The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-17 00:00:00

A CLERGYMAN FINED FOR AN

ASSAULT.

At the Guildhall, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on
Wednesday last, before E. Hill, mayor, H. Hall,
and J. Lamb, Esqs., the Rev. F. E. B. Swann,
curate of St. Giles's, was brought Lip on a warrant
charged with assaulting his servant between six
and seven the same morning;
The rev. gentleman, who was in a state of great
nervous excitement, admitted that he had given the
girl a slap, and that he would do the same again,
under the circumstances; if this constituted an as-
sault in the eyes of the law, then was he guilty.
But, with equal propriety, any child punished in
school might bring a charge against the master or
mistress. The blow was given in consequence of
the gross impudence of the servant.
Elizabeth Garner then deposed—l was in the
kitchen this morning, about seven o'clock. Mr.
Swann came in, and gave me a violent slap in the
face.

Defendant—Which is abominably false. I gave
you a slight one.
Complainant—He said it was for-not bringing
him any coals into his room. I told him I could not
do so, as his room door was locked. He then said
I had nothing in my hands when I came to the
door, and hit me very hard.
Defendant—lt is grossly false. I gave her a
slight slap.

Complainant—The mark on my nese and the dit.-
colouration of the eye are the effects of the blow.
My nose bled copiously.
Defendant—l did not strike you on that side. I
wish the case was done with. A matter of a little
slap ! Why can't Ibe fined ? I admit the thing.
Complainant—When he struck me he said, "Take
that, and go and fetch a summons."
Defendant—The thing is most absurd. If there
is a fine to be imposed, I wish to pay it, if 1 can.
I have nothing more to say. Such an absurd, ridi-
culous thing as this. She says nothing about her
own insolence—the provocation given. But lam
not going to have any altercation with a creature
like that; it is not worth my while. This is New-
castle gratitude for what I have done for it.
The Ma yor—l exceedingly regret to see you in
this position, but it is not the first case of a like
nature. Unfortunately, only ten days back I had
to issue a warrant against you for an assault r
another servant. That case was withdrawn. This,
however, is plainly proved, and you are fined II
and costs ; in default, one month's imprisonment.
The fine was paid, and Mr. Swann left the room,
saying " I have done with Newcastle now."

A RELIC OF TIIE ROYAL CHARTER.—Yesterday
a curious relic of this ship was exhibited in the Under-
writer:' Rooms, Liverpool. It consisted of a piece of i-inch
plate iron, into the centre of which had been forced, by
what means it is impossible to say, a bar of gold, with a
piece of shattered wreck. The sheet iron was completely
pierced through, the end of the bar of gold being visible at
the back, as was also a piece of wood, into which a sove-
reign was pressed, the coin apparently having suffered but
little injury, the "milling" being only slightly bruised.
This singular curiosity was picked up, we believe, by the
divers at Moeltra on Tuesday last, and the interest
attached to it collected numerous spectators, to whom that
piece of cold metal told a sad and fearful tale.
APOTHECARIES'-HALL.—At the Court of Exa-
miners held,on Thursday the following gentlemen were
admitted licentiates of the Society of Apothecaries, viz.:--
Messrs. A. L. Andrew, of Manchester; H. F. Bate of
Somersetshire ; F. Dunn, of Wolverhampton; T. H.
Hawkins, of Reading; R. Hughes, of Trefriw, North
Wales; T. Mitchell, of Redruth ;W. Murray, of ester-
le-Street ; W. G. Tacy, of Louth; and J. Thompson, of
Snaith.