The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-05 00:00:00

THAMES.

THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE.—Charles Carroll, a dis 11
-
charged soldier, who appeared in the uniform of the regi-
ment to which he recently belonged, was brought before
Mr. Selfe charged with stealing a silver watch, value £l2,
from the person of John Singleton, hatter, of No. 3, Gar-
den-street, Stepney.
Mr. Charles Young, solicitor, conducted the prosecution.
It appeared that Mr. Singleton is a Dublin tradesman, and
came to London a few days since with his wife and nephew
to visit the " great and glorious International Exhibition."
On Tuesday night last they were partaking of refreshments
at the Lord Nelson public-house in the Commercial-road,
where they met the prisoner, who said he was an Irishman,
and should like to join their company. He was cordially
received, and after they had pledged each other's health
they left the Lord Nelson and proceeded to another public-
house, where they made very merry, and on leaving the pri-
soner asked the nephew to give him a share of his bed, as he
could not reach his lodgings that night. The nephew assented,
and they all went to the temporary lodgings of Singleton)
his wife, and nephew, in Garden-street, where they enter-
tained each other with songs; three half gallons of ale
were sent for in succession, and they were very happy and
noisy until Richard Finlay, the nephew, sung " The Battle
of the Boyne." This gave offence to the prisoner, who
called Finlay a - Orangeman, which the other retorted
by calling the prisoner a Papist. A row ensued and "The
Battle of the Boyne" gave rise to another battle. Singleton
endeavoured to make peace and was seconded by his wife,
a respecl able woman, but the nephew would not be pacified
and quarrelled with his uncle. A desperate struggle took
place on the floor, the prisoner took part in it and they
were all down together, pulling, scratching, and beating
each other. In the midst of the fight the prisoner got
up and exclaiming, " I shall not stop in a house like
this," immediately left. Directly after he was gone,
Singleton ,missed his silver watch. He was sure he
had it before the "Battle of the Boyne" was sung. The pri-
soner had hold of him round the waist and was rolling over
him on the floor just before he missed his watch. Singleton
produced a receipt for £ll 10s., the price of the watch
which he had lately purchased. Mrs. Singleton, who said
she was perfectly sober, produced the prisoner's braces
which he left behind.

Mr. Young said the prisoner's hurried departure was
very suspicious, indeed, and that he was only arrested last
night, and ought to be remanded.
The prisoner denied that he had stolen the watch, and
put in a certificate of service and discharge from the army.
The party were all drunk.

Mr. Selfe —I should think so, indeed. Three half gallons
of ale in the house, and a good deal of gin and beer in the
public-houses they visited, and the "Battle of the Boyne"
afterwards. The prisoner has maintained a good character
in the army for 16 years, and I shall certainly not detain
him.

Mr. Young—He never stopped to see the quarrel out, a
quarrel he provoked, and he left his braces in the prosecu-
tor's house.

Mr. Selfe—l suppose the prisoner has been just dis-
charged from the army.
Carroll—l have, sir ; there is not a black mark against
me. I am now staying with my brother, a Custom-
house officer, at No. 27, Upper Fenton-street, St. George-
in-the-East.
Mr. Selfe—l shall give effect to the excellent character
you have received ffom the colonel of your regiment, and
shall keep your discharge until next Friday, and as a
security for your coming here again, your own recogni-
sauces 'will be taken for your appearance in addition.