The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-28 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES AT MUSIC-HALLS.—Directly
after Mr. Arnold took his seat upon the bench this morn-
ing, Mr. Roberts, solicitor, addressing him, applied for a
summons against the nominal proprietor of a music hall in
Regent-street, Westminster, for violating the Act for regu-
lating theatres.

Mr. Roberts said that they were acting at this Music-hall,
without the license of the Lord Chamberlain, a stage play
called " Mazeppa." It was a burlesque upon the original
production under that title, and was represented by two
persons at a scene upon the stage, who represented four
characters. The whole was a dramatic performance.
Mr. Arnold—Were there real horses?

Mr. Roberts called a person named Field, who described
himself as a private inquirer, who replied that the bur-
lesque was performed with basket horses. There was s.
stage, footlights, and a proscenium. A dialogue was car-
ried on between the two persons who were upon the stage.
There was no scenery, the front of the stage having cur-
tains drawn on either side of the stage, and a looking-glass
at the back. Witness went to the music-hall on the 23d
inst., and having paid sixpence for admission saw the
representation described.

Mr. Roberts said that there could be no doubt by all the
previous decisions that this was clearly a violation of the
statute. It was not necessary there should be any scenes.

Mr. Arnold—There were none used in stage plays in.
Queen Elizabeth's time.

The summons was granted.

THAMES.

A STRANGE ROBBERY.—Edwin Robert Tuffs, aged 21
years, was brought before Mr. Paget, charged with stealin6
29 seamen's beds, the property of Henry Thomas.
Mr. Stoddart, solicitor, stated the case for the prosecu-
tion. The prosecutor was a manufacturer of seamen's
beds, and carrying on his business at No. 4, Caroline-street,
Ratcliff. A few months since the prosecutor found Tuffs
in a most destitute state, and without food or lodging. He
fed and clothed him, took him into his house, and gave him
employment. On Saturday morning last, during the ab-
sence of his master, the prisoner loaded a truck with 29
beds in the presence of his mistress, who said to him—
" Why are you going to take away the work this morning
you know it is the Jews' Sabbath, and they will receive
nothing to-day." The prisoner said the goods were or-
dered, and be was going to take them to Catchpolo
and Salmon, two of his master's customers. Mrs. Thomas
believed his statement to bo correct, and allowed him to
take away the goods. In the afternoon she saw the pri-
soner again, and asked for the money for the goods. He
made an excuse and said he had not been paid. Soon
afterwards he left home, and when his master returned Mrs.
Thomas knew for the first time the prisoner had no autho-
rity whatever to remove the 29 beds. It was also ascer-
tained that he had not delivered any beds to Catchpole and
Salmon, and had not received any order from them. The
prisoner was not seen again until yesterday, and his
master then met him at the corner of Heath-street, Com-
mercial-road. The prisoner said I have sold the things and
spent the money, and am come to give myself up. Mr
Stoddart, in conclusion, submitted that the prisoner
should be sent for trial, and that the prisoner had added
ingratitude to robbery by his offence.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas-confirmed in every particular the
statement of Mr. Stoddart, and police-constable Harris, 526
K, said the prisoner admitted to him he took the beds
away, sold them, and spent the money.
The prisoner said he was guilty, and added, "I had no
intention of robbery. I took the goods out, sold them, and
spent the money on myself."
Mr. Paget—l call that stealing.

The prisoner—l did not break into any premises.
Mr. Paget—No, you did not.

The prisoner—No, nor take the goods away secretly.
Mr. Paget—No, you did not, but you have committed a
most impudent robbery, and I sentence you to be impri-
soned for six months, and kept to hard labour.