The Sun. — 1834-11-11 (London, England)

POOR-LAW AMENDMENT BlLL.—Anne M'Miller, a decent-looking woman, accompanied by three children, presented herself before Mr. HALLS, and stated that she had lived in the parish of St. Clement Danes for a period of seventeen years. Her husband had also died in that parish in October, 1833, since which time she had been compelled to support herself and children almost entirely by her own efforts. She had, however, for a time received 3s. Gd. weekly from the parish, which had been first reduced, and subsequently entirely stopped. She had on Friday last, applied to Mr. Thomas, one of the overseers, residing in the Strand, to be taken into the workhouse with her children, one of whom, who was now at a neighbour's house, was so ill as to be unable to go out. The only answer she could obtain to her application, however, was—That Mr. Thomas " wondered at her impudence," in expressing such a desire, and the only relief she could obtain was ls. Gd., which was given to her with a desire not to come again. She, however, had again applied that morning, but with the like success.  Mr. HALLS regretted he was unable to order the applicant any relief : the new Act had entirely taken it out of his power. The only assistance he could render would be to write to the overseer and recommend her case to his consideration, when he would doubtless do something for her. He was, however, perhaps scarcely justified in this proceeding, which was enrirely extra-judicial, but he was desirous of affording her any aid he was able. Mr. HALLS then addressed a note to the overseers, which he handed over to the applicant, who received it with many thanks, and left the office.  Bridget Callaghan, an old Irishwoman, was charged with wilfully endeavouring to set fire to the house in which she and her husband resided.  Bennett, a policeman, going his rounds on Sunday night at twelve o'clock was alarmed by loud cries of " Murder" proceeding' from a house in Wild-court, Drury-lane. He went into the house, and in the kitchen found the prisoner on the floor with her legs tied fast to the bedpost. She was alone, and her story was that she had been getting intoxicated during the day, and only because she wanted to go out for more gin her cruel ould man had tied her fast up by the legs and gone out, and so she cried out n Murthe" The constable loosened her legs upon her promising to go quietly to bed. About two hours after, however, he was again alarmed by cries of " Fire," and found that this proceeded from the same house. The kitchen seemed in a blaze, and upon running down he saw the prisoner lying upon her back, dead drunk, in the midst of an immense heap of shavings and chips, which was on fire, and burning so furiously that she must have been consumed in a few moments and the house in all probability destroyed. There was a large water-butt just at the door, and Bennett ascertaining that it,was full, tilted it over, and sending the whole contents into the kitchen deluged the room and put out the fire, at the same time nearly drowning the prisoner. He took her to the station-house, and there she said she had emptied several sacks of chips and shavings, in which her husband dealt, and set them on fire, determined to burn herself and the house out of revenge against her husband for lashing her poor tinder legs to the bed-post. Mr. HALLS said the offence was of too serious a complexion to be lightly overlooked, and remanded the prisoner for further examination.  Bridget complained bitterly that she should be sent to prison for just trying to burn herself, and asked if she hadn't a right to do as she liked with her own poor ould body.— (Gteat laughter.) She was taken to gaol.