Star.
London, England, 1824-08-09 00:00:00

WINCHESTER, AUGUST 6.

Richard Ventham and James Batt were indicted for
stealing a sheep, the property of H. Collis, on the 22d
February, 1822; in the parish of King's Somborne.
The depositions of the two prisoners before the Magis-
trate, confessing to having stolen the sheep, were put in,
and tit e Jury found the prisoners Guilty.
The Learned JUDGE observed,that there were no fewer
than eleven cases of sheep-stealing in the calendar. It
was due to the public security that an example should
be made of these offenders, and sentenced the prisoners
to transportation for life.
Joseph Hiltoa, Thomas Ranee, and Jecaimah Smith,
were indicted, the two former for burglariously break-
ing and entering the dwelling-house of T. Dowling, in
the parish of Eling, in this county, in the night be-
tween the 27th and 28th of July, and stealing therein
certain articles of wearing apparel and an umbrella, his
property ; and the latter was indicted for receiving part
of the same, knowing them to have been stolen.
The Jury found all the prisoners Guilty.

STAFFORD, AUGUST 7.
WA. T 5 ler, aged 18, was indicted for setting fire to a cotton-mill,
the property of Sir Robert Peel, Bart.-.,The prisoner was a very
deeent-leteiring lad.
SFr. Ounwoon listed tie ease for the prosecution. The prosecu-
tOr occupied a cotton-8118 at Fazeley, as tenant of Sir Robert Peel ;
that Mill was burnt downiander such circumstances as left no doubt
that the fire did not arise from accident. A witness would indeed
prove a confession by the prisoner of the actual fact, but he ought
to say that this witness was not one of so respectable a description
as might be wished, th:refore they would consider whether this
witness was sufficiently corroborated. It would appear clear that
the prisoner was drinking at a public-house so late as twelve o'clock
at night, and be said that be had then gone to bed at Tamworth,
but it would appear that he was at the fire at an hour so early as to
make that impossible, and this witness (a young woman) would
state that on seeing hit* the next morning, she observed It was a
bad job. He said it was, but the Fire-office would pay it. She
said, " Had you any share in the job ?" He said, " Yes ;he knew
where to find the keys of the mill, and that he lighted some waste
cotton, and threw it among some more, and then threw the candle
and lantern into the mill-dam. No candle or lantern were found in
the mill-dam ; but a candle and lantern were found in a neighbour-
ing well, and 'with regard to his saying he knew where to find the
keys, he would state that the head overseer, to avoid being die-
tubed in the mornings, used to hide the keys. where he knew that
the man who used to light the fires of the mill would find them.
Mr. John Hunter, who occupies the mill. deposed to the fire not
having been accidental.
Rachel Fletcher, King's evidence, who appeared to be about six-
teen years of age, examined—Remembered the night of the fire;
prisoner went home with her and stopped till ten o'clock. Hymns
were sung at Mrs. Gibson's, next door to our house, and I went
out to hear them, and saw the prisoner; I observed that the prisoner
had a lantern under his jacket ; it was lighted ; I asked him where
he was going? he replied it does not matter to you where I am
going ; he went along the wooden bridge, towards Mr. Hunter's fac-
tory ; it was nearly eleven o'clock; I remember the mill being on
fire; I heard the cry when I was in bed; on the next day, that is
the Sunday, I saw the prisoner, at about two o'clock, on some timber
facing Henry Jenkins' door, where I lodged. He looked very
(tightened. I told him it was a shocking thing that this fire had
happened. He at first made no answer, and when I asked him
again, he bade me hold my tongue, or he should be found out. We
walked cloven to the Navigation Bridge. I said how could any one
get into the factory? He said any one could soon get in, for the keys
lay withiaside the gates. I asked Mtn how he did it, and he said he
had good waste, and rubbed it in oil, and set it on fire. I said what
a loss to Mr. Hunter it would be.—He aid—he be damued, it
would be no loss to him, for there was a Fire-office who would make
it good to him. I said what a spite it was to Mr. Hunter. lie
said no spite at all, for the Fire-office makes it good. He said fur-
ther, that after he had set it on fire, he had thrown the lantern and
candle into the mill dam. _ _ .

by the prisoner,

The witness underwent a long
and re•examifiation by the Learned Judge.
Other witneues were examined, and the prisoner put in a written
defence, which was read by Mr. Bet.Lastr.
The defence asserted an alibi, and added, that the girl was un-
• worthy of belief, she being a common prostitute, and had been turned
away.by different masters, and been guilty of stealing a shawl.
The prisoner desired that William Faulkener, who had been ori-
ginally indicted with the prisoner, but against whom the bill had not
been found, should be examined as a witness. He was accordingly
called, and stated, that the prisoner and he had been in company on
the evening in question, and that they had gone home together.
Mr. Justice Lirrianar.x summed up the evidence, and observed,
that there appeared to be no motive for the prisoner to have com-
mitted the offence; and the question was, whether they believed
Rachel Fletcher, for if they did not, there was by no means suffi-
cient evidence to justify their finding the 'prisoner guilty ; and even
if they thought it doubtful whether she ought to be believed or
not, they should acquit.
The Jury having consulted together for some time, found the
prisoner NW GuiLl44

An article from Copenhagen says, that the Princess
Royal of Dewstaas: was to be married to the Prince of OLDIMULIPLO.
The following strange story appears in the Cork Chro•
;tide; how the escape from drowning and the sinking
to ri-e no more, are to be reconciled, we know not:
Saturday morning, three young female children, while bathing
at the brick-fields, narrowly escaped being drovrned:-Through some
accident they were drawn into the deep water, and one of them had
actually sunk to rime no more before their cries or perilous situation
had arrested the attention of some young men who were bathing a
short distance from the place, two of whom swam with all speed to
their assistance , and fortunately, though with much difficulty,
brought the bodies NW More Ur