The Sun.
London, England, 1829-10-28 00:00:00

BOW.STREEL

ONE MODE OF PAYING A LANDLORD'S RECKON-
lNG.—Yesterday Mr. Nevitt, the landlord of the
George at Hammersmith, came to this office and
asked Mr. Minshull to advise him how to act under
the following circumstances :
Mr, Nevitt stated, that a fortn'ght no a party of

flee very respectable men came to his house, and re-
quested to be accommodated with a private room, as
they had particular business to settle. They were
shown into one on the first floor, where they had re-
freshments to the amount of 10s. ; which sum they
paid, and afterwards had additional glasses of grog
amounting to 2s. 6d. Before this last account was
settled, two of the party quitted the house, and the
applicant hearing the other three also coming down
stairs, stepped from his bar and requested payment.
All the three, however, declared they had nothing
to do with the additional half crown, said it ought to
have been paid by the other two, and swore they
would not pay another farthing. They then went
into the parlour, and there, in the course of the dis-
pute, one of the party threw a tumbler glass at the
applicant, which fortunately missed him, but was
dashed to pieces on the floor; and at the same mo-
ment, one of the three jumped out of the window,
and ran away. He detained the other two, how-
ever, until he got the amount of his demand, but
without charging for the glass. On Monday, to his
great astonishment, he was served with a notice of
action at the suit of one of the two whom he had so
detained, for an assault and false imprisonment;
and he wished to ask the Magistrate in what way
he ought to act to meet so iniquitous a proceeding.
Mr. MINSUULL—Pray do you know who and
what the parties are ? Mr. Nevitt—Why, Sir,
they consisted of a lawyer's clerk, a Sheriff's officer,
a man who had been arrested, and his two sureties.

Mr. MlNsitut.L—And who is it that has brought
the action ? Mr. Nevitt—The lawyer's clerk your
Worship.
Mr. MINSHULL—I thought so, but I cannot assist
you ; your only remedy is by applying to your attor-
ney to defend the action. Mr. Nevitt—l have no
attorney, Sir—l never was fond of law in my life.—
(A laugh.)
Mr. MINSHULL—A proof of wisdom on your
part.—(Laughter.)—That, however, is your only
course. Find out some honest lawyer, and he will
not find much difficulty in upsetting such an action
as this. Mr. Nevitt then left the office, declaring he
would defend the action to the last extremity.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, OCT. 27.

EXTRAORDINARY DEMEANOUR OF A WITNESS.

Henry Brant and Mary Ann Clarke were in-
dicted for assaulting the wife of the first-named de-
fendant.

The case derived its sole interest from the, per-
haps, unparalleled pertinacity with which the prose-
cutrix resisted all attempts at cross-examination.
prosecutrix stated that the female defendant
was her servant, but that, suspecting something
wrong between her and her husband, she discharged
her. A short time after her husband brought her
back to the house, and she (prosecutrix) then left,
not choosing to stay while that woman was in the
place. On the 23th of July she was passing along
the street, when the female defendant followed her
and knocked her down.

CHAIRMAN—Did you say nothing to her first ?
Prosecutrix—Of course I did; it is feasible I should.
CHAIRMAN—WeII, what did you say. Prose-
cutrix—l don't know what I said.

CHAIRMAN—What did your husband do ? Pro-
secutrix—Oh, I'll pardon him.
CHAIRMAN—But what did he do ? Prosecutrix—
Why he knocked me down as well; but I'll pardon
him; I only want you to punish the woman.
Cross-examined by Mr. P- RENDERGAST—Did not
your husband have you taken up to the Police-office
for assaulting him on this very occasion ? Prose-
cutrix—No, he did not. That's a falsehood he has
got up to tell yow.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—WiII you say that on your
oath ? ProAecutrix—l am not going to give you
my oath.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—W ill you swear you was not
taken up ? Prosecutrix—l'll not swear to you; I'll
swear to those gentlemen (pointing to the Jury.)
Mr. PRENDERGAST— Well, will you swear to
those gentlemen it was not so ? Prosecutrix—Not
to please you.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—But I insist on your swear-
ing yes or no. Prosecutrix—l won't swear for you.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—Do you know a man named
Allen ? Prosecutrix—Yes I do. Don't you wish
you knew him ? My husband has bought you.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—Where is Allen ? PIOSC-
Mari X—ln his skin, to be sure. _ _ _

Mr. PRENDERGAST—Has he not been in prison
for assaulting your husband ? Prosecutrix—No.
Mr. PRENDERGA3T—WiII you swear that ? Pro-.
secutrix—Whitt, for you ! No, lam sure I shan't.
Mr. PRENDERGAST—HOW long have you known
Allen ? Prosecutrix—What's that to you.
This strange colloquy, as may be supposed, could
not pass without exciting repeated bursts of laughter.
The Chairman did not, however, interpose.
Mr. ALLEY indignantly rose, and called upon Mr.
Prendergast not to allow himself to be so treated,
but to assert the dignity of the Bur.
CHAIRMAN--It certainly is not to be endured.

The prosecutrix was, however, allowed to retire,
without any more questions being put, and without
receiving any reprimand.
John Alen was afterwards put into the box.
He said he saw the blows; but added, that there
was a general quarrel before-hand.
On Mr. Prendergast rising to cross-examine the
witness, the prosecutrix shouted out, " Don't answer
him."
The witness, however, did answer, and admitted
that he had been taken to the police-office, at the
instance of the prosecutrix's husband, and there
fined 3/. for his share in this very transaction.
Mr. PRENDERGAST said the fact was, the prose-
cutrix was held to bail at the same time.
The Jury instantly acquitted both defendants.

THE BEER TAX.

(Frcm the Morning Chronicle.)

It has often been remarked, that in this coun-
try the rich take very unfair advantages of the
poor in the mode of imposing taxes. The Beer
Duty is a striking exemplification of the indiffe-
rence of the rich towards the poor. If the tax
were imposed altogether on malt, it would affect
poor and rich alike ; but the imposition of one
tax on malt, and then another heavy additional
tax on the beer made by public brewers, is im-
posing a tax exclusively on the poor, who cannot
brew their own beer. _ _ _

Few people are aware of the extent of this tax,
borne exclusively by the poor. In a Treatise
on the art of Brewing, in two parts, published
by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know-
ledge, evidently composed by an individual well
acquainted with his subject, we find the follow-
ing astonishing particulars :
" But it is not of the amount alone, but of the
proportion in which the duty is levied, that the
brewers as well as their customers have occasion to
complain. Small beer is charged only at the rate of
two shillings the barrel ; and by small beer la under-
stood ale or beer that is sold to the customer at or
under the price of twenty-four shilling,. All that is
above this price is accounted strong, and is liable to
the ten shillings duty. The strength of the beer,
which ought to be the criterion, is here out of the
question ; for if any gentleman was to go to his ale-
brewer, and say that he wanted an article better
than small beer, for which he would pay eight or
ten shillings more, the brewer could not furnish it,
because, if he charged more than 245. per barrel, he
would have to pay the l Os. duty ; so that he could
not give a better article for thirty-two shillings a
barrel thanll iformuchngst‘ov
rie.nnitedy-fu
sesm.o
anr. A
id,,h
eant
de cheap
is
often
table-aletemptation
tu
orrteivs is
nevertheless
ha
eddeathte fortystr nsg ale duty is great, and consequently, as ap-
pears from the numerous convictions, the- mixing
strong beer with small beer is not uncommon.
Were the duty by some means proportioned to the
strength, this would seldom be done. But we should
\Trite ik volume were we to detail all the frauds and

inconveniences consequent upon the absurdities 't
the present Brewery Laws. In small works, unle:f
the brewer will consent to adopt the measures
those whose consciences are not too confined, 116
will seldom succeed in his business.
" It may be thought that we have dwelt too log
on this subject, but we shall have frequent occasioal
to show that the Laws of Excise must undergf
some change before the art of brewing can be ma'
advanced, without inNolving the trade in total ruff'
It is now preserved in consequence of the ignorance
or the indolence of the servants in private families'
The tax on public brewers is beyond all ordinal
bounds. Were a penny a quartern loaf levied upo't
the bakers, their ovens would soon be cold; and yet
we consent to pay twopence upon every pot 0'
porter we drink. In proof the following is a state
meat of the expence at which a private gentlemavo
who unlerstands the manigulatior.s, might hrevia
porter of as good a quality as any that is usually so
l
in London :

1 Quarter of Malt, at 655. per quarter
3 Quarters of Barley, at 40s. per quarter 120
32 Pounds of Hops, at 112 s. per cwt B2
Colouring, either from pateut malt or burnt sugar 5

Cost of materials 222
" To this there is nothing to add but the labour,
which, to those who keep men servants, costs nr
thing. The grains and yeast may be considered ill
indemnification for the costs. If the brewing grerl,
properly managed, it would produce fifteen barrel
of porter, of the average London strength, at a Price
under fifteen shillings a barrel, or five farthings°
pot. This calculation was made in 1827, and the
value will of course vary with the alteration of price.,
but the sketch here given is sufficient to prove thlt
under the present laws, were the art of brewing ge,
nerally understood, the trade of a public brae!
could exist only upon the earnings of the poor; f/c
all who could muster a few pounds would brew I°l
themselves. We have supposed raw grain not
much on account of the saving of malt duty as
making a better beverage; but even were the porter
made wholly of malt, the saving would be erkor'
mous. Thus-
-4 Quarters of Malt, at 655. per quarter 2605.
32 lbs. of Hops, at 112 s. per cwt.
Colouring
" These materials would produce fifteen barrel°l/
We'

good porter at less than twenty shillings per
which is little more than three halfpence the pot'a
What an enormous taxation on the poor 1e
great towns in particular, they have not the
means of brewing for themselves, and must ts't
their beer from the public brewer. The e
man is thus forced, by an invincible necessl9::
either to drink water, or to pay sd. for what 11:
materials is worth only lfd. or at most 134';
while the rich may avoid the tax. This it 19 to
have a Legislature returned by rich men
monopolists, who all, nevertheless, would spell—
their last guinea in defence of our Holy Religl.oll'
and never miss subscribing to Bible Socienel:
We are, in truth, a most moral and religtoto
people.

Roasting pigs were sold in Redruth market'
lately, at 2s. each.—Falmouth Packet.
.t

ST. K ATHA RI NE DOCKS.—Yesterday r
half-past two o'clock the water was admitted into the
eastern dock, which will be ready in five or six day. 1.,,S
the reception of shipping. This additional dock increir-
the wet-dock accommodation of the Company upon 11:64
whole, to upwards of 150 vessels, besides craft, at one
the same time.

FIGHT BETWEEN A MAN AND A Al
Tirs..—On Saturday morning last, about four o'elec,r;
Mr. SOMERWILL, the proprietor of the Pettingtonit;(l
Kilns, Nwth Devon, arose from a little cabin he has 6,
up on the spot, to attend to the process of his kiln,
having effected his purpose, he lay down again withent
dressing, having over his clothes a smock-frock. tp
after the door of his cabin, which he had neglect
fasten, was thrust open, which alarmed his little dog lid
:
on the floor, and caused him to bark, when the
W
which proved to be a very large mastiff dog, seised
little animal, and shook it with great violence. 001°—(1
ing his prey, the little dog leaped up on the bed,
sought the protection of his master : thither the 10°„;o
pursued him, and placing his paws on the bed, he
hold of, not the dog but his master, whom he dray
from the bed to the ground, where he held him ,
while; at length Mr. SOMERWILL caught his assailant
tie throat, and regained his legs, but it was with the
most difficulty he could withstand his powerful covet;
Fortunately for him, a piece of hoop irou was within
reach, which served him for a weapon, wherewith he erd
tinned to heat the head of his shaggy antagonist till he b
b'
cleft his skull, and finally destroyed himt Mr. solo;
wit'. received no other injury than the alarm and feti„,
occasioned by the contest, the thickness of his clothes boo'
ing proved a protection from the fangs of his canine
The owner of this savage animal remains uncliscogred.
Extract of a letter to a gentleman in Lir;
pool, dated Buenos Ayres, July 27 :—" I have to ii°r,
you of our safe arrival on the night of the 6th, Orly
tlerably good and agreeable passage. But it is with
syj
deepest regret I have to relate to you the melancholy
distressing accident which afterwards occurred to lb of
of any passengers, the Captain of the Gazelle and /Oro
his crew. On the morning of the 7th instant, Celis
CHEVELY, of the Gazelle, of your port, came aloaglo,
of us (the Zeno) with his small boat to inquire for neof
&c. He kindly offered his services to land part n'i of
passengers, which they eagerly accepted. The svilfilb
this time was blowing fresh, right in for the tower or
rain. After taking a snack of biscuit and ale, the pttl
ther cleared up a little, and Captain CHEVELY JO or
vessel, at about one o'clock p. m., with three of 011,er,
sengers and our of his crew, making eight in o°lo4
In 12 or 15 fninutes I followed him w:th my small
_,oe
in which were the other five gentlemen. I was not Otos
of the danger until we were too far to leeward °ober;
back; and we found the sea running much higher r
we approached the shoal of water, between the cute the
inner roads. We, however, got on board a ship lobe(
inner road, after a very narrow escape. We saw the! boS
boat more than once after we put off from our ye'ie,,ki
lost her all at once in a squall, during which I e°",„ 14
for a moment direct my attention from my own h°ll-4i
this squall, I fear the other boat must have swami :1;0'
all on board perished. We waited some tune %arid
the vessel we had reached, in hopes of seeing °E' •
sP
0.014
something of our companions; but, alas ! it novz
but too evident that not one was left to tell the siae
I had nine persons in all with me in my small boat; a 0
my boat was, I think, rather less than the Gas A*
This boat was found bottom up three days afterOpie
and the body of Mr. M'RarmarrE about is days ateoo(
accident. The names of the three unfortunate Y opa
gentlemen were, Mr. CHARTERS, Mr. MTAats.l4s'
Dr. BROWN, al: from Scotland."

BIRTHS. •
On the 25th inst. at Paris, the lady of J. git°ll.ll
Esq. of a son. f 119.
On the 14th inst. the lady of J. Aylee, Esq. °-
mont, Essex, of a son. )11*
On the 22d inst. at Coval-cottage, Chelmsford)
R. Bartlett, of a son.
MARRIED. 10.
On the 27th inst. at St. George's, Thoonisbul'Apl
so

H. Moxon, of Tanfield-court, Tensile, to MarY
eldest daughter of W. Lowe, Esq. of the same OP°
of Montagu-street, Russell-square.
On the 27t1e inst. at St. Pancras, Arthur Ko•e
of Kelly, Devonshire, to Sophia, only daughter of
R. Maitland, Esq. of Tbaxtead, Essex. .
On the 22d inst. at Addingham, Yorkshire, 'At
Gard, Esq. of Highbury-place, to Miss Parr, oil ,"
ter of Richard Parr, Esq. of Woodlands-cotes'
Beaton, Lincolnshire.

04,‘;
DIED.
At Wine!more Hill, on the evening of Mona%Or
26, Emily, the much beloved wife of the Rev' I',
ter b° to
On the 24th inst. Sarah, the eldest daughoorb
Sherwood, Esq. of Snow-hall, in the county of
aged 23. stile
On the 27th inst. deeply lamented, Christisos,
J. Dixon, Esq. of Savage-gadenr, aged 29. .
On the 26th inst. at Blackford, Somersetsb'
Giles, aged 40. ?it*
On the 25th inst. at W:sbeach, Cambriii
A. Swanshorough.
,0100 I

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