The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-17 00:00:00

SCANDALOUS ASSAULT.

On Saturday, William Dowling, described as
being a watchmaker, residing in Oldham-court, Old-
ham•street, was summoned to answer a complaint of
having assaulted Mr. W. J. Hammond, comedian,
and of having used the most insulting language to-
wards Mrs. Jerrold, mother of Mr. Douglas Jerrold,
and the mother-in-law of Mr. Hammond.

Mr. Hammond stated the particulars of the case.
He said that he was returning home from the theatre
on Monday night, shortly after eleven o'clock, ac-
companied by his wife, his children, his wife's mo-
ther (Mrs. Jerrold), and Mrs. Bowring, an acquaint-
ance. When he and his party had reached the corner
of Commutation-row and Islington, the defendant,
who appeared to have been coming towards them
from an opposite direction, jostled up against them
and took Mrs. Jerrold in his arms. The old lady
succeeded in rescuing herself from his grasp, and
he then made use of the most indecent and disgust-
ing language towards her. He then passed on towards
Mr. Hammond's wife and children, whereupon Mr.
Hammond told him to go about his business. Ile
not only refused to comply with the request, but I-
repeated the indecent language, and having something
in his hand tied up in a handkerchief of a hard sub-
stance, he struck Mr. Hammond on the cheek, and
gave that gentleman a black eye, from the marks of
which he bad not recovered when giving his evidence
in the Court on Saturday.
The defendant, in reply, said that on Monday
night he was going along Islington with a pair of
boots tied up in a handkerchief, and that on
turning the corner of Commutation-row, he met a
party of ladies and gentlemen, whom he "bounded"
against, and, in fact, so sudden was the turn round
that he could not avoid knocking against them.
One of the gentlemen gave him a box, and, on
his asking what that was for, his hat was
knocked over his eyes. He defended himself as
well as he could, and, in the struggle, he received a
stroke of an umbrella, and his hat was knocked to a
considerable distance. lie was then persuaded to go
away, hut the party followed him and got a policeman
to take him part of the way to Bridewell, and he was
then discharged.
Mrs. Bowring corroborated the testimony given by
Mr. Hammond, and denied, in the most positive terms,
that it was an accidental assault in the first instance.
She stated that Mr. Hammond was struck, but that
the defendant did not receive a single blow._
The defendant called a witness, who, however, had
not seen the commencement of the assault.
The ladies
ult.
Mr. Rushton said the case was_ clear.
were walking home _
them in hish m
through
asrtrese,tsa,ndwbbeehnavthede
defendant took one of
ner towards her, both in
in a most indecent
and
when called upon to ex-
manner and language r
plain, his only excuse wasan, that
. it was an accidental
affray. Mrs. Bowring had given so clear an account
of it, that no doubt was left on his (Mr. Rushton's)
mind that the conduct of the defendant had been very
disgraceful.
He was ordered to pay a fine of al., or in default
to be imprisoned two
.months.
The defendant—Mll you allow me time, sir, to
collect the money ?
Mr. Rushton—No, not a moment. When a man
so far forgets himself as to insult a female in the
street he is entitled to no consideration whatever.
The amount of the fine not being forthcoming, the
defendant was taken away in custody.—Liverpool
paper.

PlTENT.—Amongst the list of English patents
granted on the 3d day of July, in the present year, is
one, to Miss Eliza Tonge, of Boston, " for improve-
ments in ornamenting glass." This brief official descrip-
tion of the patent gives by no means a correct idea of the
brilliant and artistical effects prodUced by the invention
of our fair towns•woman. • We Inv° bad the pleasure of
inspecting one or two beautiful specimens of this new
style of ornamental art, by which the most magnificent
combinations of colours are applied to the permanent
development on plate glass of vivid illustrations of
flowers, gems, and other pleasing natural objects ; and
we entertain little doubt that the patent will become one
of general adoption to the ornamental details of highly
furnished mansions, as well as to hand-screens, and the
lightvr article' of Aaury or elegance.---lioston Gawk.