The Sun.
London, England, 1829-06-03 00:00:00

WORSHIP.STREET.
GROSS A SSAULT.—On Monday Henry Cowell,
John Taverner, and William Code, were brought on
a warrant, (+urged by Mr. James Woolley and Mr.
James Teale, two very respectable gentlemen, with
violently assaulting and beating them.
Mr. Woolley stated—On Thursday last I was
fishing in the river Lee, at NValthainstow. It was
about twelve o'clock, when a number a men came
up to me and seized me by the collar. I asked
them why they took that liberty with me, and they
laughed at me. One man not in custody- held a
stick over my head, and said, if I resisted, he would
" down with me." The prisoners and several other
men laid hold of my arms and legs, and began swing-
ing me most violently against a tree. They took
my fishing-rod out of my hand, and threw it in the
river. They then gave three cheers, and left me.
Prisoner Code—Did not I address you in a proper
manner ? Mr. Woolley— Certainly not.
Code—l told you it was a customary thing for
us, when beating the bounds on Holy Thursday, to
bump every gentleman we met.—(A laugh.)
Mr. Teak, an auctioneer, residing at No. 61,
High-street, Shoreditch, stated—l was fishing with
Mr. Woolley, on Thursday last, in the Lee river,
when I observed a mob of about two hundred rnett
coming up the marshes towards us. 1 saw several
of them seize Mr. Woolley by the collar, and one of
them, who I understood is a parish officer, put his
fist in Mr. Woolley's face, and swore if he did not
submit he would knock him in the river. They
then then dragged him from his seat, and after ill-
using him in the most brutal manner, threw him,
' down in the mud. I went to his assistance, and
they immediately caught old of me; but having a
clasp knife in my hand at the time, I extricated my-
self by threatening to use it. I then got on a plank
which advanced some distance into the river for the
convenience of angling, and still defended mySelf
with my knife. They endeavoured to push me off
the plank with sticks, and struck me a violent blow
on the head, which cut through the crown and front
of my hat. We went to some persons close by,
who, we were informed, were the minister and
churchwardens of the parish. We demanded their
interference, but, they laughed at us, and said they
must take no notice of it, as it was a customary
thing when they beat the hounds of the parish.
Mr. BROUGHTON asked the prisoners if they could
give any .explanation of such outrageous conduct ?
Code—l went up to the gentleman and said," I beg
your pardon, Sir, but it is a customary thing to bump
gentlemen wherever we meet them when we are
beating the bounds." The, gentleman was then
bumped, but I did not bump him, although I have
bumped many a gentleman before-w;thout the least
grumbling.—(A shout of laughter.)
Mr. BROUGHTON—Upon my word, then, I sup.
pose you think your politeness in begging a gentle-
man's pardon is a sufficient excuse for your bumping
him. You first beg his pardon and then. say,
" We're going to bump you." Code—No, Sir ; I
asked the gentleman' if he would give us leave to
bump him ?
Mr. BROUGHTON—A very likely tale. Did you
suppose the gentleman would say yes ? Code—
Most people do, Sir, because they know it's a
custom.—(Much laughter.)
Cowell said he never touched the gentleman.
._ .

Mr. Teale—Here's a convincing pro—of that nobody
touched me (producing a hat which had evident
marks of severe bumping).
Taverner—l went up to the gentleman and asked
him if he wished to be bumped, but I did not bump
him.

Mr. BrtouGuroN—lt is evident somebody bumped
him, and you three were present, and no doubt as-
sisted; it was a most violent outrage, and ought to
be attended with severe punishment. A gentleman
sitting by the river side fishing, and a body of men
to come up and seize him, because it was a custom
Mr. Woolley was not aware of your custom, dud if
he was, he had mo right to submit to such an out-
rage against his inclination. I shall hold you all to
bail to answer the complaint at the sessions, as these
gentlemen wish to press the case to the very extent
of the law. I shall hold each of you in your own
recognizances of 50/., and two sureties in 30/. each.
Mr. Teale said they intended to commence actions
against several persons concerned it in it, and ap-
plied for warrants against others, wllich were granted.