Star.
London, England, 1829-01-10 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLKIENCE.

MANSION HOWL •
Yesterday: his Majesty's Sergeant Trumpeter waked upon the
tine Rialtoit, for the purpose of correcting an inaccuracy which
had been made to a statement to his Lordship en the subject of a
fee which the King's Sergeant Trumpeter kid received, time im-
memorial, from the Licensed Victuallers of the kmgdom. The
error was calculated to do him considerable Prejudice, inasmuch
as the persons who were in the habit of paying the fee might sup.
pose, upon seeing the account all over theunpire, that more wes
demanded than the patentee was authorised to receive. It bad been
mentioned by the applicant to his Lordship on behalf of the pals-
neaps. that the fee amounted to two guineas upon each license by
the King's Sergeant Trumpeter, wham+ it midst no circuiristanees
exceeded 255. per annum.
The Loan Marna considered that it was of very little import-
ance whether the demand was two guineas 0r.,255. There was, in
his opinion, just as much reason for granting the prat as the second
sent, and he was surprised that the Licensed Victuallers ever coo-
tented to pay a farthing. Of what service, asked his Lordship.
was the King's Trumpeter's license?
The Deputy said, that it was limed under the impression that it
would protect the Licensed Victuallers, or ether prisons who
should have music in their houses, (romps:mines, and of course
from the aggression of lawmen.
The LOSS • Maros—Protect ! that is impossible. The Kitlt'S
Trumpeter's license is of no more use to a license) victualler than
this piece of paper. If any publican is brought before me kfor
" beefing. blowing, or sounding," without having the legitimate
authority to do se; and plead's in his justilkation the King's Trum.
peter's licehse. I shall certainly line him.
The Deputy said that he was not prepared to enter late-flu
merits of the case. but his principal was. he believed, occupied io
puking the necessary inquiries into the nature end extent of the
rawer. cenimunicated. to hint by ids patent. He merely atteelded
for the purpose of showing that upon occasion* of application to
him for a license, he never charged more than he was justifted In
demanding.
The Lean Niavoa—But I say you are not justified in milking
any demand. As I was aware that this was a subject which, in-
terested a very extensive part of the community, I looked into the
25th of Geo. IL sec. 2. cap. MI, which treats of those licenses.
Listen to this, and tell me to what your authority. amounts—
" And whence, the multitude of niaces of entertainment for the
lower sort of *pie is another great cause of thefts and rub.
boles, as they are thereby tempted to spend their small sub-
stances in riotous pleasures, and in consequence are put on un-
lawful methods of supplying their wants and renewing their
pleasures. In order. therefore, to prevent the said temptation
to thefts and robberies, and to correct, as far as may be, the
habit of idleness, which is become too general over the whole
kingdom, and is productive of much mischief and inconvenience,
be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the
Ist of December, 1752, any house. room, garden, or place.
kept for public dancing, music. or other public entertainment
of the like kind in the City of London and Westminster. or
within twenty miles thereof, without a license had fat that per
pose, from last prueding Michaelmas Quarter Sessions of • the
peace to he holden' for the county, city. siding, liberty, or di-
vine° in which such house or place is situate (who are hereby
authorised and empowered to grant such licenses as they, in their
discretion shall think proper) siguined under the hands and seals of
four or more of the Justices there assesubird,shall he deemed a disor-
derly house or place,and every such license shall be signed and sealed
by the said Justices in open Court, and afterwards be publicly, read
by the Clerk of the Peace, together with the names subscribing the
same; and no such license than be granted at any adjoornd Session.
nor abet any fee or reward be taken for any such license ; end it
shall and may be lawful for any constable or other persons ,being
authorised by warrant to enter such house or place, and to seize
every person who shall be found therein, in order to be dealt with
according to law; and every person keeping such house or place,
without such license, shall forfeit the sum of 1001. to such person as
shall sue for the same, and be otherwise punishable es the law
directs in cases of disorderly houses." Now does the King's trum-
peter's license set Aside this Act? If be of authority, this Act le a
dead letter.
The Deputy said, that the patent was some hundreds of /ears
old, and the fee was •an ancient custom persevered .1n up to the
present time. The patentee took we not to grans licensee, except
to those who had unobjectionable houses; besides, he Dever ap-
plied to the publicans—they applied to him from all puts of the
country.
The LOSS Manes asked what the terms of the patent were?
The Deputy said he had not the patent about bins, but it ran
nearly as had bees before described to his Lordship. It privileged
" beating, blowing, and sounding."
The Losii I decidedly think that the King's
trumpeter is by no means justified.'
The Deputy said. that in consequence of the fact of his Lord-
ship having questioned the right of the King's Sergeant trumpeter
to issue the licenses, that office.' bad determined to consult some
eminent law authority, and would be decided by the opinion of
such legal person.
The Loam Maros advised him, by all means, to do so as speedily
as possible, as If a Licensed Victualler should be brought before
him for " beating. blowing, or sounding." he should certainly decide
according to the terms of the statute. His Lordship requested to
know what n ere the duties of the King's trumpeter.
The Deputy said, that he claimed to play before the King and
sixteen of the Household. office was held under the great seal.
Mr. Mohler said, that of old the • Lord Mayor of Londilo's state
was an epitome of Majesty. The sword bearer was then his
Lordship's trumpeter, and used to have Ms fees for music, but the
thing fell into disuse.
The Deputy re-assured his Lordship that his principal would as
expeditiously as he could ascertain the exact nature of his claim,l
and act accordingly.
It happened that one of the Committee on the occasions of the
great ball given at Guildhall was in the Mansion House while this
conversation was going forward. This Gentleman said. that the
trumpeter applied for two guineas to the Committee for his per.,
animism to have taunt; and he also applied for four ens et taffeta
with which to decorate his person—( Laughter). The Committee
had, however, disregarded the application.