The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-04 00:00:00

CLERKEIV WELL .

Christopher Kayton, a shabby-looking fellow,
who was described in the police-sheet as a chaser, re-
siding at 2, Margaret-place, Margaret-street, Clerk-
enwell, was put at the bar before Mr. D'Eyncourt,
charged with having wilfully set fire to his house.
It appeared from the evidence of Archer and
Fisher, officers of the G division, that about twelve
o'clock on Tuesday night their attention was at-
tracted by loud cries of "Fire" in Margaret-street,
and on proceeding to the prisoner's house, 2, Mar-
garet-place, they found smoke and flames issuing
from the windows, and the neighbourhood in the
greatest alarm and confusion. They burst into the
house, and on entering the parlour they discovered
the prisoner sitting coolly at a table, partaking of
bread and cheese and table beer, while the bed and
parts of the house were burning. The floor was
covered with lucifer matches, which had evidently
been placed there in order to increase the flames.
Engines arrived on the spot in about a quarter of an
hour after the discovery of the fire, and the flames
were extinguished. The prisoner said it was his
own house, he set fire to it to kill the bugs, and he
had a right to do so.
Mr. John Hough, of 3, Margaret-place, was
awoke out of his sleep by the alarm of " Fire." He
confirmed the testimony of the officers.
The prisoner in his defence repeated that he set fire
to the house to kill the bugs.
He was remanded for a week.
A miserable elderly man, who gave his name John
Leach, was supported into the bar in a weakly state,
charged with having attempted to commit suicide.
A police constable of the N division said that at an
early hour yesterday morning he was on duty in
Maynard-street, Hornsey, when his attention was
attracted by deep groans in an unoccupied house, on
entering which he found the prisoner lying in a pool
of blood, unable to speak. With assistance he took
him to the station-house, where, on being examined,
a deep wound was found in his arm, from which he
bled profusely, and he became quite insensible. A
surgeon was sent for, who dressed the wound, and
every proper attention was afforded him until brought
to this court. He would not give any account of
himself. On searching him a penknife was found in
his pocket covered with blood, and on being restored
to his senses he was much affected, and said he had
inflicted the wound with the penknife.
Mr. D'EYNCOURT inquired as to the cause of such
rash conduct ? Prisoner (crying)—l did it to get
rid of my troubles. lam tired of my life.
Mr. D'EYNCOURT—Have you got friends ? Pri-
soner—l have not; I have only casual acquaintances.
Mr. D'EYNCOURT—When did you last sleep in a
bed ? Prisoner—Some weeks ago, in Highgate.
Mr. D'EYNCOUBT ordered that he should be pro-
vided immediately with proper nourishment and taken
to the Royal Free Hospital,
with a request that they
might receive him under their care.
The unfortunate man was then supported out of
court in a most deplorable state, and in the course of
the day the constable reported to the Bench that he
had taken the prisoner to the hospital, where he was
received.

Beadon to answer to a summons for having, contrary
to the 120th section of the Act incorporating- the
Great Western Railway Company, " caus',:d to be
sent by the railway of the said company certain goods
of a dangerous quality, to wit, lucifer matches, with-
out distinctly marking or stating the nature of such
goods on the outside of the package containing tho
same, or otherwise giving notice in writing to the
bookkeeper or other servant of the said company with
whom the same were left."

Mr. Dre we, manager of the goods traffic depart-
ment of the company, attended in support of the
summons.

The defendant stated that the casks were received
by him from Messrs. Warren, Russell, and Co.,
blacking manufacturers, Strand, who he thought
were the responsible parties. He further observed
that some weeks ago he detected in a cask from the
same firm a quantity of lucifer matches. Since he
had the summons served upon him he had seen Mr.
Warren, who informed him that he employed a man
to manage his business, and that he was not answer-
able for mixing the lucifer matches with the blacking.
Mr. BEADON observed that the defendant having
had a previous knowledge of a similar circumstance
ought to have exercised some caution, and to have
made some inquiry 43 to the contents of the cask.
Not having done so he must be responsible.
Mr. Drewe said that the object in not stating that
the casks contained lucifer matches was to avoid the
rate of charge that would have been made. There
were three rates of charges; the second was for luci-
fer matches, the highest being for gunpowder, which
was 21. the ton.

The defendant, in answer to the magistrate, ob-
served that the casks were to be forwarded to 24
tradesmen in different parts of Wales.
Mr. BIAPON remarked that he thought the com-
pany ought to summon Messrs. Warren, as there ap-
peared to be a clear train of evidence against them ;
and it was for the benefit of the company that they
should do so. They were evidently liable to the pe-
nalties of the Act. In the present case he should in-
flict the full penalty.
The defendant, who was fined 101. and 23. costs,
stated that he should proceed against. Messrs. War-
ren for the recovery of the fine.
Another summons was taken out against Mr. Iver-
son, which was previously heard, but after receiving
the evidence Mr. Beadon remarked that it would be
sufficient if he imposed merely a nominal fine. He
was fined ls. and 2s. costs.