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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st March 1849, Edition 3 of 3, Page 6

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    • Efje iirotouitf**
    • Sfotianti
    • ErelanD.
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      6 The Northern Star. March 31, 1849.

      6 THE NORTHERN STAR . March 31 , 1849 .

      Mt Iftetropoii*.

      mt _iftetropoii * .

      Moeiautt Is The Meibopous. —The Weekly R...

      MoEiAUTT is the _Meibopous . —The weekly return continues to exhibit a satisfactory state of public health . The deaths , which were about 1 , 200 towards the end of last month , have fallen in the last week to 1 , 048 , or 121 less than the average . The mortality from epidemics , with the exception of _hooping cough , is little more than the average , and has fallen twenty-five per cent , within the period of a month . The mortality caused by small-pox and measles is still unusually low ; that from scarlatina is now little more than the average . Diarrhoea has declined ; and the deaths from cholera are only 10 , 9 of which , as is shown below , occurred in one workhouse and two hospitals ; three in one family Scarlatina and typhus were each fatal to 40 persons , which is rather less than the average for the latter disease . Inflammation of the lungs and air passages , and pulmonary consumption , do not prevail fatally at the present tune : the aggregate deaths m the whereas

      week from these diseases were only ZbO , the average is 329 . Three are recorded as deaths from intemperance , and had been thc subjects of innnest . A woman of 62 years , whose occupation was unknown , died in Park-street , Dorset-square , of *« exhaustion from bavins- denied herself the common necessaries of life' ( inquest . ) A favourable condition of the atmosphere may be esteemed perhaps the principal cause of the recent improvement in the health of London . The mean height of the barometer in the week was 29 * 963 . It was above 30 on Tuesday , "Wednesday , and Thursday . The mean daily temperature ranged from 42 deg . on Momlav , to 36 deg . on ( Saturday . The weekly mean was 40 deg . 8 . The greatest observed difference between the dew point temperature and air temperature were on Tuesday , Wednesday , and Saturday , When they were respectively 14 deg . 1 , 10 deg . 1 , and 15 deg . 4 . This denotes dryness of the atmosphere . The wind blew for the most part from the _JJorth and East .

      _HoLHOHX-mii . —On Saturday last workmen commenced lowering the brow 6 f Holborn-hill , commencing opposite Hatton-garden , where it was peculiarly steep , and most dangerous for vehicles heavily laden . The road was sunk eighteen inches , and will be continued on a gradual incline to Fetter lane . The old flag paving is to be removed , and the four-inch granite stone , which affords so firm a foothold to horses , --. nd has proved so admirably adapted for public traffic in Fleet-street , Mborgate-street , and other great thoroughfares , is being laid down in lieu thereof . Lola Monies . —On Saturday last a sale was concluded at _Phillips ' s-rooms , of the personal effects of the Countess of Landsfeld ( Lola Montes ) . The property to be _disposed of included pictures , bijouterie , and articles of vertu . On many of them were emblazoned the royal arms of Bavaria .

      ExraAOBDiKAnT CIRCUMSTANCE . — On Monday night police-constable Corry , 224 G , in Charterhouse-lane , Charterhouse-square , picked up a small paper parcel from the pavement . It looked as if it contained a few shillings , and he was in thc act of opening it , when it exploded and caused a loud report , and in a moment his hand and fingers wero shattered and mutilated in a most shocking manner . Steamboat Explosion on the Rxvkb . —On Tuesday morning , about nine o ' clock , the greatest alarm and exciten _* ent prevailed among the passengers at London-bridge Wharf , in consequence of a serious explosion on board the Waterman steam-boat , No . 8 , by which several persons were much injured . The

      steamer left Woolwich shortly before eight o clock in the morning , under the charge of Captain Warren , apparently in good working order , with a fair freight of passengers . She proceeded towards London , and at tho time above named reached the London-bridge pier , where several persons landed . All then seemed quite safe , but just as thc captain gave orders to " Go a-bead , " a loud explosion was heard , and thc next moment a large body of fire and steam was seen issuing from the engine-room . The captain finding the lower part of the vessel was on fire had her made fast , and then immediately adopted steps to release the men who were engaged below . Several attempts wero made to descend the ladder leading to tbe engine-room , but all efforts were useless , although a great quautity of water was thrown down . After a few seconds had elapsed , the engineer , named Thomas Williams , made his appearance

      in a most distressing condition , the whole of the upper part of his person being dreadfully burned and scalded by the action of the fire and steam , which filled the , engine-room . Shortly afterwards th 3 stoker , named Samuel Spencer , was released , and he was fonnd to he mora injured than thc lastnamed person , being shockingly injured from head to foot . They were taken ashore , and conveyed to St . Thomas ' s Hospital . The ori g in ofthe explosion is yet not positively known ; but the engineer ' s opinion was that the tube plate at the end of the boiler hurst , which let out the steam and water on to the fire , and blew off the furnace doors , and in a few seconds the engine-room was completely filled with fire and steam . The sufferers are progressing as favourably as could be expected . The steamer , which is completely disabled , now lies off _Queenhithe for further examination .

      Stoke Newixgtox . _—Axotheb Ecclesiastic * Razzia . —The rector of Stoke Newington , the Rev . A . W . Taylor , made a claim on some of his parishioners for church rates , and the following is the mode in which the said claim was enforced by his myrmidons : —On the 23 rd inst ., four men , taking advantage ofthe day on which Friends are accustomed to attend their meeting for worship , and no doubt expecting to find the heads of the respective families from home , proceeded to thc house of Mrs . Foster , Church-street : went first into the shop , where they might have seized abundantly more than would have liquidated their claim ; pushed their way into the drawing-room , where two ladies were sitting , and insolently demanded a . screw-driver to remove a barometer and looking-elass , for the sum of ls . 4 d ., the rector ' s claim . This modest request

      for the loan of a screw-driver not being complied with , they made off with a large copper stew-pan , with two smaller ones , and a copper tea-kettle . They were very rude to the two ladies , and told them they had got their pockets stuffed full of plate from other houses . At the house of Mr . Joseph Marsh , hi Church-street , they behaved still worse . The family were at dinner . They went first into the kitchen , but would not distrain there , ' saying they wanted plate . They endeavoured to force their way into the parlour , where the family were dining , and behaved so insolently that the inmates were _oblisred , in self-defence , to bolt the doors against iliem . They at last made off with a good barometer , which cost Mr . M . £ -5 . The following is a list ofthe distraints , and of the value of the property sacked in this clerical forav : —

      DEMAND . VALCE TAKEN £ . S . d . £ . s . d . AnnFosicr 0 1 4 ' 2 0 0 Cornelius Hanburv .. 252 349 G . V . ' . Alexander * .... 1 S 1 2 3 6 Edward Harris 0 3 0 0 10 0 Benjamin Reed 0 3 1 0 10 6 Ann Alexander 0 1 "J 0 10 6 J . F . Burgess 0 3 7 0 12 « Joseph Marsh — ...... 3 0 0 _MarrTvlor 0 2 CI Oil 3 Sarah Janson 0 2 Oi 0 10 6

      Depamtbe op Sin Charles Xapiee . —Sir Charles Sapier took his departure for the East on Saturday evening . He left at a late hour , and proceeded via the South Eastern llailway , to Dover , en . route for Calais . Sir Ch : ir _3---s and staff p roceed direct to Loghorn , there to be joined by Major William Napier , and from thence proeeed to Alexandria in one of her Majesty ' s boat * -, specially ordered . At Aden , where the _steam-paekets stop for coals and provisions , a special steamer , belonging to the Indian government , will meet Sir Charles Napier , and convey him and his staff to the port of Kurraehce , in _Scinde , instead of proceeding to Bombay . The Commander-in-Chief is expected to arrive at Mooltan by this route in about a month from his departure .

      Death _fhom Cold and Stahvatiox . —An inquest was held on Wednesday before Mr . W . Baker , at the Plough public-house , Plough-yard , Shoreditch , respecting the death of Michael Donovan , aged nine montbs , who was alleged to have died from starvation and exposure to the cold . The body of the deceased was most frightlully emaciated . " He was one of twins , and the mother was constantly begging in the street , with her two infants in her arms . She generally left home about ten o ' clock in the morning , and remained out all day with her two children until late at night . She usually sat npon the steps of doors in Finsbury-square , for several hours together . Some time since she was taken into custody for begging , and convicted by a magistrate . After her imprisonment had expired , she again resorted to the same method . In January List thc deceased was attacked with a

      pulmonary disease , and an order was issued by the medical officer ofthe union , who directed that the child should be properly attended to . The surgeon visited the child daiiy , until the 6 th of March , but the mother heeded not the surgical advice , and again exposed the two children in the streets . Tlie surgeon discontinued his visits after the 6 th inst ., and the deceased gradually became worse . The mother never applied for the assistance of a surgeon , nor Stated that the child was worse . On Friday hist , the deceased _was ' apparently dying , but the mother took hiin out with the other infant , and did not return home

      until thc evening . The deceased became worse , and expired early on Stiudav morning . The coroner said the surgeon ' s evidence did not distinctly prove that the death was accelerated hy exposure , and the case was one of those when the jury could only express their horror at what had occurred . The jury said they had no doubt that the death of the child was caused by starvation and exposure to the cold air , and returned a verdict to that effect . The coroner , by the directions of the jury , severely censured the mother , and cautioned _lrir to take proper care of her remaining child .

      Efje Iirotouitf**

      _Efje _iirotouitf _**

      . Susskx.-Atiemtied Mubbbb. -The Udw* 1 ...

      . SUSSKX _.-ATIEMTIED MUBBBB . -The _udw * _* _" * of Vine-street , Brighton , were alarmed , _^ _*« _£ ' by hearing cries of murder , and upon looking _^ ouij they discovered afemale with blood streaming down affront of her dress . The woman _^ _vrngb e _« _stonned she was taken to Mr . C . Burrougns _. a SS who found a wound in thc throat tW 3 _r of an inch in length . The wound having teen dressed , the female stated that it had been done by Robert Spiers , with whom she lived , at the Prince ' s Arms beer-shop . The man accused the woman with cutting her own throat , but , upon examining him , his hands wero found covered with blood . He was taken into custody , and will De de * tamed until it is seen whether the woman will recover

      or not . Staffordshire . —Suspected Child Murder and Suicide . —Last week , at Sniethwick , Hannah Rose committed self-murder by cutting her throat with a razor , and the information forwarded to the police was , that Bhe had been led to the commission of the crime by remorse , consequent upon the death ofthe illegitimate child of ono of her daughters , which she ( deceased ) had poisoned . On Wednesday week , an inquest was held before Mr . G . Hinchcliffe , the coroner , when Sarah Holmes said , that the deceased was her mother , and that on the previous day she asked her for the key of the brewhouae , which she gave her , and shortly afterwards she heard a wild scream , and on going into the brewhouse , found her mother in a pool of blood , and her throat cut almost from ear to oar . She

      had her hands in the wound , and was pulling it open . A surgeon was sent for , and the wound was sewn up , but she expired in an hour afterwards . Witness ' s sister was confined with a child on the 10 th instant , which went on Tcry well for a day or two , but it died suddenly on the 13 th instant . On tho following-Friday , the child was taken to West Bromwicn Trinity Churchyard , wbero it was buried . —Police-constable Critchlow gave evidence as to the rumours prevalent . —The jury gave a verdict " That the deceased destroyed her life , but they had no evidence as to her _stato of mind , " when tho coroner issued his warrant for the exhumation of the child ' s body . Tho inquest was commenced on Thursday week , when the soxton proved that the

      child had been reported to him as " still-born , and that he , in consequence , buried it . —The inquiry was adjourned for a post mortem examination ; and the jury met again on Friday week , when the coroner * jaid it would be necessary to adjourn again , as the medical gentlemen who had made the post mortem examination wero quito of opinion that the child had been poisoned . Tho investigation was , therefore , again adjourned . Gloucestershire . —The Bristol Murder . —Our readers will remember that Sarah Thomas , who stands committed upon the coroner ' s warrant for the wilful murder of Miss Elizabeth _Jefferics , at Bristol , on the 3 rd of March , made a statement to the police who had her in charge , denying that she

      was the actual perpetrator of the appalling crime , and implicating a girl who had lived servant with the unfortunate lady immediately before she went to reside with her . Subsequently to the inquest tho inquiries by the police were resumod , and happily with better success , as a girl has been found who , there can he no doubt , is the one referred to , and whose evidence was so much required to complete the chain of testimony . Her name is Charlotte Morgan , and she is the daughter of a plasterer and painter carrying on business at Thorubury , Gloucestershire , but having been ( as stated by thewitness Miller ) unsuccessful in business , she sought a service , and was engaged by Miss _Jefferies . She states , however , that she only lived with the deceased lady from Thursday night till the following Saturday morning , as Miss Jctieries ( who was very

      eccentric and strange in her manner ) told her , as soon as she entered the house ,-that 6 he was too fine and too ti g ht-laced for the place , and before breakfast on the Saturday . morning she insisted on her quitting the house forthwith , which she did on pain of having her boxes trundled into the street . Happily this g irl is enabled to prove , to the complete satisfaction ofthe police , that sh © could have been no party to the murder , inasmuch as during the whole ofthe night upon which it was committed , as , indeed , had been also the case for many days before and afterwards , she was sleeping at her lodgings in the house of a person named Hancock ( a respectable tradesman ) , and in a room in which the sister of her landlady likewise slept . This testimony is looked upon as being of a very important character .

      Threatening Letters to the Queex . —At Windsor , on Monday , John Wardle , remanded from Monday week , was charged before the mayor and two other magistrates with having sent threatening letters to her Majesty and other parties . It appeared that the prisoner , who is about twenty-three years old , of short stature , and rather idiotic appearance , has been employed in the collieries of Lord Dartmouth at West Bromwich , near Birmingham , whence he dated his first communication to her Majesty , dated January 18 , 1848 . In this letter he stated that , unless he and his family obtained their rights , her Majesty should die by his hands ; that , if he was wanted , he might be found by applying to Lord Dartmouth , or at his residence , Argat-hine ,

      West Bromwich ; or ho would attend to any appointment . This letter was sent down to the Staflordshire police , when the prisoner was apprehended and taken before the magistrates , charged with writing threatening letters to her Majesty . The prisoner explained that the reason of liis doing so was to obtain £ 10 , 000 left to his family by the late Duke of Kent under the following circumstances : — His grandfather was a soldier , aud served in the American war , and was induced to marry a servant who had been seduced and had a child by the late Duke of Kent , on being allowed a pension from his Koyal Hig hness ; that at his death his Royal Highness left the family £ 10 , 000 , which was unjustly kept from them . These facts , the prisoner said ,

      were communicated to him when he was thirteen years of age by his grandfather on his death-bed , and he was determined to have his rights . After minutely examining into the particulars ofthe case , the magistrate sentenced the prisoner to three months' confinement in Stafford Gaol in default of his finding bail to keep the peace , which expired hi the early part of May last . In the following month the prisoner found his way to London , and underwent several examinations before thc Lord Mayor and Mr . D . W . Harvey , the City Police Commissioner , which resulted in his being sent back to West Bromwich and p laced under the surveillance ofthe police . On the 18 th of December last thc prisoner wrote a letter to Mr . Abbott , the

      Superintendant of the North Staffordshire Police , stating that he was determined to have " his rights , " if he " swung for it ; " and he also addressed a similar letter to Sir G . Grey , the Home Secretary , under date of December 21 . No notice was , however , taken of these letters beyond their being forwarded to the solicitor for the Treasury . On Thursday , the 8 th inst ., he presented himself at the residence of the Dean of AVindsor , and told the butler he was determined to see the Queen , and get his due , even if his neck was stretched for it . He was again given into custody , and the result was that , after two inquiries , the case was postponed till Mond ; iy , the 19 th inst ., when the authorities at the Home-office having been communicated with Mr . Hayward , of tho office of the solicitor to the Treasury , attended to watch thc case , and was about to ask the

      magistrates to hold the prisoner to bail for using _threatening language , when Mr , Pearl , a surgeon , of Windsor , who had examined him , expressed doubts of the prisoner ' s sanity . Upon this Mr . Hayward asked tor a remand , to obtain further evidence on that point . Accordingly the prisoner was again brought up when the above facts having been deposed to , Dr . Munro stated that he had had an interview of more than an hour ' s duration with tlie prisoner , and he was clearly of opinion that he was a dangerous lunatic , whom it was not safe to trust at largo for a single hour . Upon this evidence being g iven , Mr . Hayward applied to have tlie prisoner committed to the county lunatic asylum . Tin Mayor , _havnig asked the prisoner if he had any explanation to give of his conduct , he replied that it would be useless , as he was like a , lamb in a a den

      of wolves . After some consideration the bench adjudged the prisoner to be a dangerous lunatic , and sentenced him to be confined in the county lunatic asylum at Littlemore , near Oxford , unless his friends could give security for his safe custody . Thc prisoner is evidently very illiterate , no two consecutive words being spelt eorrcctly , her Majesty being described as Queen ¦ 'Victorey . " Fratricide at Leeds . —A case of fratricide has occurred at Hunslet , one of the out-townships ot the borough of Leeds , which , owing to the parties concerned being well-known , has caused much excitement in the locality . On Saturday last two brothers of the names of Thomas and William Proctor , entered into a very angry quarrel . The elder brother , William , giving way to an

      extraordinary degree of passion , took off his waistcoat , and threatened to give Thomas a sound beating . The latter took a pocket-knife , and struck William on the neck with the weapon , cutting the jugular vein . Thc result was that William bled profusely , and was removed as speedily as possible to thc infirmary at Leeds , where he expired on Sunday night . There docs not appear to have , been any previous quarrel or bad feeling between the two brothers . The deceased was twenty-one years of age , and the survivor is only eighteen . The sad catastrophe occurred at the house ii . which thc family reside , in the presence of a sister and the father . Thomas Proctor , the younger brother , is in custody . On Monday an inquest was held on the body . The jury having heard the evidence , found a verdict of Manslaughter I against Thomas Proctor .

      Warwickshire . —Accident ok the Bristol and Birmingiuu _IUilwat . —On Saturday oveniug last a man named Orton , a plato-laycr on this line , attempted to get on one of the waggons as it was descending the Lickey , near Bromsgrovc ; in doin " this he fell , and the wheels of the carriage _passed

      . Susskx.-Atiemtied Mubbbb. -The Udw* 1 ...

      over his legs , fracturing them in a frightful manner . He was conveyed to the Queen ' s Hospital at Birmingham on Sunday morning , and died there last evening . Hampshire . —North Hants Election . — Last week the High Sheriff received the writ , calling upon him to appoint a day on which to elect a Knight ofthe Shire for that county to sit in Parliament , in the place of Sir "W . Heathcote , when he ordered that the nomination should take place on the 31 st of March , at "Winchester . If any opposition , the polling to take plac * on the 5 th and 6 th of April .

      Suffolk . —Superstitions in 1849 . —A case has just occurred ( says the Ipswich Express ) , at a village a few miles from Rayleigh , which shows that if witches and their familiars have fled from the land in a fright at the rough handling of science , the mental cobwebs beneath which they flourished have not been yet quite brushed away . A girl in the village had been long subject to fits , and its family consultations and councils traced the mysterious malady to witchcraft , " a cunning man , " celebrated there _^ abouts , was called in to counterplot the mischievous old hag , who was supposed to be squatted in some dark corner , muttering her _spt-Ils and enjoying the writhings of her victim . The conjuror , of cour _.-c _, undertook the job for a consideration , and

      immediately set the village blacksmith blowing . and beating away to manufacture an air-tight iron bottle . After a sharp struggle with the arts of the doomed witch , who kept maliciously poking flaws and fissures in the hissing metal ; this was completed , and being filled with the parings of the patient ' s toe-nails , locks of her hair , and fluid , was placed over a roaring fire , chained fast to the grate asadditional securit y against the tricBs of the imps who were believed t o be hovering in dozens and in terror around it . This charm was to blow the offending witch thr ugh the air at a quicker . rate than she ever travelled upon her own broom-stick , or bring her to the hearth-stone pleading for forgiveness ; but of course we cm understand without being very deeply read in the occult

      science , that the spirit of steam would . begin to grow rather fidgetty at being shut up in an air-tight iron bottle $ so at last , without waiting for the appearance of the expected old lady , he jumped out with a loud explosion , blowing away the grate-bars aud the fire . This was exoected to do the girl good . Execution at _WonciiSTKn . —W . Pulley , convicted at the late assizes of the murder ofa young girl at Pershore , underwent the extreme penalty of the law on Mot-day morning , at Worcester gaol . Many _thousands were assembled in all the roads and approaches to the prison . Pulley had made a confession of his crime , and of the justice of his punishment . At eleven o'clock divine service was performed in the gaol chapel , and at twelve o ' clock—tlie service being ended—Pulley ascended the ladder , and in a short time the bolt was drawn . Having

      hung an hour , the body was taken down , and buried without ceremony in the precincts of the gaol . The Execution op John Smith , por Murder , took place at Salisbury on Tuesday , The convict persisted to the last in withholding all information as to his real name and connexions , He said he had parents living , and sisters and brothers , whom he did not wish to know his ignominious end . At twelve o ' clock he mounted the scaffold with a quick step and a smiling countenance , and desired the _executioner to hurry through his task as fast as possible . When , however , the cap was drawn over his face , he requested tbe executioner to let him have another look at the crowd , which being complied with , he almost immediately added , "That will do , " and the drop fell within a minute or two . The crowd in front of the gaol was immense , and far exceeded any that had been witnessed here on a similar occasion .

      Sfotianti

      _Sfotianti

      Remabkadle Adventure.—A Few Days Ago, Sa...

      _Remabkadle Adventure . —A few days ago , says the Glasgow Post , Hector Macalister , while out oh the Arran Hills looking after his sheep , as was his wont , about six miles from home , or any other habitation , his two collie dogs ( who were liis daily companions ) , started a rabbit , which ran under a large block of granite . Thinking he saw the animal , he thrust his arm under thc stone , expecting to catch it , but instead of doing so , he must have removed some of the supports of the block , which instantly came down on his arm , holding him as fast as if he had been in a vice . The pain he endured was great , but the pangs he suffered when lie thought of his home , and thc death he seemed doomed to die , were much greater . In this position he lay from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon , when finding that all his efforts to extricate himself were unavailing , he tried several times .

      without effect , to get his knife out ofhis pocket , to cut off his arm . His only chance now was to endeavour to send home his dogs , with the view of alarming his friends . After much difficulty ( as thc creatures were most unwilling to leave him ) he at length succeeded in this ; and Mrs . Macalister , _seeing them returning alone , took the alarm , and speedily collecting the neighbours , went in search of her husband , led on by his faithful collies . When they came to the spot poor Macalister was in a very exhausted state , and was quite voiceless with crying for assistance . Suffice it to say , that it required thc utmost exertions of five strong men to move thc block to extricate the arm , which was dreadfully bruised , but after being conveyed home and having medical treatment , it is hoped he may yet recover thc use of his limb .

      Edinburgh , March 27 . —Cholera has disappeared in Edinburgh and Glasgow , but has commenced in Campbclton , near Fort George , under circumstances which strengthen the theory of contagion . The clothes of a woman who had died of disease in Glasgow were sent in a- box to Campbelton _, on being taken out and washed , two men , a father and son , who were at hand when the process was going on , became ill and died , both having exlubited the customary cholera symptoms .

      Ereland.

      _ErelanD .

      Dublin, Mancn 2-1. — Cattle Stealing Ano...

      Dublin , MAncn 2-1 . — Cattle Stealing ano Destitution . — The provincial journals daily bring accounts of the continuance of this system of plunder . At the various assize courts , great numbers of prisoners have been tried for this offence , and in most cases it appeared that they were in n state of utter destitution . In some instances the wretched beings expressod gratitude to tho judges , on ' their being sentenced to transportation . Incendiarism in Louth . — The Newry Examiner contains the following ;— " Wc are sorry to observe that Ireland ' s hitherto most peaceable county has lately become the theatre of crimes gratuitous and revolting . On . the night of Tuesday last , at Cortial , 'in the barony of Louth , a haggard belonging to a person named Oolemari , and a houso

      belonging to another named Burns , were set on arc by some malicious persons . When the haggard and house had been consumed , it was discovered by some parties in the neighbourhood that three horses , two belonging to Burns and one to Coleman , had had their throats cut in a most brutal manner . One of the horses ( the property of Burns ) was quito dead , and on the other two the cuts had not been so deeply inflicted as was intended . They were immediately conveyed to Mr . Evan ' s veterinary establishment , whore , under his judicious treatment , they have since partially recovered . " Within the last eighteen months eleven poor law inspectors and vice-guardians have died from fevers contracted in the discharge of their perilous duties . Amongst the number was Major Fitzgerald , inspector at Sligo , the eldest son of tho late Knight of Kerry .

      ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE . Londonderry . _—Thialof Captain Johnson and the Mates op the _LosDONpEnnv _Steameb . —On Wednesday , the 21 st , Alex . Johnson , Richard Hughes , and XinLan Crawford , were given in charge to the jury , for that they , on the 1 st of December , did , on the high seas in the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of Ireland , assault ono Hannah Brcnnan and others , and had caused her death , by placing her and others in a place on board thc Londonderry steamer , whore they had not a sufficiency of air to preserve life ; and that while there , the said traversers neglected to pay her and others proper attention , aud had thereby caused the death ofthe said Hannah Brcnnan . —Several witnesses for the prosecution were examined , who deposed to facts similar to those sworn to at the inquest . —The court then adjourned to next when

      day ( Thursday ) , some of the seamen and firemen employed on board of the Londonderry at the time of the melancholy catastrophe wero examined for the defence , after which Judge Torrens eharged the jury , who retired for about three-quarters of an hour , and returned with a verdict of " Not guilty . " —A conversation then took place between the counsel for the defence and Jud _« _-e Torrens , which had been called forth by _severaf memorials addressed to the judge from parties who sought to get their passage money , which they stated they had lost , to enable them to go to America . —The Judge said that the representative of the Crown solicitor , Mr . M'Mahon , had kindly consented to inquire into the memorials , and to communicate with tho . Glasgow Steam-packet Company on the subject . This important trial terminated the

      assizes . At _Kilkenny , on Thursday , the 22 nd , a James Malone , who had been found . guilty of making an attack on the Kilmacow Police Barrack , was sentenced to be transported for seven years . [ The sentence was subsequently commuted to imprisonment for two years . ] Couxir _Kiluare . —At Maryborough on Thursday 22 nd five young females , varying from fifteen to eighteen years , who were guilty of the crime of arson , were ranged in thc front of the dock to receive sentence . —Judge Doherty addressed them thus - . —Esther Lalor , you plead guilty of tlie meat crime of arson . You have set fire to a house and a stack of barley , belonging to James Nolan ; Catherine Nolan , you plead guilty of burning a * stable belonging to James Morris ; Eliza Gv , _Uft > _yle , yvn

      Dublin, Mancn 2-1. — Cattle Stealing Ano...

      burned a house , the property of Mary Connor ; Anne Daly , tho jury found you guilty of burning the house of John Butler ; and you Anno Daly , aleaded guilty of burning the house of Charles Neale . For tho protection of tiie country , it is necessary that I should transport you for your respective lives . —Catherino Nolan : Thank you , my lord . _ _^ „ , Mondat , March 20 . —The _Pai-ai , Batsi in Aid .-The collection for Popo Pius proceeds with vigour . The diocese of Meatb has sent mthe sum of ± . 1 , 300 . At Freshford , in Ossory , Mrs , _Bryson gave the sum of £ 100 . It is roughly estimated that the . gross ( verv erossi total of this uncalled for rate in aid will yield in Ireland from £ 25 , 000 to £ 30 , 000 . Sale _nr Auction of C < wciuawo » Hail . —The Freeman's Journal has the subjoined " puff direct for tho Burgh-quay " Stow" : — " We perceive by advertisement that Mr . Burke is to sell by auction , on Bunrh quay , to-morrow , at the _Oovn-Exehange ,

      the effects of the committee-rooms of the ltepeal Association . The sale is to take place at the instance of the committee , and embraces all that was not disposed of on the former occasion . There are , we believe , a great variety of articles still on hand considered to be both useful and valuable , and interesting as relics . Thore is the wrought-iron safe of the old Catholic Association , a very ingeniouslycontrived balloting-box , made after a plan devised by the Liberator , and under his own immediate inspection j a-full set of band instruments , made specially for the Loyal- National Repeal Association , and a great many other articles that will not fail to interestthe public . " : ; Sale op ihe Effects of the _VLibekatoh . —The World , of Saturday , mentions „ that the house of O'Cbnnell , in Memon-square , will soon he offered for sale . Tlie library ofthe deceased agitator isalso to he sold by auction very soon , according to the same authority . '

      . _DestiTotion-. —Overcrowded Gaols . —Something must be done without delay by the authorities to prevent the overcrowding of the gaols in thecountry districts . The extent of criminality in these times iB excessive , as may be judged from the fact , that in addition to the heavy calendar before tho judges of assize at Cork , there are not leas than 5 _bl traversers to to tried at the present Cork sessions by Assistant Barrister Berwick . Their crimes are chiefly stealing turnips , potatoes , and other food . Harvest Prospects . —Tho Ikath Herald says , — " We halve seldom witnessed a spring season wherein farming , operations were so far advanced , nor ono in which more grain has been sown than in that of tho present ;—Thc quantity-of potatoes planting far

      exceeds the year ' 46 ' 47 or 48 . As the decline ot this valuable root increased from year to year , so in all probability will its restoration to health proceed un * til it arrives at its original soundness—a consummation much to be desired . The wheat crop looks healthy ; and we may look forward to a plentiful harvest . " Tuesday , March 27 . —The Law op _Retaliation . —A letter in the Boyle Qaiette has the following particulars iu connexion with the murder of Robert Todd , a tenant on Mr . _Ormsby Gore ' s estates in Leitrim ;— " On Tuesday Todd was buried in Carrigallen church-yard ; the funeral was attended by the gentry of the neighbourhood , and about 300 respectably dressed Orangemen from the Manor ,

      wearing the insignia of their order , with flags , and music playing the ' Dead March . ' When the procession arrived at the parish priest ' s house ( Father M- Govern ) , it halted , when some of the Orangemen addressed the priest , and said , that if ever they had cause to come again on such a melancholy occasion , his life , or that of some one like him , would bo taken , as the priests have power , if they choose , to prevent the many murders which take place , or at least can discover the murderers and hand them over to justice : the procession then moved to the church , and after service proceeded in the same order to their homes . " What a state of society in a country pretending to civilisation !

      The Tralkk Savings Bank . —At thc Tralee Assizes , just concluded , an action was brought by a person named Lynch , upon an award of Mr . Tidd Pratt , the Government inspector of Savings Banks , for the sum of £ 27 , to ascertain the liability of the defendant in the case , who was one of tho trustees to the plaintiff , who was a depositor , and who lost his money by the failure of the bank in the course of last year . The Rev . Mr . Rowan , the bank treasurer , and Mr . Pratt were examined at considerable length , to show the manner in which the bank business was conducted ; thc details of their testimony were of a technical nature , which gave risp to several questions of law , that were reserved for the consideration of the court above . Tlie iury found ,

      " That the defendant was a trustee , but not guilty of wilful neglect ; " and the question of his liabilities will depend upon the decision of the Court of Queen ' s Bench upon argument next term . Steamer ashore on tub Raoiiery Rocks . —Belfast , March 24 th , 1849 . —I regret to inform you that an accident , which it is feared may prove serious , has occurred to Her Majesty , a fine steamer , well known on the Androssan , and latterly Troon and Floetw & od , station . It appears that Her Majesty , which for some time past has been plying between Belfast and Fleetwood and Deny , was proceeding from the latter port to Fleetwood , on Thursday evening , but owing to a dense fog which prevailed that night all along the Irish coast , she struck upon the Raghery rocks—a dangerous reef near the Giants' Causeway—where she still

      remains . It being nearly high water when tho vessel struck , as the tide ebbed her bottom was injured in several places by the sharp points of the rocks * , but hopes are entertained that sho may be got oft should the weather prove favourable . It is nearly five years since Her Majesty commenced plying between Fleetwood and ' Androssan , during which period she luva been commanded by Captain Wilson , without ever having met with the slightest accident till now . Captain Wilson has not been sailing the vessel , we believe , for a few weeks , having had leave of absence on account of his health . His place was supplied by Captain Wheeler of the Fcnella , an Isle of Man steamer ; but no blame is attributable to any one for the present unfortunate occurrence , which was entirely caused by the fog . —The Dailv Mail .

      Wed . _nesdat , March 28 . —Auction at Conciliation Hall , —Notwithstanding the badness of the times , the sale of the remaining effects of tho Repeal Association yesterday , according to the Freeman's Journal , realised good prices . Tho sum realised was above . £ 100 . Tho musical instruments belonging to tho band of the Repeal Association , however , did not all find purchasers . Treatment of Mr . Mitciiei / on ins Voyage to Bermuda . —A correspondence has just been published , in which Commander II . E . Wingrovc , who commanded tlie Scourge , in which Mr . Mitchcl sailed , makes the following statement : — " The Scourge arrived at Cork on the morning of the 31 st of May . and on the _following morning , at

      six o ' clock , tlie prisoner was embarked , and the vessel sailed for her destination . * * * I was distinctly informed that he was not during the passage to be treated as a common criminal , tinder these circumstances , and anxiously mindful of tlie great _responsibility of such a charge , it became most difficult for me to decide in what part of tho ship ho should be ]> laced , or how he should be watched so as to ensure his safe custody . I couhl not put him with tho officers , neither could I place him near the ship ' s company ; indeed I must admit that I felt particularly anxious he should not be where by any possibility he mig ht disseminate those principles which sentenced him to transportation , or where lie could have such uncontrollable

      opportunities of establishing mischievous communication ofa nature calculated seriously to enhance the difficulty of his safe custody at Bermuda . My object was to convey him to the place of his banishment with the least motive to exasperation , so far as he or his partisans were concerned , and with the least risk of bad consequences upon my own people " afterwards . Then , again , it occurred to me I should be held rcspoiwible if this convict committed suicide upon awakening to a real sense of his situation , which from tlie anguish of his mind there really seemed reason to apprehend on first leaving his native land . -1 considered it my duty to endeavour to calm these feelings as much as possible , and for this reason , as well as others , I did not consider him

      safe , indeed I couhl not rest satisfied unless lie was under ! my own immediate eye ; therefore , I waived all personal feelings , which were much indeed at variance with the course I thought it best to pursue , and allotted to thc prisoner a portion of my cabin , anil gave him his meals at my own table , taking special care to invite no one else while he remained on board , at the same time confining him to the strict observation of the sergeant of marines and one sentry whenever he ' took an airing on deck ; two sentries watched him also by night , f ho result was successful : the prisoner was landed safely at Bermuda , in comparative health and calmness of mind , though he suffered acutel y from an alarming malady during ; tho passage , which , the surgeon informed mc , might cut short the thread of his existence in a moment . He was landed before his arrival could be possibly anticipated on tho island . Having thus successfully performed this responsible as well

      as most disagreeable duty to the best of my judgment , having conscientiously acted for what 1 considered the good of the service , having adopted that course which I thought would be most consonant with the wishes of her Majesty ' s government , and disclaiming all sympathy with the prisoner beyond that which is due from one Christian to another in misfortune , I confidently trust their lordships will bo pleased to extend to me that protection to which , under all the very peculiar circumstances of thc case , I feel that I am justly entitled . " Upon this statement the Lords of the Admiralty havo made through their secretary , tho following "Deliverance : "— " My lords are disposed , generally , to approve of Commander "W _' mgvove's conduct , but upon tlie understanding thai tho convict was not admitted to partake of his meals in the company and as tho « _- uest of the . commander , although ho may have hud lua Hrcnln in tho commander ' s _«!)& : "

      Ftmiie Itttemgeiire

      ftMiie _itttemgeiire

      Exeter, March 23. Tub Robbbrt Op The Mai...

      Exeter , March 23 . Tub Robbbrt op the Maii Trains ok tub Great Wester . y Rauwat . Henry Poole and Edward Nightingale were severally indicted for stealing , in the parish of St . David ' s in tho city of Exeter , on the 2 nd of January last , ' twelve post letters from a mail , the property of the Postmaster-General . Mr . Rogers , Q . O ., and Mr . Poulden were oounsol for the prosecution , instructed by Mr . Peacock , the solicitor to the postoffice . ... Mr . Cockburn , Q . C ., Mr . Stone , and Mr . _SladeKconducted the . case or the prisoners . Mr . Rogers having stated the case called the following witnesses .

      Thomas _Winsor Berry . —I am a clerk in the branch banks office in the Bank of England . I posted the packet produced at tho Lombard-street post-office on the 1 st of January . It is directed " Robert Morris , Esq ., Bank of England Branch , Plymouth . " It contains the probate of a will . I had the packet registered , and I produce the receipt . , Robebt Fowieb _Pitt . —I am a clerk in the Lombard-street branch of the General Post-office . I gavo the receipt for the parcel posted by the last witness ; tho usual course , then , is for the messenger to take the parcel to the senior clerk to be registered , and despatched to the chief office , St , Mavtin ' _s-le-Grand .

      Edward _Jameb Smith . —I am also a clerk in tho Lombard-street post-office . On the 1 st of January I registered a letter directed to Mr . Morris , Plymouth . On that evening I despatched the letters and a letter bill of the registered letters . This is tho letter bill despatched _tiiat night . Martin Dexter . —I am a messenger in thc General Post-office . Oh the evening ' , of the 1 st of January I opened the Lombard-street bag , and having stamped these letters with an obliterating stamp No . 21 , 1 handed them to thc senior clerk on duty . Cross-examined : The No . 21 stamp is used for

      obliterating the registered fetters only . Mr . Morris's letter stamp is obliterated with that number ; and I am , therefore , enabled to say that at some time or other , that letter passed through my hands . William James Plant . —I am a clerk in tho _Inland-office of the General Post-office . The packet produced passed through my hands . I checked it with Mr . Adams , the senior clerk , on the evening of the 1 st of January . Mr . Adams directed the green cover , and I then did it up and passed it to Mr , Moulo . _i On that evening we had eighty registered letters , which passed through my hands in thc same

      way . - James Moule . —I am also a clerk in the Inlandoffice . I received tho letter from the last witness , and took it to the clerk of the Devonport-road with others , and obtained his signature . John _iFi _/ _BMixo . —I am in the employ of Messrs . Mathcson and Brogden , jewellers , Henrietta-street , Co vent-garden . The packet produced is directed in Mr . Brogden's hand-writing to Mr . J . A . Page , jeweller _^ George-street , Plymouth . I took , it on the 1 st of January to thc Charing-cross Post-office , had it registered , paid for it , and obtained this receipt . This letter was traced the in the same way . Letters from Monsieur Julhen , in Regent-street , to Mi * . Wallis , Park-street , Plymouth ; from Steriker , teadealers , London , to Mr . W . W . Snell , 3 , Octagon , Plymouth ; from Lacklind , _M'Leod , and Co .,

      shipbrokers , to Captain Milman , of the Sir George Seymour , care of J . B . _Wilcocks , Plymouth ; from Mr . Derham , cutler , New Oxford-street to C . Holder , Esq ., Maradon , near Plymouth ; from the Provident Life Institution to the manager of the Devon and Cornwall Bank ; and other letters were all proved to have been posted in thc usual way , on the 1 st of January . Mr . James Collinson , clerk of the Devonportroad , proved his receiving the registered letters , signing the initials , placing them in the bag , seeing the bags sealed and delivered to a porter to put in the accelerator . Thc whole of the letters produced passed through the Inland-office ,, as appeared by tiie obliterating stamp having beeni used . M . Street , a letter carrier , proved that the guards received the Plymouth bag , which witness took from Mr . _Collinson in the usual way .

      Letters which were m the Truro bag were proved in the same way . Lelard Barrett . —I am a mail guard of the Devonport-road . I accompany the mail from Paddington to Laira , two miles from Plymouth . I received the bags from the General Post-office on thc evening of the 1 st of January . They are placed in a carriage called the accelerator , and I ride with the driver to the Paddington terminus . The bags are there taken out and carried by three porters , appointed by the Great Western Railway Company , to the Post-office tender . I . saw them so taken that evening . One door of tho tender is fastened up by screws , the after doors on thc near side starting from Paddington . On tlie off side two doors can

      be opened , but only one © n the near side . The guard of tho Gloucester mail travels with me in tlie tender as far as Swindon . Tho train left about nine o ' clock , tho usual time , that night . I travelled inside the mail tender from Paddington to Bristol . I separated the bags for Bristol and Exeter from those for Truro , Devonport , and places below Exeter . At Bristol , I delivered the bag to the porter as usual , and received the bags for Exeter and Taunton from him , which I placed in thc tender . I then locked the door , in which is the window , and went into the travelling Post-office—a separate carriage , lighted up with four lamps in the roof , and one to seal with , and used for sorting letters . The tender carriage is much larger than the travelling post-office carriage . It is part of my duty to assist

      the two clerks , Mr . Silk and Mr . Birchell , in sorting letters in tbe travelling post-office . There is no travelling post-office between London and Bristol ; it comes up from Exeter , and goes back the same night . On entering the carriage the clerks told me the bags of the up-mail had been opened and robbed . I , in consequence , returned to tlie tender , and found thc bags m the same state as I had left them . 1 had placed tlie Exeter and Falmouth sack , the Falmouth and Truro sack , and the bag called thc Falmouth agent , _agauiBt the farthest off-side door . The 6 ucks I wanted to open between Exeter and Plymouth were on thc opposite side . I observed that thc strap which I had stuffed in to prevent the after oft-side window from rattling was in the same position , and I then locked the door , and returned to the travelling post-office .

      Tlie word was given to go on as I was getting into tho carriage , and within two or three minutes we were put back to the points where the Exeter line branches off . In two or three minutes the engine was changed , and the carriage was drawn on to the express shed . In about another two minutes , having taken up the passengers , the train started . I had previously looked out at intervals two or three times whilst the tender and carriage were being put on the Exeter line , to see that no one was on the post-office tender . We are allowed an hour and ton minutes between Bristol and Bridge water , and we do not stop between . That is the longest run in the journey . The next longest interval is between Bndgewater and Taunton , which is run in

      twenty-five minutes . Before the train stopped I looked out of the window , and as soon as it came up to the _^ platform , I jumped out and unlocked the post-office tender . I then perceived that all the bags had been displaced . The Plymouth bag had been shifted from tlie right hand side to the left . I saw that the Plymouth " bag had been cut open and tied up by a _droWnfc string to that used by the Post-office . I returned and gave information to Mr . Birchell . He came to the door of the tender and looked in . Mr . Silk then came and entered and looked at the Plymouth bag . I requested Mr . Silk to take charge ofthe tender . I then proceeded to the first-class carriage , of which there was but ono , and it was situated immediately behind the mail tender . That _caiTiaco had four compartments , the

      two middle being divided with doors , windows , and blinds . The first and last compartments are open . I told Rheinhart and Thomas what had occurred , and I directed them to suffer no one to come out of the first-class carriage . I then went behind the train , and directed thc porter to stand on the line and watch the carriage on that aide . I then told Mr . Jones , the superintendent , and requested him him to give an order to have all the passengers searched . He was not up . I returned to the platform , and was told no one had left , I _communicated to Mr . Hcmctt , tho railway contractor , and Mr . Barlow , one of the directors , who were in the second compartment ., Mr . Barlow came out and directed Rheinhart to go and see the tickets . I

      went back to the Post-office tender , and found that seven bags had boen broken open . They had all been tied and sealed when delivered to me . I found them tied but not sealed , having been broken open . I again returned to tlie platform . Mr . Silk gave me ii piece of string , which I produce . I went to the first-class carriage to have the passengers searched . I then entered the third compartment , and in the division next the platform I saw two men , who turned out to be tho prisoners . Ni ghtingale was dressed as he is now , but Pool had on a cloak a Jim-Crow hat , with a handkerchief to his face . ' I had known him as a guard for about four or five

      years , but I did not recognise him then , as he lav curled up m thc corner , with his legs on the opposite side . I requested to be allowed tO IK 15 S and they let mo . I found Mr . Andrews , whom 1 had known before , a solicitor of Modbury , in the inner compartment . I told him of the robbery , and said I wished to have all the first-class passengers searched . Mr . Andrews opened his coat and offered _^ iS 2 r , v _Sl _^ _*« _^ as _uiidei he _Kw _? - M \ _F > _mH then came in , and 3 _^ _Si _?« _'ch him , but I said I knew him , _se-iJJh _. * V 1 Sh _rt- . _-k * there was not room to _seaic-h the prisoners , m their division . _Kiehtinaale

      K 7 _^ her side with Rheinhart , myself , and Mr . Andrews , coming into the division with i . _ooic . _U-as beckoned out of thc carriage hy Ihoinas the second railway guard , who told mc bj > thought the man was Poole . Poole had previous _^

      Exeter, March 23. Tub Robbbrt Op The Mai...

      attempted to get up . I thought he . was about to leave , so I pulled him by the cloak , and said I do not wish you to leave tho carriage . Thomas told Air , Barlow the same , and Mr . Barlow came to the carriage and called Poole three times by name He took no notice . Mr . Barlow shook him by the hat , but ho made no reply . Mr . Barlow then took off his hat , and said , "Ah , Poole , you are very sleepy to-night . " Poole ma ( _* no reply , but wiped his face and sat up I aga _' . asked _for- _Brtl . j ow tQ have the carriage thoroug hly searched . Mr . Barlow recommended that _peraons should be placed ft the carriage with the prisoners and go on to Exeter as they were Exeter passengers . In consequence , Mr . Andrews , and Mr . Gibbons the Pl ymouth

      , superintendent of police , rode with Poole and Rheinhart and Williams , the policeman , rode with Nightingale * I rode to Exeter in the travelling post-office As soon as the tram arrived , I requested Mr . Barlow not to have them taken out until I had started my bags . I found that they had been taken into the waiting room . I saw Williams come in and say Hero it is , producing a parcel of letters . Poole said , "Why was it not found at BridgewatOr where is the policeman ? " Mr . Andrews remained ™ . *? . ° carnage . ., I received a piece of string from Williams at Bndgewater , with a piece _ofacalin-f wax attached . Isawa piece of string fall from Poole ' s cloak in tho waiting room at Exeter , which I also produce . I received another piece of strini ?

      irom Williams at Exeter . I stated at one time that I thought . Poole worked the mail train for some time , but I do not think he did . He was constantly passing up and down by pass , so that I did not know whether he was working or not . I have seen him frequently travelling by the mail train . Since Poole left the company ' s service , and before the robbery , an alteration was made in lighting the post-office tender . Formerly a candle could bo lit from the lamp , but now the lamps are thc same as in the other carriages . It is impossible to get from the second class _carriage to the po 3 t-office tender , because the distnnce is too far , bat it is quite possible to get from the first-class carriage to the post-office tender . I myself have done it by walking along

      the plank on the bottom step , getting on the chains ofthe buffers , and across to the other side , by holding by the ledge of the tender . I got in through the window , and of course Poole , who is a much thinner man , could havo done the same . I found at Bridgowater that the window-strap , which I usually stuffed in to prevent its rattling , was hanging down . It mi ght have been knocked down by the motion , but it never had before , and it has been so placed , I may say , for years . —Cross-examined * . We arrived at the Bristol station at ten minutes past one . The train was not more than two minutes at the express shed . I think it started nt 1 . 28 ; the proper time-is 1 . 25 . There was a gentleman in the first compartment whom I did not know . I have

      not seen him since . I believe Mr . Barlow searched him . Nightingale was partly searched at Bridgowater ; his coat was searched and his hat looked into . I was guard on thc line when the prisoner Poolo was . Before the introduction of the travelling post-office the guard always rode in the tender . The travelling post-office has been running about a year and a half . This is not the first time I have mentioned that I saw a piece of string fall from Poole ' s cloak . I have mentioned it to several people . I think I mentioned it before the magistrates . The tender has two doors on each side , which are locked . I have steps on both sides .

      There is not a window in each door , but only one each side . On the off-side the window is nearest the first-class carriage , and it was at that window that tho strap was pushed in . The window on the near side is ' furthest from the first-class carriage . The buffer of the tender is thirteen inches , and the buffer of the _cai * riage is twenty-six or twenty-seven inches long . I _didnottrv the experiment of passing from the carriage to the mail tender whilst the train was in motion . ' I should not be afraid to do it . I see no difficulty in it . My opinion is that the person , whoever it . was who " got in , went across tho buffers . from the near side to the off

      side and m at the window , tho same way as I went . It is impossible to pass from one door of the mail tender to tlie other on the same side , the span is too great . I stopped from one buffer to tho centre connecting bar , and from the bar to tho other buffer , and it can be done with case . Wo arrived at Exeter at 4 k . 2 omin ., and left at oh . 30 min . Re-examined : There are two handles outside the mail tender , and they assist in getting to the door . —By tho Judge : The robbery I heard of at Bristol , was ofa different train . Joseph Riiei . vhakt : I am a guard of the Great Western Railway . I was principal guard on the 1 st of January of the _mnil train . At Bristol , at the

      express shed , I let in a gentleman into tlie first compartment next the mail tender for Laira . The two prisoners were going into that compartment , but when thoy saw the gentleman was before them thoy would not go in . I complained of their detaining the train , and put them into tlie third compartment ofthe same carriage . A gentleman from London was thore , Mr . Andrews , of Modbury , and one of prisoners passed through the division where Mr . Andrews was sitting , into the other division , but I did not see if the other prisoner followed him , because , as soon as he was put inside , I shut the door and the train started . At Bridgowater I was informed of tho robbery . A passenger in the compartment into which the two men had gone , asked mc what was tho matter ? I said there was

      something the matter with the mails . The window was shut up , and I heard some conversation in a low tone of voice . I went to take the tickets , and found in the pocket of that compartment some crape . I said what is this ? but nobody claimed it , and I put it in my pocket . I picked up a piece of string , which I gave to Mr . Gibbons . Afterwards , hearing that Poole was in tho train , I went back and lilted up Poole's hat , and said , " Holloa , Poole , is it you ?" Poole said , "Ah , Mr . Rheinhart , how are you ?" Finding that I could not properly search _Nightingale , I did not attempt it with Poole , but went on to Exeter . I found in the pocket of the division door , the sido nearest where the prisoners were sitting , a wholo candle . I rode in tbe sumo

      carriage to Exeter . The divisional door was open . Gibbons said to Nightingale , " I think I know your face ; I have seen you before . " Ni ghtingale said , " I am a respectable man . I have twenty to thirty men to look after . " Poole said that was true enough . I asked Poole what train he went up by . He said by the third-class train . I asked if it was by Mr . Clarke ' s train , and he said yes . I saw Poole fumbling about . I put my hand into the pocket of the cloak and took out a pocket-book , which I handed to Gibbons , as I was holding up the window with one hand , to prevent anything being thrown out . I asked if his friend went up to Bristol with him , and if he knew him , and he said no , he never saw him before . Nightingale said to Poole , " Oh , I know you . I saw you two or three days ago , and 1 knew you twelve months ago . " I asked Poole why he camo back by the first " class , when he went

      up by tho third class , and why he was muffled up so , and ho uaid on account of his having a bad cold . Gibbons asked me if these men were to consider themselves in custody . I said " Yes . " Gibbons turned to them , and said thoy must consider themselves in custody on suspicion of having robbed the mail bags . Poole said ho always thought the guard travelled in tho mail with the hairs . I said 1 wondered ho protended to be so innocent , when he must have known how the mails were worked . He said ho never worked tho mails ; he had only been as passenger once or twice . I said he had been so long m the _sei-vic-i ' ! that it must nave come to his turn to work tho mail on a Sunday . He said he had worked it once or twico . At Exeter I took the prisoners to the waiting-room , and was present when the letters were brought in by Williams . I took some pieces of sealing-wax from the pockets of Poole ' s coat . —Cross-examined bv Mr . Stone * . While the

      train was being pushed back at the Bristol Btation , ho walked over from one platform to the other , lie did not know how many second-class passengers there wore . The train was about five minutes late on starting from Bristol . He did not go into any house , or to take coffee , during the Stay of thc train at Bristol . lib notieod Mr . Andrews in the compartment all the way to London . He heard of the robbery immediately on his arrival at Bridgwater . lie did not see any one get out of tho second-class carriages . Nothing was done by him to prevent them getting out . He did not search the pockets in Mr . Andrews' carriage . Iu fact , he did not make any accurato search of the _carr-iases at all . l *

      found nothing m Poole ' s pocket but a piece of sausage . ( Loud laughter . ;' Mr . J . _Anorkws , solicitor , Modbury , said he was a passenger by tho mail train on the evening of tlie 1 st of January . He was alone in the carriage at Bristol ; two men came in at that station , ami passed through his division of the carriage into tu « next . They dragged a piece of string or cord aiur them , and it was shut in by the divisional door . U _« broke it off and threw it on the floor . At linage water tlie trait , stopped an unusually long time , and a guard came in to-see the ticket- ? , and shortly afterwards another guard came in and asked witness lj « name , and wherobewasimirip . —Cross-cxaM ined »)

      Mr . _Cockhv-rn : He did not get out at Taunto" & at any of the intermediate stations where the trai stopped . The police did not attempt to exert * * * any surveillance over hiin . —Lord Dks » a > ' x t witness : Excuse me the question I am goini' . „ to you , Mr . Andrews . Bid you put the letters _^ which wore found under the scat ?—Witness : i ¦ _> my lord , I did not . ( Loud laughter , in winch w * bench and bar joined . . ,,... _* . Wii . liam _CnACO , foreman of the porters at _i > dington station , said he bad got from a "J . j , Vt | ie carriage to the mail truck and back again , _« l | _Ui train was still , but it could bo done very wen tho train wna in-ninfinn if * Ttni'SOU had C 0 _U ' - }

      He had once clambered over thc roof of the t _^ and had got into it with his legs _foromoss , ¦ Ilu got out of it with his head foremost . _f _„ r Mi * . Cociuiunx proceeded to _addwws the J »' . _,, the defence . _Thc- _"x > was no denying , he **» " ¦ * , " . _, _§ cage _ofsuspiciwi fed b een made out ' m

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 31, 1849, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_31031849/page/6/