The Sun.
London, England, 1840-12-21 00:00:00

UNION-HALL,

John Nicholls, a well-dressed man, who described
himself a compositor, was brought before Mr. Trail,
charged with stealing a piece of beef Nat a butcher's
stall.

A girl, named Elton, the daughter of a butcher in
the Walworth-road, stated that between seven and
eight o'clock on the preceding night, when she was
minding her father's shop, a man came up to the stall-
board and snatched a piece of beef off, and, looking up
tke road toward town, she saw the prisoner running
along, and was confident he was the person who stole
the beef.
The prisoner interrupted the witness several times,
declaring that she was mistaken, and that be was in-
nocent.
An apprentice boy stated that he was walking along
the road, and distinctly saw the prisoner snatch the
piece of beef off the shop-board, and run away with
it. He (witness) pursued him, and saw him drop the
meat, and afterwards saw one of the policemen take him
into custody, and the beef was picked up near the spot.
The prisoner asserted his innocence, and said that
both the witnesses were mistaken in the identity ; that
he was a compositor on a newspaper, and therefore in
a situation which rendered it unnecessary for him to
have recourse to dishonesty. He added, that he had
been to see his mother in the neighbourhood of Wands-
worth, and that on returning, and hearing a cry of
" Stop thief," when he got near the butcher's shop, he
ran like many others, and was taken into custody, al-
though he assured the policeman of his innocence.
Mr. TRAILL said that two persons spoke distinctly
to the prisoner'sidentity,and asked him if there was any
person in Court who knew him, and could epeak as to
his good character.
The accused said he was well known, but was
ashamed to let any of his friends know that he was
placed in such a predicament as to be charged with
robbing a butcher's stall. He now shed tears, and
said that he had never been so disgraced in his life be-
fore, and that he was never brought before a Magis-
trate until that occasion, and then it was for no offence
Mr. TRAILL said, that although the two witnesses
spoke so particularly as to the prisoner's identity, yet
that they might have been mistaken, as it was at night
it occurred, and they might have taken him for some
other person.
The butcher's daughter said that she was positive
that the prisoner was the man, from the fact of his
having inquired of her a few minutes before he snatched
the beef, whether they had any nice mutton-chops in
the shop.
Mr. TRAILL—You had better send for some of
your friends. Although I shall no commit you for
trial, if some person does not come forward to vouch
for your respectability, I can't express any decided
opinion upon your case ; and you will, therefore, leave
the bar of the Court with a serious sCgmA on your
character.
Prisoner—What am I do to ? I have a strong ohs
jection to let any one know what has occurred.
Mr. TRAILL—An innocent man need not be appre-
hensive of sending to a friend under such circumstances.
I know that if I was placed in your situation that I
should have no hesitation in sending for some person
who knew me.
Prisoner—lf the circumstance was known on the
journal on which I am engaged, it would operate very
much against me, and I should be the subject of ridi-
cule amongst my brother workmeu.
Mr. TRAILL—It would not be the first innocent man
who was taken into custody, and I think, for your own
sake, you ought not to leave this Court without getting
some friend to come forward, as it will be a satisfaction
fur all parties.
The butcher said that he had not the least wish to
press the charge against the accused, but it would cer-
tainly be a satisfaction to his mind to hear some respect-
able person who knew him come forward and speak for
him.
Prisoner (crying)—l should prefer being discharged
and run all hazards than send for any friend.
Mr. TRAILL—Than if th It be the case you are dis-
charged ; but remember this, that if ever I see you at
this Court again I shall remember this charge, and if you
appear before me in the character of an offender, what
has occurred this dsy will not be forgotten in deciding
upon your case.
The prisoner, who made no reply to the Magistrate's
observations, was then let out of the dock, and he di-
rectly left the Court.

MATO ELECTION.—Mr. Margin Blake was
returned without opposition on Wednesday. He was
proposed by Archbishop M'Hale, and seconded by Thomas
Phillips, Esq., J.P. Mr. Blake was not present, in con
sequence of severe illness.
USE OF ICE.—Our Transatlantic brethren ma-
nage their mercantile matters far better than we do. In.
stead of taking out to India, for their dead ballast, stones,
granite blocks, and the like lumber, they load the bottoms
of their ships with ice, an article which is eagerly sought
after by the inhabitants, and is bought up' almost imme-
diately on its arrival. About three months since, the
American ship Israel, bound from Boston, landed at Cal-
cutta 400 tons of ice, which was sold at the wholesale rate
of one penny per pound avoirdupois, which cleared, ex-
clusive of port duties, upwards of 3,7001. sterling.
Han. MAJESTY'S BUCKIIOUNDS.—In conse-
quence of the prevalence of the frost during the past week
the Royal buckhounds have not hunted since Friday, the
11th inst. The next meet, which will be at Svviul,,y, has
been postponed until the frost breaks up. At the com-
mencement of the season 1839 the Royal pack consisted of
34 couples of old hounds and 10 couples of young hounds,
making together a total of 44i couples. Their ages were
as follow :—One of ton years, five of seven years, nine of
six years, thirtheen of five years, nine of four years. twenty-.
one of three years, eleven of two years, and twenty of one
year. At the commencement of the present scasun ii'
were 36} couples of old hounds and nine of young—total
45f couples, viz :—One of eight yoars old, six of seven
years, thirteen of six years, six of five years, eighteen of
four years, ten of three years, nineteen of two years, and
eighteen of ono year.
The Right Hon. T. Wyse, M.P., one of the
Lords of her Majesty's Treasury, has recently been on a
visit to Lord Ci,ll'utti, at ligbrooke•
the daughter of Lucien Bonaparte.—Western Luminary

EVENING EDITION.
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT ON
BOARD THE EXCELLENT, GUNNERY SHIP.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
Orr Tuesday forenoon last, a fatal accident happened
on board this ship, stationed in Portsmouth Harbour.
to a Sergerlot of the Marine Artillery, serving on board
for tie purpoe of instructing- the officers and crew of
that sh,p in the art of gunnery. It appears that her
Captain, Sir Thomas Hastings, ordered the sergeant
to carry up an empty sheli, with a no c, al fuze, from the
shell-room into the gunners' More-roo:n, to discover if
possible the cause of the accident: on be art) of another
ship, and desired him to ui,screv the caP, which the
poor fellow was in the act of doing, when the.
fuze burntand off flew the cap, which was copper, and ect..'red just
above one of his eyes, and lodged in the centre' of his_
head. He immediately fell back senseless, never. Mc
afterwards, and languished in Haslar Hospital until o el;
day. He bore the character of a very able man a,"
was highly respected on board. He has left a widgif
and two chillitqn.