The Sun.
London, England, 1830-10-18 00:00:00

WARYLEBONE.

On Saturday night a ragged dirty old man, named
John Driscoe, was placed at the bar, and a police
constable, No. 6 of the division D, entered the wit-
ness•box to prefer a charge against him.
Previously to the appearance of these parties,. a
lady, Mrs. !croft, of No. 3, Cutnberland-place,
New-road, had taken a chair by the side of the Ma-
gistrates, and before the policeman began his state-
ment she addressed Mr. Griffith, and said, " Will
yen bear me, Sir ?"
Mr. Gnivrrrtt•--Most certainly, Madam; go on.
Policeman—l beg your pardon, Sir; I want a
warrant against that lady fur striking me in the exe-
cution of my duty.

Mr. Cam,Frett—Go down, Sir. She has a very
serious charge to make against you, and I shall hear
nothing you have to say until also has done.
Mrs. Holcroft—ln Wimpole-street, Sir, this
afternoon, I saw that poor helpless old man standing
upon the curbstone, quite an object of pity ; and
that policeman came up, and, without any cause
whatever, took hold of him and dragged him along
like a culprit, in a most unfeeling cruel manner. I
said, " What are you going to do with him ?" and
he replied, " I am going to take him to the station-
house for begging in the streets." The charge was
false, Sir; he was not begging. I took his part,
Sir, and I followed him to Marylebone-lane, and
the inspector threatened to lock me up for interfering,
and I gave the poor man a shilling, and said I would
lay his case before a Magistrate.
Mr. ClawFmt told her he believed she had acted
very properly ; and to the policeman he said, " You
now hear the charge against you ; what reason had
you for taking that man into custody ? Ile was do-
ing nothing wrong it appears." Policeman—l saw
him begging, Sir, of three ladies.
Mrs. lloleroft—Upon my oath, Sir, he was not
begging.

Policeman—Perhaps you did not see him, madam;
but he is a notorious beggar, and the inhabitants
complain of him.

Mr. GRIFFITH (to the porceman)--.What did he
say to the indica ?. Policeman—l was not near
enough, Sir' to hear what he said, but he took off
his hat end ha followed them, holding out his bend,
and they gave him something.
Mr. GRIFFMI—What did they give him ? Po-
liceman-1 believe it was a penny; it fell upon the
pavement, and he picked it up and put it in his
pocket. I went up to him and raid, You know
this is wrong; I must take you to the station-house."
He answered, " Forgive me this time, and I will
not do it again.'' I took hold of him to lead him
away, and this lady came up, and she said to me,
" You d---d reseal, how dare you do this ?"
Mr. GRIFFITH—Did she make use of that ex-
pression ? Policeman—Yes, Sir ,• and. I said, " I
beg pardon, I am only doing my duty; if I do not
apprehendthis man, I shall loge my situation." The
lady replied, " get along, you tL--d rascal," anti
she took hold of the beggar's arm, and said, "
take him to my own house, and do as I like with
him." I told her she must first go before my sts-
ppior officer. She struck me two or three times
going down WimpoleNstreet, and, when she got into
Wigmore.etreet she pulled the beggar into
Bridgman s, the confectioner, and struck me again,
and tried to push me away. Some one said, "For
God's sake, don't make such a noise, for a person up
stairs is ill." She tried still to take the beggar away
by force, and a young man in the:Shop entreated her
to desist, and follow him quietly to the station-house.
She shook me, and caught hold of my hair, and in
trying to pull the beggar away, she tore the sleeve
of his coat. off, and a mob of 190 persons collected
around us. I thought she was a lady, because of her
appearance, and I supposed she was deranged, in
consequence of her language and conduct. When
we got to the station.house,she abused Mr. Lazenby,
the superintendent, and Mr. Adamson, the inspector,
as she had done me ; and told them we were a set
of vagabonds in the streets, and she would have us
abandoned altogether. Mr. Laitenhy threatened to
lock her up, because of her violence, and he desired I
me to take out a warrant against her.
Mr. GftiFPlrtl eked whether the beggar was
known at that office.

All the officers knew him, and Alderson, who
was gaoler in July, 1809, produced his book, and
showed Mr. Griffith that on the Bth of that month
he was caught begging in the streets with plenty of
money in lnit pocket, and Mr. Raw Union committed
him to the House of Correction for fourteen days;
and it appeared on that occasion that the night pre-
ceding hit apprehension be partook of the pleasures
of a festivity, at the house of one Boyle, in St.
Giles's, and in company with others of his fraternity
devoured an " Alderman in chains " for so feasting
beggars denominated a boiled turkey with sausages.
Mr. GRIMM said, he had no : doubt he was a
notorious beggar, and the policeman did right in
taking him to the watch house; and be observed,
that Mrs. Holcroft should have known more than
she did before she interfered.

Mrs. Holcroft—At all events the policeman used
too much violence, for the poor old man is very weak
and infirm.

Alderson—lndeed, madam, you are mistaken;
he eery sturdy and obstinate, and when I took
him to prison, I found it difficult to manage him.
Mrs. tloleroft—l did not strike the policeman.—
(To the beggar.)—Did you see me stake him ?
Mr. GRIFFITII—He is so grind an impostor, you
cannot expect one word of truth to come out of
his mouth.

Policeman--The lady not only struck mo, but

pushed me about like a little child : she Is vary
powerful. - - - r k
. ,
Mr. GRIFFITII—(to Keys, the present gta4eri)rr
He is en old rogue it seems; there, take Wolof'
again to prison. 02, iggfo, g
The policeman asked for a warrant against at.
Holcroft. His application was not answerik*
he said he should lay the case before .his sppetlfl
officers.

lIATTOSLOARDEN.
On Saturday, a young women, a *wait, era/.
name of Susan Reynolds, was brought up lositii"
Mr. LAING for re-examination, charged with aklalitt,
to a very considerable extent property beta:44lo
her fellow-servants, and to the,families in whole
service she had lived.
Mr. LAING remanded the prisoner until Thutully
next.