The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-07 00:00:00

SWINDLING.

.....
lIATTON-GARDEN. SEPTEMDFIt 6.—Another of those often
repeated tricks which the cupidity of tradesmen allow to be played
off upon them was investigated at this office to-day. A tall young
msn, of deep olive complexion, and dressed in the first style of
fashion, was charged with having swindled Mr. Wingfield, the
proprietor of the White Hart Hotel, Holborn, out of the accom-
modation of a sitting-room and bed-room, with the necessary ac-
companiments of soups and vermicelli, wine, and walnuts, for the
space of two entire days, in figures GI. 3a. 3d. The genaeatins
palmed himself upon the hotel-keeper as a 3lr. Boller, a Demerara
proprietor, from which place he had only just arrived, and that his
. _

luggage was still on hoard the vessel lying at the docks. Ile then
asked if he could be accommodated with a pair of horses and a ser-
vant, as he was particularly partial to riding. Mr. Wingfield said
he had better apply to some of the livery stable-keepers, and men-
tioned the name ot one, Mr. Anderson, of Gray's Inn-lane. The
hint was taken, and the following day the gentleman turned out in
the very first style, mounted on a beautiful blood mare, and at-
' tended by a stna,,ly cockaded groom, and agreed to pay for the
establishment" the vulgar stipend of twenty guineas per month
during pleasure. Thus equipped, the supposed 'Nabob found little
difficulty in obtaining goods to any extent in the neighbourhood.
I Mr. Sergeant St LLOw—Have you any friends or acquaintance
in London to whom you can refer ?
jPrisoner —Olt ! yes, several Gentlemen of the first respectability.
Sergeant Bough knows me and my coonexions in India perfectly
' well.
It finally appeared by a letter found on the prisoner that his
name was Boma, though he assured the Magistrate that in assum-
ing the fictitious one of Boller he had no improper motive. As
the prisoner could not pay the several persona who appeared tomake
claims on him he was remanded for further examination.
MARI.3OIIOI/0/1-STREET, SErT:6.—Mr. Tate, a book Me-
-1 tioneer, residing in Holborn, appeared before Mr. Cowitryr, to
answer to a charge of assault preferred against him by Mr. James
Biggs, the deputy overseer of the united parishes of St. Gilea's
and St. George's, Bloomsbury.
By the statement of Mr. Biggs, it appeared that he went into the
shop of the defendant in Holborn, on Monday night, where the
defendant was selling books. After having knocked down a copy
of "Blair's Sermons." the auctioneer asked what book he should
next have the pleasure of offering to their entice; a looker-on
cried out '• Fanny Hill !" and 31r. Tate thinking that it was
meant as an insult, got down from his desk, and mistaking Mr.
Biggs for the offender, began kicking and otherwisesssaulting
him. Ur. Biggs accordingly gave the auctioneer over to the
watchman, and he, as a matter of course, appeared here this
morning.
The auctioneer In defence said, that Mr. Biggs had been for
I some time using very improper language, and that he was not able
to endure it any longer, therefore he endeavoured to turn him out
of the shop.

The Magistrate ordered the auctioneer to put in bail to appear
at the Seslion3.

A parish watchman was fined frs. for appearing in a state of ine-
briety at the office.

A MURDEROUS PLOT DISCOVERED.

A youth, about 18, named Edward Cleveland, late a groom in
the service of Mr. Robinson, a gentleman of fortune, residing at
No. 811, Greek-street, Soho-square, who has been several days in
custody, charged with committing very extensive depredations on
his master's property, was brought betere the Magistrate for final
examination. It unfortunately happened, that Mr. Robinson took
the prisoner into his service without ascertaining his character from
his former master. The neceuity of this precautionary step will
appear more than ever obvious, from the conduct of this wholesale
plunderer. From the day he entered Mr. Robinson's service, that
gentleman was continually missing articles of every description, but
more particularly from his library, but so plausibly did the prison-
er conduct himself, that Mr. It. never once suspected him. Indeed
the apparent application of the 1...! to reading and writing, induced
a very favourable opinion en be entertained of him, and Mr. Ro-
binson, finding that he had acquired the specious show of educe.
tion by reciting pieces of poetry, would sometimes introduce him
to his friends, that he might display his talent that way. About
six weeks ago. Mr. Robinson went to France fur a short time, but
before his departure he discharged the prisoner, because Mrs. Ro-
binson, his mother, had, from the commencement, disliked the
prisoner, and did not wish him to remain in the house in the ab-
sence of her son ; but the prisoner was not suffered to take away his
boxes, because he had borrowed a sum of 41. of the housekeeper,
which he was not prepared to pay. Mr. Robinson was not long
gone to France, before a discovery was made of sew and greater de-
predations,
which, on Mr. Robinson's return, led to the appre. ,
hension of the prisoner, when the particulars stated in the BRITISSI
PRESS of the 30th August were ascertained, by which it appeared
the prisoner, in concert with his mother and others, had robbed
his master of property to a very considerable amount. Various
lother articles (not 31r. R.'s) werefountl stale houseof the prisoner's
I mother, some of which were marked with the name of Mr. Ham-
mond, the prisoner's late master. But great as have been the
losses sustaincii by Mr. Robinson through the prisoner's means,
they are nothing when compared with the injury with which hint.
selt sad his family appear to have been threatened. Within these
few days, and since the prisoner has been in custody, a letter had
been thrown Into the area of Mr. Robinson's house, addressed to
that gentleman, well worded and written, but evidently in a feigned
hand, which describes a plot laid for therobbery of ha house, and
the destruction of his whole family, either by setting the place on
fire, or otherwise, which would have been effected had not the ap-
prehension of " one person," es the letter says, now in custody.'
broken up the design, which the writer of the letter says he had
himself entered into, having been led on by the plausible intrigues
of others, and having unfortunately from evil habits, listened
particularly to the counsels of " one person." But the welter is
now struck with remorse at the design, and takes the earliest op.l
portunity of cautioning Mr. Robinson, even still, although he
does not now think there is danger, to search every part of his house
nightly, before he goes to rest. On one night, he says, all would
have been accomplished, had not the old lady been awoke and got up
(this alludes to one night that Mr. Robinson's mother, after
going to bad, thought she heard a noise, and got up, and had
the house searched), for there was then a person concealed in the
house to let others in, but who escaped, on hearing the old lady get
up. After many more particulars and cautions, the writer says,
that were he known to be the author of such information, his life
would be the sacrifice, awl is the desperation of the gang he has to
deal with. Since the receipt of this letter, many. circumstances
have struck upon the minds of Mr. Robinson and Ins family. Such
as the prisoner Cleveland having been often, since his dismissal,
found at all hours, late and early, in the house, without any one
being able to tell how he got in, and his pretences, to which much
attention was not paid, was, that lie came to get something out of
his box. A gentleman on a visit with Mr. Robinson on smother
night, heard footsteps on the stairs, when the family were in bed,
and got up to see who it was, but could perceive no person. Since
the Information conveyed in the anonymous letter, Mr. Robinson
has adopted every means of security, having a good supply of
arms, &c. in the house, and makes a regular nightly search to see
that every thing is secured. Mr. Hammond, the termer master of
the prisoner, was expected to come forward this day, but be is
supposed not to be in town, and the prisoner was fully committed
for trial, on the charge of stealing two articles of jewellery, which
were produced and identified by Mr. Robinson.
The prisoner observed, that he supposed there must be a sort
of trial and, until then, he should not say any thing.
MELANCHOLY EFFECTS OF SEDUCTION.

MAHY7LATIiONNE7 IlOSißieeitillir.;CL;e was
witnessed at this Office, and which appalled every individual
present.
It is the custom, at stated periods, for the Parish Officers to
' bring to the Office, in order to make the necessary affidavits, those
unfortunate persons who have been seised with madness, in order
to their being forwarded to the Lunatic Asylums, to which custody
they cannot be consigned unless the course described be adopted.
Two females were by them this day brought up, one of them, an
elderly woman, was raving mad, and her frightful cries excited the
deepest commiseration. The other was the opposite, depicting
that almost incurable state of the disease, called "melancholy
madness," and on being brought before the Magistrate she was
recognised to be the unfortunate victim of seduction, the beautiful
Miss Maria Douglas ; but no more like what she was when last
at the Office than night is to day. Her eyes were sunken and
hollow, and the death-like paleness of her face showed the deep
inroads of affliction upon her evidently susceptible mind. She
was attired in the pauper dress, and confined in the strait-waist-
coat (like her unhappy companion) having attempted suicide in
the work-house. Both were under the evident control of some
nurses who accompanied them.

The opportunity, and the conversation that took place respecting
her case, has enabled our reporter to give the most affecting par-
ticulars connected with her unfortunate situation.

Miss Douglas is now about nineteen years of age, and is the
daughter of a highly respectable family, but who, from accidental
causes, have been dashed from the highest style of life to the very
extreme of poverty. Her father, it was said, died of a broken
heart, caused by his misfortunes. His daughter, moving in a
splendid sphere, and possessing, in addition to an extremely hand.
some person, accomplishments of the first order, received the atten-
tions of a number of very respectable gentlemen, and shortly be-
fore the general wreck of her father's fortune, she fell a victim to
the arts of a most accomplished seducer of rank, but whose name
she will not divulge, although she admits he is of a noble house.
She resided in a cottage in St. John's Wood with him for some
time, but very soon was deserted, and then,the dark clouds of ad-
versity began to collect around her. She, about four months since,
being ejected from the cottage, having disposed of almost every-
thing, and abhorring the courses of profligacy, determined upon
committing suicide, and, in the night-time, was observed wander-
ing near the canal in the Regent's Park, by a watchman, who, from
her evident agony. of mind, followed her, and saw her plunge into'
the water, and sink. fie quickly procured assistance, and just as
she rose to the surface, succeeded in rescuing her by catching
her hair. She was immediately taken in a state of insen.
sihility w one of the lodges, and the usual restoratives being
applied, she was restored to sensibility, and on the following morn.
mg brought to the office, when her attempted suicide was detailed.
She very unwillingly stated to the Magistrate the history of herself,
and the causes that led to a determination to rid herself of life and
sorrow at the same time. Her misfortunes excited pity, and she re.
ceived some relief ; and the publication of the case in the news.
papers led many benevolent persons-to send money to the office
for her use. She was then very elegantly dressed, and extremely
beautiful, but to-day presented an afflicting contrast and those
appearancri which precede a premature death. On the occasion
above alluded to, an asylum was procured for her in Chapel_
street, Llason-grove ; but she had not long been there, before the
weight of her affliction brought on the disease of the mind. She
was removed to We infirmary, and very soon the complaint became
evidently settled. Having attempted some days ago to cut her
throat the usual restraint was applied, and in the state described
she was brought to the office.
Mr. flossixs asked Mr. Goodger, the parochial surgeon, his
opinion of her state of mind.
Mr. Goodger said she was insane.
Miss Douglas mildly, and bursting into tears, " No, Sir, I beg
leav,: to Say that I am not deranged, indeed I am rot. I am only
ill, and will soon be well again."
Mr. Hoseirta—You then are not well in health.
Miss Douglas—Oh, dear DO, but i am not mad; I am quiet ;
a circumstance has occurred which affitcts me.
Mr. Hosixites-.-Will you describe that?
Miss Douglas—Oft, Sir, I cannot now, its a long story and an
affecting ore, the circumstance ;marred some time ago, and has

made me very unhappy; it is silely of a private nature. /I ut lam
not mad, oh no, I am not mad, L am only unhappy.
Mr. OS N s—Aye your parents alive.
Miss Douglas sighing, I have no friend living. She then sat
down almost exhausted, and the lassitude of the disease appeared
gradually stealing over her.
The order for her removal was then made out. The other woman
appeared not to understand say thing, but swore and raved with
the most frightful vehemence.
They were removed in a coach.

LAMBETH-STREET, SEPT. 6.—A complaint was made at this
office, by Charles Oliver, Esq. against a Waterman, for demandthg
and receiving more than his legal fare, in conducting him to r
steam-boat off Thames Stairs. The fact having been proved,
Mr. 'WYATT, the Magistrate, said, he was much suprised at
seeing a case precisely similar to the present reported as having
occurred at another office, wherein the Magistrate was made to say
that thcre was no remedy in such cases. The public were as amply
provided against abuses of this description, and remedies provided
for them, as they were in every other ordinary grievance. His
Worship then referred to Stat. 31, Geo. 111. c. 65, s. 20, which enacts
that if any waterman should demand and receive a higher fare for
this labour than should be set and assessed by the Lord Mayor
sod Court of Aldermen of the City of London, he should forfeit a
sum not exceeding twenty shillings, and not less than fire. The
latest assessment of fares, made during the mayoralty of Alderman
Coombes, in 1803, fixed the sum for crossing the river at 2d. This
be conceived tp be quite inadequate ; but such-being thsestablished
rand legal maximum, the waterman subjected himself to the penal-
ties of the Statute if he demanded more. The worthy Magtstrat,
then convicted the defendant in the penalty of 20s. It however wa
mitigated to the sum of 10s. with costs.
The defendant immediately paid the penalty, and the parties lel: