Page 26 - Reading Mercury

th
Fri 8 April
Information having been given to the Magistrates of Bow Street, that a society of
men met at a public-house in Westminster, who, by their behaviour, were thoroughly
suspected to be guilty of abominable practices, several people were sent from the said
office on Wednesday night, and took them all into custody, with the landlord. They
were carried on Thursday before the above Magistrates, and nineteen of them were
committed to prison. There was so great a crowd of people about Sir John Fielding’s
door , that it was with difficulty the peace officers could conduct them alive to the
place of confinement.

A person of fortune, who all the last winter made a remarkable figure in the polite
world, went off yesterday morning, in consequence (as it is said) of being concerned
with the gentry who were taken up on suspicion of unnatural practices, at a public-
house in Westminster, on Thursday last.

On Thursday night, about twelve o’clock, as a man belonging to the secretary of
State’s office, was going with the State’s letters to the general post-office, a Customs-
house officer stopped him in Cheapside, held a pistol to his head, and demanded to
see what he had in his bag; the person not knowing that he was an officer, called the
watch, who seized him, took a brave of pistols from him, and lodged him in the
Poultry compter; he was yesterday carried before the Lord Mayor, when as both
parties belonged to office under Government, his Lordship recommended it to them
to make up the affair, which was done, on the Customs-house officer’s
acknowledging his error, asking pardon, making a present to the injured party, and
paying the watchmen for their trouble; he was then dismissed.

JOHN FENNEMORE PAINTER AND GLAZIER
In the MARKET-PLACE, WOKINGHAM
Returns his grateful Thanks to his Friends and Customers who have been pleased to
employ him; and, at the same time begs a continuance of their Favours, assuring them
they may depend on being served with the greatest punctuality, and on lowest terms.
N.B. He sells Oils and Colours ready prepared at the lowest prices. Also Twine,
Thread, Hemp, Flax, Sacks, and all items of Grindery, Glue and fine Chamber Oil.

th
Fri 15 April
BURGLARY AND FELONY
Whereas in the night time of Friday, the fifth day of April last, the dwelling-house
of EDWARD PRYOR, of Twyford, in Hurst, in the County of Wilts, was feloniously
and burglariously broken open, and one game cock, the property of George Dyer (of
which the said Edward Pryor was entrusted with the care) was feloniously stolen,
taken and carried away from thence, which game cock the said Edward Pryor, on
nd
Saturday the 2 day of April instant, found concealed in the dwelling-house of
ROBERT BELSON the Younger, of the parish of Wokingham, in the County of
Berks, Labourer; to the said Edward Pryor, having just cause to suspect that the said
Robert Belson did commit the said felony and burglary, as well from his so finding
the same, as from many other circumstances, he the said Edward Pryor, on enquiry,
apprehended the said Robert Belson within the jurisdiction of the town of
nd
Wokingham, in Berks, on the said 2 day of April inst and left him in the care and
custody of Jasper Blandford and William Monk, Petty Constables of the said town,

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