The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-08-26 00:00:00

POLICE.

Bow-ter, atm Ago. 25. —The following cirrumstance occurred
at the above office this morning
:
Some business of minor importance was going on, when Sir
RICHARD IlteNIE. suddenly turning to the spot where the report-
era foe the public Press stand, exclaimed, " I'll have no talking
there." He then quitted his seat, and advancing hastily towards!
these gentlemen, addressed himself to one who cow sitting down,
and who was sliest, in the following manner
" Who are you, Sir 0"
The Reporter, rising—" Vi'ho am I ?"
Sir R. BIRNIE. raising his voice, " Yes, Sir, who are you ?"
A. My name, Sir, is
Sir R. Bitten:, not waiting to hear the answer—" Quit the
office, Sir."
" I. Sir ! I was not talking."
Sir It. Hirt sir E (waving his hand in the direction of the door)—
" Quit the office, Sir."
1 he mandate was immediately obeyed.
Slr R, BIRNIE (addressing himself to another Reporter)—
" Who are you ?"
The Reporter stated the paper for which he attended.
The same order as in the preceding case was then given, and in
the same manner repeated several times before either of the parties
could gain the door of the office.
BATTON-GARDEN, Afro. 25.—An " operative" of the name
of Gunstone was brought up this morning on a charge of assault
upon a fair lady, answering to as many names as a Spanish gran.
dee. The more plebeian appellations of Smith, Lewis, &c. by
which she was occ.-sionally known, were however, this day laid aside
for the single and sonorous designation of De Margent.
It appeared front the complainant's statement, that on Monday
night last, )ust about the witching hnur " when church-yards
groan, and graves give up their dead," she was aroused from her
balmy dumber by the cry of "murder," proceeding from the
adjoining apartment, dedicated to the sole and separate use of a
lady of the name of Allan. Superior to the idle fears which ope.
rate so forcibly upon most of her sex, she leaped valiantly out of
her bed, and shrouded only in her chemise, hurried to the supposed
scene of slaughter. Here she discovered the prisoner, hlr. Gun.
stone, also a fellow-inhabitant of that most commodious of all pos.
sible tenements, No. 6, St. James's-walk, Clerkenwell, engaged in
the most chivalrous enterprise of attempting to strangle the afore.
said Mts. Allan with both his truculent hands; when, on her yen-
turing gently to suggest the propriety of his allowing that maltreated
lady to breathe the upper air a little longer, he saluted her with a
volley of epithets of all others the most uumusical to female earn,
miscalling her " human face rarzine," and insinuating, in terms too
plain to be mistaken, that her whole body politic was actually and
bona file that of a female dog. A retort was unavoidable; Mr.
Gunsto.le was informed that he was no gentleman, nor did he
behave himself as sic/c. An immediate release of the gasping Mrs.
Allan was the consequence, and all Mr. Gunstone's vengeance di.
rected agamst the solitary chemise which alone prevented the
breezes of midnight from visiting Mrs. De Margent too roughly.
Here, in imitation of the Roman orator of old, Mrs. De blargent
began to unfold the garment in question, but his Worship, who
probably feared the too strong excitement of sympathy which
so pathetic an exhibition was likely to occasion, positively forbade
its production; and the lady, having told her tale of woe, now
" paused for a reply."
But a charge of this nature is easier made than answered, and
Mr. G. was forced to admit that lie had, on this melancholy occa-
sion, " put an enemy into his mouth which had stolen away his
brains,", when, meeting with 51w,. A., who, as well as the prose-
cutrix, he considered to he absolute noiuncca, the devil had some-
how put it into his head to sin against gallantry as he had done,
when Mrs. De Margent, unadvised, "coming between the tiger,
and his wraeh," certainly came in for her share of maltreatment. He
was, however, now sober and sorry, and had already offered every
apology in his power.
The worthy Magistrate, however, seemed to think something,
more was due to offended justice, and ordered him to find brill to
answer AN his conduct before twelve good men and true at the next
Sessions.

Four privates of the lit Regiment of the Foot Guards were
brought before the Magistrate for having pawned two pair of regi.
mental trousers, at Mr. M•Cree's, in Gray's-lon-bine, for be., con-
trary to the articles of war, which make it eritnival fur any soldier
to dispose of regi:i.ental property.
The pawnbroker attended, and Mr. Sergeant SE T.LO le informed
him that by the 154th aection of the Mutiny Aet, lie was liable to
a penalty of 61. t,:r receiving any clathang, accoutrements, Ike.
from a soldier.

Mr. tree said, as there were no regimental marks on the
'rouser'', he had taken them in pawn in the ordinary course of bu-
siresa.

The Magistrate thought no pawnbroker could ..nistake the nature
of the articles, and conaidered Mr. M`Cree's conduct highly re.
prehenaible.
The Sergeant of the Company to which the men belonged was
sent for, who, on his arrival, stated, that Col. Woodford, their coin.
mending officer, had, in other inetances,,convicred pawnbrokers in
the full penalty for offences similar to the present, and he had no
doubt the same course wool,' be pursued in this case.
I'wo of the soldiers were dismissed as not being implicated in
the charge, and the other two went, given into the custody of the
sergeant, to be tried by martial law.

MAI Lao 110 GII-ST RETT. A un. 25.—A person named Foillain
was charged with committing an assault on a gun-maker, named
Probe's.

The scene where the assault took Once was at 13, Leicester-
street, Leicester.square, where twelve or thirteen persons were as.
ambled for the purpose of playing at Hazard. The assault was
eotumitted between one and two o'clock this morning, and arose
from a dispute about a shilling, which the defendant said he
had won; the complainant said he had rot lost the shilling, and
galled the defendant a liar; the defendant then hit the com-
plainant a violent blow over the eye and was taken to the watch.
house.

The defendant admitted the assault, and was held to bail.
Two ragged urchins were put to the bar on the charge of steal-
ing led.
The constable who took them into custody said, that he saw
the prisor.ers. in company with another boy last night, in the
Hampstead-road, very bindle empio)ed in knocking out the lead
from the suave-work fur the Iron-railings in front of the houses.
The constable, on seeing this, said he took them into custody, and
found upwards of aix pounds of lead and some iron upon
them; on inquiry this phoning, he found that they had either
stoke or made an attempt to steal the lead front 28 houses
in Mcnwington-place.
' The prisoners did not deny the charge, and were committed for
fourteen days.
A middle aged man caused formerly an attorney, wu

brought up from St. Pancras watehhouse, having been taken there'
the night previous in a state of excessive intoxication.
The Constable of the night produced a large pocket-book, found
upon the prisoner, containing a vast number of papers principally
envelopes, addressed to different Gentlemen, and certificates, pur-
porting to be signed by different medical men, describing the
bearer to be a Clergyman of the Church of England, in reduced
circumstances, in a bad state of health, and an object worthy of
relief.
The prisoner said the papers belonged to a Mr. Dishy, who was
formerly a merchant is the City ; but he slid not know where
Mr. Hanby I.ved.
Mr. Rot told him he must find bail; and the papers should be
handed over to the Mendicity Society.
The prisoner complained at being detained, and spoke of his
character being unimpeachable.
Mr. Rog—Since you talk of character. I must remind you that
you were twice before charged with uttering bad money ; and then
I cautioned vou as to your future conduct.
He was then locked up for want of bail ; as was also a woman,
whom he stated to be his wife. and in whose possession a sheet and
some other articles were found.
Sarah Pinehreek, a young girl, in the service of Mr. Cooper, a
butcher, in Newport Market, was charged with robbing her
tuts-
tres of several articles of wearing apparel.
Mr. Cooper said, that the prisoner had been about three weeks
in his service, and on Thursday evening she suddenly expressed
her intention of going away that night. To this he had no objec-
tion, but an he had frequently been robbed before by servants to a
considerable amount, he determinetto search her box ; but, on his
proposing to do so, she said ehe had lest the key. He then lifted
up the box and shook it, when the lid flew open, and the first
thing he saw was a blue cloth pelisse belonging to Mrs. Cooper,
and on looking further, lie found two gowns. lace caps, &e. also of
Mrs. Cooper's, in all worth about The prisoner then threw her.
sell upon her knees, and begged forgiveness, but he sent for Webb,
a Constable, and gave her into custody.
The girl was committed for trial.
MARY-LA-BONN! Orrice, Auo. 23.—A soldier of the 3d
battalion of the First Foot Guards, named Thomas 'Verret, was
charged with robbing his quarters, at the house of Mr. Wall, the
George and Dragon, Buckinglia.u-street, Fiteroy.street.
It appeared the prisoner, about six weeks since, entered the house
of Mr. Wall, being billeted therein, but during his stay, he, in
many instances, conducted himself is u most disorderly manner.
On Tuesday it was discovered that the up-stairs rooms bad been
plundered of a quantity of wearing apparel, and no conjecture
could be formed as to who was the thief until the evening, when
I Mr. Wall, jun. suspected the prisoner, who was absent from the
house the entire day. At about eleven o'clock at night he came to
! the door, and on being accused of the robbery, admitted it, and
displayed one of Mr. Wall's waistcoats, which had been stolen,
I which he then wore. On being searched, the duplicates of other
parts of the stolen property were found.
He was fully committed for trial.

SABBATH-BREAKING,
Mr. Stepitns, a master butcher residing at Crawford-street,
Manchester-square, was summoned to appear before Mr. Oarr-
►tttt, the sitting Magistrate, to answer the complaint of John
Piuey, a beadle of St. Mary.la-bonne parish, who charged him with
having, on Sunday morning last, between the hours of ten and
eleven o'clock, expostd urn meat For sale outside his shop window.
Piney stated, that at the above time he was passing through
Crawford-street, and saw several joints banging outside the
windovi.

Mr. thatertvit did not wish to be severe with butchers and
other tradesmen, for keeping their shops open before church-time,
an it was necessary for the accommodation of a considerable portion
of the public ; but he certainly condemned the exposure of things
for sale, and he inquired particularly of Piney, how far the meat
was placed beyond the window ?
Mr. Piney replied More than two feet."
.Me. Stephens, much enraged, positively denied the beadle's evi-
dence, assuring the Magistrate that it was utterly impossible. He
had had railings put up to hang his meat on that prevented the pos-
sibility of its projecting ten inches beyond the window.
Mr. WO/I,ITH said, that as the case was so positively sworn
to, he was bound to convict him in the penalty of as. and costs.
Mr. Stephens (with energy)-111 not pay a farthing.
.Me. GRIFFITII—Then you must take the consequences.
Mr. Stephens (putting his hands into his pockets, and with re.
doubled energy)-1 don't care ; ou won't get a farthing out
o' me.

Mr. Cilairrirws—NVell, if you're determined on that, you are
at liberty to appeal against the conviction.
Mr. Stephens—Well, I will rut.
Mr. it t priirm—You will have to give fourteen days' notice.
Mr. Stephens—That I can do; I think it a hard case, and I'll
try the rights on lt, and I know all my neighbours will go me
halves.

And the much-irritated butcher left the office, fully determined
to bring the matter beiLre the Magistrates at the Quarter Sessions.
UNION-HALL, AUG. 25.—Charles Cape& who underwent an
examination at this office on Thursday last before the sitting 31a-
gistratr, L. B. Allen, Esq., on a charge of having fraudulently
obtained goods at the shop of a Mr. Gilbert, a I nen-draper, in
High-street, Southwark, was yesterday put to the bar.—ln conse-
quence of the publicity given of the former examination in the
newspapers, a great number of persons who had been duped by
the prisoner attended.
On the behalf of the accused a respectable solicitor attended,
who informed the Magistrate that he had been instructed to watch
the proceedings against Mr. Capel, at the request of several highly
respectable foreign merchants in the City, who were well acquaint-
ed with that Individual ind his connexions abroad.
In addition to the circumstances alleged against him, the follow.
Ing tradesmen, on the ca-e being calleu on, stepped forward, and
made the under-mentioned complanats.
Mr. Mitchell, the stationer, of St. Martin's-lane, stated that,
some months ago, the prisoner came to his shop, and representing
himself to be a Russian merchant, said that he wanted some ex-
tensive orders executed in the engraving and printing line. He then
gave an order for a quantity of stationery, and desired Merit should
be sent to his temporary lodgings in Frith-street. The stationery
was accordingly sent, and the following clay he again made his ap-
pearance, and having given a further order, the witness requested
• reference, when Capel said that he was well known to 11Iessrs.
Chapman and Fry, the bankers ; but they disclaimed any know.
ledge of such a person. Mr. Mitchell added, that the prisoner
having obtained the first order, never paid for it ; and witness had
neither seen nor heard pf him since until he saw an account of his
having been apprehended in the newspapers.
Mr. Lowell, a watchmaker and jeweller, of Duke's-court, St.
Martins, stated, that some months since he became acquainted with
Capel at a tavern in Crowmeourt. After smite time lie told wit-
ness that he was then on the point of marriage to a lady of proper-
ty, and that he wanted a handsome gold watch to present her with
on the eve of their nuptials. Capel then selected one out of wit-
ness's stock, value 131. which he agreed to pay for by instalments.
However, he did not mike a single payment, and left the neigh.
bourhood altogether where he resided, Witness having by accident
met him in the street some time afterwards, demanded the money
that was due to hint when Capel assured him that he was then in
the suite of Count Lieven at a salary of 'l5l. a-week, and that the
account between them should besettled in a few days. Witness
consented to this arrangement, and subsequently ascertained that
the prisoner never belonged to the suite of Count Leiven. In fact
he (witness) never heard of fain since, until he saw the statement in.
the newspapers.
Mr. Badly, an ironmonger, was the next examined. He stated
that the prisoner pretended to be a Russian merchant, and br that
means obtained from him mono to the amount of 101. which he
never paid back. A great number of similar charges were made',
against the prisoner, none of which, the Magistrate observed,'
amounted to fraud, he having steered to wicdward of the law.
Mr. ALLAN then said, that Mr. Gilbert's case being the strong-
est against the prisoner, he should commit him on that for ttiaL
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.--THE WESTMINSTER

PIT.
QUEEN-nQUARE. AUGUST 25,-:.Mr. R. Martin, the Ho-
nourable Member for Galway, waited upon the Magistrates,
Mews. Gits:nontE and MARK LAND, for the purpose of making
application tor their interference la the suppression of a most in.
tolerable nuisance that has for many years existed in IVestminster.
The Honourable gentleman said that he trusted the P.ench would
pardon him for making the present appeal to them, he not being
prepared to go into the case ; but he inekely wished their opinion
upon a subject that loudly called for magisterial interference. He
did not wish them to come to any hasty decision, but implored
them, after they had heard the revolticg facts he was about to re-
late, to turn them over in their minis,-aad at some future period he
would be obliged if they would cemestionidatt to him *their ideas on
the subject. The Hon. Member then said, that it was notoriously
known that there is a place in Westminster called the •• West-
minster Pit," that has existed for :natty years, for the sole pur.
pose of exhibitions of the most wanton anti notorious cruelties
to pone dumb animals, to the annoyance of the respectable
bitants, and to the demoralization of society generally. He found,
by several legal authorities, that acts of notorious cruelty amounted
to a misdemeanor at common law, which was well known to the
Magistrates. Now, in addition to this• they would find that at
this theatre of cruelty there is a fee demanded from thaw that choose
to witness such scenes ; therefore the keeper of the pit might be
dealt with either for the cruelty, or for receiving money at the doers,
I not being duly licznsed. The Honourable Gentleman held in his
hand a card of incitation issued by the owner of the pit, which he
would, with permission, read, to authenticate what he had stated of
his own kopwledge. The following in a copy of the card :_
" A math for ten sovereigns will take place at the Westmin.
ater pit, on Tuesday, August 30, 11123, at seven o'clock, with dogs
of 30j lbs. eacii ; one a tallow-pied, in the care of Mr. Roper,
named Boxer, who beat Hetningsis Brazil and others ; the other is
a red dog (the property of Wm. 1101), own brother to Bohankey.
is backed by Jeni Ward, P.l*. and will be attended by William
S—n. The above match excites great interest, as the owners of
these dogs have pledged their words of honour that the wiener shall
fight the Westminster Brindle Dog."
Mr. Martin said, that in addition to this exhibition of cruelty
there are badger-baits, bear-baits• and clog-fighting practised at the
Same place, every 31ot:du and Wednesday evenings.
Mr. Ones:lnuit said there could be no doubt of the nuisance,
and if the keeper himself was present he would acknowledge it.
Mr. Martin said that he knew it to be the opinion of the Lord
Chief Justice of Ireland, who, on reading an a paper an account
of the cruelties that were practised is Paris on a dog by 3loneieur
' Majendie, for the purpose of his lerture, that had such a wanton ex-
hioi tion of cruelty been committed in England or Ireland, the ope-
rator would be liable to an indictment for a misdemeanor at com.
mon law t and the cruelties the poor animals were subject to at the
scene in Hnek-lane were equal to those resorted to by the French.
man ; for it is well known that while the bear or the badger has a
piece of flesh on the nose or the mouth, upon which a dog can
fasten, so long are they exposed to the torture, and when the loth
those: parts la chewed or gnawed away by the dogs that are op.

posed to theist, then the owner of the bear or badger ceases to bait
them ; and this is the only limitation they have to their sufferings.
If the late fight at Warwick, with dogs and the /ions, Nero and
Wallace, had excited the indignation of the public against the pro-
prietor, their indignation ought to be more excited at the disgrace.
ful scenes at the Westminster Pit, which are infinitely more dis-
gusting, for the liana were only exposed to the dogs for a short
time, and then their torture ceased ; but not no with the animals at
the place in question, fur they are kept for the very purpose of tor-
menting, and that twice a week. The Hon. Member said, "I do
mast earnestly, my dear Sir, supplicate you to take these facts into
your mature consideration, and do, if possible, suppress such dread-
ful scenes, which tend to demoralize society in every degree."
Mr. (IR ream E said, that at the time of the conflict between the
lions and the mastiffi at Warwick, which had caused the public
indignatian, he remarked, that the scenes carried on at the %Vest-
minster Pit were more disgusting. He would wish the complaint
to be carried to the Sessions, and he had no doubt the Court would
consider it a misdemeanour; and if it be such the Magistrates
could have nothing to do with it; for, although there is money
taken for admisaion, he doubted whether ft came within the mean-
ing of the Act of Parliament.
Mr. 31.sux LAN am of your opinion, we cannot interfere, u
it is a nuisance, and indictable at the Sessions.
Mr. GIVEGORIE wished sonic spirited person would bring the
subject before the Court at the ensuing Sessions.
Mr. Martin—l can assure you I'll be the prosecutor, but don't,
you think if some of your officers were to be present at these exhi-
bitions that it would be assisting the proceedings, as they would
then be able to speak more correctly as to the work of cruelty.
I declare that it is the rendezvous for thieves of the worst descrip-
tion, and I well remember the words of a worthy Magistrate, and
the manner in which he could tell an honest man from a thief.
He said, " that a thief was always dressed in a long shaggy white
great coat, mother o' pearl buttons, and two bull-dogs following
him." (Laughter.) Will you let your officers visit this resort,
said Mr. Martin, and report thereon ?
Mr. MARYLAND thought their attendance would be of little
avail; it would be better were some of the inhabitants to undertake
to do it.

Mr. GRECORTE still doubted whether they could interfere,
unless there was a breach of the peace. If the constables were to
go there their presence would prevent any breach taking place, as
those persons present would be wore cautious how they acted.
Mr. Martin still pressed for the interference of the Bench.
Mr. GIIEGIORIE said, that the Magistrates at Warwick had
viewed the lion fight as a nuisance, and not a breach of the
I public peace, cr they would have interposed, and he could but
view the proceedings at the Westminster pit in the same light.
lie would rather the case was carried at once to the Sessions, be-
cause, if they were now to interfere in the business, after the
nuisance had so long existed, they would cause the astonishment
of the inhabitants. and they would be themselves blamed for
not before interfering.
Mr. MARIL•ND said, that he and his brother Magistrates
would be very glad were the IVestminster pit never any more heard
of; it had long been a nuisance to Westmitatter, and the proceed-
ings that were carried on there a disgrace, and he assured the Hon.
Member for Galway that he should have every assistance they
could afford to further his object.
Mr. Martin thanked the Magistrates for their kind attention,
and it was subsequently agreed that two officers of the establish-
meat should attend at the pit at the ensuing exhibition, and Mr.
Martin declared his intention of preferring an indictment for a
misdemeanor at the next IVestminster Sessions. •
The Honourable Member then bowed and retired.