The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-29 00:00:00

NUTTING PUNISHED WITH TWO MONTHS"
IMPRISONMENT..

We extract the following sensible and spirited remarks
from the Paltry Mercury of Wednesday :
A poor labouring man, in the employment of H. E. fleatheote,
Esq. M.P. for Coventry, Langton Hall, was tempted to gather a
few nuts, in a coppice near Cocknage, Mr which he was summoned
before a Magistrate who, considering the offence of a 'Avid nature,
fined him in the penalty of Ifirpcnce ; but the expenses attendant on
the conviction amounted to Elert'll Shillings end Sixpence! ! mak-
ing the entire sum of Tredve Shillings! !! • And a friendly inti-
'nation was given him, that if not paid within a given period lie
would be committed to prison. Owing to some circumstance tbc
"day of grace" was suffered to expire, and then, although he
offered the constable the full and entire sum, it was sefused—he
dragged front his family, fettered with hand-cuffs. and nurched
off to the county gaol—there to associate, fur Two Months, with
(ions of every elegy. e.
After this, we may expect to hear of the conviction of every
child detected gathering blackberries from the hedges, or bill-
berries from the commons. We confess that we cannot exactly
eiseaver why a penalty so Severe as imp, inntnusii should be in.
flitted upon °Wenders ngninst the nailing ltcs. What cm the
most strict morality make of it ? A few harle boughs may ibdied
he broken by the nutters ; but mere injury is done in the course of
the night by the visits of hares and rabbits than by all the nut-
gatherers in the season. But why should we rnenti.m bares and
rabbits ?—They arc Game—they belting to a privileged c'ass—they
may offend with impunity—they can injure every ma,.'s pmperty—
but woe to Ifin who touches /hem ! They can destroy the subsistence
of thousands of men—they can till the gaols with victims, to whom
a residence with felons may be but the means of rendering inno.
cure,: infected with pollution—but the lives of Game appear of
more value to their possessers than the welfare, the liberty, and the
life of fellow-incr. Is a man, we ask, or a hate, of must im.
portance to society ?
• THE BILL.

Summons 24 Od.
Being convicted - 2 6
Constable 4 0
Fimayt (Me litfbrmer'. dory) 3 0
Da umge . 0 6
t This mall receive% from his employer 24..5d. per day.
About two o'clock yesterday morning, the back premises
of the Horns public house, Gutter-lane, elleapside, kept
by Mr. Mitcham, were discovered to be on fire, and, from
the rapidity with which it burnt, the greatest alarm was
entertained for the lives of the inmates, and the safety of
the adjoining.houses. Fortunately, however, the family
were speedily alarmed by the watchmen of their danger ;
and the neighbenrs were so prompt in their assistance, that
they were all preserved from their perilous situation with-
out receivini any serious injury, but with no other cover-
ing than their night clothes. The timely arrival of the
engines, wilt a .good supply of water, preserved the houses
immediately adjoining. The fire communicated to the
back premises of the Cross Keys Tavern, in Weod.street,
Clicapside. • The firemen, however, by their
.exertions,
preserved it from tout! destruction, although the hack pre•
mists are niuch &triaged. We understand that 3lr.
Mit-
cltain's house and property were insured.