Taylor (then and still a prisoner in the House of Correction), the manner in which I was to regain my liberty, he proposed Smith as a fit person to unlock my door, from the circumstance of his cell being next to one that was always open. I accordingly procured William Folkard to employ a person to make the keys: the impression of the large one was taken on soap, and I sent out a padlock, of which there were several in an adjoining cell to mine, as a pattern of the remainder. These, when made, were brought to the jail by Folkard, and through the contrivance of a servant in the prison (not one of Mr Aris's family), and whose name I must beg to be excused at present from mentioning, as I do not wish to injure him, nor is it necessary for Mr Aris's exculpation. This person permitted me to be alone with Folkard in the office, and the parcel containing the keys, and likewise an iron hook, were concealed in my clothes. Smith had provided himself with a poker to break through the wall, and had informed me, by the medium of Taylor, he supposed he could be with me by one o'clock in the morning, and I placed the keys behind a spout, in the empty cell, ready for him. A few days before the attempt was to be made, I wrote to Folkard to provide a rope ladder, and to be ready with two friends on the Tuesday morning at one o'clock, to throw it over the wall, on my giving a signal for that purpose. I did not receive an answer from him till the following afternoon, and which answer was brought me by the before-mentioned servant, and in which Folkard merely said he would, with two others, be at the place at the time appointed. About a quarter before one o'clock Smith had broke out of his cell, and unlocked my door, and we remained together till the clock struck, and then went through the body of the prison. About twenty yards from the west

side of the main gate was the spot appointed for Folkard and friends to be at, and the signal was throwing a stone over. Immediately on getting to the wall I made the signal, but to no purpose, and continued at intervals to repeat it till near three o'clock in the morning, and at last found it was by our own exertions alone we could expect to get away. We first tried with the padlock-key to undo the padlock which fastened the ladders in the yard, in the hopes of placing them against the wall, but our key, would not accomplish it, and Smith tied many small pieces of rope together, of which there was a quantity in the yard; and having made a sufficient length to reach from the top of the wall to the ground, he fas‐ tened the hook I had provided to the end of the rope. I then climbed up

the iron bars, and got upon the lodge, and attempted to throw my hook and rope over the wall, but it would not hold.

I then ascended to the top of the wall by the assistance of the projecting stones which are in the side of the main gate, and my

ascension was

facilitated by two or three nails which were in the wall I had taken the rope with me, and when at the top, put the hook in a cramp-iron which fastens the stone coping, and let the rope down to Smith, who, having climbed the lodge, pulled himself up to the top. We then shifted a few yards, that we might descend on the grass plot in case the rope broke. I let myself down first, but lacerated my hands greatly, and was followed by Smith, to whom i gave a 51. note, and at the same time told him to go on board a man of war and hide himseif, for that a reward would be offered for our apprehension, and then parted with him. I was desired by Folkard, when he gave me the keys, to be sure to bring them away with me if I succeeded, to prevent the discovery of his having caused them to

be made, and that the blame might fall upon Mr Aris, who, consequently, would be supposed to have let me out. When I found I was not likely to be succoured from without, according to promise, with the rope ladder, I stuck the largest one in the dirt, where it was found, and assisted Smith in tying the rope together, and, my anxiety was so great, I did not think of the key till I had got to the top of the wall, and was then afraid to descend, as it was getting day-light and we might be discovered, and I could not call to Smith to bring it for fear of awaking the turnkeys, so was obliged to leave it. The padlock-key I had in my pocket, which I put under the step of à door in the second or third street I came to, and which, I have no doubt, I could find at this day. Immediately I found myself at liberty, I went to Folkard's and knocked him up; he was surprised to see me; wondered how I had cleared the wall, and informed me he was at the place appointed before one o'clock, with the ladder, and two persons to assist him, but that one of them was alarmed, and communicating his fears to the others, they went away, fearing, if found under the wall at that unseasonable hour with the rope, they should be taken into custody. I can, by four people (independent of Folkard,) who saw me the day I escaped, prove in what state my hands were.

"These I do most solemnly declare are the facts of my escape; and could it be possible for me, at this time, to be taken to the House of Correction, I would forfeit my life if I did not ascend to the top of the wall, in the same place as I did before, without the assistance of any thing, in ten minutes. I am actuated by no other motive in detailing this, than to remove from a much-injured individual the odium, and supposed knowledge and confederacy with my escape, which has hitherto

been attached to him, and that the public in general, and more especially the gentlemen of the county of Middlesex, may, at last, do him that justice which has been denied him; and I think it proper likewise to state, that, since my reapprehension, I have been visited by many gentlemen, who have questioned me relative to my escape, to whom I have invariably declared the truth, as here stated, and acquitted Mr Aris, and all his family, of any knowledge or connivance in it. It is proper for me to mention, that during the time I was in his custody I never had more than forty pounds in my possession. No hope, promise, or expectation, has been held out to me to write this; and my narrative will be the more credited, when I declare, that soon after I was retaken, and when I expected nothing but an ignominious death, I have always declared as here related, and should any further elucidation be necessary, I am most ready to communicate it. ROBERT ROBERTS. "State-side, Newgate, Sept. 2, 1811."

MARLBOROUGH Street.-A man of the name of Ross, a valet-de-chambre to a gentleman of fortune (out of livery), was yesterday charged at this office, by a respectable tradesman in Mary-le-bone Street, with criminal conversation with his wife, under her own roof, on Wednesday evening. The prosecutor's relation of this singular affair was as follows:-He had been given to understand, against his belief, that his rib was faithless during his absence from London, which frequently occur. red in business, and on Wednesday he pretended to leave home for the country, in order to satisfy himself how far the report was correct. The lady took her evening walk about dusk, and at the corner of Wimpole-street she met the defendant, who accompanied her back to her residence, and after some chat at the door both walked in. In a short time after, the husband saw a light

in his bed-room, and no longer able to endure anxiety so painful, he got into the house, and stealing gently to the bed-room door, he was satisfied that his wife was an unfaithful jade. The door was locked, but he burst it open with fury, and beheld the defendant in the arms of his wife. The husband attacked the unwelcome stranger a la Crib, and he made a precipitate retreat into the street, where he begged for mercy, which was administered by taking him to the watch-house. The gallant denied ever having seen the lady until captivated by her appearance in the street on Monday evening; and as a proof of the sudden attachment to her person, he had presented her with a one-pound note. The husband solemnly protested he had every faith in his wife's virtue until he had ocular demonstration of her guilt. The magistrate had no jurisdiction to punish, it being a case at civil law, and the defendant was discharged.

23d.-CLERKENWELL SESSIONS. THE SHAM PARSON.-Robert Ackerley Taylor, the pretended vicar of Hertford, stood indicted for fraudulently obtaining from Major John Cartwright the sum of two pounds, on the 12th of February last, under false and fraudulent pretences.

It appeared, from the evidence of Major Cartwright, that the prisoner came to him on the day above stated, and presented him with a letter of introduction from Sir Francis Burdett, (who, it appears, was equally imposed on), stating the bearer to be the Rev. Mr Taylor, vicar of Hertford, who wished to be introduced to him on particular business. The prisoner was shewn into the room where the major was sitting in conversation with a gentleman; but the prisoner desired a private audience of the major, which being granted, the prisoner signified that the object of his visit was to solicit aid for an unfortunate gen

tlewoman at Hertford, whose husband had lately died, leaving his widow and children in very indigent circumstances.

The house and furniture of this poor gentlewoman was stated to have been seized for a debt of 1001. and must be sold, and she and her orphans turned into the street, unless the amount of her debt could be paid. The prisoner said, that he, commiserating her hard case, had undertaken to solicit a subscription for her relief; that Mr Plumer, of Hertfordshire, had humanely contributed 201., and Mr Brand the like sum; that Sir Francis Burdett had also contributed very liberally, but had desired the sum he gave and his name might be kept a secret. Major Cartwright, not doubting the truth of this plausible story, presented the prisoner with a two-pound bank note towards the subscription.

On returning to the first room, the prisoner joined in conversation with the major and his friend upon a variety of topics; and amongst others, upon parliamentary reform and clerical affairs, upon which latter he took occasion to mention his own labours in the vineyard of the gospel. He then took his leave. Some time afterwards, Major Cartwright learned from various quarters, that he was a common impostor, who had levied similar contributions upon several of his acquaintances; that he was a prisoner in the King's Bench, and had actually come out of that place upon a day rule on the very morning on which he had practised this notable manoeuvre. The major, upon discovery of this fact, was determined to punish the impostor; and, as a first step, lodged a detainer against him at the prison-gate for forty shillings. On the 25th of July following, the major received a letter from the prisoner, expressing his contrition for having improperly obtained from him the sum in question: but. earnestly entreating that he would not

follow up the step which he had taken with any severity towards an unfortunate gentleman, to whom any such severity would be totally ruinous; that he was thoroughly sensible of his error, felt the greatest contrition, was determined for the future to persevere in the paths of rectitude, and to maintain most strictly the mens sibi conscia recti, &c. &c.

A person who was in the Bench at the same time with the prisoner, proved his hand-writing on these two letters.

The prisoner, after apologizing that his embarrassed circumstances debarred him of the means of retaining counsel, undertook to cross-examine Major Cartwright; which he did in a style of insolence rarely paralleled at any bar, even towards the vilest witness. He interrogated Major Cartwright whether he had not tampered with him about parliamentary reform, and endeavoured to lure him by pecuniary offers to exert his influence at Hertford in the cause; to which the major answered decidedly in the negative. He asked the major what was the number of the note that he pretended to have given him; and what was the name of the woman for whom he was accused of soliciting charity? But the answers he received by no means assisted his purpose. He then charged the major with having sworn falsely, and wished of all things to examine Mr Walker (the gentleman who was at Major Cartwright's when the prisoner was,) Mr Brand, and Mr Plumer. These gentlemen's names were called, but none of them were in attendance.

The prisoner being now called on for his defence, had no witnesses either to facts or character: but addressed the court and jury in a short speech. He again lamented his incapacity to employ a counsel; but he felt that he was standing before a British court and jury, where the accused, as well as

the accuser, was sure of a fair and impartial hearing. The charge this day brought against him, false and unfounded as it was, proceeded from a man who had offered him 8001. if he would exert his influence in his native county in the cause of parliamentary reform; and he might have had thousands from him and his party, if he would only have consented to lend himself to their purposes; but he rejected their overtures with scorn, because he was convinced that their true object was to overturn church and state. He was himself, it was true, an embarrassed man, and had been three years and a half a prisoner for debt. He felt that he was a degraded man, and still more deeply degraded by having his name coupled with that of Major Cartwright and his associates. He had nothing more to offer, but to cast himself upon the commiseration of the court and jury.

The jury without a minute's hesitation found the prisoner Guilty.

He was sentenced to transportation for seven years.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.-On Tuesday, Richard Andrews, and Alexander Hall, were tried for obtaining, up

on

false pretences, the sum of 131. 5s., from Isaac Kendall, of St Clement's Church-yard, on the 12th of February last.

From the statement of Mr Alley, for the prosecution, and the evidence adduced, the following is a brief display of the circumstances :-On the 12th of February last, the prisoners came to the house of the prosecutor, who keeps the St Clement's Coffeehouse, in St Clement's Church-yard. They ordered dinner; after which, and their desert and wine, they called for the bill, which was sent in; and Hall presented in payment a check upon the bank of Messrs Drummond and Co., Charing-cross. Some objections having been made to the check by Mr Kendall, for some informality

in the wording, Mr Andrews, whose check it was, in favour of Hall, immediately looked at it, and acknowledged and apologized for the error, adding, he would immediately draw another; and, taking out his check-book, immediately wrote one for the like sum, and gave it to the prosecutor, who, having known Hall for about a year before, called him aside, and asked him whether all was right; to which Hall answered, “Oh, most certainly; Mr Andrews is a man of the first respectability:" upon which the prosecutor gave Hall the difference in change. On the following morning, Mr Kendall sent the check for payment to the banker's, but was not a little surprised on being told, the drawer had kept no cash there for five years past. Mr Kendall found he was duped, and never afterwards saw the prisoners till they were in custody for another offence. A clerk from the house of Drummond and Co. proved that the prisoner Andrews had no cash account there since the year 1805, but a balance of, 3s. 6d. which he had not drawn.

The prisoners adduced no evidence whatever, and the jury found both Guilty.

They were next put on their trial for a similar fraud of 301. upon Mr Brandall, of the Artichoke tavern, Blackwall, on the 12th of August last. To this indictment Andrews at first had pleaded guilty, but afterwards withdrew his plea, and proposed to

take his trial.

The circumstances of this case were as follows :-The prisoners came to the house of Mr Brandall on the day above stated, and desired him to prepare a turtle dinner for a party of twenty gentlemen on the following Thursday; for which they agreed to pay him a guinea per head, exclusively of wine. They then ordered a small dinner for themselves; and when the cloth was removed, they

requested the prosecutor to sit down with them, and take a glass of wine. Andrews then told him he expected a letter from a gentleman of the Tower on particular business, which would be brought under cover to him the prosecutor, and requested he would take care of it for him. Shortly after. wards came a messenger with a letter, and on opening the envelope, Mr Bran dall found one adressed to Richard Andrews, Esq., which he gave to that prisoner; who, on reading it, exclaim ed, with an air of easy unconcern--" I don't think I have so much change about me: Hall, have you any money? Here's my friend has just closed his bargain, and has not quite money enough to complete the purchase, but writes to me for 301." Hall took out his pocket book, and said, "I have only a 101. note about me, and here it is."" That's unlucky," replied Andrews, "for I believe I have only a 101. note about me, and that won't make enough: What am I to do? It is too far, and too late, now to send to my bankers.-Oh! perhaps, Mr Brandall, you could accommodate me with change for a check; I only want 301. I'd give you a check on my bankers, Cocks and Biddulph, for 501. and you can keep the 201. towards my dinner bill on Thursday." Mr Brandall, anxious to accommodate so good a customer, flew to give him the change; and had a few glasses of wine and a pleasant joke or two in return for his kindness. The guests took their departure with great affability, repeating their injunctions about the excellence of the next Thursday's banquet, and promising to be good customers if they liked his treatment. The host of the Artichoke put his whole stock of politeness into requisition, made them half a dozen of his lowest and best bows, and accom panied them to their carriage door. But they forgot to keep their Thursday's appointment; nor did it appear