The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-03 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

These Sessions commenced yesterday morning before Mr.
Sergeant ADAMS and a full bench of Magistrates. The Ca.
lender is an extremely light one, there being only twelve pri.

soners fur trial.

After the Petty Jury had been sworn to try the first case,
that of I3enjamin Dickinson,. charged with having assaulted
one of the County Court officers,
Henry Wilson, one of the Jury, addressing the Chairman,
said—Sir, I should like to know who is to indemnify me for
my loss of time and trouble in attending?
The CHAIRMAN isto the Clerk of the Court)—Go on.
Wilsun—Go en But I won't go on until 1 know who is to
pay me for my loss of time.
The CHAIRMAN--:•YOU are summoned here, Sir, to discharge
a highly important public duty, and all persons who attend
here for that purpose do so without being paid for their public
services. All the gentlemen who are now with me on the
bench attend here without fee or reward.

Wils.on7They seek their situations as places of honour, bul

I am forced hert;.
The CHAIhMAN-1t is, I believe, universally admitted that
the trial by jury is one of the most beautiful parts of our ex-
cellent Constitution, and it is part of that Constitution that
in all criminal cases ,the juries shall not be remunerated for
their services; and sorry, indeed, should 1 be that any alte-
ration of the law in that respect should take place, fur if in
criminal trials juries were paid for their attendance, persona
would become candidates for the situation, instead of the
duties of jury men being discharged by independent men.
Wilson—Oh, that's all very well, but other public servants
are paid, and well paid, too, for doing little or nothing ; and
I, therefore, on principle, object to being kept here all day
a ithout being paid for my time and trouble.
The CHAIIIIIAN--1 must not hear any more of these kind of
observations. Let the case proceed.
The trial, which was for an assault of a trifling nature, pro-
ceeded, and the Chairman summed up the evidence ; after
which a short consultation took place among the jury. At
length the Foreman said—That juryman that just now ad-
dressed the Court says lie will not agree to any verdict until

lie is paid for his attendance. _
The CIIAIICAIAN--1 hope he will not persiit in such improper
conduct.

Wilson—l shall, though ; and Idoit in order to obtain re-
dress for what I consider to be a very great grievance.
The CHAIRMAN—Very well, Sir. I can only tell you that
you and your brother jurymen will be locked up until you agree
upon your,verdict. Do you know, in the situation in which
you stand, you have taken a solemn oath on the Gospels well
and truly to try the prisoner at the bar, and having heard the
evidence in this case, you must give your verdict. You have
sworn to decide on the case.
Wilson (with a knowing loJk)—Yes, I did swear I would
decide on the case, but I did not swear what time I would
take to do
The CHAIRMAN—Let an officer be sworn to take the Jury
into an adjoining room, and there luck them up, and keep
them there, without fire and candle, until they have agreed
upon their verdict.
Several of the Jury complained that they should be locked
up, on account of the obstinacy of one of their body.
The CHAIRMAN—I can truly state that I never witnessed
such a scene as tnis in a Court of Justice before, and I hope
and trust that I never shall again. Officer, remove the Jury
at once. I will not suTer such disgraceful proceedings in this
Court for a 'moment longer.
A Juryman—Surely, air, you will not lock us all up?
Wilson—No, that he won't ; for I won't !ewe this box.
A Juryman—What do you charge for your services ? I
will pay you wh:ltever you demand.
Wilson—I tell you, again, I want nothing of you ;I am
merely doing a great public duty.
Several Jurymen—Oh, let's subscribe together, and pay him
his demand.
The CtlAinhidot (to the officer)—Do your duty, S'r, an
Ow the Jury away, as I told you.. Let the other officers in
the, Court assist.
Wilson—You have not shown me that I am acting illegally,
and I won't leave this box until you do.
The CitAtiotAN —I tell you, Sir, that you are acCng,both
illegally and disgracefully.
Wilson—Show me box—tell me the statute.
The CHAlRMAN—Officers, do your duty, and Gear that box
instantly.
On the officers proceeding to do so, Wilson submitted, and
left the quietly with his broth: en, who appeared to rc,,
anything but brotherly feelings.
griwith Court
After an absence of about a quarter of an ',bear the Jur-
again came into Court, and the form stated they '
ivAvioit in the meantime been mom, they were
cif "au
all
agreed to return a verdict
Another hry
nail the Court again called them into the box.
e scene altogether eaUseda c9lg,i4VOUt QlCAtcment in Court.