The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-11 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MAN SION-.HOUSE.
A GEritus.—A boy about twelve years of age, named
Chapman, was charged with having stolen a pocket-hand-
kerchief. He had been frequently apprehended and pu-
nished as a pickpocket, and has more than once pleaded
successfully before a Jury by a mixture of eloquence and
seeming contrition.
Henry Isaacs, a constable, stated that the prisoner was
pointed out to him as a boy who had just stolen a pocket-
nandkerchief. The prisoner was at the moment walking
arm-in-arm with two girls of the town, who were evidently
acting as his " blinds," and the moment he saw witness,
he endeavoured to pass the handkerchief to one of the
girls, but it fell to the ground, and he was taken into cus-
tody. The girls escaped.

'qr. HOISIiR—Oh: I dare say his ladies are waiting
about the Justice-room to know his fate. Let the officers
look into'the next room.

The moment this direction was given there was a move-
ment in the outer room, and two girls were seen to run
down stairs in great consternation. They were imme-
diately secured and placed at the bar.

Isaacs at once identified one of the girls (Eliza Cle-
ments) as the person to whom the boy handed the hand-
kerchief.

The boy (staring at the girl)-1 know nothing about
her, 1 never saw her before.

Two policemen declared that the prisoner had said the
girl was his sister.
The Boy—Not at all. I pointed out quite a different
sort of girl, who hai just gone out. These young women
are strangers to me, so that if I was guilty they must be
innocent.

Isaacs—My Lord, he is a clever fellow, and has lately
had six months in Newgate for a robbery.
The Boy—l acknowledge that I have been in error, but
I have shown my sorrow, and been punished for that. Why
is it to stick to me for ever ? Ido assure you, my Lord
that this charge is a mistake.
The girls both said that they never beheld the prisoner
before.

The Boy—That is the only word of truth that has been
spoken about me, and I hope, my Lord, you will let me go.
Don't double the punishment for my ell offence.
Isaacs—He always works with the assistance of women,
my Lord, and the moment he is out of prison, he begins to
rob as if nothing of the kind happened.
The LORD MAYOR—If we can get rid of him for seven
years, I hope he will come back a better boy.
The Boy—What will you send me for? No property was
found upon me. There were numbers of boys like myself
in the street, and the handkerchief was lying on the Rround.
Am I to get seven years for that ? Is that fair play?
Eliza Clement—What am I here for, my Lord? Am I
to be sacrificed because I happen to be passing by the Man.
sion-house when the bey was at the bar ? I never was afore
a Magistrate in my life till thislblessed minute.
• Several of the policemen said that the girl was a most
notorious thief and had been sent to Bridewell frequently,
from the Mansion-house and Guildhall.
Eliza Clements--Now, is it likely that if I was such a
body, I'd go fling myself bang into the arms of the police ?
Isaacs—There is nothing, my Lord, they are not des-
perate enough to do. •
The Boy—My Lord, I beseech you to discharge me.
I am entirely innocent, but in future I shall ever avoid going
near a crowd, that there may be no pretence for accusing
me. He here cried aloud, and made a most touching ap-
peal to all around.
The LORD MATO4--I have myself let you go from that

bar more than once, and I am told that you at once began i
again at your old work. The Boy--I know your Lordship
has been very, very kind, and your kindness was not thrown
away, for I reformed : I have left off all my bad practices,
and I lead a new life. Oh, pray my Lord !do not sp
what you have so kindly done.
The LORD MA fOR—It won't do ; you are too clever f
the streets of London, and you and Eliza Clements must
go to the Old Bailey for trial. The other girl I shall dis-
charge.
The discharged girl curtsied to the Lord Mayor, and,
ir turning to Eliza Clements, said to her in an under tone,
" Didn't I tell you you'd get no good by your curosity'
about him."
The two prisoners were then committed.