The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-10-29 00:00:00

their own faults on those innocent persons who are sufferers to this
misconduct. Whin did he strike you last?
Applicant—Not two bourn since, your Worship, he struck me
with the baby in my arms, and unless you interfere, I don't know
whit will happen, as every thing we had to dispose of was pledged
at the pawnbroker's for our support.
The Msglstrate gave instant directions fee the issuing of a war.
rant for the offender's apprehension, aid expressed his determina.
tiun (whenever it came within his power) to put down a system,
which was so aliverse to,the peace, comfortiand prosperity of the
tradesmen of the empire.
ixTENNYS SW.& 0 LING.

--,-....----
l'esterday, in consequence of the publicity of the discovery of the
swindlers who had obtained possession.or Captain Burton's man.
sion, ill Gloucester-place, the Illagistrates of Marylebone office '
were beset during the day by tradesmen who had suffered ; many
also came forward. who had not parted with their property ; among
the number yas Mr. Manton, the gun•maker, who had been waited
upon by the aelf-styled lion. F. Poosonby, and received an order
fur A brace ref fowling pieces and sporting acenutrements, with
some other fire arms ; but who had very prudently declined corn.
pleeting the order without tha wady money. Messrs. Broadwood,
the piano-forte makers, had received orders for a harp and grand
piano, but a hint from hlr. Mantim.camejust in time to save then.
Several tradesmen detailed having supplied the goods ordered,
but could never receive a penny. Among the persons eomplainirg
were included the wine-merchant, . was- chandler. butcher, poul-
terer, sad cheesesnonger, grocer, broker, baker, &e. &c.
Mr.Vickery, of Regent-street, and Mr. Birch, who had accom-
panied Thomas Hooker, the officer, during the night, In tire search
after Ireland Ponaonby, and the rest of the ping, against whom
warrants had been granted for a conspiracy, arrived at the office in
the course of the day, having been unsuccessful in their object;
but they had made some very curious. discoveries. Ireland bad,
some, Months ago, entered upon a little chandler's shop in
Brick-lane, B'hitechipel, where he and Ponsonby, with a female
and child, residedfundi withijarum months since, when they all
suddenly disappearesl, having itriplied the ahop of every thing, and
A being ednsiticvahly in debt in .he neighbourhood. Numerous in-
guinea had been made
.after by persons who had been de-
frauded. They were then other parts of the town, even to
haste keit: mercantile hbutie In e City, but fur a short time, as
Ponion was " btown " upon. • his is the same person. it is be-
liefed, w . was tn,tusted at Ilr-street for defrauding a gentle-
man named 'Leigh, of th
ee A delp 1, of some money. From some-
thing that transpired during the morning, Hooker was suddenly
ordered off', and efforts have been made, which will no doubt lead
to their detection in a fhw days.
Captain Burton sent two large packets of letters to the ;ling.'s-
trate, which Ireland had forgot in his hurry, and some of which, as
will be seen, bear very curious reference to the plane of the con-
spirators.
Mr. Rawlinsnn, while occupied in examining those documents,
received a visit from Mr. Creed, the agent of a satiety for the sup-
pression of swindling, who said he knew the whole gang : they had
been for years upon the town, and had gone by different names.
He durrihed very accurately their persons, and said he knew that
after the discovery made on Wednesday at Captain Burton's, and
the escape of Ireland, the whole gang had assembled in St.
James's-square, Rod, after a consultation, they had dispersed in
opposite directions.
During the day a man entered the office, and said, that hearing
a warrant was issued against him, he had come to surrender him-
self, producing a note addressed to Mr. Bawlinson, into whose pre-
sence he wasimmediately brought. The note was from Mr. Marsh,
Captain Burton's agent, describing the bearer to be Thomas (Jor-
don. the butler of Alr. Ireland.
Mr. RAWLINSON then told Gordon the nature of the charge
against him, and stated the information communicated by Mr.
Creed.

Gordon—l don't know Mr. Creed, and, as far as concerns me,
he has asserted a falsehood.
Mt. Hairs.tesow.—There is a very strong presumption that
you pawned one !et of plate to redeem another.
Gordon.—Soon after I entered the service of Mr. Ireland, he
gave me some !elver plate, and desired me to take it, with a note
which he gave me, to Mr. Neat', the pawnbroker, of Duke-street,
and when he asked the name, to shew him an address card.
Mr. RAWLINSON.—Such's one as this, (holding up an elegantly
engraved address card, with Mr. Stanley De Courcy Ireland on it
m cipher).
Gordon.—Yes, Sir, precisely the same well, I pawned the plate
for 71.
Mr. RARLINSON asked him how long he had known Mr.
Ireland
Gordon stated that he was recommended by a stable-keeper to
Ireland, about five weeks ago, as a coachman, but had agreed to
act as butler; until Ireland's carriage and cattle arrived. He ad-
mitted that he had seen Ponsonby on Wednesday evening in
St. James's-square, and detailed the conversation that had taken
place, in which there was nothing material. Gordon related seve-
ral instances of the fraudulent proceedings of Ireland.
Mr. RAWLINfION said there was one thing not yet explained,
namely. Ireland's connexion with Mr. Martin's servant, which
was repeatedly alluded to in letters before him. The Magistrate
read the following extracts from letters from Ponsonby to Ireland,
addressed from a prison
" I really. Ireland, am' much hurt at your not sending what I
asked for. If you think Mr. Martin's servant is of more conse-
quence to you than my liberty, go on in this way, if you please."
"For God's sake don't deceive me—act like a man. We shall
never be able to get on unless I am liberated."
" • * • Whatever we get shall be fairly divided."
" • • • We canrot pay any of the debts already incurred."
There were other letters in whirls Ireland was directed to go by
the name of Capt. King.
After sonic conversation of a general kind, Gordon was allowed
to depart.
Mr. Martin did oot come to the Office yesterday ; and at eight
o'clock last evening circumstances transpired which show that the
swindling extended in an entirely new and wholesale manner ; whole
stocks having been purchased. No clue was obtained as to the re-
treat of the gang, up to nine o'clock last night.

ALARM OF FIRE AT THE COBURG THEATRE.
On Thursday evening, during a performance for the benefit of
three of the actors belonging to the Coburg Theatre, considerable
terror prevailed through the house In consequence of an alarm of
fire being raised in the gallery. The moment the report was heard
a general rush took place from all parts of the theatre towards the
doors, during which several persons were thrown down in their
eagerness to reach the outside. During the consternation that such
an alarm was calculated to produce on the audience, the screams of
females arid children, particularly from the pit and gallery, both
of which were crammed to excess, heighrer.ed the general '
belief that sonic part of the theatre was in Raines. Amidst ,
the fear thus occasioned, upward,' of 150 persons, out of the pit
rushed on the stage, while MO more gained the road in front of
the theatre, from the other parts of the house. The actors then on
the stage ceased, and the performance was suspended for some
minutes, until at length Mr. Davidge, the manager, stepped for-
ward and addressed the remaining part of the audience, assuring
them that there were not the slightest grounds for the report of
fire being raised, which appeared at first 'o have issued from the
gallery. The audience, he said, might rest perfectly satisfied
that no danger was to be apprehended, a, no accident of such a
nature as was likely to lead to the ellamiy of tire had at all oc-
curred during the whole evening in any part of the house; and he
now came forward for the purpose of stating this, as well as to
offer a reward of 20/. to any person who would point out to
the officers in attendance who the miscreant was that first
gave an alarm of fire. This statement had the effect of sub-
siding ell further apprehensions, when the audience again re-
sumed their seats, and the performances went on. For-
tunately no accidents of a serious nature occurred when the ge-
neral rush took place towards the doors ; however, many indivi-
duals, both male and female, lost their hats, caps, bonnets, and
shoes, in the scuttle to gain the street. Subsequently it was ascer-
tained that the report of fire being raised throughout the theatre
uose in consequence of 'tonic persons seated in the back of the
gallery, the ceiling of which is extremely low, calling out, " lift
up the curtain higher!" The lamer. word being frequently
repeated, the audience mistook it for " fire," thus occasioning
a panic throughout that was so likely to lead to accidents
of a dreadful nature, but which fortunately did not take
plate.- chiefly owing la-the eircummance of the wide
leading into the theatre. In the course of yesterday two 7e71
:-
men, who were in the Coburg during the abovementioned time,
were brought up ro Palest Hall, anti given in charge for disorderly
conduct. It appeared that these gentlemen, on hearing the cry of
I "Fire!" and convinced in their own minds that such was not the
ease, endeavoured to prevail on those near them not to rush out,
as there was nothing to fear, and, in fact, held one or two females,
in order to prevent accidents, for which step, however, they were
given into custody.
The moment the facts were stated to the Magistrate he discharged
them, and observed that it was an extraordinary proceeding to give
persons into custody whose conduct was highly commendable and
praiseworthy, in endeavouring to prevent accidents that might have
(weaned, had they not interfered.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

THE. BRITISH PRESS.