The Sun.
London, England, 1819-12-24 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, DEC. 23.

THE KING, ON THE PROSECUTION OP JOHN ADOL

ESQUIRE, V LORD RANELAGH.
Mr. D F. Jotslcs stated, that this was an indict-
ment, at the instance of John Adolphus, Esq. the
barrister, against 'Thomas, Lord Itanclagh, for
using defamatory and provc,king language towards
the prosecutor, 'cycling to incite him to fight a
duel with the defendant.

Mr ScAut.P.TT snip!, that the motives of the

prosecutoi in ineterring his indictment did not
arise from any uersoi, al feeling of resentment to-
muds the Noble defend,,nt, but front a sense
his duty to the profession to which he be-
lon4,Yed and to the public required it. He said,
that the observations which Counsel wete obliged
to make on a case, though they might he some-
times unpleasant to the parties concerned in the
canoe, ought not to be considered as personal af-
fronts ; that they could only have any effect so
far as they were borne out by the facts of the
case. It was a painful duty for them to perform.
Mr. Adoiphns could hate had no feeling of
animosity to the Noble Lord, as be was not per-
sonally known to him. He then stated the cir-
cumstanc,s Of the case.

Mr. Adolphus was then called as a witness.—
On his examination by Mr D. F. JoNRs, he swore
that on the Ist of December, 1818, he was
Counsel for the defendants in a cause in which
Lord Ranelagh was prosecutor : that no the fol-
lowing day he was sitting alone in his chambers,
when he heard a knock at his door; he opened it,
and Lord Ranelagh entered. He knew his per-
son, from having seen him in Court the preceding
day. Mr Adolphus asked him to mit clown, He did,
Lord Itanelagh then said, " Sir, you were at me
for about tern hours yesterday. 7 Me. Adolphus re-
rilWrelilisea,;‘ No mat terwhet her long or not ; I am
come here to tell you, that on that occasion you '
showed yourself to be a liar, a coward, and a
scoundrel ; your clients's case was all founded on
perjury and trick ; and what my servant swore to
was ttuth, and you know it." Mr. Adolphus then
said, " I cannot go into circumstances of yester-
day now, but perhaps it may be known to you.
that your own solicitor had sent me a brief on
your behalf, which I was obliged to return."—
Lord Ranelagh replied, be knew that, but did
not want to ilk of that matter there.—
Mr. Adolphus said, " Your Lordship must
recollect you ate now in my chambers, and
have no right to control a conversation you
choosed to begin: it was lint on account of the re-
tainer, but the habitual respect I entertain to
the higher ranks of society, that I avoided;
in my opening, giving any offence to your Lord-
ship ; and I therefore treated the subject with as
much lenity as possible." Lord Ranelagh replied,
"Just the contrary was the fact, for there was
not a person near me who did nor exclaim against
you as a blackguard and a ruffian." Mr. Adol•
plots to this said, " 1 cannot suppose you can
have come here to hold this discourse with me,
with any other view than to induce me to challenge
you to fight a duel." His Lordship answered,
" Certainly not." To this Mr. A: replied, " Whe-
ther I shall be fool enough to risk toy life on such
an occasiou, or whether I shall move the Court for
a criminal information, shall depend on the advice
of my friends. At present, I think the latter the
much more likely course ; but I hope, as we are
entirely alone, that your Lordship will not deny
the words you have used now." Lord RThelagics
answer to this was, " Certainly not, and tha, you
may not forgot them, I repeat that you area liar,
a coward, and a seminal-el." Mr. Adolphus said,
" This conduct at lea3t is entirely new ; I
al
ways
thought that when men of bottom. demanded S -
tistaction front each other, it was usual to send a
letter, or a friend." Lord Ranelagh said, he bad
known it otiq.rwise.

Mr. BROUGHAM appeared as Counsel for Lord
fianelagh, and cross-examined Mr. Adolphus at
considerable length, with a view to elicit such
matter as would operate in the Noble Lord's fa-
vour, should the matter go any farther than the
present proceeding. The questions put by the
Learned Counsel related to observationa of an
irritating nature, supposed to have been applied
personally to Lord Hanelagh by Mr. Adolphus,
in the course of his reply 'o the Jury, at the Mid-
dlesex Sessions. Mr. Adolphus admitted that he

had used much of the language now attributed to
him, doubted whether other parts had escaped
hint, and denied altogether that some of the ex-
pressions had fallen from his lips. He avowed,
however, that he had made very strong observa-
tions upon the course of the defence adopted
,at
the trial, and also upon the unfounded imputa-
tions cast upon his client, but that those obser-
vations were not meant personally to Lord Rene-

lagh. The offensive language attributed to him
was entirely of a personal nature between him-
self and the Learned Counsel to whom he had
-been opposed, but that before they left the Court
an explanation haul taken place most satisfactory
to that Gentleman's feelings, and whO had ex-
pressed himself to be quite contented with the
explanation given.
The case having here closed,
Mr. littouGHAM intetposed, and said, that be
bad telt anxious to put Mr. Adolphus the ques-
tions which that Gentleman had answered ; be-
cause if this had been an action for words, the
answers given would go considerably in Mitiga-
tion of damages, if not altogether as an an-
swer to the action ; and in the present form
of proceeding, they would be available in
case, it should be thought advisable to carry
the matter farther. Undoubtedly, the explanation
now given by Mr.. Adolphus, rendered it ap-
parent that Lord Ranelagh• had laboured under
some misunderstanding upon the subject which
gave rise to the transaction in porst;oo, waa
entirely occasioned from a conviction in his own
mind that the Learned Gentleman bad held out to
him the language of defiance, which Mr. Adol-
phus now denied. After matters had, however,
been so explained, he (Mr. B ) thought that his
Noble Client most feel great regret in having act-
ed as he did, upon a misunderstanding, which
turned out 'o be founded upon a false impression of
what had_occurred. Under these circumstances, if
his Learned Friend Mr, Scarlett, insisted upon it,
there must he a verdict for the prosecutor.
The CHIEF JUSTICE then charged the Jury, that
after the very proper enneession made by the
Learned Counsel for the Noble defendant, they
were bound to find a vetclict of guilty. His Lord-
ship hoped, however, that something might be
done which would render it unnecessary that the
proceedings should go any farther.
BnouGuato expressed a hope that whatever
was done, might be done in the face of his Lord-
ship and the Jury.
The Cutev JUSTICE said, it was not for hint to
preserihe what ought to be done.
Mr. SCARLETT said, he had only to observe that
this proceeding had not been -adopted from any
vindictive feeling on the part of his client, who,
having been insulted .in the manner proved, felt.
himself bound, in justice to himself and the pro-
fession, to brig the case before the public. He
had not now an opportnnity of speaking with his
Learned Friend

Mr. linouonAMid, be had not the honour of
personally knowing his client, hitt from the instruc-
tions he had received, be most say that the teel-
ings of his Lordship were far from a vindictive
nature.

'lle Jur., .0.-

UNIVERSII Y INTELLIGENCE.

CAMBRIDGE, D►rc. 23.—TI►ere being two of
Sir William Browne's Medals (the one for the
Latin Ode, and the other for the Greek and L4lin
Epigrams.), which have not been disposefi of in

termer years, it is the inrention of the Vire-
Chancellor to give them to such resident iiioter-
Graduates as shall produce the best composi-
tions of the above description, viz. ooe Me-

dal for the best Latin Ode in imitation of Horace,
and one Medal for the best Greek and Latin Epi-
grams, after the manner of the Audio!ogle-, and
after the model of Martial, respectively.—Subject
for the Latin Ode :

Xcuria.
For the Greek Epi2rarn :
E 5- A yoc
14-1;5. thztapirtoc Kapo?\.ErT'ots- ,
recof-yicni 70V VCVY BFEVaIiViWY "ApXCV'TO;
eL,7Oc-rEpos.
For the Latin Epigram --,
" Optimos nos esse duin infirmi sumus."

The subject of the litilscan Prize Dissertation
for the present year is--The Importance of Natu-
ral Religion.
The Rev. C. J. Franks, M. A. is appointed Af-
ternoon Preacher at St. Mary's for the month of
January next, in the room of the Rev. B. Bridge,
resigned.
The Rev. Robert Bathurst, M. A. was last
week collated to the Rectory of Teperoft, Nor-
folk, in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich, and
was instituted to the Vicarage of Dorking, Nor.
folk, on the nomination of the Bishop of that
Diocese,- and presentation of the Provost and
Fellows of Eton College.
The Rev. William Hennel Black was last week
licensed to the Perpetual Curacy of lVormegay;
Norfolk, on the donation of the Bishop of Nor-
wich.

The Rev. Henry Craven Ord has been ins'i•
toted, by the Bishop of Salishorv, to the Vi-
carage of Stratfield Mortimer, Burks, on the
presentation of the Provost and Fellows of Eton
College.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.—Yesterday morning in-
formation was received at Bow-street, that the
house of a Gentleman on Dowgate-hill had been
broken into, and robbed of plate and linen to an
enormous amount ; also about 10001. in Bank
notes and gold. The plate was embossed with a
Griffin's head, and the notes being principally
small ones, renders their recovery very doubtful.
QUEEN-SQUARE.--Yesterday a Noble Lord
came to this Office, and hid a private interview
with Mr. FIELDING and Mr. MAKKLAND, the Ma-
gistrates. We understand his application was in
consequence of some dispute, which it was fear-
ed would terminate in a duel, and that a warrant
was granted against one of the parties concerned,
but as it was kept private, we cannot vouch for
the truth of that statement.

Last week his Royal Highness the Duke of
YORK, attended by Lieut.-General Sir Harry Cal-
vert, K. C. B. Adjutant-General to the Forces ;
M4jor-General Sir Willoughby G-rdon, K. C. 8.,
Quavers Master-Gneral ; MAjor-General Sir H.
Torrens, I, C. B.; Maj'tr-General 'Sir Herbert
Taylor, K.C.O. ; the Earl Camden, and other
distinguished persons, had an inspection, at York
House, St. J imes's Niece, of the newly-invented
Gun of Mr. E H Cowes, slid' which that
Gentleman was afterwards confmanded to fire
ball, in their presence, in the garden.
His Royal Highness, with his wonted accuracy,
examined every part of the new arm, and ex-
pressed his approbation of it, with his usual con-
descension, in which he was followed by the whole
of the General Officers present.
The invention, which was fully described by
Mr. Collier, seems to supply a desideratum in
file arms.

It is
.romary
musKet, composed of seven barrels, one of the
common length, and in the same position ;
around it, at the breech, are the six others of
about , three inches only. The whole being
charged, and the priming for the whole placed in
the magazine hammer, which preserves it quite
dry, and yields just sufficient, and no more, to
each charge; the simple act of cocking places
each of the short barrels successively in corn.
plete connexion with the lung one, and that
of shutting the pan primes it ; so that seven
'discharges may be effec.ed in thirty seconds,
and if the long barrel be rifi-d, produces the
effect of a rifle-guts, without the labour or
deformity of the ball produced by the ordinary
mode of loading. Mr. Collier exemplified this
speed by his first four or five discharges, put..
ring the bails in a cluster about the mark, when
the Duke was pleased to examine, with great
acuteness, the process, which appeared to corn.
pletely satisfy his Royal Highness's acute judg.
went.

Mr. Collier minutely explained the whole, with
due candour, avowing all the improvements that
bad been made in attempts toward the same end,
• but, at the same time, defying the world to pro-
duct its completion before ; or any thing of the
same construction with his invention or approach.
ing to a similar degree of safety, accuracy, and
celerity; every part being sb guarded, as to pre-
vent the possibility of danger, error, or impedi-
ment ; with great simplicity, and in the most
(furible form.
It appeared that the invention is equally appli-
cable to
_great gab,
must corm a etence ot the mo t t
rktble kind. In the hands of Coruchcelics ait tnuat
alto he a terrific weapon.
'this is the same arm which was exhibited a
few weeks since at Chatham, when the Duke of
Clarence was present, and received the ap-
probation of the Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral

Sir John Gore, Major-General D'Arcey, Colonel

Chris►ie, Curnnwitlant, and tither officers or dis-

tinction, who till »greed in the superiority of its

constincticn for the service of Light Cavalry,
Riflemen, itlnrines on sl►it►.f)oard in tops, or in

boats, and travellers in general.

It certainly

must operate powerfully iu corps d'elite of every
description ; and be, the,efore, well worthy of

the attention ot Government.

Nothing can be more gratifying than the an.
xiety evinced by his Royal Highness time Corn,
mander in Chief, for the ascertainment of any
itn-
Irrovement of real merit, under his pArtienlar de-

p rtment, and though arts of destruction are not
the most pleasing to sensibility, yet, while the
invention of gunpowder is tulerattd, every im-
provement in its use must be appreciated as an

advancement in science anti as employed for
private safety, the present most be both an unob.

jectionable a-nd desirable object.

BRIGHTON, DEc. 22.—A howse in Bedford-
square fell with a tremendous crash, on Saturday
evening, and was reduced to a heap of ruins. It
was a new building, the interior in an unfinished
state. The workmen had left it but a few mi-
nutes before the building fell. The horse ad-
joining was considerably injured by the shock,
and dreadful was the surprise to those
Happily no person was hurt.
130XING DISAPPOINTNIRNT,, &c.—The great
fight bet ween Oliver and Shelton, who are consi-
dered the two hest men of the thy, was to have taken
place at Copt horne yesterday, more than 30 miles
front London ; but it did not. The fight had
been formerly stopped at ByAeld, seven miles
nearer to London than Copt borne, but the Magis-
trates would not permit it. Copthorne having
been named, Shelton lied gone there ; and Oliver
being at liyefield, the loaner was sent for,
but his backers, sticking to their articles, re-
fused that removal which should cause any
fatigue to their man. Thus situated, the ama-
teurs determined upon a fight, and the half-
starved black, Kendrick, who had formerly fought
Oliver at Epsom races last year, was pitted against
Sutton, another black, the best man of the day.
Sutton hit him to death, to use the technicality, in
a few minutes, without givi;ig him half a chance.
and any other comment is unnecessary, excepting
that poor Kendrick was so much pitied that the
ing turned round. The Amateurs returned-full of
disappointment and blue ruin, with floored prods
and sulky driving.

Letters from Manchester, dated Tuesday last,
state, that large orders had been received there,
and had given employment to many bands who
have lately had little or nothing to do.

PA RLI 11ENT,

HOUSE'OFItDS, DEC. 23.

TaE 'ROYAL ASSENT
Was declared, by Commission to the Indict-
ments Traverse Bill, and the Cotton Manufactories
Am ndinent 14111 .
The Lords Commissioners were, the LORD
CJIANd-ei,i,ott,•-the bid of SHAFTESBURY, and Eat
l
BATH wins?.

Their Lordship 4 then adjouroed for some time
during ple4sure, and the Lout} CHANCELLOR pro-
ceed.ed to Carlton (loose, in ()Nei ,to attend the
Cooncil on the Recorder's Rrpott.
lit about an hour otter his Lordship returned,
and the Horne resumed. _

Se!titions Meetings Preventi►►n Bill ‘ll3
-returned from the Commons by Mr.linoGDEN an►l
otbeig, wish the acquiescence of that (louse to
aril. Lordships' Amendments rivet ein.

NEW STAMP DUTIES BILL.
This was brought up tion, the Commons by the
same Members, Irtoi read the fits' time.

.The Earl ,H SHAFTESBURY moved, that the Bill
be printed, and reatl the spemul.time on Monday,
‘‘);ich was ordered Lccordingly:
Adjonrned till to-morrow, when the Royal As-
sent %elll he declared by Commission to the Sedi-
sinus Meetings Prevention and the Itish Election
Amendment Bills.