The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-21 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS, March 20.

The March adjourned sessions, and last for the
present quarter, for the county of Surrey, com-
menced this morning, at the Sessions House, New-
ington-causeway, before J. E. Johnson, Esq., chair-
man ; T. Tilson, Esq., deputy chairman, and a full
bench of magistrates.
THE LATE DELICATE AFFAIR AT WALWORTH.
—EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS.—SamueI Cop•
ping, a retired sergeant of the P division, and Adam
Saunders, formerly a summoning officer at the
Lambeth Police-court, both of whom are pensioners
on the police fund, were indicted for committing a
forcible entry into the premises of Charles Percival,
also with grossly assaulting the latter.
The court was crowded to excess by persons
anxious to hear the case.
Mr. Charnock appeared for the prosecution ; Mr.
Sleigh, specially retained for Saunders, and Mr.
Lilley, with Mr. Oppenheim, for Copping.
Mr. Charnock, having briefly opened the case,
the particulars of which may be in the recollection
of the public, from the appearance of the parties at
the Lambeth Police Court a short time ago, the
following evidence was given :
Charles Percival, a tall, gentlemanly-looking
man, said he lived at 1, Cornwall-place, Kent-road.
He was a commission agent and jeweller. On the
24th of January he lived at Cornbury-place, Wal-
worth, and occupied a bedroom there. I have known
Mr. and Mrs. Clarke for some time—the latter
many years. About half-past seven on the morn-
ing of the 24th of January I was dressing in my
bedroom, when I heard a knocking at the door,
which was locked. I heard Copping say, " Let
go." The kicking commenced violently, and in
about three minutes the lock was forced off, and
the defendants attempted to force their way in.
They had large stieks in their hands, and 'said they
did not want to injure me. Copping hit me on the
eye with his stick. I was at that time between the
bedstead and the door, and I asked them if they
had any warrant for what they did. They replied
that they had not, but both forced their way past
me, kicking me in a violent manner on the legs.
Copping jumped on the bed and tore all the clothes
off, and afterwards looked under the bed. There
was no person there, and had not been. Saunders
said, " You had better not offer any resistance, or
it will be the worse for you." After they had ill-
used me and turned the bed over, they made their
escape out of the house. Since then I have been
under medical treatment, and felt the injuries for
some days. Since the affair, persons have offered
to compromise the matter.
By Mr. Lilley—l have lodged at Cornbury-place
since May last. Mrs. Clarke came some two or
three weeks after me. I occupied a room up-stairs
up to Christmas.
Mr. Charnock—l object to this course, as there
are proceedings in the Divorce Court against Mrs.
Clarke.
The Chairman—We are not trying that, Mr.
Charnock, and I do not see anything objectionable
yet.

Cross-examination resumed—When Mrs. Clarke
came she took the first-floor front room, and I had
the back. When the knocking was at my door no
one asked for admission. I said, " Who's there," and
received no reply. They then kicked the door until
the lock flew off.
What were you doing at the time ?
Witness—l was dressing myself, and never at-
tempted to open the door. I had known Mrs. Clarke
15 years, and I knew that she was separated from
her husband in April last. I have known the de-
fendants some time, but I had no idea what they
came for. I only occupied the back room. There
was a sort of ante-room with a door in the middle
connected with my room, but Mrs. Clarke kept the
key. During the scuffle Mrs. Clarke came into the
ante-room to see what was the matter.
Mr. Lilley—Was not she in her night dress P
Mr. Charnock—l object to that, as it seems like
getting evidence for a divorce court.
Mr. Lilley—lt has to do with the credit of the
witness, and I have a right to ask that question. To
the witness—Was not Mrs. Clarke partly dressed ?
Witness—l do not know. I believe, however, it
was a dressing-gown.
Mr. Lilley—How do you gain your livelihood ?
Witness—l have a little private property of my
own, and am also a commission agent.
The learned counsel was about to put other ques-
tions of a similar nature, when
The Chairman interposed, saying that it was not
relevant to the case before the Court, and it was
disgraceful on the part of any one asking those
questions. (Loud cheers, which were immediately
checked by the officers.)
Mr. Lilley—l repudiate the observations made
by the Court, to whom, however,l have the highest
respect.
Cross-examination resumed---I had a beer-house
once, but I got rid of it, as I did not consider it re-
spectable.
Mr. Lilley—You say Mrs. Clarke lived in the
front room and you in the back. Did you not take
meals with her ?
Witness—l once took supper with her.
The Chairman—We have nothing to do with
Mrs. Clarke here. Why ask those questions ?
Mr. Charnock—'There cannot be any justification
for these men breaking into his room, even if Mrs.
Clarke had her meals with him.
Thumping and knocking, with clapping of hands,
again took place among the auditory, when
The Chairman desired the officers to bring for-
ward the first person who so misconducted himself,
and he would commit him for contempt of Court.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sleigh for Saunders—lt
was Copping's voice I heard call out, "Let go."
Saunders was pushed against me.
Mr. Hopgood, of Cornbury-terrace, Walworth,
said that Mr. Percival lodged in the back room on
the first floor, and Mrs. Clarke in the front room.
There is a cupboard or ante-room between them. On
the morning of Jan. 24, I was roused up and saw
the defendants at Mr. Percival's door. They were
attempting to force it open, and when I came up
they said, "If you interfere with us it will be the
worst for you." They had sticks in their hands, and
I was much frightened. They must have got into
my house by climbing the back wall.
By Mr. Sleigh—l am a yearly tenant of the
house I occupy. Mr. Percival took his apartment
some time before Mrs. Clarke came. When Mr.
Percival first came he had a room on the top of the
house, but he removed down to the back room. I
occupied a room on the ground floor, and my house-
keeper, Mrs. Stephenson, slept with me. We have
a servant who sleeps out, and when I heard the
knocking at Mr. Percival's dolor she had not been
admitted.
By Mr. Lilley—Had been managing barman to
Mrs. Stephenson, and now she was managing
woman to him. (Laughter.)
Mr. Sleigh—l presume to state, sir, that there is
no case against Saunders, inasmuch as no part of the
evidence shows that he has committed an offence.
The indictment is laid under a very old statute, as
far back as Richard 11. He argued at some length,
quoting the interpretation of the law from "Black-
stone," contending that the defendants did not
make a forcible entry for the purpose of possessing
of lands or detention. It was, as the case now stood,
a case for a civil action. The prosecutor was only
a weekly lodger, and not possessed of a tenement
within the meaning of the statute. Suppose he was
so, there must be proof of a forcible entry by the
front door. There was no evidence as to that, there-
fore the indictment could not stand.
Mr. Charnock argued that a lodger was a tenant,
and was possessed of a tenement by the holding of
the back room.
The Chairman considered that the two first counts
could not stand, and the case must rest on the third
count of the indictment, for the assault.

Mr. Charnock hoped his Honour would grant him
a case on those two points for argument before the
judges, as he very much differed in opinion with the
Court.

The Chairman said he was quite willing to grant
cases on those points, as they were important.
Mr. Sleigh then said that as the case against
Saunders rested upon the common assault, he did
not think there was sufficient evidence against him
to go to a jury. He was the tool of Copping, and
as the evidence showed he was pushed forward by
that person, and thereby brought into the mess.
The Chairman observed that there was quite
sufficient evidence against him to go to a jnry.
Mr. Lilley then argued at some length on behalf
of Copping, contending that the indictment for
assault could not stand, inasmuch as it was in-
correct.
The Cleric of the Peace examined the indictment,
and perceiving a slight error in the words, at the
request of the Court amended it.
Mr. Lilley then said he had further arguments to
call the attention of the Court as to the meaning of
the statute, but, being a late hour, perhaps the
Chairman would think it advisable to adjourn the
case until to-morrow (this day).
The Chairman remarked that as it was a misde-
meanour he could do so, and he thought it would be
the best plan, as Mr. Oppenheim had to address the
Court on the point of law, and Mr. Charnock had
to reply, and then the case must go to the jury.
At the consent of all parties the case was ad-
journed until to-morrow morning (this day).

SPORTING IIV TELLIGENCE.

WARWICK SPRINGRACES-WEDNESDAY.

the Welter Handicap of 10 sovs each, h ft; gentlemen
riders ; profebsiunals 611) extra. Winners extra. One
mile. 7 subs.
Lord Strathmore's The Greek, 5 yrs, lOst 61b (in.6lb ex.)
(Aldcroft) 1
Mr. Gulliver's Miss Eleanor. 6 yrs, lOst 81b (Mr. Dixon) 2
Mr. Angell's Tyrant, 4 yrs, list Illb (inc. 61b extra)
(Mr. Edwards) 3
Betting opened at 6 to 5 on the Greek, and closed at 6 to
4 agst Tyrant, 7 to 4 agst The Greek, and 3 to 1 agst Miss
Eleanor.

The Greek jumped away with a strong lead, which he
maintained to the end, and won cleverly by half a length,
Miss Eleanor defeating Tyrant by half a length for second.
The Two-year-old Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 60 added;
for two-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b. Winners

extra. About three furlongs. 26 subs.
Lord Stamford's Esthrelda, Bst 41b (Midgelay) 1
Capt. White's Jung Frau, Bst 41b (E Sharp) F,
Mr. Honeywood's Ethel, B,t 41b (E. Payne)
The following also ran :—Sugar Stick, Chateau la Fitte,
Over the Sea, Miss Swift, Egyptian, Perambulator, Ante'
lope, Lass o'Gowrie, and D'Orsay.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Jung Frau, 4to 1 each agst Esth.
relda and Egyptian, 8 to 1 agst Sugar Stick, and 10 to 1
agst any other.

After upwards of half an hour being " cut to waste" 111
futile attempts to get the horses from the post, the rain
falling in torrents, the flag was at last lowered to an equit'
able start. Lord Stamford's filly being first on her legs,
jumped away with a clear lead of two lengths, the favourite
lying second in the middle of the course, with Ethel on her
whip hand, the others headed by Lass o'Gowrie some
lengths in their rear. At the Stand enclosure Sharp called
upon Jung Frau, who made a gallant effort to reach the
winner, but failed, and was beaten cleverly by a length.
Two lengths between second and third; Lass o'Gowrie
fourth; Chateau la Fitte fifth; the others beaten off.

The Great Warwickshire Handicap of 20 soya each, 10 ft,
and sif declared, with 50 added ; winners extra. The
second to save his stake. Two miles. 40 subs, 25 Of
whom pay 5 sous each.
Baron Niviel e's Cosmopolite,6 yrs, 7st 111 b (T. Fordham) 1
Mr. Saunders's Emblem, 4 yrs, 7su 91b (Charlton)
Mr. Bayley's Aneurin, 5 yrs, 7st 31b (Lambourne) 3
The following also ran :—Calpe, Irene, The Alderman,
Rupee, and Mouravieff.'

Betting-5 to 2 agst Alderman, 4to 1 agst Mouravieff,
5 to 1 agst Emblem, 6 to 1 agst Cosmopolite and Calpe, and
8 to 1 each agst Rupee, Aneurin, and Irene.
Aneurin in company made the running, followed by
Mouravieff, Alderman, Calpe, and Cosmopolite, the others
lying close up. In this order they ran to the entrance of the
meadows, when Emblem carried her colours to the front,
and with Cosmopolite on her whip hand came on together,
the favourite being third, Aneurin next, the others strug-
gling on through the mire a long way in the rear. At the
turn into the straight Alderman hung out signals of dis-
tress, and shortly afterwards retired from the fray, leaving
the race with Emblem and the Frenchman, the latter will;
ning with the greatest race by a length and a half; a bo'
third ; Calpe was fourth, Irene fifth, Alderman sixth, RuPO
seventh, and Mouravieff last.

A Handicap Plate of 40 sovs for all ages ; the winner to be
sold for 50 sovs. 3 furlongs. 9 subs.
Mr. Saxon's Count Horne, 3 yrs, nst 91b (Midgeley) 1
Mr. Mytton's Yellow Girl, 4yrs, 0
7st 101 b (Ducker) 2„
Mr. Gulliver's Sloth, 3 yrs, 7st (Sadler)
Betting-3 to lon Count Horne.

The favourite made all the running, and won cleverly by
half a length, Yellow Girl obtaining the second honourabl
a length. The winner was not sold.

The Walton Handicap of 5 sovs each, with 25 added; for
all ages. Three quarters of a mile. 9 subs.
Mr. Payne's Gwellyan, 4 yrs, Bst lib (L. Snowden)
Capt. Christie's Queen Bee, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (H. Grimshaw)
Mr. Barber's Prince of Orange, aged, 9st 101 b (Kendall) 3
Mondesse, The Principal, and Caliban also ran.
Betting—f, to lon Gwellyan, 4to 1 each agst Queen Bee
and Mondesso.

Mondesso obtained a clear lead, which he held into the
straight, when he was headed by the favourite, Queea Beet
and Prince of Orange. Gwellyan won easily by half a
length; a bad third, lfondesso fourth; Caliban was left at
the pest.

The Debdale Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 25 added; 12st
each. Winners extra. To be ridden by gentlemen. TWO
miles. 7 sills,
Mr. Ilorw^ood's Balzarine, 6 yrs, 12st (Mr. Wood) 1
Sir C. Mordaunt's Ceres, list 21b (Mr. R. King)
2
Mr. Davison's Windhotuld gelding, 4 yrs, 11st 91b
(Mr. Rowlands)
Physician and Miss Eleanor also ran.
Betting-2 to lon Windhound gelding.
The winner made all the running, and won in a canter 139
twelve lengths. The others trotted in.
THE GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE.—J. Quinton
reached Warwick this morning from Chantilly (France), t°
ride Cosmopolite for the race.

COUIV2'RII MARKETS.

NEWARK-MARCH 20.

The trade in wheat was active, and late rates advanced is
per qr. A moderate supply at market. The attendance
was tolerable. Not much doing in barley, but unchanged
in value. Oats realised previous rates, with a fair demand.
Beans a small show, but a ready sale at is more money.
Peas a dull trade.

White wheat, new, 60s to 78s Barley, grinding.. 30s to 35°
Red do. s4s to 72s Oats, old, 34s to 370
Old white 60s to 78s New do 26s to 32ff
Red do. 54s to 72s Beans. 524 to SEO
Barley, malting....3Bs to 43s Beans, new 38s to 45°
Peas, ....44s to 555.

SHEFFIELD—MARcH 19.
A small supply of English wheat to-day, which sold A
the extreme prices of last week. Oats in demand, chiefli
for seed, at fully former prices. Flour and other article.
unchanged.
Red wheat, per load of 3 imperial bushels...24s Od to 2880 d
White I/ It ...25s Od to 288 04

20s Od to ii; Od