The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-15 00:00:00

APRIL 15, 1858

utterly inappreciable ; nor can we see how even for
party purposes it could signify which of the two
were adopted ; althou2h, as a matter of parliamen-
tary rule and minislerial responsibility, it is certain
that Lord John decided rightly in forcing the ini-
tiative in the proceeding upon the official advisers
of the Crown.

From first to last it is plain that Lord J. Russell
has acted in a manner in every way worthy of his
eminent position as the first constitutional states-
man of the day. He has refused to allow the future
Government of India to be made the sport of con-
tending faction ; and he has refused to be made a
tool of by either, in spite of the private solicitations
of the one and the public flatteries of the other.
He has shown himself able and willing to think
and act for the lasting interests of the country, re-
gardless of the spleen and spite of the worthless
portions of his own party, and of the momentary
relief which his wise magnanimity has afforded to
the leaders of that which he has all his life op-
posed. Faction may for the hour misrepresent
and revile him ; but the nation will comprehend
his motives, and render him gratefully the honour
which is his due.

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST A
TRADESMAN.-MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Yesterday, at the Clerkenwell Police Court, Mr.
Frederick Redford, the landlord of the Golden
Fleece public-hou9e, 8, John-street, Old-street-

road, appeared bofore Mr. Tyrwhitt, in answer to
his recognisances, charged with attempting to pick
the pockets of two females in Goswell-street-road.
Mr. Wontner appeared for the defendant.
Police-constable George Harvey, 161 G, said—
On Thursday night las+) about five minutes past
nina o'clock, I was on duty in Goswell-street road,
where I saw the prisoner. I noticed him for some
time following two females on this (the right hand)
side of the road, and saw him lift their dresses and
put his hand in their pockets, but I did not per-
ceive him taking anything from them. After that I
saw the plisoner turn back, when three females
passed him, and he followed them in the same way.
I saw the prisoner lift the ladies' dresses with his
left hand, and put his right hand into their pockets,
but I did not see him take anything. I watched
him as far as Powell-street, when I him into
custody. At the police-station I searched him, and
found upon him 21. Is. 2d. The prisoner gave a
correct address, and said he had just come from his
tobacco merchant's, where he had paid a small ac-
count.

Cross-wainned by Mr. Woutner—Before I to:,k

the prisoner into Custody, a waggon laden with
coal passed between us. It was five minutes past
nine when I first saw him lift the pockets of a lady.
When I took him into custody he told me he was
the landlord of the Golden Fleece, but I did not
believe him, and thought it was a hoax. When I
saw his wife she said her husband was not at home,
and she believed he had 'ono to his club. I have
since made inquiries, and have found that the de-
fendant bears a most excellent character, and is a
very respectable tradesman. I have been in the
police force about 15 months.
Inspector Cole, G division, said—l was on duty
at the Old-street police-station on the night in ques-
tion when the charge was brought in. It was
brought in at 20 minutes to ten at night. I asked
the constable the nature of the charge, and he then
told me it was ono of picking pockets. The con-
stable said he ha I seen the prisoner loitering about,
and when he went near the prisoner tried to evade
him by turning down a short street. The constable
also said he had watched him for about half an
hour. I have ascertained that the defendant has
been a licensed victualler in the neighbourhood for

ome time. When the defendant was brought into
the police-station he said the charge was a false one,
but I do not know if he said the man was mad.
When it was found that the defendant was a trades-
man in the neighbourhood, bail was taken for his
appearance at the police-court the next morning.
Mr. Wontner said that this was a case which he
was of opinion the magistrate would discharge ;
but still he felt that it was his duty to offer some
evidence, for the defendant did not wish to leave
that bar on the plea of want of evidence. That he
was the victim of a mistake there could be no doubt,
but he did not wish to say that the constable had
committed wilful and corrupt perjury, but was
mistaken in his identity of Mr. Redford. Menolder
in the force than he was had been mistaken. The
defendant was a very respectable tradesman, and
had carried on the business of a licensed victualler
for the last ten years. Mr. Redford wished the ems
to be fully gone into, and to leave that court with-
out a stai❑ or a slur upon his character. He then
called
Mr. Clark, who said—l am a compositor, and re-
side at 4, Wellington-street, Pentonville. I am the
chairman of a friendly society, called the Friends
of Labour, held at the house formerly kept by the
defendant, the Rose and Crown. The defendant is
a member of the society, and has been so since its
commencement. I was at the society on Thursday
last. I called at the defendant's house at ten mi-
nutes to nine to get him to accompany me. Ho was
very busy, an at nine o'clock finding that he was
still serving customers I left, and the church clock
then struck. The defendant is a very respectable
man.

Lucy Newman said—l am in the service of the
defendant. At ten minutes past nine on the night
in question my master came into the kitchen for
the purp,se of hiving his boots cleaned. I under-
stood that he was then going to his club.
Mr. W. H. Babart said—l am a tobacconist and
vesicle at 132, Goswell-street. The prisoner has
dealt with me for some time. On the night in ques-
tion the prisoner c:slled and purcha,ed of me a
pound of tobacco. I look at my watch every night
at nine o'clock for the purpo3e of closing my ac-
counts. The defendant's account is the first entered
on the next day's account. It was quite half-past
nine before the defendant came, because I hat to
get him change of half a sovereivs after I had closed
my till.
Mr. J. Davis said he had known the defendant
for two years and a half, and considered him to be
very respectable and strictly honest. About a year
and a half ago he accidentally dropped a 501. note
in his bar, and when he went back Mr. Redford
had picked it up, and asked him if he had lost it.
Mr. Wontner remarked that there were several
other gentlemen in attendance who were ready to
give Mr. Redford a character, but
Mr. Tyrwhitt said there was no necessity for his
doing so. It was too much to say the constable could
not have been mistaken in the identity of the de-
fendant. He exceedingly lamented the mistake the
constable had made, but, like other men, a con-
stable was just as liable to mistakes, although
some persons thought otherwise. One thing the de-
fendant gained, and that was that he left the bar
without any stain or slur upon his character, as
everybody must see it was a case of mistaken iden-
tity. The defendant had been locked up only a
short time, and had, theretore, not suffered much,
for la la was taken, and that very properly so, for
his apppearance the next morning. One thing also
was in the defendant's favour, and that was, that
although he had been allowed to go at large he did
not attempt to alter his dress or appearance, which
a practised thief would most assuredly have done.
In discharging the defendant, he would say that
he left the court without a stain upon his character.

I, Tau Two BROTHEREL" By the Author of " The
Discipline of Life," &c. 3 vols.—There is a truthfulness
and rectitude about Lady Emily Ponsonby's writings
which are especially characteristic of the present. The
workings of affection under doubt and difficulty have
been often pourtrayed, but seldom more successfully
than in this excellent tale. It breathes throughout a
spirit of gentleness and goodness which it really does
one good to feel. Both the scenes and the characters
are drawn with a force and skill which makes the pre-
sent one of the best productions of this very clever
authoress. —Chronicle.
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