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The Windsor and Eton Express.
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Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express



24th March 1838

Election of Guardians of Windsor

The nomination of Guardians of the Windsor Union took place on Thursday. For the parish of New Windsor only one list of names was delivered to the Churchwardens, proposing Mr.Thomas Adams, builder, Mr.James Thomas Bedborough, Mr.Henry Cook, Mr.Frederick Fowler, and Mr.Wm.Ingalton; these gentlemen will consequently take their seats at the Board on the 29th inst.

Windsor National Schools

The annual exhibition of the scholars of these schools took place on Thursday, for the purpose of distributing to the most proficient children the rewards arising from the endowment of the late Rev.Mr.Champagne. There was a large company present, who expressed themselves highly pleased at the proficiency of the children in religious knowledge, &c. The examination was conducted by the master of the school, under the supervision of the Rev the Provost of Eton, the Vicar of Windsor, Dr.Keate, and the Rev.James Chapman.




Accidents

On Monday, a valuable mare, the property of Mr.Banister, butcher, of Windsor, suddenly started off and ran away, the instant the man had alighted from the cart to deposit some meat at a customer's, and, although she galloped at the top of her speed up the street, and turned the corner for Thames-street, where, nearly at the bottom of the hill, she fell, the only thing ran against was a wheelbarrow, and yet there were several vehicles in the streets at the time, besides foot passengers. The mare fell with considerable force, and slipped for at least twenty yards after her fall, and although she did not at the time appear to be much hurt, we understand she is seriously injured. On Wednesday, a second misfortune of a similar kind befel Mr.Banister, who left another mare in his chaise, in the care of a boy, in a farm yard at Pinkney's Green, and on the suddenly working of one of the machines, the noise frightened her, and on the lad snatching up the reins, to prevent her from bolting, he caught the top of the bridle and pulled it completely off; the mare consequently dashed off, and the result was the breaking of the chaise to pieces; but fortunately the mare escaped serious injury. The boy was in some measure hurt, but not seriously.




Another Accident, with Loss of Life

On Tuesday, the coachman of a gentleman at Holyport, on being sent to Maidenhead with one of the carriage horses, instead of riding, borrowed a cart in the village to drive, and he had not proceeded far before the animal suddenly started off, and on the driver endeavouring to pull him up, the reins broke, and he fell out of the cart. The horse pursued his course to Maidenhead, and we are sorry to say, in his career, ran over a poor man and killed him on the spot.




Bucks Assize Sermon

The sermon preached on the 7th instant, at Aylesbury, by the Hon and Rev.S.G.Osborne, B.A., chaplain to the High Sheriff of Bucks, before the Judges, has been published at the request of many of the clergy, magistrates, and others, who formed a part of the congregation. The sermon is a most admirable one, and we have no doubt it will meet with an extensive sale. The Rev.Gentleman is acceding to the request made to him to publish it, has, in the true spirit of charity, determined that all the profits arising from its sale shall be given to the County Infirmary.




Fire-Proof Rooms at the Windsor Bank

Having heard of the erection of rooms, at the Bank of Messrs.N.Reid and Co., capable of resisting the penetration of heat in case of fire, and also of bearing a weight equal to the whole building, we have been induced to inspect the rooms in question, and have obtained from Mr.W.Ingalton, under whose superintendence they have been built, the particulars of the manner in which they are erected. The lower room, or vault, is on the basement story, about 25ft long and 6ft wide, is built of solid brickwork, strongly arched over, and enclosed with an iron door perfectly fire-proof in its construction and situation. The room above, which stands immediately over a part of this, for the purpose of receiving the iron soles[?], is built with two walls, the outer one of brick and the inner one of stone, leaving a cavity of space between them; this building being arched over, is equal to carry any weight, as well as being perfectly secure. There are two solid wrought-iron doors to the entrance, and the whole is constructed of brick, stone, and iron. The possession of such a place of safety as these rooms necessarily must be, from the manner of their construction, is not only highly desirable to the bankers themselves, but equally so to many others, as Messrs.Reid and Co., we understand, will adopt the plan of the London bankers, by taking occasional charge of the plate, jewels, or other valuables of those who bank at their establishment. To such a purpose erecting a safety-room, we advise them to inspect those of Messrs.Reid and Co., who will feel pleasure in exhibiting them.




Fowl Stealing

Some thieves broke open the fowl-house of Mr.Hyde, of Old Windsor, on the night of Saturday last, and stole therefrom several head of poultry, and maimed others. A reward has been offered for the apprehension of the offenders by the Windsor Association, and also by Mr.Hyde.




Windsor Police

On Monday John Quelch was brought before Wm.Jennings, Esq. (Mayor) and Robert Blunt, Esq., charged with absconding from the New Windsor Workhouse with some clothes, the property of the Guardians of the Union. It appeared that on Saturday last the prisoner and four other paupers absconded from the workhouse, carrying with them the clothes furnished them at the expense of the Union, instead of putting on their own apparel. He was sent to the borough gaol for seven days.

Jealousy - A Scene in Hibbert's Alley

Phoebe, the wife of William King, was charged with assaulting Sarah, the wife of William Flowers, a cobbler, on the evening of the 14th instant.

Mr.C.S.Voules attended as the legal advisor of the woman Flowers, and, at the onset, it was evident that there was "something" at the bottom of the case which it was advisable should not reach the ears of the magistrates, for he was heard to caution the accused in these terms :"now, you keep quiet of what you know of certain things, and we will keep quiet on our side."

The defendant appeared perfectly to comprehend the caution, and promised to observe it, but, however, she had forgotten it before the termination of the case.

The Cobbler's wife was then sworn, and she stated that on the evening in question she had been at a certain place of convenience in the yard, and was returning from there, when Mrs.King met her in the passage and recommenced a volley of abuse (it appeared the grievance between the parties was of long standing), and scandalising her in a most shocking manner. The complainant wishing to escape from such treatment tried to force her way past Mrs.King, when the latter pushed her back. This was the assault complained of.

The defendant , when called on for her defence, denied the assault, but in doing so she accidentally let slip an observation about a "young man" - [upon which a general titter took place among the person's in the Justice-room].

The Mayor: What young man ?

The defendant having now broken the caution previously given her by Mr.Voules, concluded that it was but fair to let the whole of the matter out. The fact was, she said, she had been living under the stigma some time, and therefore she would tell all. She had been living with a young man; she knew it was a disgrace to her, but such was the fact. This young man had latterly taken a liking to Mrs.Flowers, and Mrs.Flowers to him. On the evening in question one of her "kind" neighbours came running up to her room and informed her of a very suspicious circumstance, calculated to arose her jealously, viz., that her young man and Mrs.Flowers had been seen to enter a place of convenience in the yard before mentioned. She when thither and endeavoured to open the door, but found it fastened inside; however, shortly afterwards it was opened, and the young man and Mrs.Flowers came forth ! If any assault, therefore took place, it was by forcing the door open.

The Mayor suggested that the young man would be the best witness, and inquired who he was ?

Both the "ladies" however, kept silence on that point.

The Magistrates considered the assault a very trivial one, and seeing pretty clearly the nature of the grievance between the parties, inflicted a fine of one shilling, besides costs, on Mrs.King.

Mr.Voules applied to have the defendant placed under recognizances for her future good behaviour, but the Magistrates did not see any necessity for requiring that to be done.

Brutal Assault

On Thursday Samuel Herbert was brought before the Mayor and Mr.Blunt, charged with committing the following violent assault on Henry Sexton, a police constable, in the execution of his duty.

On the night of the 12th instant, between 11 and 12 o'clock, Sexton took a man into custody for being drunk and disorderly, and was conveying him to the station-house when the defendant came up and ordered him to release the man, accompanying his demand with a threat, in case of refusal, of cracking the policeman's skull with his stick, at the same time exhibiting a thick short stick, well calculated to crack any person's skull. The policeman told him to go about his business, and not to interfere with him in the execution of his duty; the defendant, however, appeared determined to rescue the man in custody, and upon the policeman merely putting up his hand to push him away the defendant struck at him with the stick several times and cut his head open, the blood flowing from the wound most copiously. The policeman closed with the ruffian, and , by the assistance of Barnes, the turncock, who happened to come that way, he was secured.

The Magistrates committed the defendant to the Sessions for trial.




Eton Police

On Tuesday, Mr.Harvey and Mr.Swabey, two magistrates of the Eton division of Bucks, together with Mr.Long, Clerk to the Magistrates of that division, were called on to proceed to Langley, to take the depositions of a poor woman named Mary Humphries, who was confined to her bed in consequence of the severe injuries she had received at the hands of a navigator, named Shadraeh Kimpton.

It appeared that between Kimpton and Mrs.Humphries daughter there was an intimacy which was continued much against the wish of the latter's mother and father. On Monday last, hearing that Kimpton and her daughter had gone together to a public-house she went there, and insisted on her daughter leaving. Kimpton swore she should not go home, and when outside, on the road, he commenced a most brutal attack on the poor old woman, knocked her down, and beat and kicked her in the most cruel and heartless manner. Some persons fortunately came to her assistance, and the brute was taken into custody.

The Magistrates, after commenting on the unmanliness of such an outrage, convicted the defendant in the full penalty of �5 and costs, which he could not pay. They then committed him to the county gaol for two months, being the utmost period allowed by the Act of Parliament.

On Wednesday Thomas Muross was charged before the Rev.Mr.Carter, and the Rev.Mr.Champnes, and Mr.Clowes, with riding against and injuring Edward May, a carpenter.

The complainant stated , that on the 26th of February he was walking in Iver-lane, when the defendant, who is a horse breaker, came galloping along the road, and although he, complainant, got on one side, and there was plenty of room, the defendant rode with great violence against him, by which he fell down, and his arm was so much injured that he had ever since been disabled from working at his trade. He accounted for the long interval that had elapsed by saying that he had only recently ascertained the defendant's name.

The defendant assured the Magistrates that the collision was purely accidental.

The Magistrates, after hearing the whole of the case, said it was probable that it was the result of an accident, and therefore they advised the parties to retire, and recommended the defendant to make the complainant some remuneration for the injury he had received.

The parties acted on the Magistrates recommendation, and the affair was amicably settled.

Philip Pettit was charged with assaulting Wm.Cole.

The defendant stated, that on the 13th inst., he was going up Burnham-street, when the defendant, in passing, rubbed against him, stuck his fist in his face, and threatened to "punch" his head. Complainant had given him notice to quit his house, and that he supposed was the reason of such conduct.

The defendant said the complainant had abused him, and spoke ill of his wife. He denied putting his fist in the complainant's face.

A witness proved that the complainant had spoken improperly of the defendant's wife.

The Magistrates said an assault had certainly been committed, but there had been great provocation. Under all the circumstances, they thought it best to dismiss the case, leaving the parties to pay the expenses between them.




Assault

On Tuesday a man named Henry Taylor, a tailor by trade, was taken before T.R.Ward and Edmund Foster, Esquires, County Magistrates, charged with assaulting Caroline, his wife; and also with assaulting Charles Wyse[?], late ostler at the Christopher Inn, Eton, who was at the time walking with her, at Clewer Green, and who interfered to save her from the defendants violence. In default of sureties he was committed to prison to take his trial at the County Sessions.




Parish of Clewer - Poor Rate Assessments.

On Monday the following county magistrates sat at the Town Hall, in Petty Sessions, to hear several appeals against the Poor-rate Assessments on their property, in the parish of Clewer; viz., T.R.Ward, Esq. (chairman), Captain Forbes, G.H.Crutchley, Esq, Captain Thomson, and J.Sivewright, Esq.

Mrs Sophia Dawson appellant - The Parish Officers of Clewer respondents.

Mr.C.Smith attended as an agent for Mrs.Dawson, and Mr.Sibthorpe, solicitor of Guildford, for the Parish Officers.

The notice of appeal stated the objection to be made, that Mrs.Dawson's mansion at St.Leonard's (at present in the occupation of the Hon.Col.Cavendish) had been excessively rated.

Mr.Smith having detailed the nature of the property, and its clear annual value after all outgoings and charges, was sworn, and proceeded to give his evidence. The mansion-house, grounds, &c., consisted altogether of about 81 acres, 39 of which, with the mansion-house, stables , and out-offices, were let to Colonel Cavendish for six years, from March, 1836, at a rent of �565 a year, free from all rates and taxes, all of which Mrs.Dawson had to pay. Even that rent there was a difficulty to get, for Colonel Cavendish considered it to be too high. There was no material objection to the assessment of the 39 acres, which was valued at �78 a year, which, deducted from the �565, left the rent of the mansion, &c., at �487 a year. Mr.Smith then stated various items paid by Mrs.Dawson, such as rates and taxes, tithes, average annual repairs, insurance, wear and tear of furniture, &c., which must also be deducted from the rent, and which would leave the clear annual rent of the house and buildings at only �146 14s, whereas the parish had assessed Mrs.Dawson for the house at �320.

Mr.Sibthorpe then addressed the Bench in support of the assessment, and stated that the parish committee had made their valuation on the best information which they had in their power to procure, and, in order to follow as nearly as possible the instructions of the Poor Law Commissioners. There were ignorant of the terms and particulars of the letting of this property, and accordingly they put upon it what they considered a fair estimate of its value. This was the only property of the kind in the parish that has been let, all similar property being in the hands of the owners, and the committee considered, that in estimating its value at �320 a year they conceived they were justified in doing so. It was true that was a mere artificial value, but, considering the situation of the property, and its contiguity to the Court at Windsor, it was thought the amount was not too much.

After the magistrates had consulted together , the Chairman gave the decision of the Court, which was, that the annual stated value on the whole property, including the land, should be reduced from �432 to �337, and the rateable value from �320 to �180, thus reducing the amount of each rate, which is 6d in the pound from �8 to �4 10s.

The next appeal was that of William Bernard Harcourt, Esq., who objected to the rate on the grounds that his house and land was considerably overrated, when compared with the houses and lands of other persons in the parish named in the notice of appeal. Mr.Ward, solicitor, of Maidenhead, was for the appellant in this and the subsequent cases.

The case occupied a considerable time, the examination as to the relative value of various properties in the parish and the proportions which they bore on Mr.Harcourt's property being very lengthy. The details are wholly uninteresting to the public. Eventually the rate was reduced from �460 stated to be the annual value on the parish books, to �300.

Edmund Foster, Esq., appealed on similar grounds. This gentleman's house had been stated as valued at �120 a year - the rateable value being put at �96. The Court, after hearing evidence, reduced it to �60. The rateable value of the land was also reduced.

The last case was that of William Felix Riley, Esq., whose grounds of appeal were the same as the two preceding cases. The parish officials declined to put the appellant to the trouble of calling witnesses, and consented to take the order of the Court to reduce the rateable value of Mr.Riley's house at �100 a year, and that of the land at an average of 24s 6d an acre. Mr.Riley, subsequently, voluntarily offered that his house should be put at �120 a year, which was done.

These were the whole of the appeals, which did not terminate until nearly nine o'clock at night.




Uxbridge, March 23.

A most brutal assault was on Friday night, 9th instant, committed on the Serjeant of the No.6 Police, by two young men named Pearce and Latham, whilst in the station house, one of whom, during the scuffle, inflicted two severe wounds on the Serjeant, one in the thigh and in the other in the calf of the leg, with a knife used for opening oysters, which was produced; the bleeding was most profuse for some hours, and had nearly cost the Serjeant his life. Pearce made his escape, but Latham, and a female accomplice named Ann Clements, were committed to prison by the Magistrates of Uxbridge, to await the health of the Serjeant allowing him to give evidence. On Monday last, Latham and Ann Clements underwent another examination, before T.T.Clarke, Esq., Sir.W.S.Wiseman, Bart., and T.Dagnall, Esq. Evidence was taken, substainting their guilt, but on account of the illness of the Serjeant, who was not considered by the surgeon well enough to be removed from his bed, the prisoners were again remanded for a fortnight.




High Wycombe, March 23.
Steeple Chace.

Our annual steeple chace came off on Monday, and notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the morning, which doubtless prevented many from attending, numbers of well mounted horsemen, gigs, &c., began to pour into the town at an early hour, and the assemblage of persons was immense. The ground was admirably selected by Messrs.Williams and Treacher, jun., and was over a stiff and heavy galloping country, with many rasping leaps, crossing several lanes, and two brooks of considerable width. The start was from a meadow at the bottom of Dashwood Hill, in the occupation of Mr.Veary, of Ham Farm, West Wycombe, and the winning flag in a meadow of Mr.Joseph Lane's, close to the town, a distance of about four miles. We have seldom witnessed a more animated scene, the line of road being along the beautiful valley, and the hills on both sides being covered with spectators, particularly on the north, which commanded a view of the chace for nearly two miles, whilst the road for the whole distance was "all alive" with horsemen, carriages, and pedestrians. The following is a list of the horses entered all of whom started : the prizes were - to the first �40; second �10; and third, �5 :-

Mr.Workman's br h Waterman (Owner).

Mr.Perrin's br h by Sancho - (Leonard)

Mr.Way's ch m Joan of Arc - (C.Wood)

Mr.Waterton's br h White Stockings - (Williamson)

Mr.Penny's b m Evelina - (Evans)

Mr.Hook's b h Ploughman - (Owner)

Mr.G.Tollit's g b Emperor - (Owner)

Mr.John Tollit's b m Maid of the Grove - (Jos.Tollit)

Mr.Young's b h Spectre - (Godsden)

Mr.Hussey's ch h XX - (Owner)

Mr.Perrin's ch m Victoria - (C.Ward)

At the word "off," all started in beautiful style, and continued at a moderate pace, in a straight line, for the first mile, when they crossed the Oxford road. At this point XX swerved at his fence, and falling with his rider, was left at some considerable distance in the rear. The Maid of the Grove now took the lead, and cleared an ox fence in gallant style, followed by Waterman and Emperor; on coming to the lane approaching West Wycombe Park, Waterman fell, and unseated his rider; the Maid of the Grove kept the lead, at a racing pace, through the Park, but refusing a fence, Waterman passed her, and Emperor soon gave him the "go by," the ruck being but a short distance in the rear. No change of importance took place until reaching the first brook, which Emperor refused, Ploughman and Waterman were first over it, and went in a gallant style down the meadows until within three of four fields from the winning post, when XX began to creep up. They were now at the last fence but one, when Ploughman swerved , which "settled his hash" for the race, and Waterman and XX passing him, one of the finest races we have witnessed ensued, and ended in XX gaining the winning post in advance of Waterman by about three lengths; Ploughman being third, and the rest well up. The betting at starting was 8 to 1 against the winner, 5 to 1 against Ploughman, 5 to 1 against White Stockings, 6 to 1 against Joan of Arc, and 10 to 1 against Emperor. At six o'clock upwards of 100 gentlemen dined at the Lion Hotel, Major Fane in the chair. The dinner was what dinners at the Lion always are - an elegant and sumptuous repast; to say that the wines were excellent is but using a hackneyed phrase, and smacks but meanly of wines, the smack of which will not soon be forgotten. The harmony of the evening was much enhanced by the vocal powers of Messrs. Sloman[?], Robinson, Westbrook, H.Moreton, and Webb, and morning found many still keeping up the conviviality. A liberal subscription was entered into for the next year's races.

Burglary

On Monday night, or early on the morning of Tuesday, the coach-house belonging to T.Bowden, Esq., of Coleshill, Amersham, was broken open, entered , and stolen therefrom a large size box, belonging to Mr.Bowden, and likewise a great coat, a livery coat, waistcoat, and two pair of gloves, belonging to his servant - a reward of �20 is offered.




Staines, March 23.
Literary and Scientific Institution

On Tuesday last, a lecture, on "the invisible agencies of the Material Universe," was given by the Rev.Edward Craig, M.A. We feel doubly thankful to Mr.Craig for his very excellent and interesting lecture, and also for his coming from Burton Latimer to deliver it. He pointed out the importance, not only of regarding those facts and results which constitute the means of our comfort and enjoyment, but of investigating the great principles whence these facts originate. The lecturer then specified several of these agencies or working principles : gravitation, and the various phenomena which arise out of that powerful and universal law; vibratory impulse, the capacity of the atomic particles of matter which vibrate within a certain range, under which general division may be included all the phenomena of light, heat, sound, sensation, together with the wide sphere of experience through the senses - vitality, the principle of life in animals and vegetables - and, finally, the invisible and universal law of decay. Mr.Craig regretted that the subject extended beyond the limits of a single lecture. We do not, neither, we are confident, did the audience. Mr.Craig's treatment of his thesis was very skilful; and the variety of his matter - the clearness of his arrangement - the beauty of his language and illustration - gave infinite delight to as crowded a theatre as we have seen this season. We shall anxiously anticipate the conclusion of the subject. We understand that an institution has recently opened at Kettering; it is fortunate , by having in its vircinity a lecturer as Mr.Craig.




Chertsey, March 23.
Fire

A fire discovered on Wednesday last, on the Common, near St.George's Hills, Weybridge, and from the wind blowing very strong at the time, a large quantity of furze, &c., was consumed: the origin of the fire, we believe, remains a mystery.

Literary Institution

A lecture was delivered on Thursday evening last, by G.Harcourt, Esq., of Chertsey, on "the reasonableness of Phrenology," and considered the lateness of the notice given, it was very well attended, the committee not knowing till the day before but that Mr.Deville would honour the institution, by delivering a lecture on phrenology, but that gentleman was not enabled to do so till about a fortnight from this time, when we may expect a great treat, by hearing a dissertation on the science of phrenology.

Fowl Stealing

On Thursday night last several fowls, of the Polish breed, were stolen from Mr.Miller's, near Chertsey, who has offered a reward of two guineas, on conviction of the offending party.