The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-02 00:00:00

William Reeve, alias William Jacques, a young
man, rather under the middle height, with that de-
scription of dress denominated " shabby genteel,"
was yesterday placed at the bar before J.E.CoNANT,
Esq., charged with the following extensive frauds
on hotel proprietors and tavern-keepers; and another
individual, who represented himself as a porter, was
chargedwith feloniously receiving a silver fork, well
knowing it to have been stolen.
Mr. Walker, the proprietor of the One Tun ta-
vern, Jermyn-street, St. James's, was the only com-
plainant in attendance. From his evidence, and
that of his waiter, it appeared that on Monday even-
ing the prisoner Jacques walked into the coffee-room
and called for a bason of soup, and during the time
he was engaged in drinking it an order was given
for refreshment for two gentlemen, and the cloth was
laid in an adjoining box, two silver forks and spoons
being placed on it. Whether the prisoner bad a sil-
ver spoon or not laid on the table for his use did not
appear, but he shifted his seat to the adjoining box,
and very dexterously managed to substitute a metal
fork for one of the silver ones, pocketting the more
valuable one. Scarcely had he made his exit ere
the waiter observed that one fork on the table was
larger than the other, and having read in the news-
papers that some fellow was making a living by
this novel expedient, he had a very strong idea that
his soup customer had been " ringing the changes,"
and away he ran after the stranger, as also did the
proprietor, and a hard chase they had, which ended
in the capture of the prisoner," whose legs refused
their office" in this dire extremity, but in his way
he gave the silver fork and a pewter spoon ( which
might have been turned into silver but for this mis-
hap) into the hands of the other prisoner, whom
he passed in the street, the prosecutor being at the
time on a right scent and " in full cry."
Joshua Clements, an Inspector of Police, searched
the prisoner's lodgings in Suffolk-street, Borough,
and found a host of duplicates for spoons, forks,
glasses, &c.; also two decanters, four wine-glasses,
six tumblers, sugar-basons, cut salts, and a carpet
bag, with the name John Hayes on a brass plate.
The several articles were produced, and amongst
them a handsome caddy-spoon or shell, marked
M. L. The fork which the prisoner had left at the
One Tun was of a metal denominated " German
Silver," and was an excellent imitation of the one he
had stolen, only rather smaller.
The prisoner Jacques declined saying any
thing, but the other took considerable pains to
endeavour to impress on his Worship's mind that
he was a " wery respectable" man. Something had
overcome him, like; and he did not like, at least he
was afcard, to take the fork and spoons to the station.
Clements observed, that he had them in his pos-
session two hours and a half; and from some infor-
mation, Tradd, a constable of the C diVision,kness
where to find him, and at the expiration of that time
he apprehended him with the spoon and fork on
him. He did not think that the other prisoner acted
in concert with Jacques.
The prisoner who was charged with the receiving
said, " He put something into my hand that slipped
down, and I found it was the spoon and fork."
Mr. CONANT—It would have been your duty, as
an hottest man, to have returned them immediately
to the prosecutor, and not have kept them.
Prisoner—Why, I was quite alarmed.
Mr. CoNANT—I dare say you were very much

frightened.
The prisoner again endeavoured to stammer forth
an apology, and at length exclaimed, " I was inti-
midated somehow, so that I can't express myself as
I wish."

Mr. CONANT had no doubt about the truth of the

last observation ; but, as he was about to be re-
manded, he would have time to collect his scattered
thoughts.
The prisoners were then remanded.
We are informed that a similar fraud has been
played at Lord's Hotel, New-street ; York Chop-
house, Wardour-street; John o' Groats, Rupert-
street ; and there is but little doubt that this sys-
tem of plunder has been carried on to an amazing
extent.

THE MARKETS.

SOUTHALL MARK ET.—Nov. 30.

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This day's supply of Beasts and Sheep was rather limited for
the time of year; of Calves and Porkers moderately good. As
the market was not very numerously attended by buyers, the
trade with each kind of meat was rather dull, at the following
prices per stone of Sib. to sink the oflals
Beef 35.0 d. to 4s, Od 4s. Oil. to ss, Od.
I
Mutton 4 0 5 0 Pork 4 0 5 2
The forego.ng quotations are Mutton 2d. per stone higher than
on this day se'nnight ; prices of Beef, Veal, and Pork, stationary.
Beasts 288, Sheep 2,086, Calves a, Pigs 64. But a small pro-
portion of the supply was driven away unsold.