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An Awkward Mistake.—Mr. Luke Fililes*well-known cartoon of ** The Bashful Sitter,” the sturdy gaol-bird who violently resists the operation of being focussed by the photographing warder, and is consequently held down by main force in front of the camera, has found a curious reduplication in real life. There is under detention in Newgate, on a very serious charge, one Ambrose Fortescue, an American. It occurred to the usually judicious Governor of Newgate that the interests of justice might be served if the police could be put in possession of a portrait of Fortescue, who was accordingly ordered to stand at attention to be photographed. The American, however, preferred to stand on his rights as an untried prisoner, and flatly refused to be photographed. Thereupon the Governor, forgetting that he was dealing with an unconvicted prisoner, ordered the man to be seized and photographed against his will. Against this illegally high-handed proceeding the prisoner protested, and Mr. Callan, on Monday, interpellated the Home Secretary on the subject. Mr. Cross very promptly and candidly replied that the Governor of Newgate had acted entirely against the rules in this matter, and that the Prison Commissioners, having had the circumstances brought under their notice, had expressed their disapproval of what had been done. Care will be taken, added Mr. Cross, to prevent the recurrence of such an irregularity. The charge against Fortescue being still sub judice, it cannot obviously be commented upon; but, should he get a good deliverance, he may be advised that an action will lie against Mr. Sidney Smith for assault and battery, in causing him to be photographed against his will.
Newspaper Details
London Mid Surrey Times Kingston Express and Richmond Herald
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Aug 09, 1879
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
PA, USA 10 Sep 2018
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