The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-13 00:00:00

ASSAULT ON A WATCHMAN.

Frigiain Harris was brought up yesterday before Sir RICHARD
RIRNIE, on a charge of having committed an assault on Robert
Thompson, a watchman*, who stated, that a gang of about twenty
persons rushed out of the Fountain publie-bouse in Clare-street, at
a late hour last night, excited gresttumult, and threatened annihi-
lation ur every person who should have the tnisfortunt to come In
their wsy. They knocked down three or four watchmen, but he
socezetled in apprehending the prisoner, who was one of the number,
and told witness if he dared to detain him he would do fur him ;
but Charley was not to be intimidated in the discharge of his duty
by such vain threats. The prisoner laughed at the statement of
the watchman, which ho 'tanned Sir Richard Birnie was a lie from
beginning to end ; but the worthy Magistrate was not.quits satisfied
witif this version of the transaction, but referred him to a Jury of
his country, to abide their decision.
DISORDERLY HOUSES. _ _

Three women were brought up on the information of Mr. Raw.
line, an overseer of the parish of SL Martin's, for keeping houses
of ill-fame in Leg-alley, Long-acre. One of them had along with
her two pretty little girls about ten years of age, neatly dressed,
whom she stated to be her own diughters.
Sir R. Blum E was shocked to perceive such children brought ap
in the path-of iniquity i but the Itlmiter Abbess said that be was
mistaken, as her house was none 01 the common sort, nothing was
practised within her doors inconsistent with strict morality, not-
withstanding she kept a bad house.
The three were committed to take their trial at the Sessions.

EXTORTION.
The driver of the cabriolet, No. 20, was summoned before Sir
RICITAIID INRXIO, by a gentlensbn, who stated that he was con.
netted with two newspapers. Called the Loudon Mercury and the
Englirls Geutkulan ; and as chime belonged iodifferent proprietor',
he believed the maxim laid down by St. Patti, which was, that,
64 man could serve two masters."
Having to transact butane's for these Journals, he ensued the
deftnclunt at Heinen-street, to take him to the Gloucester Coffee.

house, Piccadilly, for which br war charged two shillings, the
regular fare being no more than sixteen penes- The defendant
acknowledged that it was, rerhape, a little too vouch, whereupon
he was convicted in the penalty of lee. and corm The prosecutor
remitted his ►hare of the penalty, his Object Wig for the public
good.

bisaLsonouott.svansv.—lresterday Campbell. a man
of colour, was brought up on a ebarge of assault by a watchman,
who stated, that about one o'clock yesterday morning the prisoner
mad. up to him, sod witirsot any provocation struck him twice
or thrice.

---
The prisoner in defence said, that as he was walking along about
the time mentioned, he raw five watchmen dragging a woman, an
entire stranger to him, in the moat barbarous manner. to the watch-
hence. They had got hold of her feet and hands, and one of them
had her hair twisted in his fingers. When she was put into the
watch-house he wished to get in to see her, but was not allowed,
and was then taken prisoner lam the watch-house.
The prisoner persisted in his awry, and confirmed it with the
most solfimn language; but not haring been supported, be was
Geed 55.

Qucrx-sdilsang—dfrot Henry, was brought up from the
watcb.honae, charged with having clandestinely obtained posses.
stem of • silver watch and appendages.
Jelin Batey, a earpeatee. residing at tbs-Ruonieg Horse, Duke.
street, Overvenee-square, deposed, that above eass o'siset am Ss-
' turday evening be took his watch out, and lefl,itoe the table at a
house in Whitcombe.street ; within an hour Mterwrds hi missed
it, but on his return he ascertained that the prisoner had Idea it
and decamped.
John Sheppy. ahopman to Blares. Joon, pawnlimkers, Tothill-
street, stared that the prisoner op Monday morning came and
pledged a silver watch for 21. She said it .as her husband's pro.
Pert?.
The prosecutor deposed that he gave 71. for. the watch alone.
The prisoner, in her defence, idniitted taking the ankles, and
said she waa induced to pledge them through distrets.
Mr. Gneoonte—lt is my duty tb convict 'you first U. for the
illegal pledging, and 51. more, being the value of the watch. Are
you prepared to pay the penalties?—No, Sir.
She area then commuted to eke Rows or Correction Audit
ar
weeks.. •
VINDICATION OF CHARACTER.
11wr?w•Hi1.t.....0% Tuesday evening, between seven end
• ' • --- wended before
...the sitting

time, but did not think the female who accused him of having
robbed her was in the oilier.

.....
The Magistrete directed that she should be called.
One of the officers then bellowed forth the name of Walker three
times, in an audible voice. No answer having been returned,
Rayner was told that he might go about his business as soon as
he pleased, no one appearing. to make any charge against him.
Rayner—My reputattom is one, Sir. A heavy charge was laid
at my door, and I have come here to disprove it. Walker accused
me of bottling a 1111. note: the accuestion has appeared in the
public papers, and I humbly conceive that she should be compelled
to attend, to substantiate it.
Mr. CHAsiaens—l cannot compel her to attend. You leave
this office perfectly fiee of any imputation on your character. What
trade are you ?
Rayne:s-1 am a shoemaker, Sir, and live in the parish of
Lambeth.
"Then I should advise you," said the Magistrate, " to gd home
and nnensi.your shoes, and not bother your head anymore about the
business.'
Rayner then left the office, apparently chagrined that an investi-
gation Into the charge had not teren place.
FEMALE MANIAC.
An unfortunate maniac, named Lydia Junes, supposed to have
escaped from some lunatic establishment, was placed at the bar.
Ifer wild appearance evinced the dreadful malady with which she
was afflicted.
A watchman stated, that on the previous night the wretched
woman made a most violent attack on several persons passing
through. High-street. Site also approached a shop, and dashed her
fists. which were cut in a dreadful manner, through several panes
of glass. On his proceeding to secure her for the purpose of pre-
venting further muichief, which she seemed bent on, her drone
to escape were astonishing, no less than six men having been en.
gaged to prevent it. A her having given an immensity of trouble,
she was at length lodged in a place of security, and brought
up to this office.
Mr.Cizamnxna,sleairous of ascertaining who she waa,or where she
came from, approached the placesin which she was confined, and
began to question her. At arse she answered him goodmaturedly,
which induced the worthy Magistrate to dr,tw still closer ; the ma.
went, bhwever, he was within arms' length of her, she made a most
violent blow at his face, but fortunately lie drew back, and received
no further injury than a slight scratch, one of hef nails coming in
contact With the side of his nose. 'he then became completely out-
rageous, and during the paroxysm was placed in a coach, one of
the officers being directed to see her taken into the Parish Work..
house until her late abode should be discovered.