The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-12-30 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

'She is a laundress, and the shirt the prisoner had then on was
taken from her room, and she wished much to have it returned.
The Magistrate ordered the prisoner to be searched and the shirt
taken (ruin him. He was consequently taken back into an outer
office, and in a few minutes returned with his fashionable surtout
buttoned up to his chin.
The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and was fully COM -
mi tted.

lIATTON-GARDEN.
Yesterday, Mr. Blackwell, a respectable gentleman, residing in
Leicester-square, applied to the Sitting Magistrate, for his advice
under the following extraordinary circumstances :
Mr. Blackwell stated that he was proprietor of a chapel in Den-
mark-street, Soho, and that a few months ago, a clerically dressed
gentleman, whorepresented himself as the Rev. R. Smith, A.M.
of Oxford University, nzgociated with him for the chapel, which
vies then disengaged, at the yearly rent of fifty pounds. Ile gave
his acceptance for fixtures, &c. for 201. 2a. 70 payable at two
months, which was due on the 24th instant, but dishonoured. (In
Mr. Blackwell making enquiry at the chapel, after the divine, lie
was informed by the pew opener, that Mr. Smith was not to he
seen, and mentioned that be was about to dispose of the chapel.
He then handed him a written pap containing the terms °fills-
penal. In this, Mr. Smith stated theer rent he would require to be
301. a-year ; income for fixtures, &c. 201. ; organ, if purchased,
ILOI. It represented the chapel as comfortably accommodating
three hundred people, and might be made, at a trifling expellee, to
hold five hundred. " The chapel fills well in the evening." Mr.
Blackuell, on making further enquiry, discovered that the organ,
which was offered for sale, was only hired from Messrs. Flight and
Robson, of St. Martin's-lane, and further added that he was waited
on by a lady present, who gave him such an insight into the
divine's character, that he begged leave to refer the Magistrate to
her statement, whom he had requested to attend on the occasion,
in order that the public might be on their guard against such an
impactor.
Mrs. Burrell, wife to Mr. Burrell, boot-maker, 42, Windmill.
street, Tottenham-court-road, then stepped forward, and begged
leave to remind the Magistrate of some circumstances which pro-
bably had escaped his memory. She then proceeded to state,
that in the month of March, 1021, she observed an advertisement
in the papers for a lad, and, not knowing for what occupation, she
waited according to the address, and was then infbmted by the per-
son iu question that he was the Rev. Frederick Williams ; that he
kept an academy in Lincoln ; that he had lost his wife and four
children, and was anxious to adopt a boy an his own son. To cor-
roborate the truth of this statemeat, he told Mrs. Ilurrell that she
might accompany her son to the country. Mrs. Burrell, conceiving
that the advantages of her child receiving a liberal education should
outweigh any selfish feeling in parting with the boy, consented to
give him up. On the following day he sent for het daughter, a
child only eleven years of age, with whom he pretended to be so
fascinated, that he prevailed on Mrs. Ilurrell to allow him to adopt
her also, promising to bee:teak to her a large property. He pro.
mised to write to her immediately on his arrival In the country.
To her surprise, however, the first letter receivotl was from York
the next front Hull, and then the correspondence ceased. She Met;
became so alarmed, that Mr. Burrell went into the country in pur-
suit of his children, and discovered, that instead of keeping an am.
dcmy in Lincoln, the divine wait an itinerant juggler ; at one place
assuming the name of Jameson, at another '• Mr. Illunmw Ride-
way, the Emperor of Conjurors" and at all his exhibitions the
children were compelled to sing, dance, &c.
Ohre Mrs. Burrell produceil a long printed bill of a performance
at the Assenibly.room, Castle Inn, `'em, wherein the boy is de-
signated a second Braham.)
After however travelling nearly all over England, Mr. Burrell
returned without rensvering his children. Ile then rave informa-
tion at 11sta-in-garden office of the circumstances of the case, and
the affair gaining publicity through the prima, the country :Magis-
trates exerted themselves in the case. Numerous letters were sent ll
both to Hatton-ranlen office and Mr. Ilurrell's residence (one
especially from the Mayor of Easter. which proved his real name
to be Thomas Proves, and that he had been at one time in llchester
gaol for 111 months). describing different strolling parties, and at
length Ito was identified at Bilstone, in Leicestershire, where he
was committed by Dr. Thomas, a Magistrate, as a rogue and va-
gabond, and the children, after an absence of five months, were re-
stored to their parents...

A few weeks ago, to Mr. Hurrcll'e amazement, the mock parson
made his appearance at Mr. Burrell's house; teprcsented himself
as having lately returned from the South of Bei:. al. where he
was sent to allay the present religious animosities; that he had
lost ten thnusam pounds in the country in the course of his ex-
ertions, but that Government had promised to enpensate him.
He then mentioned that he had just taken the Chapel in Den-
mark-street ; and, that, as it would he so injurious to hie clerical
character, he begged that all past occurrences would be buried in
oblivion. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell, however, felt it their duty to pro-
tect the public agoinst such an impost( r. and after much pains on ,1
discovering Mr. Blackwell to be the proprietor of the chapel, they
made him acquainted with the above facts. They wore also
interested, as at present this parson has got with him a little boy
(evidently Irish from his acctmt) whom they apprehend may have
also been surreptitiously obtained.
The mock parson (who is about the middle height, pock marked,
and of sallow complexion, dressed most accurately, with a clerical
hat, and about 411 years of age), drives about town in a handsome
deanet, with a grey horse.
. . .

The73lagistra-te 'observed, that he wu sorry there wero an many
such characters at large, hut regretted that the ease did nut come
within his coinizance.—The parties then withdrew.

M:IRLROROUGII-STREET.

Yesterday a youth of very gentlemanly appearance, narnnl Jas.
Carter, was brought before 31r. DYER, the Magistrate, from St.
James's watchhouse, to answer the complaint of 31r. Jas. Belton,
architect and builder, residing at N 0.3, Wells-straet, Oxford-street,
to whom he was articled for seven years.
Mr. Belton felt anxious to make the complaint as privately as
possible, and in order to facilitate his wishes, he came prepared
with a long written statement or the trans Tensions of the young
man, which he said he was ready to swear to.
_ _

The paper was banded in to the Magistrate, but he refused to
open it, and
Mr. Belton then hesitatingly stated, that the young man at the
bar was his apprentice, and during the time he had been x :di him
he had paid very little attention to his busitteso, frequently stopping
out at unseasonable hours, and whenever he remonstrated with him
on the impropriety of such conduct. he always answered hint
pertinently. Ile should tturefors wish the articles existing between
them might be cancelled. Air. B. then cast a side-glance a the
young man, and was about to continue his statement, when
The 31agistrate asked him what cause the defendant had given
him the preceding night, to induce him to send him to the watch.
house ?

Mr. Belton said, that he was waiting anxiously at home fur the
return of his apprentice ; and Boding that It wax getting very late,
he was determined not to ,permit him to enter the house when he
came home; and for that purpose had secured the street-door
with an extra padlock. About half-past ten o'clock the defendant
knocked loudly for admission; and on his (Mr. !Schen) looking
out at the window, lie was astonished at finding Mrs. Belton with
him. He instantly went down stain and let his wife in, but rc.
fused admission to his apprentice; and finding he persisted in
entering his house, he gave him in custody to the watchman.
The Magistrate asked him if he could account for Mrs. Belton
and his apprentice being out together.
Mr. Belton said he could not. lie had frequently threatened
to adopt harsh 131(11%1ITCS, if he continued to atop out at such late
hours ; and therefore. to prevent him from doing so, had given him
in custody to the watchman.
Mr. Taylor, a gentleman at present residing in Mr. Belton's
house, stepped forward, and begged permission of the Magistrate
to state what he knew of the subject. Mr. Taylor then said, that
it might appear strange that the apprentice and Mrs. Belton should
be found at the door together ; but the fact was, that airs. Belton
was the young man's sister, and had been turned out by her hus-
band, and the door secured against her with a strong padlock.
Ile knew the young man well, and a more attentive and obliging
disposition could nut be found ; what could have induced Mr. Bel-
ton to adopt such measure* towards him he could not say, but lie
feared it was owing to an aberration of his intellect; he had only
been taken out of St. Luke's Lunatic Asylum a fortnight ago.
Mr. Belton smiled, and put it to the Magistrate if be looked like
a madman.

Mr. Taylor—Come. come, Mr. Belton, be rational; you know
you are a uisdmar. bet you have now a lucid interval—you krow
wril it wan I that conveyed you to St. Luke's hospital.
Magistrate—Was he discharged completely cured ?
Mr. Taylor—No, Sir; lie was taken out by a petition from his
wife ; I fetched him away last Tuesday fortnight.
The young man said his life was a misery to him ; that he did
all in has power to please his master, but his endeavours only pro-
cured for him his displeasure; he hoped the Magistrate would
Puffer him to provide himself another master, as he was confident
that Mr. Belton, from his state of mind, was incompetent of nuking
him proficient in his business.
The Magistrate asked if Mr. Belton had received any premium
with the young man, and being answered in the affirmative, his
Worship ordered the indentures to be left in the hands of Mr. Fit:.
patrick, the chief clerk, and desired the young man to look out
for another muter, as it was quite evident Mt. Behoo, from his
unfortunate state of mind, was incapable of teaching hint his
business.

The young man was then discharged, and left the nine with his
friends.
bAINBETII-STREET.

Yesterday Mr. 7/;,seto: iimgl.:;,Sln;tiie;l3Oot and shoe maker,
residing in the parish of st. (Merge, attended at this office on •
• summons, to answer the complaint of Thomas Mints, his appren-
tice, who stated, that his master was in the habit of keeping him
at work on Sundays as well as week-days, and on Cbriumas morn-
ing he was amused from his bed at three o'clock in the morning,
and kept at hard work till 11 o'clock In the day, when he refused
to work any longer, and went home to his mother.
Ilia fellow-apprentice was called in, and he not only corroborated
the other boy's statement, but Paid that he had himself often
been obliged to work for forty-eight hours together, without a mo.
men eel test.

Mr. Rugles, on being asked by the Magistrate what he had to
say to the charge, merely said, that it often hAppened that be had 1
work to finish of a Sunday morning, as was the case on Christmas_
day, and Z. would be a great disappointment to his customers if
they were not sent home according to promise.
The Magistrate (Mr. }1•111DWICI) said, that be should employ
journeymen to do his business, and not torture his apprentices.
lire extension of his power amounted to cruelty. He was then or-
dered to pay a tine of 41.. or go to the House of Correction for one'
month.

The money was raid, and the parties Wt the ones.
F•aaels Todd and John Richards, pains men of fashionable es-

tenor, were brought up from Welidos:m.lquart watch-house,
charged with haring attempted to pick a gentleman's pocket at the
Royalty Theatre on the night before, and committed to the House
of Correction for three months.
QUEEN-SQUARE.
Yesterday Sarah Humphries, alias Gibnon, an interesting-look-
ing young female, decently attired, who had been capitally convicted
at the Old Bailey, but had her sentence commuted to imprisonment
for three years in the Penitentiary (which expired in May last) was
brought before %V. A. A. 11'1111.6, Esq. and charged with obtain-
ing goods under false pretences.
It appeared that the prisoner, since het release, had lived with
her mat her, who was in the habit of receiving relief from some ladies
belonging to a benevolent society, through whose interest the young
woman succeeded in obtaining a situation in the family of Captain
Young, of flans-place, Sloane-street, Chelsea. lo this plate she
remained till November last : it appeared that during the time she
was there she had been sent to Messrs. Smith and Dickens, linen.
do in Oxford-street, on business for her master: and that she
pers
had
- taken the advantage, after she had left her situation, of calling
at the same place several times, and ordering goods to a consider-
able amount, in the name of Mrs. Young. Suspicion was at length
excited by Messrs. Smith and Dickens receiving an order to the
following effect :
" Mr. Smith,
" Have the goodness to send me a piece' of cloath 26 yards, 3
yards of Davey blue lady's cloath, the saute as you sent me by my
servent, a pair of silk stockings not so long as the others, and 7 yards
of silk to match the cloath. Send them by the boy.
Vouxo.

" Mr. Young, 3, liana-place."
The boy who brought the note was told that the goNls should be
sent, but the prisoner sent the boy back, to bay that the goods were
not to be sent, as Mrs. Young had changed her mind.
The boy was now detained; and a constable apprehended the
prisoner on Thursday last, at her lodging, Nu. 2, New.road, hcl_
sea, where the greater part of the property and a number of dupli.
eates were foiled.

In consequence of the inability of the Captain's lady to attend,
he very humanely declined prosecuting, and the prisoner was tits.
charged after a severe and suitable admonition.

TVWN-HALL.

A sturdy vagrant, with *Scotch most, applied for temporary
relief. Upon being asked the usual questions, he gave his name
Wilson, and said he had been several yearn a seaman in his 31a-
jestv's navy, was discharged in 1819, and from dint date employed
in Portsmouth dock-yard, which he left a week since, and had been
in town three days only; was tow on his journey homeward to
Scotland, and had neither solicited a pass nor parochial aid, but
simply a trilling asvistanee to prosecute his journey.
kneller, an officer belonging to the Mendicity Society's esta-
blishment, and who awaited in the office the reply to a letter ad-
dressed to Mr. Alderman J. J. Smith, by Mr. Walker, the Acting
Manager of the Society, rose and informed the Magistrate the man
was at, impostor, that his name was not Wilson, but Nelson ; he
bad been taken by him three year* since In Piccadilly, practhing
the stale trick of pretended fits, and committed from 31 arlborough-
street to the Sessions, where he was sentenced to three months' im-
prisonment, as a rogue and vagabond.
This oaf-d-propos information acted upon the nerves of Nelsen
Wilson so forcibly, as to occasion his soundings retreat, which was
however intercepted by the 31agistrate's order, and he was search.
ed ; when nothing but a few halfpence being flund upon him,
Alderman Smith considered it would be straining the letter of the
Vagrant Act to commit hint in die present instance, end he was
suffered to go at brut, after a severe rebuke for his past, and ed.
monitory caution for his future conduct; when he quitted the office
without pressing.