The Sun. — 1858-12-14 (London, England)

THE CASE OF FRANCES JOHNSTON.  On Saturday afternoon, in consequence of an advertisement which had been issued, stating that Robert Johnston Would answer the charge of unnatural conduct to his children, a meeting was held at the Auction-rooms, 28, Gracechurch-street. It will be remembered that, some time since, Johnston was taken before the Lord Mayor, at the Mansionhouse police-court, charged with refusing to maintain Frances Johnston, whereby she became chargeable to the parish. At that examination, Frances Johnston, who was 17 years of age, gave evidence as to her father's conduct to her and her sisters and brothers, telling them to go on the streets, and to become thieves to support themselves. She also said, in answer to the Lord Mayor, that she attempted to destroy herself by throwing herself off London-bridge, on account of the conduct of her father. Mr. DUNBAR was called to the chair, and said that the gentlemen who had interested themselves in calling the meeting were anxious that Mr. Johnston should be heard, as they believed that he was not guilty of the charges which had been brought against him, and for which he had been sent to prison. Mr. CLEGHORN then addressed the meetinc, at some length, and said that he had looked at all the points in the case, and he believed that Johnston had not been fairly treated. Johnston married, and, from motives of humanity, allowed his wife's sister to live in the house. He wished to bring up his children, seven in number, in habits of industry and economy. They were, however, indulged, and ebcouraged by their aunt to disobey him, and rebel against him. He was entirely ex• eluded from their society. Then it was said that the children had not been educated, but the fact was, that Johnson supplied the money for the purpose. What he was stated to have said about his daughter going on the streets was not the fact, as they would hear from Johnston himself. Mr. Cleghorn concluded by saying that, in his opinion, Johnston had been hardly dealt with, and that he should, at all events, have been allowed an opportunity of proving his innocence of the charges brought against him. Mr. JOHNSTON, in answer to the questions put to him by several gentlemen present, said that he and his wife could not agree, and that he had admitted .his wife's sister to the house, because she was without any protection whatever. After he put herinto the house, however, there was no peace, and he had no control over 'hiswife or children. His children had left him, and had stolen goods from his house to a large amount. The eenditure upon the family and himself, from 1849 to 1855, amounted to £1,424 in household expenses alone, and there_ was no truth in the statement that he treated them unnaturally. Mr. BUCKINGHAM said that Frances Johnston had stated that at the time she attemptedsuicide she was in a situation, from which, however, she had no wages, and that her father would not allow her any money or clothes. lie would ask whether Mr. Johnston had received any such appli_ cation or not?  Mr. JOHNSTON said he never had; nor had he given her any reason to believe that he would not supply them. Mr.