Keys

Theft. - Elizabeth Dunham was put to the bar, charged with stealing two keys, the property of the governor and company of the Bank of England, on the 28th of August.

The prisoner pleaded guilty to the fact of taking the keys, but would not admit that it was a theft. She was respectably dressed, and while Mr. Bosanquet was stating the case, appeared to pay great attention to him. He said the only object of the Bank in bringing forward this prosecution was, that the prisoner might be sent to a place where she could be taken proper care of. It appeared that when her room was searched there were found not less than 4,000 keys. Among them were the keys of the Church Missionary Society, Bell's-buildings, of the counting-house of the duke of York's school, the padlock of Greenwich watchhouse, the key of the College of Physicians, of the Royal Exchange, the Temple stairs, county prison, Maidstone gaol, the council-room Guildhall, and many others. They were all ticketed, and the day carefully recorded on which they were taken. Mr. Bosanquet having closed the case, Shackwell, the porter of the Bank, was called for the purpose of identifying the keys, which having done, the prisoner requested that they might be put into her hands for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were the same found in her room.

This being allowed, the moment the poor woman got them into her possession, she exclaimed with an air of high satisfaction and triumph, "Now I have got them, I shall hold them for the rights of my king, my country, and myself." She then wrapped them up carefully in a pocket handkerchief, and said nothing should induce her to give them up but a free pardon from the Prince Regent.

The constable who searched her lodgings was then examined. He stated that he found there not less than 4,000 keys, all of which were labelled except about 200.

Being called upon for her defence, she said that she had done all this; that she had taken all the keys for her own rights, which she could not otherwise obtain. She thought that by doing so she would secure her own rights as well as those of her country, as the persons who own them would thereby be obliged to come forward and do her justice.

Mr. Justice Richardson. - Have you any witnesses to call ?

Prisoner. - I don't know that I have; I see no witnesses. I have got many relations, but no friends.

The jury, under the direction of the Court, acquitted the prisoner upon the ground of insanity. She was, however, detained for the purpose of being taken the proper care of which her situation required.