The Sun.
London, England, 1823-07-22 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.

Yesterday Sarah Aspinall, au Interesting young woman, was
opposed by dlr. Thomas Riley., for a debt of 83!.
The complainant resides at No. 118, Oxford-street, and is a
linen-draper, ,and the defendant a dancer at the Opera Ilouse,
and a teacher of music.
Mr. Riley objected to the insolvent's discharge, on the
ground of undue preference and fraudulent contract.
Mr. Riley stated at considerable length the origin of his ac-
quaintance with the insolvent. It appeared from his statement
that in the year 1818 the insolvent came to his shop, and re-
presented that she was an opera dancer, at a salary of 1601. be-
aides 'other perquisites, beyond which she derived a considerable
income liy tuition, and had 70!. a-year coming in froin pro-
petty at Liverpool. In consequence of these statements, and
being introduced by a person he knew, he gave her credit for
silks, dresses, &c. to the amount of 831., on- her bill at 40 days,
portble at Liverpool. The sales were inade between the 13th
and 20th June, and the bill was dated on the 29th of the same
month. Witness went on to state that the insolvent came to
him several days before the bill became due, and stated that
she had done wrong in giving the bill, and offered to give a
warrant of atwrney, which instrument she executed the same
day ; notwithstanding which, however, he kept the original bill,
and had it duly presented when due, but it was dishonoured.
lie proceeded to examine the Insolvent. She observed, that
the principal articles were given to her by Mr. Riley. The
statement she made about her income was correct, except that
part of it which related to Liverpool property. She observed,
that although she derived a considerable emolument at the time
she bought the goods, yet Mr. Geary, the ballet-master, re-
ceived half her salary for lessons she was receiving from him.
She deposed that M. Riley had received money 'from her at
various times, and the bill was only given at his own request to
assist hint in his trade, he promising to provide for It when due.
Mr. Riley became her intimate friend; indeed there-had sub-
sisted an intimacy betiveen them too delicate to be mentioned
lin that Court.—(A laugh.)—This assertion was called forth by
Mr. Riley demanding an explanation. She further went on to
state, that he had been in the habit of giving her airings in his
gig, and accompanying her to balls, routs, &c. &e.
Notwithstanding the warrant was given in 1818, Mr. Riley
did not enter up his judgment till last April, when the insol-
vent pleaded her minority, and the Court of Common Pleas
granted a rule to set aside the instrument, and the goods seized
were all returned in consequence.
Mr. Riley underwent a rigid cross-examination by Mr.
lIE AT 11, and, there being much contradiction in his testimony,
the witness was several times severely reprimanded by the Court.
Mr. Riley called several witnesses to substantiate his cause,
but unfortunately for him they contradicted his
.principal state-
ments. He then prayed judgment against the insolvent.under
the 17th and 18th sections of the Act.
Mr. MATH, for the insolvent, commented on the evidence,
and observed that none but such a man as the opposing creditor
would have had the hardihood to come there with such a case.
lie concluded by submitting that the Court would discharge
the insolvent ; for it would be a shame to imprison a cat on such
evidence.--(Loud laughter.)
The CounT, after animadverting upon the conduct of the
opposing creditor, ordered the insolvent's discharge.

DItOWNING.—We have to record 'the loss of
two other lives on Sunday, in the Thames, occasioned bybosts
being indiscreetly let to boys not capable of managing them.
In the first instance, a boat was upset near Vauxhall-bridge,
having a sail. There were four more children in the boat, one
of whom was drowned, the others were saved, anti the eldest
was taken into Cumberland-gardens, half alive, where be was
put to bed—We have not heard the name of the boy drowned.
Another boat, with six persons in it, was run down within sight
of Battersea-bridge, anti Sawyer, a youth of respectable parent 4
in Silver-street, St. James's, was drowned: The others were
picked up: or swam on shoret