The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-23 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

CONVICTION OP TWO FASHIONABLE SHOPLIPTra..

William Ji,hnson, and Elizabeth Mills, two well-dressed

persons, were brought before Mr. Combe, charged with
picking the pockets of several ladies in High-street,
Borough.

Mr. Smith, a shipbroker, residing in Brownlow-street,
Holborn, said that on the previous evening, about eight
o'clock, he was passing down High-street, Southwark,
which was extremely crowded by females, who were
enga,,ed in examining the Christmas stock in the vari-
ous shop windows, when his attention was attracted to
the male prisoner, who was pushing about among the
females in rather a rude manner, followed by his com-
panion. He immediately suspected their avocation,
which induced him to watch them. He then saw the

man put his hand into three different ladies' pockets,
but he could not see what he took ,as the female prisoner
stood behind him holding her dress and shawl out so as
to cover him. Witness then went and called the attention
of a police-constable, who also saw them put their hands
into several ladies' pockets.
Police-constable 492 A said he was on duty in the
Borough at the time when his attention was called by
last witness to the prisoners. As soon as the man saw
him he ran up Kent-street and he lost sight of him.
About half an boar afterwards, when witness returned
round his heat, he saw both prisoners again among a
crowd of ladies. Ho watched them himself and distinctly
saw the man put his hand into three pockets, and the
female covered him with her dress and shawl. He im-
mediately took him into custody, and in the confusion
he could not find out the parties who had been robbed.
The prisoners were searched, and on the female was
found a pair of spectacles and a card case, and on the
man two small memorandum books.

The prisoners denied stoutly any knowledge of each
other. They were respectably connected, and would not
be guilty of such offences as those imputed to them.
The magistnte, however, ascertained that they were
notorious pickpockets, and lived in Pelham-street,
Whitech2pel. He accordingly asked them whether they
would prefer being tried by him, or go to the sessions
After a little hesitation they both said that they
would sooner have the matter settled at once. They
would leave it to his worship to deal with them.
Mr. Combe accordingly committed each of them to
the House of Correction for three months, with hard
labour.

MA XET NEWS.—(This • 'ay )

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 2110 s to 41 43 ; clover do.,
3/ lOs to 5/ 51; and straw, 1/ 4s to 1/ 8s per load
A moderate demand.

CUMBERLAND. —Meadow. bay, 2/ 103 to 41 5s ; clover
do., 31 los to 51 Os; and straw, 11 48 to 11 Ss per load.
Trade rather dull.

WHITEGRAPEL.—Mea(Iow lily, 2/ lOs tc 4/ 4s ; clover
do., 3/ 10a to 51 ss; and straw, 11 4s to 11 Ss per load.
A slow trade.

COLONIAL.

TlCA.—Thero has been a better inquiry for most qualities,
and higher prices being asked by holders has in some
measure checked business. Common congou realised 10d,
and late in the day was quoted at 104 d per lb.
SUGAR.. Very little business has been done in this
article. Purchasers are deferring their operations until
after the Christmas holidays, when prices are expected to
rule rather lower. Tho market closes to-morrow, and does
not re-open until Tue<Fly, the 6th Jan., 1857. The Re-
fined market has been very dull, and lower prices are cur-
rent.
COFFEE.—A. good business has been transacted at full
rates in both plantation and native Ceylon, the stooks in
the hands of the retailers being very limited.
'lNF.—There is a good demand for all low qualities, and
rather higher quotations have been current, owing to the
smallness of the quantity cn offer. The better qualities
have also been in more request, at about former rates.
Rum. —The demand boa been very active, and previous
prices have been fully supported.
TALLOW. —The market has ruled firm, owing to the
smallness of the Blocks on hand, being about 2,200 casks
less than at this time last year. Prioes, as compared with
those ruling at the same period in 1855, are fully Sc to lOs
per cwt less. P.Y.C. on the spot 57s 9d to 58s, spring
delivery fc7s 9d, Australian mutton 55s to 58s 6:1, and beef
54s to 57s per cwt.