Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 13th July 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 367, Untitled Article

Page 367
Page 7
7 of 24

On this page

  • Text (6)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      to get him into an asylum , but always felt that he must go into one . Charles Dodson was formerly in the 10 th Hussars , and -was servant to Mr . Fate after the accident to his horses . His manner was always strange and unlike that of other people . Was engaged as his servant when he left the regiment in 1846 . I remember that in 1847 he was thrown from his horse . His habits were always regular . He always washed his head in a basin that contained two pails of

      water . He mingled whisky and camphor in the water . A pint and a half of whisky and two ounces of camphor served him . for three mornings . When washing himself he sometimes made a noise , and at other times sung songs , to the no small amusement of the people of the house . He never mixed in society , and always kept the blinds of his window down . He walked a good deal , and always kept the same walk . He generally began to dress himself at a quarter to twelve , and at a quarter to three he came down and went into a cab , which was

      always waiting for him . He always paid 9 s . to his cabman , and when he paid him , the money always consisted of shillings ; he would never have half-crowns or halfpenny pieces . His dress was always the same , and he always continued his fire in summer . Never saw him in society but once , and that was on the Derby day o £ 1847 . William Baker Lee , cab-driver , used to drive the prisoner regularly every day . I was obliged to wait upon him at a quarter past three . I always drove by the same route , down the Brompton-road and over Putney-bridge to Putney Heath . At one particular spot he alighted when he got there . He then went through the thicket , after he had ordered me to meet him at a pond on the

      other side of the Heath . Sometimes he would order me to gallop , and at other times to drive at a slow pace . After leaving the Heath I always drove towards Barnes Common , where he again ran through the bushes . I again met him at a particular point , and drove him back over Hammersmith-bridge . His manner in the cab was always strange , and , through curiosity , I frequently looked in to see what he was about . He sometimes would jump and start from one side of the cab to the other , flourishing as if sweeping with a sabre . He was at other times very quiet and never moved . I was

      frequently stopped by parties who met us , who wished to know what sort of character he was . I drove him every day for eighteen months . He first paid me 10 s . a-day , but afterwards reduced the fare to 9 s . The coin was always in shillings , the man upwards , and always looking the same way . He paid a shilling and a penny every day for tolls , which was regularly laid on the cushion . Inspector Squire , of the Metropolitan Police , knew the prisoner from seeing him a good deal about town . He always carried a slick , which he flourished about in ^ a strange and wild manner , which induced me to give him the name of " the cut and thrust . "

      The O'Gorman Mahon , M . P ., has known Mr . Pate for the last ten or twelve months , and from the first day I saw him I pronounced him a maniac . His state of mind was frequently the subject of remark amongst myself and companions . The Reverend Charles Brisco , lecturer of Bow Church , knew Mr . Pate , and was of opinion that he was not of a sane mind . On the night of the 27 th June , he was going to dine with the Army and Navy Club , and saw Mr . Pate at the west cate of Cambridge House . His manner was wild and excited .

      The jury at twenty minutes past three o clock retired to considor their decision , and returned into court at ten minutes past seven o ' clock with a verdict of Guilty . Mr . Baron Alderson , in a feeling address , sentenced the prisoner to be transported for seven years , observing that it was only out of respect to his family that the court refrained from ordering him to be publicly whipped . The prisoner , who remained unmoved to the last , was then taken away .

      Untitled Article

      THE PRUSSIAN POET AND THE PRIME MINISTER . All who are familiar with Prussian politics will remember the hard fate of Kinkel , the poetical professor of law at Bonn , who was tried sixor eight months ago for participation in the Baden insurrection , and sentenced to imprisonment for life . The first three months of his imprisonment were passed in the House of Correction at Naugardt , in Pomerania , a prison in which only the commonest criminals are confined . His removal thence to Spandau , an important fortress a few miles from Berlin , where

      many political offenders are confined , was regarded as an evidence of re turning mildness in the hearts of the authorities ; and it was hoped that he would be somewhat better treated also . Unhappily these hopes have all been falsified . He has not been better treated in Spandau than in Naugardt ; his wife has not been permitted . to see him , nor indeed has any other visitor been admitted . His friends have been surprised to learn that he is a bout to be transferred to another prison , that of Torgau , on the Elbe . have

      These repeated removals of the unfortunate poet . ^ eir origin in a species of refined cruelty which seems incredible . They are intended solely to prevent him from having any com munication with his iriends , for an old law exists which prescribes that no prisoner shall be permitted to see visitors until he shall have been three months in prison . Kinkel was throe months in Naugardt , and has been nearly three months in Spandau , whence he is now to be removed . His hnrd case excites much commiseration , not only in Prussia , but in other countries , where his poetrv has made him known . A Russian lady of high rank and a devoted admirer of his poema , lately

      endeavoured to see him , but found on her arrival at Spandau that no person could be admitted to him without a written order from , the Minister of the Interior . Undismayed , this gentlewoman proceeded straight to the hotel of the Minister of the Interior . Her name and title procured her instant admission . Her reception by Manteuffel was very flattering until he heard the nature of her request , which he refused in the coldest manner . It is said by one who witnessed the interview that Baron Manteuffel was an unwilling listener to a tirade of abuse and sarcasm pronounced in a very ladylike manner , but none the less biting . The interview terminated by his retiring from the room , and the lady finding her way out alone . Three days afterwards the husband of the

      lady in question was called upon by the Russian ambassador , who stated that he had transmitted to him from the Minister of the Interior a full protocol of the insults offered to the Minister of the Interior by the gentleman ' s wife , coupled with a demand for an apology . The husband made the communication known to the wife , who immediately sat down and wrote what was intended to be an apology , but which must have been in the style of Mr . Midshipman Easy's apology to the master . The Russian ambassador tore up the lady ' s apology , and informed the husband that he should be compelled to transmit Manteuffel ' s report to St . Petersburg , though , considering the rank of the parties , he did it with the greatest possible regret . The lady ' s endeavours to see Kinkel may possibly result in their immediate recal to St . Petersburg .

      Untitled Article

      A BRAVE GIRL . A noble case of courage and self-possession on the part of a servant maid , named Ann Trouter , took place near Congleton a few days ago . She had been left in charge of Somerford Booths-hall , while the family were at church , on Sunday week , and while passing along a passage from the house yard into the scullery she met a man of very forbidding appearance , who pretended to be deaf and dumb , and made a sign with his hand for something to eat and drink , upon which she gave him some bread and water . He then attempted to go into the house , and with that object tried to push pass the servant through the door into the scullery . She pushed

      him back again , and pointed to one of the upper windows to make the man believe there was some one besides herself in the house . Again he tried to gee into the house , but the intrepid young woman again resisted him successfully . Baffled in his attempts to get past her , the villain struck her across the arm and shoulder with a short thick stick which he had with him , and inflicted several severe bruises . She seized the stick and threw it over the wall into the stable-yard ; on which the man struck her . She then closed with him , threw him down on his back , and kept him down for some time , but he was too strong for her . Finding this the courageous girl jumped up and ran to the house bell , and gave it a hasty pull . The man once more went towards the house door , his

      but she ran to the passage , and again withstood all efforts to get past her . She also succeeded in ringing the bell a second time , on which the fellow made off to the yard door , but she followed him , pushed him out into the stable yard , and locked the door after him . The noise of the bell in the meantime brought the gamekeeper , James Boon , to the house , where he found the servant girl in a fainting condition in the kitchen . As soon as she was able she told him what had happened , and he pursued the fellow and caught him in the road , not far from the hall . He was taken before the magistrates on the following day , and committed for trial . The magistrates spoke in high terms of the brave conduct of the young woman , who had so nobly defended her master ' s property .

      Untitled Article

      MURDERS AND MURDEROUS ASSAULTS . George Frederick Masterman , an apprentice to Mr . William Finer , surgeon , in North-place , Kingslandroad , was brought before Mr . Hammill , at Worshipstreet Police-office , on Monday , charged with having attempted to murder his master , who has sustained such serious injuries that his life was placed in danger . Catherine Kelly , the prosecutor ' s housemaid , said that on Sunday evening , between five and six o ' clock , while engaged in the kitchen , she suddenly heard loud cries of " Murder ! " in her master's voice , which appeared to proceed from the prisoner ' s bedroom . She instantly hastened up stairs , and on reaching the second floor observed her master coming out of the prisoner ' s room , with both his hands up to his throat , and making

      convulsive efforts to unfasten his neckcloth . He was bleeding profusely from the nose , and was quite black in the face , but managed to stagger into his bedroom , on the same landing , into which she followed him , and , after another unsuccessful attempt to unloosen his neckerchief , he exclaimed in a faint voice that he was choked , and dropped down upon the bed . She succeeded with gome difficulty in removing from his neck the kerchief , which was twisted tightly round and secured with two knots ; but while doing so he rolled off the bed and fell senseless to the floor . She raised his hand , which felt

      perfectly cold , and immediately ran to the door and called her mistress to his assistance . While she was raising the alarm the prisoner passed her into the room and looked down at his master , but made no observation , and went out again without offering him the slightest assistance . Her mistress , who was dreadfully agitated , entered the room soon after , and , shaking her husband , implored him to tell her what was the matter ; but ho appeared wholly unconscious , and was unable to return any answer . She was then sent in search of a policeman , and returned with one in a few minutes , but found that the prisoner in the interval had absconded .

      When told by the police-constable who apprehended him that he was charged with an attempt to strangle his master , he replied that the latter had assaulted him first . While the constable was removing him from the house , the prisoner stealthily passed something to his brother , which was at once secured , and found to be a small phial containing prussic acid . He was subsequently searched at the station , and a letter , addressed to his father , was found upon him , to the following effect : — " Dear Father , —I swear most solemnly that Mr . Finer struck me first , and that I only returned it in self-defence . I ask pardon of God , and swear that this is the whole truth . " G . F . Mastebman . "

      A certificate from Mr . Baker , a surgeon of Kingsland , was put in , which stated that the prosecutor had been nearly strangled , and , although he was now recovering , he still remained in such a state as wholly to preclude his attendance at this court . The prisoner , who maintained throughout the most perfect coolness and selfpossession , declined offering any defence in the present stage of the proceedings , ana was ordered to be remanded for a week . Patrick Howe , forty-nine , and Bridget Keogh , thirtytwo , brother and sister , were tried at Ennis assizes , last week , for the murder of a gentleman named Arthur O'Donnell , at Derrynalicka , on the 10 th of April last . Thev appeared to be persons of unusual intelligence and

      the woman was not destitute of personal beauty . It appeared by the statement for the ^ Crown that Mr . O'Donnell was an unmarried man , having none of his own immediate family residing with him , but that the female prisoner lived in his house in the quality of housekeeper , and with one other domestic constituted his househeld . He was supposed to possess a considerable sum of money , and in order to obtain possession of it Biddy Keogh had contrived his murder . A further motive was imputed to her—namely , jealousy ; as it would appear that she had been living on such terms with her master as to have made her harbour resentment against him , on account of certain attentions paid by him to another woman . Both prisoners were found guilty and sentenced to be executed .

      Untitled Article

      MISCELLANEOUS . Owing to the death of the Duke of Cambridge the Queen has not taken her customary exercise in . the park . On Tuesday her Majesty paid a visit of condolence to the Duchess of Cambridge . The supplement to the Gazette of Tuesday contains an order for the Court going into mourning , to commence on Sunday next , and last three weeks . A public mourning is also ordered to commence on Sunday next , and last ten days . The effect of the order has been to cause an awful bustle among haberdashers and mercers in the west-end . Regent-street has been rendered nearly impassable from the throng of carriages in waiting opposite the more fashionable shops .

      It is said that when her Majesty had an interview with Lord John Russell , on the evening of the day on which Robert Pate made his attack on her , that she remarked to him , " I know the man who struck me perfectly well by sight ; I meet him often in the Parks , and he makes a point of bowing more frequently and lower to me than any one else' * Mr . Corbould , the artist , has received the commands of her Majesty to paint a large picture of the grand coronation scene in the opera of Le Prqp 7 ie * te , as represented at Covent Garden .

      At the levee held on Wednesday week the Queen conferred the honour of knighthood on Dr . ( now Sir Charles ) Hastings , of Worcester ; and Dr . ( now Sir Robert ) Carswell , physician to the King of the Belgians , The latter is now in this country , in attendance on Louis Philippe , at the request of his daughter the Queen of the Belgians . Mr . Edwin Landseer and Mr . John Watson Gordon , the Queen ' s limner in Scotland , and president of the Scottish Academy , also received the honour of knighthood at the levee .

      Amongst the treasures brought over for the Queen , by the Nepaulese Ambassador , are twelve cow tails set in silver , this gift being considered by the Rajah of Nepaul as a mark or the greatest respect . The Rajah himself only possesses eight , and as the possession of these insignia of greatness are considered a proof of the highest position , a presentation of twelve was considered quite overwhelming . The value of the gifts amounts , we believe , to about £ 20 , 000 .

      Untitled Article

      We are enabled to announce that Sir Thomas Wilde has been selected for the important office of Lord Chancellor , and that his appointment has been approved by her Majesty . It is understood , however , that Sir Thomas Wilde will only discharge the full duties of his office until the arrangements necessary for separating the functions of the Chief Judge of the Chancery Court from those of the Speaker of the House of Lords and Chief Judge in Appeal are completed . Sir T . Wilde will then retain the political office—probably under the title of Lord Keeper , and the Presidency of the Chancery Courts will become a distinct appointment . It is understood that Sir J . Jervis , the present Attorney-General , will succeed Sir T . Wilde as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , and that Sir John Romill y will be appointed Attorney-General . It is confidently expected that Mr . Cockburn will suceeed Sir John Romilly as Solicitor-Ccneral . —Times .

      The Earl of Donbughmore , better known as Layalette Hutchinson , in consequence of the part he took with the late Sir Robert Wilson in the liberation of General Lavalette from the Conciergerie in Paris , died at Palmerstonhouse , near Dublin , on Wednesday week . He is succeeded in his titles and estates by his eldest son , Lord Viscount Suirdale , who is a leader of the Tory party in Tipperary . A paragraph lately appeared in the Galway Vindicator stating that Lady Castlereagh had become a Roman Catholic , and Lord Castlereagh , it was rumoured , was

      Untitled Article

      July 13 , 1850 . ] ©!) * & £ & * £ *? 367

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 13, 1850, page 367, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1846/page/7/