The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-18 00:00:00

ANTS EPIPHANY SESSION-1825.

REX V. STOCKBRIDGE.
This was an appeal instituted by J. n Barham, Esq, against
the appointment of Messrs. Attwood and Evans, as Overseers
of the Paris of Stockbridge. it was tried at the last Sessions,
when the appointment was confirmed ; in consequence, how-
ever, of an application from Mr. Barham, the case was not
sent down by the Court of King's Bench for the Magistrates re-
consideration. The ground of the appeal was, imputed fraud, un-
der the following circumstances :--At a Vestry Meeting held in
April last, two lists were produced, one by several inhabitants
wherein the Respondents' names stood first ; and the other by
Mr. Barham, wherein their names were omitted, Mr. B. ob-
jecting to their appointment, and wishing to name instead of
Mr. Evans, a Mr. Mc. Kay. A ballot then took place, when,
at the close of the poll, there appeared for Evans, 3b, and for
Mc. Kay 17—majority for Evans, 10. After the Vestry, Mr.
Barham requested of Attwood to be informed when, and before
what Magistrates he (Attwood) intended to apply for their ap-
pointment, as he (Sir. B.) should also attend and state his
reasons why he objected to them, and should endeavour to pre-
vent such appointment taking place. Attwood replied, that he
should go to the Magistrates at Andover (0 prisca tides! 0
Mr. Attwood !) for that purpose on the following Saturday;
and accordingly on the morning of that day, he was seen to
leave the Hotel, at Stockbridge, in a post-chaise, which took
the road towards Andover. But know all men, that
Mr. A. was a sly dog; for on ascending the hill
beyond Stockbridge, he directed the boy to turn off
to the left. The boy obeyed, not knowing where he should
have to turn next—perhaps not caring, so as he did not
turn over. On they went through Broughton—" go on,
straght on," was the order of the day, and thus they arrived
at-not Andover, but Romseg ! There Mr. Attwood found a
bench of Magistrates assembled, and by them he and Mr.
Evans were duly appointed Overseers of Stockbridge. Now
we must speak of what passed, in the mean time, at home. No
sooner had Mr. Barham heard of Attwood's departure, than he
sent to the I.otel for a post chaise, resolving, without delay, to
follow Mr. Attwood with something more than " passibus
equis." The surprise and chagrin of Mr. B. may be in part
imagined, when we state that there was not a horse to be had.
Oh ! Mr. Attwood, you had engaged them all the pre-
ceding evening ! Five pair of horses engaged and paid for,
that they might enjoy a day of rest, was enough to awake sus-
picion. No wonder, therefore, that Mr. Barham sent to the
turnpike-gate, to ascertain for what place the posting-ticket was
given, and, when he found that none had
,been left, imme-
diately sent for his attorney—for where there is any mystery in
the case, nothing less than professional hands can draw the
veil that occasions it. Off went Mr. Solicitor to Andover—
we have not heard how—with directions to dispatch a chaise
with all expedition for Mr. Barham, and to attend on the Ma-
gistrates there, and request that they would suspend the ap-
pointment till he, Mr. B. could arrive. On the Solicitor reach-
ing the Magistrates' room he found Mr. Attwood's son there,
and on inquiring after his father there, was told that he was
expected there every minute ! (Oh ! Mr. Attwood, junior !
" Tydides simile, patri !"—) Mr. Barham soon after reached
Andover, hut after waiting, and enjoying the " Pleasures of
Hope" till 5 or fi o'clock in the afternoon., no other Mr. Attwood
appeared than the aforesaid junior, who—expected his father
every minute! —On returning to Stockbridge, of course the whole
plot was developed, as also the aukward fact that Messrs.
Attwood and Evans had obtained their appointment, as above
stated, at Romsey.—The Chairman, in a most eloquent and
learned manner, delivered the opinion of the Court—that they
saw no reason to set aside the appointment, or to differ at all
from their former decision ; more especially, as the appellant
had every opportunity of submitting to this Court, for their
consideration, the same objections that he intended to have
raised against the respondents' appointment befor the Magis-
trates at Andover. And that, as it appeared the only objection
was from the length of time the respondents had served the.
office (Mr. Attwood 30, and Mr. Evans, 17 successive years),
during which period no blame or mal-pactices had been proved
or alleged against them, the Court saw no reason for disturb-
ing this appointment, and consequently decided that it should
be confirmed.
On the return of the victorious party to Stockbridge, with
their horns and blue ribbons, the whole barrow was in commo-
tion, bands of mimic, and Bacchanalian meetings immediately
commenced among the Or—v—norites, and Time will have
enough to do to make them quiet again.