The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-29 00:00:00

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A CLERGYMAN.

The commissioners appointed by the Lord Bishop
of Chester to investigate the charges made against
the Rev. R. A. Gent, curate of the Rev. Dr.
commenced their inquiry yesterday, at
the Chancellor's Court, St. George's HalL The
commissioners were—the Revs. C. A. Thurlow,
Chancellor of the diocese ; J. Wood, Archdeacon of
Chester ; Archdeacon Jones of Liverpool, T. G.
Leigh, Vicar of Walton, and J. Stewart, Rector of
West Derby.
The commission alleged that the Rev. Mr. Gent
was charged by the churchwardens of St. Paul's
Church, Toxteth Park, with repeated acts of in-
toxication in the vestry, and in various other places,
during 1856 and 1857 ; there were also charges of
improper familiarity with the female who cleaned
the church, and with his own servants.
Mr. Deighton (barrister) appeared on behalf of
the churchwardens. He disclaimed all hostility on
the part of Dr. M‘Neill or his wardens. In the
course of one of Dr. M`Neill's absences from home,
rumours had arisen as to Mr. Gent's conduct, and,
on an interview between the rev. doctor and Mr.
Gent taking place, the former advised his curate to
seek another sphere of labour, to which Mr. Gent
at first acceded, but afterwards changed his mind
and, after a correspondence with the bishop, Mr.
Gent wished an inquiry to be instituted.
Elizabeth Powell, the first witness, stated that in
November, 1856, Mr. Gent called her" into the
vestry, and, after telling her that he must give her
something fur attending to his fire, presented her
with half a sovereign, and then took certain in-
decent liberties with her. Tula witnessed stated
that Mr. Gent, on the occasion referred to, was the
worse for drink.
Cross-examined by Mr. James, Q.C., on behalf
of Mr. Gent—She bad been employed in cleaning
the church ever since it was opened. Although
she did think Mr. Gent's conduct was very wicked,
she said nothing about the liberties he had taken
for a long time, notwithsmtanr.diGn
asions
coneye
ulpit eovne
several Sunday,
oee
whegnenshht
hrs Gad gdaughterin
ray
ewhin t
the
i.l, and at other times,
but in 1857 he had refused
to give her money.
Mary Aindlow was called and examined by Mr.
Deighton—She was 35
years of age. Went to live
in Mr. Gent's service iu May,
1856, and left in Dec.
Of the same year. She
was servant of all work,
and had to wait at table. Mr. Gent used to tread
was
ou her toes when she holding the plate by his
side. Could nut say how many times that conduct
was repeated, In July, 1856, Mr. Gent, his wife,
his children and witness went to spend a day at
Eastham. They took their dinner on the grass,
and while there, and within a few yards of his wife,
Mr. Gent put his hand up her clothes and took
hold of her leg. She recollected on one occasion
Mr. Gent's coming home SO intoxicated as to be
unable to walk straigh'. On one occasion when
witness was carrying one of the children upstairs
her master followed her and put his hand up her
cl _thes and took hold of her leg.
Cross-examil.),ed by Mr. Jameq, Q.C.—She was
not married bat..had a child 8 years of age. Mr.
Gent bad reproved her for being absent from church,
and she went and gave her mistress notice ; but
before the notice expired Mr. Gent dismissed her
at an hOur's notice for impertinence to her mistress.
She had written a letter to Mrs. Gent complaining
of that lady's not giving her such a character as she
wished. She had said that she could say things
about Mr. Gent as bad as he could about her.b
Bowdie was called and exami_n_edea y
ro old,
Deighton—She was between' 16
and
dfoiri
months.
) and had lived with Mr. Gent as
dillgr to play with the
She had seen Mr. Gent prt►:g
that he had acted
baby's tees, but instead of
improperly towards he .r.
James,
Q C.—She reeol-
Cross-examined y
baking complaints to her mother.
lected Mrs. Gent rn
s still proceeding.)
(The cp-so wa

TB o NIW PR-erester ALLIANCIL
frHE SPECTATOR of Saturday next, the 30th
J 1 January will contain a compact Synoptical Account of the
SIGNING FAMILIES of Europe, their Origin, Intermarriages,
t t d Connexions. The survey not only affords the means of estimat-
ing the New Affiance with Prussia, bat it also explains the nature
of the Royal Power and Influence in European Combinations.—
Office, 9, Wellington-street, Strand.'

R MAJESTYrS THEATBE.I
By command of Her MAJESTY.
In honour of the Nuptials of her Royal Highness the
PRINCESS ROYAL with his Royal Highness the Pence
NTH WILLIAM of PRUSSI,
SR EVENING, FRIDAY, Jan.A 29, wbe
presented
Sheridan's Comely of
THE RIVALS.
With the Farce of
THE SPITALFIELDS WEAVER.
During the evening the National Allthel:11 Will be sung by
Madame Clara Novello, ea fisted by Mr. Benedict's Vocal
Association of 300 voices and the Chorus of Her Majesty's
Theatre, Conductor, Mr. Benedict.
Applications for boxes, orchestra stalls, and tickets to
be made at the Box-oftlce of the Theatre, and at Mr. Mitchell's
Rsoyal LibTsry, 33, Old Bond-street.

----------
INLAJTISTY'S THEATRE.—EXTRA
PERFORMANCE.
TO-I&ORROVI EVENING (SATURDAY), Jan. 30,
LA. SONNAMBUL A.
Ana, Piccolomini ; Lisa,. Sannier ; II Conte Rodolfo
Belletti ; and Elvino, Giuglhu.
Conductor, Signor Arditi.
To conclude with the Festival Divertissement, entitled
'HYENEE.
The State Festival Decorations will be retained.
Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons),
pit and one pair, 21. 2a; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, 55.;
three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, lOs ; gallery stalls, 3s 6d ;
pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s.
Applications to be made at the Box-office of the Theatre.

THEA TRE-ROY AL, DRURY-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
THIS EVENING, will be performed HIS FIRST
CHAMPAGNE, in which Mr. Leigh Murray will perform.
After which, the new grand pantomime, LITTLE JACK
HORNER.
Commence at 7.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, to commence at Soren' °Wok, with
A FISH OUT OF WATER.
After which, a new 0013113 Christmas Pantomime, entitled
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD; or, Harle-
quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ;
Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ;
'town, Mr. Charles Leclercq.
Concluding with A KISS IN THE DARK.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening 6s. each. (No charge for booking.)
Fir Ice. s. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes
Upper Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit 2 0 Pit 1 0
Gallery 1 0 Gallery 0 6

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE
Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean.

THIS EVENING, will be performed Shakspere's Play of
A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM.
After which, a new grand comic Christmas Pantomime,
entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT ; or, The Princess
Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess
Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Harlequin, Mr. Cor-
snack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; and
Columbine, Miss C. Adams.

THEATRE ROYAL, AD EL PHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.
THIS EVENING, will be performed the new drama,
THE POOR STROLLERS, in which Madame Celeste, Mr.
B. Webster, Paul Bedford, and Mr. Wright will perform.
After which, a Mythological Extravaganza, entitled
THE LOVES OF CUPID AND PSYCHE. Jupiter,
Mr. Panl Bedford ; Cupid, Miss Marie Wilton ; Psyche,
Miss Mary Keeley ; Venus, Mrs. Mina-ton.

ROYAL LYCEUM THE A.T RE. —Sole Lessee
and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.—
Triumphant Success of Leigh Hunt's new play : vide the
Public Press.
THIS EVENING will be performed Leigh Hunt's new
Play, LOVERS' AMAZEMENTS. Supported by Messrs.
Charles Dillon, J. G. Shore ; Mesdamas Charles Dillon and
Woolgar. _ _ _

To conclude with the Burlesque and Pantomime, LA LLAH
ROOKH, and the PRINCESS, the PERI, and the TROU-
BADOUR • or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert.
Supported by Mesdames Charles Dillon, Buckingham White,
Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Jacobs, and Woolgar ;
Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Poynter, and J. L.
Toole. Clowns, Messrs. T. Matthews and R. Stilt ;
Harlequin, Mr. J. Ricketts; Pantaloon, Mr. A. Stilt ; Sprites,
Hbrr Zeleski and Sons ; Colurab'nes, Misses Malcolm and.
Lees. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Trans-
formation Scene.

Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7.
A. Morning Performance to-morrow, Jan. 30, to commence
at half-past 2.
In active preparation, a new and original Drama by West-
land Marston, Esq., and apowerful Novelty.
3ox.ofEee open from 11 to 5 daily.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE,
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick.

THIS EVENING, will be performccl PERILS BY LAND
AND WAVE.

After which, QUEEN MAB ; or Harlequin Romeo and
Jolliet. Clown, by the Surrey Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Brad-
bury.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminater-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
lag company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
elections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS,
CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz.:—Miss Rns4ell,
Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Miss Branoll, Miss Ray,
Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montagne, and Madame Marietta ;
Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. ileushaw, Russell Grover,
B. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L.
Hime, Mr. Badzey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Ber-
nard; Messrs. W. T. Critelifield and E. Maekney. Piano-
- forte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ;
Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock
precisely. Suppers, &e., until twelve o'clock.
Mr. AUGUSTUS BRAHAM will make his sth appear-
ance THIS EVENING.