Star.
London, England, 1828-08-23 00:00:00

POLICE INT ELLIGENCE.

MANSION 1-10 USE.

Yesterday the grave-digger of a parish in the City was charged
bef,re Mr. Alderman ANSLEY, who set for the Lord Ma. or, with
having tripped up the heels of the beadle, and laid him fiat on the
pavement. There was a very full attendance of spectators in the
Justice-room, the grave-digger having vowed that even after the
death of the beadle be would show that he had a deep recollection
of injuries.
The beadle stated, that in the early part of the preceding day the
gravedigger had been amusing himself with blowing up the church-
wardens without the slightest provocation, but that as he was gene-
rally a very civil man, and had a drop on the occasion , no notice
was taken of his conduct. The beadle afterwards went with the
doctor to visit a patient who was in a very delicate state of health ;
but when he had just reached the house the grave-digger, who had
Teen walking behind, tripped up Ids heels, and down he fell on his
back like a corpse.
The Alderman supposed that the grave-digger was suddenly
seized with a professional fit and wanted to bury the beadle; and
his Worship asked the former why he had attempted so unneces-
sarily to disturb the living?
The grave-digger replied, that he was rather merry that morning,
having just come from a funeral—(A loud laugh). He did not
exactly know what he war about when be came across the beadle,
and he was surprised to see the Gentleman measure bis length on
the ground, as it he was laid out for it. He lamented the accident,
for he bad always experienced civility in that quarter; but be hoped
that the offence would be fuEgotten, and he should pursue his
business without ever troubling his bead with a living beadle again.
The beadle evidently did not like this significant allusion to the
conduct the grave-digger might adopt in the event of his death,
particularly as the grave-digger cast a very awful eye at him. lie
said he did nut wish to hurt the pour man, and he hoped the Alder-
man would dismiss him, upon his promise not to give offence to
any of the parish authorities again.
The grave-digger still ►puke mysteriously. He vowed that neither
churchwarden, nor overseer, nor beadle, should ever have it in their
power to complain of him : he would never hurt the feelings of
any of them—(A laugh).
Alderman Animist asked why the beadle wished to keep in the
employment of the parish a nun wbo set such an example of in-
subordination to the paupers?
One of the authorities mentioned in a low tone to the Alderman,
that the fact was, they could not get a man to supply his place pro-
perly, as he knew the ground so well. Another grave digger would
not know where to shove his spade when a place was wanted ; but
the defendant was su well acquainted with the ground, crowded as
it was, that he could prick for room in litsk or no time-.(Laughter.)
The beadle said that the defendant knew his own worth, and
when threatened with dismi,sal laughed at the authorities. Indeed,
if the grave-digger went away, he (the beadle) would (te obliged to
take his place.
Alderman ANSLEY said this kind of independence reminded him
of the conduct of all executioner, when a brother Alderman was
Sheriff. A man was to be hanged one morning, and the hour had
nearly arrived, when the Jack Ketch, who, he supposed, was also
in his cups, swore d—n his eyes if he'd do the job without some
ready money. Mr. Ketch got the sum he required, because if the
Sheriff had refused, he would have been obliged to tie up the cri-
minal himself--(Loud laughter.)
The grave-digger assured the Alderman that he would perform
his duties with the greatest decorum, and the beadle pleaded bard
for him, urging that be had a wife and children, and was generally
very well behaved.
Mr. Hobler—The least that can be done is to fine him ss. for
being drunk.
The grave-digger went into the next room, and sent word to the
beadle that the parish most pay the money, or the consequences
would be disagreeable. He did not mean, he said, to break the
law; but if the beadle happened to go first, there should be very
little mould over him.

Whether the fear of the body-snatchers operated upon the beadle
or not, the fine was certainly paid without delay.
A waterman was fitted under the new Act, for having charged
gs. instead of 9d. He committed another offence, for he had no
list of the fares, &c. The penalty was mitigated to 10s.