The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-23 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Mr. John Marter, a writing-master, of 485, New Oxford-
street, appeared to answer a summons charging him with
improper behaviour towards one of his pupils, a young ser-
vant girl, named Ann Shergold.
From the evidence of the prosecutrix, she stated that she
attended on the Bth of July for the purpose of taking
lessons in writing, and alter she had been there some
time Mr. Marter came clo-e to her, kissed her three times,
and afterwards conducted himself in such a highly in-
delicate manner, that she quited the house. There was
another pupil in the adjoining room, but as she left she
made no other remark to her than she should not come
there any more. On returning to the lady in whose service
she was then living, she told her she was glad to get from
Mr. Mailer's house. The next morning, her mistress,
Mrs. Ellis, on learning the facts of the case, directed her to
inform her brother of thesonduct of Mr. Marter, and the
result was that the present proceedings were instituted
against him, and Mr. West attended on the part of the So-
ciety for the Protection of Women.
Mr. Hope, who appeared for the defendant, put several
questions to prosecutrix, but her answers were all given
with the greatest modesty, and she persisted in the state-
ment she had made when she was first examined. He was
pressing some questions, when
Mr. Hall said it was a very delicate thing to att 'mpt to
insinuate anything against the character of a female.
Mr. Hope quite agreed in that, but then it was a very
serious charge against his client. He had a perfect right
to know the antecedents of the young woman. He frankly
admitted that he knew nothing against her.
Mr. Hall said he thought it doubtful whether Mr. Hope
would serve his client it he persisted in putting questions
to the witness such as he w then doing.

Mr. Hope then abstained from pressing the questions,
and proceeded with his cross-examination—The defendant
asked her if she had a young man. She said "Yes." He
asked her his name. He then told her to write "My dear
George," as one of her exercises. She did not tell the
young woman who was in the adjoining room that der young
man was paying for her writing lessons, as he had refused to
marry her until she was better educated. She paid for the
lessons herself out of her own earnings.

Mr. Hall—Supposing the young man had offered to pay
for her lessons, there was nothing wrong in that. On the
contrary, it was highly creditable to him, and no; discredit.
able to the witness.

Cross-examination continued—She had been in service
ever since she was ten rears old.

Mr. Hall informed Mr. Hope that Dr. Ellis, the girl's
master, was in attendance, and he would now answer any
questions respecting her. He has already given her a
very high character.

For the detence, a young man, pupil of Mr. Marter's
said he was in the adjoining room on the evening in qut-s-
-tion, but never saw or heard anything of the matter corn -
plained of.

Miss Johnson, also a pupil of Mr. Marter's, was present
on the evening hi question, but thin she said she was sit
ting with her back to the door, so she could not see into the
inner room, in which complainant was taking her lesson.
She did not hear any conversation going on in the room.
There certainly was no disturbance.
Mr. Hall said the evidence would be of some use if the
prosecutiix had made any noise, but she distinctly states
that she was too much alarmed for that.

Witness proceeded—She saw Miss Shergold as she left.
She heard her make some remark, but she could not recol-
lect what.

Mr. Hall said he should send the case for trial, but he
would admit the defendant to bail on his entering into his
own recognisance tor £IOO, and two substantial securities
in the sum of £75 each.