The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-05 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

BRUTAL TREATMENT BY THE POLlCE.—Thomas Hobbs,
a young man with his head bandaged and his right knee
swollen as big as his head, being seated in the dock during
the examination, was charged with being drunk and
assaulting two police-constables in the execution of their
duty.
Henry Giles, 287 B, said he was on duty in Great Queen-
street, Westminster, at 12 last night, and went to a disturb-
ance between the defendant and a woman. He told
defendant three times to go away ; be refused, and was
taken into custody. Defendant struck him in the face,
and escaped from custody. He called assistance, and
Tunbridge Hills, 358 B, came up and collared defendant,
who tripped him up, and kicked him while he was
down. The three then had a struggle, and the Pri-
soner was secured, but becoming violent Hills drew his
truncheon and aimed a blow at his legs, which hit him
on the head as he stooped down. (Sensation.) They got
him to the Broadway, Westminster, when he threw him-
self down and kicked them, whereupon he was struck on
the knee by Hills with a staff, causing the injury apparent.
Four men had to take him to the station. The doctor had
pronounced the injury not dangerous.
Tunbridge Hills, 358 B, who limped into court, corrobo-
rated. He was obliged to use his staff.
Prisoner said Giles knew he had been convicted and
called him a thief. He threatened to report him, when the
other ono came up they drew their staves, and both fell
upon him.
This the constables denied.

The woman who was with prisoner was in court, bu'
declined to be sworn. _ _

Mr. Arnold remanded him till Tuesday week, directing
his removal to the hospital.

AUTHORS.—Authors have not always the power or
habit of throwing their talents into conversation. There
are some very just and well-expressed observations on this
point in Johnson's life of Dryden, who was said not all to
answer in this respect the character of his genius. I have
observed that vulgar readers almost always lose their vene-
ration for the writings of the genius with whom they have
had personal intercourse. Old Jonathan.

SHOOTING AT A CROWD.—.A man named Frank
Blackburn was taken into custody at Leeds, on Wednesday
last, charged with firing a pistol several times into a crowd
of people in Princess-street, New Wortley, one of the out-
lying districts of the borough of Leeds. It appears that
Blackburn, who is 26 years of age, and resides in Airdale-
place, Leeds, was until very lately a guard in the employ
of the North Eastern Railway Company, and that he has
been separated from his wife for a considerable period, and
has cohabited with an elderly woman living in Princess-
street, New Wortley, whom he had passed off as his
aunt. This assertion, however, would not be accepted
by the public, who manifested their disapproval of his
conduct by hissing and hooting him from the house yester-
day morning. He repaired to the shop of Mr. Sheard,
ironmonger, West-street, and possessed himself of a pistol,
some powder, and No. 26 shot. Thus armed, he returned
to the scene of the morning's expulsion, when the house
was again surrounded by a crowd, who repeated the morn-
ing's disturbances, whereup3n Blackburn presented him-
self at the upper window and deliberately fired among the
crowd three times in quick succession, and afterwards dis-
charged the pistol a fourth time from the kitchen window.
On all four occasions it is supposed that some persons
were more or less injured, though happily not seriously.
By this time the crowd had become very great, and
information having been conveyed to the police, George
Rider, of the force, arrived and took Blackburn into cus-
tody. He did not offer any resistance, but suffered him-
self to be conveyed quietly to the police-station. No denial
of the shooting was put in ; he acknowledged having fired
the pistol four times, and in the coolest manner possible
expressed his willingness to abide by the consequences,
justifying his conduct as an act of self-defence. James
Arthur Clutheray, of Now Wortley, was hit on the temple;
Mary Hill was hit on the right arm ; and Richard Henry
Woodward was hit on the right side of the nose. Two
other persons were also wounded. The prisoner was taken
before the Leeds borough magistrates yesterday, and re-
manded till to-day.
HALLOWE'EN AT BAL3IORAL.—Her Majesty, who
had in former seasons expressed a desire to be pre-
sent at the celebration of Hallowe'en in the Highlands, had
an opportunity of gratifying her desire on Wednesday last.
To a Lowlander the sight on Hallowe'en in the Highlands
is very interesting. Every farm and cottar's house is pro-
vided with a bonfire, and each child is armed with a
" sonnik" or torch. Thus prepared the children, as soon as
darkness sets in, go along the hillsides and glens, waving
their lights. Although the "old style" is more generally
observed, a good number of the people celebrated the
"new style" on this occasion, owing to her Majesty's wish
to witness the proceedings. Several bonfires were erected
within the policies of Balmoral, and a number of " son-
niks" were prepared. The day was very wet, but towards
evening the rain abated, and the darkness favoured the
display. A number of the tenants, armed with their " son-
niks," assembled in large groups just before night set in.
In an instant almost the hillsides were lighted up with
hundreds of torches, and the bonfires being lighted at the
same time the effect was very fine. Her Majesty and the
members of the Royal family were outside, and admired
the sight very much.

I."'"

i:__. .. ifs
Court eirer

HER MAJESTY, &c•

WINDSOR CASTLE, Sunday.

Her Majesty, the Queen, accompanied by their
Royal Highnesses Princess Louise and Princess
Beatrice, drove in the Home-Park yesterday after-
noon.

Prince and Princess Christian also west out

driving.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, at-
:ended by Lieutenant Haig, arrived at the Castle

Last night.

Major-General Sir T. M. and the lion. DAY
Biddulph had the honour of dining with the Queen
and the royal family. Mr. Helps arrived at the
Castle and also had the honour of being invited.

The Queen, their Royal Highnesses the Duke of
Edinburgh, Prince and Princess Christian, Princess
Louise, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice, and
the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting attended
Divine service this morning in the private chapel.
The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor
officiated.