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	The Windsor and Eton Express. Bucks Chronicle and Reading Journal
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Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express

29th January 1842

Windsor Ball

On Thursday evening a public ball in honour of the christening of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales took place at the Town-hall, which was very numerously attended, the company comprising nearly 250 persons. Dancing was kept up throughout the night with great spirit, all present appeared heartily to enjoy themselves, and departed highly gratified with the whole of the arrangements of the committee of management. The refreshments were provided by Mr.Clarke, of the White Hart Hotel, in his usual first rate style.

Concert in the Theatre Royal

Last evening a concert took place at the Theatre in aid of the building fund for the Windsor and Eton Literary and Scientific Institution, and we were pleased to see it so very numerously and fashionably attended. The selections of pieces were from the best masters, and the vocal corps was highly efficient. Besides several gentlemen of St.George's choir, and two of the best singing youths of that chapel, there were Miss Rainforth and Mr.W.Harrison (of Covent Garden Theatre), Miss A.Lyons (of the Nobility's Concerts), Mr.John Parry, jun.,&c., all excellent performers. Mr.Griesbach, of Covent Garden Theatre, played some beautiful pieces on the violin. Dr.Elvey presided at the pianoforte, and all the pieces went off with great eclat. There were, however, two drawbacks which we cannot fail to notice. In the first place it had been advertised that the instrumental performers would consist of the bands of the Royal Horse Guards, and the 72nd Highlanders; but either by a mistake or mismanagement (which it was, and where the fault lay, we are ignorant), it was not until the first part of the concert was over that any band made its appearance. What we have however most to complain of is the gross mismanagement of the box-keepers department. It had been advertised that the tickets were to be obtained and places for the boxes were to be secured by application to certain parties and that no person was to be admitted except by tickets, the sale of which was to cease on the day previous to the concert - an excellent arrangement if adhered to; instead of which, however, many of those several days previous to the concert purchased tickets and took places, on entering the theatre found their places pre-occupied, and all remonstrance against such breaches of contract were unavailing; many persons consequently thrust themselves into the seats bespoke by others, and thus increased the confusion and annoyance, while others more scrupulous, had no option but to leave the theatre, disgusted with such management; the only object of which seemed to be to let as many persons into the building, as applied for admission, without regard to the convenience of those who had prior claims.

Theatre Royal

The theatre closes this evening with the manager's, Mr.Dodd's second benefit , after any thing but a prosperous season.

Military Field Days

Yesterday the Royal Horse Guards and the 11th Hussars (from Hounslow) had a field day in the Home Park, the ground being kept by a strong detachment of the 72nd Highlanders. To-day the 72nd Highlanders had a field day also in the park. The evolutions of the troops on each day were witnessed by her Majesty, Prince Albert, their illustrious visitors, and suite.

Base Coin

A quantity of bad money was on Monday night passed in the neighbourhood of Colnbrook by five men and a woman, who then left that town in the direction of Datchet. The patrol of Colnbrook on learning which way they had gone, sent an intimation of that fact to the Datchet constables, who apprehended four out of the six persons just as they were entering that village, and took them to the Highflyer public-house where they were searched, but no bad money being found upon them they were set at liberty. On the following morning the servant girl of the public-house, while sweeping the room in which the parties had been searched, found under the seat a bag containing 21 bag shillings, which one of them had contrived to drop there while the others were undergoing the search.

Robberies on Tuesday

During Tuesday evening the residence of Mr.French, one of the lay clerks of St.George's Chapel, was forcibly entered and a considerable amount of property was stolen. It appears that Mr.French was in attendance professionally at the dinner held at the Town-hall, and before leaving home he had given his housekeeper permission to go for a short time to see the illuminations about the town. She did so and returned about nine o'clock, when she found the back door open, and near the fire place in her room she found her master's cash box, which had been wrenched open. She raised an alarm, and some neighbours and a policeman came to her aid. Mr.French was instantly sent for, and on his arrival he found the thieves had ransacked several parts of the house. His cash box had been taken from a cupboard and several sovereigns stolen from it, besides which the following articles were taken : - Five silver snuff boxes, one musical box, four silver tea spoons, two salt spoons, a pair of sugar tongs, eight or nine silk handkerchiefs, five gold seals, five other seals, two pocket books, &c. No clue has been obtained either to the thieves or to the property. The residence of Mr.Lillicrop, the baptist minister, was also broken into by some thieves, who stole therefrom cash and plate to the amount of from �40 to �50. The house of a person named Hunter, living in Datchet Lane, was entered by means of a false or skeleton key, and 3 sovereigns and a quantity of silver stolen. A young woman in the service of Mr.Minton, butcher of Peascod-street, was hustled by some pickpockets at the top of that street, and robbed of between �4 and �5. Several other robberies in houses and of persons were committed during the day of the royal christening and in the evening, and the light fingered gentry reaped a plentiful harvest on the occasion.

Windsor Police - Thursday

The magistrates were occupied a considerable time with several cases of drunkeness, but a reprimand each of the prisoners was discharged, excepting Charles Oliver, who was ordered to find sureties to keep sober for a week. This being his ninth appearance, and in default he was committed to prison.

William Murphy was charged on suspicion of felony, but as the evidence was not ready, he was, at the request of the police remanded to Monday.

Catherine Jefferies was charged with passing bad half-crowns at the house of Mr.W.Darling, the Red Lion, and Mr.Richard Coventry, of the Grapes public-houses, on Monday and Tuesday last. As it was believed that several other cases would be brought against her, she was remanded for a week.

Thomas Harding Davis was charged with illtreating and threatening his wife. This being the second time that such a charge was preferred against him, the magistrates ordered him to find two sureties in �5 each, and to be bound himself in �10 to keep the peace for twelve months. In default he was committed to prison.

Elizabeth Regan, who was taken into custody on suspicion of uttering base coin was discharged, there not being sufficient evidence against her.

Mr.James Mines, landlord to the Merry Wives public-house, was charged with assaulting James Buckley. The assault, which was a very violent one, the complainant having his head broken open by a poker used by the defendant, was fully proved. Mr.Voules, however, who appeared for the complainant, said his client did not press for a heavy penalty, and the magistrates therefore inflicted only a fine of 20s and 12s costs, which the defendant paid.

Alfred Dark was charged with stealing a coat, the property of Henry Hand, from Mr.Moody's coach office, on the evening of the 24th January. The prisoner was remanded to produce the necessary evidence.

Eton Police - Monday

Mary Bennett, a pauper in the Eton Union Workhouse, was charged with disorderly conduct and assaulting the master. She was committed to hard labour at Aylesbury gaol for 21 days.

A man named Mitchell was charged by William Ive, of Langley, with stealing turnip tops, and committed to prison for 14 days.

Egham, Saturday, January 29.

At a petty sessions holden at Chertsey on Wednesday last, Mr.Collingwood, of this town, was summoned for an aggravated assault upon his servant boy. The respectability of the party implicated, added to other circumstances arising out of this affair, appeared to create a great interest, and the justice room was thronged with spectators anxious to hear the decision. Mr.Williams, of Windsor, appeared on behalf of Mr.Collingwood. The complainant made his statement to the bench, and a formidable array of witnesses, of both sexes, immediate neighbours of Mr.Collingwood, volunteered to support the case, impelled, as they alleged, from the motives of pure humanity towards the boy. It transpired, however, that no one of them had seen any punishment inflicted, and as their evidence was exclusively hearsay, it was inadmissible. Mr.Williams then addressed the bench on behalf of Mr.Collingwood, and calling their attention to the fact that the charge was unsupported by a tittle of evidence, he declared his belief that it originated in private pique. He dwelt strongly upon the disgraceful and riotous proceedings which had occurred in the town, in consequence of the caluminious reports which had been circulated to the prejudice and injury of Mr.C., and finally called upon the bench to dismiss so trumpery a case. Mr.Williams called Mr.J.Cooper, apprentice to Mr.C., who deposed that the boy was guilty of filthy habits and other misconduct; that in consequence Mr.C had frequently remonstrated with him without effect; that Mr.C's conduct was marked with great kindness, and that for his disobedience the punishment inflicted had always been moderate.

Mr.G.P.Heyward, surgeon, deposed that he had been called upon professionally to examine the boy; that his person exhibited no other marks of violence than such as would arise from the application of a rod, and expressed his belief that severer punishment was inflicted at all the public schools in the kingdom. T.J.Rigby, Esq., of Yately Lodge, Hants, deposed that he had known Mr.Collingwood and members of his family for many years; that they were always of the highest respectability, and that he believed Mr.C to be utterly incapable of the cruel and injurious charge alleged against him. The bench then consulted for a few moments, and the chairman, T.R.Ward, Esq., addressed a severe admonition to the boy, adding that the bench thought the punishment inflicted fully merited, and they were further of opinion that the case should be dismissed.

Staines
Caution to the Charitable

A person dressed very respectably has within the last few days been endeavouring, by making out a tale, evidently false, to excite the sympathy, and to open the purses of several highly respectable inhabitants of this town, but we cannot hear that he has succeeded in any one instance. It is as well, however, to put the benevolent of other places on their guard against his imposture. We have heard that he called at the residence of Mr.Edward Ashby, of Staines, soliciting a donation, but that gentleman not being at home, Mrs.Ashby declined giving him anything. The fellow afterwards called on a lady, and, by way of an inducement to her to subscribe, exhibited what purported to be Mr.Ashby's name put down for a sovereign, and the name of that gentleman's sister, Mrs.Henry Ashby, for 10s. Still he was unsuccessful, and is doubtless trying it on elsewhere. He is a man of small stature, apparently between 35 and 40 years of age, not stout, dark hair and eyes, wears a brown great coat with velvet collar, and describes himself as having been in business at Kingston, as a draper. He says his name is Jones, but this account of himself is, we have no doubt, false.

Maidenhead, Saturday, January 29.

It was last week our painful duty to record the death (after a very short illness) of our highly respected townsman Richard Goolden, Esq., who had for upwards of 30 years successfully practised as surgeon, &c.,&c., in this town and neighbourhood; and this week the remains of the lamented deceased have been consigned to the grave and with the exception of about one or two houses every inhabitant had his shutters partly closed. His loss will no doubt be every day more fully felt, it having been Mr.Goolden's constant desire on all occasions where the welfare of the town was concerned to render his unremitting exertions in promoting any good cause, even at considerable sacrifice of his own interest. We are much pleased to find that a voluntary contribution has already been set on foot for the erection of a small tablet to the memory of so valuable an individual, and that donations are received at the Maidenhead bank for that purpose, not exceeding half a guinea each.

Uxbridge, Saturday, January 29.

The rejoicings and amusements which took place in this town on the auspicious occasion of christening the Prince of Wales, consisted of a few flags and devices exhibited on and about the market house, where at 12 o'clock, the Uxbridge Volunteer Infantry, to the number of about 40, with their band, assembled under the command of Captain Rayner, and marched to the front of the White Horse Inn, where they fired a royal salute, colours flying, and music playing the nation air.
At one o'clock the children of the National School, after a short examination, were regaled with a good dinner of meat and pudding.
At two o'clock, the snow having previously been swept off the ice on the canal in front of the residence of R.H.Cox, Esq., of Hillingdon House, 22 young men played a match at cricket, in skates, thereon.
At four o'clock, about thirty gentlemen sat down to an excellent and substantial dinner at the King's Arms Inn, the worthy host, Mr.E.Clark, doing justice to his guests by his admirable catering. The chair was able filled by T.H.Riches, Esq., and after the toasts, cheering, songs, glees, &c., the company departed highly pleased with their evening's entertainment.
At five o'clock on the same day, the Total Abstinence Society held a tea party festival and public meeting at the New Public Rooms, Uxbridge, by announcement, when nearly 400 persons took tea, coffee, and cake, by ticket. At half past six o'clock the public generally were admitted, and the meeting was addressed by the Rev.Thomas Spencer, M.A., curate of Hinton, near Bath, in an able and lengthened discourse on the benefits to be derived from abstaining from intoxicating liquors. Charles Lovell, Esq., M.D., of Brentwood, and Robt.Duncan, M.D., of Tonbridge Wells, severally addressed the company. There were several clergymen, magistrates, and highly-respectable persons present, in all about 800.
A few inhabitants of Uxbridge subscribed together for the purpose of presenting about 400 poor persons with meat and bread, to commemorate the christening of the Prince of Wales. This gift was distributed on Monday.

For several nights or mornings during last week, the inhabitants of Uxbridge and Hillingdon-end adjoining, have had many depredations committed by some two or three thoughtless youths, who by way of what they term larking, have deprived doors of brass door knockers, taken off name plates, houses to let, notice boards, and boards of various descriptions, taken down or away and fixed at or against other situations, a weather vane in the likeness of a fish taken from the lawn of the Rev.T.G.Stamper, and placed on a sign post at the Eight Bells, Hillingdon-end, and about a score of the heads of iron railings in front of a house near the Bank broken off, and the board from Dr.Beasley's school-gate taken down. These freaks or larks, though they may be considered by the parties of a trifling description, will very probably go nigh to severely punish them if followed up; and all this was done without being perceived by the police or watchmen.

High Wycombe, Saturday, January, 29.
Baptism of the Prince of Wales

The bells of our church rang merrily during the whole of Tuesday last in honour of the day, and the subscription which had been raised for the poor was distributed, in money, early in the morning, in order that they might make merry, as well as their richer neighbours, on this day of national rejoicing. The Charity Trustees also gave half a crown to each of the inmates of their alms-houses. In the evening a ball took place in the Town-hall, which was numerously attended, and pretty well so by the ladies. Dancing was kept up with much spirt till nearly eight o'clock on the following morning. There were also public dinners to celebrate the event at the Lion and Falcon Inns, where the utmost loyalty and enthusiasm prevailed. At the Abbey, about 30 of Lord Carrington's tenantry dined together; Mr.Neale, his lordship's steward, in the chair. Only two of those who voted for Messrs. Dashwood and Bernal at the late election, were, we understand, invited; the rest, it is presumed, for such misconduct, were not thus honoured. There were also many other charitable gifts by private individuals, and several private parties; so that our little borough was certainly not backward in coming forward in its demonstrations of loyalty and attachment to our gracious and beloved Queen, on this happy occasion.

Cookham Bridge

At a meeting of the directors held at Cookham on Thursday last, Charles Harman, Esq., of High Wycombe, was unanimously elected clerk, in the room of Sam.Naylor, Esq.