The Sun.
London, England, 1818-09-21 00:00:00

IJIDDLtSES SESSIONS.

SEAVANTS.

The relation of Master and Servant is so im-
portant to Society in cvcry part of the world, that
we regret the pressure of matter which prevented

our giving an earlier insertion to the following
Trial, which is not a little interesting to the
l'oblic) because it may operate as a warning to
servants in general, and tend to put a stop to a
practice which is too often carried! to a criminal

extent :

Elizabeth Meredith and Sarah Fletcher were in-
(Jet ed for stealing one halt gnat tern boa, a titian-
thy of meat, and two pounds tit potatoes, on the
31st of July, the property of James Armitage, of
Brunswick-street, Ressell-square.
Mr Armitage stated, that the prisoner Mere-
dith was his cook ; that hr and Mrs. A. having for
some time past found a considerable difference in
the consumption of bread, Meat, and other arti-
cles of housekeeping, he endeavoured to discover
the cause, and at length was induced to apply at
Hatton-garden Office. Read, an officer, in con-
sequence attended in the street, and Mr. Armitage
himself watched, as soon as the evening was
growing dark, in his parlour, sitting without
lights ; about . 10 o'clock he observed the cook
come up to the rails with a basket packed close,
and hand it to the other prisoner, who, without
staying to open it, went away, but was followed
by Read, who took her into custody; and on exa-
mining the basket, they found the things stated
in the indictment.
Ou his cross-examination, which was very in-
geniously made by Mr. WALIORD, Mr. Armitage
said that he had never permitted his servants to
give any thing away ; the prisoner knew that to
be the case ; be lied an excellent character with
her from her last pi :ce, where she lived more than
a year ; he could not say positively whether the
prisoner Fletcher had lived with Meredith in a
former place, but be had heard so since, anti also
that site was in a great measure unprovided for ;
and he concluded by observing, that when she re-
ceived the basket, she took it away without opening
it, so that site could not know what it contained,
and probably only expected broken victuals, which
some people may permit servants to give away ;
be thought it his duty to say in what manner it
struck him.
Read, the constable, deposed to the same effect
as Mr. Armitage, and produced the basket with
its contents.
Mr.WaeioeD made a very judicious address, and
called to Meredith's character Mr. James, of Evetet-
street, Brunswick-square, Oilman, who said he
had known her some time, and had the highest
opinion of her honesty ; had many transactions
of business, in all of which she was most correct.
le answer to a question from THE CHAIRMAN, be
said his knowledge was chiefly by her coining to
his house many times a day for articles wanted,
whilst she lived with Mr. and Mrs. Flower, whO
he was sure would give her a good character if
they could have attended. A witness was also
called who had known Fletcher must part of her
life, and always found her honest and trust-
worthy.
The CHAIRMAN', in addressing the Jury, said,
before ite summed up the evidence and called for
their verdict, it became necessary to clear the
way for the applicatioo of that evidence to the
law of the case, as by observing that only\ could
justice be administered. The question • which
they were to decide was, whether the prisoners at
the Bar were guilty of stealing and carrying away
the property of Mr. Armitage, or whether, from
any circumstance, they were justified in what
they had done The custom which had been
glanced at as being nearly universal, bad arisen
from the supine carelessness of those masters and
mistresses who permits themselves to be plundered
rather than exert themselves to resist such rob-
bery; but that is not a part of the present case.
for Mr. Armitage tells you that he did not permit
that custom. limier those circumstances, there-
fore, you must decide whether it was a permitted
privilege or a robbery, for there is no other dis-
tinction open to you ; it is a question of right or
wrong. 1 will now recapitulate the evidence—
(Here the Chairman very minutely summed up
the evidence).—Now, Gentlemen, said he, you
will consider whether, after hearing the prosecu-
tors, you are satisfied that the prisoner, Meredith,
had a right to take this property. If you decide
that she had, you will find a verdict of not guilty;
but if.you believe the witness, you will, of course,
say she is guilty. You will also consider the cir-
cumstances attendant. on Fletcher, and say whe-
ther she (provided you find Meredith guilty) re-
ceived the property knowing it to be stolen.
The Jury almost immediately found a verdict
of Guilty against both.
In passing the sentence, the CHAIRMAN, in a
very impressive manner, addressing the prisoner,
observed, that the Court could out but perceive
that the prosecutor had too much reason to com-
plain, when he discovered that a person who, from
her situation, ought to have protected his pro-
perty, was the very first to deprive him of it.—
She had been judiciously defended, and the eb-
strvations of her Counsel would have their due
eflcat'; ,and if, nistead of appearing repentant for
what she had done, and following the advice given
her, she' had relied on the frequency of this ne-
farious practice as a palliation of her offence, the •
Court would have been compelled to visit her
with a punishment, the severity of w•hich would
operate as 4i warning to others. Can it fo'r a mo-
ment, he said, be supposed that a servant, who is
entrusted by a master or mistress, may rob them,
umber the excuse of not Wending the stolen pro-
pel ry for sale, but for the support of friends or
reidtions; and whether the thing s rolcti be bread.
wear, whir., soap, candlt s, or coals, the conduct
was equally criminal. Where is the difference
betsee‘o stealing any of these articles out of a
shop and taking them Flom your master's house,
except aat you add ingratitude to felony, by pil-
laging those whose bread you eat, whose wages
you receive, and in whose ben ice you enjoy coin-
sort and protection, " I am glad (added be) to per-
ceive that you are not unmoved at your Situation;
and as you do not appear a hardened sinner, and
as there are some shades in your tavola* the feu•