The Sun. — 1829-06-30 (London, England)

GUILDHALL.  Sarah Williams, a laundress, who seemed about 40 years of age, was brought before Mr. Alderman CROWDER yesterday, charged with attempting to drown herself in the Thames, from the stairs at the foot of Blackfriars-bridge.  As a subscription of 50/. had been very recently raised for a poor woman who was brought to this office under similar circumstances, it was immediately suspected that the prisoner had made the attempt merely with the design of exciting commiseration, and when she hid her face for some moments after she was placed at the bar, some jokes were cracked, and it was conjectured she experienced some (lAculty in mustering a few tears. She was brought round to the desk that the Alderman might have a nearer view of her.  Ambrose the constable, said she was brought into the Bridewell about three o'clock in the morning by a watchman who was not now in attendance, but who stated he had seized her upon seeing her walk down the stairs. She appeared to be much distressed in mind. She had two small gilt seals in her pocket, with the mottos " The heart that can feel for another," and " if you neglect me, you lose me ;" and there was a letter which it seemed she had received from some man to whom she had applied for money, and from the tenour of which it %vas suspected she had purchased the seals to use in her letters to the writer.  When she was asked what situation of life she  was in, she begged to be allowed a minute to collect. herself, The removal of the shawl from her face diminished the unfavourable impression which existed, and in reply to the Alderman's inquiries she said she was at mulled woman, but had not seen her husband for a long time, a loch circumstance, however, did not at all trouble her mind. She had a dnuriter, about twenty year, aze, who was living will; a gentleman who brouoitt her up, but she herself was living at No. 9, 'Henry-street, Bedfordsquare East, where she took in washing, and shoebinding. She was rather in distress from having been ill lately, but she had not the least intention to drown herself. The watchman was quite mistaken about that. . . . .  Alderman CROWDER asked how it had happened, then, that she had been found in such a place ? She replied it was not from intending to do anybody any harm or her: elf either. The Magistrate then looked over the letter which she declared she had picked up in the street, and had not been addressed to her. it was dated " Little London," and the name ef the writer, and the direction, had been torn away. After perusing, it the Alderman said he would not unnecessarily wound her feelings by inking any inquiry into the matte's treated of in the letter, which he thought was consolatory to her than otherwise, as the party promised to afford her what assistance he could.  She again allcgvd the letter had not been addressed to her, and protested she had not entertained an idea of drowning herself. If she were discharged, she would return home, and would account for her absence by telling the truth, but should not like the officer to accompany her. Mr. Alderman CROWDER, in a very kind manner, endeavourec4 to impress upon her the enormity of the crime of self-murder, beseeching her to rouse her mind up to its proper energies, aid not suffer herself to be bewildered to destruction, by casting away the hope of a change of circumstances, and overrating the weight of her misfortunes; and having received her solemn promise not to repeat the attempt, he gave her a trifle for her present relief, and dismissed her. She was followed by the officer.