A STRANGE ACCUSATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 3

A STRANGE ACCUSATION.

We clip the subjoined paragraph from the Melbourne Argus :—lt must be confessed, says an English journal, that there is something illogical in giving into custody' a beggar avlio solicits alms for himself and his family and at the same time alloAVing one who demands pecuniary assistance for an institution, or in furtherance of some object lie has m view, to escape scot ! free. The ragged outcast who pleads for a copper in the street is seldom so great a ! nuisance or so pertinacious as the solemn individual in a black and white neckcloth. Clergymen and others will do well to take Avarning by tho case of the Rev. Charles Gillies, who with William Brown, has been charged, at the Leith Police Court Avith begging. The charge against Brown Avas departed from in order tu- 1 he might give evidence. The defence Avaa that the rev. gentleman had not been soliciting alms, hut requested subscriptions Avith a vieAV of liquidating the debt upon his church. Brown deposed that he was assisting in this collection, receiving a reasonable sum for his trouble. Ho (Brown) had lists of people in different parts of the country avlio were likely to give subscriptions to religious and charitable objects, and he kneAv those Avho were kind arid unkind in the different towns. Ultimately, Bailie Pentland, who presided, found the charge not proved, but cautioned Mr Gillies to have nothing to do Avith BroAvn. It must, no doubt, been a great annoyance to the Rev. Mr Gillies to appear in a police court on a charge of begging, but his annoyance could not be greater than that endured by many people daily Avho are asked for subscriptions which they can hardly refuse, and still more, can hardly afford to give.