The Sun.
London, England, 1826-08-24 00:00:00

ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.

Last night, after the new Opera of The Interrupted
Sacre, the well-known Farce of Lock and Key, in
which Mundell used to gain such notoriety as Brown/vent,
was performed for the first time at this Theatre. Next to
Bartley's Brommagem, the principal feature of attraction
in the piece was Mr. G. Penson's Ralph, a highly-spirited
and gentlemanly performance. Miss Goward's Fanny
merits equal praise, as did the rest. of the performers; of
whom, however, as they evinced little peculiar or indivi-
dual characteristic, we forbear to speak otherwise than
generally.

FIRE IN WILMINGTON-SQUARE.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Yesterday, an inquest was holden at the Three Kings
public-house, Clerkenwell-dose, on the remains of the
bodies of Mr. William Parker and Susannah Elizabeth
Hassan, who were burned at the fire that took place on
Saturday night, at No. 20, Wilmington-square, the parti-
culars of which are already before the public.
Thomas Carter, a watchman in the square, was the first
witness examined. He stated, that a few minutes before
twelve o'clock, as be was going round his heat, he 'per-
ceived smoke issuing from the area in front of the house,
through the window-shutters, and clearly perceived the
glare of the flames, which seemed very strong ; he im-
mediately sprang his rattle, and knocked loudly at the
street-door ; while doing so he was joined by another
watchman, and after considerable delay, the door was
opened by Mrs. Parker, who had just risen from her bed;
she was followed by Mr. Parker in his shirt. Witness
went down stairs to the kitchen to examine, whilst his
companion went up to the first floor. When the kitchen
door was opened, the flames burst forth with great fury,
and he was compelled to retire precipitately. On regain-
ing the passage, deceased and Mrs. Parker had gone up
stairs, in order to get out the children ; there were two
of their own, and two who were boarders, in the upper
apartments. The servant girl, however, came down with
two of the children, who were put out into the square ; but
Mrs. Parker exclaimed—" Oh! there are more children
yet," and the deceased made another effort to ascend the
stairs, but was kept back by witness and another person,
who generously offered to make the attempt himself; but
after getting up to the first floor, he was compelled to re-
turn. Ladders were then put up to the second floor win-

. .
dow, and one of the children was taken out, and it was
thought they were then all extricated. The deceased
(Mr.•Parker)-had been out in the square before- the. last
child was rescued, but pressed in again, contrary to the
wish of every one present. •
James Osmond, plaiterer, of New-street, Lambeth, as-
sisted in getting the ladder up to the window,• which he,
along with some other persons, ascended. It was with
much difficulty that he found his way through the room,
at the door of which he found a little girl shrieking pi-
teously ; the stairs were then on fire ; snatching her up in
his arms, he carried her through the room, which was then
so full of smoke that he could scarcely find the window ;
however, he did reach it, and delivered the child to one of

the persons who were on the balcony outside, by whom
she was taken clown.

One of the Jury here observed, that though this witness
had acted very heroically in the first instance, yet he
thought him much to blame in remaining so lone on the
ladder with the child exposed to the flames, which were
then pouring out of the windows with great fury. He
(the Juror) witnessed the circumstance himself, or he
should not have commented on it. He would, therefore,
be glad to know what motive the witness could have had
in putting, not only the life of the child, but his own life
also, to such imminent risk ? There was a general cry of
" Come down" from the people in the square.
The witness (Osmond) said, he could have no motive
for delay under such circumstances, and in fact he had
great difficulty in getting on the ladder, there being so
many persons between him and it.

The Juror.—lt appeared to me as if there
was
a o
of rivalry amongst them as to who should have the honour
r
of bringing down the child.
The CORONER.—And a most laudable rivalry it was.
NO one could have behaved more nobly than this young
man, whose conduct you are now condemning—he at all
events, was the means of saving one life, anti he is un-
questionably entitled, not only to praise, but to reward.
I am sorry to say, that the funds of the Humane Society
are now very low, or I should think it my duty to men-
tion, his conduct there, but I think that the parish ought
to give him something as an encouragement to similar ex-
ertion in future.
Osmond declared that he had no thought of reward at
the moment, but if the gentlemen thought proper to give
him any thing, it would be gratefully received; as he had
been out of employment since last Christmas.
Mr. Wm. Parker, master carpenter, Merlin-place, saw
Mr. Parker, endeavouring to get up stairs to rescue the
children, and knowing that he was liable to paralytic affec-
tions, he would not suffer him, hut undertook the task
himself. The flames had not then got beyond the first
floor; but the smoke was very dense all over the house;
witness heard a shriek, and rushed up to the first landing,
but was obliged to return for air ; the deceased then said,
" Oh my God! the children are not yet out ;" witness en-
geavoured again to get up stairs, keeping his mouth shut,
but he was unable to proceed beyond the first floor, and on
coming down into the passage, he dropped against the wall,
and was taken out insensible ; believes that deceased after-
wards w
his up in search of the child, and perished from
inability to return.
tioTnhoefrethmeains of the sufferers were placed for the inspec-
James, cie Jury in the vaults under the
ritenwell. The • ited
most appalling
spectacle; with the cy est.,
a verdict of—" church of St.
the feelings
The Jury returnerdeaders.
of 0: aeseription of which, we shall not shock,
with this addition,
in consequence ofmahisrerds Mr. Parker, " That it was.
child that he perished;
humane attempt to extricate the
Accidentally burned,"

A rumour is prevalent that Lord Wellesley's re-
moyal from Ireland has bean —resolved upon. Lord
Verulam is spoken of as his successor. We hope the
report is well founded.--. Dublin Evening Mail.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.—(Tuts DAY.)
Robert Phillips, the person who was charged with having
embezzled a quantity of stoat belonging to an officer on half-pay,
residing at Jersey, made his appearance here this day.
The case stated for the prosecution, it will be remembered,
was, that the prosecutor had entrusted the prisoner to sell out a
quantity. of stock from the Navy 5 per Cents. at the time of their
redemption, and transfer it to the 3 per Cents. This he did, but
he invested it in his own name, and had sines sold it out.
111 r. Huneuuies, the prisoner's solicitor, stated that the rea-
son which induced his client to re-invest the stock in his own
name, was, that he had some of his own standing in his name, awl
had, as a matter of convenience, added the prosecutor's to it. For this
he had full 'authority. ' The Learned Gentleroin then presented a
letter from the prosecutor, in which the latter expressed, that
although he was inclined to have it standing in his own
name, yet it mattered not if it was in the prisoner's.
The LORD AIATOR said, that this letter gave a discretion to the
prisoner, which took the case out of the authority of Sir'Thomas
Plumer's Act. He was nevertheless of opinion, that the con-
duct of the prisoner was nefarious.
The prisoner was discharged.

BOW-STREET.—(Tats Dar.)
The Rev. Mr. Crosby, a clergyman of the Established Church,
was brought before Sir RICHARD BIRNIE, on the charge of a
watchman of the parish of St. Martin, of having conducted him-
self in a disorderly manner in the streets last night.
The watchman stated, that about eleven o'clock last night he
heard a call of " Watch," on answering it,
OW the plaintiff be-
having in a very riotous manner towards a beggar, he advised him
to go about his business, whereupon the prisoner abused him, and
followed him through the street, making use of very insoleut lan-
gunge, he therefore took him into custody, and confined him in
the watchhouse. _ _

The prisoner being called on for his defences
said that he met
a beggar in the street last night, to whom be gave two pence ; in
a short time after this he saw the same beggar going into a gin-
shop, and on coming out he met the prisoner again,
who asked
him for alms ; whereupon he reproved him for imposing on the
public, and threatened to have him committed as a vagrant. In
the meantime the watchman came up, and made use of insolent
language towards him, for which he thought he should be
punished, and accordingly he went to the watch-house, to
learn what steps he ought to take towards the watchman.
The constable of the night told him he might enter a charge
against him ; but on learning that he should appear at a public
to prosecute it, be declined doing so, and on leaving the
watch-house, he was met by the complainant, who preferred the
present charge against him. This statement having been corro-
borated by other witnesses, Sir Richard Birnie severely censured
the conduct of the watchman, told him he would have him sus-
pended, and dismissed the charge.
Mr. Kelly, the landlord of a public-house in Southampton-
place, appeared on the information of three watchmen, for having
kept his house open at a late hour, and allowing cards to be
played therein. It appeared from the statement of the informants,
that they were summoned by the rattle of the watchman who
heats in the vicinity of this public-house, at half-past one o'clock
this morning, in order to clear the house ; on entering the tap-
room, they found it full of journeymen shoemakers, with cards
on the table, two of whom the defendant ordered to be taken to
the watch .house, but did not charge them.

The defendant said that it was a cock mid hen club of Irishmen
and their wives, who held their annual meeting there; that he
had shut up at eleven o'clock, and gave them no liquor afterwards,
end that he was not aware of them being playing at cards. It
was he himself that sent for the watch to turn them out.
Sir R. BIRNII said, that he ought not to have kept them in
after eleven; but as it was the first offence he would fine him in
the mitigated penalty of 201. with costs.

MARYLEBONE.—(Turs Day.)
Henry Bell, a dissipated looking little publican, who keeps the
Queen's Head, Regent's Park, was accused by Abraham Railway,
a brother publican, of detaining two beer-pots belonging to him.
The complainant stated that the prisoner had got the two beer-
pots yesterday morning with beer in them, and that ha sent his
child in the course of the day in order to bet them back, but the
prisoner refused to give them, and used threatening language to
the child. The complainant himself afterwards went for them,
but he refused to give them to him, and threatened to kick him
out of his house.

A witness swore that he saw Mr. Radway'i pots in prisoner's
possession, and some of his own, which prisoner refused to de-

liver up.
The prisoner at 'first denied the whole c..N.Atge trit: cpcon being
further questioned, he said that the complainant had called for the
pots in question, but as be was then very busily engaged, he
requested of him to call back foe. anon ata ruore,convenient time.
Mr. Gatrecra, the sitting Magistrate, rectum!, the pihronees
conduct in very severe terms.- :ordered O. caustablo to go Along
with him, and.ees all the pota.b3 hie poistission belonging to other
people delivered up, and found bun liable to the expence of the
complaint. . ,

QUEEN-SQUARE.—(Trus DAy.)
Pickencgrra.—Two boys, named Anderson and Newton,
were brought up in custody for picking pockets.
Thomas Roberts stated, that about three o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon he was on Westminster Bridge, and noticed the prisoners
in company with two other boys. Newton went up to a gentle-
man, and took his handkerchief from his right hand coat pocket.
Witness being in company with a constable, mentioned the cir-
cumstance to him, and they were both secured ; the other boys

retreated.
Mr. Henry Stonebridge, of No. 6, Crown-itreet, Westminster,
said be was on the bridge, looking through' the balustrades at the
rowing match ; he did' not notice his pocket being picked until
the constable told him ; the handkerchief nOW produced was his
property.
Henry Boston, also saw Newton take the handkerchief from the
gentleman's pocket ; and on the prisoner's being conveyed to the
watehhouse, Newton contrived to slip another one to the bottom
of his small-clothes.
They were fully committed. Both the prisoners declared they
did not know the other lade.
HAWKING TEA WITHOUT A LICENEE.,--JOAN DENISOMS, sn
itinerant hawker, was brought tip by an Excise officer for hawking
tea without a license.
The officer stated, about half-past four o'clock yesterday after-
noon, be saw the defendant in Robert-street, Chelsea, he followed
him for some time, and on his stopping as, house in Wellington-
street, he went up to him and asked what he bad got there, he
answered tea. He requested to see the permit, and the defendant
not having one, he 'enured the property and took him into cus-
tody. The quantity amounted to slbs ands quarter, all done up
in small parcels.
The defence set up was, that the earcels were all ordered, and
he was delivering them to his regular customers, whom he had
served for some years.
Mr. Wnirx—You shall have all the advantage that the case
will admit. You say they Wire ordered and marked for your
customers ; now give me the nowt of the different persons.
The defendant then ennmerated a variety of names, nearly
equal to the number of parcels in thebag.
Mr. Witrra to the Excise-offfeer.—You will make enquiry of
the different indivimluala, whether they had given such orders, and
until then I shall postpone my decision.

MA.RLTIOROUGH.STREET.—(Trus Dar.)
A gentleman of colour with mustachios, and an expression of
countenance peculiarly indicative of good humour, was charged
by an Oxford-street lay-bird with wing engaged her society
for a walk without the usual manly and gallant douceur, due to
every lady for professional attendance.
She stated that she attended the gentleman to a house which
she named, and on parting, instead of giving her an affectionate
adieu, he saluted her with an immense whack on the lower
region of her fair physiognomy. She then called the watch-
man, and gave him in charge, and she now claimed, at the
bands of the Magistrate (Mr. Box) remuneration for the pleasure
her conversation had afforded him, and the pain which be so un-
gratefully afforded her in return.
The gentleman said, that last night he was walking in a street.
leading to Oxford-street, when the complainant overtook him,
"dprefer"redPQrwtualulteidnghicndftto which, however, he
and struck him,
.to
tike4'stsfondiktmreta(tii,"abuled,
when he gently pushed hot away. She immediately gave
charge of him, and at the watch-house related the above story,
which he declared was an infamous attempt to extort money, as
he had not accompanied her to any house, and casting rather a
contemptuous look at hie fair accuser, declared he had better taste.
Minor ordered an office 4 to fetch the keeper of the house she
mentioned.

In a short time ahe came, and &Miami that the gentleman had
not been at her house •last night, and the complainant then said it
was a stouter woman whom she bad seen. The gentleman repeated
his conviction of its being an attempt at extortion.
some cut-ions dialogues ensued, in which the prisoner took
his part with an irresistible fund of good hummir.
Mr. Roe at length told him that she had sworn to the assault,
for which ha must find bail, if he could not settle it with her.—
Thishe agreed to, and giving tier three shillings, left the dice.