The Sun. — 1828-07-24 (London, England)

HALLS.—From what I have heard, I shall give the officers time for inquiry—and shall postpone the case until Saturday. SINGULAR CHARGE AND DEFENce.—Yesterday a most respectable seal-engraver, named Strengi'th'arm, who resides in Pall-mail, appeared at this office to prosecute his next door neighbour, whose name is Metcalf, and who professes the same business, for feloniously obtaining a gold seal, of the value of 81., in his name. Mr. Strongi'th'arm deposed as follows :—I am a seal engraver, and reside at No. 1, Waterloo-place. The prisoner was formerly in my einploy, and at that time authorised by me sometimes to order seals, but never from a Mr. Aldridge. A few days since I received a bill far a seal which I understood the prisoner obtained from that gentleman. Mr. Aldridge said that, about five or' six months since, Metitalf came to his shop, and said he wished to have three seals, in order to show to a gentleman, for Mr. Strongi'th'arm. They were given to him without hesitation, akd, in a month after, two were returned, with a message that the other one,, price 8/., had been used. The prisoner was called upon for his defence. Your Worship, he commenced, in a very convulsive manner, the present charge has been most unjustly, suddenly, and revengefully brought against me. I have had not even time to procure a legal adviser, and Fain scarcely in a state to defend myself; but to the point:—When I was in the prosecutor's employ I acknowledge having obtained three seals from Mr. Aldridge, but I did not say they were to be charged to Mr. Strongi'th'arm, nor did I make any remark, as I h. d at that time work of Mr. Aldridge'a to perform. Subsequently, however, his son came to my house, and I then communicated to him that when he brought me the bill  I would deduct the sum owed me by Ms father, and pay the surplus. This I afterwards repeated at different visits of his son to me, but the bill was never sent in. I bad then left Mr. Strougi'th'arna, and by the assistance of ,my relatives and friends had established a shop close to him. This, continued the prisoner, in an impassioned tone, is the origin of this humiliating charge. They wish me to be brought to poverty and disgrace, but it cannot be. Is it possible, ejaculated the prosecutor, as lie rose indignantly from his seat—is it ►ndeed possible that I bear this from such a man—a man whom I have hitherto treated with the utmost kindness—nay, even brought up almost from childhood. Bur, tremble, young man, when yen consider you will rot in your grave, and be obliged to account for this crime to your Maker. Mr. HALLS, who appeared astonished at these proceedings, desired the officers to prevent their conversing together, and calling Mr. Aldridge towards him, questioned him at great length. Did You know, Sir, said the worthy Magistrate, that your son had peen to the prisoner and mate any arrangement ?—I was aware of that, and he mentioned to me that the prisoner—in short, what he has said already—but my response was, that as the seal had been put down to the prosecutor, so the hill must be made out to him. ' Then, Sir, knowing all this, wily did you seer five months to elapse before you sent in the bill ?—I was not afraid of my money. Mr. IlAtts—Have you ever given work to the prisoner, and have you paid him yet ?—I have given him work, but I have not paid him. I can bring other charges, I dare say (the prosecutor here  interrupted.) • Why not have brought them before, said the prisoner, I have never had my character impeached before this time, or, indeed, before I set up a respectable swop close to your's. Mr. HALLS questioned both the prosecutor and Mr. • Aldridge a considerable time after this, and ultimately decided that the charge was not well founded, and that Mr. Aldridge had in some part caused it by a mistake of sending in the bill to the prosecutor instead of to the prisoner. Thomas Shelsman, the man who was charged, with an attempt to murder his wife, has been discharged.