The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-15 00:00:00

LONDON SESSIONS, FEB. 14.

Mr. Bell, of Catherine-street, Trinity-square, was indicted for
assaulting Catherine Mathews, his maid servant. The prose-
cutrix stated that after some altercation with Mr. Beil, the de-
fendant refused to allow her to quit the house, or to take away
her clothes, without she first paid him a month's wages; that he
also "punched" her in the side, and would not let her have her
clothes for some time afterwards.

Mr. BOLLAND, for the defendant, complained of great insolence
on the part of the servant, and mistake on the part of the master
in detaining the clothes.
The Jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty."
RIOT IN WIIITECROSS-STREET PRISON.

William Martin, William Sprigging, Henry Burrell, Sa-
muel Simmonds, Fisher .Alderton, Edward Hannan:, George
Smith, and Peter :Martin, were put to the bar on a charge of
having been guilty of riot in the Whitecross-street Prison, and as-
saulting a prisoner named Mapleston.
The first witness for the prosecution was Valentine Musson, a
prisoner in Whitecross-street Prison. On the 20th of Naember
there had been an election of a " twelver"---that was, a person
whose duty it was to make the beds, clean the rooms, and empty
utensils. There was great noise then, for there was 'ltch party
spirit in favour of the respective candidates. Mapleston was a
prisoner. " Catting" was a punishment inflicted on those who
did not pay the fees of the ward. It was chiefly performed by the
parties, with their faces blaclfened, and disguised with rugs,
going and taking the bed clothes from the offender, and otherwise
maltreating him. The fees were appropriated to keep the ward
clean, provide coals and candles, and other things for general
comfort. The witness described an attack made by a number of
prisoners, who went disguised, armed with brooms and sticks, to
the bed of Mapleston ; they made a noise in imitation of the mew-
ing of cats, from which the practice derives its name. Mapleston
resisted desperately. Witness saw the chamber utensils with their
contents flying from his room ; one of the assailants was knocked
down, and they retreated ; they afterwards returned again, when
Mapleston set up cries of " Murder." He was dreadfully beaten,
and they left him with the blood flowing profusely from his
wounds. _ _

The RECORDER asked the witness who dispensed the money?
Witness—The steward.
The RECORDER—Who chooses the steward ?—He is chosen
by the voice of the ward. Every thing is done there by election.
The RECORDER—Then it is a Parliament, which imposes
taxes ?—Exactly so, my Lord.

The RECORDER—I never beard before of more than one Par-
lament in this realm, and I never knew it to enforce taxes in
:his manner.

Mr. Spencer, the Governor of the prison, was called ; and he
stated that he heard a noise in the prison. He thought it was
the election of the " twelver." When he went, all was silent,
and he could not tell from what ward the noise came.
The RECORDER censured him with great severity for, not hav-
ing acted with more energy, and said the Court expected that he
would be more vigilant in future.
Mr. Spencer—l will use my utmost endeavours, my Lord ;
but it was a custom, and ---
The RZCORDER.—A custom, Sir ! No, do not let the Court
hear of such a defence. Robbery on the highway and picking
pockets have been customary from time immemorial. You must
put a stop to it, Sir, and cause notices to that effect to be given to
those under your care.
Mr. Spencer.—l will, my Lord ; I have done
The Recoanan.—Done, Sir! You have done nothing; do
your duty by putting an end to the practice.
Mr. PRENDKRCAT, in behalf of one of the prisoners, said, that
the practice of receiving what was called garnish was an ancient
observance, anciently enforced by the practice now complained of.
The RECORDER, in his charge to the jury, said, that a volun-
tary contribution for mutual comfort might be but a
forced tax could never be tolerated in the prison.
The Jury found W. Martin, W. Spriggins, H. Burrell, and
G. Smith, otiiitY hut acquitted the other defendants.
One of the Jury—We recommend the prisoners to a lenient
punishment, in consideration of the practice having been an esta-
blished custom there.
Another Juryman—That is our unanimous opinion.
The RECoRDER, after consulting with the Magistrates on the
. bench, said, that the Court thought it their duty to sentence the
defendants to be imprisoned for six months each, to hard labour,
in Giltspur-street Compter.

AWFUL VISITATION.--Yesterday morning, about
eleven o'clock, a gentleman named Kirk, residing in the Horse-
ferry-road, near the Westminster Gas Works, was proceeding
along Parliament-street, arm-in-arm with another Gentleman,
when opposite the Admiralty, Mr. Kirk suddenly exclaimed,
" Oh God !" and instantly fell on the pavement a lifeless corpse.
The unfortunate gentleman was picked up and carried to the
house of a medical man, who endeavoured to restore animation,
but all attempts were fruitless. Mr. Kirk has left a wife and
family to bewail his loss.
DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT AT DEVIZES.--On
Thursday morning, about four o'clock, a large beam, the chief
supporter of an extensive corn loft at the Crown Inn, broke,
whereby several quarters of corn were precipitated into the stable
beneath, by which three valuable cart-horses were killed, another
so much injured as to require being killed soon after, and two
others were slightly injured. Two lads were in the stable when
the corn fell: and both miraculously escaped.