The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-25 00:00:00

POLICE.

M ANSII6R-H OUSE.
A watchman named, Freentai, was brought before the Lord
Mayor, charged with having assaulted a Gentleman in Comhill in
A most outrageous manner.
It appeared that two gentlemen, In passing along Comhill on
Tuesday night, at half-past ten o'clock,) saw twollittie girls, in the
most deplorable state, sitting on the steps of a hall-door. The gen-
tlemen crossed the street, gave alms to the destitute children, and
asked a watchman who stood near them something about their me-
lancholy condition. The watchman replied, in a very insolent
tone, that they had better walk on, and that he did not care any
thing about the children. " You might at least," said one of the
gentlemen, " have given a civil reply." This admonition was re-
ceived by the watchman with the utmost displeasure. He ex-
pressed his resentment in the loudest and must menacing terms,
and then the defendant, who was keeping a staggering watch at the
other side of the street, sallied over, seized the person who was so
presumptuous as to dare to speak to a man in such authority, and
told him the watch-house should be his fate, and that he should
lie there until Monday next. Some other gentlemen who were
passing at the same time immediately interfered, by expressing in
gentle terms their disapprobation of the conduct of the man in au.
thority ; whereupon the aefendant, who was backed by several of
the fraternity, turned hi rage against the two new corners, and
struck one of them In a moat violent manner. Three or four of
the gentlemen were knodted about without mercy, but they took
care that the principal awailant should not escape.
Freeman assured Alderman Lucas, who sat for the Lord Mayor,
that the gentlemen way the first assailants; that they were
among a crowd of wonen of the town, whom the watchman had
told to " move on," and that they dishonoured him and the other
protectors of the peace of the metropolis, by calling them
" Charlies," and hue ling them about.
There was abundatce of evidence to prove that there was not •
tittle of truth in thisstaternent, and it was distinctly seen that the
`defendant was shunt blind drunk at the time he commenced the
attack.

Several of the most respectable inhabitants of Cornhill came
forward, and mewl that the defendant had been discharged by
them, and shoull never more be employed in that part of the
City at any rate.
Some gentlemen declared that the public were nightly subject to
the incorrigibleinsolence of the watchmen, and that an example
upon this occition would be of immense service.
Alderman .I.I.ICAR ordered that the defendant should pay the
sum of ss. for being drunk, and that he should find bail to answer
for the essaut at the Sessions.
A relativeof the watchman declared that Freeman had received
a wound it the head in battle, and that the effect of liver upon
that woutd was absolute madness, that Tuesday night was the
annual corrivial meeting of the watchmen.
The complainant, upon hearing this, would not proceed against
Freeman
Aldernan LUCAS, upon fining and cautioning the watchman
against " putting the enemy into his mouth" any more, expressed
a hopethat when the gentlemen of the lantern and numbered coats
intended to sup together again, notice would be sent round to the
ichabiants to keep within doors, and to the Lord Mayor to ap-
pointaubstitutes for the fraternity during their time of enjoyment.