The National Register.
London, England, 1816-07-14 00:00:00

MENDICITY.

Tut new Commission of Mendicity will effutually
search and relieve the many places in and about this great
metropolis, which are v:ell known to tic mcdical practi-
tioner, and the humane Christian ; whic7l are n.-vf.:.• free
trout infectious atmosphere—they become the resort of
the most abject poverty_ Numbers who never saw each
other before,—who have nothing to lose, and are intlif-
ierent to life itself, are 1i shred in the same room or cellar,
on terms which menclicity may always procure: many
and different families reside on the same stair-case, and
several in the same roots, without the means of cleanli-
ness ; and this want at last reduces them to the habit of
•notregarding it as an evil. The melioration of this con-
dition of disease and wretchedness must be gradual ; that
it may be relieved is not to be doubted. Much may be
hoped front Mr. Martin's exertions, for he has already
clone much towards it. The difficulty will arise from
.the anode of relief: if they are driven out of these pesti-
lential habitations, they carry their conutgion about with
them ; and, while their bodies remain unwashed, and
their clothing remains unburned, the consequences are
.fatal to all who approach them, fresh from country air,
or a wider and more salubrious plac.; of residence ; these
inhale an effluvia of which their organs are not sensible ;
butAhey receive a fever, the cause of which is never sus-
rected. Notwithstanding this melancholy view of some
of our fellow-creatures, yet it is a fact that the scarcity
in the winter of 1797 to 1800 produced a greater amen-

oration to their condition ; fo the price of labour was
.ramd, wkich enabled those who were employed in ma-
nufactories t* proride better means for cliamliness, and to
leave their forcer infectious abodes.

Although the high price of labs i aid manaxture
is to some productive of profligacy, yet it is not generally
so : the ingenuity of a good workman will slacken and
sink to isiditference, if not well encouraged ; and, if his
wife and children live upon his skill, their share of his
earnings are more effectual towards preserving them in
•the very reqUisites which are above described : their con-
dition can be improved only by enabling them to acquire
something more by their industry tlain is sufficient for
their immediate wants ; they then lezmi the value of mo-
ney, which at once teaches them economy—habits of
order then succer.d ; cleanliness supplies the place of pro-
fligacy ; and, as their children grow up, they have a desire
to see them placed in some school for religious education,
which elfectuallydeads the ignorant parents to follow the
example, and to cultivate the improvements of duty and
regularity. Here religion holds out the beat encourage-
ment, and the purest satisfaction. It is to Fie observed,
that we only hear of those instances in whom high wages
have produced as mach irregularity as abject poverty—
but we do not hear so frequently of the many who cherish
the benefit ; who arc enabled to clothe their children, as

wall as themselves, decently ; and to procure for them the
means of beneficial .instruction, and to acquire virtuous
habits:--these pass sikntlynn. the current of life; but
their number is fitr greater than that of the others.
The new Commission will introduce themselves into
many abodes of both sorts, andxwill find in their researches
many qpportnnities of presenting to Parliament not only
the evils and their wide extent, but also the remedies and
cures; and while they are thus occupied, they will visit,
with an •unknown blessing, the rich and opulent ; for
they will so effectually cleanse these abodes of poverty,
as to prevent the means of infection from spreading in the
works of the taylor, the sempstress;and the washing-wo-
•man : at those seasons of the year when these abodes arc
more crowded than at others—when the danger is there-

lore considerably increased, and an epidemic fever, mea-
sles, or small-pox, customarily return, we may anticipate
the escape from the contagion which has so frequently
ravaged the metropolis. The new Commission will do
snore and better for us than the mere system of alms; the
abodes of poverty are not always amended by money ;
many a valuable life would be saved, if the benevolent
visitor would send a plaisterer, a chair-woman, or a gla-
ther, rather than a pound note. There is a solid reason
why the opulent should, on any of these occounts, shrink
from 'the antics of personal charity, fearing a too close in-
tercourse with those who have remained a long tir.-e in
'any unhealthy state of dist. ; but they may readily find
.almorters who are more accurst amed to breathe a tainted
atmosphere, and whose benevolence is daily exerted in
the walks of their most useful profession. Among the
diseases of London, Dr. Willan says, that the scarlet-fever

is most virulent in the months of October and Novem-
ber, and is most dangerous to infants on the 7th or Bth
day : it is mildest during the summer months ; and thus,
by the Commission, which will be probably in its active
operations during this period, a large opportunity will be
offered for the extension of beneficence in its most useful
branches, and through hands the most faithful and capa-
ble of rendering it effectually serviceable.
Methods fir the extermination of these fatal diseases
lave not been undertaken, except fir the small-pox ; and
the almdes of filth and abja,A distress.already mentioned,
will 'remain as s..•etts fln• fresh fuel to these maladies, until
either the active persuasion of the benevolent, and their
actually paying the expence and costs occasioned by the
needful cleansing, or th • strong hand of legislative power,
which would be a stretch beyond the limits of Magna
Charm, shall interpose, and teach the poor the comforts
af more civilised life. A. H.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

L.4IV INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH-SATURDAY, JULY 13.

TM: KM; V. •LN%FTT AN'. OTIIEII%.

This was an 'tudirtment founded on the statute of the 9th of
Anne, charging the defendants, Bennett, Reynolds, and Hill
Harley, with having, on the 7th of February, 11:15, milawfollv
won at a sitting of a gentleman. named Grimes, upwards of 50i.
at the game of hazard. The prosecutor stated, that he was an
officer in the Artillery Drivers ; and on the night of the Oth
of
February, or early on the morning of the 7th, having been dining
with some friend, and being rather fresh, he went to a well-
known gaming-house in St. James's4treet, where he met the
defendant., with whom he engaged iu the game of hazard ; and
first, in the earl• part of the evening, he played with Bennett, to
whom he lost near 1401. and a bill of exchange for 1231. ; after
ibis Reynolds and Hill Hurley, the other defendants, came in,
and he continued to play, Reynolds taking the dice, and lost
MM.; having put down another bill of exchange for 12011.
against which the defendant Reynolds played Bennett;
Dailey being by, and saying he would go part in the game.
When the prow.eutor had lust 0091. Reynolds took the Lill of
exchange and gave the wanes: the balance, 5011. in bank-notes.
The witne•. continued to play, And WWI lost the .3011. also. At
one time le^ suspected Reynolds was not throwing fairly, as he
threw the main thirteen or foorteen times miming.
Isaac Fitch, the porter at the house in question, proved that
the parties were playing together on the night in question, and
that he changed the two bills ofesehange at the bank of Messrs.
Hopkins's, where they were payable.
A vvitm ss named Barker also prayed, that in a conversation
which he hail with the defendant Harley, the defendant
told him that the defendants bail won two bills of exchange
of Capt. Grimes; that he Marley had vi inlet! him out as a good
subject, and that Bennett won the first bill, though he did it
in so bungling a manner that any one but a fool um•t have
found him out; that Reynnlils was empliried to win the large
bill; and after they won all the money, they, that is Bennett,
Reynolds slid Harley, went to the Shades, in Jenny n.strect,
where they divided the spoil.
Mr. Gurney, on behalf of the defendants, took au objection
in this casei namely, that the statute mentioned money and not
bank-notes; that no money except in the form of bast-notes
hail passed in the present instance, namely, the given as
the balance of the large bill, and afterwards won back again ;
and that in tbis ease, bank-notes could not be considered as
money .
Lord Ellenbormigh said he would save the point.
Mr. Gurney then addressed the (7ourt in favour of Bennett.
and contended that there was no evidence to prove that he
was a party in playing for money ; and that with respect to the
first bill, it nut being properly set forth in the indictment, no
verdict could be taken upon it.
Mr. Spankie and Mr. Nolan addressed the Jury for Mr.
Darle♦ and Mr. Reynolds, and contended that the prosecutor's
evidence was not sufficient to convict them.
Lord Ellenborough having summed op the evidence, the
Jury found the defendants Guilty of winning to the amount
of 5011. _ _

IVIoNDAv, .Itt.l,- R.
DAVITS t. HARGDAN E AND OTHFDIS.

This was an action by the plaintiff, a gentleman residing at
Scarborough, against the defendants, proprietors of the York
lit raid, for a libel tut rtt ii by them in that paper, reflecting on
the plaintiff's character. It appeared that the plaintiff, having
occasion to he absent from Scarborough sonic time on business,
on his return an application was made to him for 31. for poor'''.
Noes. Mr. Davies demanded a stamped receipt, which the
Officer refusing to give him, Mr. Davies himself got a stamp,
drew up the receipt, and the Officer signed it; upon which
Davies paid the money, and demanded twopence back as the
price of the stamp. The Officer still refusing, Mr. Davies af-
terwards lodged an information in the Exchequer against the
Overseer, which information was afterwards dismissed, on the
Overseer paying 51. and costs of suit. Shortly after a state-
ment appeared in the, defendants' Paper, detailing the circum-
stances of this transaction, and observing, that it would scarcely
be believed, that the sum demanded of Mr. Davies of 31. was
made up of four quarterly rates of 15e. each, then due, and of
which the Overseer had refrained from enforcing payment from
civility to Mr. Davies daring his absence. The paragraph then
went on to state, that the information which Mr. Davies had
preferred against Mr. Hutchinson, the Overseer, in the Excite-
(pier, had been discharged on his payment of costs of suit ; and
further, that such was the sense entertained by the inhabitants
of Scarborough generally of this transaction, that at a vestry
meeting subsequently heidi a Resolution had been come to, de-
claring Mr. Davies's condnct litigious, nnueighbuttrly, and
vexatious. This was the libel complained of by the plaintiff.
The defendants bad put a justification upon their plea, and
called evidence to prove, that at the lime the SI was demanded,
four quarterly payments were due, and that it was not the prac-
tice of the Overseers at Scarborough to give stamped receipts;
and further, that the vestry had come to a subsequent resolu-
tion, expressive of their opinion as to the conduct of dlr. Davies,
such as was stated in the publicatiuu in question ; anti further
and principally, that the proceedings In the Exchequer had been
dismissed, upon payment of costs only. It appeared, however,
that the 51. paid into the Exchequer was paid as a mit.gated
penalty.
His Lordship observed, that under these circumstances, the
jostification not being made wit, the plaintiff was entitled to a
verdict: it was fur the Jury to say what damages they would
give. The Jury, after a short consultation, found a verdict 'or
the plaintiff—Damages One Farthing..

TUESDAY, Jt. FA 9.
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
WOOTTON E. PEACE.

The Attorney-General stated, that the plaintiff in this case
was a widow woman, about 49, and the defendant a gentleman,
possessed of some property, about the s:utie age. The plain-
tiff's husband was a barge-builder, of sonic repute. He died
about nine years ago ; and leaving his widow with a family to
support, her friends advised her to take a house, and fit it up
for the accommodation ofgentlemen, as boarders. This she ae-
cording v did, and almait nine years ago the defendant became
an inmate in her family. This he continued for several years ;
and during that time he bad the beat opportunity of observing
her conduct, with which he was so well satisfied that he at last
offered her his hand in marriage; a day was fixed; lie had
taken measure of her finger for the ring, and she had every rea-
son to believe her marriage was near taking place. She on one
Hee:isn't) proposed to give up her house and establishment ; but
tins the defendant dissuaded her front doing, saying he should
soon be master of it, and it would then succeed better than it
had lately done. At this time, however. he was not boarding
with her, but was a regular visitor three or four times a week.
The plaintiff, however, observing that his spirit• were not sn
good as usual. enquired the reason; when he acknowledged he
was cals.:mid), unhappy ou account of having formed as

MIA' 14.

proper connection w female of light character. IniniviH-
awly on hearing thi., the plaintiff 'minted out to hint the he.
propriety there would lie in deter! tug this unhappy young.
woman Uithnut making sonic provisini for her abli the de.
feadant then declari d that he would instantly lireak iitt the
connection, and allow the woman in question a guinea ;1 heck
fir lice support: and, in fact. he afterwards assured the plain.
tiff lie hail twill,. tliis ; lint this ASAttriture was
mere ilisception lie connection in question continued up to this
very day, and the consequence had been the hi caking off the
connection with the plaintiff. For the injury which the pi:Mi-
nt/bad sustained, she now came to seek compensation at the
hand, of a Jury. The present WWI not w romantic, high co.
loured case, but one iu which the parties were arrived at an
ugc which left the defendant less excusable than he would have
been in an early age. With this statement he would leave the
ease to the stiller consideration of the Jury, mum the evidence
he would lay before them.

Mr. T. (*ioodlitte was aegnainted with the plaintiff, who
keeps u boarding-home in fdahledon-plaee, Barton-ere cent.
‘Vitness had hoarded in her house Ave years, the defendant was
there two or three years betorc. 'The witness learnt about 4
year ago, from the defend:tut himself, that he paid his adds ewes
to the plaintiff, in the way of marriage, hot had net, er hoard
him fix a day. He quitted the plaintiff's house at oat two
years ago, and for a short time d;seonti tttt cd his visits, hot soon
renewed them, asol came two or three times a week,or oftener,
These visits he continued till vaitnin the MO two mouths.

Lord Ellenborittigh—Yon have heard the defendant declare
his intention to marry the plaintiff.
ititess—l have, toy Lord.
Mr. ticarlett--My Lord, I am for the ili fenilant ; myself and
the Altorney-tietieral have consulted tocethee, and I am cue•
tent that a verdict should be taken for the pla4d.itt for 151 d.
A verdict was accordingly taken ter that sum and es+sts,

Tift itSDAY, .ILLY 11.
ADAM t. LEIGH AND OTHERS.

This was an action agaitiNt the sheriffs fora false return of
imila /,,,ca, upon al writ to levy execntion on the goods of Lord
Alvatile. The defence that the property had all been
alivirbeil by prei ions et.eellti:MS; but, before the case bad
proceeded to any length. it was agreed that a ♦erdict ►hould
he taken fir the plaintiff for HOOL mibjcet to a reference; the
%hcritls undertaking to produce to the arbitrator all the evict, Uvei
in their power.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

WVATT r. GORE.

This was an action brought by Charles Perkin Wyatt, Esq.
against Lient.-General Gore, Governor of the Province of Up-
per Canada. for the publication of a false and malicious libel,
and for having suspended the plaintiff from his office as tillr-
veyor.Getwral of the Crown Lands in that province, ‘sitliolit
any sufficient around, wlnveby he sustained considerable te.
mage.—Verdiet tOr plaintiff, 3001. damages.