The lower classes in Leeds have, it would seem, original
ideas -about theft. It is wrong to steal handkerchiefs, but right to steal dripping, particularly if you are trusted with the latter and not -with the former. The cook of Mr. Chorley, of that town, stole 2 lb. -of dripping, for which Mr. Chorley, anxious to establish the fact that he owned the kitchen as well as the parlour, prosecuted her. The local bench with most injudicious severity inflicted a month's imprisonment, whereupon the mob took up her case, hooted and insulted Mr. Chorley for days, tried to receive the woman in triumph, and failing in that, broke Mr. Chorley's windows. The police were called out, but they were stoned too, and at last it was necessary to call out the military, as practical preachers of the doctrine which Leeds, it seems, disapproves," Thou shalt not steal."
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