The Express. — 1851-08-09 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK. Aim Paso'', a poor emaciated looking female, was charged with attempting to drown herself in the river Thames. John Gronow, a seaman, stated that while he was going on board his vessel at Saint John's Stairs, liorselyelown, he heard a splash in the water, and at the same time a loud scream. On looking about he perceived a female plunging about in the river near the end of his bout. Ile instantly 1 pulled his hat and coat oil and jumped over, seized hold of her dress and with considerable difficulty succeeded in getting her ashore. She was then insensible, but with the assistance of a shipmate, he conveyed her to a surgeon's in the neighbourhood, where the usual remedies were applied, and she was soon restored to animation. It was nearly high water at that time, and had he not heard the splash in the water, she must have been drowned. Mr. Ileadon asked whether anything was known of the prisoner? Police-constable 145 M replied that about a quarter of an hour previous he had seen her quarrelling with a man in the street, and at his interference they walked away. While he was returning on his beat he saw the last witness end another man carrying her insensible to a surgeon's. Sho was anon afterwards restored, and then he conveyed her to the police station. Mr. Deaden asked her what answer she had to make to the charge ? She replied that else was compelled to support her husband and children by shirt-making. She worked nearly all day and night. and could not earn more than three or four shillings a week, the most of which her husband took from her and expended in a public-house. The children were consequently deprived of food ; add when she remonstrated with him he ill-used her in such a mariner that she was actually tired of her life. On the previous evening she took some work home, and on returning home she met her husband, who demanded the small pittance which she had earned, and on refusing him he knocked her down, She then became desperate, and its a state of frenzy jumped into the river. She was now heartily sorry for what shit had done, and would promise the magistrate never to repeat it. Mr. Beadon mid she bad made a very rash attempt upon her life, and ought to he thankful to the sailor who had saved her from a watery grave. Whatever treatment she might have received from her husband would not authorise her to commit suicide; therefore he should order her to find bail for her future conduct.  Mr. IVni. Edward lounfr, landlord of the Prince's Read; I Prince's-street, Westminster, was charged by the Hoard of Inland Revenue with having sold wine and spirits in an unlicensed booth at what is called the "Great National Fair," BavAwater. A specitic sale having been proved, The defendant said he was a young man in business, and he understood by many persons that the fair had been opened by government for the purpose of attracting the visitor to the Exhibition after they had inspected that place, in order to keep the parks from being crowded. lle had given the notice of his Intention to remove stock as required by the act.  Mr. Poynter said there wan a report circulated that the fair was encouraged by government, and he m ,slted to know how that stood, so he could not convict if the fair was lawful and accustomed.”  Mr. Latten, of the Excise-office, said no encouragement was ever given to the fair by government. Some of the originators of thu fair certainly circulated a report that it • would he countenanced by the government, and that was 1 done for the purpose of improving the land in order that licensed victuallers and others should open booths upon the ground. When witness heard of it he immediately sent notices that it would he illegal to retail spirits, &v., in the fair without a license, as the:tbir was neither chartered nor accustomed. IsTotwitlisaunaling then, cautions, the occupiers of booths continued the sale of spirits, &c., and SIIIIIU of them had been prosecuted by the board for the offence. The booths were let fl ore deep, and it was impossible to get hold of the right parties. Mr. Poynter said the defendant and others placed in similar positions would most likely be misled by the provisions of the act. It was lawful for licensed victuallers to I retail spirits &e., in chartered and accustomed fairs, bat not 'in fairs which were not lawful or necustomisl. Fair, which hail been chartered and accustomed, and over which the police had jurisdiction, were being removed, and fairs similar to the one in Bayswater were allowed to remain, I and were not interfered with. Ile thought the parochial authorities ought to take up the ye stion, and, if possible, I obtain a conviction, for the purpose of showing to the public ' I that these fairs were not lawful. There was a fair held in Battersea fields every week, and that had existed for some ' years, and yet no proceedings had been taken against it. The ma:-trace than inflicted the mitigated penalty of 12t. The defendant could memolialise the board, awl he should advise him to do so.