The National Register.
London, England, 1820-05-29 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Volta.

MANSION-HOUSE.

MORLIY.SGAMiIaNG 1-10U65.--It will be recollected
that, 50111 C time:n:loolin Morley, the keeper of a gamb-
ling house, at No. 3, Sweetilig's-rents, was cunt icted
in the penalty of 2001. for haviir4 allowed the game of
hazard to be played in his house. The gentleman who
proceeded against the offender is a merchant of respects
Willy, whose nephew had lust considerable sums of
money in the house at the game abote mentioned, and
the defendant was not to be Mow for smile time.

There existed some doubt as to the legality of the con-
viction, no summons having been served upon Morley to
appear and atisi%er to the charge, and the conviction
having been made notwithstanding the absence of the
man under such circumstances. A summons, however,
had heed) served tilmis him to at.end on a previous day,
upon which a postpoitennint took place.
The gentleman who had pressed the matter to a
COll4 ICI ion deter • dto prevent as mochas possible the
atrocious practice of gambling, by which his relative's
iflo,peets tit tie hail been completely blasted, and kept
JII eye upon the house, where he soon found that every
encouragement was given to merchants and batikeri
clerks, and others, who had the C0111.0:00I o: nionei not
bleu own. He then, accompanied by his solicitor,
waited upon the Lord Mayor, and assured his Lordship
that tie had every reason to suppose that tile practice was
I,ot abated, and Ih.o beV4.l:ll lIMINCS uh MC city were
to be plundered in consetpielice of the facilities
horde I in Sweetdig's-reins, where Murky was making
Itirttine upon the veg.), extrusive play mat was going
forward colistaittly. tits Lordship's interierence was
I CII
Tile Lord Mayor said, lie should make every effort to
keep do.vii so ruinous an annoyance; but seemed to
question the validity of the conviction. He, however,
sand tie should take the opinion of the City S• 'tenor on
the subject, and, if the conviction proved good, issue a
warrant of distress against the goods and. chattels of
Morley.
His Lordship, having consulted the very respectable
authority alluded to, and being answered to his satis-
faction, issued the warrant to the officer, named
Hurdefield, to seize upon the goods of the defendant for
the sum of 2(101.

Hisrdefield, accompanied by Martin and Branscomb,
accordingly entered the premises, and took an inventory
on Tuesday last. They were not only refused the
amount of the penalty, but were threatened with actions
tor trespass, &c. 'lnc officers, however, determined to
fol!ow the directions in the warrant, and remained on
the premises five days, during which they did consider-
able mischief to the business of the house, where billiards
ate played by great numbers. Several young fellows,
upon seeing the officers, who made no secret of the
nature of their visit, left the house in a hurry. It was
impossible for the officers to ascertain whether any other
game was carried on in the house, for bolts and bars are
numerous there, and the greatest caution has hitherto
been observed as to the admission of persons to the ha-
zard table. During ►heir stay in the house, however,
time officers saw quite enough to convince the Lord
Mayor of the necessity for marking the house.
Alter sonic gasconade on the part of the defendant and
his friends, he thought it most prudent to settle the mat-
ter, after having endeavoured to prevail upon the officers
to take liMiselt inste.md of the goods, and assured them
that there was not a pennyworth of property in the house
to which he had any claim. He paid down 1'251., and
gave Its bond for the remainder of the penalty to the
solicitors for the prosecution.
It was stated that great numbers of young persons, in
situations similar to that held by the unfortunate lad who
robbed his master to play at Musky's, have been ruined
by the house. Sonic hare been already brought to jus-
tice at the Old Bailey; others have, in the madness
caused by lossys, destroyed themselves; and others have
escaped to other countries by their own activity, or the
iimauerice of their friends. The penalty inflicted by the
12th of George 11. upon any person found playing at
hazard is 501. The officers have receited particular
directions to watch Morley's house.

The relatives and friends of Frost, the late turnkey of
the Gilispiir-street prison, have instituted proceedings
against a men in business in the city, for having asserted
that the unfortunate turnkey received 6001. for liav tig
facili,ated the escape of Captain I)avis from prison.
Gooding, die Captaiirs-servatit, is to tfe a witness upon
the part of Frost. G °sling I,ow butts tout it was with
great difficulty he prevailed upon Caputo Davis to walk
Mt of the prison. Ae soma as the disguise had been
completed, he Silt dow., in a trembling and discommlate
state, and said lie tie‘er could go through with the busi-
itzas. Cowling polled him out 01 his seat, and told hint
at least to make the attempt, as tie could not he %%Writ!
Off than lie was al that 1110111 CW. and might by etlOrt he
much better. Gtxxlitig then forced him to the door.
130%1-SIREET.
_ _ _

Ott Monday, 11.. ti 111 LltiN 0, landlord of the White
Hart pollee hoot.r, Dr lily laic, aarodeti oil summons
to ~nswer a I iiiiiplamt wade. against him fur sillier:lla
gamut% in his home. It was prole(' that the defendant.
permitted Skillics, and also a ;:,,tor called bagatelle, to
lw played at in his U use.—He was Colii.iCied i, the
penalty of 40s.