Excerpts from December 29-31, 1810 The London Chronicle

Police

Bow-Street

Yesterday a man was brought from his residence in Earl-street, Seven-Dials, in the custody of R. Limberick, charged on suspicion of the wilful murder of his wife.

It appeared that the prisoner had been out on Wednesday, Christmas-boxing, and on his return in the evening his wife was from home. He went out in search of her, and found her at a gin shop; in consequence of which he made use of very violent language and threats to her; among others, that he would murder her; amd when they got home he knocked her down and kicked her in the most cruel manner, and she died a short time afterwards.

The prisoner was committed for further examination.

The report of the circumstance attracted a great crowed of persons round the house during yesterday.

Charles Bell and John Easton, two well-known characters, were brought in the office in custody of R. Limberick, who stated, that in consequence of the robbery of Mr. Read’s shop, the jeweler in Jermyn-street, a few evening since, he received private information that the prisoners were the robbers, and that they were known to have pledged part of the property stolen.

William Marks, an apprentice to Mr. Read, stated, that on the evening of the 18th inst., about four o’clock, he shut up his master’s shop, and about five o’clock he went out to take some canisters to the St. James’s Hotel, at the next door, which had been repaired, without fastening the shop-door telling his master’s son to have an eye to the door. He returned from the Hotel in about two or three minutes, when he found that the content of two of the shop window trays, containing snuff-boxes and gold brooches, with likenesses of the King and Queen in them, gold seals, chains, and other articles of jewelry to a very considerable amount had been stolen.

This was confirmed by William Read, the son of the prosecutor who said he heard the shop-door open, and supposed it was the last witness returned, but on his going to see, he observed a man going out. An alarm was given, but the robber escaped.

William Lovatt, shopman to Mr. Turner, the pawnbroker, of Brydges-street, said, that on the 22d instant the prisoner Bell pledged a gold chain with him; he asked him if it was gold; the prisoner replied it was the best he ever saw. The chain was produced and identified by the two first witnesses to be part of the property stolen. A gold seal, part of the property stolen, was pawned at the same shop, and on the same day; but Mr. Lovatt could not identify either of the prisoners as the person who pledged it.

There being no proof against the prisoner Easton, he was discharged. Bell was committed for further examination.

Courts of Law

Common Pleas, December 23.

Sittings at Guildhall Before Chief Justice Mansfield and a Special Jury

Lewis Lewis v. Samuel Waldegrave and Another, Proprietors of the Lewes and Brighton Coaches.

This cause appears of great consequence to the public, and it is sincerely hoped that the verdict will have its due influence upon all the proprietors of stage coaches. This action was brought to recover a compensation in damages from the defendants for the injury plaintiff received by the coach breaking down on the Brighton Road, about four miles from London, on Monday, the 25th of June last, as the coach was proceeding from Lewes to London, very heavy laden. It was proved that there were six inside and seventeen outside passengers, besides the coachman and an immense quantity of luggage, although the defendant’s license only authorized them to carry four inside and ten outside, besides the coachman. Plaintiff had a very narrow escape with life; he sat on the roof, and was thrown between the coach and a cart laden with corn, belonging to Mr. Bolton, of the Golden Cross, Charing-cross, going towards Croydon, and the whole weight of the coach rested upon his thighs until all the passengers were got out, which was some time, before he could be released. The situation and danger the plaintiff was in was most dreadful; he was taken up and carried to a Mr. Williams, a very eminent and skillful surgeon, who resides about two or three hundred yards from the spot where the coach broke down, who bled him, and dressed his thighs, which were at first suspected to be both broken. The plaintiff was afterwards removed to the Bull Inn, in Bishopsgate-street, residence of the defendant Waldegrave, where he was put to bed, and soon after visited by Sir William Blizzard, and attended by him and his assistance for some time afterwards. These facts were proved, and that the plaintiff is still lame.--A verdict was given for the plaintiff–Damages 250l.

Mr. Serjeant Best, Mr. Lawes, and Mr. Benjamin Hart, Counsel for the Plaintiff.

Mr. Edmonds, Crane-court, Fleet-street, plaintiff’s Attorney.

Mr. Serjeant Shepherd, Mr. Serjeant Vaughan, and Mr. Marryat, Counsel for the defendants.

Messrs. Day and Hamerton, Lime-street, Attornies.

The King’s Physicians–The following is stated to be the remuneration of the Physicians who attended his Majesty during his indisposition in 1788-89:--To Dr. Willis, the father, 1500l., per annum, for 21 years.--To Dr. Willis, the son, 650l., per annum for life.--To the other Physicians thirty guineas for each visit to Windsor and ten guineas for each visit to Kew. This to Sir George Baker, who had the longest attendance, did not exceed 1300 guineas, ad to all the others in proportion.