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Leader (1850-1860), 6th August 1853, Edition Town of 2, Page 753, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      ceed those returned in previous years . The violent deaths , including a few from intemperance , want of breast-milk , and pi'ivation , in London , increased from 1296 in 1840 to 2140 in 1852 ; and in the last quarter the excess in deaths from violence alone over the deaths of 1852 was 13 i . The increase of steam vessels , railways , omnibuses , and new mechanical forces of . every kind , as well as the obstructions of the streets , may partly account for this loss of life , as well as for the numerous injuries and mutilations not fatal—in the battle of every day . The mortality in the South-Eastern Counties has been above the average , and the greatest excess has occurred in Godstone , Croydon , Bromley , Dover , Eastbourne , Lewes , the Isle of Wight , and Alverstoke .

      Balancing the deaths and births , we find that the population has had a gross increase of 50 , 857 . But taking into account 115 , 959 emigrants who left the United Kingdom during the time , we find that the country has lost 36 , 139 inhabitants .

      Untitled Article

      THE VON BECK AFFAIR AGAIN . The facts and fictions of this case have been repeated before a Warwickshire jury . George Dawson , Mr . Tyndall , Mr . Peyton , and Mr . By land have been sued for damages by Constant Derra de Moroda , the secretary to the deceased woman . Some new evidence was produced . "Lieutenant Gorski" and " Deputy-Commissioner Kaszonyi" testified that Von Beck was really a recognised baroness in Hungary , and had been employed on political missions . On the contrary , Paul Hajnik , a Magyar noble , and Kossuth ' s Minister of Police , swore , that from his observance of the position in Hungary , and the personal manners of the woman , he was " sure she was in a subordinate position "—in fact , the servant of another spy . He saw her waiting in an ante-chamber while Kossuth transacted business

      with the lady to whom Von Beck was evidently a servant . " Her manners were those of an illiterate person . " In their defensive statements , Mr . Tyndall and Mr . Dawson stated , that they acted with the advice of the magistrate , and had no malicious motives , and that , from Hajnik ' s testimony , they believed Von Beck and Derra de Moroda to be impostors . The judge charged clearly against the defendants . He dwelt , incidentally , on the harshness of their conduct towards the baroness , on the " prejudiced" character of Hajnik's evidence , and on the fact that Kossuth was not pro * duced to testify that the woman was an impostor . The jury brought in a verdict of 8001 . damages and costs- * This decision might have gone among our " Curiosities of Justice /'

      Untitled Article

      CONSPIRACY TO KILL NAPOLEON III . The Prince de Joinville received two letters from Edouard Raynaud , a person unknown to him . In the first letter , after dwelling upon the interest which he took in the welfare and happiness of the prince's family , and the feeling of hatred which he entertained , in common with his oppressed countrymen , towards " Napoleon the Little , " who had deprived the prince and his family of their just rights to the throne of" France , the writer proceeded to ¦ ay : — " I leave for Paris . My journey is for you , and for you alone . I swear it on the grave of my mother and father . My life is a burden to me . I cannot suffer it , my prince . My wife , who is 17 years of ago , I wish to place under your protection . I have found an excuse for my voyage , and she consents . But the poor child will bo the only victim of my project . I do not sleep . I must alone take charge of the infamous wretch . Ho and his peoplo must perish . It is a terrible thing for mo to bo an assassin , but it must bo , if I soil my last shirt . I am now writing in tho absence of my poor wife . I must hasten to finish . May you road in my heart tho sentiments I have for you ana your dear family . Adiou , my prince . All I desire is , that you may soon bo upon tho throne , making tho pooplo happier , and all Franco loving you . , ( Signed ) " Raynaud » h Quhttevii-IjE . " In tho second lottor there is the following passage : —•

      "I again take tho liberty of writing to you thoso fow lines previous to my departure I havo collected tho little money duo to mo , but it will not suffice in carrying out my views . I alono undortako to blow up tho tyrant and his accomplices , and all thoso around him . I will givo my boat guarantees for tho advances you might make mo . I loavo my furniture . I loavo my wife , who is possessed of tho value of 12 , 000 fr ., besides hor vonuo in a business . I employ several workmen . Your royal highnoss , it is money I require , bub not a heavy sum—I must havo 201 . ; and 1 givo the right to any ono to stab mo anywhere , whorovor I may bo , if I do not chango tho French Govorrimnnt . "

      Princo do . Toinvillo appoarcd in tho polioo court on Wednesday to atnto that ho had rocpivod tho letters . Jiaynaud , who has boon arrostorl , admitted tho authorship , and excused himnolf on tho . ground of his intolleot being affoctod by ill health . Ho was committed for trial .

      Untitled Article

      . PAINFUL SCENE AT NIAGARA . Tub bittornosfl of waiting slowly in tho presonoo of death ¦ was fearfully oxaggoratoa in a lato incident at Niagara . Three men wont boating on tho river ; tho boat was swopt { wards tho falls , overturned , and two wore whirled into ha aurgo . Tho third , a mem namod Avery , caught on

      some rocks not far from the dreadful precipice of foam . A log of wood , apparently wedged tightly between the rocks , and crossed by another , still higher out of the water , was his resting place . Here he remained , half clinging to and half perching upon the log . from which he would occasionally slip down and walk a little on the rocks , which were only a short distance under water . A few feet in advance was a small fall of about four or five feet , and here and on each side of him the waters rushed wildly on at a speed of about forty miles an hour . A raft was constructed , formed of crossed timbers , strongly fastened in a square form , a hogshead being placed in the centre . The raft was strongly secured with ropes on each side , and was floated down to the rocks upon which Avery was stationed .

      As it approached the spot where he stood the rope got fast in the rocks and the raft became immovable . Avery then appeared to muster strength and courage , and descending from tho log walked over the rocks to the place where the rope had caught , and laboured long and hard to disengage it from the rocks . After some time he succeeded , and then with renewed energy , inspired by the hopeof rescue , he pulled manfully at the rope until he succeeded in bringing the raft from the current towards his fearful resting-place . Avery now got on to the raft , making himself fast thereto by means of ropes , which had been placed there for that purpose , and those on the land commenced drawing it towards the shore . It had approached within thirty feet of one of the small islands , towards which its course was

      directed , when suddenly it became stationary in the midst of the rapids , the ropes having again caught in the rocks . All endeavours to move it were found to be in vain , and much fear was entertained that the strain upon the ropes might break them , and occasion the poor fellow ' s loss . Various suggestions were now volunteered , and several attempts were made to reach him . One man went out in a boat as far as he dared to venture , and asked him if he would fasten a rope round his body , and trust to being drawn in by that . The poor fellow , however , shook his head despondingly , as though he felt that he had not strength enough remaining to make himself secure to a rope . At length a boat was got ready—a lifeboatwhich had arrived from Buffalo—and was launched .

      , Seeing the preparations , Avery unloosed his fastenings , with the intention of being ready to spring into the boat . Borne on by the rushing waters , and amid the breathless suspense of the spectators , the ; boat approached the raft . A thrill ran through the crowd—the boat lived in the angry Waves—it struck the raft—a shout of joy rang forth from the shore , for it was believed thatJie was savedwhen suddenly the hope that had been raised was again destroyed ; amoment ' s confusion followed the collision , and in the next the victim was seen in the midst of the waters , separated from his frail support , and struggling for

      life . For a minute or two the poor fellow , striking out boldly , swam towards the island , and the cry echoedfrom shore to shore that he would yet be saved . But soon the fact became certain that he receded from the shore—his strength was evidently failing . Gradually he was borne back into the fiercest part of the current , slowly at first , then more rapidly . Swiftly and more swiftly he approached the brink of the fatal precipice , the waters had him at last their undisputed victim , and madly they whirled him on to death , as though enraged at his persevering efforts to escape their fury .

      A sickening feeling came ovor the spectators when , just on the brink of the precipice , the doomed jman sprang up from the waters , clear from tho surface , raising himself upright as a statue , his arms flung wildly aloft , and , with a piercing shriek that rang loudly above the mocking roar of the cataract , fell back again into the foaming waves , and was hurled over the brow of tho fatal precipice . The melancholy and awful fato of poor Avery will add another to the many fearful local incidents already related by the guides at tho Falls , and for years his critical situation , his hard strugglos , his fearful death , will bo tho theme of many a harrowing tale . And visitors to the mighty cataract will seek tho scene of the terriblo catastrophe with a shuddering curiosity , and the timid and imaginative will fancy , in the dusk of the evening , that they still hoar above tho waters' roar the fearful shriek that procedod tho fatal plunge .

      Untitled Article

      JOURNAL OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS . Onk of tho recent deaths by accidont took placo in consequence of a special train unexpectedly running on tho lino , and killing Charles Cannon , ono of tho railway servants . Tho Hon . Mr . Scott , tho chairman of the Company , and Mr . Beattio , tho superintendent , woro in tho special train . Tho coroner ' s jury charged thorn with manslaughter . On this they wero tried at tho lato Croydon Assizos , and acquitted . A railway accident shocked tho passengers from tho north to London on Friday of last week : Tho pansongor train ran into a luggage train , and broko sovoral of tho luggage vans . Both trains woro injured , and tho lino suffered somo damage Tho passengers who had calculated on roaching London at oloven o'clock on Friday evening , woro kept until four o ' clock on Saturday morning . Tho cause of tho accidont is as usual inscrutable , and as no lives woro lost , tho inquiry , wo presumo , will bo slight and hurried . On tho South Devon lino tho goods train , instead of standing nsido to lot tho oxpreas pass , stood , aftor tho usual manner of '/ rail way engines , directly in tho way . Tho ordinary accidont took placo : tho express train Hrndshod into the goods train , and much damago was dono . But " only , ono pcrnon was soriouah / injured . " Tho injuries to tho others , lileo all railway accidonte , wore , of course-, comical and unaccountable . ^ At Preston railway Htation tho gas burst on tho approach of a light to a ohandolior , and a 3 nan who was examining it was blown from tho ladder , Inn waistcoat , shirt , ana trousora pot on firo , and his face and hands dreadfully burnt . Tho explosion extended through tho station . Tho doors of tho waiting-room woro torn away , Hlmtfcnvl in piocos , and flung across tho platform . Windowu wero smashed through , the framework ucattcrcd in bits , and the

      paper in several rooms was blackened with the flames . The luggage in one waiting-room was dashed against the door of another , and a deal-box was wheeled into tho ladies waiting-room , and there left on fire . Several persons had hair-breadth escapes of serious injury , the whiskers of many gentlemen being scorched away . Stepping out while the carriages were in motion , a gentleman travelling on the Brighton Railway was crushed to death . In the darkness of the night , he thought the train had stopped . . ,

      Untitled Article

      CURIOSITIES OF JUSTICE . Some incidents of the administration of justice throw light upon the working of our laws , and illustrate the domestic " manners and customs of the English . " We note a few , reported this week . Mrs . Waters , a married lady , had property of her own , and her husband asked her to allow it to be charged with security for one of his debts . She consented , and executed the assignment in about sixteen days after her confinement , when , however , the medical attendant said she had recovered , though she was still in her room . She now says she knew it was a security , but did not know the effect of what she had clone , or that she was enabling any one to sell her property , and she told the nurse , after executing the deed , that she did not know anything about it , any more than the child beside her , and this the nurse confirmed . The person , however , who witnessed the execution , said he proposed to read it over to her , but she refused , because , as he thought , she did not like to let the nurse hear it . A question has been therefore raised as to the validity of the deed . The Court said that it thought the lady was entitled to its protection , so far as to see that she was not imposed on , and particularly in a case where the loan was to the husband ; but she must as to this property be treated as a . feme sole , and " any one who knows anything of the world must be aware that giving property to the wife to her separate use , without an anticipation clause , is giving it to the husband . " But notwithstanding this , he could not permit the wife to avoid the deed in this case ; for , if he did so , he would be allowing her to do an injustice , instead of protecting her against one . That is , to prevent an " injustice" to her husband ' s creditor , a deed wrongful in itself must be maintained .

      The trial of insolvents before the Commissioners usually present a great variety of revelations . When creditors oppose the relief of an insolvent , all his offences are " set in a note-book , conned by rote , and cast into his teeth . " In the case of Richard Dunn , the insane Irish barrister who persecuted Miss Coutts , we havea tiresome story of his stupid " perseverance . The ; 'Commissioner truly testified of the annoyed lady that " she isoner-who goes about doing good without ostentation . " He has been ordered to remain in prison for ten months " from the vesting order . " A strait waistcoat would seem the only vesting order suitable for the man . In the case of Henry Wheeler , the insolvent

      fictitiously transferred his furniture to save it from the creditors . He subsequently offered it up , but that rigid Rhadamanthus , Commissioner Phillips , ordered him six , months confinement . We have some pity for this man , a poor clerk , as the debt was incurred by becoming surety for his brother . In another case of fraud Mr . Phillips was lenient . The man had bought a piano without paying for it , and Lad pledged it . But he had a family in distress , and he was remanded for two months only . In the case of a newspaper proprietor , Mr . Phillips was also indulgent . The printer and publisher opposed , showing that the newspaper had no probability of success ; but it was decided that they gavo their goods and labour on tho usual trado risk ; and tho insolvent was

      liberated . Edward Mooro Adams , tho propnotor ot tho Tradesman ' s Journal ( another failure in publication ) , became insolvent from a strange cause . " One of the causes of his insolvency was tho death of his wife and seven children . " Why , in tho case of the piano-pledger , tho living wife and family led to insolvency . We cannot soe how tho elimination of " encumbrances" ( see advertisements ) could cause tho sarao . An Irish case , of appropriate magniloquonco , appears this week . Mr . Jasper Wheeler Rogers , an engineer , owes 17 , 800 Z ., and to meet it has assets worth only 14 > , 4 i 95 l . But " tho Irish Amelioration Society " ( a society for making turf into a hard fuel as good as conl ) " owes him 70 . L , " which may bo true . But ho has been discharged , although wo do not see that tho claim has been expunged , tho report in tho morning papors being brief , and not clear . Probably somo arrangement , in view of tho establishment of tho claim , has been made .

      A postman in Bridgowater had original notions on tho subject of tho post-offico . ( They might havo arison from hia very extraordinary salary of Is . per week . ) Jlo walked along . the country road in a careless way , Homo lottors sticking out of his pockets , and others in his hand . Meeting somo porsons claiming letters , ho used to Hit down on a grassy bank , spread out all tho letters , and toll tho claimants to select their own . Ono day ho eaino blick to tho oflico , and a lottor was noon sticking out ofliin pockets . Ho was asked why it was not delivered , but could give no oxcuho . On searching him , sixtoon other lottors wore found

      on him , and for thin groan offoneo he was " reprimanded . " In a fow clays aftor a young lady , walking along a country road , found " ( to hor delight , we may imagino ) Hovoral lottors scattered about tho road . Who took thorn up , and found thorn mostly torn . Tho postman was nuhetod fop having torn thorn , but his counsel argued , that boing unfit for hia duties ho had dropped tho lottors , winch wero torn up by little boys . Tho man was convicted , but tl > o judgo , on tho ground that li <> was * m unlit person for tho situation , sontoncod him to tho light puniHhmont of nix months impriflonmont .

      A decision in Ohancory , on Wodnosday , Booms strango in a Court of JHqiiitj / . Tho point luy in tho dwposal of property loft by a tontator , and tho intention of tho testator was disputed . Tho Lord Chancellor said that his decision would , without doubt , defeat tho will of tho ten-( ator , but " consifltontly with tho nuthoritioH , " ho nhould ffivo it fiifainufc the persons to whom tho property wn »

      Untitled Article

      August 6 , 1858 . ] THE LEADE R . 753

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1853, page 753, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1998/page/9/