The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-06 00:00:00

HATT ON- GARDEN.

Yesterday Mary Holt, one of the gipsey tribe,
was brought to this office in the custody of Robert
Duke, belonging to the establishment, charged by
Mr. Palmer, linen-draper, of Highgate, with having
enticed his servants to plunder him, under the pre-
tence of telling their fortunes.
Mr. Palmer had repeatedly missed articles from
his premises, and not knowing whom to suspect he
instituted inquiries, when lie ascertained that two
of his servants (girls) were in the habit of visiting
the prisoner's residence, a low hovel situate in a
very romantic part of the borders of Highgate,
where she was in the habit of telling fortunes. On
questioning the girls they informed him that the
prisoner first introduced herself to them by knock-
tug at the door arid asking them to purchase tapes
and laces which she had in a basket, and saying she
could tell them their fortunes. Every time they
visited her she assumed great solemnity of look and
manner, arid informed them that they were both
shortly to have young men of property as their hus-
bands, but they had not had an opportunity of see-
ing them, and many other tales, in order to raise
their anticipations to the highest pitch. Each time
a certain sum of money was demanded of them,
until they were deprived of the whole of their
clothes and wages, arid then she levied contributions
upon the goods and chattels of Mr. Palmer, by tell-
ing them that something awful would happen to
them, and she could tell them no more until they
brought her articles of their master's property,
which they did for some time, and would still
have continued to do, under the influence of terror,
had not the nefarious impositions of the prisoner
been discovered. Indeed one of the deluded girls,

who hail been male the greatest dupe of by her in*
famous machination:, had been unwell ever since
the discovery had been made, and could not be Pre
..
veiled upon to give evidence against the prisoner
A warrant having been obtained against the Prt.
soner, yesterday morning Duke proceeded to High"
gate, but found her absent from her sanctum rant'
forum, but he made inquiries, and pursued her oft
her route until he traced her to Muswell-hill, where
she was knocking at doors, and inveigling servant.
to become acquainted with all their future prospects
in life, under the pretence of selling laces. On Duke
presenting his authority, and explaining the nature
of his business to her, the fallacy of her pretensions
was completely proved, and showed that although
she had the peculiar ability of foretelling the events
of other persons' lives, yet she could not anticipate
her own, or the unpleasant visit of the officer.
A simple-looking girl had frequently called on the
prisoner, who made her bring various articles from
her master's house, and told her that a rich young
man was to be her husband.
The prisoner denied the charges made against her'
Mr. LAING, after a severe admonition upon the
wickedness of her conduct, sentenced her to Ores
months' imprisonment and hard labour in the House
of Correction.
THAMES POLICE.
CAUTION TO MASTERS AND OFFICERS OP SHIPS
—FIRE ON BOARD.—Mr. Alexander Cowley, cbie
officer of the Simon Taylor West Indianian, Wr
charged before Mr. BRODERIP with heating certain
combustibles on board, whereby the vessel was qc
on fire, contrary to the regulations of the West Il'
dia Dock Company, by which he had incurred s
penalty of .5/.
The worthy Magistrate, after consulting with Mr;
Leadby, the clerk, said it was a very bad case, and
the defendant had been guilty of such gross
gence that he should inflict the full penalty of .54'
and costs.
The fine was instantly paid.