The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-15 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.-(THIS DAY.)

ATTEMPT TO SET FIRE TO ALDERIGATE WORKHOUSE.--•
George Abbott, an inmate of Aldersgate Workhouse, was
brought before Mr. Alderman MAGNAY on the following
charge :
Edward Cheaper deposed, that on the evening of Tuesday,
the 2d instant, an alarm of fire was given in the workhouse,
and on proceeding to one of the wards he discovered four beds
on fire, together with seven rugs and a sheet. There were
62 beds in the ward altogether. The prisoner and another
person were the only persons who occupied that part of the
building, and no other person had access to it except the
wardrnan. The fire had been put on the boards, which were
nearly burnt through to the extent of about a foot, and the
bedding bad been carefully placed over it. There was no fire-
place in that part, nor any communication with any five.
Witness met the prisoner at the time, and he immediately after
1 ft the workhouse, taking with him a suit of clothes belonging
to the Guardians. The buttons were marked, " East London
Union." The other person who occupied that part of the
building along with the prisoner was absent at the time. On
his return witness asked if the prisoner had told him anything,
and he said " Yes." He was rather idiotic, and witness did
not wish to repeat the conversation, as it might prejudice the

prisoner's case.
The individual alluded to was then called, and gave his
name James Hunt, and stated that he had been in the work-
house " a good bit." He did not know the prisoner by name,
but he bad seen him before. On being asked whether
he considered it right to speak the truth, or tell
a lie, all the reply that could be obtained from him was,
" I am." He was then directed to stand down.
The Alderman inquired if there was any, other person who
knew anything of the matter?
Mr. Cheaper replied in the negative, and added that the
prisoner bad been very ungovernable for the three or four days
before he left the workhouse, and that he afterwards told Hunt
he would set the house on fire. One charge could be sus.
tained against the prisoner, and that was the disposal of the
clothes.—He was then remanded.
CHARGE OF OBTAINING Goors UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.
—William Simpson was charged with having obtained a
quantity of goods under false pretences from the shop of Mr.
Slater, tobacconist.
Thomas Gillyon, shopman to Mr. Slitter, deposed that on
the 3d October the prisoner came to the shop and asked for
31bs. of cigars, as he had got them ordered to go on board a
steamer, and wanted to take them particularly that night.
They were delivered to him. On the sth his daughter came
for 2lbs., and brought a written order, and the cigars were
given to her. On the 6th she brought another order for
41b. of cheroots, to be permitted to Mr. Brady, of Rosemary-
lane ; and on the sth another order was brought, of which
the following is a copy

" Monday, Oct. 8, 1838.
" Pleas Lett the Barar have 4 pounds at Us. of Shruts
and permit them James Morgan Sine Sun and Sord, Goswell-
street. " Yours respectfully,
"28, Upper March, Lambeth." " WM. SIMPSON.
On malting inquiry in Cowell-street, it was aacertainad that

there was no such place as the Sun and Sword. It was also
afterwards ascertained that no order had been given by Mr.
Bradley.

A professional gentleman who attended on behalf of the r ri-
goner, submitted that there was no false pretence, as the prisoner
had obtained the goods ill his own name, and they -had been
placed to his account.
Mr. Slater said the prisoner had given him a reference to a
person named Dawes as a security, but he believed he was no
better than the prisoner, and that there were a great number
of such persons, who became sureties for each other in this
manner, for the purpose of defrauding tradesmen.
Mr. Alderman MAONAT said there could be no doubt that

the prisoner had used deceptio❑ in the matter, but not in such
a way as be could take hold of it. He had got credit too
easily, and mentioned these names in order to justly his send-
ing for the goods.
Mr. Slater said that several other tradesmen had been im-
posed on in a similar manner by the prisoner, and he trusted
that the gentlemen connected pith the press would give the
case such publicity as to put tradesmen on their guard.
The prisoner was about to make some remarks, when his
professional adviser requested him to say nothing, as the "least
said was soonest mended." The prisoner was then discharged.