Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
9th April 1842
Literary Institution
On Monday evening an adjourned meeting of this society was held in Sheet-street, J.B.Sharp, Esq., in the chair, at which a resolution was agreed to, for a deputation to wait upon the members of the Institution for subscriptions in aid of the funds to defray the expenses of the new house. The usual business having been transacted, the meeting broke up - On Wednesday evening, Mr.Chamberlain delivered a lecture on "The Common Class of Poets." The lecture did not prove a very interesting one, and it was but thinly attended.
Windsor and Eton Bible Society
It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, that on Monday next the anniversary meeting of the friends of the Windsor and Eton Auxillary Bible Society, will be held in the Town-hall, when T.Browne, Esq., from the Parent Society, will attend and advocate the claims of the society.
Military Movements
The 72nd Highlanders, who have been for some time on duty in Windsor, under the command of Colonel Arbuthnot, have this week been relieved by the 15th Regiment of foot, commanded by Lieut.Colonel Lord Charles Wellesley. On Thursday four companies of the 72nd left this town for Manchester. Yesterday three companies and headquarters left for the same destination, and this day they were followed by the remainder of the regiment. On Thursday a portion of the 15th arrived from Woolwich, and were followed yesterday and to-day by the remainder, the head-quarters arriving yesterday. It is but justice to the 72nd Highlanders, on their departure, to say that during their stay in Windsor the conduct of both officers and privates has been such as to have gained the respect and good opinion of the authorities and inhabitants of the town generally. The principle portion of this regiment have, ever since they came to Windsor, been in the habit of attending William-street Chapel on Sundays, accommodation for them having been specially made; and last Sunday, being the last sabbath they would spend in Windsor, the Rev.Mr.Stoughton preached, on that occasion, a very appropriate and impressive farewell sermon to them.
On Wednesday last, through want of proper precaution on the part of his men, Mr.E.Mason, of Thames-side, met with a loss, but which might have been attended with much more serious consequences. It appeared that in attempting to lower a barge a little down the stream, the men trusted to their poles and their own strength, instead of using a rope at the head to let her gradually down, when from the force of the stream they were overpowered, and the barge shot round the Cobler, out of the direct channel, and went with great force over the Weir, a portion of which was carried away; the barge fortunately, almost as soon as it had passed the Weir, ran into the bank, and did not go down, although a hole was stove in her. The freight, chiefly of coals, was then removed to another barge, and no further damage was sustained.
Accident
On Tuesday last, as a son of the Rev.Mr.Coleridge, of Eton College, was returning from the Beaconsfield steeple chase, he was either thrown or fell from his horse near Farnham Royal, and seriously bruised, though fortunately no bones were broken. The young gentleman was conveyed home immediately after the accident, where he received surgical attendance, and he is now doing well.
Cootes the Pedestrian
This individual again exhibited his wonderful powers at Spital, on Wednesday last. The most extraordinary part of his doings on this day was his backward walk of half a mile, and his leaping over 50 hurdles 10 yards apart. Cootes will again go through his manly exercises, and exhibit even more extraordinary feats than he has yet done in this part of the country, on Thursday next, in the grounds of the Queen's Arms, in the New Road.
Robbery
On the 5th of March a man named Jas.Grimes, in the employ of Mr.W.Box, clothier, &c., of Beaconsfield (but now residing at Slough), absconded from his master's service, having previously robbed him of two silver spoons, a great quantity of leather, seven pairs of women's shoes, &c.. Within the last few days he was apprehended in London by peace-officer Roadnight, of Uxbridge, who, assisted by Mr.Larkin, chief constable of Iver, and Inspector Otway, have also succeeded in discovering most part of the stolen property, which was pawned at Uxbridge. On Thursday the prisoner was taken before Christopher Tower, Esq., and by that magistrate fully committed for trial.
Stealing Lead
During Thursday night last some thieves stole a large piece of lead, about six inches wide and six yards long, from a small bridge that crosses a piece of water in Riching's-park, the seat of __ Sulivan, Esq. Information of the robbery was given to Mr.Larkin, chief constable of Iver, who immediately commenced an active investigation, which has enabled him to obtain some trace of the thieves, who, it is expected, will be soon brought to justice.
Windsor Corporation
On Thursday a meeting of the Town Council of this borough was held in the Council-chamber of the Town-hall, John Clode, Esq., Mayor, in the chair.
The Town-clerk, having read the minutes of the last court, proceeded to read the report of a committee, to whom on a former court day it had been referred, to ascertain by what right a certain enclosure and incroachment of land had been made in Sun passage. The committee recited the evidence that had been laid before them, among which was a plan of the adjacent land , purporting to be of a date 1634 (but evidently made subsequently), which was produced by Mr.Cantrell, and also a plan belonging to Eton College, exhibited by the Registrar of that establishment, of the College property in the immediate vircinity of this alleged incroachment, dated in 1777. After, however, the best consideration of the committee to the evidence, they had come to the opinion that Mr.Cantrell had no right to make the incroachment, and they recommended that he be requested forthwith to abate it.
Mr.Jennings moved that the report be adopted.
Mr.Hanson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Mr.Darvill then, in reference to the appointment of a magistrate in the room of the late Mr.Bovingdon, which subject he had previously given notice of his intention of bringing before the court, requested that the minutes of the court held on the 9th of November last relating to it be read.
The Town-clerk read the minutes referred to. They consisted of copies of the correspondence with the Marquis of Normanby and the Lord Chancellor, during the late administration, respecting the successor to Mr.Bovingdon in the magistracy of the borough. The first letter was from the Town-clerk, dated the 24th of July, to the Marquis of Normanby, stating that in consequence of the decease of Edward Bovingdon, Esq., that Town Council had taken into their consideration the propriety of nominating some person to succeed him, and they begged to recommend John Banister, Esq., who was then, for the third time, serving the office of mayor of the borough, in whom the council had great confidence, and who was fully qualified for the office of justice of the peace. The answer to that letter, signed by Mr.S.M.Phillips, said that he was requested by the Marquis of Normanby to state, that his lordship had recommended that the name of Mr.Banister should be inserted in the commission of the peace, in the room of the late Mr.Bovingdon, and on the 3rd of August, the then Lord Chancellor's secretary wrote to say that noble and learned lord had given directions to have the name of Mr.Banister inserted in the commission. Then came a letter from the Marquis of Normanby's secretary, Mr.Phillips, stating that his lordship had recommended that the name of James Thos. Bedborough, Esq., be inserted in the commission in Mr.Bovingdon's room, provided that there was no impediment to that gentleman's appointment in respect to his qualification. To that Mr.Banister, then mayor, wrote a reply, referring to the original letter of the Town-clerk recommending him to the office, and to his lordship's letter, and to that of the Lord Chancellor, to the effect above stated. The reading of this correspondence having been concluded,
Mr.Darvill rose. He said that on the council held on the 6th of January, he had given notice that at this council he should advert to the documents which had just been read. Had he known that it was intended by his friend Mr.W.Jennings, at the council held on the 9th of November, to move that those letters should be inserted on the minutes, he should certainly have been present. It was from no fear of the subject being publicly discussed that he was absent - he abstained from being present on for different grounds. He knew full well what the council were about doing on the 9th of November last, and therefore he determined not to be present. He thought when he first entered the council that it was a deliberative assembly; if it were not so, and two or three individuals were allowed to concoct all the proceedings in mere holes and corners, the sooner the council-chamber was locked up and the council disbanded the better. Yes, he knew that on the 9th of November the present mayor was to be the chief magistrate, not that he had any personal objection to that gentleman, and he knew also that the council was then about to inflict an act of injustice on one of the most upright, wealthy, and respectable of the council - he knew that Mr.Bedborough was to be displaced as an alderman. These were his reasons for being absent, and not the fear of discussion; but had Mr.Jennings given notice of the course he intended to adopt, he (Mr.Darvill) would have attended the council in November last, however repulsive to his feelings it might have been.
He had thus disposed of the point of his absence from the council in November last - he had shown that it arose from aversion, and not from fear. Had he (Mr.Darvill) been present at the council to which he adverted, he should have used those arguments which he was then about to use. If Mr.Jennings had given him notice that he had intended to propose the appointment of Mr.Banister as justice, he should certainly have been present, but he had no notice of any such intention. He would now just advert to the subject of the magistracy. But an amendment was proposed for the appointment of Mr.Banister, which was carried. He then considered that Mr.Bedborough had a great claim on the borough from his wealth, his high character, and his public spirit. He (Mr.Darvill) made that motion of his own free will, and without even that gentleman's knowledge or concurrence. As the court had rejected his motion, he drew up a memorial to Lord Normanby, which was signed by from fifty to sixty of the most respectable inhabitants of the borough in favour of the appointment of Mr.Bedborough; and in so doing he begged to assure the court that he in no way reflected upon Mr.Banister, nor did he even advert to that gentleman's name. It was merely a memorial requesting Lord Normanby to appoint Mr.Bedborough as a magistrate, and testifying to that gentleman's high character. From the time that memorial was laid before the Marquis of Normanby to the day when the correspondence that had been read was entered on the minutes of the court, he had heard nothing.
He made no objection to Mr.Banister whatever; he had not calumniated , or endeavoured to lower that gentleman in the estimation of the Home-office; but he considered Mr.Bedborough had a greater claim to be placed in the magistracy. It had occurred to him for a long time past that there existed in the council an unjustifiable feeling towards Mr.Bedborough which ought not to be suffered to exist - whether that arose from public or private motives the parties who entertained it were the best judges; whether that feeling was of a personal or political character they best knew. He (Mr.D) conceived that if it were from political motives, it was doubtless that Mr.Bedborough had always been consistent when certain members of the council in their politics had been very inconsistent. In proof of that he could mention that in 1836 a certain gentleman in the town was applied to respecting the politics of certain other gentlemen nominated for Commission of the Peace, as appeared from a letter of which the following was a copy :-
"Sir, - Will you have the goodness to inform me by an early coach to-morrow the profession or trades and the politics of the following gentlemen in Windsor : W.Legh, Esq., Mayor; R.Blunt, E.Bollingdon (meaning Bovingdon), Sir J.Chapman, R.Tebbott. I shall feel much obliged by your early attention and reply.
I am, sir, &c."
The letter was sent to a gentleman in Windsor, and with the knowledge and concurrence of Mr.Blunt and others of the gentlemen mentioned in the letter (at least of this he was credibly informed), the following answer was returned:-
"Sir, - I have to apologize for not having earlier replied to your letter to my brother (whose has left Windsor some time, and to whose business I have succeeded), but I did not return from town till late last night. I now beg to forward you the information you require, viz., W.Legh, Esq., banker and brewer, Liberal; Robt.Blunt, saddler, has always voted for the government, and voted for Mr.Ramsbottom; Robert Tebbott, builder, the like; Edward Bovingdon, gentleman, Liberal; Sir John Chapman, surgeon, High Church."
After the characters given of those gentlemen, of course no objection was made to them at the Home-office. Well, then, how could the council object, on political grounds, to Mr.Bedborough, when Mr.Blunt, the chief mover, had always "supported the government, and voted for Mr.Ramsbottom." It was very inconsistant for a gentleman like Mr.Blunt, who had always supported the government and voted for Mr.Ramsbottom, to oppose Mr.Bedborough, who happened most consistently to have pursued the same course. He (Mr.Darvill) thought, therefore, he ought to assume that on the ground of politics there was no objection to Mr.Bedborough. Consequently, he supposed that objection to the gentlemen was of a personal nature. That personal feeling he believed to exist, and to have originated in a personal feud between Mr.Blunt and Mr.Bedborough, for Mr.Blunt had been heard to say that he would crush Mr.Bedborough --
Mr.Blunt (warmly) - I deny it, and I tell you, Mr.Darvill, to your face that it is false.
Mr.Darvill said Mr.Jenner was his author that it was an, and Mr.Jenner would swear to it; and if that was the feeling which actuated the council in such matters it was contemptible, and wholly unworthy of them; and if persisted in by the council, would bring them into public scorn; and instead of the council being, as it ought to be, an object of respect, it would become in the eyes of every thinking man an object of utter contempt. He had now done what he had promised to do. He had adverted to the documents placed on the minutes of the council held in November last, and he saw no cause to regret the cause he had pursued.
To questions put by Mr.Blunt and Mr.W.Jennings, Mr.Darvill said the first letter he had read was from Mr.Coppock, dated from the Reform Association, No.3, Cleveland-row, and addressed to W.S.Voules, Esq., the reply was from C.S.Voules to Mr.Coppock.
Mr.Blunt then rose and again flatly denied what Mr.Darvill had asserted, with respect to him and Mr.Bedborough; but he could state that there was a member of the council who had heard Mr.Bedborough distinctly say he would "swamp" him (Mr.Blunt). That he believed was the commencement of the matter. Now with regard to the business of the Corporation being transacted otherwise than in the council, Mr.Bedborough was the very first to show what he would do, and to teach them the way, for he once selected an alderman at his own house, and then came to the council to thrust him down their throats, thus displacing a gentleman from that board which it was a shame to do. In return he (Mr.Blunt) and his friends took the earliest opportunity they had of placing that gentleman (Mr.Banister) in the situation of mayor, and also that of a justice. Mr.Darvill had had an opportunity, since he came into the council, of referring to the minutes of the corporation, and if he had done so he would find that Mr.Bedborough distinctly stated that he had arranged about the appointment of an alderman. Therefore it was that when their (Mr.Blunt's and his party's) turn came round, they had a perfect right to elect their friends. What Mr.Darvill's motives in introducing this subject were, he (Mr.Blunt) could not know, but he did know that the letters that had been read were true, though he could not see what they had to do with the recommendation of magistrates. The letter of Mr.Coppock was dated the 24th of January, 1836, and the reply was on the 29th of the same month; the appointment took place on the 30th, and therefore the letter and its answer could scarcely have anything to do with the appointments. He also had some reason for believing Mr.Coppock's influence had nothing to do with the proceedings in the Home-office. At all events those letters had nothing whatever to do with the subject. In conclusion , he would throw back to Mr.Darvill what had been said as to Mr.Bedborough and himself; and or whatever he might have said, he should be perfectly justified in saying, in consequence of Mr.Bedborough's declaring in public company, that he would swamp him.
Mr.Thomas Adams said as a member of the council elected at its formation, he had generally voted on all matters of business on the same side as Mr.Blunt; and consequently, he must be one of the party whom Mr.Darvill had accused of packing the magistracy. He confessed he had been disgusted with the conduct of certain members of the council, but he had taken his own course in all matters which, as an independent member, he claimed the right to do.
The Mayor said Mr.Blunt had alluded to what had taken place as to Mr.Bedborough's declaration. Now, Mr.Bedborough distinctly declared to him, at the Swan Inn, that he would swamp Mr.Blunt, and when he had done so he would raise him up again.
Mr.Clarke said he did not think it necessary to take up much of the attention of the council in defence of his conduct, but in justice to himself he must say that he always before he came to the meeting deliberated on the course he should pursue, and he always acted on that deliberation . Whatever his political feelings might be, and he was known to entertain hostile opinions to some members of the council, he never allowed his private feelings to influence him in his judgement in the business of the council. He therefore threw back any assertion that he had ever acted otherwise as a public man but honestly and conscientiously. In the original lists selected for common councilmen he saw parties of all politics, but all equally respectable men: but the course selected by the other side was to reject all the most respectable men among them. He thought he had the same right to allude to the conduct of the other party as that party had to refer to the proceedings of his party; and when Mr.Darvill spoke about hole and corner meetings to deliberate on matters before they were brought forward in the council, he could not forget that by such means he (Mr.Clarke) and a friend now sitting near him were thrown out.
Mr.W.Jennings said he could not help feelings of great dissatisfaction and disappointment at Mr.Darvill's having so long postponed the subject of which he had given notice, and in the manner in which he had now brought it forward. It had certainly appeared to him that some person was to be charged with tampering with the authorities of the Home-office. Such charges as Mr.Darvill had brought forward, he (Mr.Jennings) treated with the most perfect contempt; and it appeared instead of keeping to the point, that gentleman had jumped over to what had occurred so far back as six years. He certainly felt surprise and disappointment at the course Mr.Darvill had pursued. He knew that Mr.Darvill never missed an opportunity of attacking members of the council, but he still thought him to be the very last man to bring forward such charges as he had now done : it showed a great desire to make himself appear better than his neighbours. He (Mr.J) would not follow him in his arguments for it was not worth his while; but he could state that once in a conversation with Mr.Bedborough that gentleman had said, "Oh! you are a one-sided lot;" to which he (Mr.J) replied that by not electing him (Mr.B) it served him right. In conclusion he must confess that Mr.Darvill had not left the case in a way that he had expected; it was a shuffling of the question, and therefore he (Mr.J) would leave it in the hands of the court.
The Town Clerk said that Mr.Darvill appeared to be labouring under a mistake in supposing that the insertion on the minutes of the correspondence was brought forward by Mr.W.Jennings. It was the Mayor who produced the correspondence, and then it was moved that it be entered on the minutes.
Mr.J.Clode, jun., in reference to Mr.Blunt's observations as to persons working in an underhand manner, said that in all he had done he had acted in a straight forward and open manner.
Mr.J.Jennings said he could not rest satisfied without endeavouring to show that ever since he had been elected, and he had had the honour of a seat in that court (and he denied any one to say to the contrary) he had acted in a perfectly honourable way, and according as he was bound by his oath to do. When Mr.Darvill talked about hole in corner meetings, he (Mr.Jennings) would ask became of the 50 or 60 highly respectable names which that gentleman had said were attached to the memorial ? Why did ne not produce that list which it was to be supposed had been sent to Mr.Coppock ! He (Mr.J) would not take up the time of the court further than to deny in the strongest terms that which had been imputed to him.
Mr.Darvill rose to reply, and said he had met as he expected with a whole volley of attacks all around the table, but still he could assure the council he felt not in the least annoyed by the proceedings in reference to the business of the corporation, while others again admitted and justified such a course, by what parties on his (Mr.D's) side were stated to have done. What the parties on his side had done had nothing to do with the question: for his own part he never participated in any private meetings; but if one party did what was incorrect, that would not justify another party in doing the same. He had been accused of bringing forward this question unfairly, [cries of "no," "no," and Mr.W.Jennings said he did not accuse Mr.Darvill of bringing it forward unfairly , but merely expressed himself disappointed at the manner in which it was brought forward]. Well then, in making the observation he had made, he could assure the council that he had not intended injury to any one individual. He had not so much objection to their meetings to deliberate on what course they should pursue, as he had to personal feelings evinced towards any individual, which was small, and wholly beneath the dignity of the council. His observations could only apply to those who had so acted, and of course not to those who had not done so.
Mr.W.Jennings said it would be a more manly and straight forward course if Mr.Darvill were to select some person to whom his charges referred, and not to make a motion upon the subject. For his part he could not sit down quietly and hear such a general charge preferred against the whole of the council. It was an unworthy course for a man of Mr.Darvill's respectability and professional character to do so.
Mr.Blunt begged to move that the two letters read by Mr.Darvill be entered on the minutes of the court, to which, he conceived, there could be no objection. Mr.Darvill had not concluded with any motion, but if he had, probably he (Mr.Blunt) would have moved a vote of censure upon that gentleman for going round the town and getting the memorial signed. Mr.Darvill was quite at liberty to take all he had got in reference to this subject, and he (Mr.B) should now move that copies of the letters be entered in the minutes.
Mr.W.Jennings seconded the motion.
Mr.Darvill rose and said very warmly that Mr.Blunt might have moved a vote of censure upon him if he liked; he acted as a public man, and there was not one of the party in the council that he cared a farthing for. He cared not for their censure. He knew he differed in opinion from many members of the council in politics, but still he had his private feelings of esteem for many of them. He never allowed his public duties and his private feelings to interfere with each other, and it was not , because he might be opposed to some gentlemen in politics that he less respected them in their private character. He knew many of the council objected to his being in the council, and would wish to get rid of him - Mr.Blunt among the rest [loud cries of "No"]. Why, said Mr.Darvill, did you not, Mr.Blunt, say that you would try to get that Darvill out of the council.
Mr.Blunt - No I did not.
Mr.Darvill - On your honour, did you not say so ? [cries of "no"].
Mr.Blunt - I will tell you what I did say. Some of my friends wanted to get you out, but I told them I should wish you to remain, for we should have no fun without you were here [laughter].
Mr.Darvill - Well, I can tell the council that I care not for either their sneers or their frowns. In what I have done I have acted on public grounds.
Mr.W.Jennings - I think, Mr.Darvill, that when you got up the memorial against the appointment of Mr.Banister, you should have given him notice.
Mr.Darvill - If I had attacked him in it I should have done so, but I did not. My feeling was that Mr.Bedborough should be appointed as well as Mr.Banister.
The motion, that the letters read by Mr.Darvill be inserted on the minutes was then put and carried.
Mr.Twinch asked if it would be proper that the proceedings of Monday last, in laying the foundation stone of the new church, at which the Mayor and Corporation were present, should be entered on the minutes.
The Town Clerk replied in the negative, as the Mayor and Corporation did not attend in their corporate capacity.
Mr.Blunt enquired of Mr.Darvill if he would give up his letters to be entered on the minutes, in pursuance of the motion that had been carried.
Mr.Darvill replied that he should take time to consult with other parties, and then he would communicate with the Town Clerk.
There being no other business the council adjourned.
Windsor Quarter Sessions
On Thursday morning the General Quarter Sessions for this Borough was held in the Town-hall. The calendar was a very light one, there being but two prisoners for trial.
At nine o'clock the Hon.J.C.Talbot, the recorder, took his seat on the bench.
The grand jury having been sworn, the learned recorder addressed them. He said it not often happened, but it did happen sometimes, that the preface to a book was longer than the book itself; and so he thought it would be in his address to day. He found by the calendar that there were but two cases for their consideration, and neither of them was of such a character as to require many remarks from him as to the duties the grand jury would have to perform in their consideration of them. One of those cases was that of Catherine Jeffrey , for passing bad money; and the grand jury would ascertain under all the circumstances whether there was a guilty knowledge on the part of the prisoner that the money was bad; and whether, although many persons might have in their possession innocently a bad piece of coin, if it should appear that shortly afterwards the party uttered another piece of bad money, that was not evidence of guilty knowledge. The other case was that of Henry Darke for stealing a coat, the property of Henry Hand; and from the depositions in this case it appeared that the coat was safe in the afternoon of the 24th of January, and that the same evening it was sold in a public house by the prisoner. The grand jury would consider from all the circumstances, if that was such a case of recent possession on the part of the prisoner as to the evidence of guilt. If so, it would be their duty to send the case before another jury, when, if the prisoner could prove that he came properly by the coat, it would be the subject of consideration by that jury, and by him (the recorder). With these observations he dismissed the grand jury to their duties.
Mr.Henry Darvill, Mr.Henry Adams, and Mr.J.Jennings took the oaths of allegiance, &c., as members of the Town Council, and Mr.Soley took the oaths as Alderman.
The Grand Jury shortly after returned a true bill against
Alfred Darke, 27, described as a confectioner, who was indicted for having on the 24th of January, stolen a great coat, value 10s, the property of Henry Hand.
Henry Hand deposed that he belonged to Mr.Moody's coach office, in which he was a book-keeper. He left the office at three o'clock, on the 24th of January, and left his great coat there hanging on a peg at the back of the desk. There was no one then in the office, but Mrs.Elstone was up stairs. No one could get the coat without going round the counter. He missed it at nine o'clock at night, when he returned. The next morning he saw it on Bray's back at Slough, who stated how he got it. Its value was about 15s.
Thomas Wicks stated that he lived at Slough, and was a labourer. He was at the Traveller's Friend public-house, at Slough, on the evening of the 24th of January, when the prisoner came into the tap-room with a great coat on, which he offered for sale to Thomas Bray. Bray gave him 13s, and four pints of beer for it. The prisoner and another man who came with him, afterwards went away together. The money was given to the prisoner.
Cross-examined by the prisoner - Was at Aylesbury, but never convicted of felony.
Prisoner - Gentlemen, he was convicted of felony, and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
To further questions by the prisoner, he said he was not at the Traveller's Friend all day on the 24th of January. He believed the prisoner came in between 5 and 6 o'clock. Could swear prisoner received 4 half crowns and three shillings, but could not swear they were coin of the Queen's reign.
By the Recorder - Was in Aylesbury once the summer before last, and had a month's imprisonment after trial. He had also been imprisoned for three months for an assault. Had never been convicted any where but on those two occasions.
Thomas Bray stated that his father kept the Traveller's Friend at Slough. About half-past five o'clock on the 24th of January, a man named Henry Manners, and the prisoner (to the best of his knowledge but could not swear to him), offered him a coat for sale. Witness dealt for it, and paid the prisoner 4 half crown and three shillings for it. The next morning but one, Hand came and told him it was his coat, and he gave it up to Simms the gaoler.
Cross-examined by the prisoner - Very likely witness was in Windsor on the 24th of January, but was not near Moody's coach office. Knew Manners very well, and Manners said prisoner was not the person who offered the coat for sale. Witness had Manners also apprehended, and he and the prisoner were kept in separate confinement. Knew Manners went about selling knives and razors. Manners had been convicted several times.
By the Recorder - Witness had no doubt that the prisoner was the man, but he could not swear positively.
Charles Knight deposed that he was at the Travellers Friend, and he saw a coat bought by Bray, of the prisoner. It was about half past five o'clock. Bray gave the prisoner 13s for it. He could not say he had ever seen the prisoner before that day. Manners was with the prisoner. They were near an hour in the house.
Cross-examined by the prisoner - Witness had been at Aylesbury. Had been there as a witness about some silver pheasants, but was not examined. Had not a suit of clothes given him to go there to appear in. Was in Aylesbury gaol for a rescue, and had since been tried respecting some stolen lead, but was acquitted.
John Simms, the gaoler, stated that he apprehended the prisoner on the evening of the 25th of January, at Wheeler's beer-shop in George-street. He was pointed out by Bray and the last two witnesses as having sold the former the coat. Manners was afterwards taken near Amersham. Witness produced the coat which he received from Bray.
Hand identified the coat as the one he missed from the office.
The prisoner, in his defence, said , on the 24th of January, he was neither in Windsor or Slough. He left London on that day to walk to Windsor, but he came no farther than Longford, where he slept, and he made his way to Windsor the following morning. In the evening he was apprehended in Windsor. To support his statement he called
George Paxford, who stated that on the 24th of January, he and prisoner walked from London to Longford, and got to the King's Head at that place about half-past six o'clock. They called at a public-house at Hounslow, on the road. They did not leave London until twelve o'clock that day. The ostler came from London on Tuesday last to speak to the prisoner's sleeping there on the night of the 24th of January, but these Sessions were adjourned.
Mr.Gillman said he saw the ostler here on Tuesday, and he told him that the sessions were adjourned to this day.
The witness added that neither he nor the prisoner had money to pay for the ostler's coming to Windsor. The witness then gave a particular account of their journey on the road.
The Recorder summed up the evidence, remarking that there was no question as to the coat being stolen, and sold to Mr.Bray. The only question was to whether the prisoner was the person who sold the coat to Bray.
The jury, after considerable time spent in deliberation, returned a verdict of Guilty.
The Recorder, in passing sentence, said that the result of the search made on the prisoner's person was such as to justify the belief that he got his living in a very dishonest way. The judgement of the court was, considering he had already been in prison since the 31st of January, that he be further imprisoned for the space of six weeks in the borough gaol.
Catherine Jeffrey, a good looking, young woman, aged 19, was indicted for the twofold offence of uttering a counterfeit half crown, on the 24th of January, to Martha Coventry, of the Grapes public-house, Thames-street, and with having on the following day uttered another counterfeit half crown to William Darling, of Red Lion, Thames-street.
Mr.Williams, who attended as counsel for the prosecution, stated the cases against the prisoner, and then called the following witnesses.
Martha Coventry, the wife of Richard Coventry, stated that on the night of the 24th of January, at about a quarter past six o'clock, the prisoner came to the bar and called for a glass of gin. She tendered half a crown , which witness thought was bad, and she handed it to her husband, who went round the counter to take her into custody, but she ran away.
Richard Coventry deposed that when his wife handed the half crown to him, he accused the prisoner of passing bad money and said he would give her in charge. When she saw him going round the bar she ran away, and he could not catch her. Witness afterwards gave the half crown to Mr.Gillman.
William Darling, of Thames-street, said, on the night of the 25th of January the prisoner came to his bar for a glass of gin, and paid for it with a half crown, which he found was bad. He handed it to Mr.Liverd, who was there. Seeing a policeman near the house he accused her of passing a bad half crown, and then she threw down a good half crown. She began crying, and said it was the first time, and that she did not know that the money was bad. She asked to be allowed to go, but he called in the policeman (Gibbons) and gave her into custody.
William Gibbons, a policeman, said on the night of the 25th of January he watched the prisoner down Thames-street. He did so in consequence of previous information. When she got near the Red Lion, Mr.Darling's house, he saw her in conversation with two or three men, and then leaving them she went into the Red Lion by the front door. Witness went in by the side door, and he saw the prisoner give Mr.Darling a half crown in payment for a glass of gin. Mr.Darling handed him the half crown, and he took the prisoner into custody.
William Howard Gillman, superintendant of police, produced the two half-crowns which had been delivered into his custody.
Mr.Wm.Hanson, silversmith of this town, examined the two half-crowns, and pronounced them to be made of base metal.
The prisoner, when called on for her defence, said she had nothing to say.
The Recorder then summed up the evidence to the jury. He observed that the offence came under the statute of the 2nd of his late Majesty, which affixed certain degrees of guilt to parties uttering base coin. The jury would have to say according to that statute, not only whether the prisoner was guilty of uttering a counterfeit half-crown knowing it to be counterfeit, but also whether she had been guilty of a second uttering within the period of ten days from the first one. The evidence appeared to be so very decisive upon both these questions that it would be unnecessary for him to offer any remarks to the jury.
The jury immediately found the prisoner guilty of the double offence as laid in the indictment.
The Recorder, addressing the prisoner, said she had been found guilty on the clearest evidence, about which there could be no doubt whatever. It was a very serious offence against society, and merited a severe punishment.
Formerly the crime was visited with transportation , but the legislature had thought fit to alter that law and to leave the punishment to the discretion of the court according to the degree of guilt, limiting the sentence to two years imprisonment. But he was not inclined to inflict so severe a sentence as that, because he believed the prisoner to be a tool in the hands of more guilty persons. Still she had suffered herself to be made the instrument of passing bad money and she must suffer for having done so. He (the Recorder) could have wished that the more guilty parties had been placed at the bar - those men with whom the prisoner was seen by the policeman to be conversing - but as the prisoner was the only one, the punishment due to the offence must be visited upon her. The judgement of the court was, that she be imprisoned and kept to hard labour at Reading gaol for a period of twelve months.
There being no other business, the court then adjourned.
Windsor Police - Monday
[Before John Clode, Esq. (Mayor), J.Banister and Wm.Legh, Esqrs.]
Mr.Liverd, the parish surveyor, attended to day to pass his accounts, and to be sworn to them.
Mr.Hopkins appeared to oppose them, and objected chiefly to the sum of between �4 and �5 being charged as paid to Mr.Towers, for making out the surveyors accounts. He did not object to Mr.Livard being paid that sum, even if it were an audition to his salary, but he objected that it was an illegal charge against the parish to have to pay it to Mr.Towers.
Mr.Livard explained that it was not a sum that altogether went into Mr.Tower's pocket. The fact was that the sum in question included the making out of the rate book, the expense of stamp receipts, and the price of the account book itself.
After hearing the arguments pro and con., the magistrates decided they would not interfere to prevent a parish officer from passing his accounts, unless it should be shown there was something illegal in them. Nothing had been shown to be illegal in Mr.Livard's accounts, and therefore they should pass them.
Thomas Brown, who described himself as a hawker, was charged with indecently exposing himself to several children and also to females of maturer age.
The fellow underwent an examination by Mr.Legh on Friday, when he was remanded until to day. It appeared that there were several charges of this nature against him, and that they were all for offences committed in the Acre passage. Three distinct cases were proved, but the details are unfit for publication.
The magistrates severely reprehended the disgusting conduct of the prisoner, and adjudged him to three months hard labour at Reading gaol, being the heaviest punishment the Act allowed them to award him.
Eton Police - Tuesday
[Before the Rev. Thomas Carter]
John Collins was charged with having stolen about 18 pounds of copper, and 23 pounds of lead, the property of the Right.Hon.Lady.Grenville.
The case was fully proved against the prisoner, and he was fully committed for trial at the Sessions.
George Philips was fined 5s, and 9s 6d costs, for being drunk and disorderly at Datchet on the previous day, and creating a disturbance there.
Thursday
Charles Smith was charged with stealing several lambs, the property of Mr.Richard Webster, of Burnham.
It appeared that the prisoner had been in the employ of Mr.Webster, as his shepherd, and had the charge of a great number of lambs, several of which within the last few weeks were missing. The prisoner had asked him previously if he would sell some of the lambs, but he refused to do so; however, on enquiry it was ascertained that he had sold two to a person named Boult , of Taplow, and one to Lydia Austin, also of Taplow.
The prisoner was committed for trial.
Staines, Saturday, April 9
Literary Institution
On Tuesday last the secretary of the Electrical Society, Mr.Walker, delivered a lecture , in continuation, of Electrotype. He introduced it by a few observations on science, and on scientific institutions, speaking of two classes who supported them; first, the wealthy, who lent their substance and their interest for the praiseworthy purpose of doing good; and then the members generally, whose object was to get good. He spoke of the false policy of those who do not lend their aid to these institutions, by alluding to the great general advantage arising to a neighbourhood from the people becoming better informed, and having good tastes cultivated among them. Mr.Walker then introduced electro-chemistry, and by aid of simple experiments shewed how it differed from ordinary chemical action. He then explained the process of electro-etching, illustrated by the plate of Windsor Castle, which had been etched in the Town-hall during a late course of lectures; he stated that time had prevented him obtaining a sketch of Magna Charta Island, or he would have had, on the present occasion, a plate prepared; in lieu thereof, he selected Strawberry Hill, which was placed in the voltaic circuit, and etched in presence of the company. Tinting and Daguerrotype etching were next explained, and the lecturer concluded with a succinct account of the extraordinary development of Acari in the voltaic experiment of Mr.Weekes. This part of the subject was illustrated by drawings of the apparatus. The result excited much astonishment and interest, and he cautioned his hearers against putting their faith to too strong a test before repeated experiments shall have established or nullified his assertions. The lecture was well attended, and the company remained a considerable time examining the specimens of plating, etching, &c. Great disappointment was caused to the company, owing to a printer in the town promising to have a press in readiness to strike off some impressions of the electro etching of Strawberry Hill, but when the plate was sent he was from home.
Chertsey, Saturday, April 9.
At our Petty Sessions on Wednesday last, W.Buckingham, a painter of this town, was charged under the following circumstances:- It appeared from the evidence, that about half-past eleven on Saturday night, on the 26th ult., the family of Mr.Enticknap, a respectable tradesman of this town, were alarmed by a violent knocking at the door, on opening which Mr.Enticknap desired his son to go out and endeavour to ascertain who the parties were that had caused such a disturbance; and on the young man overtaking and going up to Buckingham and inquiring his name, he was brutally assaulted by receiving a violent and malicious blow on the side of the face with a pewter quart pot, which stunned him, and severely lacerated the side of his head, and causing blindness for some days, which has since compelled him to be under medical treatment. Buckingham was ordered to pay the mitigated and lenient fine of 40s and costs.
Messrs. J.Lacy, F.Day, R.Hunt, and B.Blackwell are appointed overseers of the poor of the parish of Chertsey, for the ensuing year.
Laying the Foundation Stone of the New Church at Windsor.
Our readers in this immediate vircinity are aware it has long been a matter of complaint that there was not sufficient accommodation in the parish church for those who would desire to go there, and that in consequence a public subscription was set on foot for the erection of a new sacred edifice in a field adjoining Clarence crescent, not only to meet the demands made for church accommodation by the parishoners, but also that required by the two regiments of troops stationed in Windsor. Hitherto those subscriptions have been most liberal, and amount to between �4,000 and �5,000, which is about two thirds of the whole sum necessary for the undertaking; exclusive of which, our spirited townsman, Mr.Bedborough, liberally presented the ground site of the church. Among the subscribers are her Majesty �210, his Royal Highness Prince Albert �105, her Majesty the Queen Dowager �50, the Woods and Forests �360, the Dean and Chapter of Windsor �200, the Provost and Fellows of Eton �150, two grants from the Church Union Society �100, Messrs, Nevile Reid and Co. �100.W.H.Trant Esq. (late M.P. for Dover) �100, E.Meyrick, Esq. �100, the Rev.E.Coleridge �200, the Bishop of New Zealand �25, the Rev.Dr.Hawtrey, �100, Captain Bulkeley �25, the Rev.S.Hawtrey �100, the Rev.W.G.Cookesley �25, the Rev.Isaac Gosset �100, the late Provost of Eton �50, and the late Sir J.Wyatville �35. The architect is Edw.Blore, Esq., and the contractors are Messrs Thomas Bedborough and Jenner, builders.
An application having been made by the Rev.Isaac Gosset, the vicar of this parish, at the request of the committee, to his Royal Highness Prince Albert to lay the foundation stone, his royal highness was graciously pleased to acquiesce, and Monday morning last was fixed for the ceremony to take place. In the meantime the most active preparations were made by the committee and the builders to secure good accommodation for the great number of persons who were expected to be present on the occasion. Spacious temporary galleries were erected for the purpose, and long before the period fixed for the arrival of his royal highness, the appearance of the crowds collected, and the troops and charity children was highly interesting. The whole of the Royal Horse Guards, not on garrison duty, were assembled under the command of Col.Richardson, with their excellent band; the whole of the 72nd Highlanders, not on garrison duty, under the command of Col.Arbuthnot, with their band, were also in attendance. The greatest order was preserved; and so excellent had been the arrangements , that no disorder prevailed during the whole of the proceedings. We should say that there could not have been less than seven thousand persons present, among whom, besides the numerous body of clergymen in this vicinity, were many of the neighbouring gentry. Of the charity schools there were the following:- The National School of Windsor, headed by the master and mistress, Mr and Mrs. Harvey, comprising 180 girls, and 190 boys; the Free School of Windsor, headed by Mr and Mrs.Stephenson; Lady Harcourt's School, Clewer Green, headed by Mr and Mrs. Spicer, consisting 140 girls and boys; the Royal Horse Guards School, under Mr and Mrs. Casson, consisting of 54 boys, and 48 girls; the Dedworth School, under Mrs.Gardiner; and the 72nd Highlander's School, under Mr.Haskow, consisting of 49 boys and girls.
At ten o'clock the Mayor and Corporation assembled in the Council chamber of the Town-hall, where also the clergy of this town and Eton and its neighbourhood, and some of the inhabitants , met to accompany them in procession to the site of the new church.
The procession of the mayor , the corporation, the clergy &c., having arrived on the ground, they formed in files to receive his royal highness Prince Albert on his arrival, which took place at about eleven o'clock. The Prince on alighting from his carriage, at the east end of the church, (attended by Colonel Bouverie and Mr.G.E.Anson) was received by the troops presenting arms, and the two military bands playing the national anthem; and on walking towards the spot at the west end, where the ceremonial of laying the stone was to take place, his royal highness was most enthusiastically cheered by the immense assemblage. His royal highness was attired in the Windsor uniform, as were Colonel Bouverie and Mr.Anson.
The Prince having taken his station at the west end of the ground, very near the stone, and being surrounded by the clergy and the mayor and corporation, the proceedings were commenced by the Rev.Mr.Gould, curate of Clewer, reading a prayer suitable for the occasion, after which succeeded the reading of a Psalm, the response being made by the people. Then followed the 100th Psalm, "All people that on earth do dwell," sang by the numerous charity children, and accompanied in beautiful style by the two military bands united.
The Hon and Rev the Dean of Windsor then advanced and read to the Prince the following address:-
May it please your royal highness, - Among the many places in her Majesty's dominions, where the population has outgrown the means of religious instruction, the town of Windsor, distinguished above others as the Sovereign's residence, must be numbers. Its population amounts to nearly 10,000 , and without including the Royal Chapel of St.George, there is only church room for not so many as 1,600 persons. Of the inhabitants, a large number, chiefly of the lower classes, crowded together in the back streets and lanes of the town, have no direct connection with the parish church of Windsor. The spire of their church may be seen rising in the neighbouring village of Clewer. But independently of that church being only a size proportioned to the population of the country part of the parish, the connection between the town of Windsor and the village of Clewer, is often interrupted in the winter months by the rising of the water in the Thames, that the humbler classes have almost entirely discontinued their attendance at church, and have grown up in a state of great ignorance and irreligion. Chiefly to supply the wants of the population thus situated; to bring the ministrations of religion home to them; to place among them a clergyman who shall, by pastoral care, seek to bring them back to the fold of Christ, watch over their spiritual and temporal welfare, and provide that their children shall be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, this church is placed in the centre of the district so described. But there is yet another object in the erection of this church, which your royal highness will hear with no less pleasure; for, deeply interested as your royal highness is in the welfare of all classes of her Majesty's subjects, there is no class, we are assured, whose well-being engages more of your royal highness's attention than that of the British army. As a royal residence, there is always a large and important body of troops stationed in this town; how large and important may be judged if we look around us, and mark the numbers which are assembled this day to be present at the performance of a ceremony in which they are all deeply concerned; for,
with the concurrence of her Majesty's government, in this church, situated midway between the two barracks, the soldiers stationed in Windsor will assemble for Divine worship. Here they will partake of the ordinances of the Christian religion, - here they will be instructed out of the pure and lively Word of God; and here the soldier's children, many of whom stand at this time before us, will be catechised and instructed in the fear of the Lord. And shall be suppose that these soldiers will do their duty to their country with less of loyalty in their hearts because they have been taught to fear God and honour the Queen ? These are the purposes for contemplated in the erection of this church. Her most gracious Majesty and your Royal Highness have been pleased to be associated in this charitable design; and the hearty desires of all classes are fulfilled on this auspicious day, on which your royal highness is about to lay the corner stone of a church to be erected on this spot, and dedicated to the sole honour and glory of the holy, eternal, and undivided Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
And may that holy, blessed, and most glorious Trinity, three persons and one God, of his infinite mercy grant that so long as this stone lies embedded in the walls of this church. He who is alone the living stone may be manifested in this place as the only sure foundation of sinner's hope. May they who shall worship in this temple, to the end of time, as lively stones, be built up a spiritual house, hereafter to be placed as pillars in the temple of the Heavenly Jerusalem, to go out no more for ever! And may the especial blessing of Almighty God rest upon our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria, beneath whose rightful sceptre the walls of this sanctuary now arise. May that effort which distinguished her Majesty's reign, and in which her Majesty unites herself with her people, of providing means of religious worship for all classes of her Majesty's subjects, be crowned with this Divine blessing. And may it be your royal highness's happiness to see her Majesty's reign for many years in the hearts of a loyal and devoted people. May peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety so flourish in her days, that the latest generation may rise up and call her blessed.
At the conclusion of the Dean's speech, the plans of the proposed building were submitted to his royal highness, who minutely inspected them and appeared to be much gratified with them. After his royal highness had made himself thoroughly acquainted with the details of the proposed erection, he handed the plans to Mr.G.E.Anson, who took charge of them. During the Prince's inspection of the plans, the military bands played some beautiful sacred music.
The Very Reverend Dr.Hodgson, the provost of Eton College, then advanced to Prince Albert, with various coins of her Majesty's reign on a silver salver, and presented them to his royal highness. He said, addressing the Prince, that those coins were to be deposited in the foundation of the church at the erection of which his royal highness was then assisting, and he trusted that the building would tend to contribute to the glory of God and to the happiness of the souls committed to its care. [Owing to the bands continuing to play, the observations of the reverend doctor were very imperfectly heard].
His royal highness then proceeded to the duty of laying the stone. The coins were first placed in a glass provided for the purpose, which again was placed in an earthen pot, and the whole deposited in a receptacle made in the under stone by Mr.Jenner, one of the builders.
The Rev.Dr.Hawtrey, head master of Eton College, after a few preliminary observations to his royal highness, read the inscription on the plate which was to cover the coins. The inscription was read in Latin, and also in English. The following was the translation:-
Of This Church, -
Built And Dedicated To The Most Holy Trinity
By The Voluntary Contributions
Of The Faithful In This Neighbourhood,
To the Intent, That
The Daily Increasing Number Of Parishioners,
And The Military Quartered At Windsor
Might No Longer Want A Place,
Where Both Together Might Join
In The Common Prayer Of Christians, -
The First Stone Was Laid
By His Royal Highness
The Prince Albert Of Saxe Coburg Gotha
The August Consort
Of Our Sovereign Lady,
Queen Victoria,
On The IV Day Of April, In The Year Of Our Lord
MDCCCXLII
The reverend gentleman, after reading the inscription, presented to the Prince the copy of it, and the translation beautifully printed on white satin and edged with gold fringe.
His royal highness then received the silver trowel from Mr.Jenner. On it was the following inscription :-
This Trowel was presented to
His Royal Highness Prince Albert
K.G., G.C.B., K.P., &c.
for the purpose of laying
the first stone
Of the Holy Trinity Church in the
Borough of New Windsor
On the 4th day of April 1842.
By Messrs. Bedborough and Jenner, builders.
Edward Blore, Esq., architect.
The ceremony of laying the stone was then performed by the Prince, and it was remarked that his royal highness laid the mortar in a masterly style. The bands during the ceremony played a lively air, and the stone was lowered into its appointed place, after which Mr.Jenner presented the mallet and level, his royal highness completed that portion of the ceremony, amidst the cheers of the people.
A prayer was then read by the Rev. Isaac Gosset, after which a portion of the National Anthem was sung by the charity children, accompanied by the Bands.
His royal highness and attendants then, taking leave of several of the clergy near him, entered his carriage and left the ground on his return to the Castle, amidst the same loud plaudits that greeted his arrival.
The day was remarkably fine, and the scene altogether was highly interesting. We heard it remarked by several gentlemen that it was most gratifying to observe many of the leading dissenters of this town and neighbourhood present at the ceremony.
Robberies During the above Ceremony
We understand that several persons had their pockets picked in the crowd during the above proceedings, and among those who were thus losers was Ralph Neville, Esq., one of our borough members. The hon gentleman did not discover his loss until he felt for his purse, with a view of subscribing to the Windsor Steeple Chase, when he was surprised to find that the purse, and the contents of six sovereigns were gone.