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Leader (1850-1860), 11th May 1850, Edition Country of 1, Page 6, MURDERS AND MURDEROUS ASSAULTS. The affa...

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      Condition Of Rome. '•The Pope Is At Rome...

      established by the Pope ; and arrests continue to be made . „ The Nazionale of Florence states , from Rome ot April 26 th , that his Holiness had determined to confiscate the property of the deputies of the Roman Constituent Assembly to the amount of 2 , 500 , 000 Roman piastres ( 11 , 000 , 000 francs ) .

      ¦ I 150 ' Stfte &*Afrit* [Saturday,

      ¦ i 150 ' STfte &* afrit * [ Saturday ,

      Bailway Annoyances To The Public. The Ti...

      BAILWAY ANNOYANCES TO THE PUBLIC . The Times recals attention to a remarkable decision iust made by Baron Alderson in the Exchequer Court , S an action ' brought by . the Eastern Counts R ^ 7 Company , for false imprisonment . The plaintitt , Mr . Gay , one of the City cornmeters , having some time since met with an accident to his gig , near Romford , had to return to London by rail . A friend accom , anied him . They took third-class tickets . When the tram come up , there was but one third-class carriage , and that was full . The porter desired them to get into a second-class carriage After some hpsitation , and assured by the porter that " all was right , " they did as he told them . lace where thetickets taken

      When they arrived at the p are , the guard demanded the difference of fare . They refused payment , and the guard lo « ked the door , and when they reached the Shoreditch terminus gave them in charge to one of the company ' s officers . The superintendent refused to be satisfied with their explanation , and said they must either pay or go before a magistrate . Both Mr . Gay and his friend expressed their willingness either to remain at the station while an inquiry was telegraphed to Romford , or to return there with the officer and point out the porter who had put them in the secondclass carriage . The superintendent refused either course , and sent them in custody of the officer before Mr . Arnold , who immediately dismissed the charge , with a

      reprimand to the officer . They then returned to the station and demanded an inquiry into the matter , and an apology . Getting neither , Mr . Gay brought this action . In defence the secretary of the company deposed that the officer had exceeded his instructions , and consequently was not justified in the eyes of the company . Thereupon Mr . Baron Alderson gave his opinion that " there was no case to go to the jury , " as the officer " had not been authorised by any of the rules or regulations of the company to take the plaintiff or his friend into custody . Ihe company , therefore , could not be held to be responsible for an act to which they had not been a party . " After some consultation one of the jury stated that they were " decidedly of opinion that the company were responsible . "

      _ Mr . Baron Alderson . — " But , sir , it is my duty to tell you that in point of law they are not responsible . It would be an absurd idea to think of making a man responsible for the actions of his servants when they had acted without his authority . " The jury still persisting , Mr . Baron Alderson added , with some warmth—11 Then , as you appear to be dissatisfied with my direction , and are going to take the law iato your own hands , I will try with another jury , gentlemen . "

      Considerable discussion ensued between the Court and the counsel on both sides , the jury still remaining in the box . At length Mr . Baron Alderson said— " I shall direct the jury that upon the evidence on my notes the verdict should be found for the defendants . The jury have a perfect right , no doubt , to find a verdict against my direction ; but in that case the end will be that the Court above , upon application , will at once set such a verdict aside , and thereby in all probability entail an almost endless expense upon the parties . "

      The Foreman . — " Then , my Lord , under your Lordship ' s direction we find for the defendants . " The verdict was accordingly entered for the defendants .

      St. Alban's Succession. In The Bail Cour...

      ST . ALBAN'S SUCCESSION . In the Bail Court , on Tuesday , Sir Frederick Thesiger applied for a rule , in order to file a criminal information against Frederick Watmagh who had been annoying the Duchess of St . Albans by threatening letters , and by libels against the late Duke of St . Albans . Sir Frederick Thesiger explained the circumstances . " In the year 1827 the late Duke , who was married that year to Mrs . Coutts , was applied to on behalf of the mother of Frederick Watmagh , it being represented that the late Duke ' s father had had intercourse with her , and

      was the father of three children by her , of whom Frederick Watmagh was one . The late Duke ascertained from his uncle that these representations were correct , and that the father of the laic Duke had been in the habit of making an allowance to the family . Accordingly , the late Duke continued the assistance . Ultimately he made an arrangement by which the sum of £ 200 was annually paid into Coutts ' s bank for the family . In the nrst place itwas given entirely to the mother ; but , after some timethe two female children died , and then the money

      , was divided between Frederick Watmagh and his mother . The Duke died in May , 1819 . He made a will , but no wish was ever expressed that the payments should be continued after his death . The Duchess has , from time to time , been assisting the family of this Frederick Watmagh , who have been deserted by him . The mother of Watinngh has , for some time , been married to a Dissenting minister , who is still living , and who is in difficulties ; but a weekly allowance has been paid to her by the Duchess ever since the death of the late Duke . "

      Mr . Justice Coleridge inquired if the letters imputed illegitimacy . Sir Frederick Thosiufcr : " Oh , no doubt , my Lord . He says his mother marrird the lather of the late Duke . " Mr . J ustiec Coleridge : " And that the lute Duke had issue ? " Sir Frederick Thesiger : " Yes , and that he had issue , and that this Frederick Watmagh chains to be the issue . It is really a very serious matter , my Lord . "

      Mr . Justice Coleridge : "In some respects , then , this is like the Duke of Marlborough ' s case ? " Sir F . Thesiger : " Yes , my Lord , it is . " Mr . Justice Coleridge : " You may have a rule .

      The Agapemone. At The Vice-Chancellor's ...

      THE AGAPEMONE . At the Vice-Chancellor ' s Court , on Wednesday , a petition was presented to prevent Mr . George Robinson Thomas from endeavouring to obtain possession of his son , a child of four years of age . Mr . Thomas is one of a community of persons residing at an establishment called the Agapemone , situated at Charlinrh , near Bridgewater , and founded by Mr . Prince , formerly a clergyman of the Established Church . It appears that this community hold very peculiar opinions , especially upon religion , and that upon such grounds Mr . Thomas is argued to be unfi * . to have the charge and education of his child . Mrs . Thomas , who is separated from her

      husband on account of these opinions , was a Miss Nottidge . There were six Misses Nottidge , and each of them had a fortune of £ 6000 . While Mr . Prince was in the Church he had formed a society called the Lampeter Brethren , and composed principally of clergymen . Prince officiated as curate of Stoke , in Suffolk , and during his ministry he obtained great influence over the Misses Nottidge , who were of his congregation . In 1842 Prince was prohibited by the Bishop from preaching . In 1843 the young ladies followed him to Brighton , to attend his ministry there at Adullam Chapel . In 1845 Mr . Thomas , then in deacon ' s orders , succeeded Prince at the chapel , and Prince opened another chapel at Charlinch . Some of the ladies also went there to be present

      at the opening . Whilst the party were staying at an inn at Taunton Harriet Nottidge received a message from Prince requiring her presence at another inn ; she went to him , and he informed her that she would give great glory to God by marrying Lewis Price , one of his followers ; she gave consent , and secrecy was enjoined upon her by Prince , who directed her to withdraw . Afterwards another message of the same nature was sent from Prince to another sister , Agnes ; on proceeding to the inn where Prince was staying , she was informed that God was about to confer on her an especial blessing , but that she must make a solemn promise that she would do what was required of her . She was unwilling at first , but , on being urged , consented , and was then informed that it was the mind of God that she should be married to

      Brother Thomas in a few days' time . She required time to make a settlement of her property for the purpose of providing for any family she might have . The answer was , " There will be no need of anything of that kind , you will have no family ; it would not be in accordance with your present calling , —your marriage will be purely spiritual to carry out the purposes of God . " She returned to her sisters without making any observation in reply , and found Mr . Thomas with them . The whole party , including Prince , Price , and Thomas dined with Agnes Nottidge and her sisters on the same day , at Taunton , where Prince informed Price and Thomas that Harriet and Agnes had , in obedience to the will of God , consented to become their wives .

      Prince also induced Clara Nottidge to marry one of his friends , named Cobbe . The three marriages were celebrated on the same day ; and after a time Mr . and Mrs . Thomas went to reside at Prince ' s house , the Agapemone . This was a large building , with grounds appropriated to the residence and recreation of Prince ' s followers ; upon the top of the building was placed a flag , bearing the inscription , " Hail , holy love ! " with the effigies of a lion and a lamb ; the inmates were protected by a couple of bloodhounds , which were under the control of servants , so as to guard against the intrusion of strangers .

      The peculiar doctrine of Prince and his followers was that *• the day of grace was passed and the day of judgment come , " and therefore prayer was no longer of any avail . They also made no distinction in the Sabbath , but spent it in healthful exercises . Mrs . Thomas appears not to have been satisfied with the new abode , and after some months she left , or rather was ordered to leave , the house . She went to Mr . Thomas ' s mother ' s , where her child was born , and afterwards to her own mother ' s , where she has since remained . Mr . Wigram and Mr . Goldsmid , in support of the petition , referred to the cases of Shelley and others , as precedents . The petition was opposed by Mr . Thomas

      himself , who addressed the Court with perfect calmness and self-possession . He denied the allegation that he was under the influence of Prince , or that Prince or himself held blasphemous or irreligious doctrines . He denied that Mr . Prince had ever spoken of himself as the Holy Ghost ; and asserted that the statements upon the opposite side were distorted and untrue . He acknowledged that they had discontinued the use of prayer , but not of worship ; and that they played foot-ball , and other games on Sundays . It was in consequence of the temper of his wife that she had been uncomfortable at the Agapemone ; and she had not left it in consequence

      of Mi . Prince ' s being angry with her on account of her pregnancy . He denied that he was turned out . His wife , when she married him , knew his sentiments , entertained the same , and had adopted them of her own free will beiore he was acquainted with her . She was then over twenty-eight years of age , —old enough to know her own mind . They , the followers of Mr . Prince , had been much maligned ; but he defied any one to establish a charge of immoral conduct . The Agapemone was a work of God . It was solely on account of his opinions that it was sought to keep his child from him . lie left the responsibility with the Court . ' Judgment was not given .

      Murders And Murderous Assaults. The Affa...

      MURDERS AND MURDEROUS ASSAULTS . The affair at Clapham only grows darker with inquiry . The adjourned inquest on the body of Sarah

      Snellingwho was found dead in the house of Mr . Maddle , 14 , Claremont-place , Wands worth-road—was held on Monday . Mr . Parratt , the surgeon , who analyzed the contents of the stomach , deposed that he was unable to detect the presence of chloroform , or of any poison . He was of opinion that the death was occasioned by fright . A number of persons gave unimportant evidence , occasionally interrupted by Mr . Maddle . It did not appear that , as it was first said , any plate had been stolen . On being re-examined , Mr . Maddle " could not undertake to say that he had lost any plate . A few silver spoons were lost . He had also missed a number of silk handkerchiefs , & c . He never kept much property in the house . He could not give any description of any of the articles . " Coroner— " Do you know the number of the watch ?" Witness— "No , I don ' t . " Coroner — " Nor the maker's name ? "

      Witness" No . " A Juror— " Would you know the watch again if you were to see it ? " Witness— " Perhaps I might . " Juror— " Well , you don ' t appear to have had much plate ; can ' t you give a description of any portion of it ?" Witness— " No , I don ' t trouble myself about such thing s . It is only such trumpery swells as you do that . " William John Long deposed—I live at Lavender-road , Wandsworth road . I am a labourer On Sunday week , at about twenty minutes to twelve o ' clock , I was

      standing about seventy yards from Mr . Maddle ' s house . I heard a whistle . I looked up , and saw a man who appearedto me to have just dropped off the wall of the garden of Mr . Maddle ' s house . After the whistle he commenced to walk towards Battersea-fields . As he passed me his hat blew off , and I had an opportunity of observing him . He had a small bundle . He was almost immediately followed by a man who had a blue bag in his hand . The first man was rather short . He appeared like a tradesman . The other man was taller . He

      appeared younger . He had long , dark , curly hair . One of the nephews of Snelling was brought into the room and shown to the witness , but he said he was not the person . It appeared that two nephews were in the habit of visiting her . As no other evidence was forthcoming , the jury returned a verdict of " Found dead , under suspicious circumstances . " A man named Macarthur and his wife , both vagrants , were arrested in Alnwick , a few days ago , on a charge of having poisoned a child by giving it arsenic .

      A case of fratricide occurred at the village of Auchterauder on Thursday week . Mr . Jack , a farmer in that neighbourhood , on his way home from market , met his brother , with whom he had had a previous quarrel about some family matters ; and , the dispute having been revived , Jack pulled a spring dagger from his pocket , rushed upon his brother , and stabbed him to the heart . The unfortunate man only survived a few minutes . The murderer , who was at one time a confirmed lunatic , has been lodged in gaol .

      At the Central Criminal Court , on Thursday , Alexander Moir , baker , charged with the wilful murder of his wife , by beating and kicking her in a most savage manner , > n the 22 nd of March , was found guilty of manslaughter . In returning this verdict , however , the jury added that they considered it a case of a very aggravated nature . Mr . Baron Alderson , in passing sentence , said he entirely concurred with'them in that opinion . He regarded the offence committed by the prisoner as little short of that of murder , and he , therefore , felt it his duty to pass a sentence upon him next in severity to capital punishment —transportation for life .

      Miscellaneous. The Daily Bulletins Relat...

      MISCELLANEOUS . The daily bulletins relating to the health of the Queen and the royal infant during the week have been satisfactory . It is said that , should her Majesty ' s health be sufficiently improved , the court will remove to Osborne House in about a fortnight . The Court Circular says , that upon the return of the Court from Osborne , about the middle of June , the Queen will hold the usuul drawing-rooms , and that it is also her Majesty ' s intention to give balls , & c . Prince Albert , accompanied by the royal children , visited the Colosseum and Cyclorama at half-past nine on Saturday .

      The anniversary of the Queen ' s birth-day , who will complete her thirty-first year on the 24 th inst ., will be celebrated with the customary rejoicings , except the royal birth-day drawing-room , on Wednesday , the 15 th , inst . Lord John Russell , Earl Grey , Viscount Palmcrston , and Sir George Grey have issued cards for grand official banquets on the occasion . Her Majesty intends paying a visit to her loyal Irish subjects this summer , accompanied by her illustrious consort and the Prince of Wales , making the Chester and Holyhead line of railway her route to Ireland , visiting the stupendous structure , the Britannia-bridge , and its locality . We hope nothing will occur to mar her Majesty ' s intentions . This very agreeable information has been communicated to us by Mr . Gray , agent to the Chester and Holyhead Railway . —Freemen ' s Journal .

      We stated some time ago our belief that the Queen had determined that one of Cambria ' s daughters should act as foster-mother to the expected Royal stranger . We can now confidently announce that this honour hus fallen to the lot of a native of Llanefydd . Jane Jones , the party in question , is the wife of an industrious and respectable man employed on the Chester and Holy h ' ad Railway . Queen Victoria's nurse will be a real "Jenny Jones . — Carnarvon Herald .

      The Marquis Of Clanriefir.Le Has Appoint...

      The Marquis of Clanriefir . le has appointed Mr . G . C . Cornwall , Secretary to the Post-office for Ireland ; and Mr . A . W . Blake , of Furbou « h , county Galwuy , has been appointed to succeed Mr . Cornwall as private secretary to the Marnuis .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 11, 1850, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_11051850/page/6/