Star.
London, England, 1813-07-09 00:00:00

LAW INTILLIGMT.E.

COURT CF RING'S BENCH, JULY R.
SUMMERS J. SiR J. CRAUFURD, DART..

This wits an action in which the plaintiff, who lived
in the family of the defendant as Butler, sought to
recover damages for an assault and injury he had
sustained, by his master having thrown a quantity of
hot water over him. By the evidence of the Uncier-
butler, who was called by Mr. lefty's, on the part of
the plaintiff, it appeared, that one morning in April
last, Sir James, as was his usual custom, rung for
some water to shave with, and the plaintiff not taking
it up stairs immediately, when he did take it up, Sir
James gave him a kick, by which the water was
thrown over his face and legs, and he received some
severe scalds. On his cross•examination by the AT-
TORNEY-GENERAL, the witness acknoWledged that
Sir J. rang three times, arid at length came from his
dressing-room to the kitchen-stairs, and called :is
often before he could obtain what he wanted. The
plaintiff then came up stairs, and some words passed
between him and his master, when Sir James, being
irritated, kicked the jug, and the water flew up in
the plaintiff's face, in the manner described by the
witness.

A Surgeon was examined, who proved, that the
plaintiff had received some trifling injury, but nothing
of consequence.
The ATTORNET-GENERAL addressed the Jury, but
called no evidence; and the Jury, after a few minutes
deliberation, found for the plaintiff, damages £3O.

BOW-STREET.—A number of persons were charged
with letting off firewot ks on Monday and Tuesday
nights, and in consequence taken to Covebt-garden
watch-house, out of whom seven made their escape,
by forcing an aperture through the wall.—A party I
of the patrole opposite Somerset House observed a
man taking aim with squibs and crackers, which
broke several windows. After observing his conduct
a short time, they seized him, and found that the
crackers had a piece of lead, about the size of a Ss.
token, tied to the end of them by a piece of string
about three inches long, which, bad they struck any
person on the head, might have caused death. On
searching him, twelve of them were found with lead
tied to them as above. Several other acts of violence
were committed on this spot. Some squibs were
thrown into a Gentleman's carriage passing, with a
Lady in it, which set her clothes on fire ; and some
straw on the top of a stage-coach was set on fire, by
some squibs thrown among it.—Soon after eleven
o'clock, application was made from Lord CASTLE-
REAGI; for assistance, his Lordship having a party of
friends at his house in St. James's-square, who ap-
peared at the balcony, when fire-works, stones, &c.
were thrown at them, and the windows broke. A
party of the patrole went and cleared the mob from
before his Lordship's house, and kept it clear during
the remainder of the night.—Fifty persons were con-
victed yesterday for letting off fireworks.
EDINBURGH, JULY s.—The following letter has
been addressed to the LORD JUSTICE CLERK, by John
M'Donald, one of the young men found guilty of the
murder of the late Mr. Muirhead, as already staed
in the STAR :

" Mr Lo RD—Nothing causes me more grief and vexation than
to hear of my improper conduct during my trial, and at receiving
sentence, for my mind was actually in such a state that I did trot
know what I was doing or saying. Such misconduct would, no
doubt, excite some displeasure in the Court against me. I have,
therefore, taken the liberty of addressing your Lordship, most
humbly imploring forgiveness, which I hope your Lordship will
have no hesitation to grant to a dying sinner. My Lord, I ac-
knowledge the justice of my sentence, and with due submission I
am resigned to the laws of GOD and my country. it is fiequently
the case, my Lord, to blame the parents and relatives of those who
suffer, for not looking after their conduct ; this is a general, but
I trust not a just remark, at least as/at as it regards me. I have
the satisfaction, thank GOD, to declare before GOD and the world,
that my relatives are innocent, in the strictest sense of the word,
of whatever I have done amiss; and although I lost my father
when very young, yet I have a tender mother, who never a•as re-
miss in giving me counsel and advice, which, if I had followed, I
would HOC have brought myself to an untimely and ignominious
end. I have no favour nor request to ask of die world than to
clear, if possible, my poor relatives of such an aspersion ;—and
nothing troubles my mind nor distracts it from the only object
that 1 have in view, but the dread that such may he laid to their
charge after my death. I therefore hope, it your Lordship shall
see it meet, that you'll give your consent that this, my dying de-
claration, shall be made public, the only way that I know can take
away the undeserved stigma from my poor relations. I am, my
Lord, your Lordship's most submissive and most obedient humble
servant. " JOHN M'DONALD.
" Edinburgh Gaol, June 17, 1913."