The Sun.
London, England, 1821-10-20 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER SESSIONS, OCT. 19.

THE UNNATURAL MOTHER.
Mary Mason, the wife of- NVilliam Tomlinson Mason, was
put to the bar on an' indictment, charging her with having de-
posited two of her children, both under the age of two years, at
the doors of the house of Mr. Knight. and another inhabitant in
Marlborongh-street, on the sth of June last, between the hours
'of 10 and 11 o'clock at night—Mr. ALLtir conducted the pro-
secution on behalf of the Overseers of St. James's parish, to
whom the children became chargeable.
Edward Thew, the servant.of Mr. Knight, stated, that on
the night set forth in the indictment, he answered a knock at
the door, and on opening it found a child, sitting on the thre-
shold, about 18 months:old, crying bitterly. Mr. Knight came
and viewed the child, and on examination found that a scrap of
paper was arached to t'e clothes of the little outcast, with an
inscription, of which the following exact copy :
" With reluctance I am obligAlto:leave these two poor help-
less children to the care-of The Almighty, being as I am unable
them,to provide for and they are' forsaken by their Unnatural
father, who refuses to Zo any thing for them. Their father is a
baker, and comes from Newark; near Nottingham; his name is
Tomlinson."
This note caused a further search. At the next door was
found an infant about four months old, and Mr. Knight had
thein conveyed to a place of security till morning, when they
were taken.to .the Workhouse, and froth. thence removed to
Wimbledon to be nursed. The officers made every inquiry,
and at length offered.a regard: of 201., soon after which the un-
natural mother and her husband were apprehended.
Several witnesses were examined, among whom was Eliza-
beth Balls, a neighbOur of the prisoners. It appeared from-'ner
statement that the ptisorier had told her of dropping the chit-
dien, and said that her (the prisoner's) mother was with her at
tb time.

There being a link wanting in the chain of evidence, namely,
that the prisoner was ;he person who so deposited them, and
that she didpo with a view of forsaking them, the Chairman'
lamented that it was so : there could be no 'doubt but the priso-
ner had been very inhuman, but without evidence the Jury
could not convict her. The parish had acted with very great
prOpriety in instituting the prosecution, but he was bound to
charge the Jury to acquit the prisoner.
• Mr. ALLEY said that a woman who had burst asunder the
most tender ties of nature was not to go unpunished, and he
wished the Magistrates to detain her, as he Should proceed
against her to-morrow under the Vagrant Act.
The defendant, whe is a young woman of good appearance,
was taken from the bar with the young child in her arms, and
sent back to prison.
RIOT AT KNIGHTSBRIDGE. •.

At the rising of the Court yesterday, Mr. WALF ORD moved,
that the recognizances of John Fry. and William Griffiths he
estreated ; they were indicted for a not at Knightsbridge, on.
the 14th of August last, the day 'of the funeral of Honey and
Francis, and had not since appeared to take their trial at this
Sessions. They were bound so to do by their recognizanCes,
and in default thereof, he applied to have them estreated.
The CHAIRMAN 'remarked that the. Learned Counsel might
give notice of his intention; but he could not carry his notice into
effect at the present moment, as the defendants might still, ac-
cording to.law, come in and demand.their trial.
Mr. WALFORD said he 'would wait until the last day of the
Sessions, and then make his application. •

BIRTHS.
On Wednesday, the 10th instant,. at Fourtain Dale, near
Mansfield, the Lady of General Need, of a- son.
On Tuesday, at Bath, the Lady of Doctor i%luttlehury,
Edgar-bUildings, of a son.