The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-18 00:00:00

CLERKENWELL.

Just before Mr. Combo quitted the bench, Mr. George
William Whitaker, of No. 12, Cannonbury-cottages.
Islington, was brought up on a warrant, by Joseph Sea-
mans, the warrant-officer of this Court, charged by
Mr. Henry St. John Buller, surgeon, of No. 24, Judd-
street, Brunswick-square, with having challenged him to
fight a duel, and also with having threatened his life.
Mr. Buller deposed that he had been acquainted with
the defendant ever since they were boys. Having re•
ceived a message from the detendant, requesting him to
call upon him yesterday morning, at his residence, he
proceeded thither in company with his brother, and on
entering the parlour, the defendant produced a pair of
pistols, one of which he took up, cocked it, and presented
it at the witness, saying, "I could take your life this
moment if I chose, and if you appeal to the law (which
1 witness had previously threatened to do) I will settle the
business summarily." Prior to this he offered witness
one of the pistols, and challenged him to fight a duel.
He (witness) said he would decline that mode of satis-
faction, as he considered him (defendant) too contemp-
tible to give way to that passion, and he should appeal to
the law tor protection. He then again presented th.
pistol at him, and he (witness) left the house, and applied
to this Court for protection.
Mr. COMBE—Are you aware whether the pistols were
loaded or not? Witness—They were loaded.
Mr. COMBE—Can you swear that you are in danger of
your life from his conduct? Witness—l can. I think
him capable of any villany.
Mr. CoatnE suggested that the defendant might put
any question he thought proper to the witness.
The defendant questioned the witness as to a letter
which he had addressed to him, saying his life was in
danger, and whether he had not threatened to appeal to
the law? Witness replied in the affirmative, and added,
" You kid down a pair of pistols, and told me to take
my choice of them."
Defendant—l laid down the pistols and told you you
might take your revenge of me. He wished to call the
brother of complainant as a witness.
Mr. Robert Bailer, solicitor, of Northamptonshire, de-
posed that defendant produced the pistols and challenged
his brother to fight a duel with him.
- _

By the defendant—l remained with you five hours
after the transaction. You did say you would not hurt
a hair of my brother's head.

Mr. CO3l (to d lendant)—Pray, what are you?
Defendant—l am nothing at present.
Mr. CONDE —Are you a gentleman of property? De-
fendant—No; I have no property.
Mr. COMBS—Then what have you been? Defendant
—I have been a solicitor. I was in practice twelve
months ago, but not now. I have been unfortunate.
_ _

Mr. CA3II3E—You must find bail.
Defendant—To what extent?

Mr. COMBE—Two sureties in 1001. each, and yoursel
in 2001.

The defendant was then locked up until the bail were
forthcoming, and while in the gaoler's room, the brother
of complainant had an interview with him, the latter re-
maining in the court until he (the brother) returned,
when they left the court together.
The cause of the extraordiiisry proceeding was not
elicited in court, but wa understood that the dispute
originated in consequence cf a lady.

MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR UNCLE.—
LEEDS, JULY 14.—An event of the most appalling
nature has just occurred at the village of Knottingley, in
the West Riding of Yorkshire. The brief but shocking
facts are as follows :—Yesterday forenoon, a labourer
named Benjamin Heald, aged twenty years, residing
with his parents at Knottingley, took two of his brother's
children into the garden for a walk. After being there
fur a short time, he desired the children to leave the
garden, which they manifested a disinclination to do.
He then took up a bottle (it is supposed in a fit of in-
sanity) and beat out the brains of the little boy, five
years old. He then immediately killed the little girl,
three years old, by beating her over the head with a
stick. This dreadful tragedy accomplished, he went
into the house and told his mother that he believed he
had killed the two children; and alleging, with the
greatest apparent coolness, tat he had done so because
he was afraid they would come to want. He then left
home, and went into the town, his residence being in the
outskirts, and inquired for a surgeon. He was soon,
however, taken into custody; but seemed little con-
cerned, as may be imagined from the fact that, within
a short time afterwards, he was sound asleep upon his
bed. All the family of the prisoner are remaikably
steady and industrious people, and towards the two mur-
dered children it appeared that none of them had shown
greater kindness and affection that: 3e prisoner. The
father of- the children lcst his wife about six months
ago, and had, with his two children, gone to reside with
his parents, with whom his brother (the prisoner) also
resided.
DECISION OF CHARACTER.—It is of great impor-
tance in order to be successful in any undertaking, that
a man possess a good degree of firmness; because, if
after he have undertaken any business or enterprise, ho
become discouraged merely because ho meets with a few
difficulties and embarrassments which he did not antici-
pate, his capabilities for conducting his business will be
paralyzed, and his efforts week and ill directed, so that
his failure will almost of necessity be the result. But
if a marl of a firm and decided cast of character meet
with obstacles to his prosperity, he nerves himself to
meet them, taxes his utmost ability, and directs all the
energies of his micd and body to. remove the cause of
his embarrassment, and the result in nine out of ten
ctses will be cotoplete success. He could scarcely fail to
be successful, unless he has engsged in an enterprise for
which he possesses no qualificstions, and to which his
energies are inadequate; which is rarely the case with a
man of firmue,s. 6uch men, gt nerally speaking,
" weigh well the meant., the wanner, and the end," of
their designs, before attempting to put them in execu-
tion, and when their resolutions are once taken, trifles
clOn't atop then,--Eliza Cook's Journal.