The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-14 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

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SPORTINO CII4RACTER3.—Mr. George Henry Gregory, the
proprietor of the subscription-rooms in George-street, Hanover-
square, yesterday preferred a charge of assault against a Mr. Fwd.
who is already trammelled by the exhibition of articles of the peace
towards a certain other gewlernan and all his Majesty's subjects.
Mr. Gregory stated himself to be the owner of the billiard-rooms
in George-street, of which the defendant is a subscriber; that on
Wednesday evening, about half-past ten, he was in conversation
with a subscriber, an the subject of -a difference of opinion between
Mt. Ford and himself that occurred the dsy before, when the de-
fin:lant walked towards them, and desired to know it the conversa-
tof had any reference to him. He (Mr. Gregory) said it partly
had and pat tly had not, on which the defendant tilt himself onr:d.
ed at what he supposed an insulting license being taken with his
disputes; an I w tln ut waiting for an explanation, took a goblet of
porter from this table, ar.d threw it over him, which was as quickly
followed by the glass limp'. Complainant evaded the force of the
glass, which fell to the ground and was broke. Freon the irritation
of temper in which Mr. Ford appeared to be, complainant left
the room, and called in the assistance of the watch.

The watchman said lie was called in by Mr. Gregory to remove
a gentleman who was creating a great disturbance in the rooms,
and told the gentleman he must go with him to the watch-house.
The gentleman (Mr. Ford) took up a stick, and, with the thick
end of it. levelled it at the head of witness, who would have re-
ceived the blow but for the interference of a gentleman. who seized
the arm of the defendant, who said he would cut off the head of
ant o le who attempted to arrest him.
The gentleman who interfered between the defendant and the
wa:chinan thought the conduct of the latter very much to blame;
had he done his duty in a civil and proper way, no disturbance
would have been created ; in reality, he thought the watchman was
endeavouring to make it a general row.
31r. Fonl did not wish to dispute the action of throwing the por-
ter over Mr. Gregory, who was tauntingly giving him great provo-
cation. AVlien the watchman came in he behaved in a very in.
stdting manner, wanted to drag him off from the rooms to which
he was a subscriber, and equally entitled to be there with any gen-
tleman. The watchman called hint an impudent scoundrel and
other offensive epithets. The stick of wh'ea the watchman spoke
was one of the maces of the billiard table, at which he had been
playing when the fracas occurred.
111 r. Hot: told 111 r. Ford he must enter into sureties for the as-
sault on Mr. fireg.ey, and that on the watchman. The parties
retired into the Clerk's office to enter into reeognizances. As is
too often the care with defer.dants in sitnilar situations, this de-
fendant " cried' wolf" before he was oat of the wood," by telling
Mt. Gregory that he had not obtained his ea d, that he should take
all tlie responsibility on himself, come to the rooms, and do as he
liked. _ _ _

Mr. Gregory returned to the Magistrate to complain of the con-
structive threat in the very hearing of 31agistracy, and Mr. Ford
was recalled. _ .

Mr. Ford admitted his allusion to responsibility and doing as h
liked. IVhat he meant was, tnat being a subscriber he bad a pri.
vilege of visiting the rooms, notwithstaodiug the proc:edings of
the day. As to any threat towards Mr Gregory, it was the far-
thest Irom his intention ; ha most assuredly should not strike an
old gentleman like Mr. Or gory.
Mr. ROE intimated to Mr. Ford, the recognizances under which
tie was already, and that if he persisted in annoying Mr. Gregory,
he should require his sureties to be doubled. !le would recom-
mend him,asthe safest course, not to visit the rooms.

Mr. Forildid not give an undertaking not logo to Mr. Gregory's.
because he considered he could not be excluded, but promised not
to commit a breach of the pence.
The sureties were entered into, and the parties retired, indif-
ferently satisfied.
HOUSE-WARMING AT A BROTHEL. —Joseph Smith was or.
dered to find two respectable housekeepers as bail, for a riot created
in his house in Cranbourn-passage, in which the usual cry of
" IVst:h and murder," was evidenced.
Mr. HARMER was the solicitor fur the defendant, but the evi-
dence of torn coats' cut heads, and the testimony of neighbours as
to the scene of disorder, was too strong to admit of any thing mitt.
gitory in the prisoner's favour. The riot lasted three Ito rs,
during which time five persons were captured and sent to the watch.
houa . One fellow (Jumph Williams), was nearly denuded in his
resistance. The watchman hail his hat cleft asunder, and the sleeve
of his watch-coat carried away. Five were held to bail, some for
single assaults and others for double. It was said Wednesday
evening was the opening of the new accommodation.
The prisoner pretended not to know how it hail been occasioned,
and that he had been a :;great sufliaer. for during the lighting the
mub had broke every thing in his house.
Mr. Hot: told Smith and 3lr. Harmer, that he should imme-
diately go to the overseers or St. Ann's parish, and show the
ne-
cessity of indicting the house.