Star.
London, England, 1818-05-07 00:00:00

OLD BAILEY SESSIONS.

Yesterday the Sessions commenced before the Right
Honourable the LORD MAYOR, Mr. Justice BAILEY,
Mr. Baren GARROW, the RECORDER, and the usual
Ciocers.
Thomas
Bontein was arraigned upon a charge of
forgery ; but upon the application of Mr. BARRY, his
trial was postponed until the next Sessions, in conse-
quence of the absence in a foreign country, of a ma-
terial witness. Under the peculiar circumstances of
the case, the Court permitted him to be at liberty,
upon condition of entering into two hundred pounds
recognicances.
James Holmore was found Guilty of stealing two
sheets, six table cloths, and several articles of wearing
apparel, the property of Captain Henry Hopkins.
Thomas Mitchell was capitally indicted for steal-
ing, on the 16th of April, a wether sheep, the pro-
perty of Thomas Cane, a farmer, living in the parish
of Stanwell, in Middlesex. Guilty—Death. Aged 56.
J. Pearson was found Guilty of stealing, the 26th
of April, two waistcoats and a piece of ilorentine, the
property of J. Emerson.
William Major, aged 25, James Greenfield, 20, Ro-
bert Selby, 20, and James Stockton, 20, were indicted
for assaulting Thomas Tooman, on the highway, put-
ting him in fear, and taking from his person a watch
and two seals, and two shillings and sixpence in
money, on the 15th of April last.
The prosecutor deposed that he was a shoemaker,
and resided at York-street, Westminster. On the day
stated in the indictment he went to see the sport going
forward at Tothill •tields, and had not been there long
when a ring was formed of the multitude for the
purpose of holding a bull bait. He saw the prisoners
in the crowd, and they continued to push and shove
people about. In a few minutes they approached,
and hustled him with considerable violence. One of
them seized him by the arm, and another gave him
a squeeze which pained him much. He was even-
tually so ill used as to fall down in a state of insensi-
bility, and upon recovering, found himself in a cart,
into which he had been lifted. His watch, seals, and
money were then gone. He was certain the prisoners,
with others, were those who had hustled him. The
prisoner Major did not take his watch, but he was
one of the men who held him. Ile knew him the
more particularly, having gone to school with him.
The Jury, after a consultation of about ten mi-
nutes, Acquitted Selby and Stockton, and found Ma-
jor and Greenfield Guilty of stealing from the per-
son only.
Thomas Bulling and Timothy 3PNamara' who
were convicted of forging a will, but in whose behalf
an objection was taken in arrest of judgment, and the
point being reserved for the Twelve Judges, they
were put to the bar in the course of the morning.—
The objection arose respecting the probate being va-,
lid personal property.
Mr. Justice BAILEY observed to the prisoners, that
the Judges, after mature consideration, were of opi-
nion that the objection in their favour could not be
supported, and he had the authority to say, that they
must in proper time receive the judgment of the Court.
Chat/es Gogerly was next put to the bar upon a
point of lass. He was coavi led in February Ses-
sions, with two others, for privately stealing in a shop,
but it appearing that the two others being in the shop,
and he (the prisoner) Nov being in the shop, but out-
side, a doubt arose whether he could, under the cir-
cumstances, be capitally convicted.
Mr. Justice BAILEY in this also stated, that the
Judges were of opinion that he, being in concert with
the other two, was equally guilty—so that the capi-
tal sentence must await him.

Robert Spencer and William Baillie were next put
to the bar under similar circumstances. They had
been found guilty of a burglary, but a doubt arose
whether the breaking was a sufficient entry.
Mr. Justice BAILEY observed, that in this case the
outer shutters had been cut through, and then they
reached the glazing of the window, and a hand had
been introduced so far as to reach the glass, and the
'doubt entertained was whether the space between
the shutters and the glass was within the house ?
The Judges were of opinion that it was within the
house—so that the conviction of the prisoners was le-
gally confirmed.

Tuesday upwards of 1,200 persons, At' both sexes,
were confirmed at the New Church, Mary-la.bonne,
by the Bishop of LONDON.

The Countess of MANSFIELD has for many years
occupied the Ranger's house in Richmond Park by a
grant from the Kmo. By a recent arrangement, she
has relinquished the house, with all its appendages,
to the Princess ELIZABETH, in consideration of an an-

nuity of 1,000/. to be paid by the public during her'
life. Lord SIDMOJTH, who is now the Deputy Ranger,
has also a house in the Park, with the usual perqui-
sites of venison, &c. which he very handsomely shares
with his Constituents, as High Steward of Westmin-
ster, at their annual feast.

The Grotto public house, in Lant-street, South-
wark, was again set fire to yesterday. This is the
fifth time that the destruction of these premises has
been attempted within a few days, and still the incen-
diary remains undiscovered.

A fire broke out on Thursday last, at Gillingham,
-in a warehouse belonging to Mr. Pope, brewer,
which, in a short space of time, was consumed.
Wednesday sennight a fire broke out in the stables
of the Bear and Crown Inn, Ipswich, when in a short
time a range of 18 stalls, wash-house, and a room
over the kitchen, fell a prey to the devouring element.
Five horses unfortunately perished in the flames, the
progress of which was happily checked about four
o'clock, by the praise-worthy exertions of the specta-
tors, and particularly the Officers and mess of the 3d
Dragoon Guards.

Tuesday morning there was an eclipse of the sun,
which commenced about six minutes before six, and
whose greatest obscuration was about I'2 minutes be-
fore seven. The extent of darkness was four degrees
and a half on the sun's southern lhnb, and as it was
unobscured by clouds, an excellent opportunity was
afforded for observing the large cluster of spots, and
the two small ones on the suns

We lately copied a paragraph from a provincial
paper, stating the death of Jordan, the celebrated
Devonshire wrestler, but which was erroneous, he
being still living, and ne.isly rccovcrgd limn a sevcre
indispositiO4.