The Sun.
London, England, 1829-04-20 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

Alexander Finlayson, a young man, 23 years of age,
was brought before Sir GEORGE FARRANT, charged with
having robbed his master, Sir Wm. Beechey, of No. 18,
(tarley-street, of a valuable service of plate, worth 2001.
The robbery was committed under very mysterious circum-
stances, and Sir William stated that it was the fifth time
he bad been plundered of his plate by unprincipled do-
mestics.
It appeared from the evidence of Sir William and his
snn, Captain Beechey, and other testimony, that the pri-
soner was engaged by Sir William on the 23d of Decem-
ber last, as footman and butler, a character having been
received with him from a gentleman, named Hart, resid-
ing in Blackfriars-road. During Wednesday and Thurs-
day the prisoner seemed labouring under distress of mind,
and expressed a wish to quit Sir William's service. On
Friday evening be attended, as usual, in the dining-room,
and carried a portion of the plate into the kitchen, for
the purpose of having it washed, and then went into the
pantry. This was at seven o'clock, and Lady Beechey
requested him, after dinner, to go to church ; but instead
of obeying her Ladyship's commands, he remained at home
until nine o'clock, when he returned to the kitchen, and
brought the remaining portion of the plate into the pan-
try, after which he left the house by the hall-door, telling
the servants that he was going to put three letters belong-
ing to her Ladyship into the post. Within ten minutes
after his departure Lady Beechey, who was sitting in
the side parlour, heard the street-door opened gently,
and the housemaid also heard the noise, and mentioned it
to her fellow servant, who expressed a hope that the plate

was quite safe. About 20 minutes past nine the house-
maid proceeded to the pantry for the purpose of making
the prisoner's bed, and it was then discovered that a cup-
board and two drawers had been unlocked, and the entire
service of plate carried off. The articles stolen consisted
of soup-ladles, cream-jugs, table and tea-spoons, fish-slices,
&c. amounting to between 50 and 60 pieces, all of which
had been carefully selected from the plated goods, with
which they hail been intermixed, as the latter was laid
aside in the drawers. Sir William applied for the assist-
ance of Schofield, who examined the premises, and found
that it would hive occupied an accomplished thief above
an hour in committing the robbery. The prisoner returned
to Liarley-street at half-past ten, when the officer was in
waiting, and he was accused of being implicated in the
robbery.
The prisoner, in an agitated tone, protested he was in-
nocent,
The prisoner's manner* were far above the class of PCT.-
vents to which he belonged, and Sir George remarked that
he appeared to have received a superior education.
Poisoner—illy education has been above the common
run.
Sir GEORGE—And pray where may you have been an-
gated ?
The prisoner said lie had travelled in France, Spain,
and Portugal, and hail also been in the East Indies. lie
left Calcutta at nine years of age, but he declined to state
in what capacity he had travelled, although he declared it
was not a menial situation. He thought he was not called
on to answer the question.
Sir GaoacE Said he must be remanded, as it was highly
necessary that the transaction should be thoroughly in-
vestigated.

A marriage lately took place at Douai against
the consent of parents ; and it being found on inquiry that
the constituted authority?" before whom the marriage
was celebrated, was not duly attired in his robes of offiec
at the time, the father of the bride insists that the mar-
riage was null and void, and is proceeding to do it away
accordingly. The question is new, and is likely to exci!e
some interest. For our parts, we decidedly opine that the
plaintiff has reason on his side at least. If you once admit
the possibility of a judge doing his duty in the absence of
his wig, the world's at end,—Weekly Review.