The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-16 00:00:00

POLICE.

CHARGE (t.F ASSAULT.
71lagsrog-Hou SE.—Mr. Dish the Lottery-office-keeper and
appeared before the Loan 3IAIOR, to answer a charge of
*smith preferred against him by a parson named C. J. Willett,
who lives at No. it), Meeting-linuse-walk, in the Borough.
The prosecutor stated that he gets his living by making pattens.
He was dragging a truck across London Bridge, when he suddenly
received a cut across the shoulders from Mr. Dish, who was passing
over the bridge ; this was followed by a second cut, for which he
could ascribe no motive, and he immediately endeavoured to obtain
the defendant's name ; the litter, however, drove on, and might
have got away but for a stoppage. He then came up with the de-
fendant's gig, and hid hold of the rails; but the defendant cut him
severely, and beat him on the knuckles with the butt-end of his
whip. The prosecutor said that he then certainly did make use of
some epithets towards the defendant which he ought not to have
made use of towards such a gentleman ; but be declared he was
greatly. irritated, and could net help it.
A witness, who was at the time a by-stander, declared that this
statement was perfectly correct.
Mr. SW), who had smiled during the prosecutor's statement,
said, " Why, my Lord, the fact is, that I was going over the
bridge with a spirted horse ; there were two 'fluor of carts and ear.
ringer., with room enough for me to pass; hut this man here, who
was following behind a waggon, got out of the rank before me, and
prevented my passing. I called out to him repeatedly, but he paid
no attention to nie, and I certainly did give him a cut or two, as he
statts, for my horse was very spirited, and might have been res-
tive. He afterwards came up, and would have created a deal of
disturbance."
The prosecutor, who seemed a very peaceably disposed and me.
dent kind at man, here said, he must declare most positively, that
he never did draw out of his rank, and that be could bring witnesses
to prove the fact.
The hoar) Maio* said he must believe the complainant's oath
in preference to Mr. Dish's statement. Even on Mr. Dish's own
admission, his Lordship could not help saying that he (Mr. Dish)
was in the wrong. Ile should know, that even those who draggal
trucks were human beings, who were rot disposed to bear quietly
the application of the whip, especially when they were not conscious
of having merited it.
Dlr. Bah—Well, my Lord, if you think so, I have no objection
to ray the man any money that will satisfy him. I would rather
do dint to get rid of the thing, and not be troubled any more

about it.
• Hu boat:ism assented. Mr. Dish nodded to Air. gs4er. his
solicitor, who retired with the prosecutor. Mr. Dish left the Jus-
tice-room and as the parties were not seen again there, it is to be
pret.umed that the case was settled.
SERIOUS JOKE.
A Lancashire man, earned Dolphin, was charged by the land.
lord of a Walk-house at Spanow-eorner, with haying stolen a huge
table, which is capable of accommodating 10 persona.
The landlady said, that whilst she was busy attending to hat
customers, she wars surprised by the information that one of her
largest and best tables had disappeared. On looking out, she saw
the prisoner making Wunder the cumbrous load. He was per.
sued and brought back with it. All in the house Marvelled how-he
bad kot it out. It was nearly lOolb. weight, and extremely cum-,
bmannic.
The prisoner, who, in appearance, was a sort of Durdolph
character, put on a droll countenance, and said, " A a'am fro
Loneashire, my Lord ; an when a get a drop o'drink or so, a'am
fowl o'frolicksome tricks. There woe a chap me that bikes
a'bit a mischief—and, as we seed 'cm busy we customers, he
put it into my yead to nip off the table, just to see what they'd say
when they saw it was gone. It was only a bit of a drunken joke,
Try Lord. '•
The LORD MAYOR said they did net comprehend such jokes
in London.
The landlady shook her head at the prisoner's defence, and
said, that he had taken no liquor, and showed no inetuptoms of
drunkeiniesa before he made off; but when he was brought back,
and au officer sent for, he pretended to be in liquor, and was ex-
ceedingly jocular.
'riaaner—l declare, on my word, my Lord, it was only a
joke ; .f I had intended to meal it, I should have taken a nturepriw
rate oppor unity to get st . .
The Loan Nero According to your ortp account, yolks% a,
favourable opportunity : for they were all engaged, and yor_vog•
nit seen to go out with it. A Jury of twelve men must decide fit
the probability of your story.
" A Jury !" exclaimed the prisoner, whose rubicund eountenaree4
underwent a remarkable clump: of colour upon the information,
" you will hardly be so severe.'
The Lours MAYOR examined him as to his means of getting
livelihood, which appeared by no means satisfactory. He said he
dealt in stationery, but could give no account of his stock in trade;
',either would lie be explicit as to his last residenCe.
Ile was fully committed to take his trial for the capital offnace,
and he was led away, exclaiming against the cruelty of putting him
in nu ell jeaparela,for what, he persisted in saying, was no wore than
a joke.