The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-18 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

On Saturday, WiSam Ledge, a green-grocer in Grub-street, was
brought up in custody, on a charge of attempting to bring spirits
into Whitecross-suret prison.
Mr. Spencer, the governor of the prison, stated, that for some
time put spirits had evidently been brought into the prison in sonic
secret manner, in consequence of which he wan very diligent in en
deavouring to discover the means by which it was introduced ; and
that morning, the prisoner having brought a bag of coals into the
prison, he examined it, and found two bladders of gin, containing
each a gallon, in the centre of the coals. The witness produced the
bladders with the spirits.
The prisoner being called on for his defence, said it was his first
offence; be had lately been a prisoner in the prison himself, and
had sold everything he had in the world to get out, and was unable
to pay any floe.
Aldan/an SCHOLZ!, the sitting Alderman, read to him the
clause in the Act of Parliament, which imposed for his offence a
fine not less than Inf. nor more than 20L—aad, in default of pay.
meet, imprisonment not exceeding three months ; and, in con-
sideration of his poverty, directed that he should pay a tine of 101.
or be imprisoned one month.
Before the prisoner had left the bar, an officer of the prison who
had charge of the spirits, stated to the Alderman that it bad been
taken front him by a person in the room.
The Alderman desired the person to stand forward, which be
instantly did.
The Alderman then asked him by what authority he bad taken
the spiting from the person who had it in his possession?
The person replied, that he was an officer of excise, and bad re.
aired information that two gallons of spirits were brought there
without a permit, and came to seize it, as it was his duty to do, and
which he had accordingly done.
The Alderman, who, as well as the auditory, appeared rather
surprised at this declaration, asked him was be come to that Court
to obstruct the course of justice . . .

_.....__ .
The officer replied he was not, but to perform his duty by seizing
the spirits.
The Act of Parliament was referred to, by which it appeared,
that spirits so seized should be destroyed.
The Alderman, in consequence, directed it to be taken outside
the door, and spilled.
Something fell from the excise officer on this order being given,
from which it was inferred that he meant to seize the spirits when
it should be brought outside the door.
The Alderman, in consequence.detained him in the Justice-room
till the spirits was so disposed of, when the very vigilant officer wee
allowed w depart.
Peter Fardy, a porter in Newgate-market, was brought up on a
charge of stealing a carcass and a half-carcass of mutton.
Ourand, a watchman, stated, that he met the prisoner soon after
three o'clock in the morning, carrying a pack, which contained the
mutton then produced, being a carcass and a half. The prisoner,
not being able to give a good account of himself, he brought him
and the mutton to the watchhouse.

A wagoner stated, that he brought two packs of mutton from
Turnham-green to Nicwgate-street, directed to Hale and Holes,
salesmen, in Nurgate-market, about three in the morning. He car-
ried one of the packs from the waggon to Hal. and Hole's store,
which, not being open, he laid it at the door, and went to fetch the
Diller. On coming with it, he found the first had been taken away.
lle immediately gave an alarm, and the prisoner was taken to the
watchhouse, where he found it. The pack of mutton produced
wee the same he lost. _ _ _ _

The prisoner, in his defence, said, he had just come to the
market to look fur work, and was employed by a man he did not
know, to carry the pack of mutton found on hint to Whitecrosa•
strtet.

The Alderman told him, if the Jury would believe that story it
would save hint, but fie must certainly uc committed for trial.
John Brow's, a man of immense size, was charged by Thomas
Lukiii, a shoemaker in Bartholomew-clove, with stealing a pair of
shoes.

-..---
Mr. Lukin stated, that the prisoner came into his shop on Friday,
and fitted himself with a pair of shoes, which he desired to be laid
by for him, and went out. At that moment witni sett son told him
the prisoner had taken a pair of shoes under hi, coat. Witness
instantly followed, and caught hold of the prisoner, but he turned
round and threw witness down with a violence that, amongst other
injuries, dislocated one of his fingers.
Mr. Luktrin non proved that he saw the prisoner steal the shoes,
and saw them drop from him when pursued.
The prisoner said he was a German, and had served long in the
English navy, and would go from the oflice on board a ship to to.
turn home, if he was allowed.
The Alderman told him he must answer for his offence, and
committed hint for trial.
801 V-STREET.
- - - - -

..„
On Saturday, Mrs. Ekanor Ilarley was brought before the Ma.
gistrate, on the charge made by her husband, as mentioned in our
paper of Saturday, of unlawfully . pawning; when the evidence
against her not being deemed sulhoent, the worthy magistrate dis-
missed the complaint.
Miss Thomas then requested that the prisoner might be bound
over to keep the peace towards her, she having repeatedly threatened
to do her some bodily injury, and circulated reports sn injurious
to her character, that she had lost several of her pupils in conse-
quence.
piss Thomas then produced several letters she had received from
the prlsoner, ti.e language of which was of such a description, that
the worthy magistrate edict be felt himself bound to call upon the
prisoner to find bail to keep the peace towards Miss Thomas.
Several respectable gehtlemen spoke of Miss Thoinio in the
highest terms, and said that the prisoner had called on diem, and
made charges of the most revolting nature against alias T.
The :Magistrate (Mr. MINSIIULL) said he did not I,lieve any
of the statements made by the prisoner respecting Miss Thomas,
whom he considered • very respectable young woman, and wltv.c
character was in no way lessened in his opinion by the insinuati.n.,
thrown out by the prisoner, wham he ordered to find bail to keep
the peace towards her liusbend and Miss Thonuo, which, not be-
ing able to do, she wan sent to prison.