The Express. — 1857-05-26 (London, England)

THE SOIOBICOTION OP JOSIPII STRINGFIELD) O. FAXES DAI/I.—CHIMINAL INIPOILMOTTON. Mr. B. James applied for • rule, calling upon Mr. James Dare, the printer and publisher of the Waster, Mercury and Liwtrel Alimerast Strati, to show cause why • criminal Information should not be filed ageism him for publishing • libel in that Paned upon Mr. Joseph Stringteld, • forgets, practising at Weston-super-Mare, where he bid some °aces It •pp.arod that the question of supplyfog the town with mule became a subject of debate among the inhabitants. Two beads were proposed, but they ustlortunetely led to anything but harmony. Mr. thringfield took an active part with a large section of the kernueople in procuring what was called a German band, and Mr. Dare, who- seemed to hero had no benevolent bangs towards Mr. Stringteld, in consequence of his having sued hiss for • bill for medical attendance, joined with another portion of the inhabitants in east), &MBA "the town band." Thia state of things led to a good deal of warm discussion in the town, and on the 19th of May last Mr. Dare thought proper to insert what he was sure their lordship. would think wee a most scandalous libel, .Maks the private character of Mr. fitebufield. It imputed to him most inbeimen conduct towards his father. The article containing tho libel, after giving the eanase of several of the inhabitants, mid .4 In giving the foregoing lists we have no idea that the publication will deter Mr. Joseph Stringfield from pursuing his suicidal aurae—we believe him lost to all the feelings which should animate • good cabin, but we have hopes that the few whom he might have deceived into supporting his anti-social and pernicious proceedings will seriously ask themselves whether the prosperity of Weston is more likely to be advanced by the steady facetious of the gentlemen whose names appear above, or by the wild follies of Mr. Joseph Stringfield." This was followed by an allegory beginning "It was , a cold day of November, 1864, when an old man, hed evidently seen better days, was observed to be anroachkg the door et a prettily situated houseln the town of Weetwater, which Bee upon the coast in one elate western counties The wary travelier had trudged on that sad the preceding day upwards of 30 miles item thechat city of the county, where be had formerly carried on a repectable business, but was now greatly reduced in circumstances—even to destitution. With tottering steps the old man reached the door and with a trembling hand lilted the bucker." The narrative then went on to say that the old man had an interview with the owner of the house, end the " came forth, with teen Let flowing down hie wrinkled cheeks, whilst the of the two in • towering peseion was harshly bid at once to leave the rimless and never spin dare attempt. hie The old man made two or three attem to weak, bat Tasks sobs checked his nascence ; lsegth he mid ha half Woken accents, Then your poor old father mast perish of want,' Starve and be —,'wee the auk= response, and the nut moment the door of the younger roan's hum of plenty had reached its fastenings. But God tenure& the cirW for the shorn lamb.' As the old man wandered the streets of Weetwebrr, he wee recognised by an sogusintence7ono who had known him ere adversity had est m— end who now guts him that much needed assistance which his own flesh and blood deeded him In • day or two the old man again reached the city, from whines he had wandered with a father's hope, and where he is now isainfortably lodged in one of thou asylum which the benevolent of times gone by had • linoded flog dewed citing. The SOO'S curse, however, still dugs in the old man's ears, and never does he retire to 1k humble pallet before on his knees kerns-beg_ We Maker to change the heart of his annaturalson." The affidavits showed that this picture of the eon's °ended wee Intended to amply to Mr. Stringfield and the learned curd &mantled the article am one of the most wicked libek which had ember nnbyaked, The whole story was entirely fictitious, and ha had the s®dub of the hiker, who stated that he had never been at Weeten-super-Mate, which wee evidently the plebe dearibed in the libel as Weetwater. Mr. Stringfield oho shawl that he contributed to the support of both his father and mother; and it seemed that hishishu, who had been a traders at Bath, had seen better days, but was now en Womb of • charity in that town, when, however, he only received a portion of what wee necessary for his =intensive. Lad Campbell—The father denies positively that such an Interview with his eon ever took place P Mr. H. Jaime—Moat distinctly. Lard Camp—Take a rule. nisi.