The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-10 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

CAUTION TO SHOPKEEPERS—EXTRAORDINARY DECI-
SION.—John Angus, a respectably attired young man, was
charged with attempting to pick pockets, under the follow-
ing circumstances :
Maria Mayward, who keeps a general shop at 37, Ca-
mera-square, Chelsea, said on Saturday afternoon at 3
o'clock the prisoner came into her shop with a large coat
over his arm, and asked for a farthing ball which was in
the extreme corner of the window, near the door. In son-
sequence of this she had to come round the counter and
reach right over to where the toy was. In doing so she
felt something touch her pocket, and looking down saw the
prisoner's hand, partly concealed by the coat over his arm,
on the side of her dress, her apron preventing him put-
ting his hand into, her pocket. She accused him
of attempting to rob her, upon which he said "Do you
think I look like a pickpocket ?" She replied "It was
respectably dressed persons like him who took shopkeepers
off their guard, but if he would give his name and address
as a respectable man, she would let him go." He refused
to do so, and she determined to give him into custody. On
telling him so he tried to get out of the door and pushed her
very hard, when she seized him by the throat and held him
till she procured assistance. There was a man with a pack
outside, who said she had better let him go, but she would
not, and gave him into custody.
Mr. Paynter asked if the prisoner was known.
Potter, 174 V, said he had been watching prisoner and
the man with the pack for a length of time, as they were
hanging about the King's-road. At length they departed.
Ho was following the other man when he saw a disturbance
in Camera-square, and going up prisoner was given into
his custody. He had given his address on the M division,
and witness had been there and ascertained that ho went
out from twelve to six every day, always differently dressed,
and that in the evening he met with a woman he coha-
bited with, and remained out all night. He also had been
known for years as an associate of thieves.
David Clerk, 108 M, also said he had known the prisoner
as an associate of the most notorious thieves in Kent •
street, Borough, but he did not know that he had been
convicted.
Prisoner, in reply to Mr. Paynter, said he got his living
by hawking (a mode of living evidently at variance with
his dress).
Mr. Paynter said the circumstances were extremely sus-
picious against the accused, but no jury would convict him,
especially as it did not appear that he had been in custody
before. He must be discharged.
_ Prisoner left the dock in haste, evidently much gratified
- I at being let off is so easy a manner.

THANES.
ATTEMPT TO STAB A POLIGEMAIC—Joseph Smith and
John Corbett, two mechanics, were brought before Mr.
Woolrych, charged with assaulting two police-constables,
named James Hilton and George Mortlock, Nos. 457 and
243 K.

It appeared from the evidence of Hilton that on Sunday
morning, at one o'clock, a disorderly and drunken woman
was making a disturbance in the Woodstock-road, Poplar.
He took her into custody, and was leading her away when
the prisoners came up and interfered, and rescued the
woman. They also hung upon him for some time, and a
severe senate took place. While this was going on Smith
called out, "I'll rip your b--y guts open," and an attempt
was raade to plunge a knife into the policeman's body. He
raised his hand and arm and caught the knife on his finger,
which was severely cut. Corbett struck and kicked the
constable several times, and both prisoners got away.
Mortlock said he was informed that a brother police-con-
stable was in trouble, and went to his assistance. He saw
the prisoners running away, and Hilton called out " Seize
I him." He did so, and Corbett made a noise with his mouth,
and took up a heavy stone and threw it at him. The stone
missed him. Hilton then arrived and took Corbett into
custody. Both prisoners made a desperate resistance, and
kicked and plunged fearfully,

Hilton was recalled, and said that he could not recognise
either of the prisoners as having stabbed him. At the time
he was stabbed one of the prisoners was in front, and the
other by the side of him.
The prisoners set up a long defence, in substance that the
policeman Hilton was ill-using a woman, and upon inter-
fering they were ill-used, repeatedly struck on their heads
and bodies with the policemen's truncheons.
The policeman denied having ill-used a woman or struck
the prisoners.
Mr. Woolrych said if he had been satisfied either of the
prisoners used a knife he would have committed them for
trial. They had committed most violent assaults, for
which he sentenced them to two months' imprisonment and
hard labour.

MYSORE COFFEE.--Planting has of late years
been carried to such an extent, by Europeans and natives in
Mysore, that but little available land remains. These
dmountain and forest wastes have been turned into rich, pro-
uctive gardens. From being the most wild and desolate
parts of Mysore, these diitricts have become very pros-
perous, and the people have been raised from poverty to
comfort, and, in many instances, to wealth. Tho natives
are benefiting largely by the capital and example of Euro-
pean planters, and are learning the science of planting.
Mysore generally, especially the coffee districts, affords a
most promising field for European capital and enterprise,—
Ths Grace.