The Sun. — 1849-05-03 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. THE ROYAL BELGRATE LYING-IN INSTITUTION.-James Locke, sen., and his three sons, Edwin, James, and George Curtis, were brought up for further examination, charged with having conspired together with intent to defraud certain parties of sums of money by falsely pretending to apply the money towards the support of a charitable institution for affording medical assistance to married females at the period of their confinement.  Mr. Shea, 10, Hyde Park-square, barrister, was the first witness examined. Recollected some persons called at his house, about two months ago, soliciting subscriptions for the Belgrave Lying.in Institution. Two PaPc", one a prospectus of the alleged institution, were given at the time. Witness did not see the pomons who called; but, from the particulars in the prospectus, thinking the institution was good in its objects, he signed the subscription-book, and sent a guinea by his footman to the parties who called. Had parted with his money on the faith that the Royal Be!grave Lying-in Institution was a boisa fide institution, and that he would be at liberty to refer a married woman to the institution for relief. Witness also believed the representations in the prospectus that the institution was under the immediate patronage of the Duchess of Kent and other distinguished persona whose names were set forth in the prospectus. Several other witnesses were called to prove that they had paid money to the prisoners for the benefit of the institution, and under the same impression as that entertained by Mr. Shea.  Inspector Leslie said the house was very meanly furnished. In the room used as an office there was a table and half a dozen chairs. There were no surgical instruments or appliances. There was nothing to indicate that a lying-in institution was held there. Witness found a book containing subscriptions to the " linen fund," with her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent to it as a subscribe. Witness also found a letter from her Royal Highness's secretary, Mr. Cowper, commanding her Royal Highness's name to be withdrawn from the prospectus of the Royal Belgrave Lying-in Institution. The letter was dated 1843. Witness had obtained proof that the prospectuses had been printed within the last two months, all of which bore her Royal Highness's name as patroness. Mr. HanDwrcx asked the elder Locke if he wished to say anything in answer to the charge? The prisoner -Locke, sen., said he had not seen his solicitor since Saturday. last, and then he had been advised to reserve his defence. Since then he had been informed by his daughter that she had received a letter from the Earl of Carlisle, stating that he had given full permission for his name to be used as a patron of the institution. With respect to the charge that there was no institution in existence, there were ten midwives present who would prove that they had attended thousands of cases, and had received hundreds of pounds from the institute. Some cases had been attended to within the last fortnight. Then, as to the deficiency of funds, the midwives declared that that was to be attributed to the stir made by Mr. Ryder in 1844. Mr. Ryder called them together under the plea of ascertaining if any debts were owing to them, in order that he might see them paid. Mr. Ryder's proceedings had exasperated all the midwives, as he had prevented subscriptions from coming to the institution. Many subscribers had withdrawn their names, and others had not taken the trouble to make inquiries. Then, with reference to the blinds having on them the name of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, as patroness, which blinds it was alleged were carried about and exhibited in various localities, that was not correct, as the blinds had been broken for some time. With reference to the use made of the Duchess of Kent's name, her Royal Highness had been a liberal supporter of the institution for manyyears, and had the privilege of recommending 30 women to the institution. Her Royal Highness did give 101. towards the linen fund, and the midwives would prove that boxes of linen were provided for the women when confined. Having paid this 101., her Royal Highness became a life subscriber, and being entitled to six letters, her Royal Highness's name was kept on the subscribers' list. He (prisoner) considered this a very hard case. He had devoted 17 years of his time and energies to the institution without proper remuneration. A salary had been proposed by the committee, and he had received an allowance of 1001. a year, which did not compensate him for the services he rendered to the institution. Mr. HARDWICK said he would remind the prisoner that a letter had been put in to show that after her Royal Highness had withdrawn her name, he had used her name to collect subscriptions. The prisoner said at the time the letter was received from her Royal Highness it was delivered to the committee, who submitted it to legal persons. The result was, that the committee found they could not undo what they had done.  Mr. HARDwicx. said he should further remand the case to Wednesday next, and the❑ he would decide whether he would convict summarily or send the case to a jury.  ‘..A -person here produced 7$ letters from midwives who had not been paid. Another midwife produced 12 letters, for which she could get no payment.  The prisoners were then remanded. A gentleman connected with the Pimlico Lying-in Institution wished it to be known that the charity ho represented had no knowledge of the Belgrave Lying-in Institution. He believed that the prisoners had got subscriptions from parties who believed they were subscribing to the Pim • lico Institution.  MOLNE, THE Scur,rrox.—This artist, who had attainedl considerable distinction in his profession, has committed suicide. Pressed by numerous creditors for deb's ineurrd by the oeenpation, and having passed some days without food, or the means of obtaining any, in a fit of delirium he put 'an end to his exiotence.—Art Journal.