A LETTER TO THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND, BY RICHARD SILL [LATE ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS OF HER MAJESTY'S COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH]; UPON THE RECENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM, ARISING OUT OF THE INDICTMENT AGAINST JOHN BROOME AND OTHERS, FOR CARD CHEATING,
[London: 1853]. 65, [1 blank] pp. Title page loose but present, fore-edge chipped and reinforced with archival tape. Bound in modern blue paper over boards. Browned, light edgewear and chipping. The number '4' in early manuscript written at head of title page. Good.
Richard Sill, a solicitor in the Queen's Court, was indicted in 1852 for taking a bribe as prosecutor in the "notorious Brighton card cheating case." As prosecuting attorney, he agreed to arrange for a case to be dismissed, in exchange for money. When he failed, defendants informed the Court of the bribe. Sill was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor.
The conviction was reversed in January, 1853, on a very technical ground. Nevertheless, Sill was removed from the Roll of Attorneys in May, 1853. [THE HOUSEHOLD NARRATIVE OF CURRENT EVENTS, MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT TO "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," CONDUCTED BY CHARLES DICKENS. 29th July to the 27th August, 1852, Pages 173-4; 28th August to the 27th September, 1852. Page 201; THE LEGAL OBSERVER DIGEST, AND JOURNAL OF JURISPRUDENCE... MAY TO OCTOBER, 1853, INCLUSIVE. VOL. XLVI, London: 1853, Pages 67-68.] A single copy may, according to OCLC, be at the V&A Museum, as of June 2016. Item #33045
Price: $250.00