161. MARY MORRIS proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 27th of November last, twelve yards of silk ribbon, value 12 s. the property of John Gilson Bambridge proceedingsvictim , privily in his shop .

MARY BAMBRIDGE < no role > sworn.

I am a milliner in Tavistock-street , on Saturday evening, the 25th of November, between six and seven, the prisoner came to my shop, she came in alone, and asked for some ribbons, several boxes were shewn her; I did not serve her; she stood three or four minutes before I was informed of the robbery, she did not buy any thing before she went out; I was informed by the next witness.

Mr. Peatt, Council for the Prisoner. Tell the Court what you know, not what you was informed? - This piece of ribbon was missing, and I went to her, and from under her cloak, under her right arm, I shook this piece of ribbon; the next witness saw her take it, there was fourteen yards, or rather more.

Court. What may it be worth a yard? - It cost one and twenty pence a yard, I am sure of the ribbon by my husband's writing upon it "21," the word and figures,

"18 yards," also are his hand writing.

Court. What did the prisoner say when the ribbon dropped from under her cloak? - She denied it; I immediately took her into custody, I am sure it dropped from under her cloak.

Mr. Peatt. It was between six and seven? - Yes.

Then you had candles on the counter? - Yes, I was on the right hand, not far from her.

Had she frequented your shop? - I never saw her in my shop before, I saw nothing of this transaction before I was told of it, there were four customers in the shop when I came up to her; I suppose there might be eight or nine at first, but not near her; I came from behind the right-hand counter, she was served at the left-hand counter; there was nobody near her when I came up to her, she had a black cloak on, but not a long one; I saw it drop from her, it was rolling from her right heel.

Is not it a common pattern? - I can swear both to the figures and the words.

Have not you sold a great many ribbons of that pattern before? - Never.

Is not that a usual length? - It is half a piece.

I suppose other shop-keepers mark their ribbons in the same manner? - I do not know what other people do, I never saw any marked in the same stile that that is done.

How long before this evening was it that you saw this ribbon in the drawer? - I had taken it out of the window before candle-light that very evening.

Was you before the Magistrate? - I was.

The Magistrate thought very slightly of the circumstance; as it was then made out in evidence did not he? - I did not understand him so.

Did he offer to take bail? - I never heard a word about it.

ANNA MARIA OLIVER < no role > sworn.

I am apprentice to the last witness, I remember seeing the prisoner perfectly well; she came to our shop on Saturday the 27th of November, between six and seven, I served her, she asked for ribbons, I shewed her several drawers, she did not buy any; she fixed on one, and asked the price of it, she took a piece with her left hand; I do not recollect the price of it, I was so confused, but I saw her put her right-hand and take a piece out of the drawer, and conceal it under her cloak, the piece she had in her left hand she gave to me; I went and informed Mrs. Bambridge, she immediately went to the prisoner, and shook her, and the ribbon fell from her; I was by, it appeared to fall from under her petticoats: this is the piece of ribbon, I saw her put it under her cloak, but it dropped from under her petticoat.

Mr. Peatt. You was very much confused? - Yes, there were one or two more women there, and a man came into the shop, I missed two or three pieces more; I am sure the prisoner was the person; I saw the piece under her cloak; my mistress was at the opposite compter.

Was not you directing your observation to your mistress? - No, I could not, there was another lady stood before me, they were at the other counter, about a yard and a half off.

Are you sure it dropped from under her petticoat? - I am not sure, but it so appeared.

Which side did it drop, near the ladies, or near the door? - Near the ladies.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I went into the shop to buy some ribbon, and that young lady shewed me a box, that was too low a price, she shewed me some at another price, I agreed for two yards at one shilling a yard, I laid down two shillings, I thought she was gone round to cut it off, and she went round to tell her mistress she was robbed; she said she missed a piece of ribbon, says she, whether it was the lady that went out, or this lady, I cannot say, but I suspect this lady; I believe there were ten or twelve people in the shop, they took me backwards and stripped me, and found nothing at all upon me; when they came back, they found such a piece of ribbon; they kept me from ten minutes after five till eight.

Court to Mrs. Bambridge. Did the ribbon drop before you searched her? - From my shaking her; she went into a little room, and I followed her, missing other things, but no other than this we found upon her or near her.

Court to Miss Oliver. You did not suspect any of the rest of the company? - No, I told Mrs. Bambridge I saw her take it.

The prisoner called three witnesses who gave her a very good character.

GUILTY Of stealing, but not privately .

To be privately whipped , and discharged.

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice WILLES.