The Sun.
London, England, 1820-12-13 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CHANCERY, DEC. H.
OPERA-HOUS6.---TAYlOfi V. WATERS.
The Lou CtianrcELLutt said, that baring seen the Master,
before whom the inquiry in this case was (going forward, he
had found that it would he almost an endless proceeding, un-
less some other mode than that of attendinkfor one hour was
adopted. He therefore directed that the Solicitors in it should
attend the Master for as many hours ;ti the. day as he should
Sod it convenient to dedicate to them, and that they should
charge for only one attendance for each time.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, DEC. 12.
- 'ASSAULT AND IMPRISONMENT.
DENNIS V. TALIiuT.
This action was brought hy,William 13 :nnis against the De
fcndant Talbot, to recover it compensation in damages for a
trespass, in .entering the house of the Plaintiff And restrain-
ing his person.—The defendant pleaded in justification, that
the plaintiff was a lunatic person, and in such a state of mind
as rendered it necessary to restrain him ; therefore the de-
fendant entered the house and secured his person.
The SOLICITOR GENERAL. stated, that the defendant ap-
peared to he a person keeping a house for the reception of. un-
happy persons- afflicted with-lunacy. The plaintiff had been
clerk to Mr. Williams, a respectable solicitor in the city, and
he behaved so well that his master, an the expiration of his ar-
ticles, took him into partnership. His application to business
occasioned illness. In 1819, be was Attacked with nervous fe-
ver, and was in such a state of mind as to require restraint of
person. He resided with -his mother at Bethnal-green, and
whilst the fever predominated, a man from the defeurlant's
Asylum in that neighbourhood • had the care of him for three
weeks or a month, when his health was. re-established. His
mother died soon after, and the Plaintiff came into possession
of occonsiderable property. He then prepared to-quit busi-
ness and go to the Continent.' Whilst he was making his ar-
rangements for the purpose, he was surprised on the ed day
of June by twu of the defendant's men entering his house,
and seizing his person, on pretence that he was insane.
He expressed' his astonishment, and required an explanation
from the defendant, who told him' he was put under re-
straint in consequence of irregul Ar LICi ; for firing gunsand
pistols in his garden, and shooting at chimney pots. The Plain-
tiff was obliged to submit, but he found means to 'inform his
partner Mr. Williams, of his situation, who went over to him,
and finding him in his senses, applied to the defendant to with-
draw Iris men. The defendant refused, saying he had the cer-
tificate of a medical man, and the instructions of the Plain-
tiffs Uncle. This was on the Friday, and the defendant's
men were continued in the house until Sunday evening.
when they were at length witlrdrawn, and the plaintiff
Was left at liberty to follow his own inclinations. He should
call a number of witnesses, namely, Dr. Pitt and several
private' friends, to Sheer the sanity of the plaintiff when the
violence was committer. on his person. The Jury would then
have to say what damages they ought to give as compen-
sation to an unfortunate person, 'thus deprived of his per-
sonal liberty. The general result of the testimony of the wit-
nesses called was, that he was a young man of some fortune
and character. From an early period of his-life he had been
extremely fond of fire works and fire arms. For three or four
years past his attention had been directed to double barrelled
guns and pistols. In 1819, he was afflicted- with illness troth
of body and Mind, and certainly at that time was more or less
lunatic. Two 4r shire persons who had beers constantly in
Mr. Williams's Office with him, stated, that he hail never
shewn insanity since his recovery from the nervous, fever.
Mr. DENMAN, for the Defendant, represented that his
Client's condact had been dictated-by the most humane con•
siderations, and that he the :Advice of the medical
men attached to his establishment. u ifortenate young
Gentleman had imp-aired his health by intense application, so
mnelt so, that ire surnetinies• thought he was parsuril by evil
spirits,' which he exorcised by drawing magical circles. He
denied that the plaintiff had called the least evidence to prove
the real state of his mind ; tire' domestics attending hiM
should have been called.
Mr. DENbIAN proceeded to call witnesses in support of his
statement, after which the Solicitar4leneral tirade a forcible
anti eloquent reply.
• The Ciss v JUSTICE, in his charge, said it was certainly ne-
cessary that all person,: before they restrained individuals,
should have good -anthority, and. be well 'convinced that the
mind was diseased, so as to render restraint proper. At the
same time, - where good-nsage ass observed some latitude and
indulgence might be allowed, even where the keeper was in
fault, because many cases' might arise where the }nubile
ertfety required unhappy persons suffering under insanity to
be promptly secured. When it appeared titre caution -was
used, and the party acted upon a eartscteutious feeling, it was
not a case for large darriAges. His Lordship left the Jury tin
say whether this was or was not such a-case. •
The Jury retired fur half an hour, and returned a verdict
for the-Plaintiff, damages 3001.
The tate occupied (ruin twelve o'clock to nine at night. -

CHARTER HOUSE.—Yesterday being the Foun-
der's Day, the usual
,annual ceremonies were ob-
served, according to the charter. geVeral of the
Governors, Patrons and Friends to theinstitu-
tibu. attended ; Diviri, Service was performed in
the Chapel of the Charter House, and a most ex-
cellent Sermon preached by the Rev. !Di:.
!Gan-
no*. They afterwards repaired. to the Great
Ilan, which was fitted up with a rostrum,
benches, and eytry other necessary aecommoda-
tiOn, where, the company Were highly gratified
by the proficiency of Mr. TuomAS toiI.NAY, the
senior scholar (of the Latin Grammar School,) in
declamation, who acquitted l•liirself with ability,
and received the greatest-applause. The Gover-
nors and Visitors,liestowed their customary dona-
tions on the youthful orator, and then
.partoolt. of
a sumptuous entertainment prepared for the' oc-

casion.
The Rev. Mr. LUCY, of Charlicote, in War•
wickshire,,has at this time in
.his garden, a num-
ber of strawberries, as big as hazle nuts, and
other shoots, in full blossom, a remarkable proo'
of .the mildues of.the sqsqu.