The Sun.
London, England, 1834-04-11 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Edward Lee, " a professional bill-sticker," was
yesterday brought in custody before Mr. HALLS,
charged with having assaulted a porter in the em-
ployment of Mr. George Robins, named J. Clarke.
Complainant was employed by Mr. Robins to
stick up some bills on the palings in front f Wa-
terloo-bridge, in the Strand ; and while so engaged,
the defendant, who was similarly employed, came
up and tore down a bill which he had just put up.
On remonstrating with him, the defendant struck
him twice, gave him a black eye, and knocked him
down.

The defendant, a facetious-looking fellow, when
asked what defence he had to make, said—Why,
your Worship, this here man comes to the place
with his hauction-bills, and begins to stick one of
them over a bill that I had put up that morning.
I warned him civilly not to do so. " But," says
he, " my master (Mr. Robins) is a greater man than
yours," and so he sticks one of his bills over mine,
and I pulls it down again ; and then he shoves me,
and I shoves him, and so we kept shoving about un-
til at last we had a reg'lar set-to, and we fought four
fair rounds, till this here police gentleman comes up,
and the complainant, instead of fighting it out in a
quiet, respectable way, gives me into custody, like a
coward as he is.

And so (said Mr. HALLS) you think fighting a
pitched battle in the streets a "quiet and respect-
able way of deciding your quarrel ?" Defendant—
To be sure, your Worship. I wants nothing but
fair play and no favour. I never quarrels with no
man ; but I can't stand by and see my bills pulled
down in this here way, before my face, without re-
senting it. Flesh and blood can't bear that, your
Worship.
Mr. HALLS—I want to know which of you
struck the first blow ? Complaipant—He struck
me first, your Worship, and gave me this black eye,
and then he knocked me down, and threw his paste
over me. Just look, your Worship, I am all smeared
over with it.—(Laughter.)
Defendant—And look at my clean shirt, your
Worship, that my wife gave me this morning. See
how it's starched with his paste-pot, and my pocket
is full of it too.—(Renewed laughter.)
Mr. HALLS (to the police constable)--What did
you see of this ? Constable—When I came up,
your Worship, they were both on the ground, roll-
ing about, one on top of the other, as if they were
pasted together.

Defendant—l dare say I did give him the first
tap, but then he gave me the first shove, and a
shove is as good as a blow, your Worship.
Mr. HALLS—You had better step aside, and see
if you can't make it up. Defendant--That's just
what I want, your Worship. I bears him no hani-
mosity whatsomdever, and am willing, as far as a
pot of beer or a drop of gin goes, to settle it with
him in brotherly love.

Mr. HALLS directed the gaoler to take the parties
out of the office, in order that they might come to
an amicable arrangement.

The defendant,' however, was again brought be-
fore the magistrate, the gaoler reporting that the
complainant was not satisfied.

He wants me to give him 55., your Worship, said
the defendant, and I can't afford it. I offered to
shake hands over a pot of beer, but he sticks hard
for the money.
I am willing to take half a crown, said the com-
plainant ; and I am sure that's little enough for a
black eye, and the loss of my paste.
You shall both give bail to keep the peace, said
the MAGISTRATE, as I find you cannot make it up.
And the rival bill-stickers entered into their per-
sonal sureties not to molest each other for the next
six months.