The Sun.
London, England, 1838-11-02 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.-(THIS DAY.)

Mr. LAING.—CHARGE OF ASSAULT.—Mr. Laing attended
before Mr. Alderman KELLY and Sir PETER LAURIE, to pre-
fer a charge of assault against a person named William Henry
Gearry, who was understood to be a solicitor.
Mr. Laing having been sworn, said that after dining yester-
day at the Sessions House, Clerkenwell, he proceeded home-
wards, and was accompanied by a brother Magistrate as far as
Bartlett's-buildings, when they parted. He then proceeded
alone down Fetter-lane, until he was accosted by the defen.
dant, who came up, he believed from a public-house, and said,
" Oh, is that you, Laing ?" or words to that effect. He desired
the defendant to let him pass, as he knew nothing of him. The
defendant was then going to put his hands on him, when he
desired him to stand away. He instantly put himself in a
fighting attitude and struck complainant. He immediately
sent for an officer, and a crowd gathered round, and took part
with the defendant. He (Mr. Laing) then went into the par-
lour or tap-room of the public-house, where a person who was
now present, came and offered his services. In the meantime
two watchmen arrived.
Sir P. LAURIE—Why did you go into the public-house?
Mr. Laing—To obtain assistance. Whilst there the de-
fendant wanted to enter into some discussion, but he (Mr. L )
refused to do so, and gave him in charge. The defendant
then threatened to give him in charge, but the watchman said
one charge had already been given, and they took the defen-
dant to the watchouse. The constable who took the charge
would speak as to the threats and insolent language used by
the defendant afterwards. The blow was not a violent one.
It was aimed at his (Mr. L.'s) face, but the defendant not
being tall enough, the blow fell on his breast.
Sir P. LAURIE—Do you know him ?
Mr. Laing—No; he said his mine was Geary, and that he
had been instrumental in obtaining my removal from office.
r. Gearry said the statement made by Mr. Laing was alto-
gether false, and he could call a witness to contradict it. As

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1838.

a gentleman and on your oath, do you mean to say I struck you ?
1 Mr. Laing—l am not here in the capacity of a gentleman;
I am here on my oath.
Mr. Gearry—l hope it is not offensive to address you as a
gentleman. 1 never addressed you in any other language.
Did I say I had been instrumental in obtaining your discharge?
Mr. Laing—l don't mean to bind myself down to any par-
, titular form of words, but that was the effect of what you said.
Mr. Gearry—l had been on the opposite side of the street,
and my foot slipped, and I did touch Mr. Laing, I believe,
but I immediately apologised. He immediately gave me a
thrust with his umbrella. Did I not say, "I am not surprised
at this, for I recollect you assaulted Dr. Payne in a similar
manner ?"
Mr. Laing—The word Payne was not mentioned in my
hearing.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.

This house was opened last evening with rather a novel
performance for a theatre—a lecture on Sacred History,
and the Fulfilment of the Prophecies, with dioramic views
of the City of Babylon, and the Tower of Babel, represent..
ing them as they may be supposed to have existed, and
also as they now exist in utter desolation. Mr. W. G.
Lewis, well-known to the public for his excellent books
for the use of schools, and for his exertions in the cause of
reform, at a period when Reformers were punished as cri-
minals, has for sometime been engaged in preparing a series
of lectures, to illustrate the remarkable fulfilment of the
prophecies in the Old and New Testaments, and proposed
to give his first lecture on Tuesday last, but was prevented
by indisposition. Last evening he was still unable to pro-
ceed ; but the duty was undertaken by a friend, who per-
formed
the task with much effect. The lecture last
evening was on the fall of Babylon the Great, re-
nowned for its hundred gates and its hanging gar-
' dens, and memorable for the death of Alexander, and the
captivity of the Jews, when they "hanged their harps on the
willows, by Babel's streams, and wept when they remem-
bered Zion." Mr. Lewis has been assisted in his undertaking
by Mr. Nichols, the artist, who has prepared four dioramic
views of this city, representing it in all its glory when in
possession of " the man that made the earth to tremble—
that did shake kingdoms," and as it is now, when become a
desolation among the nations. The principal object of the
Lecturer is to place before the public well-executed dioramic
views, upon a large scale, of those places mentioned in the
prophecies of the Scriptures which have been fulfilled, and
to illustrate these by lectures. In his published no-
tice he announces his intention of confining himself to
those prophecies which are capable of pictorial illustration,
and that are actually fulfilled, and of avoiding all points of
doctrine which are matters of controversy among different
denominations of Christians ; his object being not to teach
what ought or ought not to be believed, but to convert the
infidel, convince the doubtful, and confirm the waverer
with regard to the great truth upon which Revelation rests,
namely, the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Old and
New Testaments.
The Lecturer, previous to the exhibition of the first pic-
ture, the Tower of Babel, gave a detailed account of the
extent and splendour of the city of Babylon, and of the
great power and wealth of the nation of which it was the
capital, with a minute description of the tower by Herodo-
tus, as it existed :2.300 years ago. The contrast between
this singular building, in its perfect state, and as it now
exists was finely exemplified by the exhibition of the
second picture, which has been drawn according to the ac-
curate and minute accounts given of it by Sir R. K. Porter.
The audience testified their approbation by loud and repeated
applause. But the contrast between Babylon in all its glory,
and as it is now, when scarcely a vestige marks the spot, was
still more striking. The Lecturer concluded with reading
from the Scriptures the Prophet's sublime description of the
scene of desolation, answering is almost every particular
to that given of it by Volney about 2,500 years afterwards.
The sublimity of the language, the correctness of the de-
scription, and the dreary view of the plain on which the
anger of Heaven had " stretched the line of confusion and
the stones of emptiness," made a deep impression on the
audience.

- Mr. James Smith Morton, a provision-factor in Walbrook,
said that he was passing at the time, and went up in conse-
quence of having heard the name of Mr. Laing :mentioned.
Mr. 14. went into the public-house, and the crowd began to be
boisterous, crying " Turn him out." Witness did not see any
• thing of the assault. At the watchhouse defendant made use
of some very insulting expressions. He denied having as-
saulted Mr. Laing, and said that Mr. Laing had assaulted
him. He then threatened to assault Mr. Laing. Witness
believed Mr. Gearry to be sober.
Sir P. LAURIE—Both parties were sober?
Mr. Morton—l think Mr. Laing might have been dining.
—(A laugh.)
Mr. Alderman KELLY—Did he deny having struck Mr.
Laing ?
Mr. Morton—He did not deny it. He said that Mr. Laing
struck him first in the eye with his umbrella.
Mr. Gearry declared that when he first slipped against Mr.
Laing he did not know him ; but when some persons who as-
sembled mentioned the name, he said he was not surprised at
it, for he recollected his having assaulted Dr. Payne.
Mr. Laing—l declare, on my oath, that the man knew me,
for he addressed me, and said " Is that you, Laing ?" or some.
thing to that effect.
Mr. Gearry then called a witness, named
John Johnson, of 11, Clifford's Inn, tailor, who stated that
he saw Mr. Gcarry getting on the pavement at the time Mr.
Laing was coming down Fetter-lane, and that his foot slipping
caused him to touch that gentleman. The latter immediately
put his umbrella across Mr. Gearry's face, and pushed him
nearly across the road. Mr. Gearry said, " I think this is not
very gentlemanly conduct," and Mr. Laing then pushed him
again. Several people then assembled, and some one having
said, " That's old Laing," a hooting was set up. He (wit-
ness) did not know Mr. Laing until his name was mentioned.
Mr. Gearry—l said at the moment, without knowing who
it was, " I beg your pardon."
Mr. Laing—l am certain he did it with the intention of
insulting me.
Mr. Gearry—l cannot help saying it is a gross falsehood to
say that I struck Mr. Laing.
Mr. Laing said he did not wish to have the defendant
punished; all he wished was protection, for he could not
walk the streets without being insulted.
Sir P. LAURlE—Perhaps Mr. Gearry will say that he had
no intention to insult Mr. Laing?
Mr. Gearry—Most assuredly ; I hope my sense will teach
me better than to offend any person.
Mr. Laing suspected that if he met the defendant again he
should be subject to the same behaviour.
Sir P. LAURIE—WiII you pledge yourself not again to an,
non him ?
Mr. Gearry—l have no hesitation in doing so.
Mr. Laing said he should be satisfied by the defendant
making an apology, and promising not to molest him again.
Mr. Gearry said he could not make any apology, but tha
what happened was accidental, and he would not annoy Mr,
Laing again.
The parties then retired.

The house was very well attended, and the lecture was
announced for repetition every evening till further notice.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDRNTS.)
LINCOLN, Nov. 1.
TRIUMPHANT VICTORY OF THR LIBRRALS.—LincoIn is
divided into two Wards, the Minster Ward and the Bridge
Ward : the former locates the dignitaries of the Cathedral, who,
with their hirelings and vassals, have exerted themselves to
the utmost in endeavouring to bring in their nominees. To a
late hour last night and again very early this morning, have
these holy men and their tools been in every place where there
was a probability of obtaining a vote; but up to this hour
(two o'clock) they have not the least chance of success.
During the whole of the morning vast numbers of their par-
tizans have been running over the city to bring up voters, but
the independent franchised will not answer to their call.
The voting has now become languid on the Conservative side.
The numbers at two o'clock for the Minster Ward were—
Seely ( Liberal)
East (Liberal)
Richardson (Tory)
Jepson (Tory)
BRIDGE WARD.
Stephenson (Liberal).
Harvey ( Liberal).
Brogden (Tory).
The two former must be elected, the latter youth• having
resigned the contest on Sunday.
* He is a mere boy, and shunned by a large portion of bis
own party, from his forwardness in every public matter.

SUDBURY, Nov. 1.
GLORIOUS TRIUMPH OP THE LIBERALS.--I hasten to inform
you the result of our Municipal Election this day :
Robert Ransom (Liberal)..
Joseph Barker (Liberal)
J. 14'. S. Gooday (Liberal)
William Hill, manufacturer (Tory) 278
The above four Returned.
John Pure (Liberal)....

266

Thomas Jones (Tory)
W. 0. May (Tory) 239
W. R. Rolfe (Tory)

This triumph has been achieved amidst the greatest
iati-
midation and coercion ever witnessed on the part of the Tories,
so much so, that when a vote of thanks was proposed for the
Manor, William Harver, Esq., for his conduct as Returning
Officer, it was not seconded. But a direct charge of intimi-
dating his workmen by threats of discharging them, was made
against him by Mr. J. F. S. Gooday, which set the Town
Hall in a roar, and the Election terminated without the vote
of thanks being carried.
Two class before the election the bellman cried round
the Borough of Sudbury, that Mr. Bailey, sen., father of
one of the Tory Members, had sent a donation for the poor.
It was said that this donation was to buy votes, and the
bellman directed all who wished to share in it to go to the
Town Hall and put down their names. Attendance was given
at the Town Hall, the names were put down, and the parties
told, that the next day's voting would decide the applicants to
whom the mourY would be given. In spite of this attempt at
bribery, the Liberals beat the Tories, and Mr. Bailey's money,
and his son's teat at the next election, will both be looked for

vain.in
h' T Election gives the Liberals the preponderancy on the
Council.

NORTHAMPTON, Nov. 1.
mourn WARD.
Thomas Sharp ( Reformer)
E. H. Barwell ( Reformer)
Thomas Marshall (Tory) 2Ol
Robert Hewitt (Tory) ~
WEST WARD.
Henry Marshall ( Reformer) 207
Samuel Betts (Reformer)
George Arnifield (Tory)
Robert Page (Conservative Whig nomi-
nated by the Tories)
EAST WARD.
Thomas Howes (Tory) 248
John Mercer (Tory) 246
John Norwood ( Reformer)
Joseph Oooper ( Reformer)
Three Whigs and three Tories came out for re-election.
We have therefore gained one on the day's election. The
Tories will also lose one on the 9th of Nov., on the choice of
Alderman. Our relative numbers will then be eighteen Re-
formers to six Tories. There probably never was an election
in the borough of Northampton when the Reform party ex-
hibited such a coolness and indifference, amounting absolutely
to criminality, as on this occasion. But not so with the Tories ;
they were true to a man—cunning, crafty, and very resolute.
The South Ward was indeed a hard light, notwithstanding the
fact that if every man had polled, there would have been a
majority of thirty for the second Reformer. There is in
Northampton, it is to be deeply regretted, a few individuals
—well intentioned, no doubt—who rarely move in politics ;
but when they do, for want of experience, defeat their own
good intentions; such individuals will do well to consider that
on the poll the rich and the poor are associated together, and
that the vote of the one is to the full as valuable as
the other.
They should remember that a disunited and disorganized body
of politicians is a mere rope of sand, and that by such dis-
union the best efforts of the best of men may be rendered futile
and abortive.

NORWICH, Nov. 1.
Our Municipal Election has terminated this day so favour-
ably to the Reformers that I think it worth while to trouble
you with the particulars. The City is divided into 8 Wards,
No. 1 is in the possession of the Tories, as also Nos. 3 and 5, but
the remaining 5 Wards, comprising the great Ward of Maucroft,
wherein the most opulent and wealthy of our tradesmen reside,
have been carried by immense majorities in the favour of the
Reformers.
The majority in the second Ward, of Messrs. Willett and
Barb against Beckwith and Skippen, the old Town Clerk
and the Old Chamberlain, was 72.
The majority in the fourth ward, of Messrs. Gurney and
nerntochuder 6bn
ytehx t Ward the
rt h)ea majorityw os
hf a
y,Messrs.
w a
Barwell, was 86.
a majority of 69.
to
In the 7th Ward, Messrs. Springfield and Phillippa were
711,11:arshall (who is
In the Bth Ward, Messrs. Finch and Enfield, the Reform
Candidates, were unopposed ; and all this has taken place
after months of vaunting and threatening on the part of our
opponents. No more
certain evidence could be afforded of
the sentiments of the burgesses of this city, than by this
most decided, unprecedented victory. They have shewn their
approbation of the conduct of the new Corporation who will by
this victory be encouraged in carrying out their projects of
economy and retrenchment.
The Reformers have now a majorityof 42, out of 68, in
the Council.

LIN-TRPOOL, Nov. .
In the election for members of the Town3o Council, the con-
test has been more than usually severe, and the numbers re.
turned, as near as they can be at present ascertained, are nine
Reformers and eight Tories; but we think when the returns
are fully made up it will be found that the Reformers have re-
turned at least 'levee.