Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 23 Feb 1881: books stolen from Mr Birks, vicar of Trumpington

AN UNGRATEFUL FELLOW.

At Greenwich, on Wednesday, Samuel Barriscale, 17, was charged before Mr Balguy, with stealing a number of valuable books belonging to the Rev. Mr (Edward) Birkes (sic), of Trumpington, Cambridge. The prosecutor, who until recently occupied Bendley-house, Greenwich, took the prisoner into his house out of charity, as he was homeless, and employed him in packing up his books for conveyance to Cambridge. Several volumes were missed, and the prisoner confessed to having taken one. The matter was placed in the hands of the police, and it was found that the prisoner had sold about 20 of the prosecutor’s books to one Humphrey, a dealer, of Greenwich. Humphrey, sworn, said the prisoner brought him some books, which he said belonged to his brother, who was giving up studying at Cambridge. He bought “Cassel’s Illustrated Shakespeare,” “Lives of English Cardinals,” “Essays on Shakespeare,” and about 20 smaller works for about 30s. Prisoner declared he did not receive half that amount for them. He pleased guilty and said he wanted to go back to America, where all his friends were. Mr. Balguy sentenced the prisoner to three months’ hard labour, and said he thought Mr Humphrey had been indiscreet in buying books without inquiry.