The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-14 00:00:00

1855.

THAMES.

THE RELIGIOUS DISSENSIONS IN ST. GEORGES-IN-
TIIE-EAST.—George Leathers, aged 16, and Thomas Duke
16, pawnbrokers' assistants, in the employ of Mr. William
Nathan, pawnbroker and jeweller, of No. 9, Waterloo-
terrace, Commercial .road, Ratcliff, and Three Colt•strect,
Limehouse, were brought before Mr. Selfe, charred with
creating a disturbance, and committing a breach of the
peace at the church of St. George-in-the-East, yesterday.
Mr. Charles Young, solicitor,appeared forithe defendants,
who were bailed yesterday at the station-house, and now
surrendered.

The court was densely crowded, and great excitement
prevailed, but, notwithstanding, the proceedings were con-
ducted with great decorum.

Timothy Carr, a poliee sergeant, No. 45 K, stated that
he was on duty at St. George's Church yesterday after-
noon at 1 o'clock. There were a great many people assem-
bled opposite the western entrance of the church, and Mr.
Thompson, the churchwarden, directed him and others to
make a clear space to enable the choristers and others to
pass along the churchyard. The two prisoners were on the
top of the steps near the porch, and when the Rev. Mr.
Lowden, the curate, and the choristers left the church, and
were proceeding towards the rectory-house, both lads com-
menced hissing, and called out, " Give it them," " Rotten
eggs," " Puseyit es." Leathers spat at the Rev. Mr. Low-
der, but the spittle did not reach the rev. gentleman. He
asked the prisoners for an explanation of their conduct,
which they refused to give, and he was directed by Mr.
Howse, the superintendent, to take the prisoners into
custody. Leathers said he was not worse than
the rest. As the prisoners• were on the way to
the station -house the mob commenced hooting and yelling
loudly, and were very noisy. The hissing and yells were
continued all the way to the station-house.
In cross-examination by Mr. Young, the witness said
there were from 800 to 1,000 persons assembled in front of
the church, and as soon as the prisoners began hissing
others commenced.

Mr. Solfe—Do these boys live in the parish ?
Cox—No, they do not.

William Copping, a police constable, 319 K, gave similar
evidence. He saw the prisoners, and heard them hiss and
sh out.

Mr. Young said the prisoners were two well-conducted
lads, and called several witnesses, who denied that either
of the prisoners spat at Mr. Lowder, or that Duke took any
part in the disturbance at all. Two of the witnesses ad-
milted that Leathers waslissing,.

Mr. Nathan said the two prisoners were in his employ,
and were always very well conducted. He could hardly
believe they had been guilty of the misconduct alleged
against them. The lads belonged to the Wesleyan body,
and the Wesleyans were very bitter against Popery.
Mr. Selfe said the less Mr. Nathan said about that the
better. If the boys did not attend St. George's Church
for religious worship, they had no right there at all. The
assembly of yesterday was an unlawful one, and every body
taking part in it was liable to indictment. He believed the
police officers, and had no doubt the prisoners were hissing,
and that one of them spat at the clergyman, or he might,
in hissing, have sent forth a little expectoration.. He fined
Leathers 205., and Duke 10s. The penalties were instantly
paid.