The Principality

GLAMORGANSHIRE SUMMER ASSIZES. Our last number briefly announced the opening of the Commission on Thursdarnight, by the Honourable Mr. Justice Wightiuan. The great event of the day was the cordial and rapturous welcome given to the High Sheriff, Thomas "William Booker, Esq. Never, perhaps, was such a spontaneous demonstration of unbounded respect made in favour of any private gentleman and from all we hear, Mr. Booker eminently deserves the honour done him by the inhabitants of Cardiff. We believe his conduct towards his inferiors in station, and the integrity and uprightness of his private and public character, to be such as to deserve the utmost esteem. Long may he live to continue his career of noble and active benevolence for which he is so much dis- tinguished, and may his conduct ensure for him still nobler honours. FRIDAY, JULY 14. At eleven o'clock the judge and sheriff proceeded to St. John's church, to attend Divine service. Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Brittan, and the Rev. T. Stacey, A.M., the Sheriffs chaplain, preached from Titus iii., 1st verse. The rev. gentleman commenced his discourse bv remarking that the strongest evidence in favour of the authority of the Bible is to be found in the secret convictions of every man. The Bible was not merely a hand-book to heaven, but it was calculated to teach men that part of their training for heaven was good government and good obedience. The Apostle taught the restless Jew and the degraded native to obey their superiors. The spirit of liie must move us to Christian obedience. By obeying we are made conformable to Christ Jesus. Is this our obedience, or is there not an undue impatience and contempt of all authority in these clays ? Is autho- rity not represented as an encroachment upon human birth- right, whereas it is a natural necessity from which all animated nature is not exempt. But man—rational and thinking man- stands as a prominent rebel on the stage. Submission to authority is a lesson which man must condescend to learn, and he must learn it from the Bible and in doing so he must believe in full what he may not be able to comprehend. We must learn that to hear is better than sacrifice,, and to obey than the fat of rams. This injunction was written in very dark and evil days, when the blood of saints was poured on the earth like water, in Rome and all her dependencies; and yet, under these very circumstances, the Apostle bade Titus to jnd them in mind to be subject into principalities and powers. The teachings of Scripture is uniform in this respect. Neither is this law of obedience limited to any form of civil Govern- ment. It is not left at our disposal whether we like it or not. The authority of Scripture is imperative, and they that" resist 'is shall receive to themselves damnation." There is no qualify- ing condition given. We are not told that we may disobey for conscience's sake, on the contrary we are expressly commanded to obey for conscience sake. St. Peter tells us to submit to every ordinance of plan, for the Lord's sake, &c., and so put to silence the ignorance of foolish men who meddle with matters that they do not understand. So much for the general princi- ple of obedience; and if such obedience was required in that age, h"w much more it is required of us who live under a Government where there is no evil without the means of redress and no wrong without a remedy. This is a measure of authority from which no Christian man is desirous of appealing. It is expressly said to every one that the civil power is the minister of God to thee for good." It is therefore necessary to -"put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers." It was useless to say that the authorities had their duties to perform. They know it, he had told them their duty before. [We understood the rev. gentleman to refer to his sermon at the Spring Assizes.) He then quoted several passages of Scriptures with the view of showing that ungodly rulers will be punished, and that the authorities should rule in the fear of God. This principle is acknowledged in our constitution, and hence the term Church and State are as familiar to us as house- hold words. Through their connexion the blessing of heaven shed its lustre on the protecting chair of the magistrate. How much the State fully owes to the Church will never be known till that day when all shall be summoned up to their last account. In the days of the first Charles, though it was not long since she had reformed from her ancient errors, her tran- quillising tendency was beneficially felt. The learned and pious, though unhappy Laud said, "that there were no subjects of any State whatsoever, Christian or other, so highly privileged and so prosperous, if they did but know it and understand it." Since then nrecious gifts of liberty had been added to our con- stitution. Hence it was their duty to see what return they made to God for these benefits. Look around you from east to west, and from north to south, and think of the condition of others this very hour. Remember what they have passed through as it were only yesterday, and they know not what may be hanging over their head for to-morrow for in these times it may be truly said, we know not what a day may bring forth. Let no cause of discontent then, no imaginary evil, 110 social inequalities tempt you to lift a murmuring voice in the street. And because it:hath pleased God to place the crown on the head, and to fix the mantle of royalty with a clasp of gold on the shoulders of one of the weaker sex, manly feeling should prompt us to give, obedience to her authority. Let not' the slightest word cf ours increase her concerns, but let that pre- sni t ve reve e ;cc, (as it has been well called,) whichis known as byalty, be restored to our country, and bind us to the crown and constitution of the country. Let us daily pray for our Queen, that she may be endowed with all wisdom and happi- ness, for at best, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." It is needless to go into the details of Christian submission, fis they may be understood by the meanest comprehension, and are given with, such explicitness in Scripture. \Ye are told," submityoursclfto every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto gover- nors, &c."—1st Peter ii. 13—17. These duties are so dis- tinctly laid down in such commandments,as "thou slialt not kill," the very thought of breaking which would strike terror into the very soul. Never was the duty of observing them so imperative as now. The breaking of these commandments has involved Europe in greater misery than has befallen her since it has become Christian. We seem to live in the times pre- dicted by Christ. And ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars"Matt. xxiv. 6-11. So there are wars aggressive and defensive, and worse of all civil and intestine wars. The frightful picture of this horrible reality tortures the mind of every thinking man amongst us. In our own country there are restless men, who must be held with a bridle like horses and mules to restrain their evil designs. These men take unto themselves certain lewd fellows of the baser sort;" gather a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and turn the world upside down for certain purposes of their own. They excite the covetous and the prodigal, the greedy and the needy, the drunkard and the fornicator. They are making it a matter of conscience forsooth, under the pretence of setting tilings right. The plain and caustic South has said, that the most abomina- ble villains have been authorised under the glittering preten- tions of conscience. Strange as it is, multitudes will follow a stranger, and refuse to follow the counsel of an old and tried friend. who would teach them to walk in the good old paths. This unaccountable conduct must be considered as the result of natural sinfulncss. The picture of these men is sufficiently drawn by St. also these ulthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. These speak evil of those thingsvvhichthey know not, but what they know naturally as brute beasts in those things they corrupt themselves,. &c., &c." Let us follow the example of the, Lord Jesus Christ, who so walked among men as intentionally to teach us to respect authority. lIe broke no order, but he respected, the authority of Herod and Pilate, and anSAvered them when commanded". When men will learii- to imitate him, they will likeAvise learn not to be wiser than God. The attendance Avas respectable but not very large. The learned judge then immediately proceeded to court, where the following gentlemen. were sworn on the grand jury:— Sir J. J. Guest, Bart., M.P. Sir George Tyler, K.C.B. Howcl Gvvyn, Esq., M.P. E.F. Jenner, Esq. J -Bruce Pryso, Esq. .T. Homfray, Esq. "Walter Coffin, Esq. 11. B 0 tt el er, • E ? q. N. Y. E. Vauglian, Esq. R. L'sq. It. Fothergill, Esq.. AV. H. Entwistle, Esq. E. H. Leigh, Esq. W. Meyrick, Esq. G. Llewelyn, Esq. E. Williams, Esq. Henry Hewis, Esq. C..C. Williams, Esq. J. S. Corbott, Esq. E< Morgan Williams, Esq. L. Morgan, Esq. J, R. I-lomfray, Esq. Ilis lordship proceeded to address the grand jury, and said that he had not had sufficient experience in order to state whether the calendar was such as to enable him to congratulate them on its lightness. He had been in the,circuit on Spring Assips, but, he believed the present calendar to be heavier than that usually presented to them in summer. Small as waf the number jof prisoners, he regretted to say that the crimes were heavier than usual. There were pQ lc,3,9 than four cases in which the prisoners were .changed with homicide. Two were cases, in which the prisoners were charged Avith Avilful murder. It is necessary to distinguish between murder and .cjrnai}.slaugh,t.er, .When a homicide JOQ place, it was the first presumption of the law that it was wilful and malicious, unless negatived by certain circumstances advanced on the part of the accused, tending to show that the crime was not the result of malice and intention, in which case it would be reduced to the lesser offence of manslaughter, The sudden and unpremedi- tated circumstances under which the assault might have been committed, the heat and temper prevailing, with various other incidents, might be taken as tests of the absence of malice. For instance, if death resulted from an unfortunate blow given in a pugilistic contest, openly and fairly conducted, in such a case the offence would not be murder but manslaughter. It ought, however, to be borne in mind that in all cases where a death resulted. while the parties were engaged at the time in the commission of an illegal act, the offence, however mitigated the circumstances, could not be reduced to any crime below that of manslaughter. When such cases were brought before them it was therefore of great importance that-hey should take into consideration and investigate all the circumstances under which they had been committed. If in the course of the affray any dangerous weapon, such as a knife, be used, and -Lr death ensue, such a circumstance (unless in cases of extreme danger and where such instruments are used in self-defence), would form evidence of such a malicious intention as would constitute the crime that of murder. He thought the grand jury would concur with him in the opinion that it would be highly prejudicial to the interests of society, and dangerous, if the state of the law was such as to allow parties to use offensive weapons, the almost certain result of using which would be death, and then that the crime should be reduced to man- slaughter. He (the learned judge) had been more particular in the observations offered on this subject, inasmuch that they were applicable to all the cases of homicide in the calendar. In two of the cases it would be for the grand j ury to determine, after hearing the whole of the evidence, whether they would find a bill for wilful murder or for manslaughter. With re- spect to the case of shooting, they must inquire whether the gun went off by the act of the prisoners or that of the keeper; if the former, it would be for them to inquire whether the catastrophe was the result of accident or of intent. With reference to the case of death resulting from a pugilistic contest, it would be necessary that he (the learned judge) should re- mind the grand jury that the act of fighting was illegal—and manslaughter being the cause of death during the committal of any illegal act—it would be impossible that they could reduce the crime below that of manslaughter, however mitigated the circumstances, provided that they arrived at the conclusion that death was caused by any act of the prisoner. In the case before them the parties seem to have met 011 common ground, and everything appears to have been conducted with as much fairness as could be exercised in such unfortunate and degrad- ing exhibitions. There was another point of importance to which his lordship Avished to direct the attention of the grand jury, and that was in reference to cases where several parties were engaged, but where death resulted from the act of one. In such cases it was very important to inquire whether at the time of the commission of the homicide the parties were engaged in one common cause. If they combined, by previous concert and ar- rangement, implied or expressed, in the furtherance of any com- mon design, and death ensued by the act of one in the furtherance of that design, then all are unquestionably guilty. It was, however, difficult to apply this rule to cases in which death resulted from a sudden affray in which one or more parties engaged had com- mitted homicide—unless indeed there was evidence to show that such affray was the result of a ;plan and deliberation, with the view of carrying out some criminal'intention. In such a case the act of one would be the act of all; otherwise, in the absence of such evidence the parties perpetrating the offence would be alone responsible. This question would arise in the cases of Jenkia Evan and John Williams, as well as that of David Davies. In the hitler case, as he had before observed, their first inquiry would be whether tllegun went oIl accidentally or otherwise. As far as he could judge from the depositions, it appeared to have been dis- charged rather by accident than otherwise. This, however, was a question for their consideration. There was another case in the calendar, on which he would make an observatioa--it, was that of an unhappy creature Avho appears to have been seriously affected at the death of her child, and to have attempted doing away with her own life by drowning. It was unquestionably, in the eye of God and man, a most serious crime to attempt self-destruction, but in the present case it would be of importance that they should inquire whether the attempt was really the result. of design, or whether there existed no real design or intention, but that the attempt was committed under the influence of excitement and mental distraction. There were some cases of highway robbery and a case of arson, on which he did not think it, necessary to make any remark. He should be happy to give them any as- sistance in his power. His lordship spoke in a very low tone of voice, and the re- porter's box is at an inconvenient distance from the bench, which, added to the noise behind us, rendered his address al- most inaudible. The grand jury then retired, and after some absence, re- turned into court with true bills against several prisoners. The trials then commenced. TRIALS OF THE PRISON EES. Thomas Giles and William Giles were charged Avith stealing one pair of troAVsers and other articles valued at 7s. 6d. of the property of Owen Jones, Aberavon, on the 7th of July. The prisoners were two young lads of the age of 16 each. Both pleaded Guilty. His lordship inquired if any one knew any- thing of them, when Mr. Wood, governor of the Swansea House of Correction, said they were strangers, and not known in this country. Sentence deferred. George Cary, aged 30, boatman, was indicted for feloniously stealing a quantity of grass, the property of William Morgan, of the parish of Eglvvysilan, 011 the 6th of July, 1848. The pri- soner pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Grove conducted the prose- cution. William Morgan sworn: Had watched his field on the 6th of July. Saw a man taking up hay from his field. He ran after him and took him into custody. The hay was a handful; it might be worth 6d. Prisoner begged his pardon, and said he would never do anything of the sort again. The prisoner said he had gone over to the held to ease himself, and had merely taken up a handful of hay for that purpose. The learned judge summed up briefly and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty, The sentence of the court was imprisonment for one week. John Jones, aged 22, labourer, was indicted for stealing a quantity of wearing apparel and other articles of the value of £ 2 5s. 6d. of ,the property of David Lewis, of St. Clears, in the county of Carmarthen. The prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Benson conducted the prosecution. David Lewis sworn Lives near St. Clears; lodged last May with Mrs. Lovett at Briton Ferry in this county; left a box behind him it contained clothes. Did not send for the box nor fetch it away; had the key with him the box was locked. Prisoner was there; gave him no instruction about fetching the box. Catherine Lovell sworn: Lives at Briton Ferry. David Lewis left a box in her house. „ It was not so long as three months ago. Asked her to take care of his box. John Jones told her that he received a letter from plaintiff ordering him to take the box to Swansea. The box was then locked as left It was given to John Jones. She assisted him to carry it to the van to take it to Swansea. On the second day prisoner said he' had'sent it to Swansea. He went off the second day from her house and never returned. Police-sergeant John Price sworn: Apprehended prisoner on the 7th of July. Apprehended him in his father's ho.use about twelve miles from Briton Ferry; took possession of clothes which prisoner had. They were a pair of boots and other articles. Prisoner said he had done wrong in taking them out of the box. David Lewis identified the articles. They were his own. Prisoner declined making any defence. Verdict, Guilty. Sentence, to be imprisoned for six calen- dar months and kept to hard labour. John Riley, labourer, aged 27, was charged with assaulting Cornelius Lynch and putting him in bodilyfearanddmger of his life, and feloniously stealing from his person one half-sovereign his property, in the parish of Llanfabon, on the 27th of June last. The prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Ilichards conducted the prosecution. The learned gentleman stated the circumstances under which the robbery Avas committed, and called Cornelius Lynch, who deposed that he is a labourer, lives at Merthyr Tydfil; remembers the 27th of June, saw Jack lliley and Jack White on that day at Ponty- pridd. They went out on the Merthyr road. lliley and White went into the wood and told witness to wait. White had a stick in his hand in coming out, Went on for a mile again and they wanted him to turn out of the way with them. He refused, and they both left him. In about half-a-mile lliley and White came out from the ditch, and asked for his money.' He said ht., had nOlle. lliley then laid hold of him, tripped him up, and put his hand on. his throat.. White took the half-sove- reign from his ppcket, and threatened to take his brains out with a knife. They threatened to kill him if he should make more noise;. knew nptning of them before that day. Gave information, to the police when, he reached Merthyr. Cross-examined by Mr. A. Jenkyn..We left Newbridge at twelve o'clock. Walked about a quarter of an hour before prisoners went into the Ayood. Did not go into any public- house. Met a Welshman.on the road. White had a stick,in his hand in coming from the ivood; it was two yards long. Did not appear to be nwly cut. Was quite sure he did not go to any public-house in the company of prisoners after leaVllg Pontypridd. He was sure they would have killed him but for the Welshman whem. he had met on the road. Went to Quaker's Yard, which is a distance of about two miles. It may be about seven miles from Merthyr. Knew of no po- licemen nearer than Merthyr. Had no dispute with them before they took the money. There were no houses near the place. Police-constable John Thomas sworn: He had apprehended Riley at Pontypridd; told witness that he was not guilty; that he had a witness to prove it; that White was his Avitness. White could not be found. Mr. Jenkyn addressed the jury for the prisoner, and relied on the fact, that Davies the Welshman who it was said had met the parties had not been produced to corroborate the evidence of Lynch. One of the jury expressed a wish to know if Lynch had shown the money, or told the prisoner that he had any. He said that he had told lliley on going from the public-house at Pontypridd, when one of them wished to know what money they had, as they might go so far as London in search for work. He had then said that he had half-a-sovereign. The learned judge summed up the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty. Sentence—Transportation for seven years. Elizabeth Backway, aged 33, wife of Benjamin Back way, Martha Protheroe, aged47,widow, and DavidProtheroe,labourer aged 21, pleaded severally Not Guilty to the charge of havim' feloniously assaulted and put David Morgan in danger of his life, and with having violently stolen from his person one purse containing divers pieces of the current coin of the realm, of the value of £2 15s., his property. Mr. Lloyd Hall conducted the prosecution. David Morgan sworn Is farm bailiff, lives in the parish of St. John, Swansea; recollects the 16th of May; was going through Back-lane about nine o'clock at night; some women followed-him; one of them asked him where he was going-, he said home. They shoved him to a dark place against the door- way of a house; thrust him to the house he tried to go out; they prevented him from going out; had his purse then it contained one sovereign and a half, five shilling piece, five halfcrowns, and the rest in shillings; had the money all the way before going to the house; tried to defend his pockets; got outside the door but could not go to the road; felt the hand of a woman in his pocket; they struck him on the face, after he had hold of the female's hand; saw Protheroe beating him, kept hold of the hand, until he was beaten on the head" felt his pockets torn and the purse taken aivay; he afterwards found out who the women were. They were the female prisoners, knew their voices at the examination; had heard them speaking before; saw David Protheroe between him and the light, when he was beating him. Cross-examined by the prisoners :—Could not see if Martha Protheroe Avas in the house.; but if she was in, it was her who tried to keep him in; does not know where the male prisoner was at the time the first persons he saw was Protheroe and Bibby, Protheroe struck him first on the road; swore so at SAvansea did not strike any one it was Mr. Bibby that took him home it was Bibby and prisoner that I saw first; saw David Protheroe retreating from him towards Bibby; does not remember what Bibby swore at Swansea. Joseph Coslett: Is a labourer, and lives at SAvansea was standing near the house of Mrs. Protheroe on the loth of May, heard a cry and ran down to the place; saw David Morgan struck on the face by the prisoner he then let go his hold of E. Backway; Protheroe struck him then in the passage; Maria Protheroe was not there Morgan had been beaten and abused. He was cross-examined at some length by the male prisoner but without shaking his testimony. Mary Ann Bibby sworn Lives next door but one to the passage of Protheroe's house; went there on the 16th of May, and saw E. Backway coming up from the passage she went down the street, saw D. Morgan in the passage'; saw a man beaten in the passage, my father went to him and asked him what was the matter; he said he had been beaten and robbed by one of them; D. Protheroe asked him if it was he who robbed him, he said it was Protheroe then struck him twice saw Martha Protheroe having hold of his hand Elizabeth Backway said that she had taken a shilling from the old Mary Ann Morgan: Lives near the scene of the robbery"; recollects going to the Back-lane on the 10th of May Morgan was coming from Back-lane; saw the two female prisoners shoving him to the prisoner Protheroe's house; he said let me loose, I want to go home. Cross-examined by prisoners No one had told her what to say saw it herself. Elizabeth Backway said that the last witness was a com- mon prostitute, who would swear anything for a glass of gin that.she had ran away from home last week, and had been to China, Merthyr. She had never seen them on that night, only she had heard what was said at their examination at Swansea, and came there to swear against her; complainant came to her at her house and gave her a penny to go for beer, but he refused coming in as there were persons in the house already .they then went to Martha Protheroe's house, where he gave her a shilling. She then ran away and he caught her by the hair when D. Protheroe came up and struck him. That was all she knew about the man or his money. Martha Protheroe declined saying anything. D. Protheroe said that he had not done anything besides striking Morgan when he had hold of Backway's hair. Not one of his witnesses was brought there he had been in custody and could not get them ready. His lordship summed up, and the jury, after a short delibe- ration, acquitted the whole of the prisoners. John Davies, 23, collier, David Davies, 20, collier, William Edwards, 22, collier, and Ilopkin Boioen, bailer, were .charged with assaulting Joseph Jones, of Michaelstone-upon-Avon, on the 12th of June last, and stealing from his person £ 9 Os. Oid., a purse and a knife, his property. Mr. Nichol Carne con- ducted the prosecution, and Mr. Lloyd Hall appeared as coun- sel for the prisoners. Joseph Jones was then called, and after stating that he was 75 years of age on the 13th of March last, deposed that on the 11th of June he was on his way home from Neath, and not being able to obtain a lodging in the villages through which he passed, lie went to the coke-ovens of tin-ivorks, which he reached at two o'clock on the morning of the 12th. After he had rested for a short time the prisoners came in with a jug full of beer, and invited him to drink with them. He declined, at first, but on their pressing him consented, and whilst in the act of drinking heard one of the prisoners, David Davies he believed, say, D him, let us rob him and kill him." He thought he was in danger, and walked out of the place, being closely followed by the prisoners. He took out his pocket knife, and held it out in his hand, telling the prisoners to stand back; but they were rushing upon him, ne threw the knife away, and struck one of the prisoners with a stone he had in his left hand. Bowen then beat him \Âth his fit; he was knocked down, and David Davies struck him twice on the head, and nearly stopped his breath by pressing upon his sto- mach, telling him that if he cried out he would get his death. Edwards searched his pockets, took all the money he had, and .1 gave him three .kicks in the side. The other prisoners also kicked him L. 5 of the money taken from him was two sovereigns, two half sovereigns, and some silver, and was contained in a green purse. He had from fivepence to six- pence in his pocket, and one halfpenny was rather peculiarly marked. Before he sat down at the coke- even he was satisfied that his money was all right and safe. The prisoners then went away, and he went to Cwniavon, where he informed po- lice-constable Wright of what had occurred, and Wright and another constable returned to the coke-oven and apprehended the prisoners. On his cross-examination the witness said that he was a na- tive of Milford, and that for several weeks previous to the rob- bery he had been dealing in rags, bones, old iron, &c. He gave the prisoners no offence. When he held his knife out to tliem he thought it would keejD them back. He did not offer any- offensive observations, but asked them to leave him alone. P.C. Wright corroborated that part of the Avitness's state- ment relative to giving him information of the robbery, and proved that in company with, police-constable Bead, he went straight to the coke-ovens, where he apprehended theprisoners, lie took them to the station-house, and on searching them found ,on "Echyards one sovereign, and one penny; on Bowen, two SOA-S., two half sovs., live half-crowns, four shillings, three sixpences, -and 4d. in copper a green purse and a "pocket- knife were also found, upon them. Bead searched the otherpri- soners. Theprispnerspointed out the place where the scuffle had taken place. It appeared as if a violent struggle had been there, and there was much blood about. Cross-examined: Knew all the prisoners. It was either the pay-day or the "draw" at the .works. It did not surprise him to find money on the prisoners. They made no hesitation about acknowledging that they had beaten Jones. He had known the prisoners for upwards of six years, and never heard anything against any of their characters. Police-constable Bead searched the two DaAueses, and on David Davies, amongst other money, he found a marked .half- penny, which he now produced. The first witness was recalled and the purse, the pocket-knife, and the marked halfpenny produced, as his property. Will. Griffith Jones, of Neath, surgeon, deposed to examin- ing the prosecutor on the day after the robbery, and finding many severe bruises on his head, and on other parts of his person. This closed the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Lloyd Hall, for the defence, addressed the jury at great length, urging that the Avitness Jones's tale, about the robbery, was a pure cation that it was an afterthought which had occurred to the old man by way of revenge upon the prisoners for the beating which he (the learned counsel) acknowledged thev had given him. He contended that if the prisoners had actually stolen the money, they would not have remained at the coke-ovens, and declared that the articles, the purse and the marked half- penny found upon the prisoners, were not sufficiently identified as the prosecutor's to warrant the jury to find the prisoners guilty of the alleged robbery. The learned srentleman then called Margaret Davies, servant at the Bear public-house, Abcr- avon, who deposed that between nine and ten o'clock on the evening previous to the robbery she had given Edwards change for a sovereign and amongst the change were six half-crowns. A number of respectable witnesses were called, who gave all the prisoners an excellent character. His lordship summed up, and the jury, afcer some delibera- tion, expressed a wish, to retire. After two hours' consultation they returned a verdict of Guilty. SATURDAY, JFLY I5TH. His lordship took his seat at nine o'clock and proceeded to pass sentences on John Davies, David Davies, William Edwards, and Ilopldn Bowen, who had been found guilty the night before of highway robbery. After a very solemn address they were sentenced to ten years' transportation. Thomas Giles and William Giles, who had uleaded guilty the day before, were sentenced to four calendar months' imprison- -iq ment with hard labour. Richard Sidlivan and Bees Evans were charged, with stealing rope from the Happy Return, master William Wooden, then lying in the Old Canal, Cardiff. Mr. Lloyd Hall conducted the prosecution. The case was proved by Woodman, Edward Supple, who had bought the rope from -the prisoner, and police-constable Thomas Morgan. The particulars apppeared in the Piiraci- PALITY for May 19th and 26th, when the case was heard before the borough magistrates. The statements made by the prisoners were then 1\:f:(1. His lordship summed, up, and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty against Richard Sullivan, and Not Guilty against Evan liees. Sullivan was sentenced to six calendar months' imprisonment AA'ith hard labour. Evans was told that he had had a very narrow escape, and was advised to be cautious in future. John Williams was indicted for having stolen, on the 2nd cf July, one cloth frock coat, one satin waistcoat, one silk socket handkerchief, and 4s. 103d. the property cf John Davies, Merthyr Tydfil. Mr. Richards conducted the prosecution. John Davies was examined: He said that he left a unlnie- house, the Grawen Arms, on the night in question, avhs very drunk. He had slept in the street. When he awoke his clothes and money were gone. Cross-examined by Mr. Benson: He was very drunk. He knew that he had not spent more than 2s. Old. in the public- house. He had never seen the prisoner before. Martha Williams: Remembers the 2nd of July. Saw pri- soner that morning. He had two coats on, one was his own, and the other was loosely thrown over him, and fastened bv one button. Cross-examined Knows his father, He is overseer at Mr. Crawshay's works. Prisoner works there. He has been pay- ing his addresses to me. Did not think of marrying him. Mary Williams sworn: Remembers the second of July. Prisoner came to her house that day. Said, he had been frightened by a man who was naked in the morning. Said he had only his shirt, troAVsers, and hat on. He also said that he had found a coat on Sunday morning. Asked him what sort of coat it was. She had heard of the robbery in'the morning. Said it was a black frock coat. Asked him if he had found a waistcoat. He said no.. Police-constable R.'Roberts Had apprehended prisoner. He said he had found a coat near the Grawen Arms. Told him what- John Davies lost. Said he had not seen anything. Found the waistcoat and handkerchief on his person. He said that the waistcoat had been taken up previously. He said that three persons had seen him taking the coat. Martha W:b- liams gave me the coat. The waistcoat was found on his per- son. His coat was buttoned np. David Jones: Is a puddler at Mr. Crawshay. Was drink, ing on the night in question with three or four persons at an unlicensed beer-house. Left about four in the morning. Went all together towards GraAven Arms. Prisoner was before them. Three of them stood by his house. Prisoner turned off around the gin-shop of John Davies, and returned in about five minutes. Told me he had found a coat. lIe it 011 his arm. Does not remember hearing the prisoner asking anybody if he had lost a coat. Went to George Town. Called at the public-house. --He had the coat hanging over his shou lder Did not see any man naked on the road. Cross-examined: Could not swear he had not the waistcoat on. Prisoner told him nothing about handkerchief. Prison came to the unlicensed beer-house two or three hours him. Mr. Benson addressed the jury for the defence. He tlioush: the case had arisen from a drunken frolic. It was. proba'bi% that the prosecutor had imagined he was going to bed, and h*> stripped himself. He had left the coat at Margaret Williail. It was merely a joke, and there was no intention to commit n larceny. If lie had met the prosecutor before 'the policemr. the matter would have been made up. He hoped the would take these things into consideration, and acquit t-i- prisoner, Avhich he hoped would make him more careful fuiure. His lordship summed up. Verdict, Not Guilty. His lord- ship told the prisoner lie had had a very narrow escape, an advised him to be more careful in future. Joseph More, John Morgan, Hugh Pees, and Ebenezcr Let/v. were charged with stealing one gallon of gin, one pint of p" r wine, one glass bottle, two pounds of bread, and one pound cheese, the property of Elizabeth Williams, GraAven Arms, the parish of Merthyr Tydfil, 011 the 13th of March last. ?!?. Benson conducted the prosecution. After stating the circum- stances of the case, he called Elizabeth Williams, who deposed that she keeps the Gnny., Arms. Remembers More coming to her house on the 13th ;i. March. It was a quarter to 12 at night. He asked for a pint o: beer, and had it. He refused to go away, and said he lived at Aberdare, and that she was bound tc give him lodgings as it was an old licensed house. She said they were only women in the house, and did not go to bed till two. Did not seem drunk; he stooped his head. down. We cculd not see his face. He pretended to he asleep. We went up-stairs and left him there. The front door was bolted. The windows and every- thing, as well as the bar-door,, were locked.. There was in tV- bar rum and gin, peppermint and biscuit. There w,,ts outside the bar. There was bread and cheese in the house. Sh; came down about ten minutes to eight. Found the bar door partly open. There was nothing broken, but the staple had been taken off. Missed some gmgerette, raisin Avine, ginger wine, and some quantity of everything that was there. Can- not say he), gin was missed. A pint and half of wine was gone. The bread and cheese were no great quantity. The handle of the- brush was burned. Has not lately seen Char- lotte Beynqn, her servant at that time. Cross-examined by Mr. Richards Had failed to get C. Bc\- non here. Very good business was done in her house. It was not likely that the girl had drunk a pint of gin. Was not fond cf raisin wine herself. She saw these young men in the house sometimes. They have not run a score in her house. Leyshon. did not. Did not see saloi-e in the morning when she- came down. The police do not come to her door every half- an-hour. Took the key of the bar in her pocket to-the bed- room. Jane Idoyd: Remembers the 13th of March. She corrobo- rated the testimony of last witness in all particulars. She had come down before Charlotte Beynpn. The front door was un- bolted. The brush had been put in the fire. Cross-examined by Mr. Richards, but without shaking her testimony. Police-constable Richard. Rees: Apprehended prisoners. More made a statement. He was then rather sleepy. Lcyshon was not drunk. He apprehended the other prisoners. He knew the signatures of the committing magistrates. The state- ment of the prisoner More was read. He admitted his opening the door and letting the others in. Shortly afterwards Morgan brought him a pint of spirits. David Edwards: Is a puddler. Remembers the prisoners coming up to him on the 14th of March. Thomas Harris was with them. Leyshon and Harris were very drunk. The others were under the influence of drink. Thomas Harris: Met prisoners on the 13th of March at the Rising Sun. Went out and,.met John Morgan. Went Avith him. More opened the door,of the GraAven Arms. Pie sleni (Continiccd in the Sixth Page).