The Sun.
London, England, 1834-08-30 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

Two young men in the garb of butchers, named John
Smith and William Cox, were yesterday placed at the bar
charged with creating a disturbance at the pit of the City
Theatre, and assaulting George M'Kenna, the check-taker,
and Hughes, one of the ward officers of Cripplegate.
M'Kenna stated that the prisoners on the previous
night attempted to force by him into the pit without tickets.
When he stopped them they asserted that they had already
been inside, having paid for and presented tickets in the
usual way, but coming out to get refreshment they forgot
to ask for checks. _ _

In answer to Mr. Alderman COWAN this witness ex-
plained that no money is taken at the doors of the City
Theatre, but tickets are sold at a neighbouring house in
Milton-street To this house an officer of the ward ac-
companied the prisoners to the person who sells the tickets,
who denied that Smith or Cox had purchased any that
night. The prisoners, however, returned to the Theatre
and renewed the disturbance. Cox struck the witness, and

it was with great difficulty and numerous blows the consta-
bles removed them after a row of two hours' duration..

Hughes, a constable, Mr. Lee, J. Kinsman, and Richard
Wood, confirmed the statements of M'Kenna. .

Cox said that they had paid for and presented their
tickets, and passed into the pit ; but upon finding that the
performance had not commenced they went out to get re-
freshment. They forgot to ask for checks, and they thought
the check-taker would know them again. They were very
angry at being refused after paying their money. But they
offered no resistance until Hughes " attacked Smith, and
pitched into him in such a way that be blow'd if he knows
whether he's got an 'ead on him at all."'
Smith told the same story, adding, " that 'ere Mr.
'Hughes behaved in a wery unhandsome sort of a vay," and
punished him about the head and face with his staff, so that
he had to be carried to a doctor's shop. He returned as
soon as he could to find Cox, and he was taken into cus-
tody by Hughes.
Mr. Alderman COWAN ordered the prisoners to find bail
to keep the peace, and to answer the charge at the Sessions.
Yesterday a sprightly, laughing damsel, who gave the
name of Mary Roberts, was brought before Sir CHAPMAN
MARCHALL, charged with going about Smithfield at an
early hour yesterday morning, dressed in breeches, and
staying the traffic in cattle by drawing all the folks about
her to witness her antics.

Bush, the watchman, stated that he was obliged to lock
her up, because she returned to the market a second time
after being taken to the watch-house and admonished by the
constable of the night. Her appearance in a waistcoat and
breeches caused quite an uproar and obstruction, and as she
would give no account of herself, or how she came by the
clothes, she was locked up on suspicion of having left some
gentleman somewhere without any. She had now thought
fit to give the name of Mary Roberts, but she had still got
the breeches on under her clothes.
Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL asked if she was sober.
Bush thought she was, but he doubted if she was quite
right in her head.

Sir CHAPMAN said he did not know what cognizance a
Magistrate should take of such a charge, for it was not an
uncommon thing for a woman to wear the breeches.—(A
laugh.) Sir Chapman asked the prisoner to whom the
waistcoat and breeches belonged ?—" They are mine, Sir,"
she replied.
" Perhaps you will tell us where you got them ?"—" Sir !"
said she, assuming a lady-like tone and very demure look.
The Magistrate repeated the question, upon which, fall-
ing into a merry mood again, she declared they were her
husband's breeches, and that she always wore them.—
(Loud laughter.)
As she was not known to be a prostitute, the Alderman
(perhaps in mercy to the fortunate youth who entitled
Mary to use the name of Roberts) refrained from asking
any further particulars, and he discharged her with an ad-
monition, upon her seriously undertaking to go home and
conduct herself with decorum.