"Party expressions" they used to be called in Belfast, or at least in the police courts, in the last century. Thus, Catherine Stewart, in December 1866, was charged by Sub-Constable Mee with being drunk, disorderly and "making use of party expressions". Mee said he arrested the prisoner in Rosemary Street for being drunk and on the way to the police office she shouted that she was "a Protestant Papish". (Laughter.) Mr Orme, the magistrate: "You must pay 40 shillings and costs or go to jail for 14 days. You are a nice specimen of humanity." Mr Sheals, presumably defending, said he did not know what side that could offend and Mr Orme said: "It might offend some of the parties in this town." Something similar in the same year when Russell Smith was charged by Sub-Constable Robinson with being drunk in Melbourne Street and (again) "making use of party expressions". When taken into custody he cursed the Pope and said he was a good Orangeman. Mr O'Donnell, presumably the magistrate, asked if he meant that the Pope was a good Orangeman or himself. He meant himself, the sub-constable answered. Fined 40 shillings and costs. Party expressions again, when Ellen Boyle, against whom there were 180 previous convictions (some rowdy city then was Belfast), was put forward in custody charged with being drunk and disorderly. She cursed King William and the Pope, and when taken into custody she spat in the constable's face. These are from The Victorian Courtroom in the magazine Historical Belfast published by the Glenravel group and containing worthwhile serious articles on Belfast's past; this from issue No 3. It seems to be in abeyance just now. May it rise again, if so.
Back to the courtroom. A spirit grocer was found to have an illicit still on his premise. Not yet come to trial. And Belfast in 1866 had traffic problems. Samuel Davidson was summonsed by Sub-Constable Shea for furiously driving a horse and car in Howard Street. The subconstable declared that the horse was galloping at a furious pace. the prosecutor said there were so many accident from "this furious driving" that he asked that the penalties be increased. Davidson, when asked if he had anything to say for himself, replied that the horse was not galloping. "He is in the habit of galloping with his hind legs and trotting with his forelegs." (Laughter.) Mr Orme, magistrate: "Every person is complaining. . .the bread carts, the jarveys, the soda-water bottles and every kind of machines are flying in all directions." Ten shillings and costs.