Person or Persons Unknown (Sir John Fielding) by Alexander Bruce

Author:Alexander, Bruce [Alexander, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780425165669
Amazon: 0425165663
Published: 1998-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

In Which Sir John

Dispenses Justice,

Swift and Rough

Of all that has been said of Sir John Fielding in these years since he has passed on, that which has been said oftenest is also truest: He was a just man.

In the field of law, that is a quality, alas, far rarer than one might suppose. Upon Sir John, as magistrate, fell the duty of charging the wrong-doer. This was sometimes no easy matter, for it might happen that a deed has been done that is plainly a punishable offense, yet for which no precise law, neither felony nor misdemeanor, may exist. In such circumstances, and in the interest of justice, the magistrate must show ingenuity in fitting a proper law to the particular wrong that has been done. At meting out such rough justice, none did ever excel Sir John.

I know of no better example to put before you than his handling of those prisoners taken by Mr. Fuller at Number 6 King Street. Clearly, each had committed an offense of greater or lesser gravity, but was there anything in English Common Law to fit their crimes? I knew of nothing — but then, I was just a boy who hung about the court to learn what he might. Yet now I am no longer that boy but a barrister, and I would still say that I know of no laws that would have fit them exact.

That their actions had been most scandalous and shocking was evidenced by the reaction of the courtroom crowd when, at Sir John’s bidding, Mr. Fuller gave forth his discoveries upon reaching the premises of the murdered woman. Mistress Tribble. There were murmurs among the listeners, and again and again that sound of breath sharply taken in which is the commonest expression of horrified astonishment. Towards the end of his story, when he told of the actions of the victim’s putative husband, there were groans and shouts of anger from the assemblage. For once, Sir John withheld the gavel. I daresay he wished the prisoners to sense the outrage of all against them.

When the constable had concluded. Sir John banged down his gavel at last and called the court to order.

“Mr. Fuller,” said he, “remain where you are, if you will, for I expect I shall have some questions as I consider the matter of each of the prisoners you have brought me.” A pause, then: “Prisoners, stand before me.”

The five rose raggedly, and no doubt with some discomfort, for they were still attached at the neck, each to the other, with Mr. Fuller’s double-length of stout rope; the first and fifth of them wore hand-irons.

“First of all, you must identify yourselves for Mr. Mars-den’s record of these proceedings.”

That they did — as Albert Palgrave, Ezekiel Satterthwait, Thomas Cobum, Lemuel Tinker, and Edward Tribble. Mr. Marsden had a bit of difficulty with the second name; he asked Mr. Satterthwait to spell it, which the prisoner could not. The court clerk made do.

“Now, each of you,” said Sir John, “has behaved shamefully.

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