The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-10-30 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS,
MONDAY, OCTO$I& 29.

JUVENILE RIOTERS.

. Yesterday Mrs. Raabe Webber ; James Webber, her eon
Mrs. Jame Denman, the wife of James Denman; John Has-
sell, James Jeks, John Ladwell, James Harris Charles Ds.
vie, George Bums, Charles Orme, John Biros Martin
Siena, Hannah Denman, Thomas Browne, Wen. Grant,
Frances Grant, Wm. Bawdy, and James Selwood, were in-
dicted for assembling in a riotous manner before the bons*
of Mrs. Esphemia Middleton, of No. 11, Biompton-row, in
the parish of Kensington, on the 13th, 1511 i, 16th, and 17th
days of August last, and breaking her windows.
Mrs. Webber, Win. Bawdy, and James Selwood, beisg
improperly described in the indictment, they pleaded it in
abatement, and were discharged.
Mr. Artorettue, the Counsel for the prosecution, said, it
was nut his intention to produce any evident* against the
two defendants of the name of Grant. They were accord-
ingly taken from the bar, and the Jury returned a verdict
of acquittal.
The remainder of the Defendants, except Mrs. Denman,
were from the op of 10 to 14. The Court was crowded to
excess, on account of the singularity of the case, so many
children being put to the bar. The dock was completely
filled with fine healthy-looking youths, who from their
countenances, did not appear as if they thought they had
committed • fault.

Mr. ADoLealts opened the ease for the prosecution, and
elated, the only muse he could God out fur the dreadful at-
tack made on the house and property of his client was, that
abs kept a number of eats; but if she did, she kr pt them on
bar owl, protasis's, not to the annoyance of her neighbours.
TM Learned Comael then stated the circumstance'', which
were as follow, u appeared by the evidence of the witnesses.
Mrs Euphemla Middleton star d, that she lived at No.ll,
Brumton-row, and had resided there for 20 years, and paid
1601. alter fur rent and taxes ;. be is a widow. Ou else
13th of August last, between the Mitre of five and six o'clock
in the evening, many boys bud, girls collected before her
house, to the number of 150, and by the time it became dark
there were between 700 sod 1,000 of theil collected, and
they did not disperse until after ten o'clock at night. They
began by throwing stones at her front door, which fell into
the area and broke the kitchen windows; afterwards by
throwing stones broke the remainder of the windows in the
front of the house, and also the shutters. One of the brick-
bats struck her and Meted her materially; and it was con-
temned up by the Defendants and others on the other days
laid in the indictment, by calling her " Mother Middleton,"
Mother Cats," lice. ann other opprobrious names.
Ow her erouessminatior by Mr. BILODIRICIL, she said

she was 70 years of age; the way she was enabled to identify
the Prisoners was, that she took • telescope, placed it on
a trunk, and ►rota • widow in the second story ef her house
else was enabled to observe that the defendants, except there
of them, were most forward ott the attack made on bee house;
the three she could not identify were Howl!, Jeks, and
Webber. She supposed at one time, during the evening of
the 13th of August last, there were not less than 700 to 1,000
boys and girls attacking her house; they broke 31 panes of
glass and also the shutters. She then produced two baud-
kerchief', full of stones and brickbats.
Miss Wilkioson of No. b, York-street, Hans-place, Chel-
sea, Misted, that she was passing the house of Mrs. Middle-
tom ow the evening of the 13th of August; there were ■
great number of young people about the house, they were
calling out, " Old Mother Cats," " Old Mother Middleton,"
sad were thrvwi•g moors at the windows; she saw the de-
fendants, Hassell, Jeks, mid Webbet, there; they appeared
active is the riot.
Mr*. Elizabeth Wilkinsna, the mother of the last witness,
corroborated her testimony.
Several other witnesses were examined, but their evidence
went to the same facts.
Mr. Bitstock:al, Counsel for the Defendants, stated, that
the P►osecutrix was • lady of receipe habits, and to time of
old might be taken for a witch; but he agreed with his
Learned Friend, Mr. Adolphus. that her having a !Aim/ to
eats was not • 1111/011 that she should lint have the protection
of the law. He was, however, sorry that to giving her evi-
dence she had nut stated ►ow it originated, but left to him
the painful task of disclosing it. The female child at the
bar was walking in Quern's, raw, Srumpion, with her infant
Melee in her arms, when she wearied',d by the Prosecutrix,
who made the blood Row fume ter forehead, her ears, and
also deprived her of part of her hair by tearing it out by the
room. The viol, nee of the Proseentrix was so great in he►
attack on the child, Hannah Denman, that she was obliged
to let her infant sister fall ►rum her arras, and she was only
relieved from bee perilous situation by a lady of the same of
Ma►tineau, who allowed them to lake refuge in her house.
It was true that the child might have on passing the Prusecu-
trix made use of the term Mother Cads, which certainly
was wrung, bat it was not a crime that had been taken into
the contemplation of the Legislature, and maid not be an
apology for a violent assault on a child with her
arms. Then what the Pi osecertsix complained of she
brought on herself He wonld be the last man to say that
that was sullicie•t to authorise the attack which bail been
made on her house; that was nut his defence ; he would
prove that I of the Defendants were not near the place,
and if he sbewed the Peusecutrix was mistaken as to the
ideality of some of the Defendants, it would be for the coo.
sidermion of the Jury whether she might have not been mis-
taken as to the iiienty of the others. He would call his
wits , and he had no doubt but the Jury would retu►u a
verdict of acquittal.
Mary Adams stated, that she was servant to Mrs. Marti-
nese, of Queen's-buildings, Brompton; that she heard the
Defe•d.at, Hannah Denman,mreaming in the street on the
day laid in the indictment; site opened the street door by
the direction of her mieticss, •nd admitted her into the
beetle; she had an infant in her arms; she was so much
frightened when she came Into the hone• as not Si, be able
to articulate further than "fur God's sake keep the Lady Out
of the house!" meaning the Prosecutrix. The child's fore-
head and ears were bleeding; when she admitted the child.
len into the house of her mistiest, Mrs Middleton was stand-
ing on the step of the door, with • number of persons around
her. She afterwards knocked at the dour, and the witness
by the desire of her mistress opened it, and shut it iii her
fate.

A fillow.oervaot ottlbe lavt witness corroborated her tn.
limo's,.

George Grey, agent to the Court of Requests, slated, that
on the 13th of Augurs be saw the Preeecutrix at the steps dN
the at house in Queen's budding@ beating the Defendant,
Hannah Denman, in a moat cruel manner ; she beat her with
her hands, pulled her ears until the blood floued from them,
pulled her hair out by the mote, and knocked the infant
out of her arms. She was only rescued from her violence by
the door of Mrs. Martineau's being urn to give her a re.
treat.
Several of the parents of the other juvenile Defendants
proved that they were at home during the evenings laid is
indictment.

Mr. ADOLPHUS replied.
The CHASSIDIM summed up the evidence in bit usual im-
partial manner.
The Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty as to all the de-
fendant., which beiug made known to the persons outside of
the Court, there wax a general shoot of approhation.
Mr. ADOLPHUS complained of the acquittal. He said it
was obvious from the feeling which bad been just expressed
out of Court, that his dicta could not remain in the neigh-
bourhood of Brompton its safety, where she bad hitherto re-
mained fur such a number of years.
The Prosecutrix, who appeared to be suffering under a
vast deal of agitation, declared that she did not consider
her life would be safe it she returned home after the acquittal
Id the defesidauts.

The harvest is now over, and crops of every de-
scription gathered. Second crops of clover, brims,
•ud potatoes are in general cleared off the ground.
The produce is good in quality, and abundant is
quantity. A finer autumnal aced-Nue cannot be
remembered. As usual, in dry autumns, water is
scarce.—(lVetecastk Chronicle./

11Pu

POLICE'.

.m•nislin.•

so*-snast.

testerriay the Silting Magistrates were Sir Richard Birnie,
Beckett, Esq. and Halls, Esq. the newly ap-
pointed Magistrate to this office.
George ingrain and Joseph Ashford were charged on sus-
picion of rubbing the shop of Mr. Morris, • silk-mercer, iu
Holywell.street, upon several 0CC11410119.
Mr. Owen Morris stated, that his shop had lately been
robbed of two lengths of satin, one of twenty yards, and
the other of fifteen yards, which he suspected had been
stolen by two men who had been at his shop on two preced-
ing mornings at no early hour, and in commipience be gave
directions lobs informed when they came again. This morn-
ing, about twenty minutes put seven o'clock, he was in-
formed the same two men were in his shop; be went on his
stairs to watch them; they proved to be the Prisoners, who
appeared to be dealing with his brother, who accompanied
the Prisoner Ashford from the back shop to the front, leav-
ing Ingram in the back shop; they at length purchased a
small quantity of satin, and were leaving the shop, but be
stopped them, telling them his shop bad lately been twice
robbed, and accused them of the theft ; he then sent fur a
unstable, and had them ram, into motody.
Robert Morris, brother to the Prosecutor, stated, that on
Friday morning the Prisoner, Ashfued, tame into the shop at
haltpast seven o'clock, and purchased half a yard of rialto.
On Saturday morning, at the same early hour, both the Pri-
soners came into the shop and purchased half a yard of satin
and • quarter of a yard of velvet. After they were gone two
pices of green satin were missed from • shelf close in where
the Prisoner, Ingram, stood, and who could easily have
reached them unperceived while be was tugaged in serving
the Prisoner Ashford.
James Garrett, • lad in the employ of the Prosecutor,
stated, that the Prisoners came while he was opening the
shop, and confirmed the above.
They were committed for further examination.

Charlotte Briggs was charged with robbing Mr. Ken.
stilton Lewis, of George-street, in the Adtlphi, and who
also has a residence in Kentish Town, where his children are
principally kept. The Prisoner was in his employ as •
servant, and had the care of the children for two years and a
balf, during which time she hied been rubbing him in various
ways, and ill-treatieg the children, which was discovered
and brought to light in rather an ellrsurilinary manse rtaasThe Prosecutor and his Lady took one of their little girleNo
school to France, when the child told her parents, that, being
then out of the reach of the Prisoner, she would tell thews
of the bad conduct of the Prisoner, which she was before
staid to do, owing to the threats from the Prisoner, ouch se
" flaying her alive," and other horrid acts of punishment; mad
had bee• iu the habit of beating her most true Ily,knocking her
down and kicking her, which acts of cruelty she had exercised
over her brothers ■nd sisters, and stated other acts which
caused suspicion that considerable depredations had been
committed, which were confirmed o• their return to Eng-
laud on their causing an iuquiry to take place, when they
discovered that instead of three quarts of nia a day wn.en
they bad allowed for the children, she hid only taken one,
oat of which milk was taken foe the family's tea ; •o that
the children were kept upon little better than brad and
water. On searching her box there were foiled a gold ring,
necklaces, silk stockings, a quantity of lace, lace caps, &r.
the privily of Mrs. Lewis, also several articles of childieu's
wearing apparel.
The Prisoner was committed to Menai, for trial.
A gentleman of the name of Buyion, who, we understamd,
is residieg ift Ifuik.street, or York•pl.ce. Lambeth, stated
that a few days since he had lust his pocket-book near the
Asylum ; it contained a security of upwards of thirteen hun-
dred pounds, a bill upon Ireland fur 250/. besides several
other valuable papers He did nut advertise it, being ad
*lied not to do so, and conceiving that if it was found by a
respectable person it would be returned, and if nut so, he
should not recover it. On Saturday a man called at his house
during his absence, and in a couversateon with his wife, he
acknowledged that he knew the person who had found the
porket-buok ; he inconsequence told his wife that if the man
called with his p.ecket-Meek,•ud its contents, that she might
give him ten or fifteen shilling., which lie thought sufficieut,
or she might even emend it to twenty shillings.
The Magistrate to reply told him, that the man he com-
plained of detaining his pocket-book and its contests had
been at the office before him, and had slated his care, and
as to hi■ conduct he had nothing to say, it probably
might have bees otherwise; mid a■ to Mr. lloytou's cow
duct be did net think it had been that of • generous gentle-
man, and he thought the sum of fifteen shillings, which the
man stated was the most that bad been offered him, by vouch
too little at any rate Nettie trouble lie had had in making in.
qui►ies for four or five days before he found him out, iu ad-
dittoes to the muneuse value of the rape's.
Mr. Boron treated the value of the parent with indiffer-
epee, saying he could get some renewed, and others he could
get the payment stopped.
The Magistrate informed l.im he could render him no as-
sistance in compelling the man to deliver them up, and his
only remedy would be by an action at law, in which he
thought he would experience considerable difficulty in prov-
ing that the man was possessed of the papers.
Mr Huston intimated that he shuuld pre fer applying to
the Lord Chancellor fur oini injunction to that of rewarding
the man, as suggested by the Magistrate.

UNION-HALL.
A GAMBLING HOUSE DISTURBED.

Yesterday *Weals young men dreamed i• the suitcase of
fashion, were brought up to this other charged as rogues and
•azabunds.

It appear►d, that for some time past the inhabitants of Lam-
beth-road hare been annoyed by the ontrageuese scenes which
were nightly carried on au the house of a per sun named Dm-
nerd, near the Gus Tavern; and front what teanspired, it re-
gaited no great penetration to discover that ibe place was a
receptacle fur gamesters. A complaint was accordingly made
to the Magistrates of this Office, who itoeseil a general search
warrant, and at nine o'clock on Saturday eight she whole
posse coffinifalur proceeded to Baruard's house to put the
same into execution. By a dexterous main:entree they gained
admission, and entered the play-room before the com•
piety were disturbed; their first ohji-ct was to seize she
bank, which contained a large suns of moony, then the
cards, dice, and other gasoblitig utensils, which, being
screwed, they next produced the warrant, and called upon she
company to surrender. No opposition was made, and they
were all tarried off to the luck-up house in coaches. One
person named O'Callaghan ran off, but had the misfortune
to come in contact with a punt, by which he sprained his
aim, and hurt his ribs very much; he was •f.er wards taken
and lodged with the rest.
The penmen now exhibited a strange mixture. There
were Cnplaisa who never shot a coclesparrusr, Lawlor,
who never took a brief, Doctors who could Lever get a let,
and the rest were " young Irmo upon tone." There were,
however, two or three unthinking youths of respectable
families, who had been led into the concern by some of the
Professors, and two rulers is the bench ; the former seemed
much ashamed of their situations, but the taller, who were
not quite so squeamish, took things in good part.
The Prisoneis made vatiou• excuses, hut none of them
could deny the specific part of the charge.
The Magistrates then ordered the whole party to find goad
sureties, and Barnard, the landlord, was required to give t 4
hours stake of his bail.

ROBBERIES.

A few days ago the dwelling house of Mr. Charles Cooper,
No. ISO, Upper North-place, was broken into •nd robbed
of sovereigns and bask notes to the amount of LOOM.
On Friday night last the limns of John Brown, Ilaq at
Lower Halllford, near Sheppertou, was ecti.red by thieves,
who succeeded in carrying off a large quantity of plate, tea,
linen, and wearing apparel. It has been aseertmned that
the robbers remained on the premises fur three hours, dor tog
which time they regaled themselves with some cold meat,
sad drank a considerable portion of brandy.
The house of W. Ord was broken into by Maus of
fattiag opts the shutters of one of the rooms on the mound
ilban, end property of every description carried off to the
meant 03001,

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