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The Weather ox the Coshsest.—Hambdrgh, March 4.—Letters from St. Petersburghofthe 22d ult. state that the cold had been intense in the extreme
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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 HETflTlLAWSOCllTY SWINDLE . Ij 3 st $ sift ^ rrespOBdent . TOOte , ^ a sking for information respecting : a . Soeiety . ostensiblyformed to aid parties whoniaj . bc poor , aid yet thinkthey have claims a ^ deyHence that will establishttieni ' as heirsat-law io certaiaproperties . When we ifceeived the letter aUuded tfi ' jfe could do no more than state that anch a spfxebr ' dideiast—iox of its nature and constitution M ^ oE'ffiB ^ cgreo of reliance to be placed on it , we fc ^ Vyn ' eaBs of knowing . At the very tune , howeveri tliat we -frere penning a notice to that effect an exaioinatianwas going on before Sir J ^ Duke , at the GniIdbaBj ' i % hicii > calls in no common degree , on Hose afeut- ^ i / plaec ' iieinsclres In the Lands of die said society ' - |[> be iautipus and wary , else they may iappen to find iuqmselves the victims of an arrant sraiidle- ' ; TpTpBt such on their guard we give the eiatainafionTeferrea ' to .. It took place on Thursday
Hug ^ . . TsTlliams , tlic .: clerk of . the Heir-at-Law Society sgein appeared i > e 5 » rs . Sir J . Duke to answer the complaint cf - a .- poo ? lias named Bridger , who has come to London to pro / ecate-a claim to an estate in the country worth £ W , * f » - "s . The charge was , that the society had re-• cciv ^ -j £ t ; - £ ? : Til . for the special purpose of taking coungci ' s «!; i aiu : \ -and in i violation of good feith had not so appl ;^ ., ; ., . .- . . - : . - . -, . TiiXzf . . .- ¦ ' > !; : id attended on-a previous day , when he stated tUxil ' . K manager , Mr . Q . Boss , if as out of town , and thai , in fact , lJr . BbsslqiewiM > Uiii > gof ihematter , as ffie complainants numejiliad Been emhezded by a late clerk . The complainant haTing ascertained that the inanagcr is a pnspn . ertin . 'the Queen's Prison , and not a "visitor in the conribry ,-renewed Ijis application . Sir J . Duke as | ced if Ross was now . in attendance I "Williams answered he was not ; but he was there on behalf of Hr . Boss and . the society .
Sir J . Duke said he had received letters from parties who complained thai the ? had " paid money , and received nosmieefromthVsocietyi . i If this was the practice of the society it bordered pu . swindling . "Williams saifl . lje ! wasVeady to answer any charge . Sir J . Buke askeJiV \ vho ' Watson , the chairman of the society , was ? . ' ; ^ m - Willianis replied / lie was a gentleman . Sir -J , Uukesaid that was no answer . If Mr . Watson was really a respectable man he need not shrink from publicity . . "Williams replied , that the proceedings were too public , and that was the reason he should not give names . Sir J . Duke said , MryBoyle , of the Temple , had come forward to disclaim being what "Williams had represented , the standing counsel of the society .
Williams stated that he ; was the society's standing counsel now . - Cases were drawn , and submitted for his opiniua . He produced the book in whieli the cases andopi-11 : 00 s were entered , and said the society ' s early cases had lem submitted to Mr . Barker . It was very easy to east imputations . -,. ; . . . . -. . ' . ¦; . ¦ Sir J . DiAe asked who Mr . Barker was ? "Williams replied , he was a barrister of long standing . ¦¦ Sir J . Duke said , he was astonished the public could be led astray by a society which had attracted the notice of one of Hit Queen ' s judges , and pointed out as a fit object for prosecution by the Attorney-G cueral . The alderman asked if Mr . Boss was still out of town f "Williams said he was . Be had gone to Brighton . Sir J . Duke asked when he saw him last ?
"Williams said he should not answer that question . There was no complainant in court , and was he to be examined and to make a defence where there was no charge SirJ . Duke said if he Would tell who were the seven directors of the society he should feel obliged . VTinianis said he would not telL for the reason he had already given .. Sir J . Duke hoped the public would be cautious in their dealings with a society , the directors of which shrunk from the disclosure of their names . Williams said , of course they would be ashamed to Sec their-names-in a police report . Sorely the case was not to be entered . upon ex ptaie . Who accused the society ? Had Sir . J . Duke any right to examine him ( the clerk ) at . all ? , ; - . : Sir J . Duke said the complainant had taken , out the summons , and ^ perhaps Mr- Williams could account for his absence ? " ¦ '
Williams declared that he had not compromised with the complainant , and if he sow came for his money , perhaps thffBiagistlsle would order it should ' not be paid . " - The Alderman called for Mr . Toole . . ; ' " ¦ 3 Ir . Tojole said he would state his case . He had not exactly a complaint to make . He" was at Bull' some months agcr , and he undertook to obtain anopinionon the claim of a poor man named Doughty . Hlobtained the opinion of a respectable practitioner , lvhich ' was adverse from want of certain papers . The poor man got more papers , and , as a last resort , placed them in the hands of the society . Upon paying themoney , he obtained the following receipt : — "Heir-at-lawSocieiy , lfo . 353 . - " Office , 14 , Chatham-place , JJlackfeiars . - ' Received , the loth of August , 1844 , of Mr . Joseph Doughty , the sum of £ 2 4 s Gd , being the fee of counsel for his opinion and advice herein . Ceoege Boss . "
Williams , interrupting the complainant , asked what was the charge ? Toole" said he did not make a charge . ' Williams observed that he had no right to he heard at all ; he was v . ot to cast imputations on the society if he had no charge He protested in the strongest manner against anything farther being heard , as he had no charge tonialieV : ' ' " Sir J . Duke said it was for him to judge whether there Was ground ttf Charge after hearing ihc circumstances . Williams again formally protested against Mr . Toole being heard . Hr . Toole , however , continued . —Such a society , honestly conducted , " would be a great benefit to society . Williams said he was willing to return Mr . Toole the papers . Sir J . Duke said he would not allow 3 Ir . Toole to he
interrupted ; the time to reply was when he had finished . . The complainant continued . —After paying the fee the lieai received a letter promising that his case should be nbnntted to counsel in its turn , but from August to March thai turn had not arrived . A great many applications Lad brcn made at the offices hi Trafalgar-square and Chatham-place , but no information had been obtained . Sir 3 . Dukv asked if an opinion had been taken on this case % Williams referred to his book , but could not find one . Sir J . Duke remarked , that it would not have been difficclt ' to manufacture an opinion and affix any counsel ' s name to it He asked Williams if he should read the opinion ( if the society expressed by one of the Queen ' s judges ? Williams protested energetically against any ex-parte proceedings—any expression of insinuations against the Eocietv . "
Sir J . Duke said , it did not 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 hand , and whom Williams did not appear to know , was 3 Ir . Boyle , whom he had misrepresented as "being the standing counsel of the society . Williams denied that he had so represented Hr . Boyle . Sir J . l : uke said he gave &e society credit for engaging a ra-m of Williams ' s ingenuity and boldness . Mr . Bo . de negged 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 in the ordinary manner . He had a list of the eases in winch he had advised , and would show it to the Alderman .
Sir J . J'uke thanked him for his attention , and said it might be 01 some utility to print that list ; it ran as follows : — "To advising on papers , Jan . 19 , re Salomon : Jan . 19 , re Pelham ; Jan . 26 , re Phillips ; Jan , 29 , re Barrett ; Feb . 3 , reDanvers ; Feb . 14 , re Crump ; Feb . 15 , re Haweis ; Feb . 28 , re Carew ; March 5 , re Wood ; March 37 , re Wood ; May 29 , re Salusbury ; May 29 , re Barnes ; June 11 , re St Aubyn ; June 11 , re Meredyth ; Aug . 6 , re Swinton ; Aug . 6 , re Rawlins ; Ang . 6 , re Eustace . " Mr . Tomldnson , of the Walworth-road , made a complaint , but in his case a legal opinion seemed to hare been taken . The chief clerk told Williams if he wished to see Mr . Boss he might find him in the Queen '? Prison , bnt Williams turned a deaf ear to it .- j - --Sir J . Duke , therefore , asked him if he wished to hear where Mr . Robs was ?
Williams said no , he-did not It was shocking that there should have been an inquiry when n » charge wns made . Such insinuations ought not to be permitted . The society was ready and able to answer every accusation thai evndd be brought against it . SirJ . Pake was glad to hear it ^ . and discharged Mr . fVilliBmc from farther attendance on Bridgets complaint . From a prospectus , dated 1842 , which was put in , it appeared , the society was described as having a capital Of j £ 100 , WH > , 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 able assistants . George Sobs , manager ; W . H . Watson , chairman . A paper , which gives the resolutions of the committee held on the 9 th of November , 1841 , states that the society hare now placed by clients at their disposal various sums amounting to upwards of £ 800 , 000 , to be laid out in mortgage . Another prospectus , dated February , 1843 , which wa 3 handed to . the magistrate , gives the amount to be loaned on mortgage at only £ 300 , 000 ; but it states that the society has 450 chums relating to properly amounting to £ 30 , 000 , 000 under consideration . On Tuesday last there was another case before the magistrates at Guildhall . Thcfollowing are the particulars : — After disposing of some business , Sir F . Laurie asked if aperson named Henry Scholefield , of the Bull ' s Head , Tottenham-conrtJoad , was present ? Scholefield presented MmseUl . Sir P . Laurie said he understood he had some application to make r ^ specling the Belf-at-Law Society . Sir P . Laurie found , bj-a letter addressed to him at his private residence ^ that the society had obtained something more from him than afee for counsel ' s opinion . Scholefield said , he had comenp to london from LancadnrePtb obtain the aid of &e society , as it purposed to be insbtated for the special benefit of the poor . He-was a poweriloom -wearer ; ana Ms finances would not allow him ^ ^ ylwi | 5 wiat 0 TO - He TOntod , therefore , to ask-B * aWenaan ' 8 advice how he was to recover his * ^^^^!" ' rf £ lQ ' o btain *! from , him under ? SSSj 5 Sjf «» ne PweeedmgB in Chancery , to « ompeiaieexecutortopayihelegacyh eclaiTO 94 . S § . .. ¦ ¦ ¦'¦ ¦ ¦ '; ' ¦ : " --: -
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*~ S » V . tiurfe asked him i £ he had been , to Chathampiace to ask for his papers ? _' " ^ ' He said he had been five tunes that day , and Hugh Williams / -the cla *; tbid him to come again at two o ' clock , and then he would see Mr . Ross , and get a letter forMr ; Smith . SirP . tiaurieaskedwhohewasf ' Scholefield said he was acting on behalf of another , a poor inau named Thomas Smith , at Lowton , near Leigh , Manchester . The first sum of £ 2 4 s . " Gd . was paid on the 11 th of November , 1843 , and he received a reply , requesting a statement of the particulars . He afterwards received a copy of the case and counsel's ' opinion thereon . Then followed the application for £ 10 , which was remitted . He received the following answer : — ¦¦
' .. - . . December 23 , 1844 . Sib , —I-am directed ' by this Society to acknowledge tiie receipt of your letter ' of the 21 st , enclosing £ 10 , irhiclrvou . may ., rely on being applied to the best advantage of the claimant , and that you shall shortly hear from us again on the subject . In the meantime , give us the name and residence of Mr . Kidd , and you need not doubt he will soon be brought to account by this Society , for whom V lam , ic , " Geo . Ross . Sir P . Laurie looked at this letter , and said it was in the handwriting of Ross . He knew the man ; and he asked how the applicant first heard of the society f Scholefieldreplied , aperson who had obtained a circular in Lancashire , showed it to him and others who had claims to properly . Sir P . Laurie asked what amount Smith was seeking to
recover . ...-. Scholefield replied it ^ Yas 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 Gd ., and lie should be thankful he bad not been duped to a greater extent . Terhaps , "ff iniams might be indicted with Boss for conspiracy , but 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 annum . ( Loiid laughter . ) Sir P . Laurie said it might be 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 . DTehadasKed for an interview with the Mr . Wentworth Watson , who was chairman of the Board of Directors , of whom three were magistrates ( as Hugh Williams assured Mm ) , hut 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 respeetabUitv . All magistrates were not spotless characters . He knew Mr , "Watson . It was the same man that projected a bridge across Farringdon-street , to avoid the declivity of Holborn-hill . Sir P . Laurie recommended the ' applicant to return home if he couldget his papers . " The applicant withdrew .
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THE SGOTTISE POOR LAW SYSTEM . — SHAMELESS TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE AT DUNDEE . ' TO THE EDITOE OF THE NOKIHEEtf 8 TAB . Sib , —As your columns have ever been open to expose every . injustice or oppression inflicted upon the working classes , I trust that you mil give aplace ( in what is so emphatically audso truly termed Labour ' s Journal ) to the following statement of a new and most g igantic stride of oppression / at present in course of being perpetrated upon theVorlSng classes of Dundee . Owing to the late secession from the Established Church of Scotland , the Kirk Sessions , who formerly transacted the business of the receipt and distribution of the poor ' s funds , became here , as in nianv other places' ( bvthe withdrawing of the greater
part of , the members ) , totally inefficient for the purpose ; li ' eccea new arrangement was found necessary , and'this waMrfdertakenby owmagistf ates . the new Kirk Sessions / arid ^ thiiahdward"heritors of iheparish thepaftiesibythe-byeVwho were formerly assessed along witU'the middle Classes' aud theJsHbpoeracy ) ,. to make ' up the- ueh ' essaSy sum , for which the ' voluntary' contributions at the church doors were found deficient . The parties above-mentioned held a meeting some time in the month of March , 1844 , at which they res 61 ved to assess , not only the heritors , tlie middle classes , and the suopocvacr , but also tUe working classes ( who were never assessed before ) , if they were in the receipt of 11 s . Gd . per week , or £ 30 per 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 , as too many of them do not earn so much , and even those who earn 15 s . a week' ( which is considered very good wages ) are subjected to great irregularity in employment between' " occasional want of work , sickness , and the weather . ' From these causes a weekly wage of 15 s . is too often nearer an average of 10 s . nowever , 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 the 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 the rent of the house he inhabited . In tills way , a man paying £ 4 a year of rent , is held to bo worth £ 30 per annum , taking it for granted as a foot / 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 . 2 Jo matter , though the working man struggles to keep hi one or two benefit societies to meet the rent day , or occasional illness , he must be made to pay into a fund that denies him all assistance , till he has sold all his clothes and furniture , and then , if a doctor certifies he is unable to work , Mid he signs a will , bequeathing all or any money , or property , that maybe bequeathed , or to which he mar become heir , he then , if lie
can prove he has resided sis years iu the parish , and produce all the receipts for rent and taxes , for those six years previous , he may then perhaps be put on the roll , and jw ? - Jmjw not , for even all these are sometimes insufficient to rouse the sleeping humanity of the committee ; and when he does get any relief , he may get one sMH % , or one shilling and sfepoicc a vxck , to maintain a family ' . But to return to the subject , the great secret of the whole matter is this : that the inore 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 require a larger house ; so that in place of helping a man with alarge family / he is more grievously oppressed , while the man 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 sjatemhave been missed altogether , -while , -within a feiv doors of them , two poor weavers earning 8 s . or 9 s . a week , with large families , are rated 3 s . 9 d . The whole thing is most unjust and oppressive . The oppressors of the poor held what they called a court of appeal , but it was previous to any 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 of the inhabitants was called to consider the matter , when it was determined to refuse payment , and to assess ourselves in five per cent of the 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 chosen to manage the business , and collect funds , for which purpose the town has been divided into districts ; aud I am happy to add , that already a goodly sum has been collected , and cheering assurances of support if it should be required .
As we hear rumours of attempts to assess the working classes in many other places , we are anxious that they should know that a determined stand is to be made against it ; and as an opinion of ihe court of session , the request of Mr . Gladstone , of Faskew , has been obtained , that agricultural labourers are exempt from this tax , we , who live by labour alone , maintain that we have an equal privilege , and we are determined to preserve it . Knowing that the . Stei 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 constitut ional manner , that the support of the poor may be derived from the land of then" birth , and , not from the scanty means of the labourer and artisan . 1 remain , sir , by order of the committee , your-most obedient servant , Dundee , Feb . 20 th , 1845 . Fete * SiBATnEHtf .
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Final Examination and Committal of Thomas Henry Hockbr . —Tuesday being appointed for the final examinatien of Hockei ^ at Maiylebone Police Office , the neighirouriidodof that court was crowded at an early hour ; and Hie 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 oa the inquiry before the coroner . : The prisoner was brought fvonvthe-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 en his arrival in good spirits , but shortly after he was locked up he became
very distressed , and asked for pens , ink , and paper , for the purpose , he said , of finishing his defence . He was very silent , and refused to answer any questions which were put to him . Shortly after ten o ' clock Mi * . Rawlinson , ' the magistrate ,= took his seat : on the bench , but the doors of the court were not opened to the public until a quarter before eleven . In the meantime Inspectors ShackelJ , Haynes , and Grey had an interview with , theMagistrate . 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 the night charges . Mrs . Edwards and Miss Philps arrived shortly afterwards , and were taken into one of the ante-rooms of the ; court . At a quarter
past eleven ' ' 0 clock the prisoner was brought in and placed at the felon ' s bar . He manifested much the same ease and apparent indifference to the situation in which he stands as on former occasions ; but he fell into occasional fits of dejection . The first witness called was John Baldock j 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 cany away the bedy , 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 , "Wlmtiait ? " I said , "It is a dead man , and I think he has cut his throat . " He said , "Are you
sure he is 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 ; He next said , " You have got a nasty job alone , policeman . " I said , " They are gone for the stretcher , and I dare say they'll soon be back . He said , " L'll wait with you till the stretcher comes , as you are left alone . " - ' lie 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 m 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 him , 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 be felt very queer , and thought he wanted a littlo 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 . Isaid , -I must not take it , as I was not allowed to do it . " lie pressed me to take it , and said there was no harm . in it , as he should say nothing about it . I said "I would rather not '¦• " bnt after he pressed me more 1 took it . —Mr . Rawlinson : That is the reason , I suppose , why you did not tell me or the coroner of this 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 earned away the body . I last . saw the 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 found at the feet of the dead man ; it is bruised , and has bloodupon it . l 3 produce a stick also , which has blood upon it too . —A hat and stick were here produced which . had marks of . blood upon them ; they were found hear the deceased . — James Euston , police constable 168 A : I was with
the prisoner two hours before his last examiaatioa .-r Mr . Rawlinson : And you had some communication with him ?—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 madea noise at the door , and when I opened it he jumped from his seat , and said he could throw some light on the affair , and wished to see the gaoler and the waiter of the Swiss Cottage . Prisoner told me that some time after . the murder he went to the Swiss Cottage , called fora glass of rum and water , and paid the waiter a shilling . Prisonergavethewaitertwopence . whenthelatter 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 him to have some brandy , which he refused . I pressed him to have it very much , and at last ho received a shilling . I remained there while they went for the stretcher . " That is all he said ; I made no remarks . —Mr . Fell , the clerk , said he thought , if the magistrate allowed the witness to recollect himself , he would state something else . —Witness : lie said a good deal , but nothing of importance . — - Mr . Rawlinson : You are not to judge of the importance ; state all he said . —Witness proceeded : O , yes . He said he had got it down , " ins and outs . " He had four sides 01 paper written on . I said , " Have
you got it down , then ? " and he answered , " les , I have got it all rdown 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' are at liberty' to ask any question . —Prisoner : The witness has made an imjiortant omission . He has said nothing about my asking respecting a knife .- —Witness : You never'did ask me about a knife . —Mrs . Maria Edwards examined : Hive now at 61 , Tichfield-street . 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 iirat 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 the murder . He came iu at'thc front door , and went to the housekeeper ' 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-strect . I noticed that the prisoner had a watfck 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 Portland-Elac « . —Mi-. Rawlinson : People sometimes wash their ands 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 he came in . — Henry Evans Taylor : I live at 8 , Allsop-mews , Dorset-square . About three weeks ago I found a stick on Macclesfield-bridge , Regent ' s-park . —Mr . Rawlinson : Recollect yourself ; you must be mistaken . —Witness No ; it was about three weeks ago . —[ The stick was here produced . It is a heavy bludgeon , and rather a formidable weapon . ]—Witness continued : The stick is in the same condition as when I found it . It has not been washed . I did not observe anvthing
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 him the stick produced eight or nine days before the 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 , ne 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 evident to me that it had been washed . He told me that he had not washed it , —Mr . Rawlinson : How do you account for the stick being so clean now ?—Witness : I 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 weeks . —James Hocker examined ; I am brother to the prison * -. 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 o \ er the whole of the evidence which has been taken , which occupied a considerable length of time . —The prisoner , during the examination , held a bundle of writing paper w Mb hand ; he was very 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 stated 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 17 , Old Church-street , Paddingtori , and on the night of the murder I was engaged on business in the neighbourhood of St . John ' s- ' wood .
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Coming tohmI by the ~ Swiss Cottage , betwecif 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 . Igot half way down it I heard the cries of : " . Murfler . '' I stopped to listen to the di rection from which the sounds proceeded , and I fourclthat 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 liear it more than once to the best of my knowledge . \ -I stood , - however / for ten minutes listening , and then I saw a- man coming close 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 tohuni ¦?? Did ' you : hear the cry oi murder ? " but he never answered , and off he ran . 1
am confident the prisoner , is the same man , for I have seen him before . , ' It was a very fine night , too , ' being between light and dark ; and lam quite surCr r lhave no doubt—that it was : the prisoner Ithen saw . Ho appeared to be all in a flurry and bustle when I met iifm . I did not observe that he had astick with : him at the time , hut ii might have been so . The scene of the murder is the breadth of three fields and a small space from the spot where I stood at the time ; or , as 1 think , a good half mile . When the prisoner left me , he was running awayfrom the ; quarter in which the Swiss Cottagolay . I 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 , in the negative , he said : Prisoner , the 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 are at liberty to make , any , statement you please , but you are not required to . doao . without 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 of writing paper , said , " I decline , sir , to say anything to-day . " lie was then removed from the bar , and shortly afterwitrds conveyed in the . prison-van to
Newgate .--Lord Montfprd , Mr , . Long , and a number of country , magistrates , were on the bench during the 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 the annarent discrepancy in the evidence
related to the stick with which . the murder is supposed to have been conunifctcd—the ^ witnesses Taylor aud his son both swearing that it . was in their possession previously to the crime being committed , while 011 the other hand the father and brother of the prisoner both speak positively to the 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 much importance to the case as it affects the prisoner . L \ te Explosion at Blackwall . —Inquest ox the Bodies . —On Monday morning , the adjourned inquest on the bodies of the persons whomet with their death bythe . explosionof a boiler at Blackwall , wasresumed
before Mr . Baker , at the Town Hall , roplar . lielore the proceedings commenced the coroner said , that an arrangement had been entered into with-Mr . Carttar , the coroner for Kent , to bring the body of Jonathan Smith , who was taken to the . Dreadnought Hospital after the explosion and there , died , into this county , that it might be placed under the inquiry of the same j ury with the rest . > : The j ury ; 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 appearance than any . On the return of . the . jury-from viewing the body , James Cole identified it as that of Jonathan Smith , laboui'Oivin the employment of Mr . SamuiW No doubt existed that he mefcwith his death at the
explosion . John Cockayne was sworn . He said—I live at No . 4 , Orchard-place ^ All Saints , Poplar , and am a grinder of plates for railroads by trade .. I have been in . the employ of Mr . Samuda about six or seven weeks , 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 the time of its connection with the engine . It was to be connected , and we commenced . working at it on the Saturday night , and . finished by Tuesday morning following , when the steam was got up . The boiler appeared perfect . to me , and I observed nothing to make me suDnose there was anything the matter
with it . By Tuesday it was connected so as to drive the engine . Do not know the power of the . engine . I saw the steam occasionally blown off at the safetyvalve , and it appeared to do so freely .. I have seen it Wow off at the safety-yalve , both with and without the operation of the hand . The steam is let . off by the hand by pulling v a lever downwards . Mpj- . Lowe had . the regulation and control of the . yalve . He is the foreman of the , works of Mr .. Saniuda j 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 the 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 , it is , but there's plenty 01 steam , and I can't toll what to make of it . " I think Mr . Lowe said there was about 401 b . or 501 b . of steam in the boiler , andjie couldn't account for the engine not working faster . " I believe when he said that , he meant to the square inch . Four or five , men were employed turning the fly-wheel round to see if they could get it to go any taster , but to no purpose . I did not sec any more 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 then described the position of the wood in reference to the safety ^ valve ; and added , that there was room for play between the nail and the safety-valve handle . He 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 . Mr . Lowe told me to leave it alone , and lie then put it back again to the same position it was in 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 , ana 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 was the next witness called . He said—I live at No . 12 , Storo-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 night of last . Sunday , week . The work was done in a proper manner , ajnd 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 of the boiler was made of wrought iron , and I cannot say what was its thickness , though I do not think it was sufficiently thick . It was a low-pressuro 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 lfilb . to the square inch . The boiler in question once belonged to a pair of looomotivo 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 . I have several 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 tliiuk
there was more than 201 b . pressure at the . time . of the explosion . There were two weights attached to the safety-valve , a square one and a round one . [ The witness then gave in a drawing of the boiler and the safety-valve , with the piece of wood that propped it up It appeai-s 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 , raisin" 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 tlie jury for their inspection , and witness proceeded . ] Anything placed underneath the handle would
prevent the valve from rising , and tiie valve being prevented from rising would cause an explosion . I was coming out of my 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 doYm by the boiler at the time . I do not know which of us picked it up , but Low * held the handle of the safety-valve up whilst I drove the nail into the wood . He then pulled the handle down , and the ateam blew off violently . After I fixed the nail 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 have it whilst I ' drove tho
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" nail ' in'to it . Before the'piece of woodFwas applied , the handle had rested on one of the boiler rivets ; a fixture , it was taken off the rivets , [ arid-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 think there was any room for play between the handle and the nail when I left it , ' and the explosion took place within a quarter o ^ 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 the 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 , through which the steam went . I told Mr . Lowe that he 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 , ihon , ye know nothing at all about it . " I think he knew nothing about it himself . There had been a gauge-glaas on the Monday preceding the accident , which was broken ; and another glass was supplied , but it was a vevy thin one ,
and not fit for the purpose it was placed there ior . believe it was only useful in cold water , and not able to bear tlie hot watei \ 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 in the proper place . I consider that there was not . sufficient water iu 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 the boiler from getting red hot , the water ought to be above them , and , if not , the steam would be generated to a high state of elasticity very quickly , ana thus cause an explosion , as in this case . It is
my opinion that the pressure of steam was too high for the boiler to bear , and rendered the safety-valve useless . I consider tho 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 stcamj to hear , if I could , its action :. but I could not hear it , and I consider the cylinder was acting as a pump , ' being full of water . I do " not think the engine received the steam properly . The water in the cylinder must have been condensed , from the steam that was made on the morning of the explosion . The reason whv I did not return to look at
the stick attcrlleit it is , because I felt myself rather insultedby Mr . Lowe ; so I left it . entirely in his hands . —Mr . 'Jokn Farey , of Guildford-strect , Itussell-squarc , , wastlien examined : He said , Iliave seen the boiler since it has been removed , a small distance from the place where it stood at the moment of the 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 , which is not accountable to me from any supposition of the safety-valve I saw being merely overloaded , but that it . iuust have been fastened down , rendering this case very distinct from most of those which are on record —all , or nearly all , the steam -which was produced being retained and accumulated in the 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 , in particular , has cut itself into the bricks of a brick-Avail , at a considerable distance from the boiler , which shows that that piece must have been driven with a velocity that would be expected from an explosion of gunpowder , but not from ordinary explosions from overloaded steam , boilers .. ' ' The eavth , wherever the boiler stood , has been forced 'downwards by the violence of the explosion , that being a ' symptom of the explosions by gunpowder , and frequently found on those occasions , and hot a usual' symptom in explosions by" steam . The appcarance ' s ., conyinccd me ,. quite independently bfany information to that e'ffcct , that the valve had been fastened down , and the " engines not working at
the time , to any speed which would consume the steam . That which wasproilueed was accumulated , there being little : or" lio escape or expenditure for it through the cylinder . I feel quite confident that 1001 b . on the square inch could not produce the effects which I see at the . place where the accident occurred . I 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 cases where the boiler was nearly empty , and the metal in the vicinity of . the remaining water red-hot , and I never met with one circumstance of this kind that had occurred from the generation of gas . No atmospheric air can get into a boiler when under pressure . The supposition that hydrogen gas may be produced within a boiler is , that a portion of water has had its oxygen ' absorbed fwrni it bv oxidation of the heated metal in
the boiler . If that did take place oxide of iron must be . foreed into the boiler in palpable quantities . There were no ' 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 in their gaseous states which is susceptible of explosion ; the explosion being , iu fact , the combination of the two gases previous to mixing in suitable proportions for combining them . By their combination at the moment of explosion they produce water . I should say that there is no appearance to form a basis
ior either supposition , that water has been composed into its constituents , and recoinposcd with explosion . There were no appearances of a deficiency ot water in the boiler . The 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 tohavc liberated any hydrogen . The tubes lower down are iron , and show noappearanco of having been red-hot . 1 have been familiar with explosions in gas-works , where it is certain that they were occasioned ^ the ; mixture 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 , aa substitutes for steam-engines . The symptoms attending such explosions are so distinct from everything belonging to this case , as to leave no doubt whatever on -ny mind that it has not been occasioned by iguition of gas , but , by steam alone , retained to an excessive pressure . There are two cases on record of explosion by the safety-valve being 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 hia life . —Mr . Edward Bell was next examined : lie said , I am an engineer , and live at Putney . I have been an engineer eighteen years , and am- in the habit of
giving lectures on steam boilers . I have seen the boiler in question since Us removal . Uiave heard the evidence of Mr . Earey , and consider it generally correct . I think that the safety-valve was either s ^ uck fast or fastened down . I nave only seen one safety-valve . Two would be safer , as they are not likely to stifck fast both at the same time . Thoso parts of the boiler which are at present exposed to view bear uo appearance of having been overheated ; it thereforo appears that the increase of pressure must have l ) een gradual , and not instantaneous , which would have been tlie case had hydrogen gas been formed in the boiler . The tubes bear no appearance of having been left bare , and therefore I conclude that the onlv reason
for this 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 the difference between the area of the valve and the area of the valve ^ box , immediately . above the seat , 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 aa the one in question . —By the Corouer : I concur in the statement of Mi . Farey , that the pressure must have been 1001 b . to the square inch to hare caused such an explosion . In answer to a question put by the foreman ,, witness stated , that these very engines had been worked with a pressure of 2401 b . to the square inch , by a pipe of aw inch and a quarter in
diameter . Although the engines when in the steamcarriage were worked with 2401 b . oil the square inch , which Uo has known to be tbe case , still they were oi the same form which ought to be in high-pressure engines , and would work as well at 301 b . on the square inch to perform tho work of Mr . Samuda ' s factory , as they did at 2 Mb . to the 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 the jury should meet again in the same place , at ten o ' clock on Mondav next .
Dreadful Death . —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 Chapelplace , Broinpton , 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 for 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 fire and set herself in a blaze in which state she was found by her landlady but before the flames could be extinguished her clothes were nearly consumed , and her person frightfully scorched . She was conveyed to St . George ' s Hos pital , where death terminated her sufferings
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' ^ iGtignMEN ^ REDUCED ^ —The last accounts from the ,, Mauritius state that tlie . ; English Captain Croft , and his mate , Mr . Ileppiclc , " had been reduced to slavery ' by the Queeii of Madagascar ( Ranavolana ) , on a trumped-up charge of man-stealing ; They were sold to certain slaveowners for 30 dollars each , ' and afterwards rans omed at that sum . Capt . Kell y , in the . Conway frigate , endeavoured to investi gate the matter and obtain , satisfaction , but the queen boldly avowed the act and declared that she wquld repeat it under similar circumstances . The Mauritius journal says : — " \^ seems that tho greatest / hatred is manifested towards the-Englislibytlie Hovaauthorities . Q ^ eon Rana , valona prohibits the ' commanders " on the coast Qn pain of death , from , compl y ing " with the demands made them bthe of
on y captains our ships of war This tyrant queen , the usurper of the throne ftm " merly filled by Radaina , the friend and ally of En » " land , arrogates to herself the right to rob , " murder poison , and reduce to slavery Englishmen , under the pretext of the laws , superstitions , and customs Gsh Wished by her savage ancestors . . The blood of mm . dered Englishmen , and of the martyrs for their rMi " gious principles in Madagascar , call loudly for the in terference of the British Government , to place our commerce with that island on the most sure and last ing foundation for the future . Past experience provw that no reliance can be placed upon the arrogant and su ^ eretitious p&Hywhoat present govern that nia » niheent but ill-fated country . " Lord Aberdeen wfn doubtless instruct the Governor of the Mauritius t < j put a speedy end to this state of things .
Dreadful Accident . —Oh Tuesday evening an 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 inuno diato vicinity of his father ' s house . It appeared tlie unfortunate child was playing with some other chll drcnin the street , when a cart , belonging to Mr " Woodward , of Shad Thames , and driven by William Clapton , came along , and the child being thrown down one of the wheels passed over his head and crushed his skull in such a frightful manner that li e died ir stantaneously . The body awaits a coroner ' s in quest .
Death by Hanging . — On Monday morning , at seven o ' clock , a gentleman of very respectable an pearance , about fifty years of age , liglit complexion aud pitted with the small-pox , was found hanging sit the foot of his bed , at Wright ' s Coffee-house , Charm * , cross , where he had taken a bed for the night . L ' tl . vious 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 the waiter moving in his room at six . Notwithstanding , «(; seven the waiter knocked at his door , and roceivin " no answer , opened it , when lie observed the ui \ foi ti £ nate gentleman suspended by two handkerchiefs from
the bed-post . The waiter immediately gave an alarm to his master , who cut him down , aud sent for a doctor . Mr . M'Cann , ot Parliament-street , was promptly in attendance , ami attempted to bleed him from the arm and jugular veins , and applied other resiiscita * tive remedies , but without effect , as life was extinct , At present no reason can be assigned for so rash aa act , as he had between £ 18 and £ 19 in gold aud silver in Ids pocket ; but no letter or card was found about liim to give any clue as to who he may be , H ' 13 linen was marked " ( r . M ., " and his stockings " M . " His hat had the maker ' s name , "Hall , Regentcircus . "
Extraordinary Endurance . —On Saturday Mr . W . Baker held an inquest at the British Lioii , New Cavendish-street , North-road , Hoxton , on tho body of Mrs . Frances Hall , aged 7 « S . The deceased , who resided in Old Cavendish-street , was possessed of property amounting to about £ 200 per year , and although she lived in a small back room , she lived up to her income . For some months past she had been ob . served 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 out and in the neighbourhood as usual , and she went to bed 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 her in bed , -dead , and her face violently distorted . Mr . Baker , surjrcoi ) .
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 rigid , and-the distorted features arose--from tlie violent agony she was in shortly before she died . On examining the body , he found the bowels protruding through the abdomen which was in a dreadiully mortified state . On examining the body internally , he found a large fatty tumour , weighing nearly two pounds and a half ) cohering to the left lobe of the 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 such circumstances , as he had found enough to destroy any twelve persons . The jury , after a short consultation , returned a verdict of—Died from natural causes .
SlEAM-BOAT ACCIDKXT ON THE ItlVEtt TaMAR . —On Saturday evening last the small steam-boat called the Alert , which plies from Devonportto the various places oa the Taiuar , proceeded with the market people from that town to their homes up the river . When off Cotchele , about twelve miles up , she stopped to allow eleven persons to get into a'boal to land on the opposite bank , when a rush to the side of the vessel whence they descended caused the steamer to heel over and to shove tho boat under water . The parties were immersed , and out of the eleven five were drowned ; fivo . were picked upi soriie of tliem in an exhausted state , aud one swam on shore .
L \ ce . \ diarism ix Bedfordshire . —Incendiary fires are raging to an alarming extent in Beds . About a fortnight sin . ee a most diabolical act was perpetrated at the litble village of Wingfleld , near Uockitffe ( 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 lire began at a cottage outbuilding , and soon extended itself to six other cottages , two farm-houses , and all the farm buildings , corn , « fcc , the whole of which
were destroyed . To witness the distress of . the houseless poor on one of the severest nights of the season can be better imagined than described . On Saturday last an attempt was made to fire some farm buildipgs belonging to Mr . Smith , situate in the town of Toddington . A barn was discovered to be on lire , which fortunately was extinguished before it spread to any extent . Uad it not been seen in time , nothing could have saved ene-half of the town from its ravages . Two policemen are on duty in the town every night , and lodge close on the SDot!— -Briohton Herald .
Accident at tuk Conservative Club-house . — On Saturday an accident , which it is apprehended will be attended with fatal results , took placs at the above named club-house . It appears that one of the waiters , named Joseph Smith , aged 25 , who was assisting in drawing up coals from , the cellar thvovvgK the various trap doors to the top of the'house , which was performed by means 6 f a crane , essayed , at length , to go down in the " scuttle which had brought tha coals up . He had not , however , descended many feet when the chain by which he was suspended snapped asunder , and he was precipitated into the cellar beneath , from a height of several yards . He was conveyed in a state of insensibility to St . George ' s Hospital , where he remains in a most deplorable state of suffering from a fractured spine and other serious injuries .
Disgraceful Conduct . —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 hv using improper language towards the female portion of the coiys dramatiquc . This conduct was quietly submitted to by the members of the establishment until tlveteriwmatwn of \\\< t > evening's entertainments , when the manager ( Mr . Henry Reeves ) proceeded to , the box occupied by the above officers , and having called them out , took one of them by the nose and wrung it , and salutod his seat Of honour with three kicks , which well-merited chastisement was not resented bv the " men of war , "
who sneaked off amid the jeers of the audience , then leaving the theatre . The gentlemen , however , had made up their minds to be revenged upon the manager and ' his corps , for oh 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 of the performance . To the credit of the manager be it spoken , he came forth into the midst of the " line of battle , " and presented himself to them , regardless of the result . One of the officers thereupon , a Lieutenant of the 37 th Regiment , went up to Mr . Reeves , the manager , aud , 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 bad pulled the nose of their comrade , and kieked 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 plaver whom they also grossly assaulted . The 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 fteir names as Augustus Charles Hobart , a mate of the Royal yacht ; Herbert RusseU Manners Lieutenant of the 37 th ; and Ensign James Henry Wyatt , also of the 37 th Redment . TW
were admitted to bad by the superintendent of tho police , and wamnts were issued to compel their at tendance 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 insufajd on Wednesday nightHh dignantly spurned the offer of comproffiis 8 , anlcarriPd his case into court . . It occupied an hour m ! but the magistratea , having retired to deliberate S their decision , returned into court andS ^ 'C had heard the ; evidence on both " sidS Sd h » fe maturely considered the whole , haS ' oSdfe mmingthecase . " We strongly reS ? S P i the ma . istrates ; have thus lismSKw ! £ Guards for investigation . ¦ « w vu . e , uprse
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The Weather Ox The Coshsest.—Hambdrgh, March 4.—Letters From St. Petersburghofthe 22d Ult. State That The Cold Had Been Intense In The Extreme
The Weather ox the Coshsest . —Hambdrgh , March 4 . —Letters from St . Petersburghofthe 22 d ult . state that the cold had been intense in the extreme
luereauTmgtmeeweeKsuromtwenty-tM ' eeto twentyfive degrees of Reaumur ) , but that it had somewhat abated in consequence of a very heavy fall of snow , which had rendered the streets almost impassable . The latest intelligence from Norway is of the 21 sfc ult . It appears that the weather there was also mere than usually severe . A Copenhagen paper of the 26 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 .
Atmospheric Changes . —Although changes in the temperature are more prevalent in the temperate zone than in other latitudes , there is scarcely a spot to be found -where weh great differences esuat aa in Great Britain , Tarying in a few hoars some twenty degrees or more . The effect of such rapid changes on the bodily health is very afflicting to many thousands of persons , especially those in the middle and more advanced ages of We , causing attacks of those painful disorders , Sciatica , Gout , and Rheumatism . Happily for those who are afflicted with those painful diseases , chemical science has produced that excellent medicine , Blair ' s Gout and Rheumatic Pills .
Untitled Article
6 THE SQJM ' HMRJhrPgA& . yh ^ March 15 1845 .
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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/vm2-ncseproduct1306/page/6/
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