The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-25 00:00:00

ROLAND V. BLAKESLEY.

In this case, which was heard before Lord Denman at the
last London Sittings, and in which a verdict was had for the
plaintiff, damages 1411.,
Mr. CROWDER now moved for a rule to show cause why
the verdict should not be set aside, and a nonsuit entered. It
was an action brought by the Captain of a vessel for wages,
perquisites, and work and labour done, to which the defendant
pleaded, non assumpsit, a set off, and a sum of 20/. paid into
Court_ putmedcat cu detail tilts ram
of the case, and the various items proved in behalf of the
plaintiff, and contended that there was not evidence to warrant
the Jury in coming to such a decision.
The CO t/ItT took time to consider its judgment.

BAIL COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

LATE ELECTION FOR BRIDG EMASTER.

John Baker, alias Darrell, John Jones, and William Fry,
were brought up in the custody of the Marshal of the Queen's
Bench, and Charles Haggett in that of the Governor of New-
gate, in order to plead to an indictment charged with perjury
in having voted several times for the successful candidate at
the late election for bridgemaster. He pleaded not guilty.
Mr. CARMEN moved that the prisoner Haggett (who was
stated to have polled three times in three hours) be let out on
his own recognizances. His Lordship refused the application,
and remanded all the prisoners back to their respective cus-
todies.

COMMON PLEAS.-(THIS DAY.)

SMITH V. DOBSON.

This was an action to recover the value of a barge which was
sunk below London-bridge, by the steam-boat Water-Lily, the
property of the defendant. It was tried at Guildhall in the
sittings after last term, before the Lord Chief Justice, and a
verdict found for the plaintiff, damages 201.
Air. Sergeant SHEE this day moved for a rule to enter a
verdict far the defendant, and for a new trial, on the ground
that the special verdict was in his favour, the Jury having
(after being locked up for several hours) found for the plaintiff
in the amount stated, but added specially, that another vessel,
the Remona, was principally the cause of the damage.
The COURT having reserred to the notes of the Lord Chief
Justice, held that there was no reason to disturb the verdict,
and refused the rule.

EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.)
The Csurt was engaged the whole of the morning in hearing
cases in the new trial paper, none of which were of any parti-
cular interest except the parties concerned.

COURT OF SEWERS.-(THIS DAY)
The Commissioners of Sewers for Westminster, and part of
Middlesex held a Court this day at their offices, Greek-street,
Soho.

The whole of the sitting :was occupied with hearing appeals
against rating, none of which contained any points of general
interest.

BOW-STREET.--(THIS DAY.)
Ann Dillon was placed at the bar, before Mr. HaLL,
charged with having stolen two rings, several coins, a pair of
bracelets, and several other articles, the property of Mr.
Josiah Gander, publican, of Drury-lane.
It appeared that the prisoner had been servant to Mr. Gan-
der about four mor.ths, and about a month ago she gave notice
to leave, which notice expired last evening. Mrs. Gander
having missed a great quantity of articles from her drawers,
went to the prisoner's box a few days ago, and there found
the property she had missed, consisting of rings, bracelets,
stockings, &c. She took no notice of this to the prisoner until
she was about to leave last night, when she sent for a police-
man, and requested to examine the prisoner's box, which she
did, but part of the property‘she had seen there:two or three days
previously was gone. On examining the premises the missing
property was found concealed under a gentleman's bed, who
was lodging in the house, and the prisoner admitted having
placed it there.
_

The prisoner did not deny the offence, and she was fully
committed to take her trial.

SHAKSPERIANA.

Yesterday there was a large assemblage (at Evans's) in con-
sequence of the sale of a deed with Shakspere's signature ; the
Shakspere cup, &c. Many attended to examine the deed, the
authenticity of which is rendered indisputable by the fact of its
having been enrolled. The catalogue thus describes it :
" Shakspere's autograph affixed to a deed of bargain and sale
of a house purchased by him in Blackfriars, from Henry
Walker, dated March 10, 1612, with the seals attached." The
bond is described as "Wm. Shakspeare, of Stratforde-upon-
Avon, in the countie of Warwick, gentleman." The pre-
mises are thus described :—" All that dwelling-house or
tenement, with the appurtenance, situate and being
within the precinct and compasse of the late black ffryers, Lon-
don, sometymes in the tenure of James Gardiner, Esq., and
since that time in the tenure of John Ffortescue, Gent., and
now or late being in the tenure or occupacon of one William
Ireland, or of his assignee or assignees ; abutting upon a streete
leading down to Pudle Wharffe on the east part, right against
the King's Majesties Wardrobe; part of wch said tenement is
erected over a great gate leading to a capitall messuage wch
sometyme was in the tenure of Wm. Blackwell, Esq. deceased,
and since that in the tenure or occupacon of the Right Ho-
nourable Henry now Earle of Northumberland." The deed
at the commencement is stated to be " betweene Henry Wal-
ker, Citizen and Minstrell, of London, of thone partie, and
Wm. Shakspeare, of Stratforde upon Avon, in the countie of
Warwick, gentleman ; William Johnson, citizen and vintner,
of London • John Jackson and John Hems ng, of Lon-
don, of thother partie ;" and that the property was abso-
lutely sold to all feur, " theire heires and assigns for
ever." 'The deed is regularly entered in the Rolls' Court.
Sir F. Madden (continues the catalogue) states in his " Oh-
servations on the autograph of Shakspere, in Florio's trans-
lation of Montaigne's Essays, which was sold in 1138 :
There are five acknowledged genuine signatures in existence,
exclusive of the one which forms the subject of this comine_
Hication. Of these, three are attached to his will in the _
rogative Court, executed the 25th of March, 1615-1',:,: ; the
fourth is written on a mortgage deed, dated the 11th March,
1612-13, of a small estate purchased by Stiakspere of
Henry Walker, in Blackfriars; and the fifth, 'an the counter-
part of the deed of bargain and sale of 'che same property,
dated the 10th of March, 1612-13, and speaking of the last,
Sir F. Madden says, at p. 14—" What has become of this do-
cument?" a query, say the auctioneers, now answered. Of
these six signatures, three to the will are in Do:itors'-commons
two of them much injured by the hands of the lovers of Shak-
spere ; the one in Montaigne's Essays is now in the British
Museum ; what has become of the mortgage deed is quite un-
known. This, therefore, is the only-autograph of Shakspere
ever likely to be offered for sale. After many and very ani-
mated biddings, it was eventually knocked down to Mr. Elkins
for 165/. 15s. (1,444) The " Shakspere Cup," made from
the mulberry tree planted by Shakspere, beautifully carved on
the sides with a medallion of Shakspere and his arms. It was
nearly 30 years in the possession of the late Mr. Munden. 21.