The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-08-04 00:00:00

ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Yesterday afternoon s report was eirenlated in tta
gorough of ikintliwark, that 411 old than, minted Sullivan,
bad been marl red by his wife, who in a native of lielata—.
Great soothers of RPTSOIIII assembled by the house• in Mint.
sqnare. and alone officers were sent for. They, upon their
arrival, found the old than wills his head cot own, a,.d he id
a very danireroOs sitostion, rb.. Wolleti was tottered with
'hammer; site was seemed, and taken to the watch.house
The old man fell on the ground insensshle es hen he received
the blow; be is 00 years tif,Age, tied !it the cause of tits
outrage is stated to be s fit of jealousy. When .he was In
custody, she protested that she would serve hint iu spits if
she mos at liberty.

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;inning oi ,
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DERBYSHIRE ASSIZES.

DEFA M ATI ON.
PIDCOCIL th SMINSILVIV.

This was an action to recover damages fur an in-
jury dime to the character of the Plaintiff; a clergy-
man of respectability in Dronrield in 1t.,. comity.
The case ezeited greet interest ; fur the affair had
arisen out of a disgraceful di.pute in the parish,
which w-is described ..s having been in hut water fur
twent>• yrdro, and the venerable Plaintiff had been
In.inded as a stealer of Woks of curies of that sacred
Taiwan., lite study of which elevated his profession
even above that to which be found it necessary to
fly fur protection.
Serjeant COPLEY, for the Plaintiff, mid his
client lead found it necessary to apply to a Caurt of
Justice to vindicate his character from a fool and

inalNivant attack made upon it by the Defendant.
/14 the case wee one in which a simple 'hutment of
• facts would operate more effectually than any effort,
the Jury should hear exactly what was to be borne
out in evidence. Mr. Piticock was appointed, in
the year 1814, master of the free school in Drontiettl,
anti had acted in that situation in the most lire-

proschable manner. In the acne parish a Sunday
school was held, its which Mr. Pidcock assisted, at
the request of the Vicar. It formed one of the re-
gitiotioni of the free school, that the scholars should
regularly attend divine service ; and Mr. Pidcut•k
alsaerved that due attention ass not paid to that
order, inquired rota the cause, and ascertained tied
those al►o did not go to church ascribed that neglect
to the performance of some duties in the Sunday
school. The Plaintiff, who thought the violation sir
is rule so sacred end iudispenssible, incompatible with
the education of children. expostulated against
and by doing so excited the indignation of the
teachers at the Solidity school so violently. that they
removed to rowdier place and set up a *chant iti
oppositiou. It happened that a number of books
bad heti' presented to the Sunday school for the
benefit of the children. They consisted of Bibles
• and Testament', sand remind in. the school until
appiicatiou was made. fur them by the Sunday school
teachers. Mr. Pidcock informed the Vicar of the
application, and at his desire gave up half the books.
Soots after. upon soother application, more books
were given up. Some resnained iii the baud* of Mr.
Pidcock, who give diens to the Scholars of the Sun-
day school who remained in the old school. In the
silvan time a riot took place, on which Mr. Pith-tack
found it necessary to present an indictment at the
Quarter Sessions soloist those concerned. Theis
came forward the Defendant in the mast bitter re-
sentment, which received no abatement from time,
or a consideration of the consequences of the re-
_ foliation he had been long nieditating. Au oc..
Erl.loll presented itself, which seemed to him fraught
with those ihingerous circumstances which suited
his peculiar mode of gratification. lie saw one of
the school boys with one of those books in Ins pos-
session, went before a Magistrate, and without ,
Hesitation swore that Mr. Pidcock had stolen it.

It would be unnecessary to ask the Jury whether,
if the book had been stolen. it was probable
the thief would have pot it into the hands of
one of the SCIIIII.OO. The Magistrate ordered the
parties to attond before him. and on hearing
the charge., di-charged Mr. Pidcock ou his re-
vou,nirance to anpear at the Sessions. It was
true that the [Mendota afterwards appeared desi-
rous of retracting. but Mr. Pidcock disdained to
compromise, and demanded that. as his character
%MI concerned. tl.e bill of indictment should be

preferred, in ;eller that ail reproach might be re-
moved. The WI was preferred, but the Grand
Jury threw it out as destitute of all foundutton. It
would be proved! that the accusation hail arisen
from malignity : that Earushaw had expressed what
lie conceived to lie his triumph. in the most malig-
unlit insulter. by saying that Mr. Pidcock was sus-
'wooled; iii .t iie was guilty of felony, and cer-
tainly should be transported; by representing to
the wide.-people that the Plaite' was not a man
to i.e nostril; by declining at a really that he was
is thief, alai by dirsaing up his hat with ribbanda,
when lie thought there was a good prospect of ef.
let tiog the IU;11 of his victim. It would also be
prevol, that he represented to Mr. Spencer, how
ea.), it would be to settle the difference ; sod that
the arrangement lie proposed was, that the Plain-
tar should give up the indictment for the riot, rod
he would give up that for felony. This was the
substance of the case. Ile (Mr. Serjealit Cold.")
would leave it to the Jury to say to *hat extent
the Plaintiff was injured, and to chew their sense of
that ',put, by the damages. If character was of
iicculter 11111101,411 CC in any close, it surely was in
this; for if the slightest stigma was fixed upon lois
client, lie was no longer qualified to fill the situa-
tion in which be had acted. If an adequate com-
pel...aim, was not awarded, the injury already dune
would he greatly aggravated.
The first witness called was Sir 11'illisoo Bag-
sh•ew. or Bowdon, or Bragaliot (we do not know
*lnch), and lie caused some astouirhment and
mirth. He nodded to Baron Richards, soul took
a -eat next to him without much ceremony ; but it
must be recollected that lie was once Sheriff of the
county, and is
trate. " I am a Justice of the Peace," said lie.
Time whole bar turned their facts towards him with
the deepest respect. He looked as if he expected
to I.e pirstinued in a manner different from that in
1.. 'lmlay witnesses are generally addressed.
" The Defendant," he said, 4. called upon him in
the spriiig, soil told him that books belonging to
the school had been lost, and found in the posses.
Won of a boy, who charged Mr. Pidcock with
having given them to him, and went on to say that
Mr. Pidlcock had stolen them, and he wanted a
billti/11011*. The summons was granted."
Mr. Serjeant COPLEY wished to see the informs.
Sir Win. Bagshaw, or Bagshot, had not the in-
formation. Ile did not know it was wanting or he
should have taken care of it, but he did not know
sone where it was.
A paper was produced, and the witness was asked
whether it was a copy of the information ? He could
out tell, and appeared very angry. He began to
tell that at first he considered the conduct of Mr.
Pidcock ii. a felonious holding, if nut a felonious
taking of the books, and would probably have
given the whole liar a treat from Barns, if he had
not been interrupted by the voice of the Judge,
*hid' completely bothered lIIW. " Be good

enough," Said Baron Rico Aims, " to answer the
questions put to you without reasoning upon them."
The witness proceeded to say that he had looked
fur, hut could not feud the informal' .
Mr. Serjeant Corr caked him, whether his
subpoena did not require hint to Ming the informs.
lino with him ?—He replied, that if he thought the
paper. had been required, he should have dune al
he could to furnish the Court onto them.
Upon being desired to look over his subpoena,
unit inform the Court whether it did contain the
in.lructions just ulluded to, he took the notice in
his !laud, but could slot find that direction.
Baron RICHAIDS suggested, that somebody else
might find that the subpcena contained the order
for the production of the lamination.
Mr. Seljeaut COPLEY soon bound the words he
wanted.
Again the worthy Magistrate became angry. He
was again corrected by the J sedge ; and having hero
told that be could he spared, disappeared iu au its-
slant.
His clerk, who copied the information, was pre-
sent when Eunishaw signed it, and it contained
charges of theft.
The agent of the Clerk of the Peace refused to
produce the record of the indictment without the
special order of the Court of Sessions. fie said he
acted as attorney to the Deleistlaid, us well us agent
to the Clerk of the Peace. Its the latter character
he refused the record.
W. Butterman deposed, that the Defendant, on
Easter Monday, said to Mr. Siortleet, the Wiese of
the parish, that the business to the steal-
ing the book.) was a black sou-loess. nod he could
prove that Pidcock had violets the books out of the
vestry chest.
W. Hopkinson, pariah clerk, swore, that lie
heard Earsishow say, that Mr. !Niblick had stolen
the book*, and he would pros( cow liiw at his own
expense.
Mr. Spencer, vicar of Drosifield, deposed, that
he was governor of the free school, and a manager
of the Smithey school. Mr. Polcock waisted in
teaching the children in the Sunday school, and
having complained of the practice of keeping the
children from church, all the other teachers with.
drew. He had refused to allow the free school room
to be used during diner Peruke ; on opposition
school was set up, and all the books belotiging to
the Sundry school were under the care of Mr. Pid-
cock. Alter the separation it division of the books
was made by Mr. Pidcock at tvitnes.'s request, ind
some, of course, remained in the school under the
care of Mr. Ptilcock, for the u.e of whatever Sun-
day scholars might stay there. This was done under
his authority. Oa Easter Monday Earnshaw used
the words ascribed to him by Buttermans and Nadel].
" that the matter could easily be ended by Mr.
Pidcock withdrawing his indictment, for limit lie
(F.orsishaw) would withdraw his."
Robert Unwin deposed, that Earnshaw had
said lie would spend 500/. of his o• ii, Or oblige
Mr. Pideock to quit the town. Eariisliaw was
a man of property, according to Ins own declara-
tion.
J. Hazlet swore to the saint. effect. He added,
that Mr. Spesicer had interfered with tears in his
eye', to compose the unfortunate &derelict:soh the
perish.
Mr. Cr.anist. the Counsel, was of opinion, that
all the Plaintiff's *u nease. were influenced by
parish party in giviiig evidence. Fie was particu-
larly sharp on Mr. Spencer, and said he believed
that gentleman belonged to the old school.
Mr. Spencer left the trioinpli of Mr. Clarke's wit
to that Lturoed Counsel, being content with having
added most atrongly to the impression upon the
Coon.

Mr. Serjeant CoPLEy knew Mr. Spencer to he
an excellent character. They had been to 'trinity
College together.
Baron RICHARDS Mid, that Mr. Clarke had ae.
CUM' Mr. Spencer cf an offence, of which Mr.
Clarke himself was guilty—that of belonging to
the old ecliool.

Mr. Spencer—" I hope, my Lord. it i. the right
one."

Mr. CLARKE, for the Defendant, represented
that the words used by him were produced by mo-
mentary passion, and meant nothing but mere
parish abuse; and submitted, that the character of
the Plaintiff had been just as good befo►e the trial
as it could be after.

Baron RICHARDS summed up tl►e evidence, 1411.1
said, that Alt. l'idcock had his personal tha,.lr fur
the resolution lie had adopted that the children
should go to church. It was well known, that
dangerous consequences resulted Irons a neglect of
religious duties ►u early life ; and the conduct of
the Plaintiff was so far front being without blame,
that not the slightest circu►nstance hail been uttered
which did not reflect credit upon l.im. 'flie con-
duct of the Defendant was as much the reverse as
it was possible to be, his intention being palpably
bad, and his mind being under the influence of a
deliberate system of vindictiveness.
The Jury, which was common, returned a ver-
dict for the Plaintiff—Damages, Que bemired
pounds.
It gave great satisfaction.

STAFFORDSHIRE ASSIZES.

CROWN BAR.

Briers Mr. Baron GARILOW.

TRIAL FOR FELONIOUSLY SHOOTING WITH
INTENT TO MURDER.

Joh* Gallgnore was put upon his trial for fi 10.
l i 111 l ply shooting at and wounding !Vary lliiickes,
at tirolgley, with intent to murder her.
[The Counsel for the prosecution, in opening the
case, stated that the woman !Lick'', who had been
shot at by the Prisoner, and who had formerly
cohabited with him, hut had IL ft him through fear,
would not, as he was informed, appear, having been
bribed by him to keep away.]
Benjamin Robinson saw Piisoner and Mary
Hinckes, about half-past eight o'clock in the morn-
ing of the sth of llay, near Gornall, met mid
passed them, and alitiopt immediately braid the re•
pun of a 14.0—turned his head and NIW the
woman with her arms extended, cr)ing " !"
went to her assistance and askedPoner what he
had dune, who said, " You see what I've dour."—
The women, on be:lig "Aril, said the Ptitioner told

her, betwe lie fired, that tie would murder tier and
be hanged for it. 'floonas Davis was assisting the
woman, who appeared to great p 1111 ; tlllllll loosing
her clothes the bullet fell to the ground and witness
picked it up. Davis took the pistol from Prisoner.
Witness assisted to take the Prisoner before the
Magistrate at Dudley, a pair of hollet morilds
which the bullet tired at the woman fitted, live other
bullets. sod some powder, were f
I upon Wm.
'fliorrias Davis corroborated the last witne-s.
Edward IValtlio saw the Prisoner and Mary
}Locke% ,walking together nu the road at Gomel!,
on the Bth of May, and from their brhavieur sup-
;after! they were quarielliog ; watched them for
some tune, and at last saw Prisoner take a pistol
from his breast pocket, present it, and lie it at
Dinettes. When Prisoner pulled out the pistol, lie
and the woman were facing each other, not more
than a yard asunder ; but the woman whisked
round as quick us sight. and was wounded in the
back, reeled about, and 'vied " Murder!" Wit-
ness went up mid assisted its taking Prisoner into
comfort v.

C. Al. Aslowio. surgeon, examined the back or
Mary Ilittekes, no the day before ii..otteol, and f I
a small wound apparently made by a !wool ball,
which cauord Y cantle: . L t.f al • that it
would have heels instantly fatal if the powder load
been ortroolg enough.

Richard Coonibes, a turnkey, received from Pri-
soner a 5/. note to deliver to Mr-t. Stoll .

Mrs. Sarah Stone received 51. f Coombe% to
give In 31itry Hipickes: when she afterwards told
Pri.osier that she bud givrn her the mut►ey. he said
she .hould nut here done so.

The Prisoner denied laving► sent the money in
Mary linrkep; his right arm was di•+lded, soil lie
Kan! hr could not have take,' the pi►tul from lila side
pocket, as had hu•ets sworn.—Guilty.
In passing. sentence upon ~,,, re, the Learned
Judge told him his offence ranked higher than soy
other except murder. Ile li.id attempted to
his hands in the hlond oaf o *omits who had sacri-
ficed whit little reputation she posoesord to I -
attempted it deliberately at noon-day, on a public
highway. -He dare not hold out to him soy raper.
itotion of mercy. It was a maxim acted upon at all
times, 8, Whosoever shrildeth man's biota', by mini
shall his blood be •hrtl ;" and it was ow tug to the
special Providence of the A Imighly that she was not
sent out of the World without having time to atone
fur her crimes.

The Prisoner knelt while the Judge passed sen-
tence, and seemed deeply affretesl. Fie charged
Slone with persuading him I,s ►end Maly Hinekes
St and said if she had appeaped it would have been
better for him.