The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-28 00:00:00

THE STAR-HUNTER IN LONDON.

The following case, heard before the London Police-
courts, shows that there are dupes as well as swindlers in
London as in Liverpool:—
Elizabeth White, a very artful woman, well-known as a
dabbler in astrology, was charged with obtaining money
and wearing apparel from two females, named Louisa
Symmons andiElizabeth Horne, in the service of Mr. Shef-
field, Dermer Cottage, Wellington-road, Bow, under the
pretence of ruling the planets and telling their fortunes.
The case exhibited the most extraordinary credulity.
Louisa Symmons said the prisoner called at her master's
house on Friday week, and said she could tell her fortune,
and rule the planets, and when she would be married. Wit-
ness said she, did not want to know her fortume; but the
iprisoner would not go away, and she said she was the
seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, and consulted the
stars. The prisoner then asked her if she had any jewellery
to propitiate the planets, and said that jewellery would bring
most luck. Witness had none, and the prisoner laid hold
of her hand, and traced the lines, and told her she would
leave her place with a blemish of her character if she did
'not give her two dresses. Witness then gave the prisoner
;two cotton dresses, and she afterwards said she must have
some under clothing to keep the planet warm before she
could rule it (laughter), and she gave her a flannel petti-
coat.

Mr. Ingham : How could you be so very silly ? Did.you
give her anything else ?—Witness : Yes, sir, a shilling
She said she must have the value of 10s. in clothes and
money before she could rule my planet. She said she would
have to take the money and dresses to her home to rule
the planet, and that she would return at half-past six in the
evening, and let:me know what the planet said. (Continued
laughter.)
Mr. Ingham : I suppose you were afraid of being• made
a star of?—The simple girl held down her head, and said
that the prisoner also promised to rule the planets for
her fellow-servant, but would not allow witness to hear
what she said to her. The prisoner said she would bewitch
a young man witness kept company with, and that he would
come to her master's house and seduce her if she did not
giro hoc chilling anti fba drpecna
Mr. Ingham : Did you tell her you had a sweetheart ?
Witness : Yes, sir, I did.
Mr. Ingham : How come you to do that ? Witness : She
baffled me with so many questions that I hardly knew what
I said.
The prisoner here said she was quite ashamed of the young
person, and, after having examined her with very great
severity, she asked her if she did not give her one of her
long hairs to bewitch her young man.
The witness said the matter was too delicate to mention
in open court; but on Mr. Ingham telling her that she must
relate the whole truth, she confessed that she gave the pri-
soner a single hair "to bewitch her young man with."
(Roars of laughter.)
Elizabeth Home, fellow-servant of the last witness, and a
much older person said the prisoner told her she had been a
mother, and that her child would soon die.
Mr. Ingham : Have you been married ? The witness
(hesitating)—No, sir; but I have had a little one. The
prisoner asked me for 10s., and I said I had only 75., and she
said that would do, and I must give her a dress to make up
the rest, and I did so.
Mr. Ingham: For 'what ? Witness—She said she wanted
to rule the planets.
Mr. Ingham : What was she to rule the planets for ? The
.woman, who seemed heartily ashamed of her credulity, said,
the prisoner told her she would bring back the money and
dress when she had ruled the planets, and heard what they
said; and also told her that she would bewitch her
for twenty-one days if she did not let her have what she
wanted.
Mr. Ingham asked the prisoner if she had any defence, to
which sic replied, "No."
Mr. Ingham : Do you know where you will spend your
Christmas? Prisoner—No, sir.
Mr. Ingham : Then I do ;—in prison. I am a better for-
tune-teller than you are. I convict you as a rogue and vaga-
bond, and sentence you to be imprisoned and kept to hard
labour for three months.