Star.
London, England, 1818-03-20 00:00:00

PROFESSIONAL PUNNING.

Mr HART, (with his right foot bandaged, and rest-
ing on the bench where he generally sits), addressed
the Lord Chancellor respecting the arrangement of
a cause in vhich he was the leading Counsel.
• The LORD CHANCELLOR-44 To you, Mr. Hart,
who are ',tans Fetie in uno; great attention is no
doubt due."

Mr. HART—" Though this be my case, I trust,
my Lord, that I shall place my client's business on
both legs!"

SUSSEX LENT ASSIZE&
WESTON V. ADAMS AND WIFE.

This was an action for defamatory words spoken
by the defendaisis wife, of and concerning the plain-
tiff, whom she charged with having wilfully set file
to his house, for the purpose of defrauding the fire-
' office. The defendant; pleaded the general issue.
It appeared that the parties resided at Hastings.—
The plaintiff had the misfortune to have his house
burnt down, and Mrs. Adams thought proper to add
to his distress, by industriously circulating a report,
that it was more the effect of design than accident.
The scandal was so widely and so vigorously disse-
minated that the plaintiff thought it necessary to
bring the present action.
Mr. LAwEs and Mr. D'Ortss were for the plain-
tiff, and Mr. MARRYATT and Mr. Bowan for the de.
fendants.-0a the part of the latter some evidence
was offered in mitigation of damages, for the purpose
of skewing that there were same suspicious circum-
stances connected with the fire, which had given rise
to many reports prejudicial to the plaintiffs character.
Under all the circumstances, however, the Jury
found for the plaintiff—damages 501.

CROWN SIDE.

John Millnetrd was indicted under the Black Act.
Geo. I. and under Lord Ellenborough's Act, fur
wilfully and maliciously presenting a loaded pistol,
and shooting at John Ho den, in the parish of Ash-
burnham, on the 11th of January, with intent to
murder, or do him some grievous bodily harm.
It appeared in evidence that the prosecutor was in
the service of Lord Ashlsm-nham, as under game-
keeper, and having ham informed by another under-
keeper, named Clarke, on the evening of the 11th
of January, that there were sosne poackers in Fur-
nace Wood, the property of Lord Ashburnham, he
went. thther, and found the prisoner concealed,
lying on his hands and knees, having just dicharged
a fowling piece. Ile immediately attempted to take
him into custody, tell upon him and held him down,
and called for the assistance of Clarke. IN hilst in
this attitude the prisoner pulled a pistol from under
his smock-frock, and turning it over his shoulder in
the direction of the prosecutor's head, he discharged
it, but fortunately without effect, as the prosecutor's.
head happened at the moment to he turned another
way. The prisoner was effectually secured, and of
fered 3a to he released, which was refused. Ile af-
terwards confessed his guilt, and it further appeared
that he had publicly said in an ale-hearse,. a week
before, that he was determined never to be taken by
any constable or keeper, for if his old•gun failed, he
had "a little thing" under his smock-frock, alluding
to his p4to/, which would do the business.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, but recom-
mended him to mercv—a recommendation which
was strongly seconded. by Lord Ashburnham, who,
by his Counsel, the Common Serjeant, said, that the
only object of the prosecution was to set an example
to offenders of the like description.
Sentence of Death was passed on the prisoner, but
• some hopes were held out to him that it would not he
carried into execution.

James Evans, James Jupp, Philip Jupp, and Henry
Jupp, James Nye, sea. :Icnnes Nye, jun. Thomas Phil-
pn, and Daniel Rapley, were arraigned upon ten in-
dictments for various burglaries and felonies, com-
mitted within the last two years. The prisoners formed
a gang which has been the terror of the county for
the last three years ; at length the above prisoners
were apprehended. This morning, on being brought
into Court. they pleaded Guilty to all the indict-
ments.—Mr. COMMON StsIUZANT and Mr. Cram-owl,

who were Counsel for the prosecution, stated, that as
the prisoners seemed actuated by a sense of contri-
tion for their past conduct, into which they had been
seduced by an old offender, they, on the part of the
prosecution, recommended them to the mercy of the
Curt.—lt was understood that the leader of this
gang was Daniel Rapley, sen. an old offender, who,
when he found the party seas discovered and appre-
hended, hanged himself.