The Express.
London, England, 1861-11-22 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

WORSpIP-ErrltEE:r.

Toro young looking draw hats, and
presenting, in respect to their attire io general, an appearance
betokening their belonging to respectable parents, were
brought before Mr. Knox at 5 o'clock' and just u that gen-
tleman was leaving the beech, under the following circum-
stager _ . _

Mr. Mathew Smith, • London City missionary. stated
that while in the neighbourhood of Oldatreet-reed, St.
Luke's, about an hour previous, his attention was attracted
to • crowd of persons, in the centre of which he foiled eis
two young girls in question, apparently asking for some
locality, as they appeared stranger, in London, aid one of
them carried • bundle. He thought it his duty to
iota/ere for their protection, more especially in sonsequence
of two women endeavouring to lead those awe • therefore
be took them, under the can of a po (Baker,
242 N), to the itobertalrest Btatiotbisonsa All, however,
that could be gleaned from them was, that they had walked
up from Barnet that day, having been sent by their father,
who was • general dealer there, to • service in Lemke, bai
where it was they knew not, hpart7 lost the dinette& The
bundle mentioned contained drty_ UM, ated
books of • religions character, incloritY • Bibki and cards
of a Sunda-school. With respect to their name and exact
residence they maintained • perfect silence.
Mr. Knox mid the story told by the girls, and in pert re-
peated to him, was beyond credence. In all probability they
were runaways from home or elsewhere, and could not be
better cared for until inquiries were made than by being
placed in the workhouse.
Mr. Smith expressed his willingness to proceed to Bernet,
and seek the parents of the children, a proposition that waa
immediately accepted by the magistrate, who remarked
that the interest solaced by that gentleman was most credit-
able to him. It was then arranged that • and of Untrue-
tions should be given by the police authorities here to Mr.
Smith, that be might more easily be enabled to prosecute his
inquiries.
Subsequently the eldest girl, while in an outer room of
the court, stated that her name was Jessie Polley, end her
sister's Sarah Ann l'edley, their relative ages being 17 sod
14 years, and that their parents lived near the Three
Horseshoes public-house, but had only been there three
weeks, having previously resided at Luton, in Bedfordshire,
where they were employed at the straw work. When
pressed upon the point of the pirrson's name to whom they
were sent in London a Mrs. Houltoe was mentioned, the
eldest girl adding that her father had " let" them to he.
also that they started at ten o'clock that morning with bat
one shilling, out of which, while on their jo, they
purchased wee pennyworth of sprats and some b=
CLERKEN WELL.

A fashiotably-daredio7mTi man, who gave the name of
William Thompson. • chemist, of 1, Edward-street, Brvaa-
hurproad, was charged with being drunk and creating a
disturbanoe at the refreshment room of Mr. J. Acknell,
1, High .street, Islington, and also assaulting the barmaid,
Maria Morrell. . _

The prisoner was in the coffee-room, the worse for liquor,
and when ordered to leave the home be became obstinate.
He dropped his stick, and whew it was hooded to him by
the barmaid be struck her a tremendous blow on the fore-
head with the stick, and knocked her down. This morning
• lump was visible on the barmaid's head from the effects
of the blow, and she stated that she now felt pain.
The prisoner said he was not aware that he knocked the
barmaid on the ground.
Mr. IYEynconrt said the assault was an aggravated one,
and sentenced him to pay • fine of 405., or, in default, n
days imprisonment in the House of Correction.
'fhe flue was paid.