The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-10

A New Ioyerncnt at among London Thieves.
An extraordinary movement, somewhat
analogous to that in Water street, New York,
is going on in New Cut, notorious locality
in Lambeth. The chief actor in this affair is
orc Ned Wright, q reformed housebreaker,
ana lew years ago one OF the most daring
thieves in England but who was some time
ago converted while attending one of the re-
ilglous services in London theatre, and was
induced TO abandon his burglars tools. He
has since turned his attention to recIaiminG
his old associates in crime, and hss already
effected more good in that quarter than all tbe
London city missionaries put together.
1t appears now that st. Giles and White
chapel are not the chief IesostSof thieves bur
Slals and pickpockets, as of old, these gentry
having concentrated themselves in New Cuf
Encouraged by success. Ned Wright determin.
ed to have grand fied-nieht with the pick
pockets, and issued invitations to all who woulJ
come-the sole condition being that thew must
have been convicted at least once. Not
withstanding the smallness of the district.
500 guests responded to the cali: but as tick
cts to the supper could only be issued 20 the
number of 2O0, q selection was necessary.
and two hundred Of the worst characters in
London composed the guests of the Thieves
Supper" which consisted OF soup and bread.
The strange assemblage seems to have been
managed with great success during the meal.
and when that was disposed Of, they were
wonderfully suDdued and attentive to the
earnest address of Ned Wright. "Let us
show our kind visitors on the platform" he
began, that we really are men, ii rough and
desperate ones. Don't let it be said that we
are sunk TO the level of brutes." He detailed
to them his career of crime, frankly admitting
his guilt, and giving accounts OF thrilling ad-
ventures which he had experienced, until he
came to the subject of his conversion. 1t
was when referring 10 the effect OF the
preachers voice upon him in Astley's Thea
tire, that be said, Though the navy 'cat'
could not make my heart beat, it beat at the
sound of the words which called me to re-
pentance."
After the extraordinary gathering, there
was the usual Gospel meeting, to which
about half OF the guests were induced to re-
main, by an intimaton that certain beneyo-
lent plans OF starting men on an honnst way
OF life would be subsequently discussed.
Those plans, as explained by Mr.. Wright.
were as promising as any which could be de-
vised. A proprietor OF barrows, such as are
used by costelmongers, having thirty of these
vehicles disensaged. Mr.. Wright proposes to
find thirty men for them, and give them each
a shilling to begin business. He informed
thrvinG salesnnn had risen from as sn,aI q
capital TO Independence.
rhe buildings IN which these mca,inoe oro
held is a nIain 6ric, edilice in Nar G,,7 9,S fa,
many wears n well-known ..nornv oaffn ,' hut ,Ut
now Gospel Hail. and devoted n e, ,vnok dsu Iu,
and Sunday religious services, at which all
but chiefly the Outcasts OF society-are ear
c;t, n,iSsianorios at,o,aro ai.noS tue LonuoI
coner = garro.er srd q iot "nae meu
nv oaffo kesner. ami now ,Iny,a S ;s oaaag p1n
fbis list reiormed bonsohreoIor .iI otTu t";1; "
TO reclaim their o,d oSsociatas a,d 81, ,oy,,;s oUius
in barmonv Wit ,he sMiJn;Tlt "Wu NTo".Y "o,nin
MI W,iSbt has since hold anothor th;ouo.,
simmer to whicb onIu ton,ala thioros ,rano;,