MISCELLANY. 
as 3 
destruction; and the value of the property thus demolished (which was totally 
uninsured against such risks) was stated to amount, in the estimation of com¬ 
petent valuators, to the sum of one shilling. During the hearing of the complaint, 
Captain Jocko entertained the court by sundry dances and grimaces; hut, 
apparently, either considering his performances not sufficiently appreciated—not 
a half-penny being tendered by way of acknowledgment thereof—or being put 
out of temper on hearing a charge to which he could not deign to reply, he, 
towards the conclusion of the evidence, became somewhat restive, and so menacing 
withal in his movements, that some attorneys, seated just under the bar, were 
fain to retreat, amidst the laughter of the court, lest he should exhibit his newest 
Parisian gallopade upon their heads ! It was lucky, indeed, that his companion, 
who knew the formidable nature of his attacks in moments of excitement, had 
taken the precaution to restrain him, by a cord fixed round his fashionable black 
stock, otherwise he would probably have cleared the court, twenty at a time, 
after the manner in which his great predecessor, Captain Bobadil, proposed to 
defeat an army. At length Jocko, abandoning his propriety in his impatience, 
deliberately turned (to his shame be it spoken!) his “ hinder part” upon the seat 
of justice, as if in contempt of its authority, and (to the equal discredit of the 
audience) the court became convulsed with laughter. Jocko, admonished by 
his companion, who put on the captain’s military cap, appeared to be aware 
of the impropriety of his conduct and the jeopardy in which it might place 
him, if he failed to made the amende honorable; so he voluntarily turned 
round, stood upright on the bar, took off his cap, with the air of a well-bred 
gentleman, and made several rapid, though respectful bows to the bench. The 
relenting magistrate instantly accepted the apology, graciously saying, “ That will 
do ! that is enough !”—(Peels of laughter.) The other prisoner, after gazing on 
Jocko, as if to say “ You have brought all this upon us /” intimated in broken 
English, u We will pay the amount of the damage done, if you will discharge us” 
Mr. Currie readily acceded, and the prisoners twain were set at liberty. We 
need scarcely add, that the court was, throughout, convulsed with laughter. 
Young Redstarts in February.- —On Saturday last, as a workman was 
employed in taking down a thatched shed, on the premises of Mr. Perkins, at 
Leek-Wootton, he was astonished at discovering in the thatch a bird’s nest with 
two young ones in it. We understand that the bird is of the kind generally 
called by the villagers, the “ Fire Red-dail.” The fact is, we believe, remarkable 
at this time of the year .—Northern Star, March 2, 1839. 
The Corn Crake a Summer Visitant. —A Com Crake was shot last week, 
near Wareham. All writers on the subject agree, we believe, that these birds 
leave the country before the Winter sets in. Mudie says that they leave in 
September. The bird was in good condition, and weighed six ounces .—Chester 
