The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-07 00:00:00

LAMBETH- STREET.

During the hours of business at this office, a middle-aged
female, whose scanty dress, which was quite of the shabby-
genteel description, very ill according with the present sea-
son, presented herself in the outer office, and having ascer-
tained, by inquiries, that Mr. HARDWICK was on the bench,
she desired Lea, the officer in waiting, to present her com-
pliments to that Magistrate, and say that Mrs. Passmore
was in attendance, and requested a private audience with
him. Lea delivered his message, when Mr. Hardwick,
recollecting something about the lady, refused a private
audience, but observed that if she had anything to say he
had no objection to hear her in the ordinary way. This
was communicated to the lady in waiting ; she entered the
Justice-room on tip-toe, and advanced hastily and confi-
dently towards the bench.

Mr. HARDWICK asked if she was the person. who had
addressed a letter to him some time ago, from 'Twicken-
ham, in reference to a young lady who bad been brought to
this office for drunken and disorderly conduct, and threat-
ening the lives of her mother and brother ?
The applicant bowed assent.
Mr. HARDWICK—And you received a note from me in
answer to that communication ? Mrs. Passmore—l did, Sir.
Mr. HARDWICK—Yes, supposing you to be a person of
respectability, I, as a matter of courtesy, returned un answer
to your communication, which was one of many that I re-
ceived on the same subject, offering to take care of the
young woman I before alluded to, at the rate of from 200/.
to 5001. a-year. Now, allow me, Mrs. Passmore, to ask
you if you have not been taken to Queen-square Office
lately, as I have been informed that a female bearing your
name had been brought there on some charge or other,
and that my note, addressed to you, had been found in her
pocket ?

Mrs. Passmore (evidently much confused, and after some
hesitation)—The fact is, Sir—the fact is, Sir, that that was
a very bad business, Sir—a very unfortunate affair, I as-
sure you. There was, Sir—there was an individual who
personated me, Sir—but it was a sad business altogether,
Sir.—(Laughter.)
Mr. HARDWICK—Yes, it seemed somewhat awkward,
indeed ; and quite as bad that this person, who you say had
personated you, should have had my note in her pocket,
and urged that note as a proof of her respectability. But,
might I ask the object of your present visa ?
Mrs. Passmore (with much apparent assurance)—Why,
Sir, my object is one of pure benevolence and humanity.
It is
o r nfy, wish, Sir, to take Miss A., the young lady, under
my o
and treat her with parental kindness, provided I
roof,
can be assured by your Worship that her family and herself
are of that respectability that I can, with propriety to my
own character, do so.—(Much. laughter.)
Mr. HARDWICK, on hearing this, desired the officer in
attendance to call on the next case.
Mrs. Passmore took the hint, darted out of the office on
tip-toe, as she entered, and in a moment was out of sight.
On referring to the police Hue and Cry of the 13th of
November, it appeared that Mary Ann Passmore had been
brought up to Queen-square Police-office, on a charge of
stealing a handkerchief; and. was committed from there to
take her trial at the Westminster Sessions.