They resume their places--a dead silence prevails as the foreman delivers in the verdict--'Guilty!' A shriek bursts from a female in the gallery; the prisoner casts one look at the quarter from whence the noise proceeded; and is immediately hurried from the dock by the gaoler.

The clerk directs one of the officers of the Court to 'take the woman out,' and fresh business is proceeded with, as if nothing had occurred.
No imaginary contrast to a case like this, could be as complete as that which is constantly presented in the New Court, the gravity of which is frequently disturbed in no small degree, by the cunning and pertinacity of juvenile offenders.

A boy of thirteen is tried, say for picking the pocket of some subject of her Majesty, and the offence is about as clearly proved as an offence can be.

He is called upon for his defence, and contents himself with a little declamation about the jurymen and his country--asserts that all the witnesses have committed perjury, and hints that the police force generally have entered into a conspiracy 'again' him.

However probable this statement may be, it fails to convince the Court, and some such scene as the following then takes place: _Court_: Have you any witnesses to speak to your character, boy?
_Boy_: Yes, my Lord; fifteen gen'lm'n is a vaten outside, and vos a vaten all day yesterday, vich they told me the night afore my trial vos a comin' on.
_Court_.