The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-25 00:00:00

DIARY OF A RAILWAY WITNESS.

The following is a copy of a diary, to appearance
written very hurriedly and rather indistinctly, in a
pocket-book found a few days ago on the streets of
Perth. There is no date appended, but from memo-
randa before and after the following entries, it ap-
pears to have been written in London about May or
June, 1846. The entries will go a great way to
show the manner in which our citizens spend their
precious time when they leave their business at such
sacrifices, and are so very patriotic as to go to London,
and give their evidence pro or con on particular rail-
way bills,
Monday--Travelled all yesterday. What will my
wife say to this, should it reach her ears? When I left
hope on Saturday morning, I had to make a solemn pro-
mise to her that I should remain at someplace on the way
over Sunday. Arrived in town this morning at six.
Went to bed till ten, and breakfasted at eleven. Fine.
hotel the Euston. Took a cab, went down to West-
minster. Met nearly all Perth there—amongst the
rest two of our bailies, looking very sleek. We had
a laugh over our 71. 7s. a day ex-expenses—will
make another 21. 2s. No dirty one-pound notes here
—plenty of gold. Took a stroll with some dozen
other witnesses, and saw the Life Guards changing
guards at Whitehall. Called down at the com-
mittee-rooms at half- past one to see if my evidence
was required. Answer—Not to-day—give us a call
to-morrow at twelve, and we will see. Capital time
of it this; another 71. 7s. snug. Went to Blackwall
at five, dined there at six. Heavy bill ! Never
mind, the railway pays it all. Capital wine—claret
particularly good. Poor B— very drunk ; had
some difficulty in getting him up to London. After
we got there had oysters at the " Crown?' Plenty
brandy and water. Another heavy bill ! All very
much knocked up. Watch stopped; cannot say what
time I went to bed, must have been about two a.m.
Tuesday—Morning after a debauch—aching head !
Confound those oysters and brandy ! One would re-
quire to be well paid to live at this rate. Got out of
bed at ten—only able to take a cup of tea. Down to
the committee-rooms at twelve. Staid three hours.
Not called to-day. Got on the trail of an M.P. ;
procured his order for admission to the House to-
night. Was there at seven; told strangers' gallery
full, must wait ; did so for an hour—got in at last-:-
heard part of a bright speech from Bright. The dull
member asleep in the gallery, which, by the way, puts
me in mind of an old story set down to the credit of
an ex-M.P. of the Fair City. Some of our Perth
worthies were in London some dozen years ago ; they
paid a visit to the House of Commons (as I did this
night), and they found their member at his post, but
fast asleep. They wrote down to us Perth bodies an
account of their visit, and referring us to their worthy
M.P., added, " found him asleep, as usual." This is
no uncommon thing. No wonder—caught myself
napping repeatedly.
NVednesday—Breakfasted at half-past ten. Walked
down to Westminster by the Mall and the Bird-cage-
walk. Told that it was probable that I would be
examined this day. What a dilemma lam in! what
am I to say ? However, I determined to have
luncheon and some brandy to keep the spirits up.
Waited about the committee-rooms until four—never
called—heard the cry " Speaker at prayers," when off
I set. Dined at the Tavistock---borrowed a white
stock from the waiter, and went to the opera; paid
10s. for the pit, and ss. for the loan of an opera glass,
so as to see the dancers better. I was charmed. To
tell the truth, it was not to hear the operathat I went,
but to see thelballet—what glorious dancing—l could
have sat for ever and witnessed the corps de ballet.
Saw Madlle. Taglioni—what figures ! Home to the
Ship in a cab at one.
Thursday.—Examined to-day in the Committee of
the House of Commons. First question—How much
can a horse draw in Scotland ? I answered, about
two tons. The Committee opened their eyes and
stared—this put me very much out—l suppose it was
given as a feeler, to see what sort of a genius I was.
Second question—How much I was paid a day ?
This was feeler No. 2, with a vengeance. I wished
that the floor had opened at this kaoment and swal-
lowed me up. They let me off after teasing me for
a few moments ; and when leaving the witness-box I
heard the laugh behind me, some words such as
" Scotch dog come to feed upon English beef." Had
a glorious dinner this evening—champagne and
claret in abundance. Left party and went to the
Lyceum—much delighted with Keeley and his wife ;
saw the Marble Maiden, also Tom Thumb in a bur-
lesque—fine dancers here. Left the theatre at eleven,
and returned to our dinner party ; sat a long time
until the party got regularly drunk—as bad as the
rest —rose to propose a toast, when . . .
Friday noon—Head like to crack, feel one of my
temples dreadfully sore, as if I had got a severe
knock on it. How or when I got to bed last night I
cannot divine ; must ask the waiter, hs tells me
that my friends carried me to bed—O conscience!
where art thou ? Sweet mornings that I used to
have in Perth return to me. Another glorious din-
ner. Went to the Judge and Jury at the Garrick. s
Head this evening. Nearly burst our sides--the
interrogators are very clever, and the witty sayings
are excellent. Saw B— there. What would my
wife say if she knew all this
informs, b? However, fear
of
her knowing except B— and he is as ac
as myself. Got to bed at one.
Saturday.—Down the river at Greenwich. Re-
turned to Blackwall in the evening; dined there, but
not on white bait, dinner and sundries 16s. each.
Returned to town at nine. Went and saw Ferrer.
and Webster at the Haymarket. Farren excelled as
Grandtather Whitehead; Miss Julia, Bennett was
charming, and I was overpowered.
Sunday.—The bells are tolling for service ; the
busy throng crowd the streets ; the choirs are filled
with the pealing anthems, and—and—here I am in
bed ; lam like a giant requiring refreshment. We
are to have another glorious
Here the diary breaks off most abruptly, and leaves
us to ponder on the hero's sojourn in London, nd
wonder as to how he was able to get out of the messes
he was in. If he wants the pocket-book returned, he
can address his request to X. Y. Z., at the Post-office,
Perth, when, upon identifying his property, it will be
restored to him.—Perth Constitutional.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN CANTERBURY.-011 Thurs-
day last, a man and woman, giving their names George
Bates and Sarah Johnson. alias Steele, were bad before
our city magistrates on a charge of highway robbery,
committed under the following circumstances:—James
Ilearn, a small farmer of Harbledown, had occasion to
come into the city on Tuesday
evening, and on his re-
turn home, at about half-past nine o'clock, was accosted
by the female prisoner, at the corner of Water-lane, who
asked him for the loan of his umbrella, which he refused,
but offered her shelter under it if she were going his
way. This offer she gladly accepted, and in the course
of her talk said she lived as servant close by, and was
going for some roasted potatoes, she having atthe ti4D4`
a plate and cloth. Previous to parting company, he telt
her take his purse, but before he got hold of her the
male prisoner used a violent expression, and ran against
him, knocking him down. The female took aturn
round Westgate-grove, her companion running the same
way. The prosecutor raised the cry of ~ stop thief,"s
on which the male prisoner returned and knocked him
down again, but he could not say whether by striking
or s
ga(i)ffri. st him.p In the meantime
the imp
female l yrunning a
got
elear
to the other down the Whitehall -road: ' but lost
have chase
him. He positively identified
as the parties
him. The Bench decidedwho had robbed and assaulted
on
for trial. The clerk observed committing the prisoners
that highway robbery,
preceded or followed by violence, was a capital offence,
which could be tried
only at the assizes; but the magis-
trates, taking a more lenient view, and assuming that
the prosecutor might have been knocked down not by
blows with the fist, but rather by the male prisoner
running against him, committed the two prisoners for
trial at the city sessions, for highway robbery, not ac-
companied with violence. It was only on Saturday night
last that a countryman was robbed in a similar way
of a silver watch, in St. George's-lane.—Canterbury
1 Journal.