The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-08 00:00:00

POLICE.

COUNTERFEIT COIN.
Itlawstox-itot:sr.—On Tuesday • man named Jones was
brought before the Lu RD IAY 0 tt, on a charge of uttering coun-
terfeit coin.
The Solicitor of the Mint attended to conduct the prosecution.
The chief witness was a Jew, named Abraham Samuel Romaine,
who stated himself to be a confectioner residing at Nu. 8, Brewer-
street. His face, however, has been long known as one amongst
those idlers who are s'en hanging about police-offices. Ile stated
that a set of fellows in Petticoat-lane and its neighbourhood, who
made tht it living by-passing bail money, had threatened to knock
his brains out if he attempted to follow them or troubled his head
about their concerns. Ile was determined to show them that he did
not tear their threats. Ile watched the prisoner into a house in
Bishopsgatr-street, which he knew was a place where bad money
was sold. He had seen him go tffire frequently. As soon as the
prisoner came out, he ran and seized him. The prisoner broke away
from hint in a struggle, but Newson and another officer came up,
and they secured him. They found upon him a bag, containing •
large quantity of counterfeit shillings and sixpences.
The Loan M•von (addressing the Solicitor of the Mint)—
Why don't you take up these people, keeping /Well houses as this,
in Itishopsgste-steert, for the wholesale circulation of counterfeit
coin ?--The Solicitor matte a reply, in a whisper to his leirdship ;
but we understood he represented that the difficulties in such cases
were extreme.
11r. Feild, the inspector to the Mint, proved the coin produced
to be counterfeit, and ready for circulation.
The witness Romaine underwent a long examination. He dr
elated that his motive for apprehending the prisoner was purely the
public good. Ile denied having had any previous communication
wi h Mr. Powell on the subject. He admitted that he had been in
gaol for a conspiracy, but declared he was punished unjustly.
The two Bow-street Officers declared they were near the spot at
the tittle quite accidentally.
The prisoner's detente was, that the whole was a conspiracy. He
declared thst he picked up the bug in the street, and was immedi-
ately after seized by Romaine.
Two witnesses came forward to give him a good character. They
knew him a long time ago, when they knew no harm of hint ; but
they had not known much of his proceedings for a year and a half
past.
Three of the Officers said they thought they knew the prisoner,
but a shade over one eye greatly altered his countenance.
The Loan Alavo• asked the prisoner what was the matter
with his eye /—The prisoner said he had had leeches on it.
The LOUD MAY on ordered his eye to be examined, when no-
thing appearing to render a shade necessary, his Lordship said this
fact was with him decisive, and committed the prisoner to take his
trial.

WATERING-HOUSES-
Mr. Parker, the keeper of shat is called a watering-house, op-
posite Hatton-garden, was charged with having kept his house open
rafter twelve o'clock.
The fact was preyed by a very reluctant witness, who had got
into a row, which called for the interference of a watchman. This
persouage appealed to have a grudge against the landlord, and was
particularly ?casinos in the prosecution. The general good conduct
and care of the landlord was uot, however, impugned.
Mr. Parker said, the prosecution was in this instance malicious,
but he con:ended that he vas, by the practice of upwards of 20
years, enti;led to an exemption from the general regulations of the
Magistrates at the hour at which puhlic-houses should close. In
this metropolis there always must be a number of persons whose
u.vful avocatieges kept them up all night. For the accommodation
of these persons, hackney-coachmen, travellers, and or here, who were
exposed to all weathers, the Magistrates had admired night-houses.
lie could prove they were necessary, and that the sanction on %%hid,
he had embarked his property had never been abused by bin. He
hoped, therefore. that the Msr.,istrates would not deprive himself and
family of that privilege which supplied the chief means of their live-
! lihnod.

Mr. Pyre, one of the Clerks to the Sitting Aldermen at Huila.
hall, said, that die prosecution 113% instituted at their instance.
Landlords, la‘wever well disposed they might be, could not select
do it customtrs ; and these night-houses, from the number of quar-
tets and charges that were brought front them, supplied a very con-
siderable portion of the Magisterial business, and were considered
a greater nuisance than a benefit.
The LORD MAYOR (with whom Sir Peter Laurie presided, to
determine the case) maid, the City Magistrates had determined.
from their daily experistice, not to allow any exception whatever.
They convicted the defendant in the penalty did.
Mr. Parker gave notice of an appeal to the Sessions. He more-
over declared. that if his house was closed, he should aid in pre-
venting other exceptions; nor slimild he hesitate, whtre others
were remiss—he would lodge an information against the London
Tavern.