The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-03 00:00:00

Extraordinary Scene in a County Court.

At the Southwark County Court a most extraordinary
case came on for hearing before the judge, Mr. Whitmore,
which created the utmost excitement in a very crowded
court. The action was brought by a Mr. Louis Direy, who
described .himself as being a French tutor, living at Dul-
wich, to recover from the defendant, Mr. Samouelle, a
printer, residing in Newington-butts, the sum of L 5, paid
to him on account of printing a pamphlet, the manuscript
of which had been entrusted by the plaintiff to the defendant
for publication.
The learned Judge having read the particulars of the de-
mand, inquired from the defendant what answer he had to
make.

The defendant admitted the receipt of £5 and the breach
of contract, and gave the following explanation :—He said
the plaintiff, Louis Direy, a French tutor, called upon him,
and an arrangement was entered into whereby he (Sa-
mouelle) agreed to print 100 copies of the manuscript in
question for £lO, half of which was paid down. After pro-
ceeding with one- third of the work, defendant discovered
passages in it of so filthy and libelous a character that ho
refused to complete it. The consequence was that the pre-
sent plaintiff summoned him to the Lambeth Police-court for
the return of the manuscript, and upon Samouelle calling
the attention of the magistrate (the Hon. G. C. Norton) to
certain passages in the work, he immediately ordered the
whole of it to be impounded, and dismissed the summons.
The plaintiff's attorney stopped the defendant, and said
the Court did not want to know the proceedings taken else-
where,

The Judge remarked that no doubt the magistrate had a
sound reason for impounding the MS. The plaintiff, by
his own act, had prevented the defendant from completing
his contract.

After some discusEion between the judge and the plain-
tiff's solicitor,

The defendant said hehad subpoenaed an officer from Lam-
beth police-court to produce the MS. in question, and, upon
inspection, he was convinced his honour would say that he
(defendant) was justified in the course he had taken.
Mr. Dixon, one of the ushers of Lambeth Police-court,
handed up an officially sealed envelope containing the MS.
in question. He stated that he was desired by Mr. Perry,
the chief clerk, to inform this Court that, by the express in-
junction of Sir G. Grey, the MS. was not to leave the pos-
session of the police authorities.
The Judge broke the seal, and, upon reading one page,
was too indignant to conceal his disgust. He said, " Plain-
tiff, leave the box, leave the court. You are a disgrace to the
country. Officer, turn him out."
The Judge (te the officers)—Turn him out; no longer let
his presence pollute or contaminate the air of this honour-
able court. _ _

The plaintiff wasthen most unceremoniously expelled, and
the papers thrown out after him.
Mr. Wood, plaintiff's solicitor, assured. his Honour that
ho was not aware of the nature of the manuscript, and apo-
logised for having had anything to do with the case on the
part of the plaintiff.
The Judge said that the apology was quite unnecessary,
as he could not believe that any respectable solicitor would
have been so engaged unless he had been misled and de•

ceived.
On the application of defendant full costs were awarded
to him.

It may be remarked that the MS. in question was a slan-
derous and disgusting libel on several gentlemen of the
highest position resident in Dulwich.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

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LIVERPOOL-FRIDAY.

At this day's market there was a small attendance, and
the demand for wheat was moderate, at the prices current
on Tuesday last, or ld to 2d lower than on Friday week.
Barley and peas dull. Indian corn in good request, and
6d above late prices. American flour 9d per barrel higher.
New oatmeal 6d cheaper. Beans Gd higher.