Star.
London, England, 1826-10-07 00:00:00

SINGULAR FEAT.

A few years ago, F. Poole, Esq. undertook for a wager of 50 gs.
to ride down the steepest part of the Devil's-dyke, near Brighton,
on horseback, a descent of at least 500 yards, and in many places
almost vertical! Mr. Poole performed the frightful and rash task
with the greatest ease, in the presence of at least 100 sportsmen.
In the descent he was allowed to diverge ten yards only to the right
or to the left of the starting paint, but so nearly straight was his
progress, that he did nut deviate more than three yards from the
line. He rode an• aged mare of his own, which rapidly executed her
task with her fore feet, and sliding upon her hocks, to the Wallah-
meat of all present.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.

Yesterday, a man, named Zia, was brought before the Loan
Moyoa, charged with having committeda very complicated dance. •
A person, named Lloyd, bad met him at a workhouse, where
they were both supported by the parish. Lloyd was said to be an
we industrious man and he speedily obtained work. Kidd bad alwi
been sneaking about the City, and was known to bean idle,
less fellow, and he was turned out of the workhouse for miscond
Soon afterwards he met Kidd, who appeared to be in great distress,
• and asked him to tea. Kidd went to his acquaintance's lodgings,
when he was not at home, and in his absence made free with two
'shirts. which he pained. 'Kidd sold the duplicates to his brother;
but dtg desirous of getting hold of one of the shirts, he swore be-
fore a hfltgiurate that he had lost the duplicate of it, and be of
course obtained the shirt. The robbery having been discovered, Kidd
was taken into custody, and the stolen shin was found upon him.
The Loan Maros observed, that the prisoner, who hid been
'
frequently before the Magistrates, charged with offences, was guilty •
upon this occasion of ingratitude, felony, fraud, and perjury; and
his Lordship stated, that there could be no doubt of a conviction.
He directed that the prisoner should be remanded, is order that the
second charge might bt brought against him. •

A watchman, named Stevens. was charged with having assaulted
two Officers in the execution of their duty.
The officers it appeared, bad, in going their nightly rounds,
asked a watchman whether a public-house on his beat was closed,
the hour being half past twelve? The watchman replied that it
was closed, and that it was an orderly house. The oScers, how-
ever, were determined to try, and they found the bowie open ; they
therefore expostulated with the watchman, who net only called
them thieves and vagabonds, but struck them and threatened them
and all others whO attempted to insult his dignity. They were at
length compelled to call another watchman to take him into ustody.
The Loan IlAroa (to the watchman)--How did you get ap-
pointed? Watchman—l was in the workhouse, your Lordship,
and the Overseer put me on the watch.
The Loan Maroe—Aye, that's just the way. The Overseers
appoint any idle fellows, whatever may be their characters, to pro-
tect the inhabitants from thieves. It is well known that there are
very few stout men who live upon the Parish, without being idle,
and therefore vicious; and these are the very persons selected for
our protection to many of the Wards of the City. This is a most
disgraceful practice, and I am determined to mention it in the
Court of Common Council, in order, if possible, that a remedy may
be applied.
Mr. Mohler said, that ,the watchmen in many of the wards acted
as if they were wholly independent, and treated the public in the
' most tyrannical manner.
The Loan Maroa—A great many of the watchmen may be called
watchmen for thieves, and not for the inhabitants, because they get
out of the' way when any burglary is to be attempted. I have known
this to be the case frequently. At the corner of &livens-street,
some months ago, the watchman happened to be out of the way
when a burglary was committed, and upwards of itl,ooo
If the system was strict, there would, I know, be nothing et this
I kind occurring; but when the Overseers empty the vtorkbouses
for the protection of the City of London, what is to be expected but
plunder, when there ought to be security?
Mr. Nobler said, that the night before, jest under the these
of a watchman, the Resurrection-men had been at work. A
dead body bud been actually, raised, and put in a sack, and the
Snatchers were taking it over the sailing, where a watchman is
ordered to walk up and down to guard the church-yard against
those horrible invaders. There was neither protection for the living
. nor the dead among some of those guardians of the nightly peace.
The Beadle of Bishopsgate parish stated, that the person who
ought to have been on duty at the church-yard was ill, and another
having been appointed in his place for the night, the body was spry
near being stolen off; alarm, however, was given in time to pre-
vent the robbery. The body was left on the ground, but the an-
ders escaped, without, however, taking with them their tool*. They
must have been at work for a length of time, as the coffin lay seven
feet and a half under ground.
The Loan MAYOR—So long as this system prevails of electing
watchmen, nothing less titan burglaries can be expected, to.say no-
thing of the various annoyances to which the public are subject,
front the coutluct of the watchmen. The Ward of Porisoken, of
which Sir J. Shaw is Alderman, was (his Lordship said) one of
exceptions to the rule of which he spoke.