The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-21 00:00:00

ante fatalism*.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—Drc. 20.
.1111ar tern Nisi Prins aittinp at GuildhalL—(Baton the
Lord Chief Justice awl a Special Jury.)
W.U4ON r. %ULU&

After our report left yesterday,
The Lord Chief Justice, after some further ewer-
witless, read over the two leading articles com-
plained of, and observed that while it was of the
highest importance that the public press should be required
I. deal fairly and honestly with the character and conduct
of individuals on the other (hand ; it was of the last im-
parlance that it should have the fullest opportunity of
discussing the character and conduct of public men, or
wen who brought themselves before the public in reference
to transactions of public interest. With regard to the
fiat count in the declaration, if the jury were satisfied
dr report of the debate was correct, fair, and honest,
they would give • verdict for the defendant ; if they were
sot of that opinion, they would give • verdict
for the plaintiff, with such damages as the,
thought be was entitled to. With respect to the
other counts respecting the leading articles, he held
asa matter of law that the occasion was privileged, and
the question was whether, looking at all the circum-
dances. the privilege had been honestly exercised, and
with a desire to vindicate truth and justice in the interest
et the public. If they entertained the opinion that it
van not so exercised, their verdict would be for the plain.
of ; if, on the other hand, that was not their opinion, the
defendant was entitled to their verdict.
Hr. Wason asked for leave to move the court above.

The Lord Chief Justice said leave was not necessary.
Mr. Wason intimated that be would tender a bill of
saseptions to his lordship's ruling.
The Lord Chief Justice asked to be supplied with the
exceptions before the jury gave their verdict.
Mr. Wason—l have not got them ready. I could not
Lave supposed your lordship would have delivered such a
charge.
. . . . .

Tie Lord Chief Justice said he would only require the
Lads of his objections.
These having been reduced to writing by the plaintiff
awl handed up to his lordship,
The jury immediately gave a verdict for the defendant
et all the counts.

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.

Blizobdh Noble, a little girl, who resided at 12, We-
place, Princes-street, Whitechapel, and who appeared in
swatt shivering with cold, was placed at the bar on a charge
el begging.
The Marquis Tosnishend prosecuted, and said he saw
the little girl following a great many persons in Lombard-
street on Thursday afternoon. She was wretchedly
clothed, and was esciting pity under the pretence of
offering fusee. for sale. Enquiries had been made by the
police officer, and he stAted that the parents were respect-
able people, but that they had no food, and that was the
reason why the child was sent out.
A decent looking woman came forward and said she was
the child's mother. She had never sent her out before,
bat they had had nothing to do for the last fortnight, and
bar little boy bad broken his arm. The girl went out
with fusee., and was quite innocent of the charge of
img: Marquis—She ran after gentlemen and curtseyed.
Alderman Wilson—You have nine children?
The mother—Yes, air.
Alderman Wilson—Do you not wish them to be sent to
school ?

The mother—Oh no, sir. My husband is ill, and it
Wuld break his heart. We work at matchboxes, and
lave not had any work for the last fortnight.
Alderman Wilson—What are the ages of your children!
The mother—The eldest is 2., and is married, and lives
opposite.'the youngest is four.
The Alderman—Were none of them sent to school?
The mother—Yes, air.
The Alderman—When was this child sent to school
The mother—Not for twelve months. She is 12 years
aid last October. There are five children at home.

The Marquis Townahend—From the replies of this
wan I cannot place any reliance on the statement as to
her respectability. Although she has five children, and
the father is in bed health, she declines to let this child
be taken care of. It can be for no other reason than that
she is sent out to beg.
Toe Clerk—May it not be owing to maternal feelings!
The mother (excitedly)—l would rather work till the
sada are worn off my fingers than part with her. Have
woe of you got any children of your own '?
The Alderman—What, would you not like your child
mat to school?

The mother—l do not want her sent away.
The Ahlerman—But she will be fed and clothed. You
mend her out to beg.
The mother—l did not send her out ; she must have
followed her brother.

The policeman—l sent her away several times during
the day, but I never saw her before.
The Alderman—l shall keep her for a few days.
The mother and child (with clasped hands, in an excited
manner)—Have mercy, have mercy!
The Alderman—ln the meantime, we shall ascertain
year character, and see whether you are doing justice to
your children.
The girl was then remanded till Tuesday.
BOW-STREIT. _
. . _

likhael Finis, a coal loader, employed at the Imperial
Gasworks, was brought up on a warrant. issued by Sir
Thomas Henry, charging him with having, in the presence
and hearing of divers persons, uttered and published sedi-
tious, wicked, and malicious words and expressions of and
concerning her Most Gracious Majesty the queen.
Mr. Charles South, landlord of the Duke of Clarence,
St. Pancras-road, stated that on Saturday night the pri-
soner was in his house, when some people were talking
about the explosion, and some saying what a sad thing it
was. The prisoner said, "That is not a quarter of it ; that
is only the beginning ; we mean to blow up all the dock-
yards, gas-works, and prisons, and the first time the
queen goes to parliament, she will be shut." He also said
he was a Fenian, and would spend his last shilling to blow
np every gas works in England.
The prisoner said he was drunk, and remembered no-
thing of what he said, if he did say it.
The landlord and two other witnesses, however, de-
clared that be was sober, though much excited by feel-
ing, and that the customers were much alarmed.
The prisoner sail he had been 17 years in the employ of
the loißeria Gas Company, and six years in that of the
Great Northern.

lir. Richards, the Chairman of the Imperial Gas Works,
said that the prisoner bad certainly not used any such
expressions on the works. The company had taken every
precaution to guard against any attempt, knowing that a
feeling of uneasiness prevailed in the public mind, but
they had uo ground to apprehend any malicious act on the
part of the nwn, either Irish or English. It was not
true that any Irish had been diacharged, or anything done
to provoke hostility from them.
Sir Thomas Henry remanded the prisoner, saying that
inquiry into his character would be necessary.