The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-28 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

At the Sheriff's Court, Greenwich, an action was brought
by a tradesman of that town against Mr. Bone, a person of
independent property, for defamation of character. The im-
putations cast on the plaintiff were of a horrible character,
and the jury, after consulting for a few minutes, returned a
verdict against the defendant with 2001. damages.
At Lambeth-street Police court, Mr. Norton was engaged
for some hours in hearing the final examination of Thomas
Buckmaster, Master Norman Buckmaster, Procter John Mel-
com, John Purdy, and John Payne, members of an impudent
gang of expert thieves, who have managed to plunder several
poor persons of property amounting to over 500/. The pri-
soners were all committed for trial on different charges.
Richard Lalt, a well-known young thief, was committed to
the House of Correction, with hard labour, for six weeks, for
picking pockets at the Tunnel fancy fair, on Monday night.
The two men named Ware and Smith, and Williams, the
youth, charged at Union Hall on suspicion with robbing Mrs.
Cutto, of a purse containing 720/., in an omnibus ; and also
with stealing a purse containing twelve sovereigns, from
Mrs. Kingsmith, of Guildford-street, were brought up for
final examination on these charges. Mr. Cottingham said,
that he should commit Ware and 'Williams for trial on both
the charges, and that with respect to the other prisoner, the
evidence not being so strong against him, he should accept
of bail for his appearance.
At Clerkenwell John Williams, who was remanded on a
charge of having obtained fourteen shillings under false pre-
tences from a poor old woman, residing in Peter-street,
Clerkenwell, was again examined before Mr. Combe. The
prisoner called on the prosecutor and represented that he had
come from the West Indies, where he had seen her son, and
from whom he had brought a parcel for her, but it was de-
tained at Liverpool for a Custom-house fine of 14s. ; that he
was going back to Liverpool, and that he would forward the
parcel to her if she advanced him the money to redeem it.
She gave the prisoner the money, and some time afterwards it
was discovered that the prisoner had duped her. He was
fully committed for trial.

COURT-PASHIONBBLE.
The Queen Dowager left Witley Court on Tuesday, and
arrived at Marborough House at half-past six o'clock.
The Duke of Rutland receives a distinguished circle at
Belvoir Castle until Saturday next, for the Croxton Park
Races, which commence to-day under the stewardship of
the Marquis of Granby, Earl of Wilton, and Lord Fo-
rester. The party assembles at Belvoir to day. The
Marquis of Exeter, Earl and Countess Jersey, Duke and
Duchess of Beaufort, Earl and Countess of Chesterfield, Lord
Forester, Hon. Cecil Forester, Earl and Countess of Wilton,
Viscount Maidstone, &c., are among the guests invited.
Viscount and Viscountess Canterbury and family are pass-
ing the spring at Rockbeare House, near Exeter. The Noble
Viscount and Viscountess are not expected in town till the
close of the ensuing month.
Lord and Lady Colchester had a dinner party on Monday
in South-street.

Mr. Arbuthnot, who has been passing the winter at Apsley
House in consequence of delicate health, is considerably
better. The Right Hon. Gentleman is expected to join the,
Duke of Wellington's party at Strathfieldsaye during the ap-
proaching holidays.
The Dowager Duchess of Bedford and Lady Rachael
Russell are expected to arrive in Paris on Monday next from
Nice.

The Marquis of Westminster is considerably improved in
health during the last week. Lord Robert Grosvenor has
returned to town from Eaton Hall, where he was called by
the illness of his noble father.

The Earl of Devon, on leaving town, did not proceed to
Ireland, as was stated, but to Powderham Castle, Devon.
The Noble and Learned Earl proceeds to Ireland in the
course of this week. Lord and Lady Courtenay remain at
Powderhani Castle until after the Easter recess.

The Earl of Verulam has left Grosvenor-square. for Berk-
hampstead Castle. On Saturday next the family, with the
Earl and Countess Craven, Viscount and Viscountess Folke-
stone, proceed to Belvoir Castle, on a visit to the Duke of
Rutland.