The Sun. — 1832-10-22 (London, England)

LAMBETH-STREET.  On Saturday William Tilbury, the young man who was found roaming about Epping Forest on Monday morning last, and who, on being questioned on the subject, acknowledged himself to be the owner of a bag of books which was found on the Wednesday before, was brought before the Sitting Magistrates, Messrs, HARDWICK and WALKER, for final examination.  Mr. Pritchard, the inspector of the mounted Bowstreet patrol stationed at Laytonstone and S.ratfoed, stated that since the last examination of the prisoner he had ascertained that the account which he had given of himself when before their Worships was correct. Mr. Gill, his late master, Mrs. Johnson, his landlady, and other persons were present, who would give some further particulars about him. Mr. Gill said that the prisoner had been bound to him to learn the business of a shoemaker, and though he was upwards of six years with him, he was unable, both from his negligence and stupidity, to teach him any part of the business. He was of a most passionate disposition, and left witness in February last, without completing the term of his apprenticeship. Mrs. Johnson stated, that about the beginning of March last the prisoner came to lodge at her house in Plaistow, Essex, and had, at the time, about GO/. in money, which she understood he had received from his friends. He was frequently in the habit of going to the theatres, particularly that of Coventgarden, having conceived a most violent passion for Miss Fanny Kemble. He had frequently confessed to witness his sincere attachment for that young lady, and betrayed great uneasiness of mind and despondency of spirits when she was about to leave London for America. He had purchased a handsomely-coloured print of that distinguished actress in the character of Juliet, and was frequently in the habit of presenting himself before it, arid repeating, in the most impassioned manner, some of the passages in the play of Romeo and Juliet, and seemed altogether a lost youth. She, witness, had frequently endeavoured to prevail on him to discard such foolish thoughts from his mind, and apply himself to his trade, or some industrious pursuits, but it was all in vain ; he spent his time in idleness, reading, and going to the theatres, until his money was nearly expended, and left her house on Friday fortnight, taking with him a blue bag full of books, and she had not seen him from that time until that morning at the office. When she first heard of the bag of books having been found, her impression was that the prisoner had committed an act of selfdestruction, as she had for some time feared, from the eccentricity of his manners and the imbecility of his mind, that he would commit an act of suicide. It was further stated that the prisoner's father had died in a madhouse, where he had been previously confined. The Magistrates, on hearing this, observed that the prisoner could not be permitted to go at large. By his own confession he had committed an act of vagrancy by sleeping for more than ten nights in the open air in the forest, and therefore they would ommit him for two months to the House of Correction at Ilford. There the medical man who attended the prison would have an opportunity of seeing him, and if it was found that the state of his mind was such that it was not proper that he should be at large, means would be taken to send him to his legal place of settlement, where care would be taken of him.