The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-24 00:00:00

TBE SOCIAL EVIL QUESTION.

The third of the series of midnight meetings ex-
traordinary, convened by a body of well known
gentlemen in connection is ith the various female
reformatories, refuges, and other societies for the
protection of females in this huge metropolis, hav-
ing for its object the assembling of females who
have fallen from a virtuous course, and to point out
and furnish to them a means of escaping from their
dreadful life of degradation, was held at midnight,
previous to last night, at the spacious hall of St.
James's Restaurant, Regent-street, and terminated
between two and three o'clock yesterday morning.
Notwithstanding the cards of invitation—reading
as follows, " St. James's Restaurant, Regent-street,
—Will you favour a few friends with your com-
pany to-night, at the above address ; refreshments
provided,"—were not distributed to any extent, and
only a few minutes preceding the opening of the
hall, in the immediate vicinity of the doors, yet it
immediately began to fill rapidly, and by half-past
twelve o'clock the hall was comfortably filled, and
subsequently somewhat crowded, not, as was stated
by a letter which appeared in the public journals
in partial contradiction to our report of the last
meeting at this place, with the " halt and maimed
and ill-clad," but m ith the most fashionably dressed
unfortunates to be found promenading at night in
the neighbourhood of the casinos, cafees, &c., of
Leicester-square, Regent-street, and the Hay-
market, among whom were some French, attired
in brocaded silks and velvet mantles, apparently of
the most expensive texture. Indeed there was not
on the present occasion, out of 250 and upwards
who were present, a single case observable of de-
formity, or really shabby attire, and their conduct
daring the time they partook of refreshment, con-
sisting of tea, coffee, and cake abundantly supplied,
was most decorous, and of a serious inclination,
with about a dozen exceptional cases, where slight
laughter was occasionally indulged in and pro-
fane words in an under tone. A few philan-
thropic ladies and about thirty of the promoters
and friends of the movement were present, and
joined in serious social conversation with their frail
guests, addressing them invariably in the most re-
spectful manner, and, in return, many of the supe•
rior dressed unfortunates kept up bitef conversa-
tions, characterised with much good breeding, intel-
ligence, and seriousness. One of the most fashion-
ably-dressed, and a very handsome young female,
of about 19 or 20, in particular distinguished her-
self in this respect, and on her mother being just
alluded to by one of the gentlemen, tears came into
her eyes which she vainly endeavoured to conceal
with a sneer, but in her efforts to hide the depth
of her sudden emotion, she burst into a violent flood
of tears, and kept weeping alternately for the rest
of the night. Before the meeting terminated, she
held brief private conversations with- one of the
gentlemen, to whom she gave her addiess. She
lingered long, and in communion with herself, after
the closing of the addresses, when she suddenly
disappeared, and shortly afterwards returned with
another of her sisterhood, young like herself, and
equally as fashionably dressed, though not beauti-
ful like her, with traces of tears on the cheeks of
both. After some private and apparently very
serious conversation together, they finally took
their departure.
The gentlemen who took an active part in the
proceedings were the Hen. and Rev. Baptist W.
Noel, Rev. Dr. Maclean, from America, Rev. Mr.
Madgin, Messrs. John Ta Touche (in the chair),
Wilson, Stabb, Hornibrook, of the Females' Home ;
Mr. Russell, of the Rescue Society; and Mr.
Thomas, of the London Female Preventotive Re-
formatory Institution. The last-named gentleman
set forth an interesting statement to the following
effect :—The promoters had within the last few
days distributed a very large number of letters to
gentlemen who frequent the casinos, cafes, and
other places of amusement in the neighbourhood of
the Haymarket, appealing to their better feelings
to aid the promoters in the prosecution of their
arduous task. On Tuesday night last they distri-
buted about 1,500 of the Hon. and Rev. Bap-
tist Noel's address, which he delivered at the
last midnight meeting of the 21st ult. It
was further said that the public !aboured under
the mistaken opinion that the promoters of this
movement simply tried to reclaim the fallen fe-
males, without doing anything to lead gentlemen
to a consciousness of their participation in this
fearful evil. The 'good influences of these mid-
night meetings were represented to be far greater
than was at first anticipated, and generally more
distinctly exhibited on the day following than at
the meeting, on the last occasion there being se-
veral females on the day following who had homes
provided for them by the promoters, five of whom
entered the Rescue Society, and are still par-
takers of its benefits, with every appearance of per-
manent reform. Although many who had received
assistance from the promoters soon returned to
their fearful calling, yet about 50 since the first
meeting were completely reformed to all appear-
ances, and several had returned to the bosom of
their parents.
About 40 remained in doubt for some time after
the proceedings had terminated, and at length 20
accepted the offer so kindly made to them, and left
the meeting for " Homes," and a large number
gave their addresses to be visited.

(Before Mr. Payne, Deputy Assistant-Judge.)
John Clubb, a tall young man, surrendered to
take his trial on a charge of assaulting Charlotte
d efedfaonres the
r:tibeefer, defendant..
Cluble.
c rcumstances.
his stepmother, under somewhat extraordi-
narynit'
Mr. Doyle was for the prosecution ; Mr. Cooper
The proseeutrix stated that she was married to
h a fishmonger in Tylcr-streutt
Regent-street, but s e bad not been living with
the appeared
her husband lately, but with her own daughter,
who.was.married, and resided with her husband.at
Kentish-town. Her son-in-lav; took .out a County
Court summons against Clubb, sen:, her hnsbantd, I
for her:Wain tenance, and when the .case. was heard 1
he stated to the judge that she left his home of her I
own accord, and that his doors were Open to her if
she chose to return, and upon that the summons
was dismissed. Accordingly, on the same day she
presented herself at his shop, and seeing the now
defendant, said-she had come home. He pointed to
the door, and ordered her out. She said she would
not go out, whereupon he took hold of her by the
wrists and shook her violently, anti nearly threw
her down five or six times, struck her on the breast,
and so hurt her that she -had to go to a medical
man, who ordered her hot fomentations, and she
suffered a good deal of pain.
The defendant, when before the magistrate, said
hecertainlydid use a little force, but not more 1 han
was sufficient to put the prosecutrix out.
The defence was that the—prosr-utri
husband's li6-Use voluntarily, a- _ none even
different times ; that she had been allowed t. a
week, and habits of intemperance were imputed to
her, without, however, it was ss,id- on the other
side, foundation. The assault with violence was
denied.
The defendant's father, a tall, corpulent, and
elderly individual, was called. He denied that his
son committed the assault as stated, and in giving
an account of his conjugal troubles, made himself
out to be a very injured person. He gaVe h:s an-
swers with 'a good deal of pomp )sity.
Mr. Doyle, in cross-examination, asked him if he
was not married to the defendant's mother, to which
question he emphatically replied " No."
Mr. Doyle—Now, Mr. Ctubb, will you dare to
repeat that answer ?—Witness hesitated.
Mr. Doyle repeated the question. Witness—l
shall not answer.
Mr. Doyle—Were you not married to this young
man's mother, and is she not now living on a settle-
ment of £4O a year ? Witness would not answer.
The Judge said he was not compelled to answer
if he thought his answer would criminate himself.
Witness—Then I shall not answer your ques-
tion, sir.
Mr. Doyle—When you were married to tPs poor
woman (the prosecutrix), did you not know that
she was the widow of Col. Maceroni, and a woman
of education and good social position ? Witness—
I don't know about her being a widow, but I know
she was a pauper, and that I lived with her, sir.
Mr. Doyle—Do you mean to say that you co-
habited with her before you married ner ? Witness
(fiercely)—Yes, I do, sir ; and I never said an angry
word to her in my life.
Mr. Doyle—Then, how came she to leave you ?
Witnass—l don't know, but she went away seven
times. ,
Mr. Doyle—Well, we have Mrs. Clubb No. 1,
and Mrs. Club') 2.; now is there not a Mrs. No.
3 ? Witness—No, sir, there is not.
Mr. Doyle—Well, if there is not, are you not
living with a woman who has children by you ?
Witness—l have a housekeeper, sir, end she has a
child; but is this relating to the assault case ?
Mr. Doyle—Are you not living with that person
in concubinage, and are you not the father of a
child she has? Witness (turning round to the
jury, and smiling blandly)—That's hard to say,
gentlemen.

Mr. Doyle—Don't answer in that ribald manner,
sir. Don't you believe that you are the father of
her child, and are you not openly living with her,
and is that not the reason your wife is turned out
of your house, and hes had to compel you, by the
parish, to allow her ss. 'a
-week? Witness dc-
dined to answer.

The Judge told him he thought he was bound to
answer.

The witness said the person was his servant, and
had a child.

Mr. Doyle—Upon your oath, don't you believe
you are that child's father ? Witness—l may be.
Mr. Doyle—And was it not in consequence of
your living with her that the prosecutor was pre-
vented returning home ? Witness—l don't know.
Mr. Doyle—That's quite enough, Mr. Clubb.
The witness denied that Fs son committed any
assault, though, in reply to the court, he admitted
he was not present at the moment.
Mr. Doyle, in reply, denounced the conduct of
the father in teims of no measured severity, and
commented upon what the cross-examination had
elicited from him.

Mr. Payne told the jury how the charge was
framed in the indictment, and was about to go
through the evidence, when the jury said they were
quite satisfied, and found the uefendant guiliy on
two counts—one for inflicting personal injury, and
one for common assault.

Mr. Payne said he could not but regard this as a
bad case, and the defendant ought to have acted
more like a man than to strike a woman on the
breast, particularly his stepmother, and it was only
too clear that he had been lending himself to con-
duct of his fathei's, which was very discreditable
to him, to s-,y the least of it. He should sentence
the defendant to six months' hard labour.
Both father and son seemed rather amazed at the
sentence, and the former went out of court threaten-
ing to indict the witnesses for perjury, and declar-
ing his son's innocence.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—March 23.

MANSION-HOUSE. -- AN UNGRATEFUL
COUSlN.—Caroline Garland, a charwomen, wes
charged with being drunk, assaulting J. Cook,
painter, and breaking a square of glass, value ls.
The prosecutor said the prisoner was his wife's
cousin and charwoman. Yesterday she was en-
gaged at his house to clean the place. After dinner
she went out and came in again just after tea,
when he (prosecutor) perceived that she was
very drunk. He immediately ordered her to leave,
which she refused to do, when he took hold of
her to put her down stairs. She flew at him I;ke
a tigress, and tried to throw him down, and being
a very strong woman she nearly succeeded. He,
however, got the better of her, and then again told
her to leave the hou::,, or he would send for a po-
liceman. She immediately said, " Well, you --, if
I can't hurt you I'll hurt your property," and
struck the window several blows, smashing it to
atoms. She also tried to break another, -but he
stopped and gave her in charge. All he wanted
was peace and quietness, for although she was his
wile's cousin, still he did not see why he should be
subject to annoyance from her more than from any
one else.
Sir R. Carden—Well, what have you to say,
prisoner I'
Prisoner—Oh, please, your worship, all he has
said is false. A little while back he sold the lease
of his house for £350, and ever since that time
there has been no end to gin, brandy, wine, and all
manner of things in the house. They have been
drinking all day long—ho, his wife, and children.
We have all been drunk together.
Witness—Why, you ungrateful thing, you ;
didn't I give you a sovereign the other day, and
you spent it all before the day was over.
Prisoner—Yes ; and I bought some gin and
rum, and a lot of other liquors with it.
Sir R. Carden—Well, I suppose you drank it?
Prisoner—They helped me pretty well, though.
He makes a regular " Molly" of himself ; he washes
up the plates and dishes, scrubs the floors, and does
all the work which I used to be employed to do.
He and his IN:fe are always quarrelling about a
handsome young man that lodges with them.
Sir R. Carden—l shall bind you over in the sum
of £lO, with one surety in £lO, to keep the peace
for one month, and if you get drunk during that
time and assault any one you will go to prison for
one month.

The prisoner, having no surety
locked up. in court, was

WORSHIP-STREET. SERIOUS CHARGE.—
John Davis, formerly a police-constable, was
charged with attempting to cut the throat of his
wife, and also with assaulting a licensed victualler.
Mr. Henry Wilbourne, landlord of the George
the Fourth public-house, in Old-street-road, stated
that at five o'clock yesterday afternoon the prisoner
rushed into the front of tha bar holding a Woman
by tha throat with one hand, while the other
grasped an open razor. Witnessstarn3tlbyeinsegizedthat hand, and prevented any
ju
in-
flicted, but tho fellow struck him a heavy blow
which blackened his eye and felled him to the
floor, at the same time makin a scut at him with

. . • .
1 I CLEIIKENWELL. --- DARING BT --.
Charles Scaucs, aged 24, described on the charge-
, Sheet as a commercial traveller, residing at 11,
Edward square. Caledonian-road, and James Sehe-
leg•cl, a smith, who refused his address, were charged
twith hreaking and entering the dweling- house, 2A,
rrederick-place, with iniclit to"stial rend they
tie further charged with havit.g housebreaking
Implements in their possession.
Last night the prisoner Schelegel was seen in
the above house, and 'when spoken to he made a
Veiy evasive reply and ran away. The prisoner
Sca.ues was standing opposite, and when a struck
him endeavoured to stop the other prisoner be struck
him a violent blow on the head. The prisoners
were captured by Inspector Bryant, of the G divi-
pion, and upon their being taken he found upon
Schelegel a number of skeleton keys and silent
matches. On the way to the police-station, the
prisoner Scanes threw away a " jemmy," or-smalr
crowbar.

The prisoners made no defence, and were re-
manded for a week.

I_VANDSWORTI4.—THE ALLEGED.W
rn
bElt.—Jaes Sliennairsokho ifitriinert
on iusPicion of having caused the death of his wife
in the Wandsworth:read, surrendered to his recog-
nisances, before Mr. Dayman, for further examina-
tion.
Mr. Dayman inquired if there was any fresh
evidence
Sergeant Large replied in the negative, and in-
'formed his worship that a post-mortem examination
had been made, and the jury had returned a ver-
dict of natural death, accelerated by violent pas-
sion.
Mr. Dayman then discharged the prisoner..

POST OFFICE NOTICE&

MONEY-ORDER OFFICES.

On the 2nd of April, the following alterations
will be made, viz.:—

ENGLAND.

1. Money-order offices will be opened in London
and the suburbs at Ealing-common W. ; Feltham,
W. ; Hornsey-road, N. ; liingsland-green, N.E. ;
Lorrimore-road, Walwortb, S. ; Newport-market,
Leicester-square, W.C. ; Old Brentford, W. ; St.
John's hill, Wandsworth, S.W. ; Sussex-place,
Plumstead, S.E. ; Victoria Docks, E. ; Vincent-
square, Westrninister, S.W.
2. The "Eastern District Office" will in future
be designated " Commercial-road, E."
3. Money-order offices will be opened in the coun-
try at—Bardney, near Wragby ; Barnoldswick,
near Colne •, Betley, near Newcastle; Blanchland,
near Carlisle ; Bootle, near Whitehaven ; Brown--
hills, near Walsall ; Calverley, near Tunbridge
Wells; Cemaes' near Bangor; Chalfont St. Giles,
near Slough ; Cley, near Thetford ; Dinas, near
Pont-y-pridd ; Earl Shilton, near Hinckley ; Gras-
sendale, near Liverpool ; Great Missenden, near
Amersham • Gresford, near Wrexham; Hambledon,
near Horndean ; I-lorsforth, near Leeds ; Llanerehy-
medd, near Bangor; Minchinhanapton,near Stroud;
Mount Ephraim, near Tunbridge Wells; Nar-
borough, near Leicester; New Lenton, near Not-
tingham ; Sneinton, near Nottingham ; Stewkley,
near Leighton Buzzard ; Woolton, near Liverpool.
4. The office now known as " Feversham ' will
henceforth be designated "Faversham."
5. The undermentioned sub-offices are now served
as follows :—Shrivenham, Leachlade, and Fairford,
from Swindon, instead of from Farringdon ; Bur-
ford, from Farringdon, instead of from Cheltenham ;
Bampton, from Farringdon, instead of from Witney.