The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-05 00:00:00

CHILD STEALING.

lirconstrornsz lassosTos.--One of the most persevering of
the vagrant tribe, a fellow passing by the names of Wood, Buxton,
Cos, acc., and who is known to have been the means of decoying
from their homes several infants, the children of respectable
parents, was taken into custody on Tuesday evening, in Clare-
court. In the full exercise of his calling, by an officer belonging to
the 3lendicity Society, and underwent a long examination yester-
day, before W. L. ROGERS, Esq. the presiding 31agistrate, at
H moon. garden office.
Mr. Bowie, one of the clerks of the Society, gave the following
curious history of this notable impostor:—
The real name of this fellow is 1: ood, though, to suit his pur-
pose, he has passed under various other appellations ; lie is what is
called a tt silent mendicant," seating himself in the most public
thoroughfares about the metropolis, and writing in chalk on the
pavement such petition as is most calculated to awaken the sympathy
of the passengers. Some time ago, a tine little boy, the only child
of a respectable gentleman residing at Knightsbridge, was lost, and
hills offering a large reward fur his restoration were widely en.-
culated by the disconsolate parent, but without obtaining any clue
that could lead to a discovery. flowerer, in the month of March,
Wood was apprehended in Chiswell-street, pursuing his favourite
occupation, and on being examined by the managers of the Al endi.
city Society, he told so plausible a story of his distress, that he re-
ceived immediate relief, and was sent to break atones, but this he
speedily abandoned, and resumed his literary labours in front of
the Duke of Devonshire's mansion in Piccadilly, and although his
" outward man " had undergone a complete transfonnation, yet he
was speedily recognised, and after undergoing an investigation
at Marlborough-street police-office, he was race more released
en a solemn promise that he would forsake his calling. During
the examination, the officers of the police recognised him to
be the self-accused murderer of a young woman in the country,
but who, after repeated examinations, was discharged, the whole
story being found to be a mere fabrication of his own, for the pur-
pose of obtaining a temporary subsistence. Soon after being re-
leased at Marlborough-street, he was detected in similar practices
in Burlington-street, for which he was committed to the tread-mill
at Brixton for three months. The exercise he was compelled to
use 'here did not at all alter his disposition for chalking, and he
was, soon after his enlargement, apprehended at his old trade, in
Keppel-street, Bussethsquare, in which he was assisted by a little
boy of extremely prepossessing appearance, who had also learned
to play upon public feeling by the chalking system; both were
taken before a Magistrate, who, interested by the youth end !lupe-
rior manners of the latter, was anxious, if possible, to do some.
thing in his behalf, ard offered to get him into the Marine Society,
but the poor boy, as if wedded to infamy, refused to abandon
his hopeful tutor, and both were committed to the House of
Correction for toe month. The circumstance, however, came '1
to the knowledge of the child's parents, just as the win of impri-
sonmenthad expired ; and messengers were despatched in every
direction in pursuit of them, but for a long time no clue could be
had of either. At length, Wood was apprehended in the London-
road, and mentioned respecting the boy. hut denying any know-
lodge of hint, he was taken to Union Hall ; and it being proved
that he was found in the commission of a similar act of vagrancy,
he was again committed for three months. Just as the party were
leaving the office, the boy above alluded to was discovered outside,
waiting to ascertain the fate of hill master, and being instantly se-
cured, the officers asked him his name ; he replied, " JOIM
Smith ;" but, on being more closely interrogated, he said that was
only an assumed name, his real name was Magin, and his father
was surgeon in the Life-guards, who resided at Knightsbridge,
from whence he had been enticed by IVood, with whom he had
lived ever since, bogging about the streets, as he was afield to go
Items to his parents. inquiry was made in the proper quarter,
and the poor child was returned to its disconsolate parents.
Since that, it appears that the wretch entrapped another boy of
the name of Morouey, from Leicestershire, of highly-respectable
connexion', but he wee soon after rescued loom hint in London.
Vhen brought before the Magistrates of Hatton-garden yester-
day, Wood was accompanied by a smart intelligent boy, who gave
hi+ name as George Elliott, and said his family reside at Green-
wich ; he also has been a pupil for a considerable time, therefore
vc..y little reliance rnn be placed on his confession.
The fellow could not deny that he pursuod this line of life, and
merely said that he took those boys under his care front motives
of compassion
The Magistrates, after conferring for some time, decided that it
would be advisable to have him remanded until Wednesday, in
order that a record of some former conviction could be returned to
the Sessions, and that he might thorn be sent for trial as an incorri-
gible rogue and vagabond.

LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY EVENING.

Wind W. to N. W. heavy sleet and rain.—lligh

water 61 Minutia put 10.
Arrived the Ardent, from Demerara; David Owen,
from Pernambuco; Mary, from Dublin; Hibernia, from
New York, sailed the 15th November; Chariott, from Sa-
vannah; Lancaster, from Philadelphia; Protection, from
Virginia ; Vrow Johanna, from Antwerp ; Elizabeth,
from Halifax; Robert, from Waterford ; Triton, from
Dundalk; Lactic, from Savannah; and the Albion, from
Waterford.
The David Owen, from Pernambuco, ran against the
wall below the Prince's Basin, which drove an anchor into
her bottom, and obliged her to run on shore near 'Fran-
more, in Cheshire.
The Neptune, from New Orleans for Liverpool, is
driven on shore in Cardigan Bay, and it was supposed she
would go to pieces last night.