The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-15 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A SAD CASE.—Wm. Hill, formerly the leader of the band
at the Argyll Rooms, and engaged in the orchestra at the
Surrey Theatre, was charged before Mr. Knox by Woddup,
Mendicity Society's officer, with begging in Regent-street.
The case was before Mr. Knox a few days ago, and the
prisoner was remanded for the purpose of having the state
of his mind inquired into. Mr. Knox now received a cer-
tificate, signed by the surgeon of the House of Detention,
to the effect that the prisoner had shown no signs of in-
sanity.

Mr. Knox said it was pitiable to see a man in such a
state, and it appeared to him that the prisoner was really
labouring under insanity, though the surgeon did not cer-
tify to it.
An elderly female, the mother of the prisoner, stepped
for., ard, and Mr. Knox asked her whether she would
undertake to take her son with her and care for him.
The mother said she could not do so. She thought he
ought to be sent to an asylum.

Mr. Knox observed that he could not send him to an
asylum with the certificate produced before him. It seemed
a harsh thing to send the prisoner to prison. Could he
(the prisoner) not exercise sufficient control over himself
to enable him to do something for himself ?

The prisoner said he thought he could. (It was stated
on the previous occasion that through the alleged infidelity
of his wife the prisoner had fallen into his present wretched
condition, getting his living by begging about the streets.)
He could play the flute.
Mr. Knox said the prisoner's family would not take him,
and the doctor said he was not insane.

The prisoner said he thought he could get employment,

Mr. Knox said the officer of the society should go with
the prisoner to a place he named and see if he could get
employed. If the prisoner played him false, and was again
brought before him for begging, he should know how to
deal with him.

The prisoner was then discharged, and left the court
with the officer.

WESTMINSTER.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY IN BROMPTON.—Henry Swyer, a
man about 26 years of age, decently dressed, was charged
with being concerned with others not in custody with
breaking and entering the house, No. 16, Walton-villas,
Brompton, and stealing therefrom property to the amount
of nearly £lOO.

Ellen T. Brooks, cook to Mrs. Barrington, 16, Walton-
villas, said that on Tuesday evening last at 9 o'clock she
left her mistress's house quite safe, and was absent about
half an hour. When she returned she found that the
kitchen window was open, and waited till a police-con-
stable came up. She told him the house must have been
robbed, and they went over it together, and found that the
place had been completely stripped of ladies and gentle-
men's wearing aprarel and jewellery. She knew nothing
of the prisoner.
Eliza Louisa Packer, housemaid to Mrs. Barrington, said
Mr. Barrington did not live at 16, Walton-villas. On
Tuesday evening at a quarter to six, she went to the
theatre with her mistress, and when she returned at 11
o'clock she was informed of the robbery. She found that
several petticoats worth from 8 to 10 guineas, several very
costly moire antique dresses, dress and othercoats, trousers,
and boots, belonging to Lord Seaford, three valuable rings,
a brooch, two bracelets, and other valuable property had
been stolen.

Mr. William James Holden, inspector of the B division,
explained to the magistrate that a man who had partly
confessed to the robbery, and inculpated prisoner, had
nearly cut his head off with a razor, and was now lying
dead, awaiting an inquest, at Chelsea workhouse.
Evidence was given of prisoner's apprehension when he
made a desperate struggle, and two companions, who had
some of the property in a cab, escaped. When searched a
skeleton key was found, and another dropped from his
person.

Evidence was given to prove that the lock of one house
in question could have been opened with one of the keys
produced, it being a Bramah. _ _ _

- Prisoner denied all knowledge of the key, and was re-
manded for a week.