The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-28 00:00:00

vigCßETiov:

itlaitYttnong.—Yesterday, Mr. Joseph Jackson, a baker,
living at the corner of Fsdey-street, was charged by the Imperial
Gas Light and Coke Company with having, on the Ist of Septem-
ber, contrary to a private Act, granted to the Company in the
lat and 2d of Geo. IV., caused a pipe to be laid in communication
with a service pipe belonging to the said Company, without audio-'
rity under the hand-writing of the Clerk of the Company, and with
having suffered such pipe to remain for 18 days.
John Norman, a clerk and collector in the Company's service,
proved that Mr. Jackson contracted with the Company for only one
light, at the rate (AS'. 4s. per annum, to burn in his shop till half-
past 10 o'clock at night.
Richard Chamberlain and Thomas Webb, inspectors belonging
to the Company, swore that they saw a gas-light burning in the
bake-house of Mr. Jackson, as above stated; and that it was fur-
nished by a tul,e which was annexed to the pipe by which the gut
is conveyed to the shop. and that it remained for lii days, '
forth in the summons ; therahto swore that no other Company sup-
plied gas in that direction.
Mr. Henry Clark, the principal clerk of the Company, deposed
that the defendant had never obtained his comment in writing, ac.
cording to the Act„ for putting Wes additional pipe ; and if he had
flid, an application to that affect, it could not have been complied
with, bscause it was an established rule with the Company, under
I any circumstances, or at any price, never to furnish a fight in a
bake-house, that no improper use might be made of the gas for the
purpose of heating the oven.
Mr. Jackson declared that no such additional pipe bad ever been
in existence.
The Inspectors again said they had particularly noticed elle tube,
that it was thrce.eighths of an inch in diameter, and that the time
had extended, at various times, from two to three and a halt inches.
Mr• Jacks n not having a witness to prove his declaration,
Mr. RAWLINsow said he emsidered the charge to be proved.
On referring to the Act, it wart found that the penalty for the
first day is trld., and that it is 21. lot every subsequent day during
, the continuation of the offence.

......
Rawrixsow—These are very heavy penalties; and I find,
Mr. Jackson, upon looking farther, that my hands arc tied, and we
have no.power to mitigate them.
The Company's Solicitor said this was the first time In which
the Company had attempted to bring that clause of the Act into
force ; it had no desire to enrich itself thereby, but it was obliged
to prow a conviction, bemuse its loss from sin_ilar frauds was very
extensive. He was instrected to say that any part of the penalty to
which the Company was entitled would be given for the benefit of
the Marylobone schools, provided such an arrangement met the ap-
probation of the Magistrates.
Mr. Raw Lisrsort —What provision does the Act make for the
application of the penalties 7—The Solicitor perused its pages, and
said, I see no provision whatever. Sir.
Mr. RAW LI DISON-1 never heard of an Act before with so sin-
gular an omission; penalties are inflicted, without telling the Ma-
gistrates how they are to be applied; if the Company had taken
up this their first proceeding, hy way of example, It is a pity it had
not confined itself to the proof fur the first uay only, and net have
ex' ended the charge to the lih days of continuance.
Tate Solicitor then said, if Mr. Rawlinson would inflict the pe-
nalty of ra.. the Company would abandon the penalties of 21. a
day for the subsequent days.
:tar. RAW LI Nsow recommended a postponement, and suggested
that in the mean time the Company might take the opinion of their
own standing counsel. It was very well to say, that a part of the
penalties should go for the benefit 6f the schools, and that another
part should not be enforced ; but he must suspend lila judgment
siogether. until the Company would slime, under the opinion of
counsel. whether his judgir.ent was likely to be operative or not.
These local Aets (sided Mr. Rawlinson) are new to us all, and
there is no harm in taking a little time : let die ease, therefore, eland
over until this day week, s. ud I will endeavour then to make a de.
cision.
In the course of the hearing, Mr. Rawlinson said, that as the
penalties were so heavy, he hoped the Company had taken pains to
make their existence known.
The Solicitor replied that the Company had done so, and that
Mr. Jackson could not have been in ignorance respecting them.
SHOCKING, CIRCUMSTANCE.
Scousitm-yr it'erthe, the auctioneer in Holborn,
was brought up on a warratit, charged with having wilfully and
maliciously driven over • youth named Elisha Downing, one of
the collectors of toll at the London Apprentice gate, Slioreditch,
by which his life was in imminent danger. The complainant
was to weak and ill,frorn the injuries lie received that he was
obliged to be carried into assailer. His master, Mr. Ramsdale,
1 the lessee of the toll-gate, was in attendance, and gave his servant
a good character for his civility.
i It appeared that a few dare ago Mr. Nedhy had been out on

some butane's in his chaise, anti on his way home he had occasion
to pass throe& the gate in question. The complainabt, who I
was then on duty, held up his finger, as is usual with toll-col. ;
lectors, fur the toll, but Mr. Nedby took no notice and drove
through. The complainant suspecting he had not paid, ran after
the gig, and seized the horse's bridle, at the same time demanding
the toll. Mr. Nedhy, thereupon, commenced flogging the horse
and also the boy, till he was compelled to let go his hold, and he.
fore he could get out of the way he was knocked dawn by the
horse, and the wheel passed over his leg.. Several persons who
witnessed the affair ran to his assistance, and carried him to a
surgeon's. In the mean tithe Mr. Nedby pulled up and left his
card, and appeared very sorry for the injury he had done the lad,
but alleged it entirely to himself. Subsequently a warrant was
obtained against Mr. Nedby, and placed in the hands of Vann, the
officer, to execute.
Mr. Nedby admitted that the wheel had passed over the com-
plainant, but persisted in paring that it was entirely his own
fault. (It did not appear whether or not Mr. Nedby had paid
the toll.)
The master of the boy said that he had experienced that injury
in his legs, that he was afraid it would be many months before he
would be able to attend to his business.
The Magistrate said that the case had been most fully mimed,
and, therefore, he should call upon Mr. Nedby. to find bail to
answer the charge at the Sessions. Bail being given, he was dis-
charged.

CURIOUS CASE.
Usrlow-arann.-.-Yesterday lVris. Taylor and Sdrmsel gimmont,
the joint proprietors of a brothel in the Cornwall-road, Lambeth,
and :lane Dorey, one of the inmates of the house, were brought
up in custody from the Surrey watch-house, charged on suspicion
of having robbed Mr. Watson, a grocer, residing in Rotherhithe,
of notes and sovereigns to the amount of fill.
The complainant, whose face bore marks of punishment, which
he received in a conflict with the persons at the bar, stated that on
the preceding day, as he was passing along the Cornwall-road, his.
attention was attracted to a window, in which sat a very pretty
looking young hely. lie gazed at her, shesmited ; and having re-
ceived encouragement, he made bold to approach the door, which
was instantly opened, and he was invited into the pa lour by
.the •
lady who at first excited Ili, admiration. After some conversation,
which he said it would be needless to repeat to the Magistrate, he ;
sent out for refreshment, which was accordingly supplied them, J
and having ascertained front his entertainer that the landlord was •
in the house, and being further told that he was a very pleasant
and agreeable kind of man, the complainant signified his wish to
be introduced to him, and Taylor was therefore ushered into the
room b' his lodger, Anne Dorey. SuSsequently the other prisoner,
Simmons, joined them, and they all began to carouse away over gin
and wine, all of which complainant paid for. Ile was about to take
his departure from the house, when he described that he was j
attacked by the three prisoner"' who •all fell upon him together, j
knocked hint down, and kicked him. Raving recovered the first
attack, on getting on his legs, and defending himself from the
blows of his three powerful antagouista, on making a blow at Tay-
lor, he unfortunately missed his aim, and fell forward; his fore-
head coming in contact with the fender, cut it so severely, that he
lay insensible for some time. During the outrage. he received des-
perate punishment, but, fortunately for him, he had strength suf-
ficient to call out " murder," which brought a constable and two
leatelimen to his aid, whom he verily believed saved him from de-
struction. The complainant added that he entered the house with
a sum of 112.1. in his pocket. and subsequent to the circumstances
above related, on examination, he discovered that the whole of :he
money was gone.
The Magistrate (Mr. CACD W f.) asked whether he had exhi-
bited his money on sending out for the spirits and wine ? The
j complainant replied that he had, and attributed the cause of attack
to that circumstance.
Mr. CA 1.13 W EL L—Wete you sufficiently in your sober senses to
recollect that you lost the money in Taylor's house ?-1 am con-
vinced that they had my money, and that it was to get possession
of it they attacked me. I was sober enough to know that.
Two watchmen, who heard the cry of " murder !" proceed
from Taylor's house at the time above mentioned. said that on their
entrance they found the place all in confusion, and saw the com-
plainant in the parlour bleeding pr. fusely from a wound in the fore-
head. lie complained of having been desperately beaten by two
men and a wotnan, and robbed of 021. They proceeded into the
back room, and there saw Simmons and the female, both of whom
were identified by Mr. Wanion as having been active in the out-
rage and robbery committed on hint. The watchmen accordingly
took them into custody, and lodged them in the Surrey watchhouse.
Keyse, the superintendent (tithe Surrey watch-house, stated that
shortly after Simmons and the woman Dewey were given into his
custody, the prisoner Taylor came to the watch-house, and having
mentioned his name, and alluded to the accusation, said that he
came there for the purpose of delivering up the sum of 711., which
he described to have found on the bed of his lodger, Anne Dorey,
• subsequent to the riot in his house. Keyse added. that he received
the Money. and detained Taylor, as having been implicated in the
charge. The money, which consisted of 101. and 5/. notes, together
with a few sovereigns, wail produced, The notes were identified by
the complainant as forming a part of the money which had been
taken from him while in the brothel. .

......
Taylor, who appeared very anxious to enter into his defence,
having frequently interrupted the complainant during his charge,
now said that he and the other prisoner, Simmons, were the joint
landlords of the house in question, and that, on the day mentioned,
the complainant visited their lodger, Miss Gorey. Having spent
stone time with her, the complainant insisted that he should join
them, and sent out for a bottlenf wine and a quart of gin. Having
finiched that quantum, five bottles of wine more were produced,
and dinner was ordered to be served up by Mr. Wreson, who dia.
played plenty of money, and observed that he should " stand the
racket, ' meaning that he would pay for all. He then invited the
other persons is the house to partake of the cheer, declaring that he
had come out for the purpose of having a spree, and th .t he meant
to spend all before he showed his nose at home. PreviAus to the
commencement of the supper, however, he began to play some
very mad pranks by dancing and capering about the room, and up-
setting the glasses on the table : this conduct was overlooked, and
many other naughty tricks. At length the supper that he had or-
dered, which consisted of a roast fowl and a piece of pickled pork,
was ►et upon the table; they all drew round for the purpose of en-
joying the good fare, when 10, Mr. Watson, with one mighty kick,
upset the table and all upon it, the fowl and the gravy
about it going sluack in the face of the young lady with
whom he was so much fascinated in the first in.t nice ; and
the pickled pork and the cabbage being distributed over
the clothes of the rest of the company. He (Taylor). receiving
a dash of greasy cabbage in the eyes, was deprived of sight
for some minutes. On his recovery of sight he observed that
he should Immediately have committed summary chastisement on
the person guilty of such gross behaviour in his house, had not the
complainant apologized on the spot. That freak being over. and
the fowl, pork, and cabbage, set on the table afresh, they were about
making a second beginning, when Mr. Watson suddenly jumped
up on the table, exclaiming, " For Gott's sake don't mind me, let
me break away and upset the things; 1 have plenty of money in my
pucker, anti I shall pay for all." He then placed a foot on each of
the dishes, and in a moment crushed the fowl and the bacon be.
neath them. Not contented with depriving them of the supper,
smashing the bottles of wine and glasses, he danced on the tattle,
which was a mahogany one, until lie kicked it to pieces, and pro-
ceeded to destroy every thing within his reach. He (Taylor), find-
ing that he was bent on the destruction of all his household pro-
herty, remonstiated with him, and he refused to pay for the damage
e had done. A scuffle then ensued, during which the •' watch"
WWI called ; hut he (Taylor) could most Solemnly declare, that a
halfpenny of the money that he accused them of havieg stolen was
not taken from his person, he (Taylor) having found it on Miss
porey's bed afterwards, when he took it to the watch-house, and
delivered it to Keysc, as above stated. •
The Magistrate remarked on the telly of the complainant's con-
duct in the business, and observed, that it was a most ciigrattful
outrage; but nevertheless lie should not commit the prisoners, as it
was evident they all got intoxicated together.
Taylor then offered to make up the difference of the lost money
to the complainant, if he raid the value of the property he hat!
destroyed.
This arrangement having been agreed to, the parties withdrew,
the Magistrate advising Taylor to be wended his conduct for the
j future.

Early yesterday morning, one of the most alarming fires
broke out that has occurred in this city for a considerable time.
Shortly before midnight the watchman on the Lady Well station I
experienced a disagreeable sine'', indicative of tire, but could
not discover from whence it pruceeded. About half.past three
o'clock a dense cloud of smoke was observed issuing from a malt-
ing house, and information was forthwith deSpatched to the police ;
office. The drums were sent out, and the alarm was spread in the
usual way. Captain Graham, with a party of his officers, pro-
ceeded to the spot with Coeir usual despatch, and were on the
scene before twenty people were assembled. Mr. Davidson, super-
intendent of fire engines, and his firemen, were almost instantly at
their posts. Two butts were despatched, two engines followed, and
although the distance from the engine-house is fully half a mile,
such is the efficiency of the establishment, the engines were on the
spot in less than a quarter of an hour from the time the alarm
reached the police office. It is uncertain how the fire originated,
but it began in the centre of the building, and in the Interval be-
tween the discovery of the fire and the arrival of the engines, the
flames spread with such destructive rapidity, that all hopes of
analog either the tenement or its valuable contents were in vain.
The roof fell in with a tremendous crash, and the showers of
sparks which were scattered around, and the great column of pure
white flame that instantly rose to a great height, presented a sight
which was awfully impressive. the attention of Mr. Davidson
was instantly turned to the buildings on the extremities, and with
great exertion he succeeded in saving the brewhouse at one end,
the counting-house at the other, and three large stacks containing
about 13,000 stones of hay, and worth nearly a thousand pounds,
though It stood within twelve yards of the malting-house, and
was repeatedly covered with showers of sparks, and fragments of
blazing timber. Had this hay been fairly kindled, the straw
houses and several adjacent buildings would inevitably have fallen
a prey to the flames. By the falling of the roof a shower of sparks
fell on some thatched tenements, and in an instant the whole was
burned to the ground. Arr. Sinclair, with one of the engines, was
despatched to this quarter, but his skill, industry, and experience,
were quite unavailine. Seven families were burned out in this
place, some loom shops and their contents destroyed, and there was
not twenty shillings worth of the poor people's property saved. In
the malt barn 'WO bolls of malt and *intuit's of grain have been
rendered MAPS. Ale. Davidson and a party of his men remained
on the Spot till yesterday at mid-day. The premises and the con.'
tents were insured.—Glasimw Chroticle; Serf. 23.