The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-08 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENC.E.—This Day,

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH".
(Before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn and a Special Jury.)

RYAN V. 'WOOD-LIBEL.

Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., Sergeant Robinson, and Mr. J. 0.
Griffiths appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Coleridge,
Q.C., and Mr. W. Williams for the defendant.
Mr. Hawkins stated the case. This was an action
brought by the plaintiff for a libel, to which the defendant
pleaded not guilty; and secondly, that the words written
and published were true. The plaintiff was the son of
medical gentleman in Ireland, but had for upwards of 30
years been resident in this country. He was engaged as a
musical critic on the Morning Herald and Morning Stan
dard, and the defendant was the proprietor of the Orchestra,
a weekly musical newspaper. On the Bth of July last the
alleged libel was published, and under the head of "Black
Mail in Journalism," contained an insinuation that the
plaintiff had obtained the services of certain eminent musi-
cal artists to perform at concerts, which he gave annually,
by using his influence as a musical critic in preference to
paying them for their services. Nothing was more calcu-
lated to damage the reputation of the plaintiff, and he was
bound to bring the present a,;tion to vindicate his
character.

Mr. Desmond Ryan was examined—He said that for 16
years he had been a writer, and had wrrtten several
librettos for operas. He had been nine months secretary
to Mr. Lumley. He was sub-editor of the Musical World.
All the artistes who sang at his concerts were his friends,
with the exception of Madame Harriet Whippen, who
sang for him at her own request.

In cross-examination he thought that a critic should
witness a performance before he criticised it, but he
had adopted a different course in regard to a performance
given by Madame Bosio. He blamed and praised those
who Nang at his concerts
The witness was under examination when we went to
press.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A ►SURGEON CHARGED WITH BEGGING.—George Wilkins,
surgeon, of No. 1, Elliott's-cottages, Blackheath, was
charged, before Mr. Knox, with being drunk and begging.
Police-constable Wood, 80 C, said that on the previous
afternoon he saw the prisoner stop a gentleman in Picca-
dilly, and ask for assistance, at the same time exhibiting
his left hand, which was swollen. He cautioned the pri-
soner, who was drunk, and afterwards saw him stop
another gentleman, who stepped aside to avoid him. The
prisoner then walked into an hotel, and the persons there
having some trouble to get rid of him he took the prisoner
into custody.

The prisoner said he had been
.fearfully unwell of late
from gout in the hands, and that had brought him to his
present condition. Ha went to the hotel to see a gen-
tleman.

Mr. Knox said the prisoner complained of being unwell
and having the gout in his hands, and yet got drunk. lie
should commit him for seven days.

MARKETS.—This Day.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

Our market to-day was but moderately supplied with
beasts in somewhat improved condition. All breeds were
in fair request at Monday's currency. The top figure was
5s per 81b. Sheep, the show of which was rather limited
changed hands steadily at full quotations. The best Downs
and half-breds realised 6s 8d per 81b. Calves were in
short supply and moderate request on rather lower terms.
The demand for pigs was in a sluggish state at barely sta-
tionary prices. Mulch cows were very dull.

Per 81b to sink the offal.

sdsd 6 d s d
Crse. & inf. beasts... 3 6 3 10 Pmecrs-wool sheep 5 8 6 2
Second quality do ..4 0 4 4 Prime s'thdown a 0.6 4 6 8
Prime large oxen ..4 6 4 8 La*ge coarse calvcs.s 0 5 8
Prime Scots, ac.... 4 10 5 0 Prime small d0......5 8 6 0
Crse. and inf. sheep. 4 0 4 8 Large hogs .4 t 4 6
Second quality do ..4 10 5 6 Small porkers 4 8 5 0
Lamb....os Od to 0, Od.

Suckling calves, 19s to 2(s; and quarter-old store pigs, 293
to 33s each.

Head of stock on sale.
Total supply. Foreign supply.
Beasts 1,050 Beasts 34)
Cows. .. 1:0 Cows.
Sheep
Calves l9O Ca yes it•O
Pigs 70 Pigs