The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-11-21
5IRt9tellann.
LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT Oh xINo's BENCH, MAY "a.
TIE King y. JHie,.

16s Arg y. JEfs,
THEATRICAL FRAcAs-Mr Parke Rated that
this was an indictment charging the defendant with
an infult upon Mr.. Henry Erfkine Iohniton, of CO.
was about to open grew out of evil which, he la
mented to Gate, had Of late years ncreaied prodig-
Gully. 1t was evil which all good men and every
'ather Of family mon deeply amented and deplored
So long as fuch nuilance exilfed no who had
any regard for his daughters, for morality and COM
mon decency, could attend the Theatre. What he
alluded to the digracsful conduct of ladies' and
men OF certain deleripon who frequented the box
es, and who generally durbed and ANNOYED not only
thoie nesreD them. but alto the whole Of the audi
ence. He then ftated that he believed the whole of
the Jury had heard of MIR. Johnion az very ref.
Pectabc performer. He had been married for fome
years to lady OF the mott eptionable charac-
ter, WAC was ALTO popular aarefs at Covent- Gar
den Theatre.
On the 18th Of November laf a new play was G.
ed, in which Mrs. Johnton had prominent part.
Mr. Johnton went to the upper boxes of the Theatre
with party Of friends to witnef. the performance
a Mr.. Mingay, and two women, Mrs. Martin and
Mrs Rois, ladies notorious in the lobby of the The
atre went into the adjoining box, where gentleman
ans his family were fitting-At the drawing of the
curtain, Mngay, with his female friends, interrupt
ed the buhnefs of the fage in fuch manner a. to
deroy the effect of the ieene. general voeifera.i-
on OF Silence % was heard from the surrounding
Ihe defendant joined the molly conrany the end of
the ilrt act, and in the feeond they began to make
iafirical remarks the dref. Of Mrs H. Iohnfop NOT
only very unp!eafant the feeling. of her hufband
but to the annoyance Of every near to them The
defendant continued his Liberal remarks. and notice.
an ornament worn by the favouritc aref in her head
dreis, refembling IA gun fhip, in honor of the i'm
mortal Nelion's victory, which he confirmed into
iubleet which routed the indignation of thofe who
heard him. Mr.. Johnfson fat in the box a, a public
character, content with the ridcue, until routed
with lardable indignation for an amiable wife, when
ne attempted to sc, conGabe. and in 70 doing, the
defendant imPsdcd his way to the door, and nrrck
him.
The Learned Council hoped tina, the Jury, by their
verdict, would thew to the world, that the conduct
oil theie lobby oungers to be tolerated with
impuuity: and that in 70 doing they would render
ot eiential iervce to the public if entirely in
Kidding the houe of ,hee PETS of foeiety they would
at leait give them la falutary lefTen The Learned
Council called evidence to prove the faa.
Mr.. H. Z. JohnGon ftated, that on the I4th of
November he was in company with party at the
Theatre, to witnefs the fucces of new piece enti-
tied "The Delinquent" They took their itation in
the feeond tier. Soon after they were annoyed by
Mr. Mnsay and two women of the town, who at
the end of the Gr act were Joined by the defendant
They conducted themielves in very noify manner
making fstrical remarks the piece and performer,
10 that the ears of every in the surrounding boxe,
were offended with expeditions indicate and difyua-
ing. Several Per(ons remonfrated with them, but
they treated them with conternpt.
Mr. Heating, Mifs Philips, and fever.l very ref
pedtable witneiies, who were in the box, corrobo
rated the proiecuor i'll his iatement The defendant.
alter committing his council, made no defence, and
Lord marlborough ordered the Jury to find him gull
ty.
There wa, an acton afo againe Mr.. Johnaon, for
an aiiaut, arifng Of the fame circumstances, 10
which verdia of not guilty was recorded.