The Middlesex Magistrates have had several meetings this week, for
the purpose of conferring music and and dancing licences for the ensuing year. There has been a good deal of unprofitable talk, not worth reporting. On Thursday, a licence was refused to the New Royalty Theatre, Mile End. A person sitting among the Ma- gistrates took part in the discussion: he was the landlord of the Theatre, and in favour of the licence ; but it appeared that he was no Magistrate, though he had voted more than once in the course of the day. This intruder was removed from the bench, amidst loud laughter. Yesterday, Mr. Rayner obtained a licence for the New Strand Theatre, in spite of a contemptible opposition on the part of Drury Lane. The Magistrates also granted a licence to Messrs. Braham and Yates for the Colosseum : it was said that the applicants had paid 30,000/. for a lease of nine years.
At the Marylebone Office, on Saturday, Mr. W. Jackson, who keeps an establishment in St. John's Wood, for the cure of insane persons, charged five young men, who were placed at the bar, with damaging his property, and illegally carrying off some furniture which he had purchased, but, it would seem bad not paid for, from Mr. Evans of Holborn Bars. One of the prisoners was in the employ of Mr. Evans. The complainant said— About eight o'clock on the previous night, the prisoners and several others drove up to his house in a hackney. coach, and knocking at the door, handed in a letter, purporting to come from Dr. Wallis, and recommending to his care and attention Captain Willis, an unhappy lunatic then in his carriage waiting for admittance. Dr. Wallis, having promised to recommend him patients, he felt assured that all was right ; more especially as he heard a person raving like a lunatic in the coach, and answered by a man whom he supposed to be the keeper. The door was accordingly opened; when the supposed lunatic, who had a nightcap on, instantly flew at the servant and knocked him down ; he then tossed up Lis cap, and cried ,‘ Death and glory," and commenced as- saulting him. The other prisoners, taking advantage of the uproar and con- fusion, clambered over the iron rails and rushed into the house, joining in the sham madman's cry of "Death and glory." They then commenced tearing down the curtains, which they threw into the front yard, together with the mahogany chairs, tables, and other valuable furniture, with which they loaded two vans belonging to Mr. Evans, of Holborn. He remonstrated with them in vain ; and they were about to drive off with the property, when he gave them in charge to the I'olice.
Mr. Jackson's solicitor contended that his client had merely contracted a simple debt, mud that the party had acted most unlawfully in forcibly regaining the goods.
The prisoners made no defence.
Mr. Hoskins said it was clearly an indictable offence, and at once called upon the two prisoners each of them to find bail, himself in 501., and two sureties in 25/., to appear at the Sessions.
Mr. Hoskins was informed that the goods were in the possession of Mr. Evans, and asked if they were not to be delivered up to Mr. Jackson? The Magistrate, however, refused to interfere.
The pretended madman and his keeper contrived to escape.
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