Star.
London, England, 1826-09-23 00:00:00

MARY-LA-BONNE.

Yesterday, Marlin Nickel's was brought before Mr. BAOIIIIIIIOX,
for a final examination, on the charge of having committed a rape
upon the body of Bridget Foy, a girl 13 years of age, his step-
daughter, being the child of his wife by a former husband.
At the first examination, on the 15th. inst. Bridget Foy deposed,
that she was one of four daughters of the prisoner's wife, her two
sisters, fifteen years of age, being twins, were named Jane and
Mary ; she bad a younger shier, who is provided for by the parish.
She said, that on Wednesday, the 25d of August her mother left
their lodging (a second Boor, in a house in Hermitage-street, Pad-
dington Green) to go into the country, and left Mary end herself
at home with their father-in-law ; and that, before her mother
went, she cautioned her never to admit of familiarities from her
father-in-law, for he had threatened to make four
four daughters. She went on to state, that soon as her mother
was gone, her father-in-law sent away her sister Mary to her
uncle's (Francis Foy), in Union-court, St. James's where her sister
Jane was, by which means she was left alone with him. Her father-
in-law and mother used to sleep in the front room, and Mary and
herself in the back room. The same night, as she was going to bed,
and had taken off her clothes, excepting her petticoat, her father-in.
law came into her room and asked her who ordered her to prepare
two beds ? She said no sae. He said one bed was sufficient, for
she must sleep with him. He dragged her into his room, forced
her into his bed, and with great violence perpetrated the ;rime of
which he was accused. She did nor cry out, because he prevented
her by stopping her mouth with his hand and with the blanket.—
She remained in his bed the whole night, and did not leave it until
be was gone to his work. After she got up, she want to washing,
and hung her clothes upon a line in the yard. She then went to
her sister Mary, informed her of what bad happened, and brought
her back with her. She did not inform any one else, because she
expected her mother back the following day, or the day after. Her
mother returned from the country me Saturday, and being informed
of the circumstance, she took her and her sister to a surgeon on the
following day, and had not slept with their father-in-law since. She
farther stated, that, to prevent Mary appearing against him at this
office, her father-in-law had sent her off to Ireland ea the following
Tuesday, by one of the Paddington boats. -
Mr. Robert Coacher, of New Church-street, • Lisson-grove,
examined the girls ; he was certain no violence bad ever been com-
mitted upon the elder one. Circumstances were rather different
with respect to Bridget, bat he believed her situation would have
been very different if such an assault had been so recently conk
mitted ; and therefore, in his opinion, it had not taken place.
The evidence of Mr. Rogers, a master builder, who kept the
house in Hermitage-street, and Mrs. Rogers, was of a similar ten-
dency. The girl's story was told and repeated so circumstantially,
connectedly, and with so much apparent simplicity, that Mr.
Buoyant°, expressed himself astonished at the conflicting nature of
the evidence, and in order to obtain the testimony of the mother,
who was again gone into the country, the prisoner was remanded
until yesterday.
Mrs. Nicholls lived nine months as wet-nurse in the family of the
Rev. Mr. Bernell, at Iver, and is just returned, at Mrs. Boswell's
'request, in her service again, as dry-nurse. She stated, that her
husband bad always been steady and kind, not at all addicted to
women • when she was absent, out of small earnings he has sent
her considerable sums; she damn caution Bridget not to admit of
familiarities ; she never thought he would offer them ; and he never
threatened to make her daughters prostitutes, but frequently said
their conduct was likely to bring them to that condition. At first
she believed Bridget's story, and would not hear what her husband
had to say in his defence, and it so disgusted her that sbe has not
slept with him since. Now she is convinced, from what the surgeon
said, that the charge is unfounded. The two girls, Jane and Mary,
were sent to Ireland by her desire, because her sister there will
maintain them; the determination was made before the alleged
crime was said to be committed, and Bridget was to have gone with
them. She bad been a great trouble to her—she had repeatedly
robbed her employers, and was a notorious story-teller.—This was
warped by Mr. Taylor, of Southmolton-street.
Mr. Kelly, of Paddington, gave the prisoner an excellent cha-
racter; he bad worked for him between six and seven years, and
bad been a watchman for four years in St. Pancras Parish, with
an unimpeached character.
Gibbs. the officer who apprehended him, stated, that he came
very willingly to meet the charge, and Mr. With°, a parish officer
of Mary-la-bonne, said, Nicholls applied some time since for a pass
to Ireland for the three girls, complaining particularly of Bridget,
who, he said, stayed out at night, and associated with a parcel of boys.
Mr. Baotioneow.—l never knew a case .involved in so much
mystery t the girl in public, and with me in private, with tears in
her eyes, as she is new, has told a clear and connected story; if it
be not true, there never was greater wickedness; those are works
of darkness, and therefore an eye-witness is not to be expected;
but as you (addressing the prisoner) possess so good a character,
and I do not consider the evidence strong enough for a Jury, I shall
leave the case between you and your MAIM', and discharge you.

QUEEN-SQUARE.

Madelina Commons, residing at No. 2, Theatre-place,
Stangate-strtet,Westminster was put to the bar,when Mr. Davidge,
of Henrietta.street, Covent (Judea, stated, that the prisoner came
Ito board and lodge with him about twelve weeks ago, repieseutino

herself as a German Lady of high birth; tbat Prince T.enpold dts
her guardian, and that Mr. Rothschild had money belonging to her
to a
.considerabla amount ; she had also an account at Messrs,
Coutts', to who= she had lately advanced twenty thousand pounds,
as a loan; and, as vouchers for her respectability, she 'hewed wit_
ness an immense bundle of documents, duly signed and sealill by
Foreigners of distinction, relative to her possessions in Germany....
From the plausible manner of the prisoner, witness trusted her for
board and lodging to the amount of 141. ls. lid. but when he res
quested a settlement, she expressed herself indignant at his impel,
tinenre in troubling her about such a trite, and quitted ht 4 lodging.
He then called on Messrs. Rothschild, who proclaimed her an im-
postor. At the time of her quitting, a pair of socks, which were
hung to dry in her room, were missed, and lie now charged heron
suspicion of having stolen them.
The IAOIPTRATIt remonstrated severely on her mode of conduct,
which he said would speedily bring her within the walls of a pre
son ; but as the present charge was not sufficient to detain her, shi
must be discharged.