Shoreditch Observer – 16th February 1884
4. What has Hezekiah Moscow been accused of?
5. Does the author agree with the charge? What reasons do they give?
Transcript
February 16, 1884 The Borough of Hackney Express and Shoreditch Observer
Alleged cruelty at the East London Aquarium
To the Editor of the Borough of Hackney Express and Shoreditch Observer
Sir, – It is always unpleasant to be aspersed especially when calumnies [slander] cannot be refuted without delat, and when opponents and critics alike are dead to all sense of ordinary justice. Fortunately, however, it is possible to obtain an impartial hearing through your valuable columns, and I thank you in anticipation for publishing this letter. On Friday the 1st inst. Hezekiah Moscow, an employe of mine, was charged at the instance of the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with cruelly ill treating some bears by beating them with a whip. The charge was brought by an officer named Utting who is now being proceeded against for perjury. Now although I have numerous witnesses of unimpeachable veracity to prove that Utting’s statements are simple untruths; although I have scientific evidence to prove the whip used – an unloaded ordinary light whip, open to anyone’s inspection – could not hurt a dog much less a bear; although I utterly deny that any cruelty is permitted here, yet the Daily Press has published and severly commented upon Utting’s unsupported testimony and has place me as proprietor of the Aq[u]arium under an unjust and abominable stigma. I protest, sir, against exparte statements being accepted as facts. It is my misfortune that the case was dismissed upon a technical point, for had it been fully heard the innocence of Moscow would have been established. Fortunately it is possible to obtain justice even if delayed. The presiding magistrate himself has commented upon the “misleading” and “garbled” reports that have appeared, but his words, of course, have not been made public. I only ask for justice, for “a fair field and no favour.” With this given me I am confident that it will be proved that my establishment has been most unwarrantably aspersed. – I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Edward G Sim.
East London Aquarium, Bishopsgate.
Feb 7, 1884.
Glossary:
aspersed – to have your reputation attacked or criticised
calumnies – false and slanderous statements.
perjury – the offence of wilfully telling an untruth or making a misrepresentation under oath.
unimpeachable – not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticised; entirely trustworthy.
veracity – truthfulness, accuracy