Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
27th February 1836
The Royal Hunt
On Monday His Majesty's hounds met at Salthill. The field was not very numerous , in consequence, no doubt, of the frost on the two or three previous days, which induced many sporting gentlemen at a distance to believe there would be no turn out. However the Noble Master of the Hounds, the Earl of Erroll, with many other leading sportsmen, was present.
The deer was uncarted in a meadow at the back of the Swan public-house, and immediately took to the water (the Mill-pond) close by, which was frozen over, but not sufficient to bear his weight, and he floundered about among the ice for some time, during which he was much worried by a dog that followed him into the water. Finding the deer was not inclined to come again on terra firma, some men belonging to Mr.Mason's mill put off in a punt to him; they got hold of the animal, and endeavoured to pull him into the punt but failed, and at length, after being in the water nearly half an hour,
affording some amusement to the crowd assembled, he landed, and to the surprise of many, who thought his cold bath would spoil his speed, he showed for running, and bore away across the fields to the back of Slough, then on the right to Langley, and Iver, over the Heath to Fulmer, across the Common, through Frame Wood to Hederley and Burnham Beeches, where the ill-fated deer was captured, and in a few minutes after he died.
Although the scent, from the chilly state of the ground, was but indifferent, the hunting was highly satisfactory, and at times the pace was good. The run continued for an hour and a half. As a warning to those who so unhandsomely take dogs and unloose them at the deer on leaving the cart, we
think it right to state that the red terrier, which chased the deer on this occasion, was killed by the animal near Langley Park. It was a pity that its owner had not been punished also.
On Wednesday, being the day on which her Majesty's birthday was celebrated, the bells of Windsor Church rang a merry peal.
At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Thames Navigation, held at the Town-hall this day, the election of Clerk to the Commissioners, occasioned by the resignation of Mr.W.J.Voules, took place. The candidates were Mr.Chas.Stuart Voules, and Mr.Darvill, the former of whom was elected.
Last week, during the high winds, an immense tree, not less than 114 feet high and upwards of a century old, in the garden of Mr.Botham, of the Windmill Inn, Salthill, was blown down.
Coroner's Inquest
On Tuesday, an Inquest was held at the Free House, Clewer-lane, before James May, Esq, Coroner for the County of Berks, on the body of Wm. Agar, an infant of three months old, the son of a private in the Coldstream guards. It appeared that the deceased had been a very sickly child from its birth, and had almost constantly been under medical treatment. On Saturday
night Mrs.Agar and the deceased went to bed about eight or nine o'clock - the father of the child being on duty. The deceased, as usual, cried much during the night, but about three or four o'clock he ceased. About five o'clock Mrs.Agar turned round to see he was covered with the bed clothes, and discovered that he was dead. She immediately got out of bed and alarmed her landlady, Mrs.Taylor, who came
to her room door, and on hearing the death of her child she fainted. Medical assistance was instantly procured, but it was of no avail. It was proved that Mrs.Agar was an attentive and affectionate parent, and she was heard during the night frequently trying to pacify her child.
The medical gentleman (Mr.Moss) was of opinion the child died in convulsions. The Jury returned a verdict - "Died by the visitation of God."
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Berkshire Lent Assizes
On Wednesday the Judges, the Hon. Sir E.H. Alderson, and the Hon. Sir J.Williams, Knights, arrived at Reading, and opened their Commission. On Thursday morning their Lordships attended Divine Service, after which they proceeded to the Courts, and commenced with the trials. There were 37 prisoners in the calendar for trial. Mr.Justice Alderson presided in the Nisi Prius Court, and Mr.Justice Williams in the Crown Court.
Robert Andrews aged 40, a porter, was convicted of stealing a bay gelding from Higham-common, near Chipping Norton, in the county of Oxford, the property of some person or persons unknown, and sentenced to be transported for life.
John Bolton, aged 24, and James Bolton, aged 22, charged with entering an inclosed ground, in the parish of Hurley, with some other person unknown, for the purpose of destroying game, were sentenced to two months hard labour.
Rosannah Sopes, aged 43, was found Guilty of stealing on the 3rd February, at Kintbury, 16 candles and other articles, the property of Thomas Owen :- Sentenced to two months hard labour.
Robert Hibbert, alias Catlin, aged 28, George Surman, aged 23, and Jas.Wiggins, aged 29, were indicted for stealing two bushels of wheat, the property of Wm.Lane, at Wokingham, on the 18th December. They were also indicted for stealing a sheep on the same day, also the property of William Lane - Verdict , Guilty, Hibbert and Wiggins were sentenced to be transported for life, and Surman to be imprisoned 12 months and kept to hard labour.
Charles Hill, aged 24 [?], for stealing a cloth cloak on the 17th February, at Woodley, in the parish of Sonning, the property of Edward Robarts[?], was sentenced to 7 years transportation.
Charles Jones, aged 32, was sentenced to be transported for seven years, for stealing a handkerchief, a waistcoat, and a shirt, the property of Charles Hinton, at Waltham St.Lawrence. Chas.Jones was charged with the other prisoner, but the bill was ignored as against him.
William Jones, aged 46, and Daniel Skeats, aged 24, were convicted for having on the 20th January, at Hungerford, broken open the dwelling house of Mary Miles, and stole therefrom six cheeses, 10 neckerchiefs, 56lbs of sugar, five shillings worth of halfpence, &c. - Death recorded.
Joseph Kelley, alias Boulton, alias Keeley, aged 31, was convicted on having on the 18th of February broken into the dwelling house of Lucy Gray, and stealing one �10 note, nine sovereigns, and India crape shawl, and other articles. Sentence not passed.
Thomas Mans [?], aged 36, was convicted of having on the 19th August last violently assaulted Louisa Liley, at Abingdon, and sentenced to 12 months hard labour.
Wm. Meads, aged 25, charged with having on the 4th January, at Bisham, violently assaulted and forcibly taken away from Joseph Folly a silver watch and some copper money, was found Guilty - Death recorded.
William Moore, aged 19, and Richard Moore, aged 21, for stealing a sheep, the property of William Brown, at Ardington, were found Guilty, and sentenced to be transported for life; as was Joseph Robinson, aged 27, for stealing a sheep, the property of Mr.Brown, at Ardington.
Richard Ryman, aged 58, for having, in the night of the 27th December, at Cummer, entered a coppice, armed with a gun, for the destruction of game, and assaulted Mr.Barrett, with a stick, was sentenced to twelve months hard labour.
James Sarney, aged 26, for stealing, on the 6th February, two sheep, the property of Esther Harford, at Bray, was sentenced to be transported for life; and his father Wm.Sarney, aged 68, for having feloniously received one of the carcasses of the sheep, was sentenced to three months hard labour.
John Spindlo, aged 38, for feloniously receiving 27 ducks, the property of James Cowdery, at Wantage, knowing them to have been stolen was sentenced to fourteen years transportation.
James Spratey, aged 22, for the manslaughter of Thos. Eales[?], at Finehampstead, was sentenced to one months hard labour.
John Tidbury, aged 24, for stealing a shovel, the property of Thos.Salter, at Hungerford, was sentenced to six months hard labour.
Thomas Emblin, aged 30, charged with stealing a leg of pork, at Ardington, the property of Richard Orpwood, was acquitted, no evidence being offered against him. William Fisher, aged 25 [?], charged with highway robbery, was also acquitted; as was Thomas Gould, aged 47, who was charged with feloniously assaulting Rachael Marshall. Against Wm.Harrod, charged with
maliciously setting fire to a dwelling house, the property of John Blagrave, Esq., there was no bill. The trial of Henry Hazell (who had been out on bail) for stealing two trusses of hay the property of John Casson, at Speenhamland, was stopped by the Judge, who said there was no case against him, and he was acquitted. Wm.Mildenhall was acquitted of the charge of stealing two bushels of beans, the property of Joseph Child, at Lambourn. Wm.Soper, aged 44, charged with stealing a towel, a pair of stockings, &c, the property of Thomas Owen, at Kintbury, was acquitted.