The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-03 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGII-STREET.-(THIS DAY.)

A LADY PICKPOCKET.—Ann Thomas, a respectable
looking young woman, with a child in her arms, was
brought before Mr. Hardwicke, charged with stealing a
purse, containing 2/. 10s. in gold and sundry papers,
the property of Mrs. Margaret Wilson, of No. 6, Rose-
terrace, Stoke Newington. George Lewis, an ill-looking
man, was also charged with being concerned in the above

theft.
It appeared from the evidence of the prosecutrix, and
a lady named Ousey, a friend of hers, that yesterday
afternoon they were walking along Oxford-street very
slowly, when the prisoner came between them, and pro
secutrix felt her hand drawn away from the pocket of
her dress. Witness put her hand to her pocket, and im-
mediately missed her purse, containing 2/. 10s. in gold and
sundry memorandums. She looked around for a police-
man, and while doing so the prisoner went into a shop
close by. Witness not seeing a constable, also went
into the same shop to inquire what was best to be done,
and the prisoner observing her in conversation with
some of the shcpwomen, ran out of the shop and crossed
over the street into Queen-street. Prosecutor followed
her and traced her into a closet in a stable-yard, the
door of which prisoner had shut. Prosecutor held the
door and called for assistance, when two men came up,
and one of them fetched a constable, into whose charge
prisoner was given. When the prisoner found herself
in custody she fell down on her knees, and said she was
innocent of taking the purse, and that if she let her go,
she would give her all she possessed. Prisoner then
pulled out a gold watch and chain and two brooches,
which she gave to witness, who handed them to the
constable.
To prove the male prisoner's connection with the
female prisoner in the robbery, Mr. F. Gibson, 89, Ox-
ford-street, laceman, stated that he saw the female pri-
soner come into his shop and heard her ask to look at
some bonnets. Shortly afterwards two ladies came in,
one of whom was the prosecutrix. The latter complained
that the female prisoner had stolen her purse, and while
they were talking the woman ran out of the shop, fol-
lowed by prosecutrix and her friend. The female pri-
soner was subsequently lodged in the station. In the
course of an hour after the male prisoner and
another man came into the shop, and the pri-
soner asked if they had a straw hat that would fit
hire, witness replied in the negative, and he then
saw the purse produced placed on the counter by which
of the men he could not' say. Witness took it up and
opened it, and from its contents he was persuaded that
it was the one stolen from Mrs. Wilson. The prisoner,
on being questioned, denied all knowledge as to how the
purse came there ; but witness, having his suspicions,
followed him and the other man into the street, and on
meeting with a constable he gave the prisoner into cus-
tody. The other man made his escape.
The prisoners, who denied all knowledge of each
other, were remanded for a week.

THE WAR. —PORTSMOUTH, May 3.—The Fox, 42,
Capt. Tarleton, has arrived from the East Indies, and
has gone on to the Downs and Sheerness, her crew going
to the Baltic.
DISTRESSING DIFFICULTIES.—WhiIe Dr. Chalmers
was busily engaged one forenoon in his study, a man
entered, who at once propitiated him under the provoca-
tion of an unexpected interruption, by telling him that
he had called under great distress of mind. " Sit down,
sir ; be good enough to be seated," said Dr. Chalmers,
turning eagerly and full of interest from his writing•table.
The visitor explained to him that he was troubled with
doubts about the divine origin of the Christian religion ;
and being kindly questioned as to what those were, ho
gave, among others, what is said in the Bible about Mel-
chisedek being without father and without mother, &c.
Patiently and anxiously Dr. Chalmers sought to clear away
each successive difficulty as it was stated. E.xpre!s!lig
himself as if greatly relieved in mind, and imagu2ing
that he had gained his end—" Doctor," said the visitor,
" I am in great want of a little money at present, and.
perhaps you could help me in that way." At once the
object of his visit was seen. A perfc.t, tort one in-
dignation burst upon the deceiver, driving him in very
quiet: retreat from the study to the street_ door, these
words escaping him among others—" Not a penny,
sir ! not a penny ! It's too bad ! it's
too bad ! And to
haul in your hypocrisy upon the shoulders of Mel-
chisedek !"—Memoir' of Dr. Chalmers.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.— At an early hour yesterday
morning the premises of Mr. Bussey, cork cutter, &c''
Blackman-street, Southwark, were discovered to be on
fire, and it was found impossible to subdue the flames
till the greater portion of the premises were destroyed.
The adjoining houses, severally in the occupation of Mr.
Hendry and Mr. Brook, one as a public-house, and the
I other a tallow-chandlers, were also very seriously
damaged.