The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-23 00:00:00

WESTON'S RETREAT.

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An adjourned sessions was held at the Vestry Clerk's
Office, No. 1, Gordon square, Euston-square, yesterday
morning, for the purpose of considering an application
which had been made by Mr Weston for a wine licence,
under Mr Gladstone's Act, for the Retreat at Kentish-
tow n. The applicant alleged that his house came within
the meaning of the act as a place for the sale of confectionery
and articles of food.
Mr Sleigh and Mr Starley appeared for Mr Weston; and
Mr Gordon for several gentlemen, who opposed.
The Chairmen said the application was adjourned for the
purpose of Mr Gordon producing evidence that the Retreat
was a place frequented by prostitutes and other disorderly
persons.
Mr Sleigh observed that the summons alleged that it was
not a confectionery shop, or a place for the sale of food, and
that it was a disorderly house and frequented by prosti-
tu'es. It was also contended that it was a house which was
already adjudicated disqualified. He apprehended the last
charge was disposed of at the former meeting, and that the
only business with which they had now to deal was whether
it was a place frequented by prostitutes.
Mr Gordon made an off r that if Mr Weston would
close the Retreat on a Sunday, the opposition would be
withdrawn.
Mr Sleigh did not think they could accept it.
Mr Gordon said that on the last occasion he asked the
Bench to keep the words " adjudicated disqualified" in the
summons.
The Chairman-- They are. The Bench wished Mr
Gordon to call evidence respecting the character of the
house.

Mr Edward Weston was the first witness called, and
proved that he resided at the Retreat, although he was
absent at the Music Hall, Holborn, every evening from
half, past 6 o'clock until 12. His brother was the proprietor
and owner of the Retreat, and sold food, victuals, and con-
fectionery. People could go in and purchase food without
paying anything for admission. Would swear that the ;er-
Sens frequenting the house wore respectable and orderly in
their conduct. Hid never seen any prostitutes there,
nor
had the police ever made any complaint respecting the
conduct of the pe.sons who attended. He had expended
£20,000 upon the place, Did not give persons at the Music
Hall tickets to go to the Retreat on a Sunday, nor had he
ever given a general invitation to that effect.
James Hillock, who described himself as an " Evan-
gelist," deposed that he had been to Weston's Retreat, He
went there on a Friday night, the weather being dull,
There were 13 or 14 females rambling about, and they were
using language such as no virtuous woman would ever
think of employing. There were also young lads there, of
much the same character as the women, One of the waiters
was as bad as the women. Witness also went on a Sunday,
and saw a great number there. He saw women seated in
some of the boxes grossly misconducting themselves.
By Mr Sleigh—He was an Evangelist, being employed
by the Leaden Congregational Association, which was
similar to the City Mission. Was employed to preach and
visit, and it was because he had visited these places that ho
know of their dangers and victims. Before he became
" Evangelist" he was a missionary and teacher. When he
discovered that the conduct of these women was so indecent,
he did not Co to the peneri.A-.. oad compiwira, because it
Would have been dangerous. (A. laugh.) Did not go to
the police-station and complain of it, because that would
have been dangerous. (Laughter and oh.)
By the Bench—Believed the women whom ho saw were
prostitutes.

Mr James Hedges proved that on ono occasion lasi
September he saw several intoxicated women at the ite.
treat.

Benjamin Ingle said that last August or September he
saw two prostitutes there, but did not see any disorder or
indecency, and he was there four or five hours.
Samuel Davy, an ex.policeman, saw some prostitutes at
the Retreat about twelve months ago, but their conduct
was very good; in fact, had never seen a place conducted
better.

Mr Copestake and Mr Ingall gave evidence to the effect
that the people who assembled at the Retreat caused a good
deal of noise by talking, laughing, &c., which was a nuisance
to them.

Mr Sleigh submitted that the charge respecting prosti-
tutes frequenting the house had failed, and the Bench said
that they should not call upon him for any rebutting evi-
dence,

The magistrates then retired, and upon returning into
court,
The Chairman said that they had come to the decision
that the house for which the license was required was not a
confectionary or eating-house within the meaning of the
act, and that it was adjudicated disqualified for the sale of
wifleE therein.

A large number of persons who crowded the court imme-
diately shouted out " Shame, shame," " Prejudice," "A
robbery," &c. This excitement was caused by it being
thought that, as the bench had heard evidence respecting
the character of the house, they did not intend to refuse the
licence on the ground given ; and that, as they did intend
to refuse the licence on this point, respecting which they
had all the evidence last time, it was somewhat strange that
they should have heard evidence respecting the character,
which they now decided was not bad.
Mr Sleigh asked for a more specific statement of the
grounds of the decision, but the bench declined to give it'

EBASTOPOL.—The Journal de SG. Pelersbourg
states that the harbour of Sebastopol is being cleared of the
hulls of the ships sunk at the entrance of the port at the
beginning of the Crimean war. The same journal adds that
in three years the railroad from Moscow to Kourek will be
extended to Sebastopol.