The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-04 00:00:00

UNION-HALL

.......
Yesterday Josh Bigbort of pugilistic celebrity, and two of his
pals or compantons, appeared at the Office. before the sitting Al a-
gwrate, R. J. CHAMBERS, Esq., charged with having asuitilted a
whole room Nil of company by daalung glasses of hot brandy and
water at their beads.

From the statement of the landlord at the sign of the Europa
tavern, in the Borough, it appeared that Josh sod the other two
defendants entered the Mice-mom on Saturday, ant: havieg pa-
nished two bottles of wine, besides sundry glasses of warm brandy
and water. they commenced " chaffing' some of the company,
who manifested their displeasure at such freedom, and remies.ed
that the defendants would keep their own company, and not dis-
turb the hilarity that had previously reigned in the house. The
defendants, however, became more and more troublesome. until at
length the whole company became unanimously of opinion that the
absence of Josh and his two friends could be well dispensed with,
and for that purpose, without committing any breach of the peace,
it was suggested to them that unless they could conduct them-
selves in a " gentleman-like manner" they had better withdraw al.
together from the house. No sooner was the intimation given than
the glasses of brandy and water then before the detendants were
flung at the heads of those who considered themselves insulted ; '
and such a " rumpus" took place, that it was found necessary to
cell in sonic watchmen, to whom the three defendants were given
in charge. At the conclusion of the above statterent, one U. the
parties who had been assaulted stepped tor ward, and said he had
never seen Josh, in particular. more "obstrupolesii" in Ids life.
Nis (Josh's) glass of brandy and water was particularly hot at the
time, and witness received the greater part of it with much force on
the left aide of the fare. Witness added, that when Josh was In
custody he wax " mighty bouneible," retusirg to make any apology
for the "row" he had created, and saying that he was mere Mile-
, pendent than any man in the parish ; that he could sport more
" blunt," and, in fact, that he did not care one straw about any
one, for he was his own master. _

The Magistrate here inquired whether the defendants were
drunk during the above circumstances, and ai.ether they had be-
come to in the house where the assaults were cornontteti, for if so,
the landlord deserved severe censure.

The landlord of the Europa declared that Josh and his compa-
nions were tipsy when they came in ; that till he had served them
with vit.-re two bottles of wine and a glass of hot brandy and water
each, which latter was consumed in the way alio%e nutted.
Josh, however, contradicted the last witness's statement, and
said he could pence that instcad of two, nine glasses of brandy and
water followed the two bottles of wine, with the exception of the
little drop that was spilt during the affray that was so sterinuely-re.
presented to the Magistrate, and for which in fact the complainants
were equally blameable with those that had hem charged.
Mr. CIIA MUERI observed that this wacapuhlie-house squabble.
and as it appeared that Hudson and his friends were drunk at the
time, he would line them each fu. for that offmee to the King,
besides halt...a-crown to each of the constables and watchmen
who had the trouble e taking them into custody, and bringing
them to this office.

Jnih.—l won't pay nothing, your Worship ; l'd rather put in
ball and take it to the

tu 4312f:115-I shall also call upon each of you, the dr-
fendantv, to pay one sovereign a-piece to rine Charity, as a
pitnishirent ror the assaults you have couni.itted.
Joah.—lt's a hard care, Sir, that 114 g:adienten should have to
pay ro dearly fur a little bit of a Saturday night's frolic. 1 can't
sr' rd it, Sir—really I can't Sir, :tud that is the truth.
Ore of the cnroelaining party, who had gnt a snaking with the
br-ntly and woter, pressed forward. and addressing the Magistrate.
said, •• we Hall be perfectly satisfied if Mr. Josh and bi% friends
pay a pound each to some charity. Mr. Hodson is well able to
afford it. li.id bless my soul ! (ejaculated the witness) bow very
much crest-fallen Jolt'. is to-day—one should think he was not the