The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-12 00:00:00

INSULTING OFFICERS OF THE 46th.

Yesterday morning, at the Town-hall, Windsor, be-
fore the Mayor (Mr. J. T. Bedborough), Mr. Alderman
Snowden, and Mr. Alderman Berridge, a lad, named
Thomas Simms, was charged with insulting Major Max-
well and Adjutant M'Alester, of the 46th Regiment.
The magistrates' chamber was crowded, as also were the
ante-room, the staircase, and the passages leading to
the hall.

Mr. Voules, who appeared for the defendant, asked
whether the boy had been received as a prisoner at the
poi iee-stat ion ?
Superintendent Eagar answered in the affirmative, but
added that the defendant was bailed out.

Mr. Vonles intimated that the question had been asked
more with a view to ulterior proceedings than as bear-
ing upon the present case. •
Major Maxwell was then sworn, and deposed as fol-
lows :—Yesterday afternoon I was in the High-street
with Mr. M'Alester. I heard the words " You don't
recollect, do you 9" Mr. MAlester turned round im•
mediately ; so did I. I saw a civilian run off at
once, down the street. Mr. M'Alester called to an
orderly who was behind us to catch him. This was done;
he was brought back and handed over to the police.
The defendant is the person I allude to. I may as well
state that my object is not to have the lad punished
on the contrary, I hope he may be discharged ; but I
and other officers have been so frequently insulted in
this way, of late, by lads, that I thought this was a good
opportunity of showing that such insults could not be
offered with impunity. I thought the magistrates might
give the lad advice and admonition which he would com-
municate to other lads.

Mr. Voules said he was very much obliged to Major
Maxwell, inasmuch as it rendered any defence of his
client unnecessary. The offence charged was no offence
in law, but he must say that whatever might have
occurred in another place was nothing now, and gentle.
men in the position of the complainants ought not to be
annoyed.
Major Maxwell said it might be no offence against
the law, but it was an offence against the feelings.
The Mayor said it was perfectly clear that the charge,
as stated by Major Maxwell, constituted no offence in
law. The words used by the defendant might or might
not apply to recent transactions, and the defendant
must be discharged. He would add, however, that the
magistrates would be most happy to put a stop to any
annoyance which might be offered to the officers or sol-
diers in garrison ; and he had already given strict orders
to the police that if any disturbance arose to take the
parties into custody. Any person brought before him
under such circumstances would be bound over to keep
the peace. He hoped the lad before them would bear
this in mind, and warn his youthful companions that
they do not for the future, either by word or by, deed,
insult any person, whether officer or civilian.
Mr. Voules concurred in all that had been said by
the mayor, but added that he bad been assured by the
boy himself that the expression, "I don't recollect—do
you ?" was addressed by him to another boy, and had no
reference:to recent proceedings.
The Mayor (addressing the audience) said that the
observations be had addressed to Simms applied to all
present. It was highly desirable, in every way, that no
disturbance should take place between the townspeople
and the military. So far as the regiment was concerned,
he must say that its conduct had been highly creditable.
The men had acted in a most exemplary manner, setting
a good example to civilians. He trusted that all pre-
sent would remain quiet, and not allude in an offensive
manner to anything that had recently taken place.
Major Maxwell and the adjutant then retired, and
the court was speedily cleared.

FIRE IN WESTMINSTER.—Yesterday morning, about
three o'clock, a fire broke out in the Albert Tavern, the
property of Messrs. J. T. Taylor and A. Hitchin,
licensed victuallers, bituate in Perkin's-rents, Peter-
street, Westminster. At the time of the discovery of
the fire the proprietors of the house and several lodgers
were in their beds asleep, but were roused by a police-
constable, and fortunately escaped is safety. The flames
commenced in the bar parlour, and by the exertions of
the firemen were confined to that portion of the premises
where they originated, but the stock in trade and fix-
tures were considerably damaged ; the loss, however,
being covered by an insurance damaged
with the Pliconix-
dace: The origin of the fire is not known.