The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-05 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Stephen Conti, an Italian, residing in Short's-gar-
dens, Drury-lane, appeared before Mr. Hall, upon a
summons, charging him with having unlawfully assault-
ing a youth named Antonio Pettinotti, an organ grinder.
Mr. Warren, a solicitor, who appeared for the com-
plainant, said that he was one of the unfortunate boys
who were brought over to this country by such persons
as the defendant, who contracted with them, on leaving
their home, to pay them at the rate of nine francs per
month, a part of which was to remain in their hands
until they returned home, and then to be handed over
to their friends for their benefit. The treatment they
met with in this country was not generally known, but
it was very severe, for, on going out on their rambles
in the morning, they received from their employers only
a few potatoes and a portion of rice, which they were
obliged to subsist upon, unless they could ob-
tain anything through charity from persons who
happened to be attracted by their wretched appearance.
The masters usually took care to keep their passports,
to prevent them leaving the country ; and such was
the understanding among them, that one master never
afforded redress to such persons as the complainant,
should they lay the state of their grievances before
them. On the morning of the 26th of October the
complainant happened to ask a portion of his wages
from the defendant, when, instead of paying him in
cash, he knocked him down, and kicked him several
times, as would appear by the evidence.
The complainant, who gave his evidence through the
medium of an interpreter, said that on the morning in
question, about eight o'clock, he was accused by the
complainant with not agreeing with another young man
in his service, and that was the reason why a boy be-
longing to another master had left his employer. With-
out waiting for any explanation, he knocked him down
by striking him a blow in the eye, and kicked him several
times, which caused him to be very ill for a length of
time. He had given no provocation for the assault,
nor did he do any thing to the young man alluded to ;
witness was 18. months with the defendant, and was
contracted to be with him for two years and a half.
He had been severely beaten several times on former
occasions.

The defendant said that he had only pushed the
complainant when he was approaching the other young
man to quarrel with him.
Mr. Warren applied to have the complainant dis-
charged from his service, and to have his passport de-
livered up to him.
Mr. HALL said, although he was aware such poor
boys were exposed to very great hardships, he
could not, in the present instance, interfere with
whatever contract might exist between them, as the
defendant had only to answer for a charge of as-
sault which,in his opinion,had been clearly proved, and the
defendant should therefore pay a fine of 403. or be im-
prisoned for one month ; and, further, to enter into re-
cognizances, himself in 201., and two sureties in 101.
each to keep the peace for the next three months.
The fine being instantly paid, and sureties entered
into, the defendant was discharged.
Mr. HALL then said, that if the defendant should be
brought before him on any future occasion for ill-treat-
ing such poor boys as the complainant, the full penalty
of the law would be inflicted, and he should also ex
pect that he should receive good food and a proper bed
for the future, as such complaints had frequently been
before him, and he had no doubt on very just grottnds.

MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS

The following are the results of " A Table of Mortality
in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths from
all Causes Registered, in the week ending Saturday, the
24th October, 1840." The Table is issued from the Office
of the Registrar-General:—

Weekly
T.tal. Average

CAUSES OF IiZATIE.

18311.

Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases l6B 265
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses l3l 156
Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of
Respiration
Diseases of the Hea-t and Bloodvessels
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other

Organs of Digestion...
Diseases of the Kidnoys, &c.
Childbed, Diseases of tile Uterus, &c.
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles
Diseases of the Skin, he
Diseases of Uncertain Seat lO9 102
Old Age, or Natural Decay 7O 79
Deaths by Violence, Privation, or Intemperance 27 26
Causes not specified
•• 2 13
Deaths from all causes
835
Average Weekly Deaths
Deaths in the Average Weekly
Week. Deaths, 1838.
Western Districts ... 120 156
North Districts
Central Di5trict5..........., 138 • 201
East Districts
South Districts
... •••• • 210 238

T0ta1......... 835
It is stated that under the term Metropolis are com-
prised the 82 districts herein mentioned, which include the
City of London within and without the walls, th• City and
Liberties of Westminster, the out parishes within the
bills of mortality—and tho parishes •f St. Marylebone ;
St. Pancras ; Kensington ; Fulham ; Hammersmith
(Chapelry) ; St. Luke, Chelsea; Paddington; St. Mary,
Stoke Newington . St. Leonard, Bromley ; St. Mary-le-
bow ; Camberwell% Greenwich ; St. Nicholas and St.
Paul, Deptford; and Woolwich. The population as enu-
merated in 1831 was 1,494,890. The weekly average for
183 S was obtained by dividing the deaths registered in that
year by 52. In comparing it with the weekly deaths in
1840, it must be borne in mind that the metropolis in-
creases nearly two per cent. annually ; and that, if the
population had been the same in 183$ as in 1840, the deaths
would have been 1-27th part more numerous.
General Register-office, Oct. 29, 1840.