The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-28 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

WELL-MERITED PUNISHMENT.—Maria Odall, a
low, common-looking middle-aged woman, was
charged with most offensive and insulting behaviour
to a lady named Best, living in Park-villas, Chelsea.
Complainant said that she had been in attend-
ance at this court yesterday upon a charge of
having assaulted the defendant's daughter, which
was disthissed. As she was leav:ng the court and
about getting into a ctb the defendant came up
and, making a lit by noiie with her mouth, spat iu
her face.

Defendant —You are s% cAring to a great lie, which
you did yesterday.

Mrs. Ann Barnard confirmed this account.

Two other witnesses were called, one of whom, a
cabman* said he thought the spitting complained of
was the effect of making the offensive noise with
the mouth—it was difficult to do it without.

Defendant denied the charge, and called three
witnesses who swore she never made the least noise
or anything else. One of them, however, admitted
that she told her not to consult the lady.
Mr. Arnold--Had the intentional spitting been
proved, I would have committed you (defendant)
without a fine. It was clearly shown that you used
disgusting and insulting behaviour to the com-
plainant, and for that I fine you the full penalty of
40s. and 103, costs, or commit you for a month.
Defendant (to the lady)—" You sneaking liar,
I'll give it to you. You false swearing
Mr. Arnold—Bring her back.
This having been done, defendant being on her
way to the cell,

Mr. Arnold—ln addition you will find one surety
in £25 to keep the peace for six months.

THAMES.

A DISORDERLY FELLOW IN A WORKHOUSE.
SEVERE PUNISIIMENT.—John Ivory, a stevedore, of
No. 2, Lion-court, Poplar, was brought before Mr.
Paget, charged with being drunk and violently
assaulting an assistant relieving officer, at the
Poplar Union Relief-office.
Mr. William Burdett Foster, one of the relieving
officers of the Poplar Union, western district, stated
that yesterday the prisoner presented himself at the
relief offices in a state of drunkenness and de-
manded relief. He told the prisoner to go home to
bed, upon which
,he became very excited and
violent, made use of abominable language and
threats, and refused to leave the office. With some
difficulty the prisoner was ejected. He then com-
menced kicking and knocking at the doors, and
using fearful threats for some time. The pri-
soner was not attended to, and he became mad
with rage, and threw a large stone through the win-
dow into the office, doing damage to the amount of
one shilling. Fortunately the stone did not strike
*any one, but it went near the beads of several
persons.
In answer to Mr. Paget, the witness said that he
saw the assault committed upon the, assistant, and
gave the prisoner into custody,
Mr. Edwin L. Michen, assistant to the relieving
officer for the north district of the Poplar Union,
stated that upon opening the door of the office
leading to the yard the prisoner struck him, upon
which he threw him down and shut the door. The
prisoner was then making use of very abusive lan-
guage. Shortly afterwards he heard loud knocking
at the other door, and Mr. Foster called upon him
to assist in ejecting the prisoner. On so doing the
prisoner bit his finger and made it bleed, and like-
wise tore his coat to pieces. A severe and long-
continued struggle took place, and ultimately the
prisoner was secured and given into custody. The
witness produced his damaged coat and exhibited his
lacerated finger.
John Rye confirmed the statements of Mr. Foe-
ter and Mr. Michen in every particular, and added,
" I saw the prisoner throw a stone through the win-
dow."

Mr. Paget sentenced the prisoner to three months'
imprisonment and hard labour, two for the assault,
and one for wilful damage.

NATIONAL CIIORAL SOCIETY. -- Mendelssohn's
" Elijah" will he again performed at Exeter Hall to-
morrow evening ; on this occasion by the National Choral
Society, with a band and chorus of 700 performers, under
the direction of Mr. G. W Martin. Madame ltudersdorff,
Arabella Smyth, Miss Lucy Franklin, Miss Amy Sheridan,
Mr. Kerr Gedge, Mr. Henry Regaldi, Mr. Gardner, and
Mr. Santley are the principal vocalists. The Sacred Har-
monic Society having commeaced their season with the
same oratorio great interest is taken in this perform-
ance, which will be the commencement of the National
Choral Society's eighth season. Mr. Santley is also en-
gaged by the National Choral Society for the three follow-
ing concerts : —"Acis and Galatea" and " Walpurgis
Night," Dec. 11; "Messiah Christmas Eve ; "Creation,"
New Year's Day ; and foremost of the concerts to be given
during the boson.