The Sun.
London, England, 1829-12-28 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

On Saturday night William Rag, late a police
constable, No. 123, of letter F. Di vision, was brought
in custody before Mr. Mrssnerl„ charged by In-
spector Ousely with refusing to give up his clothing,
he having been dismissed the service.
The Inspector stated, that the defendant was dis-
missed from the police on the 15th inst., in conse-
quence of his having been twice reported absent from
his beat. He was desired by order of the Commis-
sioners to give up hisappointments ; Lut he refused
to do so, and continued to wear the uniform about
the streets. Finding that fair means had no effect,
and that he obstinately persisted in retaining the
clothing, the Commissioners gave directions that he
hould be given into custody, and brought before a
•magis!rate.
Mr. MINSHULL told the defendant that he was
acting very foolishly in supposing that he had a right
to retain the uniform after he had been dismissed the
service. The clothing with which he had been pro-
vided was the property of Government, and if he
persisted in keeping it, he (Mr. Minshull) would be
under the disagreeable necessity of committing him.

The defendant, who was dressed in the uniform,
contended that he had a right to retain it, as he had
being paying for it from the time of his appointment
to his dismissal, at the rate of 3s. a week. He con-
sidered that it was a matter of debtor and creditor,
with which his Worship had'nothing whatever to do.
The Inspector said that the Commissioners were
willing that the man should retain the clothes, prc-
vided he paid the balance due :for them, and put
other buttons on, the coat. It was, however, highly
improper that a man who no longer belonged to the
police should be walking about the streets in full
uniform, and perhaps acting as a police constable in
a manner calculated to bring disgrace upon the service.
Mr. MiNslluu. said he certainly should not allow
the defendant to go at large with the uniform on his
back. Ile might, if he pleased, send for other
clothing',. but he must remain in custody in the mean
time.

The defendant said that if the Magistrate took his
word he would engage to return the coat in a few
days. He, however, would give no security for the
performance of this promise, and seemed so possessed
with the idea that he had a lawful claim to the
clothing, and that the Magistrate had no power to
interfere, that he preferred being sent to prison sooner
than give up any portion of the dress.
Mr. MINSHULL, after a vain endeavour to impress
upon him the folly of styli conduct, was at last ob-
liged to commit him to the watch-house, for further
examination.

More than four-fifths of the charges brought for-
ward in the course of the day and evening were of a
drunken and disorderly description;- The appear-
ance of the parties charged was most disgusting, for,
besides the beastly effects produced by drink, many
of the miserable wretches were covered with blood
and dirt, haying been taken in that state from the
neighbouring gin-shops, where they had either fallen
out with one another, or having spent their money,
and being refused any more drink, turned their
blind fury against those who had denied them, and
commenced smashing the windows with their hands,
until the timely arrival of the police put a stop to the
work of destruction. Most of the squalid wretches
hail been drained to the last farthing, and some of
them had continued in a state of intoxication from
Christmas-eve, having reeled about from one gin-
shop to another, sleeping and drinking alternately.
At the evening sitting Mr. MlNsnum. observed
th-t he scarcely ever remembered to have witnessed
so many cut heads and cut hands at one time.

An unfortunate young man was brought from
the watch-house of Covent.garden, charged with
having attempted to cut his throat. It appeared
that he had been drinking the whole of the preced-
ing night, and the greater part of the day, and hay-
spent all his money, that circumstance, together
with the excitement produced by drink, had such
an effect upon his mind that he took a razor from
his pocket and drew it across his throat. Fortu-
nately, however, his arm was arrested, and the
wound which he inflicted was but slight.
Mr. ISllNsfluii, having admonished him upon the
sin of self-destruction, directed his father to take
him home, and Le careful not to leave the unfortu-
nate young man by himself, lest he should renew
the attempt upon his life before the effect of the
drink had subsided.

On Monday, Win. Lee, driver of the hackney
chariot 847 %las charged with cruelty to the horses;
Sir R. BIRNIE gave him a suitable aimonition, but
dismissed him on his paying the costs. The So-
ciety against cruelty have sent the prosecutor 10s.
for his humans interference.