves, namely, Mr.
Alfred Brett, Mr. Montagu Chambers, Q.C., and Mr. J. D.
Thomson, resulted in favour of the latter gentleman ; but
the inconclusive nature of • decision in which only about
half of the liberals of the borough had taken pert aeon made
Bolt evident ; and on Thursday Mr. Thomson agreed t.
withdraw Mr. Brett and Mr. Chambers having also
retired —in favour of Mr. Stuart A. Donaldson, a re-
turned Australian gentleman. Mr. Donaldson has issued
an address to the electors in which he dates that
be is an unflinching advocate of perfect religious equality,
and opposed to the continuance of church rates. He also
aim-ewes his adherence to a policy of free trade, and the
" enlightened budget" of the lenient Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, nod adds —" On brand principles of public policy,
I shall on the one hand advocate all conceoions of political
rights consistent with national liberty ; and on the other an
avoidance of extreme measures, which I believe do not con-
duce to the happiness of any great =thin. Myself • steady
reformer, I shall be prepared to give au independent but
hearty support to the government of lord Palmensten."
The liberals think they have now reconciled their differences,
and that Mr. Donaldson will have a fair chance of success.
The conservatives repose equal coutidence in the eantlidature
of the Huts. It. T. Bowler. Mr. Denaldeun wea formerly
Colonial Secretary and Minister of Finance in the govern-
ment of New South Wales.
MILANETHON CELEBRATION IN LIVERPOOL—The
third centenary of Philip Melancthon's death was celebrated
na Thursday, evening by a public meeting at the Liverpool
('ollegi.tte Institution. • The Hee. J. S. Howson (Prim:i)ia
of the Institution) presided, anti the Bees. J. Hirerht Dr.
Ilsylee. Dr. Taylor, &c., took port in
which comprised a sketch of blelianctliou's pinM
private character, and addresses upon the same subject.
The " Liedertafel" varied the proceedings by singing, with
flue effect, several German chorales and hymns.
TIIE CITY CHVRCHER. —The Bishop of London,
after holding a confirmation at the church of St. Helen
Great St. Helens, Cite, paid a visit yesterday to St:
Michael's Church, Gorilla, to inspect tise beautiful ale-
coration and improvements which are about tobecompleteiL
His lordship was planed to express his entire approbation
aud pleasure at the renovation* and decorations, which
foam altogether a very remarkable work of art.
SOUTH WINTER!! ItAlLWAY.—Captain Mangles
sad Mr. Archibald Stott arrived in Poole, accompanied by
Mr. H. D. Seymour to ascertain and hear the claims that
the inhabitants had for better railway accommodation to
the town, and which they have a, long urged, but hitherto
uneneceasfully. It is stated that there is every probability
that steps will shortly be takes by the South Western COW.
pan_y to being Poole on their main IViltshirc Mirror.
CRYSTAL PALACE. -- ONE SHILLING DAT.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20.—Admissions on payment, 1,106
ditto by aeons tickets, 377; total visitors, 1,481