The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-02 00:00:00

THAMES.

A COUPLE OF SINNERS.--THE OLD PENSIONER
AND HIS WIFE.—John Baker, an elderly man,
dwelling in Bromley, was brought before Mr.
Paget charged with neglecting to maintain his wife,
and leaving her chargeable to the Poplar Union.
The prisoner is an old man-of-war's man, and in
the receipt of a pension. He has been for some
time employed at Silvertown, North Woolwich, on
a new graving dock intended for Bermuda. The
prisoner's wife had been chargeable for a month,
and Mr. Mains, a relieving officer, had given her
money and food, and called upon the prisoner to
maintain her, which be refused to do.
The prisoner, who talked rapidly and loudly, said
he had served his country, and was in the receipt of
a pension. His wife was a drunken and dissipated
woman, and had left him in Sheppy, and had com-
mitted adultery with other men. If he gave her
money she would spend it all in a publichouse. He
was on board a ship off the Isle of Sheppy for 13
months, and he had his discharge, and other papers
could prove it. The Secretary of State for the War
Department said, " You are not to support that
woman."

Mr. Paget said he did not care what the Secretary
of State was alleged to have said, and he would tell
the prisoner distinctly that if he did not maintain
his wife he would commit him to prison. If the
prisoner could prove his wife had committed adul-
tery he was not bound to maintain her.
The prisoner said ho could prove his wife was a
profligate hussey.
Mr. Paget—l will give you an opportunity of
proving that. I will adjourn the case till Monday.
The prisoner said he would prefer Wednesday.
He had to go to work on Monday, and to receive
his pension on Tuesday.
Mr. Harris said the prisoner was living in adul-
tery with.another woman, and there were a couple
of sinners at least.
Mr. Paget said the prisoner was of ability to
maintain his wife.
The Prisoner--The great big house over the
water will take care of me.
Mr. Paget—What do you mean?
Roche, the gaoler—He means Greenwich Hospital.
The prisoner, after complaining that Mr. Harris
sent his satellites into Bromley, to take observa-
tions and soundings, said he would not support his
wife.

Mr. Paget—l tell you that you must maintain
her. If the parish will come to terms with ,you, I.
have no objection at all.
Finally the case was adjourned until Wednesday,
and the magistrate warned the prisoner of the con-
sequeneeis of not maintaining his wife, unless he
proved all his charges against her,

- pit
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HER MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, Oct. 31.
The Queen drove out with Princess Beatrice,
attended by Lady lily.
The Duke of Buckingham had the honour of
dining with the Queen and the royal family.

THE COURT AT BALMORAL.-011 Monday
last
her Majesty and party drove from Balmoral Castle, on the
north side of the river Dee, via Invercaulil House and
Allanmoro, to the Falls of Quoich, &c. After a short time
spent in the vicinity the royal visitors returned through
Braemar to her Majesty's highland palace in the evening.
Ilis Royal highness the Prince of Wales, at-
tended by Major Grey, honoured the Haymarket Theatre
with his presence last evening.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs.
Disraeli on Thursday paid a visit to the Castle, the Parli-
ament House, Ilolyrood Palace, and other places of interest
in the city. In the evening the Lord Advocate entertained
a party to dinner in honour of his distinguished guests.
Mr. and Mrs. Disraeli were to leave Edinburgh for London
yesterday morning.
The Right lion. Sir Stafford Northcote left town
on Thursday evening for his seat in Devonshire. The
right hon. baronet returns to town early in the ensuing
week to resume his duties at the India Office.