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    i»ftropolitiJU police gintclligetttp

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    Printed by DOUGAL M'GOWAN, of 17,. Great Windmillstreet, Haymarket, in the City of Westminster, at the

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    MANSION HOUSE . Thcesdat . —A Cnmsims Ccstojie 2 . —A man named "William long wood was ehargod with having stolen two turkeys * nd a goost , the property or Mr . Howard , poulterer , of Leadenhall-market . The prisoner had been seen bv one of Mr . Hoivarsi ' i men to deliberately take one of the turkeys and ilic goose from tilt- jilaiv i : i tlic shop where they were deposited , place them across his shoulder , walk into ' the street , thrust them into a bag which he carried , andreturn to the stall and pick up tlie other turkey in like manner . The minus wl followed tlie prisoner

    ami collared him the moment he was walking off with his last prize . The prisoner declared that he knew nothing at all of the hist turkey , but merely that it lay at hi * u * i when he was taken into custody . As for the first turkev blithe goose he had most honestly bought them of tw u country people , who called upon all passers-by to hnv the last turkey and goose , and if the Lord Mayor thought of letting -Mr . Howard have his property it would he great encourai ment to butchers to charge respectable peo'Je , who had " made purchases , with robbery , in order to git possession of a « they had . ( Alaugh . ) Theprisoner v . tis committed for trial .

    Pbidat . FoBeEBT . — Benjamin Lainbourn was brought before the Lord Mayor , charged by the directors of the Commercial and General life Insurance Office with harin ? forged a bill of exchange for £ 150 . —Mr . Humphreys , for Hie prosecution , stated that in March , 1 S 43 , the ; =: i «>»< -f"i'i'Ued at fte Commercial and General Life Insurance Company for cash for a bill for £ -300 , and obtained it on the understanding that the sum should be reduced by quarterly payments , and that upon each reduction a new bill should be given . Reductions had taken place , the quarterly payments having been made until the amount of the debtwas £ 150 , when upon failure of payment of the regular instalment it was discovered that the last bill was a forgery as to the acceptor and some of the endorsers . Thomas Ratley , of . Xo . 7 , Ivy-terrace , Hoxton , headwaiter to Messrs . Ring and Brymer , of Comhill , stated that he had accepted bills for the prisoner , but it was a

    long time ago . He had not , to the best of his belief , accepted * a Mil so lately for tlie prisoner as two years ago . The acceptance to the bill produced was not in his handwriting , nor had his name been written by his authority . —Theprisoner : About the middle of the year 1843 , were you not confined by illness to your bed ?—Witness : I was . —The prisoner : That * s all the questions I wish to ask you . —Samuel Long , of So . 93 , High-street , Marylebone , licensed victualler , stated that the endorsement " Samuel Lung" upon the bill produced was not his handwriting , neither had he authorised any one to write it . — Joseph Donovan , fishmonger , of Ho . 202 , Oxford-street , stated that the signature , " Joseph Donovan , " to the bill produced was not his , nor had it been sanctioned by hiin . —Mr . Humphreys said that no doubt the signature of the drawer was genuine . The prisoner was then committed for trial .

    SaTCHDAT . —A DESPERATE PICKPOCKET . —A Wellknown prig , named Joseph Clarke , the tattered state of whose apparel showed that he had recently been in a severe straggle , Avas charged with having picked the pocict of Mr . Edward Lenn ox Boyd , resident director of the United Kingdom Life Assurance Company . A voting man , named Ellis , said that he was -walking down Chcapside that morning ( Saturday ) ¦ when he saw the prisoner deliberately put his hand into Air . Boyd ' s poc k et , and take out a silk handkerchief . He then passed over the road , and was joined by some of his companions . Air . Boyd seized the hat

    of one of his confederates , into which he had previously seen the prisoner transfer the stolen property . The * prisoner made a desperate resistance to the police , and in the strusgle his clothes were torn . The Lord Mayor inquired of the prisoner how he got his living . —The Prisoner : By hard labour , iny Lord . —The Lordilayor . : 2 fo doubt you do in Chcapside . Well , I shall commit you for trial in the hope that that locality will be free of your company for some time . The prisoner begged hard to be dealt ¦ with summarily , but his Lordship was resolute , and he was locked ui ) .

    Christmas Reveujxcs . —Hannah Heywood , a milliner , was charged by policemen 646 , with being drunk . The policeman said he found her on his beat lying against the rails of a house quite drunk , and incapable of faking care of herself . On being asked what she had to say she blushed , hung down her head , and whispered—nothing . Fined five shillings , or seven day ' s imprisonment . Bocblk Assault . —John Fari-owchild , a man clad inrasgcdfustiaii . wasclOTgcdwitlxassawltinglUclmvd Franklin , of Catherine-street , Strand . Me . Franklin proved the assault . —Lord Mayor to prisoner : What have vou to sav ?—Prisoner : I know no more

    about it than a person not born ; 1 must have been either drunk or mad to have committed it . —The Lord Mayor was about to adjudicate , -when policeman , Henry J . Maedonald , stepped forward and said , 1 also charge him , your Lordship , with resisting me in the execution of my duty , and with being drunk and disorderly . —Lord Mayor to prisoner : What have you to say to that?—Prisoner : He hit me , and knocked me about , and I thought I would just give him a butt in return . —Lord Mayor : You recollect that do you ?—Prisoner : Yes . —flewas held to bail to take his trial at the sessions—himself in £ 20 , aud two sureties in £ 10 each .

    Axother "Alheemax Cute . —Jane Smith , a miserable looking woman , was charged by G . T . Marlton with breaking a square of glass , of the -value of 15 s . She pleaded great distress . —Lord Mayor ; "Ah , that ' s always the excuse set up now . You are fined 4 < Js , or two months in Bridewell . " Stealing through Distress . —William Lloyd and William Marshall , two deplorably ragged objects , were charged with stealing a woollen shirt from the shop front of Mr . Kepple in Cheapside . Mr . Attwood , the shopman , saw the prisoners both together when Lloyd took the shut . When captured , -with the shirt in their possession , they refused to give it up . The men pleaded great distress—having no work or anything to eat or drink . The gaoler identified them as having been there before nnder similar circumstances ; and the Lord Mayor sentenced them to three months' imprisonment in BridewelL

    Wedxesday . —Attempted Suicide . —A female of respectable appearance , but appearing to labour under much mental distress , who stated her name to be Hannah Haine =, was brought up and charged with having cont emplated sch-destruction . One of the City police stated that he found the prisoner in the neighbourhood of th « river Thames , in a deplorable state of mind , and when lie inquired the cause of her distress , she stated that her husband had deserted her and robbed her of all her clothes , and taken away with him the servant maid ; that she had struggled with adversity , and actual ) v with

    starvation , until that day , when her landlord threatened to seize what trifling matters of furniture she had for rent , amounting to 3 s . 3 d ., and that she had come to the place in which she was apprehended for the purpose of putting an end to her existence . The witness added that she had given to him the names of some very respectable relations of her husband , and their addresses , and seemed desirous upon his suggestion , to seek the humane interposition of the Lord Mayor . —The Lord Mayor directed the unhappy woman to be removed to the Compter till Friday , that inquiry might be made as to her friends .

    GUILDHALL . Saicroat . —Breaking a Policeman ' s Arm . —Robert Clifford , a carpenter , residing at Jfo . 4 , Dudley court , was charged with breaking a policeman ' s arm . The prisoner has been several times remanded for the offence . City police constable Coveney , No . 36 , said that on the morning of the Sth instant , between one and two o ' clock , he was on duty in St . Mariin ' s-le-Grand , when he saw the prisoner standing at the top of Newgate-street . The prisoner seeing witness , called o u t , "Where is } Xew « ate-street ? "iWitnes 3 told him that he was in Newgate-street . Prisoner replied "You are a b— liar . " Witness crossed over and asked him what he meant by such language , but he still persisted in abusing witness . Seeing he was

    slightly intoxicated , witness told him if he did not immediatel y g o aw ay he would lo c k him u n , when he ( the prisoner ) pushed his feet from under him , and he fell upon his elbow and broke his arm . Theprisoner was then taken to the station-house , and witness ¦ was removed to St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , where he had ever since been hud up . The prisoner said he had been drinking at a house in Clerkcnwell on the night in question , and was returning home when the accident occurred . He asked the complainant the Tray to Newgate-street , when he pushed him about , ana in the scuffle that ensued the policeman must have accidentally slipped down . — Mr . Alderman Hoo p er , after condemning in severe terms the conduct of the defendant , committed him to take his trial at the next London sessions .

    UNION HALL . Satehdat . — Alleged Perjury nr ax Inspector of Police . —Mr . J . Harris , the landlord of the Swan Tavern , Camberwell , was summoned before Mr . TraTll , the presiding magistrate , by Inspector Gifford , of the P division , for having on Sunday last unlawfully opened his house for the sale of spirituous liquors . The Inspector , on being sworn , stated that on Sunday morning last , between " the hours of eleven and twelve " , his attention was directed to three men standing near the entrance of the defendant's house . Two were

    rattier the worse for liquor , and the third was so much so that- he could scarcely stand . The witness proceeded a little way on the beat , and on his return he saw the three men whom he had previously noticed leave the defendant ' s house . He was quite positive that they were all three the worse for liquor . Mr . Traill told the defendant that the com plaint was a . very serious one , and that he had rendered himself liable to a penalty of £ 5 . The defendant replied that lie should be able to prove

    that the inspector had false-sworn himself , and that he was determined to indict him for perjury . The ficiwas "{ continued the defendant ) , that on the day in M )( csti 6 n a green-grocer called at his house to deliver soaie vegetables , and when the door was opened i © receive them , two of his ( the defendant's ) neighbours insisted on forcing their way intohis house , but e refused them admission . The parties were all sober at the time , and he could produce them on any day except Saturdays . Mr . Traill inquired why they were not there on the present occasion .

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    tfr « but the testimony of the inspector . -Defendant ¦¦; Thcvarcall tradesmen , and to leave their business on Saturday would put them to " great inconvenience , —the magistrate said if the defendant thought lie cohM disprove what the inspcetdr had stated , he would adjourn the case lor a few days . — . The defendant ( with great warmth ) t I shall be able most certainly to do so , and what is more I am determined to prosecute the inspector for perjury . —Mr . Trail said he would adjourn tlie further hearing of the case till Tuesday next . Mr . John Joxes , the proprietor of the Montpclier Tavern , Walwortli , was summoned at the instance of policeman 28 P , with keeping his house open on Sunday last after the time allowed by Act of Parliament . The case was fully proved that at one o ' clock on Sunday evening the offeccr entered the house and saw two persons there , one of whom was drinking in haste . —Defendant said a society met at his house , and they did not break up b e f ore one o 'clock . No liquors , however , were served after twelve at night .

    Fined—22 s . Stealing Brass . —John Mahoiiey , an apprentice to Mr . Dunkin , the extensive engineer , of the Blue Anchor-road , Bermondsey , was charged with robbing his employer of a considerable quantity of brass-work . The discovery of the prisoner's dishonesty arose from the circumstance of his jacket being found in the engine-room , with several brass articles of considerable value , which were broken for the purpose of being made portable , so as to carry off the premises without observation . When he was called into the counting-house to explain the matter , it wa s then found that he had several other brass articles concealed in his trousers and beneath his waistcoat . Mr . Traill said he should commit the prisoner for trial , but that he should be brought up again on Monday .

    MARYLEBONE . Thuesdat . —Octeage . —The court was much crowded from an early hour , in consequence of a report that a number of Spaniards had murdered a man by cutting his throat . The rumour , however , with regard to the murder fortunately turned out to be untrue . The names of tlio prisoners were Manuel Santa , Vincent Peston , Philip Ascencion , and Dias Garcia . Mr . John Veals , landlord of the Victoria publichouse , Charlton-street , Somerstown , deposed that on the previous night , between eleven and twelve o'clock , the prisoners entered his premises and called for drink . They were accompanied by eleven of twelve others ; but as aU of them were much intoxicated , he refused to serve them . They then abused him , and Santa struck at him with a stick , in addition to which he threw at him a number of quart and pint pots , some of which hit him . Another of the party also attempted to injure him with a bludgeon . —William Therman , the man who was wounded , deposed that as he

    was passing through Charlton-street he heard a great disturbance , and saw nearly a dozen Spaniards , amongst whom were the prisoners , armed with large sticks and bludgeons ; he seized hold of one of tlie sticks which was in the possession of a man not in custody , when he was immediately knocked down by two tremendous blows , and while lying upon the ground , Ascencion and Garcia being on the top of him , he received several severe wounds from a sharp instrument upon the head and ear , and the collar of his coat was cut completely through . He also received many very severe kicks upon his body . It appeared from the evidence of Mr . Parker , a surgeon , that Therman had been very seriously injured . The prisoners were also charged with assaulting the constables . The prisoners , through an interpreter , who had explained to them the whole of the evidence , denied the truth of all thathad been alleged against them . Santa and Peston were each committed to the House of Correction for a mouth for assaulting the constables , and Ascencion and Garcia were re . manded till Thursday next .

    Tuesday . —Extensive Robbert . —A young man named William Young , who on the aame morning completed a term of six months' imprisonment for stealing articles of wearing apparel to the amount of upwards of £ 50 , was placed at the bar before Mr . Eawlinson , charged with having committed another robbery of almost equal extent . The prisoner was remanded .

    WORSHIP-STREET . Monday . —Supposed Mubdee . —Several respectablelooking persons attended before Mr . Broughton , the sitting magistrate , to make a statement touching the mysterious disappearance of Mr . William May , a silk-manufacturer on a minor scale , resident in New Sing-street , near Bonner ' s HaU , Bethnal-green , who had been missing since the 9 th Dec , under circumstances which induced liis friends to believe that he had been murdered . A large printed bill , offering ten guineas reward for his discovery , and which had already been extensively circulated in the district , was handed to the magistrate . In this it was stated that Mr . May was last seen on the night of the Oth of December , between the hours of ten and eleven , near

    the police station in Chapel-yard , Spitalfields , by some person who knew hun , and the following morning his hat and handkerchief were found in a field near the Twig Folly Bridge , uear the Angel and Crown , at Twig Folly . From that time nothing further could be ascertained respecting him , and it was added , that he was therefore supposed to have been murdered . He was described as about forty-four years of age , five feet three inches high , of fair complexion , marked with the small pox , was dressed in a brown Taglioni coat , black satin waistcoat , black trousers , with black satin stock , and his linen marked " W . M ., " and he had about him £ 6 , and a pair of blue steel spectacles in green case , mounted with silver .

    Tuesday . — Attempted Suicide . — Mary Parker , a good-looking young married woman , was placed at the bar , charged with attempting to commit self-destruction by throning herself into the Regent ' s canal . It appeared from the statement of a respectable middle-aged woman , named Mary Ann Gooch , that having been hastily summoned between eleven and twelve o ' clock on Saturday night to attend the death-bed of a neighbour , she was proceeding to that person ' s residence which closely adjoins the canal , when she saw the prisoner suddenly rush down the bank from the side of the bridge , and , without waiting to divest herself of any of her dress , plunge headlong into the water . Without a moment ' s delay the witness ran in after her , and succeeded in catching hold of the prisoner , but the latter struggled so violently to disengage herself from her grasp , that the back of witness ' s

    dress was entirely burst open in her efforts to save her . Witness at length became so completely exhausted by her exertions , that she must have been dragged under the water , bad not two young men , who were attracted by her cries , . fortunately come up to her assistance , and by their aid they were both rescued from their perilous situation . The prisoner was then conveyed to a neighbouring public-house , where she soon after revived ; but the first use the prisoner made of her recovered powers of speech was to revile the witness in the most vituperative terms for having effected her preservation . It appeared the prisoner had been taken to the Shoreditch workhouse , where , after maintaining an obstinate silence for some time , she had at length stated herself to be the wife of a person employed in the docks , and living in Pclhamstreet , Spitalfields , with whom , she said , she had had a quarrel , which determined her on self-destruction . The magistrate warmly commended the conduct of the

    witness , Mrs . Gooch ; and , after stating that he considered her well worthy of a reward from the Humane Society , directed Tilt , the usher , to present her with a trifling gratuity in acknowledgment of her humane and courageous behaviour . A decent-looking man , who said he was the prisoner ' s husband , here stepped forward in great agitation , and stated to the magistrate that he was wholly at a loss to account for his wife ' s conduct . She was a most sober , well-conducted woman , and had two children , to whom she was tenderly attached ; and so little suspicion had her family of her intentions , that they had been in a state of distraction in consequence of her unaccountable disappearance . The magistrate said he should commit theprisoner to gaol ; but , at the earnest intercession ot her husband , however , who promised to guard against such an occurrence in future , the prisoner , who throughout display ** an air of firmness and self-possession , was ultimately « t at liberty , aud left the court with her friends .

    The Coinihg Case . —James Green , and his daughter , Anne Green , a child 11 years of age , who stood charged with having been found engaged hi the manufacture of an immense quantity of spurious coin , and in whose apprehension , it will be recollected , two officers , named Brannan and Cole , were seriously injured , were placed at the bar for final examination . The particulars of the former hearing have already been published . In defence the . male prisoner said that his daughter was perfectly innocent ; and for himself he should say nothing at present , under the advice of Jir . Buncombe , his solicitor . Both prisoners were then fully committed for trial .

    BOW STREET . Tuesday . —Bubglaby and Extensive Robbeby . — Richard Elliot , described on tlie police-sheet as a tobacconist , residing at No . 30 , Bell-street , Paddington , and Richard Vincent , 19 , Carlisle-street , Portman-niarket , an omnibus driver , were brought up in custody of the detective police , and placed at the bar before Mr . Jardinc , charged with burglariously entering the dwelling-house of Mr . Thomas Cos , clerical tailor and robe maker , 29 , Southampton-street , Strand , on the 2 Ctti Dec , and stealing therein several pieces of silk , linen , &c , to a considerable amount . The prisoner Elliot is the same person who was tried and acquitted , about nine months back , at the Oxford Assizes , on a charge of having been concerned in stealing the sum of £ 800 from the boot of the Cheltenham coach . The prosecutor said that shortly after ten o ' clock on the morning of Tuesday , 24 th December ,

    he left home for the purpose of going to Tonbndge Wells , from whence , in consequence of a message he received , he returned on the Thursday following , when he found that his premises had been broken open , and property amounting to nearly £ 200 had been taken away . The articles produced formed a portion of it , consisting of 4 fi 0 yards of silk , value £ 130 , together with-eighteen pieces of linen , worth £ 20 , and a great coat , the price of which was £ 4 , which was taken from a stand in the 6 hop . There were also 146 yards of linen , being eight pieces , with some remnants , and eighty-two yards of lavendercoloured silk , all of which bore his private mark . Inspector Shackle , of the detective force , proved the capture of the prisoners , and the recovery of a considerable portion of the property , all of which was identified by the prosecutor . Several witnesses were examined , and Mr . Jardine ordered the prisoners to be remanded .

    Tuesday . —Feabods 0 Connor t > . Necbomancy . — Samuel Gregory , a person whose manner indicated a great degree of excitement , was placed at the bar before Mr . Jardine , charged with having broken plate-glass worth £ 10 , at the house of Mr . Canton , the dentist , in St .

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    Martin ' s-lane . —Mr , Davis , a solicitor , -stated that he was at Mr . Canton ' s house on Monday evening , when the prisoner came and asked for Mr . Feargus O'Connor . He told him that that gentleman did not live there , and he went away . Presently lie cumo again , aud was again informed that Mr . O'Connor did not liv »» therc . After some hesitation he went away , and witness wont up stairs to the drawing-room ; but he had scarcely got to the top of the stairs when he found that the prisoner had followed him . He again asked for Mr . O'Connor , and appeared disposed to persist in saying that he did live there . Mr . Davis said , " I told you before that he did not live here ;" and after some hesitation tlie prisoner went down , but just as lie got outside tlie dooi \ and Mr . Davis was about to shut it , he turned round and smashed tlie glass to

    atoms . —Mr . Jardine asked the prisoner what he had to say to the charge . —The prisoner said , in the first place , I beg to say I have not the means of paying so large a sum as £ 10 ; some smaller sum , perhaps , I might pay . If I had known what I had been about , of course I should not have done what I did , so far at least as worldly prudence is concerned . I should alio tell your worship that I have had no sleep for many nights past , in consequence of the annoyance I have experienced from Mr . O'Connor and several other riotous persons making a disturbance about my apartments . Prom that cause I have had no sleep for the last six nights ; what little I have had was one afternoon , during the day time . Now that , as your worship must be well aware , makes a great difference in the bearing of aperson , and gives the imagination a great predomination over the judgment . That being the case , I dare say I should not give a very good explanation of my conduct ; but , perhaps , your worship would rather

    that I should give even a bad explanation than none at all ( a laugh . )—Two persons who knew the prisoner ( he lodged with one of them ) stated that he had for some time complained of noises in his head , and bad fancied persons made a noise near his room ; but he had not before known him to imagine Mr . O'C . to be one of those who annoyed him . He was a person of education and general mildness of demeanour . He never drank anything but cocoa and water . His family lived at Brighton , but were rather poor in circumstances . —Mr . Jardine , seeing that the prisoner was evidently insane , directed that he should be taken to the surgeon of St . Martin's parish , and "fter a medical opinion had been obtained , he would make an order respecting him . The magistrate told Mr , Canton that he regretted there was little chance of his getting paid for the damage done . The fact of it being over £ 5 , took it out of his jurisdiction . If the relations of the prisoner should be in a situation to pay , he would advise them to do so .

    MARLBOROUGH-STREET . Tuesday . —Embezzlement . —Frederick William Parker , formerly clerk to Mr . Winch , livery-stable keeper , Great Windmill-street , was brought up for final examination , charged with having embezzled various sums of money belonging to his employer . The particulars of this case have already been made public . The prisoner was fully committed for trial on two charges . Tho prisoner , although a married man , and his wife confined not more than three weeks ago , was paying his atten . tion to a bar-maid in tlie Hayraarket , and preparations for a second marriage were so far advanced that banns were reported to have been put up at a church on the other side of the water only the Sunday before the prisoner ' s apprehension .

    CLERKENWELL . Tuesday .. —Stabbing . —William Benny was charged with attempting to stab his wife . The prisoner , on the previous evening , asked his wife to give him some money ; she declared she had given him all she had . She left the house , and went into a grocer ' s shop , and was standing by the counter when she felt a thrust at her side , aud on turning round , saw the blade of a knife projecting from her husband ' s hand . The prisoner was held to bail for the sessions .

    LAMBETH . Tuesday . —Beutal Pabents . —Cbuei Tbeatment of a Child . —Dunn , one of the beadles of the parish of St . Mary , Lambeth , accompanied by a number of the inhabitants of Hooper-street , Westminster-road , entered the court , and complained of the gross and inhuman treatment of a child named Pratt by its parents . A decent , looking woman entered the witness-box , and stated that she lived next door to the parents of tlie child , and that both herself and her family were frequently disturbed and shocked by the piteous cries of the little fellow . His parents , who were woodcutters , were in the habit of re turning home at the most unseasonable hours , and it appeared to be the constant habit of one or [ other of them , on entering their room , to beat the child in the most cruel manner . On that morning witness heard the little

    fellow ' s cries on two occasions , the . first time about two o ' clock , and the last about eight , and upon subsequently seeing him she examined his person , and found him in the most shocking state . The poor child , who is only five years of age , was here exhibited to Mr . Henry , and presented a shocking spectacle . His face , neck , arms , loins , back , and legs were covered with livid marks , some of which had evidently been tho result of violence inflicted at different times , but most of them had been recently caused . The magistrate turned away quite shocked at the scene , and directed that a warrant should at once be issued against the father , who had , inflicted the injuries on that morning , and that it be executed without delay . Mr . Henry also directed tbat the child should be at once conveyed to Lambeth workhouse , and attended by the parish surgeon .

    Wednesday . —Robert Pratt , for whose apprehension a warrant had been granted on the preceding day , was placed at the bar , before Mr . Henry , on a charge of 11-treating his son , Richard Pratt , a child of five and ia half years old . Eliza Eingate gave evidence of the frightful cruelty perpetrated by the unnatural parent on his own child , fully corroborating the evidence adduced on tlie preceding day . Four other witnesses were examined ; one of them , a tradesman who lives opposite the prisoner , added that one day he heard a violent screaming issue from Pratt's house , and on hurrying across and looking through the window , he saw the child hanging from the top baluster by a rope , with a noose round his

    neck , and his feet about six inches from the ground . He instantly forced open the window sufficiently to put in a lad who was in his employment , and who cut the child down . The witness added that he did not impute to the prisoner or the others in the house the dreadful crime of attempting to hang the little fellow , but his impression was that he had been tied to the top baluster , and by endeavouring to release himself had got into the position which he had before described , and had he not been observed so soon his death in a few moments must have been the consequence . The prisoner declared that tlie greater part of what the witnesses had stated was false , and wished to have the child examined . He was remanded .

    Seeing the Old Year out , and the New Yeab in . — George Jefferson , a highly respectable-looking elderly man , was brought before Mr . Henry , the sitting magistrate , charged with being drunk and disorderly . —The veteran said it was all owing to the lumbago , and seeing the old year out and the new one in . —The Magistrate Yes ; but that ' s no excuse . —The prisoner pleaded hard for forgiveness ; he had fought bravely his country ' s battles , but the lumbago , and the parting glass with the old year , had overcome his reason ..- —Upon the understanding that the prisoner would turn over anew leaf with the new year , the Magistrate said , in consideration of his services , he was disposed , to let Mm . off . —The prisoner promised amendment , and was discharged .

    WANDSWOBTH . Wednesday . —Infamous Tbeatment of a Child . A respectable-looking elderly man solicited the magistrate ' s interference in a revolting case of cruelty , of which his granddaughter had been the victim . He stated , that about ten months since Mrs . Elizabeth Ross , the widow of an officer , residing at Bolingbroke-place , Battersea , proposed to take his grandchild off his hands and bring her up as her own . She said she would perform the duties of a parent towards the little girl , and she should live with her as a companion . To this proposition he assented . He went to see the child two or three tunes up to four months since , when it was apparently doing well ; he had no opportunity of speaking to his grandchild alone , and Mrs . Ross suggested that he had better

    discontinue his visits , as it only made the child unsettled in her oAtd . From that time he ' had never seen his grandchild until she was brought home by Mrs . Ross in a most deplorable state . It appeared that the father of the child had enlisted for a soldier , and the mother had accompanied him to Ireland . —Mrs . Smith , a bonnet-makcr of Westminster , said that on Monday , about half-past eight o'clock , she found the child standing at the shop-door ; she was in a most horrible state of emaciation . In fact , she could compare her to nothing else than a living skeleton . Her clothes were ragged ; the shoes she had on did not protect her feet , which were bleeding very much and full of sores . She asked the child how she had come there , and she said Mrs . Ross had brought her there ; that they had walked all the way from Battersea , and that that

    person had left her , telling her never to come back again . The child was ravenous for food ; her bones almost broke through the skin , her body was covered with bruises and sores , and her feet was one mass of blood and corruption . —The grandfather said , they had made inquiries in the neighbourhood , and learned that Mrs . ltoss , who lived alone , and made the poor child her servant , had been seen to strike her , and to drag her up and down the garden by her ears until they were absolutely torn and bleeding . They would prove also that Mrs . Ross made the child sleep on the door-mats , and frequentl y left her locked up in the house without food or firing for many hours together . She had also been seen at work , such as was only fit for a woman , at four o'clock in the morning . —Mr . Clive , the magistrate , ordered a warrant for the immediate apprehension of this she . brute .

    SOUTHWAUK . Thubsday . —A "Fbee . bobn Englishman . "—Thomas Walsh , a man advanced in years , was charged with stealing a pair of candlesticks from the house of a publican It appeared the prisoner had . just come out of gaol , after having suffered six months' imprisonment , and that he went into the complainant ' s house and took a pair of brass candlesticks , with which he was in the act of leaving , when he was taken- into custody . The prisoner ' s defence was , that he came out of gaol pennyless ; that having lost his character no person would employ him the pangs of hunger impelled him to take the articles with a view of procuring some food , ne had no wish to conceal the facts , and would prefer being sent to gaol to remaining at large without the means of subsistence . —He was committed .

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    THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES . Hitherto we have not treated of matters theatrical in the Star ; not that we wore blind to the necessity of so important and attractive a feature of London journalism , but that , hardly settled m our new locale , we have had so many matters to occupy our tune as to prevent us paying attention to this one in particular . Always intending to include theatricals in the contents o { the Star , we have considered we could not better commence than at Christinas / when old and young , grave and gav , the great and the humble , combine m crushing and ' cramming together to witness the tricks and jests of Cloum and Pantaloon ; and the wondrous transformations of Harlequin and . Columbine . Accordingly , the coming of boxing night saw us commence our new duties , which will henceforth form that

    one of the features of ibis paper . How . it is we have mana g ed to play the ubiquitous part of witnessing at one and the same time , the doings ot Robinson Crusoe at Drury-lane , Valentine and Orson at the Lyceum , Johnny Gilpin at Astley ' s , Robin Hood and LitUe John at Sadler ' s Wells , and Lazy Dick at the Olympicin short . all the pantomimic glories which illumined the metropolis on Thursday night , o ur rea d ers need not inquire ... Let them have faith that there are more things in the Craft Editorial than are dreamt of in their philosophy . Enough that , as Trotty Veck says , " hero we are , and here we go ; " and froni west to east , from north to south , we have witnessed , w e have b e en deli g hted ; a nd we now bog to introduce to our readers a notice of entertainments which , enjoying ourselves , we could wish all others to eniov , and which we cannot doubt have already , or will be , participated in by thousands of the metropolitan readers of the Northern Star .

    BRURY-LANE . Pantomime still reigns triumphant ! Tho antics and malcontrctems of Clown and Pantaloon , the ubiquitous agility of Harlequin and Columbine , ' the ludicrous metamor phoses and tricks which formerly kept the house in a roar are still enjoyed ; there is still a laughter-loving audience te be found even in these days of utilitarianism and matterof-fact . From the top of Old Drury to the bottom not one vacant seat could have been found within a short time after the house was opened . Pit , boxes , and gallery , all were full to overflowing to welcome Puck ' s JPantOmime , or Harlequin and liobinson Crusoe . The opera of the Daughter of St . Stark preceded the pantomime , aud was allowed to proceed and terminate without those

    indications of impatience which are usually manifested in tho Uglier circles on the first night of the season . The fun in reserve then commenced . Tho scene opene with ad distressed author in want of a subject for the opening of a " Christmas piece . " Puek appears to him , and conjures up tableaux vivants of the principal tales of fairv and romance for his selection ; but these have been used up by the great Farley—at last appears our old loved friends , J ? oWjiso » and his faithful black . The author seizes upon the idea , andPucfc undertakes to " get up " the opening . We arc then taken to the coast on which Crusoe was wrecked—the ship is high aud dry—and tho solitary mariner is discovered clearing out the hold and selecting from the cargo the several articles to 1 ) 0 useful for ^ his stav . This scene was admirably illustrated by Mr . W . H .

    Payne . After a good deal of capital fun with Robinson , Friday ( Wieland ) , and the Caribbees , the usual transformations took place . Friday was metamorphosed into Harlequin ; Clown , Pantaloon , and Columbine made their appearance as if by magic ; tlie Cavibbees were no longer in sight , but the scene was that of a musicshop and artificial arm and leg manufactory . Several good tricks were here exhibited , and Wieland made one or two excellent leaps . Among the most effective of the scenes aud tricks that succeeded was that of the exterior of the Insolvent Debtors' Prison , with the act of Parliament abolishing imprisonment for debt pasted on the . wall ; Harlequin with , his magic wand touches the scene , and immediately it is transformed into baths and washhouses for the labouring classes , with a large placard announcing that all who avail themselves of the convenience must bring , their own soap . A score or two

    of washers are engaged at an enormous tub in the centre , keeping up an incessant wrangling and jangling . The Clown and Pantaloon come in disguised as respectable old ladies with their dirty linen , and produce no little confusion by the mistakes they commit of substituting for immersion the bearers of clothes instead of the clothes themselves . A bell rings—the bathing hour has arrived—the women vanish—coal-heavers , sweeps , and a numerous body of the unwashed appear and betake themselves to the diil ' erent apartments labelled as baths for those of their respective particular callings . The poor wretches are luxuriating in theiv ablutions , but the Clown and Pantaloon are on the alert—mischief is in the windthey turn on tho steam , and the bathers are nearly boiled before they can make their escape . Other tricks followed ; and after the usual amount of bustle , leaps , grins , tumbles , and transformations , the curtain fell amid a few hisses , and pretty general applause .

    Visit of the Queen and Pkince Aibert to Drcet Lane Theatbe . —Her Majesty and . Prince Albert , attended by a numerous suite , visited this establishment ou Friday evening , to witness the performance of the succcssful pantomime of Harlequin and Robinson Crusoe , with which thoywere highly entertained .

    COVENT GARDEN . This house , thank God ! has at length opened in the " regular line , " with a complete change of players . The grim farce that has been so often repeat d on its boardsonce trod by a Komble and a Siddons—by fjobden and Co ., has , for a time at least , given place to something more in character : fov now what is presented is avowedly theatrical representation ; and we are not insulted by the request to believe that the " actors" are really , and . to the life , what they for the hour appear to be . We know them to bo actors ; and they aie honest enough to say so ; and we therefore , sit easy under them , and enjoy the fun , not having the spirits weighed down to the depth of disgust and loathing which is always engendered by the manifest hypocrisy of the League actors . The play ,

    on this occasion was the old stock piece of George BamweU , which was listlessly received . In fact , the play was neither more nor less than a bore—a dreary , dismal , yet non-patlietie thing-, that dragged its weary way along till the welcome sound of the bell that summoned Barnwcll to execution told the audience that they were released from the infliction . The coda finished , up rose the curtain upon Earlequin Ovotehet and Quaver ; or , Musk for the MHion . The idea is capital , and is Ml of sly satire at the late musical movements that have taken place at this theatre . It is a decidedly comic pantomime — the thought is clearly made out—those that run may read—and those that are- seated be amused . The first scene represents the Palace of Discord , and is a clever and fantastic picture , occupied with various

    grotesque figures , playing on harsh musicalinstruments . Discord , who is the chief of a kind of Sax-horn band , has seduced Sharp , Flat , and Natural , three oddities , from their allegiance to Apollo , and resolves , with their assistance , to carry off Miss Semiquaver . Apollo and Co . determtne to save Semiquaver from the clutches of Discord , This brings us to the cottage of Demisemiquaver , who is the father of Semiquaver . Tho notion of this cottage is rather ingenious . The walls are covered with musical notes ; the roof is formed of two open music-books , and thechimnies consist of two trumpets . Discord succeeds in carrying off Semiquaver , with her lover Crotchet / tempting the parent ' s avarice by changing his cottage into a domicile of gold—a very clever transformation . The two lovers are conveyed to a cottage on the clef ( cliff ) , and there seem

    to be in an awkward predicament , till Apollo comes to the rescue , and turns Crotchet into Harlequin ( Smithers ) , Semiquaver into Columbine ( Miss Massall ) , Discord into Clown ( Charles Marsh ) , and Demiscmiquaver into Pantaloon ( Guriot ) , adding ' to the motley crew a second Harlequin ( Spencer Fordo ) , a second Columbine ( Miss Ryalls ) , and a second Pantaloon ( T . Blanchard ) . And then begins the fun so glorious . All the quips and quiddities of the day , the popular hits , the political gyrations , the wonderful inventions , the Poor Law improvements , the pauper provision , the Gibbs installation , tlie contemplated aWutionary receptacles , and all the infinite crotchets of the huge Babylon , are humorously descanted upon , and most laughably developed . Foremost in the van of the comicalities is the chairing of the present

    mayor , with ambulatory ledgers , the basket-men in armour , and the opposing mob of civic absurdities , loud is the din , and uproarious the mirth . Tho Daguerreotype , with its peculiar portraits , and the magic changes from the white to black , and the lecture on soap by the Cloum , are admirable . The two' great changes are a lodging-house , in which the several stories are changed from parlour to garret , and vie ' e versa ; and the exterior changes to the in . terior ; and then we have a c ' ockmaker's shop , in which all the movements become mesmerised , and the dials and their indices perform the strangest antics . Taken alto , gether , Crotchet and Quaver may take its stand with the best comic pantomimes . One long shriek of mirth followed each scene . The scenery is admirably painted , and the varieus tricks ingeniously constructed .

    THE LYCEUM .. The entertainments consisted of a new drama founded on the new work of Mr . C . , Dickens , and an extravaganza , called Valentine and Orson . The goblin story of The Chimes it will not be necessary to describe very minutely The two wreaths of our Christmas Garland will have made the reader pretty well acquainted with" the plot and construction of the story . The piece is divided into three parts , called peals . The first peal on opening discovers Trotty Veck plying for hire as a ticket porter at the foot o £ the old church , and ends with his tak ' ing Will Fern and Lilian to his house , and welcoming them there with a poor man s welcome ; the peal being ¦ closed by a chant of the goblin chimes . The second peal consists wholly of Trotty ' s dream . The third opens in Mrs . Chickenstalker s shop , and , after concluding the dream ends with the chimes of

    merry the drunken drummer -here we are , here we go—and the ball . Keeley ' s fun formed the support of the piece . Probably the character of Trotty could not be made to yield a greater number of hits than he brought into play . His dress and appearanee were admirably in character . But no one could wmFovf rr any C ll araCter better than Mr - Em <* yas Will Fern . He was the haggard , three-quarters starved labourer ^ with a fieree desperation in his looks at one tune , yet , at another , sinking , C 0 W ed , and heart-biXn under the pressure of want , with a reality that was almost startling . Mrs . Keeley , as Margaret , or Meg Veck , drew great applause in the passionate scene where Lilian dies at her feet Richard was prettil y acted by Mr . F . fining . Ihe audience , which was a numerous one graced eacli peal as it ended with a distinct round of apl

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    plause . . Vakntine . andOmnwhich jmmediatelyfollowed seemed to meet with unqualified applause , and we flunk it deserved all the praise that can be deserved by a Christmas piece . Mr . F . Matthews was . . c » eHont as King Pupin . Mrs . Koeloy enacted the redoubtable A alen-Hne with exquisite spirit and vivacity . Then who couhl resist Keeley as Orson , with his cine ure of nj leasts , hi , eoal-blnulc wavy locks , and stereotyped beard I humour and antics were delightful Bruma-t , at * to sav the bear—Orson ' s reputed mother , was well plajed , if we nay use the term , by Mr . Collier . The scenery is remarkably well executed , particularly a distant view of tho city of Orleans ; The dresses , decorations , arms armour , &c , are all Of the most brilliant description , indeed , no pains seem to have been spared in this case to render perfect that important portion of the sources of pleasure we derive from scenic representations .

    HAYMARKET . The performances at this popular theatre commenced with the successful comedy of Old Reads and- lmag Hearts , which wasfollowed by a moving Diorama of Swiss scenery It commences with a view of the . town and lake , of Zurich , and leads the spectator on through various glimpses of romantic scenery to Lake Leman and Geneva . This portion of the entertainments was greatly applauded , and must prove a great attraction . The novel and pleasing Panorama was followed by a Fairy Extravaganza entitled Graciosa and Fercinet , from the pen ot Mr . Planche . The piece begins with an interior in the castle of the ugly old Duchess Grognon ( Mrs . Stanley ) , to whom we are immediately introduced , and shortly after to King Exorious , played by Bland . The King ' s visit , isiati accibut leads

    dental dvop in , hi the course of a day ' s hunting , to very important results , as the Duchess Groffiion contrives to captivate his widowed heart , if not by tlie charms of her person , by a dazzling display of those of her purse , and the King becomes an accepted suitor . In the next scene we are introduced to Graciosa ( Miss Bennett ) , the King ' s lovely daughter , the toast of all the gallant inhabitants of the country , and the hatred of the Duchess Grognon . She is made acquainted with ' her parent ' s matrimonial intentions , of which she is far from approving . Here the other fairy , Prince Fercinet ( Miss Horton ) , makes his appearance , and commences the declaration of true love , which runs , as usual , not smoothly through the piece . lie places liar on a milk-white steed , ana conducts her through the country by a contrivance called a movement in four flats , the scenery moving while the

    horse stands still , until they meet with the marriage cortege of her respected father with his newly-chosen bride . The Duchess Grognon is envious of the beauty of the house , orders poor Graciosa to be unceremoniously shifted from the saddle , and mounts it herself ; but she not being remarkably skilful in horsemanship , the result is a fearful tumble , from the effects of which she recovers only to vent her redoubled rage against Craciosa , from which her father , with a prudent eye to the eligible match in view , deelines to screen her . Prince Percinet is hei- only friend in need , aud he is , fortunately , one well enabled to serve her , having at command all sorts of magical assistance . The scourges with which turned

    the fair Graciosa is ordered to be whipped are by him to feathers ; he vanquishes all the knights who come forth as champions of Grognon , in the character of Queen of Beauty , and asserts Graciosa to be alone entitled to the sovereignty ; in short , under every persecution heaped by the deformed spouse of the old King , he proves her saviour , although his ' services are very ungraciously received by Graciosa , whose coyness continues until her last disaster at the hands of Groguon—namely , being thrown down a well , at the bottom of which , instead of death , she finds a Crystal Palace , and being there again wooed for her hand , finally becomes the bride of Percinet .. The piece was decidedly a hit , and at the conclusion was greeted with vociferous and continued applause .

    SADLER'S WELLS . This theatre , which the fame of Grimaldi has consecrated in the eyes of all lovers of Christinas pantomime , was , from the commencement , crowded to overflowing . The . first piece was the Stranger , , oi which , to our . great regret ,, not a single word was heard ; for it appeared to have bee well got up , and equally well played . Indeed , those wn i desire to witness the regular drama are now compelled to go to Sadler ' s Wells . The p lay at len g th concluded , and that which was alone looked for as the evening ' s entertainment , the pantomime proper , commenced . This was entitled Harlequin Robin Hood and Little John , or Merric England in the Olden Time The first scene opens by Old . England ( ft poi-tly old gentleman , a bit o f a g rumbler , althou gh

    in possession of a sound , constitution ) advancing to the stage , surrounded by his , old English subjects , Okl . King Cole , Tom Thumb , and Alfred , carousing , and singing a . chorus to the tune of Old King Cole , eaoh subject weaving an enormous mask | of unsurpassable ugliness . Old . England bidding them be jolly , calls in Sir Loin , Plum Pudding , and Old England ' s Beer , and immediately a gigantic sirloin of . bccfj a plum-pudding to matcli , and an enormous . .. pot of stout walk on to the stage , and pay their homage to Old England . In the midst of this scene Young England , a boy ( a very sorry philosopher ) , who has been heard crying , descends in . a cloud , surrounded by fireworks , with the mottoes above and below him , " Equality" and "The new Balance for the

    Future . '" The latter was exemplified by a large pair of scales . Seated in the balance at one end , with his heels and head out , was a noble lord ' smoking a cigar ; in the opposite balance sat a coal-heaver in a similar attitude , smoking a short pipe . A dialogue then takes place between Old and Young England , in which Old England " suggests that we are wise enough , and that his subjects want not philosophy to make them happy , b ut Bread an d C h eese , and ' Means of Health ; to which ' Young England replies : Right , sir , my views are these . When asked . how he will be , so knowing as to accomplish this , Young England replies , lie is small as . yet , but still is dally growing . Some . very pretty panoramic views then followed , an d after a p rett y considerable amount of business with Robin Hood ,

    jittle John , Allan-a-dale , the Sheuft of Nottingham , and Marian , all in accordance with the wellknowri history of those important personages , Youn g England again descended in his elouUand transformed Allan , into Havlecmm , Marian into Columbine , Robin Hood and Little John into Clown and S p rite , and the . Sheriff into Pantaloon , Then the usual pantomime scenes . commenced . Amongst the tricks which told best was the introduction of a large black bottle , labelled—a black dose lor the lawy e rs , law reform , 1844 , simu l taneous ly with the enire of a man habited as a counsel , in wig and gown , of whom the Clown is talcing advice , when Harlequin touched the bottle with his wand , and out sprang Lord Brougham in short plaid imwhisperables , in trainin g order , with boxin g g loves on , and immediately hit right and left at the counsel . This

    witti c ism told well . Another trick was vociferously cheered . A huge twelfth-cake was introduced ; Harlequin tou c hed it , an d a label d rop p e d , "TheLord Mayor for 1844 , " when up rose from the centre bfthc cake a black sheep with a large book under its f o re le g , ' labelled — Unbalanced Accounts Another—The prize pauper-show for 1844—exhibited a miserable , half-starved looking pauper fed on gruel , beside Prince Albert ' s prize pig , fed on the best barleynieal , —a boy stuffed till lie can scarcely walk . A box was touched by the Harlequin labelled—Medicine for the Milb ' on—Patent life pills , and opens out a si r loin of beef , a standin g p ie , and many other good thin g s , at sight of which tho hungry-looking pauper icks his lips . The pantomime was , upon the whole lively and bustling ; and though some may be better , many are worse , and will prove infinitely less attractive . > THE ADELPHI . The Christmas e nt e rt a inm e nt s at this th e atr e w er e abundant . Dickcns ' s Christmas Chimes , in itself a drama , furnishing food for thought to the philanthropist while ministering to the highest flights of imaginative romance , and , at the same time , cutting w i th the most caustic satire the disciples of Malthus who would q u e ll ever y f e elin g of h um a nit y to c arry out a heartless theory . This , however , was not all . The Chimes requires a great deal of scenic decoration , and so necessarily does a pantomime . It became , therefore , necessary to give breathing to the machinists ; and accordingly the very pleasant comic operetta of the Fox and the Goose intervened between the two real and . substantial entertainments of the evening . The pantomime was entitled the Cat's Castle ; or

    , Harlequin and the King of the Rats , founded , as the bills inform us , upon a categorical and doggrel poem , written by a laureate who invoked tho Jfeius m the middle ages , called Cat ' s Castle , and how it was besieged and taken . The plot of the . pantomime ,. the title of whi c h w e hav e g iven above , turns on the antipathy which is well known to prevail between the rats and the cats . When the transformations take place , the usual bustle , changes , a nd intricac i es o f the harlequinade ensue , and the ground is skip ped over with wonderful celerity by all the dramatis personce . 1 here was some pretty dancing by Harlequin and Columbine , and Clown and Pantaloon exerted themselves to the utmost to gratify their Christinas andience—jumping , tum b lin g , kickin g , and bein g kick ed —and they received thek- reward in hearty roars 6 i laughter . The pantomime was completely successful .

    THE PRINCESS'S . Mr . Gilbert A'Beckett is the author of the new extravaganza at this elegant theatre . The performances began with Batfe ' s o p era of the Castle ofAymon . llus concluded , . Mr . A'Beekett ' s new piece commenced , entitled Joe Miller and his Men . The scene opens with the fairy Court of Bankruptcy , with Apollo as commissioner ' of the Court , and JUtettty as the attorney ; the deities are bewailing the insolvency of Melpomene and Thalia , and Mercury proposes to restore the Briti s h dram a b y ¦ modernizing Macbeth him int

    m t'F 1111 ^ o a modern Scotchman with a iwced . At Apollo ' s suggestion , however , they agree ; o take the Miller and Ms Men , adapt its situations to the present tune , and , for the want of reason , turn them into rhyme . The deities are then dispersed under a cloud , and a beautiful scene is revealed , representing the branch banks of a river , with the mill in the distauce . Some of the points told bravely . For instance , when old Ivelmar is urging Claudine to marry Grindoff on account of Ills wealth , she says"Uot all his gold—his wheat—his oats—his barley " Could make me wish to be his better half . " Kelm . —Not all his corn ? " Claud . —No , nor all his chaff" —

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    excited great laug ..., Again , wlien Eotharc ( played with extravagant humour by Oxberry ) voluntoors to join : the robbers , and they bind his eyes , ho "Just leave sufficient freedom to the nose ; " ITereditarv brigands , don't you know , " The nose that would be free , himself must blow \» When Grindoff comes back to fetch his hat ho excuses himself for the apparent effeminacy by saying , with reference to the hatless heroes of the day' ' There ' s Wellington upon Cornhill , His head ' s remarkable for keeping cool . " And when at the last tho hero is summoned to sur . render , he exclaims : — " What , -yield to a set of supers ? I'd just as soon y ield to the Lumber Troopers . Yield to six men at eighteen-pence a night ! No , no , I'd rather take my chance and tight . "

    Miss Emma Stanley danced , sung , and acted de lHitfully throughout the piece s Oxbevry was occasionally clever , and a portion of the scenery , which the play bills ascribe to Mr . Beverley , is admirably painted , and shows that gentleman to be an artist of the highest range of talent .

    THE SURREY . The Christmas performances at this theatre com . meiiced with a new drama , entitle d the Seven Ages of Man , founded on Shakespere ' s celebrated description . The piece was received with unanimous approbation . Tho new pantomime is entitled Pounds , Shillings , and Fence ; or Harlequin L . £ > . I ) . Amongst the scenes which take jdace that representing th e M a rsh and Surrey toll-houses ( so long suffered to be a nuisance to the inhabitants on the Surrey side of the water ) was by no means the least effective . In the course of the p antomime Herr V o n J oe l ga ve hi s a dmi rab le imitations , of birds . The pantomimic bustle is well kept up throug h o ut , and no expense has been spared on the scenery and d e c r a ti on s of the i n trodu c t or y part . The house was crowded to an overflow , and was as uproarious as could be expected on a Christmas night . . .. .

    THE VICTORIA . Tho performances commenced with a domestic drama , entitled Poverty ; or , a Tale of Sorrow . This w as f o llowed b y the lau ghable burletta of The Roadside Inn , in which Miss Ter rcy introduced Widow Mahony , and was rapturously encored . The new Christmas entertainment bears the title of Harlequin Hot Codtins ; or , the Little Old Woman and the Demon of the dieted Mine . It is founded on the old nursery rhyme" There was an old woman , her living ; she got , 15 y selling codlins—hot—hot—hot !" The first scene introduces us to the pavilion of Pomona in the province of Pippins , and the opening - the Pippin Parliament by the Queen of Apples ( AT Toi'i'oy ) , and was much applauded . The next scene

    scnts a rural village at sunrise . Here we find I ol rol , a miller ( afterwards Harlequin ) , Mr . ' Cham < in love with Fal-lal-la ( afterwards Columbine ,, Mdlle . Levitc ; llifum Tifum , a dusty miller , father of Tol-de-rol ( afterwards Pantaloon ) , and Dame Tiddyiddy , the little old woman , mother of Fal-lal-la , are averse to the match ; and at length a transformation of the characters ensues , and the fun and frolic commences . In the scene which follows there was an excellent hit at the wretched rate which semptresses arc remunerated for their labour . One of those unfortunate females , who obtain a wretched su b s i stence by the i r n e e dl e , brings two sliirts to her emp loyer , over which is suspended a placard bearing these words , " Two . shirts for a halfpenny . " He gives her . an I . O . U . for two farthings , and the Clown arid Pantaloon immediately lay hold of him ,

    and put him into a bag , which , on being removed , presents a " man of marble . " The au d ience caught up this allusion , and gave it one loud cheer--a cheer expressive of the hatred of the British public for a species of slavery which is inflicted on the young and weak by their employers , whilst they are amassing wealth b y the weary ing , wrctchedly-reniunerated to il w h ich they impose upon them , Amongst the political events of the passing year which , were turned into ridicule were Lord Brougham ' s Bill for the Abolishment of Imprisonment for Debt ; Prince Join « ville and the bombardment of Tangier ; and the c >« pionage in the Post-oificc . Several postmen were drawn up on the stage with letters in their hands , and were drilled in the opening of letters by the Clown ( a ft e r Punch ) . The hous e was cr o wd e d , and the audience , as is usually the case on boxing-day , was a good-natured one .

    OITY OF LONDON . During the representation of Sheridan ' s plav of Pigarro , at this Theatre , a n unfortun a te accident occurred , which might have proved serious . Rolla ( Mr . F . Pliillips ) with the child were passing the bridge , in the last act , when the structure g ave wa y , and they were both violently precipitated to the ground . Rolla , however , a pp e a red with the chil d , and assur ed the audience that not the slightest injury had been received by either . The new pantomime followed , which is called the Fairy Gnomes of the Golden Caves , or Harlequin and tlie Imp of tlie Giant Mountain . The pantomime was successful . So said the audience , an d who shall dare to g a in sa y th e ir verdict ?

    THE STRAND . The performances here consisted of a dramatised version of Mr . Charles Dickens's inestimable Ckristmao Carol , and the eternal Polka , followed by a new piece , entitled A Cfdnese Exhibition ; the performances concluding with a piece which had been previously acted in this theatre , and s t y led th e Knight and the Sjtrite ; or , the Cold . WaterCure : the whole of which appeared , from an iinaniinous call on the part of the audience for the principal performers , to have given universal satisfaction .

    . . . . THE OLYMPIC . At this theatre the holiday folk were treated to tlie old Christmas favourite , George Barnwell , Mr . West taking the part of the fine lady who ruined the handsome apprentice . The pantomime was entitled Old Bogie ; or , Harlequin Lazy Dick of Leadmhall , andJLfo . tlier Luddenham , the Witch of Hipping Forest . There are many amusing transformations in the piece , and the usual number of skits at the follies of the day . Mr . Ellar ' s Harlequin was a pleasing performance , ihc house was well filled , and the audience appeared to be thoroughly delighted .

    : MARYL E B O NE . After theplay of The Stranger , which was performed m a manner certainly deserving a more attentive audience than was assembled in this theatre on lhursday ni g ht , the appropriate and eagerly expected Christmas tare was served up in . the shape of a new grand p antomim e , under the title of General Tom Thumb ; or , Harlequin Punch and the Spirits of the Uements . The entertainment went off with < n-eat spirit , and is likely to have a highly successful career , lo tins result the excellence of the scenery dresses , and decorations will not a little contribute : 0110 scene in particular , representing the hew Houses of Parliament as seen from the opposite side of the river , deserves to be singled our for special commendation .

    GRATUITOUS EXHIBITIONS At the present holiday time the publication of the ioUorang hst of public exhibitions , which maybe seen free of charge , may be useful to our London readers . The British Museum , Great IiusseU-street , Bhomshtry . — This great national exhibition , with its extensive and r « . cent additions , will afford ample amusement to the admirer Of natural history , and materiall y assist the research of the anti quavian-open on Thursday , Friday , and Monday . . *' Tfce National Gallery , Trafalgar-square . —Large collection of pictures , by ancient and modern masters—anv day except Friday and Saturday . tostTndia Company ' s Museum East India Horn , —Large collection ot objects of interest from the Eastern worldpn Saturday .

    Geolagkal Museum , Craig ' s ^ oxwt , Charing-cross . —Most interesting collection of geological specimens and remains m natural history—Daily . London Missionary Xnseum , Bloomfield-simt , Moorfieldi , —Heathen anil other curiosities brought home hv tlio missionary preachers of the society from every quarter of tlio globe . This collection has been made with great care , and is highly interesting—Thursday , Saturday , and Tuesday . •" JUWii o / the Itoyal CoUcge of Surgeons , MncoWs-Inn PwW 8 . ~ ThlS musoum , foundtd by the celebrated John Hunter , contains almost innumerable objects of interest , amongst which are the skeleton of 0 U 3 rian , the Irish giant ( nearly eight feet in height ) , and of Miss Creachamc , the Sicilian dwarf , who , when alive , was stated to weigh but six pounas . -Mouday , Tuesday , WuiSncsdoj , and Thursday . Sir John Soane ' s Jfitscum , Lincoln ' s-Inr vifW * — Tlmrs . day and Friday .

    Government School of Design , Somerset Hous \ Mi-oni . - Monday . MU& Service Museum , Great Sootland-wl Mnlehull . — An immense collection of naval and military trophies , brought from all parts of the world . —Saturday—any other day by a member's order . Royal Gardens , Kcw . —Dnily . Hampton Court Palace . —This ancient palace can be seen daily ( Friday excepted ) . Greenwich Hospit < d and JPaivted Hall—Friday . J > ulwwh Gallery of Pointings . —Every day , except Friday . The following also may bo viewed , by obtaining a membor ' s order;—Society of Arts , AMphi ; IloyiU Institution Museum , Albcmarle-street ; Asiali ? . Museum , Oraftonstreet ; Entomological Museum , Uond-street ; Liiuvw-Collection , Soho-square ; Botanic Gardens , Chelsea ; Economic Geology Museum , Horticultural Gardens , Cliiswick ; Royal Botanic Gardens , Regent ' s-park ; and the Stafford Gallery , Belgravc-square .

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    Untitled Article

    Printed By Dougal M'Gowan, Of 17,. Great Windmillstreet, Haymarket, In The City Of Westminster, At The

    Printed by DOUGAL M'GOWAN , of 17 ,. Great Windmillstreet , Haymarket , in the City of Westminster , at the

    Othoe m the same Street and Parish , for the froprietor , FE ARGUS O'CONNOR , Esq ., andpublished by William Hewitt , of So . 18 , Charles-street , Brandonstreet , VTalworth , in the Parish of St . Mary , NeTving - ton , in the County of Surrey , at the Office , JJ 6 V 340 , Strand , in the Parish of St . Mary-le-Strand , in the City of Westminster Saturday , January 4 , 1 S 45 .

    Untitled Article

    hter t ' January 4 , 1845 . THE NORTHERN STAR .

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• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 4, 1845, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1296/page/8/