In the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, J. Rickey, a
private in the Twelfth Regiment of Lancers, was found guilty of the murder of his sergeant, Hamilton. The Jury recommended the prisoner to mercy,—it does not appear on what grounds; and Judge Parke said— He would take care that the recommendation should be mentioned in the proper quarter; hut be must at the same time say, that be was very fearful, florin the circumstances connected with the ease, that it NV 9 of such a nature as almost to preclude all chance of the prisoner's life being spared.
On Wednesday, sentence of death was passed on Rickey, and no hope of mercy held out to him by Judge Parke; who quoted the Mosaic law to justify the execution of murderers.
William Fagniot, a printer, William Bryan and William Daly, la- bourers, were charged with an attempt to extort nioney by threats, and the publication of " wicked, false, malicious, and defamatory libels," from the Marquis of Downsbire. From the evidence it appeared, that
a foreigner named Reiterhoffer, who bad formerly been a courier tra- velling abroad with Lord Downshire's family, had pretended to be married to Lady Mary Hill, since deceased, and to be entitled through her Ladyship to a considerable fortune. His absurd claims being re- sisted, he enraged Fagniot to print some infamous placards, which the two other pnsoners carried about in the streets. Reiterhoffer could not be found. Fagniot was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment, and Bryan to six months'. Daly was acquitted.
At the Mansionhouse, on Thursday, Mr. Moore, a gentleman re- siding at Greenbithe, complained that be had been repeatedly fired upon and boarded when sailing in his yacht, by the Coast Guard in the Thames. He could get no redress; although on application to the Superintendent, it was admitted that there was no suspicion whatever of his being a smuggler. A spite against a man whom he employed, seems to be the real motive of the annoyance. Mr. Moore was ad- vised to complain to the Commissioners of Customs.
At the Queen Square Office, on Tuesday, Thomas Flower, a man of respectable family, evidently mad, was charged with having been found within the precincts of the Palace, and offering resistance to the officers of her Majesty's Household. Mr. Randall. one of the Queen's Pages, -deposed, that on Monday night, about ten minutes before twelve o'clock, he was passing through the picture-gallery, and found the de. fendant, who was attired in the meanest manner, seated upon a chair, within seven yards of the Royal bed-room. It appeared that her Ma- jesty had only retired to rest about ten minutes previously ; and that the defendant had obtained entrance by mixing with the servants of the Foreign Ambassadors, who had been invited to an entertainment after the review in Hyde Park. He was removed with difficulty ; declaring that he had resolved to demand the Queen's hand in marriage. The Magistrate sent the madman to Tothill-fields Prison.
A commission of lunacy was held at the Swan Inn, Walhatn Green, on Wednesday. to inquire into the state of mind of Lady Seymour, widow of Sir William Seymour, formerly a Judge in India. Evidence was given that proved Lady Seymour to have been occasionally in- sane ; but, when produced before the Commissioners, her answers were so pertinent and proper, and her behaviour so calm, that the Jury would not give a final verdict without further evidence; and the in- quiry was adjourned.
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