The Sun.
London, England, 1825-08-26 00:00:00

REPORTING.

Bow-St It EET.—Theioll;;lngCii;;mstance occurred at the
above Office yesterday morning :
Some business of minor importance was going on, when Sir
RICHARD BIRNIE, suddenly turning to the spot where the
Gentlemen who attend to report the proceedings for the public
Press, stand, exclaimed, "He bore no talking there." He
then quitted his seat, and advancing hastily towards these Gen-
tlemen, addressed himself to one who was sitting down, and who
was silent, in the following manner :
4 4 Who ar4 you, Sir ?"
The Reporter, rising—" Who am I ?"
Sir R. BIRNIE, raising his voice, " Yes, Sir, who are you ?"
A. My name, Sir, is
Sir R. Bt mitt, not waiting to hear the answer—" Quit the
office, Sir."_ •

" I, Sir, I was not talking."
Sir R. BIRNIE (waiving his hand in the direction of the
door)—" Quit the office, Sir."
The mandate was immediately obeyed.
Sir R. BIIINIE (addressing himself to another Reporter)---
" Who are you ?"
The Reporter stated the Paper for which he attended.
The same order as in the preceding case was then given, and
in the same manner repeated several- times before either of the
parties could gain the door of the thfiee.—(llforning Post.)

THE WESTMINSTER PIT. •
QUEEN-SQUARE.—Yesterday Mr. H. MARTIN waited
upon the Magistrates for the purpose of making application for
their ititerference in the suppression of a most intolerable nui-
sance that has for many years existed in Westminster. The
Hon. Member said, that it was notoriously known that there is
a place in Westminster called the " Westminster Pitt," that
has existed for many years, for the sole purpose of exhibitions
of the most wanton and notorious cruelties to poor dumb ani-
mals, to the annoyance of the respectable inhabitants and to
the demoralization of society. Now, in addition to this, they
would find that at this theatre of cruelty there is a fee de-,
manded from those that choose to witness such scenes; there-
fore the keeper of the Pit might be dealt with either for the
cruelty, or for receiving money at the doors., not being duly
licensed. The Honourable Gentleman held in his hand a
card of invitation issued by the owner of the Pit, which he
would, with permission, read. The following is a copy of the
card :

"A match for ten sovereigns will take place at the West-
minster Pit, on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 1825, at 7 o'clock, with
dogs of 3011bs. each; one a fallow-pied, in the care of Mr.
Roper, named Boxer, who beat Heming's Brazil and othei: ;
the other is a red dog (the property of Wm. Hill), own brother
to Bohankey, is backed by Jem Ward, P.G., and will be at-
tended by IVilliam S n. The above match excites great
interest, as the owners of these dogs have pledged their word:
of honour that the winner shall fight the Westminster Brindle
Dog."
Mr. Martin said, that in addition to this exhrbiton of
cruelty there- are badger-baits bear-baits, and dog-fighting
at the same place, every Monday and Wednesday evenings
—He knew it to be the opinion of the Lord Chief-Justice
of Ireland, who; on reading in a Morning Paper of the
cruelties that were practised in Paris on a dog, by Mon-
sieur Majendie, for the purpose of lecture, that had such a
wanton exhibition of cruelty been committed in England or
Ireland, the operator would be liable to an indictment for a mis•
demeanour at common law ; and the cruelties the poor animals
were subject to at the scene in Duck-lane were equal to those
resorted to by the Frenchman ; for it is well nown that while the
bear or the badger has a piece of flesh on the nose or the mouth,
upon which a dog can fasten, so long are they exposed to the
torture, and when the flesh on those parts are chewed or gnaw-
ed away by the dogs that are opposed to them, then the owner
of the bear or badger ceases to bait them ; and this is the
only limitation they have to their sufferings. if the late lion-
fight at Warwick, between the dogs and the two lions, had ex-
cited the indignation of the public against the proprietor, their
indignation ought to be more excited at the disgraceful scenes
at the Westminster Pit, which are infinitely more disgusting,
for the lions were only exposed to the dogs for a short time; and
then their torture ceased; but not so with the animals at the
place in question, for they are kept for the very purpose of
tormenting, and that twice a week. The Honourable Member
said, " I do most earnestly, my dear Sir, supplicate you to take
these facts into your mature consideration, and do, if possible,
suppress such dreadful scenes, which tend to demoralize society
in every degree."
Mr. GREGORLE said, that at the time of the conflict between
the lions and the mastiffs at Warwick, which had excited the
public indignation, he remarked, that the scenes carried on at
the Westminster pit were more disgusting. He would wish the
complaint to be carried to the Sessions, and he had no doubt
the Court would consider it a misdemeanour.
Mr. Maitxr.alin—l am of your opinion ; we cannot inter-
fere, as it is a nuisance, and indictable at the Sessions.
Mr. Martin—l can assure you I'll be the prosecutor ; but
don't you think, if some of your officers were to he present at
these exhibitions, that it would be assisting the' proceedings, as
they would then be able to speak more correctly as to the work
of cruelty. I declare that it is the rendezvous for thieves of
the worst description, and I well remember the words of a
worthy Magistrate, and the manner in which he would tell an
honest man from a thief. He said, " that a thief was always
dressed in a long, shaggy white great coat, mother o' pearl but-
tons, and two buil-doss following him."—(Laughter.)—Will
you let your officers visit this resort, said Mr. Martin, and re-
port thereon ?
Mr. AIARICLAND thought their attendance would be of little
avail ; it would be better were some of the inhabitants to
undertake to do it.

Mr. GREGORIE still doubted whether they could interfere,
unless there was a breach of the peace.
Mr. Martin thanked the Magistrates for their attention, and
it was agreed that two officers of the establishment should at..
tend at the pit at the ensuing exhibition, and Mr. Martin de..
dared his intention of preferring an indictment fur a misde-
meanour at the next Westminster Sessions.

CONVERSION FROM CATHOLICISM.—..-Last week
the little town of Gorey was more than usually
animated. A young man who was lately a
Roman Catholic Priest, but who is now a
member of the Established Church, preached in
the street to an immense congregation. Even the
reapers from the neighbouring fields came in
crowds to listen to hint. He is rather poorly
dressed ; his voice is exceedingly powerful, and
his delivery clear and distinct. He is at present
at the house of the Rev. Jemmet Park. It is
expected that he will preach in this town in a
few days. We understand he has refused to ac-
cept of any situation or emolument, but has ex-
pressed his determination to travel through the
country, and preach against those doctrines which
he so lately renounced. He is said to he the
Rev. Mr. `'Sweeney, who took so active a
part in the memorable Carlow discussion.—
(I'Verford Herald.)