The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-07 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

A VERY PECULIAR DEEENCE.—Margaret Watt, a re-
spectable looking w_rnan, was chargod with being drunk
and incapable of taking care of herself.
A police-constable proved finding her in the state de-
scribed on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Selfe•—What have you to say to the charge ?
Defendant—Oh, your worship, I suffer from great re-
morse of conscience whenever I drink, and therefore I hope,
your worship will pardon me like a good man, as you are.
I am an educated woman and I know you are a good man.
Mr. Selfe—l remember you. You. were hero before, and
you told me I was a good man, then.
Defendant—Perhaps. I did, your worship.
Mr. Selfe—l did not believe you.
Defendant—l am staunch to the letter of a teatotaller in
my heart.

Mr. Selfe—You have an odd way of illustrating it.
Defendant—l live a good lire when I don't drink, and
my husband nude me do it this time. I told him, " You
know the remorse of conseien:e I feel if I drink," but he
still led me into it.

Mr. Selfe—He could not have made you take it if you
were not disposed, I think.
Defendant—Forgive me, your worship, and if you let me
go it will do a great deal of good.
Mr. Selfe—How ?

Defendant—l shall be the means of the conversion of
many by showing a good example to poor wandering crea-
tures, and showing them the consequences of drunkenness.
Mt. Selfe—ln which you yoursad indulge.
Defendant—lt was through my husband's temptation,
I am a religious, good Catholic, , and it is not because I am
that lam opposed to any one else. lam kind to every one,
because they are God's creatures. When I take a glass I
am not right in my head.
Mr. Selle—Then don't take the glass.

Defendant—Your worship, I want to be good, but I
can't. I'll go and take the pledge, and never drink any
more, if you'll let me g.). It will do a great service to
others. Be merciful to um.

Mr. Selfe—Yes, I shall be very merciful. I shall fine
you ss.
The money was paid,

THE ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LIBRARY COMPANY
(Limited), 15, Old Bond-street.—This extensive
library, which was purchased from its late proprietor, Mr.
Hookham, by this company, has, under a highly respect-
able directory, and with the secretarial management of
Samuel Bevan, Esq., commenced active operation. The
speciality set forth by the company is that, regardless of
value, all new books, either English or foreign, are to be
supplied to subscribers at once, on a request being made,
and this without more than the necessary delay in sending
for them ; hence the readers to this library have not to
mate repeated applications for any work which they may
urgently require. To compensate the company for this
accommodation and expense the subscription is somewhat
higher, of course, than at other libraries where this mani-
fest advantage is not derivable. The high character of the
board of directors affords every guarantee to the public fot
the carrying out to the letter that line of policy which they
have mapped out for themselves to perform in the interests
of the public.

SERIOUS OMNIBUS ACCIDENT.-0a Saturday
while a fire was raging at the chemical works of
Messrs. Medway and Joy, Owen-row, St. John's-street,
road, Clerkenwell, a serious accident happened to an omni-
bus which was passing at the time. The horses shied at a
land steamer, although it was not working, and the omnibus
was upset. The driver and passengers on the roof were
Pitched into the roadway, while those inside were thrown
against each other with great violence. Most of the pas
senders were severely shaken but not dangerously injured.

- -
SINKING OF A HAMBURG STEAMER.—lntelligence
has been received of the sinking of the fine screw
steamer Chevy Chase, in the Elbe, near Brunshausen.
She was from London to Hamburg, and was loaded with a
very valuable cargo of merchandise. In proceeding up the
Elba she encountered the ice and went ashore, and sub-
sequently sunk. The Chevy Chase, which was the property
of the General Steam Navigation Company, was a very fine
iron steamer, and was built at a cost of upwards of £35,000.
She had gained quite a name for the rapidity of her passages.
Divers hive been employed to get out the cargo.