The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-11 00:00:00

CORONERS' INQUESTS.

An inspection being set on foot by the police,
it Was fund that the deceased was the illegitimate
child of Mary Ann Lucas, twenty-three years of
age, servant to Mrs. Wix in that street, who said
she had no idea of her servant's
.pregnancy until the
discovery of the body. The medical gentleman who
was called in said she had no professional attendance
at the birth, but he could not say whether it was born
alive or not. The mother was immediately taken
into custody.
The jury in both cases returned open verdicts of
" Found dead."

ROBBERIES OF PLATE AT THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S,
&c.—Yesterday Benjamin Ewen, a respectably-dressed
man, about fifty years of age, described on the police-
sheet as a servant, living at No. 6, Yeoman's row,
Brompton, was brought up before Mr. T. Paynter, at
the Hammersmith Police-court, for final examination and
committed for trial, on a charge of having stolen a
massive silver teapot, the property of the Duke of Rich-
mond. Mr. Paynter said he could not accept bail in this
case. The prisoner was then charged with having stolen
a dozen of silver table forks from the residence of R. H.
Cox, Esq., of No. 8, Grosvenor-place and Hillingdon
House, near Uxbridge. Tne prisoner was eventually
fully committed for trial on this charge also.

DEATH FRON STARVATION.—on Monday after-
noon a lengthened investigation was entered into be-
fore Mr. Higgs, coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster,
and a jury of thirteen inhabitant householders, at the
Golden Lion, Lower Edmonton, on view of the re-
mains of a men, name unknown, aged fifty-two, whose
death was occasioned by the want of food and expo-
sure to the inclemency of the weather.
Richard Pugh, the keeper of a lodging-house in
Church-street, stated that he had known the deceased
for the last three months. He was a native of Essex,
and was an agricultural labourer. He was in the
employ of Mr. Boards, farmer, of Edmonton, but
had been for some months out of work. He had
during that period obtained a scanty pittance by
vending Congreve matches, balls of cotton, &c. About
Wednesday, or Thursday week last the police inter-
fered with him, and threatened to apprehend him as a
vagrant, saying that his offering things for sale was
merely an excuse for begging. Deceased was in con-
sequence very frightened, and did not go out with
his basket again. He stopped at witness's house till
the following Tuesday, when he absented himself,
having till then, from the day the police spoke to him,
lived upon stale crusts, which he got in exchange
for congreves, and the dregs of the tea-pot when others
had done with it. On Saturday night last, about
half-past ten o'clock, witness was returning home,
when he saw the deceased sitting on the ground in
the street, crouched up in a corner. He asked him
why he did not come to his house. He replied, be-
cause he had no money ; adding that he was very cold
and thirsty, and had a pain in his side. Witne,3s as-
sisted him home, when he made him some gruel, put-
ting into it half a pint of ale, which deceased swal-
lowed ravenously. Deceased was then put into a bed,
and witness saw him no more alive.

By the CORONER—Deceased, on getting into bed,
said that since the Tuesday he had slept in hovels
and open sheds, and had had scarcely a particle of
food. Witness did not believe that deceased had ever
made application at the workhouse, of which he
always seemed to have a dread. Witness's opinion
was that he died from want of food and exposure to
the cold.

Mr. Henry Samuel Lane, surgeon, Church-street,
said that on Sunday morning last, about half-past
eight o'clock, he was called to see a man at Mr.
Pugh's who was considered to be in a dying state.
Witness went about an hour afterwards, and then
found the deceased dead. He was in bed, and laid
out, and on inquiry he was informed that he had been
dead above a quarter of an hour. There were no
marks of violence. The body appeared much
emaciated, and he considered that the deceased's death
was accelerated by exposure to the cold.
There being no farther evidence, after a few re-
marks from the Coroner on the distressing circum-
stances of the case, the jury returned a verdict, "That
the deceased died from want of the common necessa-
ries of life and exposure to the cold."
DEATH IN HORSEMONGER-LANE GAOL.—Yester-
day an inquest was held before Mr. Carter, the coroner
for Snrrey, at the Governor's room, in Horsemonger-
lane prison, on the body of Joseph Simmons, a most
eccentric character, who represented himself to be
Napoleon Bonaparte.
The deceased had for many years swept a crossing
at the end of Penton-place, in the Kennington-road,
leading to the Zoological Gardens. He was half
witted, and always very singular in his conduct,
but the gentry of the neighbourhood were very
kind to him. He was in the habit of proclaiming
himself Napoleon, and hundreds of boys would
congregate around the assumed emperor, and jeer
him in such a manner, that he was continually in the
custody of the police t or assaults on one or other of
these urchins. On the 21st of November he was
committed for one of these assaults from Union-
hall, in default of finding bail for three months. On
Sunday week he was taken ill in the chapel, and
removed to the infirmary, where Mr. Meymott, the
surgeon of the prison, immediately attended, and found
he was labouring under .paralysis of the right side.
He was at the time almost speechless. He had re-
peatedly been in the same prison for similar offences.
Mr. Meymott stated that the deceased had every at-
tention paid to him, and whatever food he ordered,
but he had no hope of him from the first time he was
called on to see him in the infirmary.—Verdict,
natural death.
MORE SUPPOSED INEarricrpis.—Yesterday Mr.
Baker held two inquests at the Three Cranes,
Church-street, Hackney, on the bodies of newly-
born children, who were found under the follow-
ing suspicious circumstances :—ln the first case
Edward Potter deposed that on Monday morning,
about ten o'clock, he found a deal box, nailed
down, having the name of " Ross" marked on it,
behind a brick stack in Hackney churchyard,
which, on being opened, was found to contain the
body of an infant. A medical gentleman was
sent for, who, upon examination, found the body-
in such a dreadful state of decomposition that
it was impossible to state whether it died
from violence or not. The other case was
that of a female child found in the soil of a water-
Closet
at the back of a house, No. 30, Ada-street,
Hackney, Yesterday morning, about nine o'clock.

paid for P Y Candle of first quality. For delivery in the
first three months of next year several contracts have
been entered into at 41s to 41s 641 per cwt.
Of Town Tallow the market has again been
nearly cleared at the low rate of 41s per
cwt nett cash. With other sorts of Tallow the market
has been liberally supplied, and a decline in prices has
occurred. On Friday 560 pkgs of South American, 124
casks of New South Wales, and 100 casks of Bast India
will be offered at auction. Of New South Wales further
arrivals are near at hand.

A,--

SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 11 1844.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
PRIVY COUNCIL, Dec. 10.
THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OP GUERNSEY.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. BURGE, on behalf of the petitioners, spoke at
great length, and having concluded his address,
Mr. S. WORTLEY followed on the same side, but not
having finished shortly atter four o'clock, when their
Lordships rose, the further consideration of the case was
postponed till Thursday morning at ten o'clock.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 10.
(Nisi Prius Sittings before the Lord Chief Baron and
Special Juries.)
ewer v. O'BRIEN.
This was an action for an assault. The parties are
well known to the sporting world, and, judging from the
crowded state of the Court, the case seemed to excite
considerable interest amongst the persons connected

with the turf.
Mr. COCKBURN (with whom were Mr. Hance and Mr.
James) stated the facts of the plaintiff's case very nearly
as they afterwards appeared in evidence. He added,
however, that the plaintiff, smarting under the wrong
done him by the defendant, who was greatly his su-
perior in physical force,.on the day on which the assault
occurred sent a friend to the defendant to demand that
satisfactioa which, however improper, it was.,not unusual
under such circumstances for one gentleman to receive
from another. Mr. O'Brien declined meeting Mr.
. .

Scott, whether upon any assumed ground of superiority,
or because he was opposed to that relic of barbarism,
duelling, he (the Learned Counsel) did not pretend to
say. Under those circumstances, Mr. Scott brought his
action, and he had no doubt that a jury of gentle men
would afford him ample redress for his outraged feelings.
Mr. Langley was the first witness called.—He de-
posed that he was outside Westminster Hall on the
let of July last, when the famous " Running Rein case"
was tried, in which Mr. Wood was the plaintiff, and
Colonel Peel the defendant. His attention was
attracted by the noise occasioned by a scuffle,
and he observed Mr. O'Brien following and striking
at Scott, whom he was driving backwards.
When witness first saw them both parties were on
their legs, but on a sudden he missed Scott, and pre-
sently after, pressing his way forward, beheld Scott, with
one knee in the gutter and the other on the kerbstone.
Scott was holding up his hand as if to defend himself,
and whilst in this position, O'Brien hit him deliberately
in the face and other parts of the body. Scott was
smocked cloven. Some friends afterwards assisted him to
rise, and he was put into a cab and drove off. O'Brien
had a blue ring on his finger encircled with gold. Scott's
face was much cut about the nose, his eyes were swollen,
and he appeared a good deal hurt. O'Brien is a much
taller, stronger, and younger man than Scott.
Cross-examined—Witness did not see the beginning
of the affray. Did not know that Scott bet on commis-
sion for Running Rein. Knew that on the day of the
trial there was betting going on outside Westminster
Hall as to the result.

Captain Hugh Brabazon Higgins stated that he was
outside Westminster Hall on the Ist of July. There
were a great number of persons assembled connected
with the turf. Witness was walking with Captain Garth
when Mr. Scott joined them. It was about two o'clock
in the afternoon when witness observed O'Brien ap-
proaching. He seemed so much excited that witness re-
marked to Captain Garth that he looked very warlike.
As O'Brien passed witness, Captain Garth and Scott, he
said, addressing Captain Garth, " How can you walk
with that wretch ?" Witness had no doubt the observe-

tion was meant for Scott. Scott immediately re-
plied by saying, " What do you mean, you thief?"
O'Brien then attempted to take a stick out of Captain
Garth's hand, but did not succeed. He then rushed at
Scott, struck him several blows, and knocked him down.
Scott got up with an intention of defending himself, but
was immediately knocked down again. In fact he had
no chance whatever. Witness observed O'Brien take
plaintiff by the hair of the head, and inflict on him se-
veral blows whilst plaintiff was stretched at full length
o❑ the flagway. There was no further provocation tier
the assault than what witness had stated. Witness saw
plaintiff in a day or two after, and his face still bore
marks of the assault. Witness had heard there was a
dispute between plaintiff and defendant, which was re-
ferred to Captain lions, who had decided in Scott's fa-
vour. Witness had also heard that defendant had given
the plaintiff the guarantee of a most respectable gentle-
man for payment of his debt. Was not walking arm-in-
arm with the plaintiff when the assault took place.
Knew plaintiff, but not intimately. Had dined with
him once. Also knew defendant by meeting him at
Tattersall's and elsewhere. Scott was at Tattersall's the
evening of the day on which the assault was committed.
Mr. Travers, the eminent surgeon, was called to prove
that he saw the plaintiff shortly after the accident, when
his face exhibited some severe contusions.

By the LORD CHIEF BARON—Witness did not know
that the plaintiff was going to Tattersall's the same
evening, or Alse he should have advised him, as matter
of precaution, not to have done so.—(A laugh.)
Mr. Peel remembered being at Limmer's Hotel, in
Conduit-street, on the 4th of June last. It was the set-

ding day for the Oaks. O'Brien came in and inquired
for Scott. He appeared much excited, and used threaten-
ing language as regarded Scott. Shortly after, witness
met Scott coming into Limmer's Hotel, and advised him
not to come in, as O'Brien was so much excited. Scott
came in, however, and spoke to O'Brien, upon which a
violent altercation ensued, the particulars of which wit-
ness does not recollect.
Cross-examined—Witness knows O'Brien. Advised
Scott not to come in. to prevent a row, but he insisted
on doing so. Heard Scott say yesterday that he would
fight O'Brien for 1,0001. This was at Limmer's hotel.
Scott was joking about this trial.
Mr. Gregory. M.P. for Dublin, was at Limmer's Hotel
on the 4th of June, and gave the same account of the
occurrence there as had been given by the last witness
(Mr. Peel). This witness understood that O'Brien
charged Scott with saying something prejudicial to his
character.
Mr. JERvis (with whom was Mr. Petersdorff) then
addressed the jury for the defendant. It was now quite
clear that Mr. O'Brien believed that Mr. Scott had been
propagating reports on the turf prejudicial to his honour,
and that he bad been anxious to obtain an explanation
from him. Stung with these imputations, which were
as slanderous as they were unfounded, and which went
to charge Mr. O'Brien with being a levanter, and de-
sirous of escaping from his honourable engagements.
Mr. O'Brien, uron seeing Mr. Scott walking with
Captain Garth and Captain Higgins, did use the expres-
sion " wretch," as deposed to. Now " wretch" was an
unmeaning word, it might mean anything; but the word
" thief," which Mr. Scott used in reply, was far more
offensive, especially when applied by him to Mr. O'Brien.
The defendant could not receive a greater provocation,
and he inflicted such chastisement on Mr. Scott, as any
one, under such circumstances, might expect from a man
whose temper was not under perfect control. As to the
challenge to fight a duel, the action was commenced the
very next day, and Mr. O'Brien could not be expected to
treat a man as a gentleman who asked for gentleman-
like satisfaction with a writ in his pocket. The Learned
Counsel submitted that the smallest damages would
satisfy the justice of the case.
The LORD CHIEF BARON thought that a gentleman
who applied the word " wretch" to another must not be
surprised if the word " thief" was retorted. There
was no evidence that the plaintiff had previously done
the defendant any injustice. It only appeared that they
were
Tery proper3lo ont
egaosod et
toter ebrrmi
ns g
b Onef o
rteh
ae
iwu he,
yo ehe
w,
ho would thought
award
the plaintiff such damages as he seemed entitled to, not
merely in regard to his physical sufferings, which were
not very serious, but as a compensation for the injury
inflicted on his feelings.
The jury, after a short consultation, returned with a
verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, 1001.
RUFFLING V. NURSE, OVEUDEN, AND MURPHY.

This was an action for entering the plaintiff's dwel-
ling-house without a search-warrant, ransacking his
drawers, &c., and taking away a pair of spectacles, &c.
Mr. Watson and Mr. Humfrey, were for the plain-
tiff ; and Messrs. Jervis, Chambers, and Rawlinson for
the defendants.
It appeared that the plaintiff, who was a person ad-
vanced in life, and who had formerly been in the army,
was lately employed in the Polytechnic Institution in
Regent-street; but, in consequence of some breach of the
regulations of the establishment, had notice to quit.
Some platina having been Missed from the rooms, sus-
picion fell, though without any just cause, as it ap-
peared, on the plaintiff, and on the morning of the 19th
of March last the defendant Ovenden; who was a police•
man, accompanied by Murphy, who was also a porter at
the establishment in Regent street, entered the plaintiff's
lodging in Marylebone-street, whilst the plaintiff and his
wife, who was in extremely delicate health, were In bed,
ransacked their drawers, looked over their letters, be-
haved with some rudeness, and took away a pair of
German silver spectacles belonging to Mrs. Surfing,
because they were contained in a case which appeared
to have been brought from the Polytechnic Institutititi.
On the same day, between two and three o'clock in
the afternoon, Ovenden, the policeman, returned with Mr.
Nurse, who is, it appeared, one of the directors of the
Polytechnic Institution, and a magistrate of the county.
Nurse expressed a strong suspicion of plaintiff's honesty,
and charged the plaintiff with having letters of his in his
possession, which the defendant denied. The letters
were then searched, but none addressed to Mr. Nurse
could be discovered, but it turned out the spectacles had
been fairly purchased by Mrs. Surfing from a vendor at
the Institution, who stamped his address on the articles
sold there. drs. Surfling's health was so much injured
by the proceedings adopted by the defendants, that her
husband had to call in a medical attendant, who con-
tinued in attendance for some weeks, and whose charges
amounted to 141, Bs.
The defence was, that the defendants bad acted bona
fide upon reasonable grounds of suspicion, and without
any unnecessary harshness.
The LORD CHIEF BARON thought that there was no
case made out against Murphy, and directed his acquit-
tal. He was clearly of opinion, however, that Mr. Nurse
and the policeman had acted illegally in searching the
plaintiff's lodgings without a warrant. If Mr. Nurse
was a magistrate, as stated, he ought to have known
better. The plaintiff was clearly entitled to some com-
pensation for the inconvenience and annoyance he and
his wife suffered at the hands of the defendants.
The jury found for the plaintiff, with M, clamages
against Nurse and °vend.—
anu acquitted Murphy.

..aztalentnNT.—An astonishing cure of an in-
ward cancer in the lower part of the stomach.—Mrs.
Quinn, residing at No. 4, Back-lane, St. George's-in-
the-East, had been in three hospitals /for about eighteen
months, and was discharged from them as incurable.
She.was in this state when the ointment was rubbed in
all over the regions of the diseased parts, as salt is forced
into meat, which effected a cure as speedily as though the
inward part had been palpable to the eye. Any internal
6,zes, tumours, aches, or pains may be cured in the like
manner. Sold at Professor Holloway's establishment,
244, Strand (where advice may be had gratis), and by
almost all respectable vendors of medicine throughout
the oiTilbed mkt

WINTER ASSIZES
NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—York, Dec. 9.
(Before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE.)
His LORDSHIP sat this morning at the Guildhall, for
the purpose of trying Joseph Steadman Maddison, aged
38, who was charged with having, on the 12th of June
last, and on subsequent periods, being at that time a
clerk in the employ of Mr. Swan, in the city of York,
feloniously embezzled 101. and other sums, the property
of Mr. George Swan.
Tis case has excited a great deal of interest, not only
in York but elsewhere, so that the court at an early hour
was crowded in an unusual manner.
„ Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Dearsley prosecuted the prisoner,
and Mr. Bliss defended him.
There were three principal counts in the indictment
and numerous minor counts. To the second principal
count Mr. Bliss took an objection—it stated three dis-
tinct receipts of money within the period of six calen-
dar months, but did not state the embezzlements to have
taken place within that period. The Learned Counsel
contended that this was not sufficient, and referred to a
decision of Mr. Justice Patteson in the "King v. Pur-
chase," reported in Carrington arid Marshman, where
that Learned Judge had so held. After a slight dis-
cussion.
Mr. Wreresais acid he saw the objection, and could not
contend with it.
The facts of the case may be very briefly narrated.
In 1842 crime was found to increase so rapidly in and
around York, and with such impunity did thieves carry
on their depredations, that a party of gentlemen esta-
blished themselves into a society for the protection of
the lives and property caf persons in the neighbourhood,
and in order effectually to carry out their laudable pur-
pose, they employed a police force of their own to act
as patrols, within a circumference of 10 miles round
the city of York. The prisoner, who applied to them
for a situation, and whose application was backed with
the highest testimonials, was appointed the superin-
tendent of the whole of that force, at a salary of 21. per
week. At a subsequent period, to his other duties was
added that of collecting subscriptions in aid of the society,
and for this extra labour the prisoner was presented with a
bonus of 101., and he was allowed 5 per cent. upon all
subscriptions that he collected. All subscriptions it was
his duty, immediately on their receipt, to hand over to Mr.
Swan, the banker, of York, who acted in the capacity of
treasurer to the society, and was also a member of the com-
mittee, and to furnish a weekly return of all receipts.
Once every month also it was his duty to draw sums of
money from the bank for the payment of the police, and
he continued to draw from the bank for that purpose, up
to the Gth of July last, between 701. and 801, per month.
Since the month of January preceding, however, though
drawing these sums out, the prisoner had paid nothing
into the bank as subscriptions. When he applied there-
fore for more money on the 6th of July, Mr. Swan re-
fused to advance any more, and the consequence was
that on the Bth ofJuly, two days afterwards, Maddison
had disappeared from York. When next heard of he
was filling the situation of Procurator Fiscal in the town
of Dundee, where he had not been long, when finding
that he was likely to be " wanted" (as was alleged by the
prosecution), he wrote a letter to Mr. Anderson, who was
the secretary to the society, admitting that he might be
found to be in arrear with his accounts, and praying
that the committee would grant him a short time to
make all straight with them and his other creditors,
which he hoped soon to be able to do, as he had obtained
a good situation. Defalcations were found to exist in
his accounts, and hence the present charge.
Mr. R. H. Anderson was the first and principal wit-
ness called.—ln his examination in chief that gentleman
deposed to nearly all the facts as above detailed.
Cross-examined by Mr. Buss—The prisoner had been
in the service of the society from December, 1842, till
July, 1844. I found him a diligent, efficient, and good
officer. He left some account-books behind him in the
office. lam not aware that he had to find horses at
any time for his men. I am not certain that the prisoner
said he had expended the subscriptions which he had re-
ceived in his travelling expenses. He might have said
so. He did not, I think, say that his expenses amounted
to above 2001. a-year; but he frequently complained of
his salary, and wished to have it increased. The pri-
soner had on several occasions made verbal announce-
ments to me as to the state of his accounts, and has stated
an account of subscriptions received, an amount of sub-
scriptions in arrear, the sum paid over by him to the
bank, and the sum in his own possession. His expenses
no doubt were heavy, and I have heard that he suffered
some losses whilst in the service of the society.
Mr. John Hexby, of Easing woll, proved giving a sub-
scription of 10/ to a policeman named Hare on the Ist of
April last, to hand over to Maddison on behalf of the
society.
Hare deposed to having delivered that sum to the pri-
soner on the Ist of April.
Mr. George Swan, the treasurer, deposed that it was
the prisoner's duty to hand over subscriptions to him
immediately on their receipt. He had not paid to him
any subscriptions to the 22d of January.
This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. BLISS addressed a most able, ingenious, and argu-
mentative speech to the jury, and commented at great
length on the letter written by Maddison to Mr. Ander-
son, and contended that, so far from being a proof of
dishonesty, it showed an anxious desire to pay up his
arrears. This was the case of a man, happening to be in
arrear, leaving one situation to obtain a more profitable
one. Immediately on obtaining it he writes to the
secretary, communicating his address, stating his ap-
pointment and his salary ; admitting (without being
questioned) his arrears, and begging that the committee
would wait patiently hut for a short time, when he would
pay up his arrears to the society, and make all straight
with them and with the rest of his creditors. Was that
like a man absconding after having committed the crime
of embezzlement ? lie had been in arrear before. He
had not always paid all up at least, and it was known at
the auditing of the accounts, which from time to time
occurred, that he was somewhat in arrear, yet they suf-
fered him to go on, and he did go on. lie was anxious
to pay up his arrears, and he went to Dundee, that he
might the better and the sooner do so. From January
to July he paid no money into the bank ; the society
must have known that he had received subscriptions
during that time, and yet they asked him for no account.
He put it to the jury whether,this was not simply the
case of a man in arrear with his creditors, and not that
of one feloniously embezzling the property of his em-
ployers. The Learned Counsel then called
Charles John Scott, who deposed that he was clerk to
the magistrates of Chester- le-Street. He knew the pri-
soner when be was superintendent of the Durham con-
stabulary force. He always acted honestly. Witness
went went round to the magistrates on Wednesday
last, and obtained a document in favour of the prisoner.
Cross-examined--I have never heard that the prisoner
had been guilty of forgery in Scotland. I never heard
such a thing mentioned till this motnent.
Mr. Justice COLERIDGE then summed up. There was
no doubt that the prisoner had received money for the
society, which it was his duty to pay over to the treasurer.
There was no doubt that he had not paid it all over. The
question for the jury to decide was, whether the prisoner
had fraudulently kept back that money, and applied it to
his own purposes ?
The jury retired to consider, and after an absence of
about three hours returned a verdict of Guilty, with a
strong recommendation to mercy, on account of his pre-
vious good character.—Sentence deferred.
Immediately after the summing up his Lordship left
the Guildhall, and proceeded to the Castle, where the
county cases were proceeded with as usual. The jury
remained at the Guildhall, and came to the Castle in
charge of an officer, as soon as they had agreed on their
verdict.

bat he was pursued and again knocked down. While en
the ground several of his assailants tried to get at his
pockets, and kicked and struck him violently for some
time, during which he kept crying out "Murder" loudly.
After they left the prosecutor he rose and ran to a hovel
standing in a field by the road side, where he found
that he had lost 4/. 125., which was safe in his pocket on
leaving the Woolpack. The injuries which Richards
stsstaincd were of a tolerably severe nature ; a considcr •
able quantity of blood flowed from the wound is his
head, and he was for some time incapacitated from pur-
suing his avocations.
A great number of witnesses were called to substan-
tiate his testimony, but some discrepancies and incon-
sistencies were apparent in their respective narratives,
originating probably in the obtuseness of their intel-
lects, occasioned by the rough treatment to which their
heads had been subjected, and to the deep par
tions they had•imbibed.
The trial occupied the time of the Court nearly the
whole day, and terminated at a late hour in the evening
by a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners, except
William Jones. John Joius then received sentence of
imprisonment, with hard labour, for six months, and all
the rest for the term of twelve menthe.
Dec. 10, FOUR O'CLOCK, A.M.
The business at thi: town had nut terminated at
twelve o'clock last night, when his Lordship was still
sitting ; there yet remain some forther unimportant cases
for disposal, which will probably occupy some part of
the day, whereupon the Leal ned Judge will proceed to
Stafford this afternoon, this being the eommission day
for that county.

OXFORD C RC U IT.— Shrewsbury, Dec. 9.
(Before Mr. Justice COLTMAN.)
Richard Jones, aged 25, Thomas Jones, 21, Enoch Jones,
16, John Jones, 17, William Jones, 19, and Edwat 11
Turner, 24, were indicted for a highway robbery, in
company, on the 20th of November last.
Mr. Corbett conducted the proescution. Messrs. Phil-

limore and Neale appeared foi the prisoners.
Humphrey Richards, the prosecutor, an individual
who, to judge fro n his appearance, and the manner in
which he gave his evidence, was endowed with less in-
tellect than usually falls to the lot of even a Welsh
labourer, on entering the witness-box, being asked by
the Learned Counsel for the prosecution, if he could
speak English, replied, without hesitation, " No, Sir, I
cannot." This answer, as may be supposed, caused
some laughter, when the witness, apparently recollecting
himself, suddenly pretended that he could not understand
any observation made to him; after some coaxing, how-
ever, and the manifestation of much dogged reluctance,
he at length consented to make a sort of half-intelligible
reply to the questions addressed to him; this he con-
tinued to do for about an hour, when his sulkiness and
tacitunity put a stop to the further progress of the case,
and it was found necessary to swear an interpreter,
after which the business proceeded somewhat less tardily
than before.
It wad a matter of some difficulty to arrange, in an in-
telligible form, the confused and broken statement of thia
however, seemed to be the sub-
man. The following,
stance of his complaint :
He resided at Gadon, in the parish of Llansillin, and
on the 20th of November went from his home to the
town of Oswestry, for the purpose of seiiiitg some oats,
for which he obtained 51. as., and was return,:g about
eight o'clock in the evening, with the cash in his pocke:;s,
when he deemed it advisable to turn into the Woolpack
for refreshment. Here he imbibed several pints of liquor,
and remained over his potations for three or four hours,
during which time several other parties came into the
kitchen where he was sitting, amongst whom were some
of the prisoners. It was proposed in the course of the
evening, as an intellectual amusement and a harmless
diversion, that the compauy present should try the
strength of their respective skulls by what is termed
" bumping heads," a proceeding to which the prosecutor
apparently might have safely engaged with the owner of
the thickest and hardest pericranium in the principality.
In accordance with this laudable suggestion, the prose-
cutor and another man, in order to prepare themselves
more readily for the encounter, took off their coats, and
ranging themselves, as did several other sapient couples,
on oppe,site sides of the room, at a given signal they
all rushed together, and the weakest, as might
be anticipated, and, as usually happens, " went to
the wall ;" but the frequent repetition of this delightful
sad ezhiliratins pastime was not, fortunately, attended
with an m
y anifestation of ill humour, its monotony alone
probably, therefore, suggested its discontinuance, and
about half-past eleven the men parted for the mowed
purpose of returning to their respective homes. Hum-
phrey Richards walked some distance with a man of
the
name of Sides, when they were overtaken by me of
their previous companions, one of whom challenged
Sides to fight. This was near a house called Perkington
Lodge. Six or seven men had at this time collected
round, and Sides was knocked down' and almost at the
same time a stone was cast *% hich struck lliehard ,•n
the eye, and he received simultaneously a blow on the
back part of the head from a thick stick. This had the
effect of cutting open his head and knocking him down.
On rising be tried to run 02132010kb:10= of Oswestry,