The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-17 00:00:00

THAMES.

PRECOCIOUS DEPRAVITY. An Irish boy, named
Timothy Lyons, ten years of age, was brought before Mr.
Woolrycb, charged with stealing a piece of beef weighing
711bs. from the shop board of Mr. Wood, a butcher, in New
Gravel-lane, Shadwell.

The prisoner, a little shrewd fellow, without shoes and
stockings, a few rags hanging loosely about him, his body
begrimed with dirt, and with a head of hair which did not
appear to have ever felt the luxury of a comb, or soap and
water, altogether presented a mild appearance, and had
no doubt, been shockingly neglected. fie spread out hiss
arms on the edge of the dock and looked at the magistrate'
defiantly and knowingly.
The prosecutor's shopman saw the prisoner loitering
about his master's shop, and watched him. The boy
snatched up a piece of beef and ran away with it to the
house of his parents not far off, where he was:captured. It
was stated that the prisoner was in custody a year ago for a
robbery, and Mr. Selfe, who heard the case, kindly allowed
him to go at large in consequence of his tender years.
The prisoner in defence said he was only 10 years of age,
he had a father who was a coal whipper, his mother was
very bad. Ha lived at No. Claremont-square.
11r. Woolrych—Claremont-square ?

The prisoner—To be sure, Claremont-square.
A policeman explained that Claremont-square, New
Grave-lane, was a dirty and desolate place, with a few old
houses in it. _ _

Mr. Woolrych asked the prisoner, if he had any one to
speak in his favour ?
The prisoner—Yes, Mrs. Sullivan.
Mistress Sullivan was called by several officers in court,
and immediately a woman entered the court, got into the
witness-box and was sworn. She said her name was
Catherine Sullivan.
Mr. Woolrych—Do you know the prisoner.
Witness—Divil a bit do I know of the gossoon.
The prisoner—That arn't her, a stout woman Mrs. Sul-
livan that knows me.
No other Mrs. Sullivan answered.
Mr. Woolrych—How do you get your living, boy ?
The prisoner—l live by the shoe-blacking.
Mr. Woolrych—Where ; in what street ?
The prisoner—By the Thames Tunnel in Wapping.
Mr. Woolrych—How long have you been at that work ?
The prisoner—Four years.
Mr, Woolrych—Ever since you were six years of age ?
The prisoner—Yes, sir.
Mr. Woolrych—How much do you earn at that work f
The prisoner—A. shilling a day, and a half-crown on
Sunday.
Mr. Woolrych—You have been here before on a charge
of felony.
The prisoner—No, I ain't.
Mr. Woolrych—Yes, you have.
The prisoner—No, I ain't, upon my honour. (Laughter.)
Mr. Woolrych—Yes, you have.
The prisoner—No, I ain't, sir.
Mr. Woolrych—How came you to steal that beef ?
The prisoner—l thought I'd eat it.
Mr. Woolrych—For your supper.
The prisoner—Yes, to be sure, I likes beef. (Great
laughter.)
Mr. Woolrych—lf you can earn so much money you
might be honest.
The prisoner—Only took a piece of beef.
Mr. Woolrych—For which I must send you to prison or
a reformatory.
The prisoner—All right. (Laughter.)
Mr. Woolrych remanded the prisoner for a week, and said
his father must attend the next examination.

WESTMINSTER.
A RAILWAY ititeLELioNndCong,a.cnhaGEthoarmit
John Fe shl GUARD
o , DRUNK
r o h
aTnßdAD"ro.ver Railway, was charged with being drunk while
in the exercise of his office.
Defendant is a young and very intelligent-looking man,
and appeared deeply sensible of the position in which he
had placed himself.
Mr. Alfred Hancock, inspector of the London, Chatham,
and Dover Railway, said the prisoner is employed by the
company as guard. At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon my
attention was called to him as being drunk and incapable
of doing duty at the station at Pimlico. He had just come
up with his train. I went to him and found he was drunk.
Mr. Arnold—You say he had come up with his train.
Where had he came from?
Witness—He had come from Sheerness by the 1,45
train.
Mr. Arnold—What train ?
Witness—A passenger train. When I found him in the
condition I have described I immediately brought him to
the station and charged him.
Mr. Arnold—Was he so drunk as not to be able to take
charge of his train ?
Witness—He was too drunk to take care of his train,
although not so drunk as to disable him from walking.
Mr. Arnold—Ras he anything to do with the engine ?
Witness—Nothing himself with the engine ?
Mr. Arnold—But he has to give signals to the engine-
man, has he not ?
wolVlditubeessh—is dulietyhatso, sir. He is the head guard, and it
give signals to the engine-man. In
case of break• down or any accident he would have charge.
Mr. Arnold—The engineer acts under his entire direction,
as he has the complete charge of the train ?
Witness—Yes,
Defendant—I brought the train safely up, I had brought
it to Herne-hill all right, when I had the misfortune to
have some ship rum given me, and that, coupled with the
oscillation of the carriage, unfortunately got the better of

me.
Mr. Arnold—How long has ho been in the service of the
company P
Witness—Two years, but only guard during the last six
months. He was appointed because he was a very quick,
intelligent, active man, and bore so good a character.
Defendant—There has never been the least complaint
made against me bebre.
Mr. Arnold—This is a most serious matter, and not like
ordinary charges of drunkenness in the streets. The lives
of the public are completely at the mercy of persons who
have the management of the railways, and it is of course of
vital importance that they should be in a sober and proper
state while following their employment. These are not
ordinary cases.
Defendant---It is my first offence.
Mr. Arnold—By the Act of Parliament persons found in
your condition while on duty aro subject to five months' im-
prisonment in the House of Correction for the offence.
The Superintendent—It is my duty to say he has hitherto
borne a very good character.
Mr. Arnold--So I understand, and am not going to inflict
upon him the full sentence of the law, but I repeat that this
is a moat serious matter. Drunkenness is certainly seen in
its worst aspect in a railway guard, upon whose conduct
may hang the lives of so many.
Superintendent—This man was promoted for his good
eonauet to his present position, but in the discharge of our
duty we were, of course, bound to bring the defendant
before you.
Mr. Arnold—Of course, you have done very right.
Superintendent—He had to take his train out at five.
Defendant—l was not aware the ship's rum I drank was
so strong.
Mr. Arnold—You should not permit yourself to be
tempted by liquor while in the exercise of so responsible a
post. I shall fine you £3, and in default commit you for
a month.