The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-16 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL. COURT.

OLD COURT.
Sarah Dowdale was indicted for feloniously assaulting
Charles Dowdale, her husband, by throwir g a quantity
of vitriol, or some other burning liquid, into his face,
with intent to maim and injure him.. Prosecutor stated
that he was a butcher, and resided; in Exeter-place,
Newington. He had been married to the prisoner about
two years, but, in consequence of the continued disputes
that took place between them, they separated about three
months ago, he having agreed to allow her the sum of
10s. a-week as a separate maintenance. The particulars
of the case have appeared in The Sun. The Jury re-
turned a verdict of guilty, on hearing which the prisoner,
in the most imploring terms, begged the Court would not
separate her from her child, which was then at.the breast.
Mr. Baron ALDERSoN, in passing sentence on the
prisoner, said, he regretted that her violent temper
should have led her to commit the serious offence of
which she had been convicted. - She appeared to have a
great affection for her child. It was a pity that she had
not an equal affection for her husband. After some
further remarks, the Learned Judge sentenced her to be
imprisoned and kept to hard labour in the House of
Correction for the space of three years.
The trial of the twelve sailors, indicted for a mutiny
on board the Ann Hall, a merchant vessel, was post-
poned until the next session, on the ground, that as they
were committed so late as Thursday last, they had not
bad sufficient time to prepare their defence.
STABBING.—Robert Rickerbe, a seaman, was indicted
for feloniously cutting and maiming another seaman,
named Charles Butler. It appeared that when the vessel
to which prosecutor and prisoner belonged was at
Ancona, a quarrel took place between them ; that the
prosecutor, who is a very powerful man, was in the
habit of insulting and bullying the other sailors, and
that on the day in question he struck the prisoner two
violent blows on the head, and that: in the heat of the
moment, and finding himself unable to contend with his
powerful opponent, the prisoner drew a knife, with
which he stubbed him in the belly ; the wound fortu-
nately was not a very serious one, and the prosecutor in
a short time recovered from the effects of it.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, but strongly re-
commended him to ulercy on account of the provocation
he had received,
Mr.'Barc,n ALDERSON, in passing sentence, said that
the of of which the prisoner had been convicted
was unfortunately one of a prevalent and dangerous
;Ware, but in his case it appeared that he had received
very great provocation. His Lordship then sentenced
the prisoner to six months' imprisonment in the Peni-
tentiary, Millbank.

NEW COURT.
Grace Fairman, a young woman, respectably attired
and of good connexions, was indicted for embezzling and
stealing the sum of three half-pence, which she had re-
ceived for, and on account of John Whitehouse, her em-
ployer.
The prosecutor stated that he was a linen-draper,
living at No: 54, Oxford-street, and the prisoner was
employed behind his counter. He
,gave a person of the
name of Wilkinson ninepence in copper coin, penny-
pieces and halfpence Wilkinson went and purchased
three yards of twopenny riband, and paid for it ont of
the marked coin, and three halfpence was found upon
her.

Mr. CLARKSON addressed the Jury, and made some
caustic remarks upon the conduct of the prosecutor of
these very extraordinary charges. The heVetofore re-
spectable young woman at the bar had been tried and
acquitted twice, upon charges which, in point of amount,
did not average sixpence on the whole. The prosecutor,
however, thought proper to persevere, and now she
was called upon to answer to other charges of stealing
three halfpence, and then of fourpence. She had lived
fifteen years, more than half her life-time, in one
situation, and went to the prosecutor's with an un-
sullied character. Was it likely that such a person would
disgm -self by stealing a few paltry halfpence, when
she had, were she so disposed, more valuable property
within her reach ? The Learned Gentleman was pro-
ceeding, when the foreman of the Jury announced they
had heard enough, and pronounced the words " Not
Guilty," very emphatically.
Mr. CLARKSON said there was another charge. He
did not know whether the prosecutor would proceed fur-
ther ?—Mr. Whitehouse nodded " I shall," when some
wag exclaimed, " He's a regular Shylock."
The charge was accordingly tried, and the Jury in-
stantly returned a verdict of " Not Guilty," when the
young woman was ordered to be liberated forthwith.
and she departed the Court with a number of respect-
able friends.
F

„...11,1111.1110
1
_ IRES.—Yesterclay morning, about ten o'clock, a
fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Cripps, baker. Ne.
25, St. Martin's-le-Grand. The fire at one time threat-
ened to be attended with serious consequences, but fortu-
nately, owing to the speedy arrival of the West of Eng-
land and several of the Brigade engines, aided by a plen-
tiful supply of water, the flames were gut under, but not
before much damage was demo to the house, the roof of
which was entirely destroyed, and a great quantity of
furniture and stock were consumed. The fire communi-
cated to the coffee-house belonging to Mr. Williams, next
door, but by the exertions of the firemen the premises
were saved from destruction. Mr. Cripps is insured. Be-
tween three and fiur o'clock the same .morning, another
fire broke out at the warehouse of Mr. Royal, chair ja-
panner, New-street, Borough-road, which, together with
the whole of its contents, consisting of an immense num-
ber of chairs, was totally consumed. The greatest fears
were at one time entertained for the safety of the adjoin-
ing buildings, but the exertions of the firemen prevented
its extension. Mr. Royal, whose loss -44
unfortunately not insured. very great, is

SU.I4

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The first exhibition of the Horticultural Society took
place at Chiswick on Saturday ; and a fine day, a beau-
tiful display of flowers, and a brilliant attendance of
fashionable company, combined to render the meeting a
most attractive one. The Queen, on this occasion, made
her first visit to the Gardens at Chiswick. Her Ma-
jesty, accompanied by Prince Albert, and attended by
her suite, arrived at about twelve o'clock, and remained
for a considerable period. The Queen walked round the
various tents in which the horticultural specimens are
exhibited, and frequently expressed her wonder and de-
light at the rare and beautiful productions of nature
which stood before her. Her Majesty was received by
his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, the President of the
Society, Sir C. Lewan, and others of the distinguished
members. The Duchess of Sutherland and two of her
daughters visited the Gardens at the same time as her
Majesty, and the Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied
by the Duchess of Sutherland and their suite, after-
wards honoured the Duke of Devonshire with their pre-
sence to luncheon at his beautiful villa. at Chiswick,
which almost adjoins the Horticultural grounds. Of the
display of fruit and flowers we can only speak in terms of
the highest admiration. The soft and delicate Azalea, in
its varied forms of snowy whiteness and brilliant colours,
was there, attracting all eyes by the beauty of its flower
and the wondrous size to which it had been raised ; and
the collection of the multiform and eccentric Calceolaria
was very rich, as indeed was every flower shown—pelar-
goniums, heaths, roses—down to the humble heartsease.
The company amounted during the course of the after-
noon to several thousands, and rarely have we witnessed
en assembly more brilliant, an exhibition more beautiful,
or a scene :more exciting. The following is the list of
the prizes, and the names of the successful candidates:—