The Sun.
London, England, 1823-12-24 00:00:00

SUSSEX WINTER ASSIZES.

LEWIS, DEC. 22.—At a few minutes after 11
o'clock, Mr. Justice PARK, who dined and slept the preceding
evening at Horstead Place, the seat of Ewan Law, Esq. entered
the town, and immediately opened the commission. After ad-

journing the Court to hali-p;st twelve o'clock, he proceeded to

- -
church. The sermon was preached by the Rev. —Hamlin,
the Sheriff's Chaplain. Mr. Justice Holroyd, being slightly
indisposed, was unable to prodeed. The business is likely to
occupy the Court until a late hour on Wednesday night, as
there are 56 prisoners in the Calendar, besides. two others who
are admitted to bail. Lieut. Burke, whose case has excited so
much interest in the county, surrendered himself this morning.
We do not wish to anticipate the result of his trial ; but we
trust it will be equally honourable to his humanity and to his
character as a soldier and a gentleman.
Soon after one o'clock • the Court resumed, and on calling
over the Grand Jury, the following Gentlemen answered to
their names :—Sir John Shelley;llart. foreman ; Sir Geo. Siff-
tier, Bart. Sir Henry Blackman, Rot. Thos. Partington, Esq.
Walter Burrell, Esn. WO Thomas, Esq. Admiral J. Mark-
ham, Henry Campion, Esq. Wm. Courthope Mabbott, Esq.
John Woodward, Esq. Thomas Woodward, Esq. Alexander
Donovan, Esq. John Hoper, Esq. TIIOIIIO4 'Tousle, Esq. Jai.
Ingram, Esq. Jesse Gregson, Esq. Thomas Turner, Esq. NlT-
liam F. Hick, Esq.
As soon as the Grand Jury were sworn, Mr. Justice PARK
addressed them as follows :
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury—lt must be a gratifying cir-
cumstance to see, at this inclement season of the year, and at
this busy period, so many Gentlemen of rank and, respectability
attending in their places on the Grand Inquest of the County.
This, Gentlemen, I have had the satisfaction to witness in the
other counties through which we have passed, on the Home
Circuit, as well as in this. This, Gentlemen, is strongly illus-
trative of the respect and veneration for the laws, and of that
Anxious wish to further the ends of. justice, which universally
prevails atriong that class of his Majesty's subjects from which
Grand Juries are selected. While, on the Contrary, nothing
can more strongly tend to degrade the administration of justice,
or to defeat the humane purpose for which these Special Com-
missions were appointed, than feelings and conduct the reverse
of these—feelings anti conduct which will, I trust, ever be un-
known te, and unpractised by, the Gentlemen Grand Jurors of
this realm.
Gentlemen—Within a short space of timet the calendar has
swelled to an almost unprecedented extent. When on my way
hither, I did not expect to find, at the. most, more than thirty
prisoners; but I see by the calendar which lies before me there
are no less than fifty-six. Among these I perceive twelve
or fourteen who have been committed since Mc 4th of this
month. I would not willingly attribute the cireunistanee.of
this larger number of prisoners than I anticipated to an in-
creased propensity to crime, or to a greater degree of moral
turpitude than formerly existed among the people of this
county ; nor do I, in fact, attribute it to these causes; but
I attribute it solely to that same anxiety to promote the
ends of justice, to which I have before alluded, and which, I am
proud to learn, pervades the Magistracy of this county. This
praiseworthy feeling has, however, led them into error, in mak-
mg them commit for trial, at the ensuing giol delivery, prisoners
who would.otherwise be tried at the Quarter Sessions. Feeling
this to be die case, Gentlemen, I deem it proper to set you
right as to the object of these Special Gaol Deliveries. They
are not for the purpose of trying all the offences with which
prisoners may be charged, but only those which would come
before the Judges at the regular Assizes. This being the case,
and the Judges bound to try only offences of a higher class,
I do not promise you that we shall elites upon every case
contained in the calendar; but I pledge myself,' that both
my brother Holroyd, whose assistance I hope soon to have,
and myself, will do our utmost to release you, Gentlemen, anti
the Petit Jury, from your duties before Christmas.
Gentlemen.-81though the calendar is numerous, I am
happy to find that the far greater part of the offences are of a
comparatively trivial nature; many of them committed by
juvenile offenders, or inexperienced. youth ; Itrust that the
circumstances of their trials will deter, them from the commis,
ion of more heinous offences, and produce such a reformatiOn
in their morals and habits, as will render them good and useful
members of society for the future.
But, Gentlemen, there are three cases to which Ism anxious
especially to direct your attention. One is of a woman for the
murder of her own child, which had arrived at the age of two
years. The depositions are I must confess somewhat obscure ;
the body was found under such circumstances, and in such a
state of putridity, that even the sex of the child could not be
discovered. There is, however, a vast chain of circumstantial
evidence, which is all indeed that can generally be obtained in
cases of murder, and of this I request your most minute consi,
aeration. I.rafoet w hays. found au many cases of murder on
this circuit. We have had some in Kent and in Essex ; we
have this most unnatural case in this county, and the consi-
deration of another very serious case still awaits us at Hert-
ford.

The second case, Gentlemen, is one of arson ; and of this also
I request your full and serious consideration. But, Gentlemen,
there is ft third case on, which I am anxious to say a few words.
It is an endeavour to extort money under a particular charge, to
which (for reasons which you will understand) I shall not now
more particularly allude. By 2d Geo. 11. the punishment for
this species of offence extended only to transportation for a
limited period; but an Act Passed last Session of Parliament
extending this power even t° transportation for life. Gentlemen,
I am certain you are too conversant with the nature of your
functions, as Grand Jurors, to render it necessary for me to rid
you of a notion which is very prevalent—.that Grand Jurors are
hound to. investigate a case with the same minuteness that a
Pitit Jury does before me in this Court. I need not to tell you
that it is no such thing. If a Grand Jury find a strong pro.
bable case against a prisoner, they are bound to send him to
trial ; but if not, they ought to find no bill. I shall not detain
you any longer, but Aug sutra you to retire to the discharge
of your duties, with a request that you will bring the first bill
you find into Court, in order that we may eicpedite yotir dis.
charge and that of the Petit Jury, as much as possible.
The 'Grand Jury then retired, and almost immediately re.
turned true bills, against James Ayling, Wm. Lucas, and some
others.

The Court was crowded with fashionably dressed females,
and a number of ladies, friends of the Grand Jury, sat on the
Bench. It seemed to be banyon-day with the Gentlemen of
the long robe—the greater number of whoM had briefiess bap,
and were engaged either in Ogling the ladies, or in drawing
Pencil caricatures of the be-wigged Gentlemen opposite.
Our readers will find the most heinous offences contained in
the Calendar referred to in the Judge's address ro"the Grand
Jury. The woman charged with murdering her infant is
named Rebecca Mitchell; the deceased was her offspring by
former husband named Fenner. Her trial, it 6 understood,
will take place on BVednesday Morning, should the (hand Jury
return a true bill.

James 41yling was indicted for having in his possession two
counterfeit sovereigns and four counterfeit shillings, with in-
tent to utter the Same: There was no evidence to Convict the
prisoner, and the Jury accordingly returned a verdict of—NOt
Thomas Wakening, an old Man upwards of sirty years of
age, was charged with having stolen in the parish of St. Peter,
Lewes, about 6Olbs. weight of straw, the property of Thomas
Tousle Esq. The case was clearly proved, and the Jury
found the prisoner Guilty. Sentence not passed.
William Lucas, charged with burglartously entering the
dwelling.house of Edmons Adams,. of Cocking, was Ac-
'quitted.

On Monday se'nnight, a considerable number
of persons again assembled in St. Mary's churchyard, to wit.
ness the re.opening of the grave of a child interred about
three weeks ago. The hotly had been taken away ; and as
the grave-clothes were in the coffin, and perfectly clean, the
remains of the infant were supposed to have been exhu-
mated almost immediately after interment. This led to
further search ; the graves of several other lately decea.sed
persens were dug into, and we understand that the corpses
of one or two more children, and of one man, were found
to have been likewise stolen. On Wednesday, a meeting
of parishioners was held in St. Mary's Church, called at a
very short notice. The vestry was not s rapier ono thus
sunitnoned ; but. as it was desirable to lose no "time in the
observance of forms, however necessary in a legal sense,
a considerable nuinber of pereons 'laudably Volunteered to watch the church-yard, in turn, until a more regular meeting
can, be convened to consider of permanent tneasuree for
preserving the sanctity of the grave. We cordially agree
in the recommendation of a correspondent to substitute
neat palisades for the present high wall of this church-
yard. The same might be done with aAltantage on tito
sides of the square of St. Cuthbert's burial-ground. On
Wednesday afternoon, a 'considerable number of persons
collected to the streets of our city, for the purpose of
visiting with summary punishment all whom they, m their
wisdom, should find,guilty. They had the names of several
individuals in their mouths: seemed to suspect all medical
men ; and talked of inspecting: the Fever ;House and Dis-
pensary, where they , doubted not they should find the
mingled remains of relatives arid friends ! A Man, who tided
as orator, at one place where they called, said, " It if very
;hard thin we Shotild be obliged to. Week all day, be buried et
night, and then heve our bodies dug up and sent off to be cut
itoliy the ilo&eta'!" One surgeon told them, that any five
Might inspect hie house, if they desired; but they evinced no
inclination to do so. :They finally dispersed.—(Carlisle Pairki.)

l3rbi~

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

BOW-STREET.—Yesterday Charles. Wm. Coote, who ter.
sented himself as an attorney's clerk, was brought front Coveia.
gardowennewainch-DhlyselloanneaTchhaeargtereo,fdausrinaaugltinthgelipler;fJomiohnantlfmia
Monday evening.
It appeared that towards the end of the play, the
plainant, who is a gentleman of property resident in Estes'
street, Strand, went into a box in which the .defendant'
sitting, and took his seat on the same bench. The defendot
presently afterwards said that the complainant incomateled
him, by pressing against him, and at length insisted on
hu
quitting his seat, ailed_ Bing that he had no right there,
bench was already full; the complainant remonanstea 14,
refused to do so, there being no more persons on the beneA
than are usually allotted to occupy it, and the defendant Oa
pushed the complainant violently from his seat wish ho'veve
took no notice of it at the time, as he did not to &sea
the audience, the last scene being then on, but on the fall
the curtain he spoke to the defendant, and desired an explanat•
tion when he directly struck him a violent blow on the hex,
which nearly stunned him.
violent,Seve he waslwitnessesordeprroedvitnog
Sessions.
QUEEN SQUARE.—OBSTRUCTING THE GUARDS Or
TY.—Yesterday a Serjeant and Corporal, belonging "'tll
(
Coldstream Regiment of Guards, came to the Office, by oi,i e,
of their Commanding Officer, to prefer a complaint arm'
one of the Bow-street Constables.
find hail
for Coohties was
appearance un neeeTr tiy
lli
e
the New Barracks at Pimlico, when a carter drove his by
moTrnhiengSe:tjheaenret
lisetaftweda,s that
garb:
uuntd eflroevmenducclito,n
1111
,Igaontletio_
andicartl across the crossing, and broke the rank. One of
Corporals expostulated, upon which the Carter attacked in
with his whip ; the Corporal turned round to meet the chatg!,
and the Constable came up, saying lie would take him Inv'
custody.
fer
Mr. Punt, the Attorney, said, he attended 're
with
charge against the corporal for an assault Upon the carter n
a fixed bayonet; but the Serjeant observed, that the, case.
le:,
before the Magistrate was against the constable for miseontit
11‘,
Ile had not seen the transaction himself, but the Corporal trf
was upon duty had, and was present. when
The Corporal said that most of the men had roset-i
the carter whipped in his horse and broke the ran
"
d ntiefend.
menced an attack upon th Coral in comman, bce „ h hrid
comp
rat ed himself with his arms.e
ACourt Martial had
upon him at Portman-street Barrack this moral*
cvtnccLe
ronstable refused to attend.
The constable said he had seen the Co
struck.
ter with a bayonet fixed upon a firelock, after having _ fsto
hint across the head before and apprehending that solnce
consequence would be the result, he told the Cerl),nic'ted so
an officer, and would take him into custody for Itaving,aiini to
improperly. The officer in the orderly room desive" „lnet
attend a Court of Inquiry into the conduct of time and
morning, but ke told them he was on duty out of to"' Ayle
there beii!g many other witnesses, his attendance could Ic
pensed with.
The carter said he-had got his horse half .ng bef°Fe
the crow b;,,,
the guard had entered, and then they wanted to (hive
back, and the Corporal struck hint violently with a balur';„
across the head .he then, of course, drew whip to 'Cli—
the blow when the' officer interfered.
The Magistrate granted a warrant against the corporal. 0a
Mr. Price requested its immediate .execution ; but the Mg"'
trate said there was no necessity to take him front his militai
duty till he was off guard. charge the car-

HYDROPHOBIA.—On Saturday Mr. K crqnstf a
respectable dairyman, residing in Little StOnt
James's-street, was severely bit in the
by a dog of his, with which he was playing. In
the course of the day, some suspicions arose that
the animal
.was affected with hydrophobia, and
Mr. Kendel had it sent to St. George's Hospital
for dissection-, to ascertain the fact, when it wos
discovered that the suspicions were bat too well
foUnded. An immediate operation was performs
ed on Mr. kendel's finger, the part cut out, am
the wound cauterized ; and as no symptoms of a
that the
suspicious nature have appeared,it is hoped There being
precaution will have its effect.
strong reason to believe tha t several dogs in the,pl!7
rish of, St.Jtitnes had been bitten by Mr.K.'s radii
attulethiVolra
tgyisttron tcc.sortnitpeli a Marlborough-street
Ili)ersoii
persons
linger
Mr. .Carter, one of the churchwardens, apPliedi,,,ca
within the parish to keep them tied up for "yr-
tail* number of days. The Magistrates said, that
ilavoira'o-t-5
they OA give no authority to compel reoPle
issued from the otfice, and posted about the ps.`
to do so, but they should direct a notice to be `
rich, recommending all persons havingdogs to
tie theft] up for a certain time.
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tuLiAtaii.

....................... - .......i........-- f
BIRTHS. Taber l'Plis ijj
At St. Petersburgh, on thel7th (29th) of Nure the
Lady of John Simpson Esq., of a daughter. trj.tow'
On the 7th inst., in: Great James-street, Dew ,hcs?
Ladj of Robert Itlaugham, Esq., of a son. flora ''`
On the 19th inst., at Islington, the wife of D 0
Eq., of a son.
11,
MA R RIB!). wes's.crelcioe
On Tuesday, the 23d of December, at St. Jis lot tio
the Rev. John Samuel Rawlinson, 1.14.0., thirlf;lo4, of
Thomas Rawlinson, Es q., of Lancaster,
.to A 0,4, in the,
child of Thomas Hawkins, Esq., late o t.....1::::......`n
...........„.........
Indies.
.........................01.11M111..........M.

thOe irt,lllBtll inst 'aged 2°' °IIIY
1)
On the 18th inst., at LoireosiDßenton, E
son,
Etsql,.3,oosiejilltiul,
ksthe,
Et bier
the late Mr. Samuel's Iss
SPl"s'
inlilV
b e rOhinn the lBth inst., nias etßsuuruorvixbblevoriulnarngn nni
Itcehlentscd:l eui
:11117htee°1::::::::114141 Drit:
ocotiG_AfiluiarotiL:ii:nlYienen,.:srysirtiiiheetisTreqnpaid2et
hioatt:thkin;f:intir
Dickenson,
se
rat Is
oeinnt.en:2,loaEline3tssesimt:
aglia
Inv tityclist .°/ 'l.' •
,41 New iteit
r.
On Saturda morning'last, roldenee idatt.'r
Mrs- Ann Walker, her f IAI°
ker, aged widow a,
Walker, Rig., of Brighton, ttissex. f I 44°11
.41:0:cc :lag
0.
est t,orsoi,c go.
r.
street, aged 70, upwards of 40 years clerk in th I. co
d.
te, 104/ Os.
iteckgf'
lAke
On Monday, the 22d inst., Mr.er. .410 1e
liadtrruanbury, in the 2lst year of his age,. , hclu`
On the god inst.,utiviniptca, age,.
1041*'
of the Civil

SO`
OrEJ►:E,
Published kw the Pnoextittoit
""ri 112, litrsud, by J. B. 04111.:''1.