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THE HEIR-AT-LAW SOCIETr SWINDLE. l^'week...
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ContstoOttttemt
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TIIE SCOTTISH POOR LAW SYSTEM.— SHAMELES...
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The Weather ok the Continent.—Hamburgh, ...
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Final Examination and Committal of Thoma...
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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.
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The Heir-At-Law Societr Swindle. L^'Week...
THE HEIR-AT-LAW _SOCIETr SWINDLE . l _^' week _^ p _^ _rrie _^ _iondcnt wrote us , asking for informal _^ on respectihjg a Society ostensibly formed to aid parti _^ who auybo poor , and yet think thoy have clainis and ewdenoe that iyHl establish them as _heirst at-l _^ wioce « aimprbperfies . When we received the letter alluded _Jo _. weequld do no more than state that suck a _ioeuMmd , emsf—for of its nature and consti tution , _aiiil ' c'f-the degree of reliance to be placed on it , we had _npiniesjms . pf knowing . At the very time , "however , thaj _yj § were penning a notice to that effect ancxaminatii _^ h _was _. _i-oingon before Sir J . Duke , at _HMs _£ _aU _¦^ _na _^ _, whicli calk in no common degree , on those about to place ' themselves in the hands of the said society to be cautious and wary , else they may happen to , find themselves the victims of an arrant swindIe . ' r ' To put such on their guard we give the _lamination referred to . It took place on Thursday
Hugh _VTilKaiKs , X-.-rk of the Heir-at-Law Society , again appt-nrw'i _hcS-r-- .- > ir J . Duke to answer the complaint of " a poor r . i-n named Bridger , who has come to ioiidon to _prosecatK a _. ixum to an estate in tbe country worth £ 40 , 000 . Thy ¦• barge was , that the society had receivtjU . i .- ' 4 s . - _' ' -. iVtlie special purpose of taking counsel ' s ; o _;* _K- > _i-ii , ;; _- .- ' ; : violation of good faith had not so _appliewi . Willi ; _:-.--. " - ¦ - _•;« attended on a previous day , when he stated tha : : \¦¦ -.- manager , Mr . G . Ross , was out of town , and _tlia _^ ii , iuct , Mr . Ross knew nothing of tbe matter , as _fhe'complahiantfs money had been embezzled by a late clerk . The complainant having ascertained that the manager is a prisoner in the Queen ' s Prison , ana not a visitor in thc country , renewed his application . j Sir J . Duke asked if Ross was now in attendance ? Williams answered he was not ; hut he was there on he- , half of "Mr . Ross ana the society .
Sir J . -D ukesaiahe had received letters from parties who complained that they had paid money , and received no service from the society . If this •*» _*>** practice of the society it fcordered on swindling . Williauis said he was ready to answer any charge . Sir J . Duke asked who Watson , the chairman of the society , wast Williams replied , he was a gentleman . Sir J . Dukesaid that was no answer . If Mr . Watson was really a respectable man he need not shrink from publicity . . Williams replied , thatthe proceedings were too public , and that was the reason he should not give names . Sir J . Duke said , Air . Boyle , of thc Temple , had come fonvard to disclaim being what Williams had represented , the standing counsel of fhe society .
Williams stated that he was the society ' s standing-counsel now . Cases were drawn , and submitted for his opinion . He produced the hook in which the cases and opinions were entered , and said the society ' s early cases had _t-MD _sul-mitted to Mr . Barker . It was very easy to cast imputations . Sir 3 . Duke asked who _3 Jr . Barker was ? VEiliiauis replied , he was a "barrister of long- standing . Sir J . Duke said , he was astonished fhe public could he led " astray hy a society which had attracted the notice of one of the Queen ' s _judges , and pointed out as a fit object for prosecution by the Attorney-General . The alderman asked if Mr . Ross was stiU out of town ? ¦ Williams said he was . He had gone to Brighton . Sir J . Duke asked when he saw him last ? "Williams said ho should not answer that question-There was no complainant in court , and was he to he examined and to make a defence where there was no charge t Sir 3 . Duke said if he would tell who were the seven
director * of the society he should feel obliged : _Wilfiains said he would not tell , for the reason he had air _rady given . Sir S . bake _lioped the public would he cautious in tlieir dcalir . _gs with a society , the directors of which shrunk from tUe disclosure of their names . Williams said , of course they would he ashamed to sec tlieir _n-micsin a police report . Surely the case was noi to _hs entered upon cs parte . Who accused the society _: Had Sir . J . Duke any right to _i-samine him { the clerk ] at all ? ? ir 3 . Dnk « sod thc complainant had taken out the summons , and "Wimps Mr . Williams could account'for his Hbs-ntv ? ~
• _nili-i-us declared mat he had not _coinprr-isised with the- _io-ai *! ain-jnt . :: Tid if he now came for Ms money , perlia ' _-s -die -an _^ istn . ic- would order it should not be paid . The . ' . Idercian called for jfr . Tooie . 3 Ir . Tonic said he would state his case . He had not ex **** - . ; - a _comj . laml to make . He was at Hull some * _n- - _---di _^ _-sj ru , :: _i ;» ' ! he society . Upon paying _tlieiuoney , he obtained - fhv iv-i- * w : ng receipt : — "Heir-at-LawSocietv , So . _3-5 S . « _Oflil'Q , 14 , _ClikOiuns-j _. lace , Bhwhtnars . " _l-U- ' tived , the 13 th of August , 1814 , of ilr . Joseph "Doughty , the sum of £ 14 s Gd , "being the fee of counsel for Mi ciimioa and adiice herein . _Ceobgi- Ross . "
Williams , interrupting the complainant , asked what was the charge ? Toole said he did not make a charge . Williams observed that he had no ri ght to be heard at all ; hewas not iu cast imputations onthe society if he had no charge . He protested in the strongest manner against anything farther being heard , as he had no charge to make . Sir J . Duke said it was for him to judge whether there was ground of charge after hearing the circumstances . Williams again formall y protested against Mr . Toole belli ;** heard . Mr . Toole , however , continued . — -Such a society , honestly _condurtcd , would he a great benefit to society . Williams said he was willing to return Mr . Toole the papers .
tar J . Duke said lie would not allow Jlr . Toole to be interrupted ; the line to repl y was when he had finished . ¦ * The complainant continued . —After paying the fee the lient received a letter promising that his case should be abmittcd to counsel in its tarn , but from August to _""Marcl- that turn had not arrived . A great many applications had been made at thc offices in Trafalgar-square and Cmatham-pl-icc , hut no information had been ohtained . Sir 3 . Duke asked if an opinion had heen taken on this _easef Williams referred to his hook , hut could not find one . Sir J . Duke remarked , that it would not have heen _difficult to manufacture an opinion and affix any counsel's name to it . He asked Williams if he should read the oplniou of the society expressed hy one of the Queen ' s judges ? Williams protested energetically against any ex-parte proceedings—any expression of insinuations against the society .
Sir J . Duke said , it did uot appear that the society had done anything in the case mentioned by Mr . Toole but give a receipt for the money . The gentleman sitting at his left iiand , and whom Williams did not appear foinow , was Jlr . Boyle , whom he had misrepresented as "being the _sanding counsel ofthe society . Williams denied that he had so represented Mr . Bojle . Sir 3 . Duke said he gave the society credit for engaging a man of Williams ' s ingenuity aud boldness . Jlr . Bo . _xlc begged to state that he was not the standing counsel of the society , nor in any way connected with it . His opinion of certain cases had been obtained through a Solicitor i « the ordinary manner . He had a list of the Cases ia -. _v , icl- he had advised , and would show it to the Alderman .
Sir J . Di _* Vi thanked him for his attention , and said it might be of-some utility to print that list ; it ran as follows : — "To advising on papers , Jan . 19 , _xe _Salwnon : Jan . 19 , re Pelham ; Jan . 26 , re Phillips ; Jan , 29 , re Barrett - , Feb . _S , re _Panrers - Fetj . It , re Grump ; Teh . 10 , re Haweis ; Feb . 28 , re Carew ; March 5 , re Wood ; March 27 , re WooJ-, May 29 , re Salusbury ; May 29 , re Barnes ; June 11 , re St . Aubyn : June 11 , re Meredyth ; Aug . 6 , _j-e Sninton ; Aug , 6 , re Rawlins ; Aug . 6 , re Eustace . " . Mr . Tomkinson , of the Walworth-road , made a _complaint , hat in his case a legal opinion seemed to hare been taken . The chief clerk told Williams if he wished to sec Mr . _Soss he might find him in the Queen ' s Prison , hut Williams tarni-d a deaf ear to it . Sir J . Duke , therefore , asked him . if he wished to hear -where Mr . Ross was ?
Williams said no , he did not It was shocking that there should have heen an inquiry when n » charge was I made . _Sui-h insinuations ought not to be permitted . _Ths society was ready and able to answer every accusation tbat co-old be brought against it . Sir J . Duke was glad to hear it , and discharged Mr . _TRHiams from further attendance on _Bridgets complaint . -from a prospectus , dated 1812 , which was put in , it ap . peared the society was described as having a capital of £ 100 , 000 , in 100 shares of £ 1 , 000 , one-half paid up , the Other half made " up of accumulating profits . Rest , - £ 25 , 000 . Established 1839 . Conducted under the
superintendence and management of seven directors ( three being a quorum ) , and ahle assistants . George Boss , manager ; "W . H . Watson , chairman . A paper , which gives the resolutions ofthe committee held on the 9 tn of Nj _y-anber , 1811 , states that the society have now p laced by clients at their disposal various sums amounting to upwards of £ 800 , 000 , to be laid out in mortgage . Another prospec tus , dated February , 1813 , which was handed to the magistrate , gives the amount to be loaned on mortgage at only £ 500 , 000 ; but it states that the society has 150 claims relating to property amounting to £ 20 , 909 , 000 jmderconsideration . :
On Tuesday last there was another case before the magistrates at Guildhall . The following are the particulars ;—After disposing of some business , 8 ir P , Laurie asked if aperson named Henry Scholefield , of the Bull ' s Head , _TottenhamJMurt-road , was present J _'Sehnlefieid > r _^ te _£ _"fjpBel £ . . _¦* i _*? . _^ . I « aSrie s _^^ had some application to make respecting the Heir-at-Law Society . Sir P . Iraorie & - ad , by a letter addressed rohim at his private l _^ aence , tliat thcBodery had obtained something more from . -him . than a fee for counsel ' s opinion .
_jf , 2 l ( _?^ _eld said , he had come up to London from Lancaishire _^ o obtain the _aifl-of the society , as it purposed to be _-msbtuteu wr the special benefit of the poor . Hewas a poweraoom weaver , ana his finances would not aRowhim _Ic _-F _^™ _^ _^ - _™ t 0 , m * He _" _«****> therefore , to S _£ _JJSS _- ' _—f _* _™ to _raoverhis _r _tf _^' _i f _^?« of ao _"t _**** from lum under the pretext of takmg some _pwceeifings in Chancery , to compel the executor to pay the _legacy he claimed .
The Heir-At-Law Societr Swindle. L^'Week...
Sir P . Laurie asked him if lie had been to Chathamnlaceto ' _ask » r his papers ? He said he had been five times that day , and Hugn Williams , the clerk , told him to come again at two o'clock , and t-ien ' he would see Mr . Ross , and get a letter for Mr . Smith . Sir P . Laurie asked who he was ? Scholefield said hewas acting on behalf of another , a poor man named Thomas Smith , at Lowton , near Leigh , Manchester . The first sum of £ 2 4 s . 6 d . was paid on the llth of November , 1843 , and he received a reply , requesting a statement o ! the particulars . He afterwards received a copy of the case and counsel ' s opinion thereon . Thenfollowedthe application for £ 10 , which was remitted . He received the following answer : —
December 23 , 18-M , Sm ,-I am directed by this Society to _acta-jwWtee the receipt of your letter ofthe 21 st , enclosing £ 10 , which yon mav relv on beinff applied to the best advantage ot tne claimant and feed * shall shortly l . ea- _^ -froni . us again on the subjek In the meantime , give US _«» _M" ° Jg _^ sidenceof Mr . Kidd , ¦»>•• _W _*^ _™^ _?*? be broughtto account hythisSociety , forwhom Ros i 1 Uul , CLCj Sir P . Laurie looked at this letter , and said it was iu the _nandu-riting of Ross . H . knew Ihe man ; and he asked how the applican t first heard of the society ? Scholefieldreplied , aperson who had obtained a circular in Lancashire , showed it to him and others who had claims to property . _, Sir P Laurie asked what amount Smith was seeking to
recover . Scholefield replied it was a legacy of £ 4 , 000 . Sir P . Laurie said , he wished he had not known so much of Ross . The applicant would never get a 6 d ., and he should be thankful he bad not been duped to a greater extent . Perhaps , Williams mig ht he indicted with Ross for conspiracy , hut the sessions did not begin till the second week in April , and the applicant had better return to Lancashire if he could obtain his papers . He had no notion how much money was obtained iu London by mere schemes . The Lancashire man said he supposed about half a million per aumnn . ( Loud laughter . ) Sir P . Laurie said it might he as much as that , for many persons were gulled with schemes to make money , who were ashamed to confess it . The list of opinions given by the company ' s counsel was referred to , and the opinion produced ( which was not signed ) was not amongst them .
The applicant said Mr . Ross was only the manager . He had asked for an interview with tlio Mr . Wentivorth Watson , who was chairman of the Board of Directors , of whom three were magistrates ( as Hugh Williams assured him ) , but he had not been honoured with one . Sir P . Laurie said if there were three magistrates in the Direction , it was not enough to establish their respectability . All magistrates were not spotless characters . He knew Mr . "Watson . It was the same man that projected a bridge across Parringdon-street , to avoid the declivity of Holborn-hilL Sir P . Laurie recommended the applicant to return home if he could get his papers . The applicant withdrew .
Contstoottttemt
_ContstoOttttemt
Tiie Scottish Poor Law System.— Shameles...
TIIE SCOTTISH POOR LAW SYSTEM . — SHAMELESS TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE AT DUNDEE .
TO THE _TfiDITO-a OI * THE _NOUTEEKN STAR . Sis , —As your columns have ever bceu open to expose every injustice or oppression inflicted upon the working _elasses , I trust that you will give aplaee ( in what is so _empiiatieaUy and so truly termed Labour ' s Journal ) to the following statement of a new and most gigantic stride of oppression , at present in course of being perpetrated upon the working classes of Dundee . Owing to the late _secession from the Established Church of Scotland , the Kirk Sessions , who formerly transacted tbe business of thc receipt and distribution of the poor ' s funds , becanie here , as in many other places ( hy tlic withdrawing of the greater part of the members ) , totally inefficient for the purpose ; hence a new arrangement was found necessary , and this was undertaken bv our magistrates , the new Kirk Sessions ,
and the landward heritors ot the parish ( the parties , bythe-bye , who were formerly assessed along with the middle chisses and the shopocracy _) , to make up the necessary sura , for wliich the voluntary contributions at the church dnors were found deficient . The parties above-mentioned held a meeting some time in the month of March , 1 S 14 , at which they resolved to assess , not only the heritors , the middle classes , and the shopocracy , but also the working _c- ' _-isses ( who were never assessed before ) , if they were in the receipt of lis . Cd . per week , or £ 30 par annum of wages , and they appointed a committee to carry out that resolution , which they are now doing with a vengeance . This measure , as was most natural , produced much surprise and discontent among the working classes , . is too _munv of them do not earn so much , and even
those ivho earn las . a week ( which is considered very good wages ) are subjected to great irregularity in employment between occasional want of work , sickness , and thc weather . From these causes a weekly wage of lus . is too often nearer an average of 10 s . However , as these measures met with much opposition , the same parties , at another meeting in September last , resolved to give up the first mode of robbing the workies and try another . Having spent some time in maturing their plan , they disagreed again , and had recourse to an opinion of counsel . At another meeting , held in October , the same parties rescinded fhe resolution of the second meeting , aud adopted the resolution of the first meeting , with a most absurd and iniquitous amendment , adopting as the test of a working man's income tho rent of the house he inhabited .
Iu this way , a man paying £ i a year of rent , is held to be worth £ 30 per annum , taking it for granted as a fact , that because he has a house a whole year , that he has work the whole year , health the whole year , and good weather the whole year . No matter , though the working man struggles to keep in one or two benefit societies to meet the rent day , or occasional illness , he must be made to pay into a fund that denies liim all assistance , till he has sold aU his clothes and furniture , and then , if a doctor certifies he is unable to work , and he signs a will , bequeathing all or any money , or property , that may he bequeathed , or to which he may become hen * , he then , if he can prove he has resided six years iu the parish , and produce all the receipts fbr rent and taxes , for those six years previous , he may fhenperhaps he put on the roll , andi * _- '' - haps not , for even all these are sometimes insufficient to
rouse the sleeping humanity of the committee ; and _w'hen he doe 3 get any relief , he may get one _sMKilM' ' , or one shitting and sixpence a _toeefc , to maintain a family ! But to return to the subject , the great secret of the whole matter is this : that the more they can screw out of the working classes , the less they have to pay themselves , and a house at £ 5 per annum is data for £ 40 worth of labour in a year ; neglecting the fact , that as a family increases in numbers , they reguire a larger house ; so that in place of helping a man with a large family , he is more grievously oppressed , _wluletheman who has no family , or a small one , finds sufficient accommodation in a small house , whatever may be his wages . I know individuals who receive from £ 1 to 30 s . weekly , that under this system have been missed altogether , while , within a few doors of them , two poor weavers earning 8 s . or 9 s . a week , with large families , are rated 3 s . 3 d . The whole thing is most unjust and oppressive .
The oppressors of the poor held what they called a court of appeal , hut it was previous to auy intimation to the working classes that they were to pay . After the appeal court was closed , they then sent round , demanding payment , and threateningprosecution if not complied with in seven days . Since then , they have sent letter after letter by post , reiterating the same tune , but , so far as I know , they have not yet put their threats into force . About a month ago , a public meeting ofthe inhabitants was called to consider the matter , when it was determined to refuse payment , and to assess ourselves in five per cent , ofthe sums demanded , to raise a fund for the defence of any working man who contributed to it , he being entirely dependent on his labour for support , A committee of twenty-one were choaen to manage the business , and collect funds , for which purpose the town has been divided into districts ; and I am happy to add , that already a goodly sum has been collected , and cheering assurances of support if it should he required _.
As we hear rumours of attempts to assess the working classes in many other places , wo are anxious that they should know that a determined stand is to be made against it ; and as an opinion of the court of session , at the request of Mr . Gladstone , of Paskew , has been obtained , that agricultural labourers are exempt from this tax , we , who live hy labour alone , maintain that we have an equal privilege , and we are determined to preserve it . Knowing that the . Star is read through all " braid Scotland , " and anticipating that the working men of Scotland may unite with us at a future period , if necessary , for the preservation of our rights , in a constitutional manner , that the support of the poor may be derived from the land of their birth , and , not from the scanty means of the labourer and artisan . I remain , sir , by order ofthe committee , your most obedient servant , Dundee , Feb . 20 tb , 1845 . Pete ** Stoathe _** . n .
The Weather Ok The Continent.—Hamburgh, ...
The Weather ok the Continent . —Hamburgh , Mabch 4 . —Letters from St . Petersburghofthe 22 d nit . state that tho cold had been intense in the extreme there duringthree _weeks ( froni twenty-three to twentyfive degrees of Reaumur ) , but that it had somewhat abated in consequence of a very heavy fall of snow , wliich had rendered the streets almost impassable . The latest intelligence from Norway is of the 21 st idt . It appears that the weather there was also mere than usually severe . A Copenhagen paper of the 20 th ult ,, states that on the previous Friday a one-horse sledge was driven across the Sound in three hours and a half , from Landscrona , on the Swedish coast , to the above city . Several persons had crossed on foot fromMalmo .
AnioaPHEKic Chaxges . —Although changes in the temperature arc more prevalent in the temperate zone than in other latitudes , there is scarcely a spot to be found where such great differences exist as in Great Britain , varying in a few hours some twenty degrees or more . The effect of such rapid changes onthe bodily health is very afflicting to many thousands of persons , especially those in the middle and more advanced ages of life , causing attacks of those painful disorders Sciatica , Gout , and Rheumatism . Happily for those who are afflicted with those painful diseases , chemical sciencehas _prodnced that excellent medicine , Blair ' s Gout and Rheumatic Pills .
The Weather Ok The Continent.—Hamburgh, ...
_mwttdss , < BlXmtt $ , Jc _Mqmstz
Final Examination And Committal Of Thoma...
Final Examination and Committal of Thomas Henm ? Hockbb . —Tuesday being ' appointed for the final examination of Hocker , at Marylebone Police Office , the neighbourhood of that court was crowded at an early hour , and the greatest anxiety prevailed to obtain a view of the prisoner . Mr . Rawlinson took his seat on the bench , shortly before eleven o ' clock , when the doors were opened , and the rush to gain admittance was , if possible , greater than on the inquiry before the coroner . Tho prisoner was brought from the New Prison , Clerkenwell , as early as half-past eight o ' clock in the morning , and immediately afterwards placed in one of the cells adjoining the court . He appeared on his arrival in good spirits , but shortly after he was locked un lm _W-ime
very distressed , and asked for pens , ink , and paper , for the purpose , he said , of finishing liis defence . He was very silent , and refused to answer any questions which were put to him . Shortly after ten o ' clock Mr . Rawlinson , the magistrate , took his seat ' on the bench , but the doore of the court wore not opened to tlic public until a quarter before eleven . In tiie meantime Inspectors Sliackell , Haynes , and Grey had an interview with the magistrate . As soon as the door was opened a tremendous rush took place , and the court immediately became filled almost to suffocation . The Magistrate then proceeded with thc night charges . Mrs . Edwards and Miss Philps arrived shortly afterwards , and were taken into one of the ante-rooms of the court . At a flimrier
past eleven o ' clock the prisoner was brought in and placed at the felon's bar . He manifested much tiie same case and apparent indifference to the situation in which ho stands as on former occasions ; but he fell into occasional fits of dejection . The first witness called was John Baldock , S 304 . He stated --When I was in the field in which , the murder was committed , and while another constable had gone to get a stretcher , to carry away the body , I heard a man coming whistling along . When he had come nearly up to me I called out " Halloa ! " and he replied , * ' Halloa , policeman . " I then said , I have got a very serious case in the corner here . " He said , " What is it ? " I said , " It is a dead man , and I think he has cut his throat . " He said , "Are you
sure lie ia quite dead ? " I answered , " Yes , I have felt his pulse , and I think he is quite dead . " The man then put out his hand and himself felt the dead man ' s pulse . Re next said , " You have got a nasty job alone , policeman . " I said , " They are gone for the stretcher , aiid I dare say they'll soon be back . " He said , " I'll wait with you till the stretcher comes , as you are left alone . " He said he felt very much shocked at seeing such a sight , and added , that he had been in the habit of travelling that way at night for the last two years , but never " _see'd no danger in coming that way before . " He said he transacted business in London during the day , and generally came that way home at night ; that he generally had a great sum of money about him , a watch and a ring upon liim , and that he had been cautioned by his
parents not to come that way , but he never saw any danger in it himself . He afterwards said he felt very queer , and thought he wanted a little drop of brandy . He asked me if I would like to have any , and I said " no ; " he next took a shilling out of his pocket , and asked me to take that to get some with . I said , I must not take it , as I was not allowed to do it . " He pressed mc to take it , and said there was no harm in it , as he should say nothing about it . I said "I would rather not ; " but after he pressed me more 1 took it . —Mr . Rawlinson * . That is the reason , I suppose , why you did not tell nie or the coroner of tliis before ? —Witness : No , sir ; it was not . —Then , why did you not mention it ?—I thought it was of no consequence . —Magistrate : But you are sworn to tell the whole truth , and not to judge of what is important and what is not . —The witness proceeded : Serjeant Fletcher and other officers then came with the
stretcher and carried away the body . I last saw tlic person who gave me the shilling near Bellsize-lane . I do not know that I should know him again . He had a cloak on , and was muffled up a good deal , as any person would be on a cold night . I produce the hat which was _fomul at tlio feet of the dead man , * it is bruised , and has blood upon it . I produce a stick also , which has blood upon it too . —A hat and stick were here produced wliich had marks of blood upon" them , * tiicy werc found near the deceased . — James Euston , police constable IBS A : lwas with the prisoner two hours before his last examination . — Mr . Rawlinson : And you had sonic communication with liim ?—Witness : ' Yes , sir . —Mr . Rawlinson Then tell me what passed . —Witness : Prisoner had some toast taken to him in the cell , but he did not
eat it for an hour . He made a noise at the door , and when I opened it lie j umped from his seat , and said he could throw some li ght on thc affair , aud wished to sec thc gaoler and the waiter of thc Swiss Cottage . Prisoner told me that some time after the murder he went to the Swiss Cottage , called for a glass of rum and water , and " paid thc waiter a shilling , Prisonerga ve the waiter twopence , when the latter replied , "You are a gentleman , sir . " The prisoner added , and he did not know me . He next said , " Then , that Baldock , the policeman—I stood in the field five-and-twenty minutes with him , close to the deceased . I had my cloak on , it was a cold night , and I asked Mm to have some brandy , which he refused . 1 pressed him to have it very much , and at last he
received a shilling . I remained thero while they went for the stretcher . " That is all he said ; I made no remarks . —Mi . Fell , the clerk , said he thought , if the magistrate allowed the witness to recollect himself , he would state something else . — -Witness ; He said a good deal , but nothing of importance . — Mi * . Rawlinson : You are not to judge ofthe importance ; state all he said . —Witness proceeded : O , yes . He said he had got it down , " ins and outs . " Ho had four sides of paper written on . I said , " Have you got it down , then ? " and he answered , "Yes , I have got it all down here , " and he meant to explain it when he went inside . —Mr . Rawlinson ( to prisoner ) : Have you any questions to ask '—Prisoner : I have a statement to make . —Mr . Rawlinson : You
must defer your statement , but arc at liberty to ask anv question . —Prisoner : The witness haa made an important omission . He has said nothing about my asking respecting a knife . —Witness * . You never did ask me about a knife . —Mrs . Maria Edwards examined : I Jive , now at 61 , Tichfield-streefc . I lived some time since in Portland-place , as town maid to a gentleman of fortune . I have known the prisoner since Christmas last . I saw him first at Bath-place , New-road , in company with Miss Philps , the young lady who was allowed to sleep in Portland-place . I remember the prisoner coming to Portland-place about nine or half-past nine o ' clock on the night of thc murder . He came in at the front door , and went to the housekeeoer _' s room . He appeared in very good
spirits . I did not see that there was any dirt or blood on his clothes . He said that he had just come from Grafton-street . I noticed that the prisoner had a watch with a chain , which looked like gold , on the Friday night in question . He also had a gold ring , which he showed to Miss Philps . She said the ring was too large for him , and then put it into her pocket . Prisoner had some bread and cheese in Portlandp lace . —Mr . Rawlinson : People sometimes wash their hands before eating , did he do so ?—Witness : Not that I saw ; there was water in the room , but I did not see him . I was in and out a good deal , I heard nothing said about blood on his shirt . Miss Philps saw it , and mentioned it after he was gone . I did not hear anything said about any part of his dress .
He had a mackintosh on his arm when lie came in , — Heniy Evans Taylor : I live at 8 , Allsop-mews , _Dorset-square . About three -weeks ago I found a stick on Macclesfield-bridge , Regcnt ' s-park . —Mr . Rawlinson : Recollect yourself you must be mistaken , —Witness . _* No ; it was about three weeks ago . —[ The stick was here produced . It _ia-a heavy bludgeon , and rather a formidable weapon . ]—Witness continued : Tho stick is in the same condition as when I found it . It has not been washed . I did not observe anything particular about it . —[ There was a mark of blood on the handle , and another near the lower end . ]—The witness , who is a lad about thirteen or fourteen years old , appeared uncertain about the time . —• Henry Taylor , father of the last witness , said his boy brought liim flin at . inlr nvndnnaA _0 ifr * ht . m « _nina _rlava hnfVmn + V _, r
murder was committed . [ The prisoner here smiled . ] I heard of the murder the day after it was committed . —The Boy _recalled : I have never said it was on the Saturday that I found the stick . — Nathaniel O'Neile examined : I am a plasterer . I do not know the boy Taylor . He never told me anything about a stick . —William Taylor recalled : The stick is in the same state now as when it was given to my son . —Inspector Grey examined : I went to the residence of the last witness on Saturday , when he produced the stick now in court . On looking at it I discovered marks of blood ; it appeared eyident to me that it had been washed . He told me thathe had not washed it . —Mr . Rawlinson : How do you account for the stick being so clean now ?—Witness
1 think it must have been washed . —Mr . Thomas Hocker examined : On looking at the stick he said , I believe this stick belongs to my son ; I have not seen it before for three wceks . —Janies Hocker examined ; I am brother to the prisoner . ¦ The stick now produced is my brother ' s . I am quite positive that it is the one which he used to carry about with him , and the one he told me some time since that he had lost . —This closed the evidence for the prosecution . —Mr . Rawlinson told the prisoner that the whole of the evidence which had been adduced against him would now be read over ; after that he ( Mr . R . ) would hear any statement the prisoner might wish to make . —The prisoner bowed to the magistrate , but
made no reply . —Mr . Fell , chief clerk , then read over the whole of the evidence which has been taken , whichoccupied a considerable length of time . — -The prisoner , during the examination , held a bundle of writing paper in his hand ; he , was veiy composed during the inquiry , but towards its close became very weak and exhausted , and was obliged to have a seat . At the conclusion of the evidence Inspector Shackell statedr _, that aperson had just come into court who was anxious to communicate some important information . _^ -Joseph Henry Nash , on being sworn and examined , ' said * . I live at If , Old Church-stveet , Paddington , and on the night of the murder I was engaged on business in the neighbourhood of St . John ' s-wood .
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Coniin" round by the Swiss Cottage , between six and seven o clock in the evening , for I know that to be the time from that at which I left home , I entered the Avenue-road , and when I got half way down it I heard the cries of " Murder . " I stopped to listen to the direction from which the sounds proceeded , and I fou _* - _> d that it rose at a distance of half a mile across the fields . I did not pay much attention to the sound , as I did not hear it more . than once to the " bdst of mv knowledge . I stood , however , for ten minutes listening , and then I saw a man coming cloBe along the hedge towards me , and from that quarter . He ran right up against me and stopped at once , all in a bustle . " I said to him , " Did you hear the cry of murder ? " but lie never answered , and off he ran . I for have
am confident the prisoner is the same man , I seen him before ., It was a very fine night , too , being between lig ht and dark . ; and I am quite sure—I have no doubt—that it was the prisoner I then saw . He appeared to be all in a flurry and bustle when I met liim . I did not observe that he had a stick with him at the time , but it mig ht have been so . Thc scene of the murder is the breadth of three fields and a small space from thc spot where I stood at thc time ; or , as 1 think , a good half mila . Wlum the _ni'isoiuir left mc , he was running away from the quarter iii wliich the Swiss Cottage lay . 1 did not observe particularly the manner in which he was dressed , or whether he wore a mackintosh , but his clothes appeared to be dark in colour . —Mr . Rawlinson , having again
inquired if there was any further evidence to be produced , and his being answered hi the negative , he said : Prisoner , tho inquiry before me is now closed , and I feel it my duty to commit you to Newgate on the charge of Wilful Murder . __ I wish to inform you , however , that the time is arrived when you arc at liberty to make any statement you please , but you are not required to do so witliout you wish . — Prisoner : I thank you , sir . —Mr . Rawlinson : I should also tell you that whatever statement you make will be taken down in writing , and produced at your trial . —The prisoner , holding up a bundle ot writing paper , said , " I decline , sir , to say anything to-day . " He was then removed from the bar , and shortly afterwards conveyed in the prison-van to
Newgate . —Lord Montt ' ord , Mr . Long , and a number of countiy magistrates , were onthe bench during thc inquiry . The court was crammed to suffocation , and the crowd outside was almost impassable . The prisoner attempted to smile as he was conducted to the cell previous to being removed to Newgate , but it was evident to all near him that he was labouring under great mental agitation and suffering . We were not able to ascertain whether the roll of paper which the prisoner held in his hand during the inquiry relating to his defence or not . He has refused to show it to any person whatever , and will not give any information on the subject . The most remarkable circumstance connected with the day ' s examination was tho apparent discrepancy in the evidence related to the stick with which the murder is supposed
to have been committed—the witnesses Taylor and his son both swearing that itwas in their possession previously to the crime being committed , while on the other hand the father and brother of the prisoner both speak positively to thc fact of the stick being the property of the ' prisoner Thomas Hocker . It was thought not a little remarkable , also , that the witness Nash should have waited to the very last moment , before he came forward with evidence of so muck importance to the case as It affects theprisoner . Late _LxPLOSiox at Blackwall . —Inquest ox the Bodies . —On Monday morning the adjourned inquest oh the bodies of the persons who met with their death by the explosion of a boiler at Blackwall , was resumed before Mr . Baker , atthe Town Hall , Poplar , Before
thc proceedings commenced the coroner said , that an arrangement had been entered into with Mr . Carttar _, tho coroner for Kent , to bring the body of Jonathan Smith , who was taken to tho Dreadnought Hospital after the explosion and there died , into this county , that it mi ght be placed under the inquiry of thc same jury with tho rest . The jury , was then re-sworn ; and they proceeded to view the body , which had been placed by the side of the others , and , if possible , presented a more ghastly and revolting -ippearancc than any . On the return of the jury from viewing thc body , James Cole identified it as that of Jonathan Smith , labourer , in tho employment of Mr . Samuda . No doubt existed tliat he met with his death at thc explosion . John Cockayne was sworn , lie said— -I
live at No , 4 , Orchard-place _^ All Saints , Poplar , and am * . v grauto oi' pktes i ' or raWvoads by trade . 1 have been in thc employ of Mr . Samuda about six or seven week's , and the boiler in question was purchased after I was engaged . Do not know how much was given for it , or of whom it was purchased . Did not -think it had been on Mr . Samuda ' s premises so long as a month . I was not employed in working at it until thc time of its connection with thc engine . It was to be connected , and we commenced working at it on thc Saturday night , and finished by Tuesday morning following , when the steam was got up . Thc boiler appeared perfect to me , and I observed nothing to make me suppose there was anything the matter with it . By Tuesday it was connected so as to drive
thc engine . Do not know the power of the engine . I saw thc steam occasionally blown off at the safetyvalve , and it appeared to do so freely . I have seen it blow off at the safety-valve , both with and without the operation of the hand . The steam is let off by the hand by pulling a lever downwards . Mr . Lowe had the regulation and control of thc valve . He is thc foreman of the works of Mr . Samuda , and the boiler was entirely under his control whilst I was there . I saw no process of the proof of the boiler before it was connected with the engine , and cannot speak to the power it had . After breakfast , on ihe morning of the accident , I said to Mr . Lowe that " It was a bad job we can't get to work to-day . " He answered , " Yes , itis , but there ' s plenty of steam , and I can't tell what to make of it . " I think Mr .
Lowe said there was about tOlb , or oOlb . or steam in the boiler , and he couldn't account for the engine not working faster . I believe when lie said that , he meant to thc square inch . Four or five men were employed turning thc fly-wheel round to see if they could get it to go any faster , but to no purpose . . 1 did not see any move fire put on . I saw a piece of wood , about three inches by four square , placed up against the boiler , with a nail driven into it , about three inches from the top . The witness thcii described the position-of thc wood in reference to the safetyvalve ; and added , that there was room for play between the nail and thc safety-valve handle . Ho then went on to say—I put my foot at the bottom , and pressed the nail up to the handle , so as to prevent
the lever from rising . Mi * . Lowe told me to leave it alone , and he then put it back again to the same _positionitwasin before I touched it . I then went away to my own shop , and ten minutes afterwards the explosion took place . I saw the steam blowing off when the wood was in the - position described , and I could not see that my putting my foot to the bottom of it made any difference in it . The engine by neither operation went any faster . —John Guiber Bernand waa the next witness called . _, He said—I live at No . 12 , Store-street , Bromley , and am a wheelwright . I have been in the employ of Mr . Samuda about seven or eight months . I do not know anything of the _purchase , proving , or manufacture of the boiler before the accident occurred . I was first
employed at the boiler in attaching steam-pipes to it on the nig ht of last Sunday week . The work W _38 done in a proper manner , and the explosion has shown nothing to lead me to suppose to the contrary . The materials appeared to be sound and good , and fit for the purposes they were made for . I observed no flaws about anything at the time of connecting the boiler and engine , but everything seemed perfectly secure . The covering ofthe boiler was hiaac of wrought iron , and I cannot say what was its thickness , though I do not think it was sufficiently thick . It was a low-pressure boiler and was put to high-pressure use . I have known lowpressure or condensing engines work with the pressure of 91 b ., 101 b ., and 151 b . to fhe square inch . The
boiler in question once belonged to a pair of locomotivo engines , and I consider that if a pressure of 451 b . to the square inch were placed to such a boiler , there would be great danger of an explosion . Ihaveseveral times remarked , that if it was so used some accident would occur . I have never said so to Mr , Lowe , for it is no use saying anything to him , he will always have his own way . I cannot say what pressure of steam there was at the time of the explosion . I should not consider the boiler safe , or trust my life near it , if it had 201 b . pressure on it . There was a weight on the safety-valve , and the lever attached to it was also kept down . I cannot swear it , but I think there was more than 201 b . pressure at the time of the p xnlosion . There were two weights attached to the
safety-valve , a square one and a round one . [ Ihe witness then gave in a drawing of the boiler and the safety-valve , with the piece of wood that propped it up . It appears that there were two weights of different sizes attached to the safety-valve , the smaller one being at the end of a rod , attached to a lever , and hanging down the side of the boiler . As the steam in the boiler increased , it opened the safety-valve , raising the lever , and causing the rod or handle with the weight at the end to descend . To stop the descent of this rod , a piece of wood , with a nail driven into it , protruding about three inches from the top , was placed against the boiler , and the weight at the end of the rod or handle rested on the nail , by which the valve was kept closed . The drawings were handed round to the jury for their inspection , and witness proceeded . ] Anything placed underneath tho handle would
prevent the valve irom rising , and the valve being prevented froin rising would cause an explosion . I was coming out of iny workshop to work at the job after breakfast , and heard the steam puffing up and down ' as if some person was playing with the valve . I went up and saw Mr . Lowe was there , and he told me to get a nail , but I could not find a hammer , so I got a chisel . There was a piece of the small end of a scaffold pole lying down by the boiler at the time . I do not know which of us picked it up , but Lowe held the handle of the safety-valve up whilst I drove the nail into the wood . He then pulled the handle down , and the steam blew off violently . After I fixed thc hail in the piece of wood , he had another play with the valve , for I call what he did playing . I saw Mr . Lowe place the piece of wood against the boiler before the nail was driven , and he held it in the position he wished to haye it whilst I drove tho
Final Examination And Committal Of Thoma...
nail into it . Before tho piece of wood was applied , the handle had rested on ono of the boiler rivets ; a fixturo . it was taken off the rivets , and Mr . Lowe held it whilst I drove the nail into the wood , by his orders under it . The nail would have the same effect as the rivet , except that it would not bear so much pressure . It was an eightpenny or tenpenny class nail—the point was broken off . I removed the handle of' the safety-valve from the rivet three , times during the morning , not considering it safe in that position . I left the boiler with the handle resting upon the nail . I do not tliink there was any room for play between the handle and the nail when I left it , and the explosion took place within a quarter of an hour of that time . I cannot say that I saw any one go near the boiler after I left it , as I was too busy to pay that attention . I account for
the slow going of the engines by the condensation of the steam in the pipes between thc boiler and the engine ; and I knew it practically to have been so by putting a cock into an elbow pipe of about six feet length , throug h which the steam went . I told Mr . Lowe that lie ought to have the cock placed in another position , to have the water drawn off , the day before the accident . Mr . Lowe , however , did not do as I proposed , but said , "Ah , mon , ye know nothing at all about it . " I think he knew nothing about it himself . There had been a gauge-glass on the Monday preceding thc accident , which was broken ; and another glass was supplied , but it was a very thin one , and not fit for the purpose it was placed there for . I believe it was only useful in cold water , and not able
to bear the hot water . The glass was covered over with a nail bag , or a piece of sack , and I could not see the state of the steam when I went to the boiler . There were two gauge-cocks in front of the boiler , but I consider they were not iu the proper place . I consider that there was not sufficient water in the boiler ; very little had been pumped in , for the men had not given above two dozen strokes at the pump , which was worked by the hand . In order to prevent the tubes in thc boiler from getting red hot , the water ought to be above them , and , if not , the steam woidd be generated to a high state of elasticity very quickly , and thus cause an explosion , as In this case . Itis iny opinion that the pressure of steam was too high for the boiler to bear , and rendered the safety-valve
useless . I consider the accident attributable to steam only , and that gas had not anything to do with . it . The steam-plates were formed for a low-pressure engine , and were not thick enough when the boiler was used for high-pressure engines . I was close by the engine at the time of the accident , listening to the steam , to hear , if I could , its action : but I could not hear it , and 1 consider the cylinder was acting as a pump , being full of water . I do not tliink the engine received the steam properly . The water in the cylinder must have been condensed , from thc steam that was made on the morning of the explosion : The reason why I did not return to look at the stick after Heft it is , because I felt myself rather insulted by Mr . Lowe ; so I left it entirely in his hands .
—Mr . Johuiarey , ot Guildford-strcet , Russell-square , was then examined : He said , I have seen the boiler since it haa been removed , a small distance from the place where it stood at the moment of tho explosion . It was an explosion outwards , and not a collapse , bursting the exterior portion of the boiler . The boiler has been burst by a very intense pressure , whieh is not accountable to me from any supposition of the safety-valve I saw being merely overloaded , but that it must have been fastened down , renderin ' g tliis case very distinct from most of those whieh are on record —all , or nearly all , the steam which was produced being retained and accumulated in thc boiler to a pressure which burst the metal of the boiler with an extreme violence , projecting large pieces to a great
distance through the air . One piece , iu particular , has cut itself into thc bricks of a brick-wall , at a considerable distance from the boiler , which shows that that piece must have been driven with a velocity that would be expected from au explosion ot" giui _* towder , but not from ordinary explosions from " overloaded steam boilers . The earth , wherever the boiler stood , iias been forced downwards b y the violence of the explosion , that being a symptom of the explosions by gunpowder , and frequently found on those occasions , and not a usual symptom in explosions by steam . The appearances convinced mc , 'quite independently of any information to tliat effect , that the valve had been fastened down , and the engines not working at thc time to any speed which would consume the steam .
1 bnt which was prodnced was accunndatcd , there being little or no escape or expenditure for it through thc cylinder . I l ' eel quite confident , that 1001 b . on the square inch could uot produce the eil ' ects which I sec at the place where the accident occurred . 1 have never been a convert to the theory advanced as to the generation of gas . As to the production of gas within a boiler , and the explosion of that gas , it is impossible , unless in eases where tho boiler was nearly empty , ami the metal in the vicinity of tho remaining water red-hot , and 1 never met with one circumstance of this kind that had occurred froni the generation of gas . No atmospheric air cau get into a boiler when under pressure . The supposition that hydrogen gas mav be produced within
a boiler is , that a portion of _* water has liad its oxygen absorbed from it by oxidation of'the heated metal in the boiler . If that did take place oxide of iron must be forced into the boiler in palpable quantities . There were uo such appearances in the present case . Another supposition is requisite to account for an explosion taking place of the hydrogen gas supposed to be produced , namely , that atmospheric air , or oxygen from some other sources , and that oxygen in a state of gas , should become mixed with the hydrogen , as it is only the mixture of hydrogen , and oxygen hi their gaseous states which is susceptible of explosion ; the explosion being , in fact , thc combination of the two gases previous to mixing in suitable proportions for combining them . By their combination
at tlic moment of explosion they produce water . I should say that there is no appearance to form a basis for either supposition , that water has been composed into its constituents , and recomposed with explosion . There were no appearances of a deficiency ot water in the boiler . Thc uppermost row of tubes , which must have been the first to have been laid dry by deficiency of water , are made of brass , and show no symptoms of-having been overheated ; and if they had , brass would not absorb oxygen from water in sufficient quantities to have liberated any hydrogen . The tubes lower down are iron , and show no appearance of having been z _*« _l-hofc , I have been familiar with explosions in gas-works , where it is certain that they were _occasionedby themixture of hydrogen gas with common
air ; such explosions are always attended with real fire and burning ; also in many attempts which were made some years ago to construct engines to be impelled by vacuum caused by that explosive action , as substitutes for'steam-engines . The symptoms attending such explosions ave so distinct from everything belonging to this case , as to leave no doubt whatever on my mind that it has not been occasioned by ignition pf gas , but by steam alone , retained to an excessive pressure . There are two cases on record of explosion by the safety-valve beiug fastened down . One was the boiler of one of the earliest attempts at making a locomotive engine ; the other occurred at Lyons , when Mr . Steele lost his * life . —Mr . Edward Bell was next examined * . He said , I
am an engineer , and live at Putney . I have been an engineer eig hteen years , and am in the habit of giving lectures on steam boilers . I have seen the boiler in question since its removal . I have heard thc evidence of Mr . Farcy , and consider it generally correct . I think that thc safety-valve was either stuck fast or fastened down . I have only seen one safety-valve . Two would be safer , as they are not likely to stick fast both , at thc same time . Those parts of the boiler which are at present exposed to view bear no appearance of having been overheated ; it therefore appears that the increase of pressure must have been gradual , and not instantaneous , which would have been the ease had hydrogen gas been formed in the boiler . The
tubes bear no appearance of having been left bare , and therefore I conclude that the only reason for tliis boiler _having burst is to be attributed to the circumstance that the safety-valve did not act properly . I examined the safety-valve , and found that thc difference between the area ofthe valve and the area of the valve-box , immediately above the scat , was only three inches . In the event of the pressure rising to a great density , it will admit of such an escape as _^ would prevent such an explosion as the one iu question .-JBy the Coroner : I concur in the statement of Mv . Farcy , that the pressure must have been 1001 b . to the square inch to have caused such an explosion . In answer to a question put by the foreman , witness stated , that these verv em-inns
had been worked with a pressure of 2 Mb . to the square inch , by a pipe of an inch and a quarter in diameter . Although the engines when in the steamcarriage were worked with 2401 b . on the square inch , which he has known to be the case , still they were of the same form wliich ought to be in high-pressure engines , and would work as wellat 30 lb . on thesquare inch to perform the work of Mr . Samuda ' s factor }* , as they did at 2 Mb . to thc square inch in the locomotive carriage . —The Coroner then inquired what day the foreman , Lowe , would be able to attend . Dr . Bain , his medical attendant , thought he might come on Friday , if the jury wished it . —The Coroner observed , that if he was brought out too soon it might occasion a relapse ; he therefore thought the inquest ought to be adjourned until Monday next . It was accordingly agreed that thejury should meet acain in
the same place , at ten o clock on Monday next . _Dheadful _Di-ath . —On Saturday morning , between twelve and one o ' clock , a woman named Sarah Cox , who had arrived at the age of 103 years , expired in St . George ' s Hospital under the following distressing circumstances : —The deceased resided at Chapelp lace , Brompton , and was in possession of a small independence . Her daughter , who is upwards of sixty years of age , and who lived with her , had left home ior the purpose of obtaining her quarterly amount of income , when the old woman , in reaching something from the mantelpiece , fell over the guard in front of the fir e and set herself in a blaze , in which atate she was found by her landlad y , but before the flames could be extinguished her clothes were nearly consumed , and her person frightfully scorched . She was conveyed to St . _George ' s Hospital , where death terminated her sufferings
Final Examination And Committal Of Thoma...
Englishmen _Ueduceu to _Smveiiy at _Maiuuascar —The last accounts from thc Mauritius state that the English Captain Croft , and his mate , Mr . HeD pick , had been reduced to slavery by the Queen of * Madagascar ( Ranavolana ) _, on a trumped-up oh & . r »< t of man-stealing . They were sold to certain slave owners for 30 dollars each , and afterwards ransomed at that sum . _C-apt . ivelly , in the Conway frisati _^ endeavoured to investigate the matter and obtain satisfaction , but the queen boldly avowed the act ? and declared that she would repeat it under similar circumstances , ihe Mauritius journal says' — . "It seems thatthe greatest hatred is manifested towards the English by the Hova authorities . Q , Cen _Rann valona prohibits the commanders on the " roastT _^^ ° L _^^^ _L r _^^ * ta demand made them by the captains of
, on our shins of mv This tyrant queen , the usurper of the th ™ . <* r « L * mei ; ly filled by Radama , the 4 nd J d _$ T _& land , arrogates to herself thc right to rob , murder poison , and reduce to slavery Eng lishmen , under the pretext of the laws , superstitions , and customs csta Wished hy her savage ancestors . The blood of mur dered Englishmen , and of- thc martyrs for their religious principles in Madagascar , call loudly fertile in " terferonco of the British Government , to place our commerce with that island on thc most sure and lasting foundation for the future . Past experience prove ** that no reliance can be placed upon the arrogant and superstitious party who at present govern that nine _, nilicent but ill-fated country . " Lord Aberdeen wfll doubtless instruct the Governor of thc Mauritius to put a speedy end to this state of things .
Dkkadful Accident . —On Tuesday evening aa accident , which proved fatal to a fine little boy seven years of age , the son of Mr . Adams , a tradesman in Marygold-court , Bermondsey , occurred in the imm e diate vicinity of his father ' s house . It appeared the unfortunate child was playing with some other cliil . dren in the street , when a cart , belonging to Mj _, Woodward , of Shad Thames , and driven by Wil lia _^ Clapton , came along , and tho child being thrown do wn one ofthe wheels passed over his head and crushed his skull in such a frightful manner that he died in . _stantaneously . The body awaits a coroner ' s in . quest .
Death : by Haxgixc . — On Monday morning , at seven o ' clock , a gentleman of very respectable ap . pearance , about fifty years of age , lightcompiexiou , and pitted with the small-pox , was found hanging at the foot of his bed , at Wright ' s Coffee-house , Charing _, cross , where he had taken a bed for the night . Previous to his going to bed he had several cups of coffee , but was perfectly sober , and ordered himself to be called at seven o ' clock , but was heard by thc waiter moving in his room at six . Notwithstanding , at seven tlic waiter knocked at his door , and receiving no answer , opened it , when he observed the unfortunate gentleman suspended by two handkerchiefs from
the bed-post . The waiter immediately gave an alaiaa to his master , who cut him down , and sent for a doctor . Mr . M'Cann , oi Parliament-street , was promptlv in attendance , and attempted to bleed him from the arm and jugular veins , and applied other _muscita _. tive remedies , but without effect , as lite was extinct . At present no reason can be assigned for so rash an act , as he had between £ 18 and £ li ) in gold and silver in his pocket ; but no letter or card was found about him to give any clue as to who he may be , His linen was marked " G . M ., " and his stockings " M . " His hat had the maker ' s name , " Hall , _llegentcireus . " .
Extraordisahy _Exduraxce . —On Saturday Mr . W . Baker held an inquest atthe British Lion , Ncw _Cavciidish-strcet _, North-road , Hoxton , on the body of Mrs . Frances Hall , aged 73 . The deceased , who resided in Old Cavcndish-strect , was possessed of property amounting to about £ 200 per year , and although she lived in a small back room , she lived up to iier income . For some months past she had been observed to walk lame , which she accounted for by saying she had a touch of the gout , but refused having medical advice . On Wednesday last she was cut and in the neighbourhood as usual , and she went , to bod about seven o ' clock . When a female accustomed to wait upon her went to call her at ten o ' clock next ( Thursday ) morning , she found hoi * in bed , ( load , mid her face violently distorted . Mr . Baker , sun-con .
was called in , who stated that he found the body in a horrible state . The stench arising from it was quite unbearable ; the limbs were ri gid , and ( lie distorted features arose from the violent agony she was ir . shortly before she died . On examining the bod y , he found the bowels protruding through the abdomen , which was in a dreadfully mortified state . Un examining tho body mienially , he found a large fatty tumour , weighing nearly two ' pound ' - and a half , co - hering to the left lobe of thc lung . The mass of disease , externally and internally , was of so frightful a character , __ that it was surprising how a human being could live under sueh circumstances , as lie bad found enough to destroy any twelve persons . The jury , after a short consultation , returned a verdict of—Died from natural causes . »
SlEAM-BOAT _ACCIDEM OK TIIE ltlVER TaMAU . —On Saturday evening last the small steam-boat called " the Alert , which plies from Devonport to the various places on the Tamar , proceeded with the market people from that town to tlieir homes up the rivm * . When off Cotehele , about twelve miles up , she stopped to allow eleven persons to get into a boat to land on the opposite bank , when a rush to the side ef the vessel whence tlicy descended caused the stoaiuci to heel over and to shove the boat under water . The parties were immersed , and out o the eleven five were drowned ; five were picked up , some of them in an exhausted state , and one swam on shore .
Incendiarism i . v Bkdfordshiiie . —Incendiary fives are raging to an alarming extent in Beds . ' About a fortnight since a most diabolical act was perpetrated at the little village of Winglield , near Hocklitle ( where not more than three months since an incendiary destroyed two cottages , a farm-house , a large quantity of corn , and all the farm buildings ) . This fire began at a cottage outbuilding , and soon extended itself to six other cottages , two farm-houses , and all the farm buildings , corn , ic , the whole of wliich were destroyed . To witness the distress of the houseless poor on one of the severest ni ghts of the . _icason . _ca-n be better imagined than described . On Saturday last an attempt was made to five some farm _buildirgs belonging to Mr . Smith , situate in the town of _Toddington , A barn was discovered to be on fire , which fortunately was extinguished before it spread to any extent . Had it not been seen in time , nothing could
have saved ene-half of the town from its ravages . Two policemen are on dutv in tho town every night , and lodge close on thc spot . —Brighton Herald . ¦ Accident at the _Coxservativi- Club-hocse . — On Saturday an accident , which it is apprehended will be attended with fatal results , took place at the above named club-house . It appears tliat one of the waiters , named Joseph Smith , aged 25 , who was assisting in drawing up coals from the cellar through the various trap doors to thc top of thc _home , which was performed by means of a crane , essayed , atlength _, to go down in the scuttle which had brought the coals up . He had not , however , descended many feet when the chain by which he was suspended snapped asunder , and lie was precipitated into the cellar beneath , from a height of several yards , lie was conveyed in a state of insensibility to St . George's Hospital , where he remains iu a most deplorable state of suffering from a fractured spine and othei serious injuries .
_Disoiucefw , Co . vDucr . —On Wednesday night two officers of the 37 th Regiment , quartered at Gosport , entered the Royalty Theatre , Portsmouth , and amused themselves by throwing at the actors and actresses rubbish with which they had'provided themselves , and by using improper language towards the female portion of the coips dramatiquc This conduct was quietly submitted to by the members of the establishment until the termination ofthe evening ' s entertainments , when the manager ( Mr . Henry Reeves ) _proceeded to the box occupied by the above officers , and having called them out , toolc one of them by the nose and wrung it , and saluted ills seat of honour with three kicks , wliich well-merited chastisement was not resented bv the " men of war , "
who __ sneaked off amid the jeers of the audience , then leaving thc theatre . The gentlemen , however , had made up tlieir minds to be revenged upon the manager and his corps , for on the following night they came armed with sticks , backed by upwards of a dozen of their " brothers in arms" similarly provided , and waited in the lobby of the house ' for the devoted manager until the close ofthe performance . To the credit of the manager be it spoken , he came forth into the midst of-thc " line of battle } " and presented himself to them , regardless of the result . One ofthe officers thereupon , a Lieutenant ofthe 37 th Regiment , went up to Mri Reeves , the manager , and , holding a stick close to his face , said , " I should like to batter your head in ! " but the gallant soldier abstained from
this gratification , as did each of his companions , and none had the courage to strike the manager , who had pulled the nose of then * comrade , and kicked him out of the house . They , however , fell foul . of the pro . prietor of the house ( who was endeavouring to persuade them to keep the peace and leave quietly ) and struck him in the face , and also of a poor player , whom they also grossly assaulted . Thc result was that the police were called in , and three of the most prominent in the fray were taken to the station-house , where they gave ihem names as Augustus Charles Hobart , a mate ofthe Royal yacht ; Herbert Russell Manners , Lieutenant ofthe 37 th ; and Ensign James Henry Wyatt , also of the 37 th Regiment . They were admitted to bail by the superintendent of the
police , and warrants were issued to compel their attendance before the borough magistrates on Saturday . In the mean time , however , Messrs . Wyatt and Hobart succeeded in settling their respective cases with the complainants , but the manager ( whose wife was most grossly insulted on Wednesday night ) indignantly spurned the offer of compromise , and carried his case into court . It occupied an hour and a half , hut the magistrates , having retired to deliberate upon their decision , returned into court , and said "they had heard the evidence on both sides , and having maturely considered the whole , had resolved on dismissing the case . " We strongly recommend the case the magistrates have thus dismissed to the Horse Guards for investigation .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 15, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_15031845/page/6/
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