The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-03-04 00:00:00

CROWS !SIDE.

J 441/ Ford was indicted for the wilful murder of Joseph Ebbs,
at Rickmet.worth, on the 26. h of February, by striking him on
the head with both his hands. _ _

Mr. PLATT and Mr. LAW conducted the proseendon, and 111 r.
Jr6/10P1' the defence.
It appeared in evidence that the prisoner and the deceased, la-
bourers in husbandry, had been drinking together at the Gate
public house at Itickmersworth, on Sunday afternoon last. They
began " larking" with each other. The prisoner pushed the deceas-
ed, and the latter returned the posh. This produced mutual irrita-
tion, and the prisoner said he should like to light the deceased for
five shillings. The challenge was accepted, and they immediately
withdrew to Charley Common, its the neighbourhood, and heron
fighting. They appeared to be well matched in strength, and of the
s:aroi age. The mode of fighting resorted to by the prisoner was by
catching the deceased with both his arms around the knees, striking
him on the stomach with his head, and so throwing him on the
ground. Ile was thrown down 'several times in this manner. A
bystander swore that in one of the rounds, whilst the demised was
down, the prisoner pinched him in the left cheek with his thumb
and finger; and in another, that he struck him in the same situa-
tion two blows on the left temple. In the lost round the deceased
fell to rise no more. He was carried off the field in an insensible
state, and expired at three o'clock next morning. The fight lasted
rather better than half an hour. On opening the bead the vessels
were found to be ruptured, occasioning considerable extravasation
of blood. Both prisoner and deceased were described by one of the
witnesses to be quarrelsome fellows, particularly when intoxi-
cated. No external marks of violence were observable on the head
of the deceased sufficient to have caused death ; but the surgeon was
of opinion that the death was occasioned by the violent rupturing
of the vessels of the head, and not by natural causes. The wit-
Deities described the prisoner's mode of fighting as very unfair.
The Jury, tin ter the Learned Judge's directions, found the
prisoner Gui!tg of Manslaughter only.-(Sentence not passed.)
The prisoner was very much affected, and his face exhibited the
remains of several bruises which he received in the tight.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.

OXFORD, MARCH 2.

The Assizes of this place commenced here this morning, Mr.
Baron GAB mow presiding on the Civil Side. and Mr. Justice
Pans sittingon the Criminal Side. The common law business is
extremely light, as but nine causes are entered. Ott the Crown
Side the business is excessively and musually heavy, there being
upwards of sixty prisoners.
CIVIL. SIDE.
BATHE V. MANSFIELD.

This was an action for slander.
Mr. TALroten stated the circumstances of the ease to the Jury.
The plaintiff, he said, was a tailor residing at Pepper, in Berk-
shire, and the words uttered by the defendant to the plaintiff in
the presence of several witnesses, were, `• I'll be if you have
not stolen Warwick's gun." Such language was of course calcu.
lated to injure :he plaintiff, and to protect his character the present
action was brought. The learned Counsel then called two mem-
bers of the plaintiff's family, his mother and sister, front whose
evidence it appeared that as the defendant was going through an
orchard belonging to the plaintiff, where he had no right, the
plaintiff made an observation that " he never stole any body's
horse;" on which the defendant retorted, " be d—d if you
did not steal Warwick's gun."
Mr. Sergeant PEASE, for the defendant, characterised this
action as one of a most trumpery description. It was the first
tried in this place to.day ; but he hoped it was not an index to the
other causes in the list. He deplored the want of business at these
Assizes as much as any man in his profession ; but he had addi-
tionally to lament that this case was of a description that ought
never to hare found its way into a Court of Justice. . . .

31r. Baron °ARROW, in charging the Juty, concurred in the
observations of his learned brother, and remarked that though he
was not one of those who thought that notions of slander ought to
be decried generally In Courts of Justice, yet this was one not
very worthy of wasting the time of a Court and Jury. However,
the case was now here, and the Jury must dispose of it. The
evidence showed clearly that the plaintiff had uttered some prom.
cation which had given rise to the remark that was made a subject
for this action. People generally were not in the habit of making
suchiabstract observations as " I never stole a horse," without
meaning to impute that offence to some one else: and the de.
fondant here having heard such an observation uttered at him very
naturally retorted, perhaps with some provocation. His Lordship
did not think, however, that the case called for very tremendous
damages.
After the Jury had consulted N. some time, one of them in.
gaited of his Lordship what amount of damages would carry costs ?
Mr. Baron Haanow replied that other ',earliest Judges on the
bench had thought such matters inapplicable to the province in
which juries acted, as they were only impanelled to assess da-
mages. Ile would however state, as the inquiry was made, that if
the damage* given by the Jury were under forty shillings. each
party would have to pay his own costs. If the verdict were for
mere than that sum, then the defendant would have to pay the
whole costs.

The Jury, upon this, found for the plaintif Is. damages.
This was the only case of any importance.
In the course of the morning the noise in Court was so great.
that blr. Baron flutitow fined the Under-Sheriff' 51. on account
of his not preserving silence. though renrstettry ordered to do so.
CROWN SIDE.

Two Germans were indicted for at ling indecent prints in the
University. One was convicted, and sentenced to three years' int-
prisoninent ; the other was acquitted.

POI.ICE.

BOW-ST R E ET.

YeNterdßy Mr. Mifesstuxt. resumed the investigation of the
case of Harriet Hanks, the young person who complains of being
kept in the dark by her surviving relations as to who her parents
were : and also so to certain 'Property which she had been in.
formed was left for her use, but from which she had never derived
any benefit.
Mrs. Smith, Yom St. Anne's workhouse, was again In attend-
ance. and whet, asked by Mr. Ilinshull if she had recollected any
other circumstances connected with the birth or parentage of the
complainant.. she replied in the same kind of 1141 r sulky, half saucy
manner, that she " could tell nothing more titan she had told."
Tnc complainant said there was one holy present who could
throw some light upon the matter, though even her statements, she
believed, would still leave it in mystery.
.Hrs. Morrison, the wife of a respectable tradesman in Green.
street. Leicester-I'quart.. came forward, and stated that about twenty-
six years ago a Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence (the latter, it will he re-
collected, was mentioned in our last notice of the case, as Mrs.
Smith's sister) hired lodgings at her house. She underatend when
they came there that they had been recently married, and that Mr.
lAwrenee was the second husband. When they had been a short
time in her house, Mrs. Lawrence mentioned to witness that sho
had two children corning from nurse in the country, and some time
after, the present complainant, who then appeared to be about three
or four years old, and a younger child, were Drought from the
country. and received leo witness thought) by Mrs. Lawrence as
her own children. While the family remained in her house the
children called Mrs. Lawrence mother," and witness had never
any reason to suppose that they were not her children. The youngest
child died before they left her house. 111 r. and Mrs. Lawrence
took a public-house in Chandos-street when they left het apart-
ments, anti they took the complainant with them. Mr. Lawrence
always appeared particularly fond of the complainant, more so even
than her reputed mother.
ComFlainant—Yes, indeed, he always treated me like his own
child, and I remember It with gratitude.
Mrs. Morrison went ow to say that she believed Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence had three children In their rnamiage. Mrs. Lawrence
always told anuses that abe had lOW. a-year, but never tuentiased

morn from which it came. Witnees bad known tea corn.
plainant from her infancy upwards, and always considered her as
hearing as irreproachable character.
Mr. 31 twent•La asked Mrs. Smith if she had brought the
will of her brother, and her answer was,
" the wiH is Isere if you
want H."
A young man, a lawyet's clerk. who stated himself to be a son of
5I ts. Lawrence by the 'aloud mateiege, stepped forward, and said
he had the will and letters of administration annexed, if the Ma•
gistrate wished to see them. Btu," continued this young man,
commencing a set speech, with a great portion of the flippancy and
self-sufficiency of n would-be orator, " the view I take of this
matter is that in which, when you hear the observations I have to
offer, you will, I think, agree *ith me. Now, Mr. —, 1 have
not the pleasure of knowing your name—but Markland I believe—
The Magistrate—My name ie ?linshull.
Lawtence—Well, Mr. Minshull, when a charge is made. In-
volvieg. RS this charge does, circumstances of a delicate
nature, and conveying sweeping censure upon certain individuals,
it is hiebly necessary for the interests of justice that the accusation
should resume some definite shape. It is highly necessary, I say,
that we should be informed what the ;melee nature and purport of
the charge is, and in what form it comes before you ; in piton, there
ought to be, before a matter of this kind is entered into, sonic
ground alt up on which we can proceed. Now there is nothing of
that kind here; the charge has assumed no distinct and cognizable
lam—nothing has as yet been adduced which any party can be
legally called upon here to answer—in btief, Sir, the whole affair,
as it appears to ms. is at present completely ire renbibris.
Here Mr. Mt teeny a interrupted this flourish by observing
that lie was ready to admit that the inquiry was one of a nature
that did not come strice'ey within his jurisdiction. but lie was one
of those who thought that a public office like this was a place to
which all persona who had grievances to complain of had a right to
conic and state them, leaving it of course to those who presided to
judge as to whether they had power to ipterfere or not. The emn-
plainant in the present case had dna an, and her repeat, which
was merely to be satisfied as to her parentage, appeared so reason-
ableethat a Magistrate could have no hesitation in instituting an
Inquiry, though it might be extra-judicial.
Ale. Lawrence proceeded in another speech, in the course of
which he ineinuateu that if the case were gone into he could state
many facts respecting the complainant which would materially alter
the complexion of the affair.
The complainant repelled this insinuation with great indigna-
tion, and said it was only a continuation of the attempts that had
been so often made to vilify and destroy her chancier. She could
defy all the world to slate with troth a tangle circumstance against
her fair reputation. Why did not 51e Lawrence bring forward his
mother, who could, if she chose. elucidate the whole matter ?
Mr. Lawrence—l know nothing about Mrs. Lawrence; I have
nothing to do with her.
The officer enteloveti in the Weiner. declared that Mr. Lawrence
told hint he saw hi. *nether on Thursday.
After some further conversation, in which Mr. Lawrence's voice
was so much elevated above the rest that we could with difficulty
catch a word from any other person,
Mr. 311INSHULL said he would adjourn to a prigate room, in or.
der to give an opportunity to any party who might choose to make
a disclosure of any kind.
The parties then retired, but, cs we understood, no further light
wax thrown upon the whin., and the poor girl retired as ignorant
as ever upon the matter of inquiry.
MARYLEBONE.
Yesterday Henry G rifts, a hairdresser residing in Mansfield.
street, Kentish-town, was brought to this office on a warrant, at
the instigation of the Board of Marylebone parish. charged with
having assaulted Francis Many, his apprentice, a line little boy be-
tweeu 13 and 14 years of age, in a most cruel manlier.
Messrs Whittington and Thorpe, the overseers, attended to con-
duct the case.
51r. Whittington stated to the slagistratee, Messrs. Gatertv its
and HOSKINS, that the boy had been apprenticed to Mr. Griffin by
the partsa, and had been but a short time with him ; but the most
severe chastisement had been inflicted several times by his master,
which cooing to the knowledge of the parish officers, the case was
inveleigated by the parish, and on examining the boy he was found
covered with bruises.
The buy being semen, stated that oat Wednesday last, at seven
o'clock in the morning, lie was called by his mistrust tr open the
shop. Ile got out of bed and did, when his master came and asked
him," Why lie went to heti again after he had gat up," saying lie
was called at six o'clock. Witness denied having done so, on which
the defendant took a painter's stick and beat him with it in the most.
violent manner. •
The defendant said that he merely beat him with a switch, and
not with any violence; but whenever he duteined him he ran away
Treat the house. y - .
Mr. Whittington—lle certainly did hem away leeseletsequenceof
your, beating hint, which you were requested by the parish not to
Go. The boy has been this day examined by the Board, and the
violence on his person leave no doubt of the excessive beating be
recctvcd.
Defendant—l only beat him with a switch ;he cannot show any
marks.
Mr. GRIFFITHS ordered the boy to take oft' his clothes ; on
doing which his back, anus, and sheiulders, presented a mass of
bruizes which excited much indigos'. on.
Mr. Whittington stated that they arose from a beating which he
had received on Wednesday last, which must have been violent, or
the marks would not appear so strong now.
Mr. GRIFFITHS asked whether he was much altered In his op.
pearance since he had been bound.
Mr. Whittington said he was considerably ; he was before a stout
healtyy boy.
The defendant said he was very filthy and obstingte, and he WAS
necessitated to chastise him. In the course of his profession it was
necessary for him to be agreeable, and laugh and joke with his
customers, when the boy amid carry what lie said to Mrs. Griffin,
which nutted her to he jealous.
Mr. Whittington said that the parish considered this to be a
case worthy being followed up by a prosecution. They had an-
other case, where one of their apprentices had been treated with
excessive cruelty, and they were determined to punish the parties.
Mr. ORIFFITII3—It is highly creditable to the parish for taking
the matter up and protecting them poor children. He ordered the
indentures to be delivered up (as well RS the pranidwe given) to
the parish.
Ale. Whittington Intimated that if the prisoner was not ordered
to find bail, it wan the intention of the perish to indict at the
Sessions for the assault.

QUEEN-SQUARE.
BttIIOLARTES tst Sunni:v.—George Shift?, alias Shaky, and
William Phillips alias Job llisley, noted characters, who have been
several weeks in custody, charged with being concerned in the late
burglaries that have recently been committed in the county of Surrey,
underwent a final examination yesterday, before D. K . Gregorie,
Esq the resident Magistrate.
The charges against the prisoners were for two robberies, one of
them committed in the dwelling-house of Robert Brown, Esq.
Claremont-place, Brixton Washway, whose premises were broken
into in the month of December last, and robbed of considerable
property, among which were several table-cloths, three silver
th•:mbles, &c.; the other was for burglariouttly breaking into the
house of Mr. George Newman, of No. 28, Rrixton-place, on the
morning of the huh January last, which they ransacked of every
valuable article, including three watches, several silver spoons,
china. &c. The robbers also took a great coat and white worsted
comforter from a peg in the hall.
The principal evidence in support of the charges was Elizabeth
W bite ; she had known bruit prisoners for some time ; they resided
in her room. On the night of the 17th of Jimmy they were at her
lodgings till the hour of eleven o'clock; neither of them had any
money then. Shirley said they were going to Brixton, to some
house that was very high. About eight o cluck next morning
Shirley came into her room ; she was then in bed ; he desired her
to get up and light a tire, nod took front his neck a white com-
forter which he threw on the bed ; when he left the overnight he
wore a black silk handkerchief. Witness asked where he got
the comforter from, he replied at the concern he (the prisoner)
lied been to. The prisoner Shirley then gave her two stive-
reign*, ailing that he had made six. During the time thsy
were at breakfast the whole of Shirley's conversation was respecting
the robbery ; he mentioned in particular three watches, also some
doll's thing., china, or plate. As to the diver won% witness re.
collected they had a sea devil's heat: nn them, and were fiddle-han-
dled. Illsley came in shout nine o'clock, when the conversation
dropped between her and Shirley, and Illaley began to talk about
his dress, sndeoott after they both went out. About twelve o'clock
the stone day the prisoner Shirley came to again ; he undressed
himself, and put on the apparel he now wore, having got them out
of pledge. At five o'clock in the evening, on her going down Old
Pye-strett. site met both the prisoners, and Shirley had 4 new pair
of scares with him ; he told her they were going to the Surrey
Theatre, but she was not wanted. The next morning (Thursday)
he said to witness, " you supposed I got but six sovereigns at the
concern, but I had sixteen." On the Monday following, on meeting
the prisoner Shirley in Fleet street, he mid to her that neither
she, tun her friend Cooper, meaning the officer. should live long;
she asked for what reason; he replied for acquainting him of the
robbery. Witness again met him on the Thursday in St. Martin's-
lane ; they walked together into St. Giles's, when being fright.
ened she ran away front him, and went to Ilisley's house, in Crown-
street, where site had not been more titan ten minutes, when the
primmer Shirley came, burst open the door, took her by the throat,
and swore it should be her last if she did not tell him what she
told Cooper, the tinker. Witness further stated that in the month
of ISecember last she pawned three table cloths and three thimbles,
at the request of the prisoners.
Mr. George Newman, of 28, Brixton-plate, stated, that on the
night of the 17th Jan. he went, which was his usual practice, about
eleven o'clock, round the garden to see all was safe, and secured
the dome himself. He requested to be called early next morning,
and at five o'clock was alarmed by one of the servants saying thee
the house had been entered and robbed. Witness instantly
?tot up, taking a blunderbuss with him, and the first thing lie ob.'
served was the panel of the outer door having been forced in; the
(100 T of the parlour had also been broken open, and his seeretene,
bteikcase, drawers, &c. were ransacked of every article of value.
and what the robbers refused they strewed about the floor. A
white comforter wax now shown to the triunes, which he minutely
examined and identified.
Joseph Cooper, the officer, deposed, that from information he
received front the witness Whitt, he. accompanied with Handley,
apprehended the two prisoners at a public-house near Temple Bar;
they made no resistance on being taken into monody, but a Fang of
fellows followed after them with a determination of rescuing the
prisoners, observing to the officers they did not cure for the pistols
or cutlasses; and it was not until they threatened them repeatedly
that they desisted.
Mt. Wessell, of Picketteureet, and sootier pawnbroker, now

produced three table cloths, shirt. and three thimbles pledged sfi
their shops, in the name of Ann Harrah ; but from the length of
time neither could swear to the person who pawned them.
Alf. and Mrs. Brown, on examining the table cloths and shirt,
declared distinctly that they were part of the property stolen from
their house. Alre. B. also swore to one of the thimbles, it having
been the gift of an aunt deceased, and she had had it near twelve
years.
The prisoners declined saying any thing in their defence.
The Magistrate ( Mr. UREGORIE), who has been indefatigable
in this inquiry, then fully committed both the prisoners for trial,
at the ensuing surrey Assizes, and they were accordingly conveyed
to Horsemonger.lane Gaol.
The greatest praise is due to Cooper and Handley, the officers,
er their exertions on this occasion.