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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th August 1845, Edition 4 of 4, Page 6, SUPPOSED MURDER AT READING. ; IlBADiNG ....

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    • SWs^,fmruiBmte statements the ¦ - y ¦ * •)/ August U, 1845. 6 THE NORTHERN STAR ^.—— ¦— =.: !L —= =¦
    • Srrteift, WMue$, & Mmuste
    • ^ >^Mmms^mmtiimmm^a^m^Mm»im:^i^tmt^mmmmmmw^^»a»tr^ £anlu*upt$«*,&jv
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      Sws^,Fmruibmte Statements The ¦ - Y ¦ * •)/ August U, 1845. 6 The Northern Star ^.—— ¦— =.: !L —= =¦

      SWs _^ , fmruiBmte statements the ¦ - y ¦ _* •)/ August U , 1845 . 6 THE NORTHERN STAR _^ _. _—— ¦— _=.: ! L — _= _= ¦

      Nokthern Ciecuit. Carlisle, Acevsx 7.—Th...

      _NOKTHERN CIECUIT . Carlisle , _Acevsx 7 . —The reconwnenaataon of the councU of Hie woman , lane Crosby , acquitted . of . thc charge of murdering her child by roasting it to death before a fire , to the gaoler , to remove her with secresy from thegael , was not ; it would appear , unnecessary , for after the announcement cf her acquittal a dense crowd -was collected round the gaol , of meu and women , determined t o take _siimmai-f vengeance upon ier for lier supposed offence . They continued together shouting , hootin- ; , aud imprecating till past midnight in expectation of catching their expected victim .

      The Alleged Hubdebs at _Geimsdale . —This morning was ushered in rath all the excitement renewed in consequence of the trial of John Graham , aged 14 , a most respectable yeoman , for the murder of both his wife and his father by means of arsenic . The town was crowded , and the throng around the gaol ivas so imposing that the police were obliged to shut the outer doors to enable than to resist the efforts ' of the crowd to force au entrance . The prisoner appeared in deep mourning , and haft the appearance of a respectable though deeply aSHctcd being . Sir . Temple said that lie had a very simple , though a rcry _pafcful duty to perform . His task was to place facte before thejury , and facts only ; from which they would have to decide upon tlie guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the bar . It appeared tliat for somo time he and his wife had lived upon uncomfortable terms , particularly for the last few mouths . It was observed that the prisoner had become too intimate with a iii vaut-maid _, named Margaret BMtethy , aud it became _liat too well known that he used to meet this servant .

      maid at a house not very distant from his farm-house . Jt would appear tliat on lhe 24 th of November last Mrs . Graham was in her usual health , and that upon that idght she took her supper of bread and milk , wliich her husband was in the habit of often preparing for her . In the morning she was very unwell and affected with violent pains aud sickness ofthe stomach . A surgeon was called in , who treated her disease as a mere internal affection of au ordinary character , and by means of the medicines administered she becan . e tetter . It would appear that she took a . fancy io haTe some panado , which the prisoner gave to her . The next morning she was _alavaiiugty ill , and to her usual attendant , Mr . Sewill , was added Dr . Oliver . These gentlemen still had no suspicion of her bein _*» poisoned , but prescribed very active

      medicines , and also tbat some one should sit up with her to give constantly medicine of a restorative and invigorating quality . This latter injunction was evaded by the prisouer , who would allow no one but himself to sit up , alleging that Le was better adapted for doing this duty than any one else ; and he continued that night to give ber what he pleased . The next morning the wife was found to be dying fast , in spite of the efforts of the medicM men ; and she died upou the second day after . Itwas not until the month of June following , that from _circumstaut-es winch had occurred , suspicion arose that his wife had not fairly come by her death , and the body was exhumed . Upon dissection , thc stomach was found to contain a large portion of tlie white oxide of arsenic . Upon learning that the authorities bad resolved to exhume the

      body , the prisoner became extremely anxious ; anil upon being apprehended he _maiufested great curiosity to learn if any person had been at Newcastle , where there was Teason to suspect he bad got tlie poison , and the jury wou ' . d hear that the prisoner had talked in gaol of administering a powder to Lis wife , also that lie had time _« _iou- * h to have gone to America if he had been aware of liis danger ; and they would finall y learn that arsenic Lad been found ia very mitivte _y-M-tiims in the waistcoat pocket ofthe prisoner . It would be for thejury to determine , then , whether the prisoner had administered the poison , which certainly bad occasioned her death . —T . Iliad , tlie brother of lhe deceased , said he remembered the burial of his sister in Kirkaadrews churchyard , and the subsequent disinterment : also had observed that the

      cofi _' m taken up was thc same as that in which his sister had been interred . —Thomas Elliot , surgeon , had assisted in dissecting tlicbody and examining the contents Of the stomach . The brain and the chest were , considering the length of time the body had been entombed , healthy in appearance . _Thegulletwasinilamed . The stomach near the gullet was much inflamed , aud of a red colour . Thclining membrane was covered with a viscid brownish mucus . At the further extremity of the stomach was observable a yellow spot about the size of a split pea , and a great quantity of small gritty particles in the mucus , some yellow , others transparent . There were marks of inflammation along the whole course of the bowels , and a very great number of these small gritty particles , the greater number yellow in colour , some transparent , like

      glass pounded , and these were in the greater number over the extremity of the small intestines , where also were discoverable the most decided marks of great inflammation . The body generally was in high preservation , the brain alone exhibiting the ordinary symptoms of putrefaction _, tciiere _wsrefour medical men present at the examination and at the subsequent analysis . They analysed the liquid taken from the stomach ; it was brown ; in it were no traces of the poison . Next they examined thc mucus of the stomach ; and separated the gritty particles from it * b y washing it in distilled water , in which liquid the particles sank to the bottom . The deposit was dried . A portion was heated in a small glass tube ; when it attained a low red heat a metallic ring rose iii the tube , bright and shining externally , gradually growing browner internally . Thc stomach was cut into pieces and boiled

      in distiUed water aad muriatic acid . Five- small bundles of clean fine copper wire were pnt in the liquor produced , and boiled wilh the ' . pieces of tlie stomach . Theiurc was found coated with a metallic coating of an iron-grey celonr . The wires were dried with care , and one of them cut in pieces was placed in a small glass tube and slowly heated , and a white cloud rose and settled down iu the form of a ring of small transparent crystals ; these crystals examined by a microscope appeared to be octahedron , with equilateral triangular sides . The next experiments were on the bowels ; a portion of tliem underwent the same process as tlie pieces of the stomach had before undergone , and tlie same results were observable—namely , the fwmation of the same sort of metallic ring within the glass tube , a number of octahedron pistils or particles sublimed appeared to be formed in one of the tubes . A little distilled water

      was taken and boiled , and one-third being dissolved by the addition ofa chemical _preparation a beautiful yellow precipitate was found to result ; in a second , a green precipitate ; in a third , a yellow precipitate . The small yellow spot in the stomach was now removed , and we applied a few drops of strong ammonia to it , which were immediately dissolved ; adding muriatic acid to it a yellow precipitate appeared . These were the whole of tlic experiments on these parts of the body except that he bad not stated the quantity of arsenic detected in the hody . —To a question from the learned Judge : The appearances of the body generally were those of a person dying of poison by arsenic . All the experiments were attended with such results as to leave no doubt that the substance found in the stomach was arsenic . That is white arsenic , for yellow arsenic cannot be converted in the _siomach to white arsenic hy the action of sulphuretted hydrogen . Thc whole of this arsenic was precipitated and filtered , then dissolved in ammonia , _asain the

      precipitate was filtered . This last precipitate was dried , and it weighed fifty-two grains , which is , I eonsider , equal to thirty-one grainsof white arsenic or arscuious acid , much more , in fact , than would cause death , indeed four grains and a half would kill most persons . —Cross-examined by 3 Ir . Wilkins : Arsenic is not very soluble . Arsenic might be put in water or tea , and the liquor drunk without any material injury . A parcel about the size of a quarter of a pound of coffee , containing a large quantity of arsenic , would , if thrown into the fire , create a strong smell as of garlic , provided the heat was very great . A great number of witnesses were examined iii behalf of the prosecution , whose _evideucs fully Itore out the statements made by the learned counsel . Mr . Wilkins defciided the prisoner in a most able and effective address , and the jury , after retiring for an hour , returned a verdict of Not Guilty . The prisoner , who is extremely deaf , appeared not to hear the verdict , lie inquired what itwas , and being informed , remained unmoved .

      _Arocsr 3 . — The prisoner , who was yesterday acquitted on the charge of poisoning his wife , was to-day placed again at the bar , charged mth baring murdered his father by administering poison to Win . The excitement ia the city of Carlisle was to-day as great as ever to gain admission to the court , or to get a momentary look at the prisoner , who is well known to most people in Carlisle . The extreme dejection which characterised the conduct of the prisoner during the trial yesterday wasnot so observable to-day . He did not cover his face with his hands and handkerchief , and he seemed a little more assured by tlie acquittal of yesterday . It was , however , expected that the prosecutor had a stronger case against lhe prisoner to-day than tliat of yesterday , and tlie eonsennence was that there was au immense crowd

      inside the court and a very boisterous mob outside of persons who could not gain admittance through money or interest . Mr . Temple stated tlie case , a _^ d called the mother of the prisoner to prove tbat upon the occasion of her preparing the dough for some yeasted cakes , on Thursday , the ISth of last May , the prisoner had called at his father's liouse , at Grinsdale , to ask her to go with him to _Sewcasile , which she refused . lie continued about the liouse and yard whilst tlie dough was fermenting , and had for an instant been lost to her sight whilst he was in the kitchen , where the dough stood , and then he might have had an opportunity of patting the arsenic into thc dough , wliich was afterwards found in some ofthe cakes upon being put to the test by chemical analysis . Thus far only could she bring the case , and it only amounted to suspicion , and required strong corroboration . The poor old lady admitted that the father and the prisoner , who

      was his eldest son , lived on tlie -v ery best terms together ; that the latter never asked anything ofhis father that he did not immediately obtainit ; that at the moment of the deceased ' s illness the prisoner was in the house , and appeared very solicitous about him ; and that his father wished him above all things to keep on the farm which be rented ofhis father at Kirkandrews , but he nevertheless declined it , ana gave it up after the death of his wife The medical men established the fact of the elder Graham ' s death by arsenic , which was found in his stomach , and also in part ofthe cake eaten by him in his supper ot hread and _mUk on Thursday night . The only new . featurc introduced , perhaps , into the case was distinct proof tliat _t > rabam , the prisoner , had been in embarrassed circumstoieesabottt _tMs time , ana pressed for monev . The whole case could only be considered as one of strong suspicion . It fell far short of that of Yesterday , and the jury , _asmigbthave been anticipated , were only fifteen

      Nokthern Ciecuit. Carlisle, Acevsx 7.—Th...

      minutes inagreeiug to a verdict of acquittal . The trial , however , lasted ten hours . Theresult is , that the people of Carlisle talk _jeeringly of a reference to the arbitrament of a Cumberland jury . There can be no doubt that his , _nipectability , and his being _^ eaerallyacquainted for years in business iu this ' neighbourhood , had procured him a strong sympathy in his fearful situation . There was no disposition manifested upon his acquittal to dispute the propriety of the verdict ** , or to execute a wild justice upon an implied delinquent , as in the case ofthe precediug day , tbat of Jane Crosby , acquitted of the charge of burning her child to death ; but there were evidences of deep distrust in the verdict , and muttered sentences of fear upon the announcement of his acquittal ; and it may not therefore be matter of surprise that , with tlie dawn of day , tlie unhappy man was on his road to a seaport in thc west .

      _Applebt , August 9 . —Cuabge of _MnnnEn . —ltichard Simpson , charged with the murder of his oivn mother , was tried to-day . The prisoner , it may be remembered , had been committed in consequence of thc death of his mother , she having died from the effects of dreadful blows inflicted by the prisoner . Ho had been a farmer , and used to attend the market at Kendal . Was almost constantly in a state of drunkenness , so much so , that _ddirhon tremens , it was said , had affected his mind to a degree which rendered bim perfectly mad . His mother and he resided in tke same house ; and upon his returning home from the market one night he beat lier so shockingly while she lav in bed as to cause her to . keen her bed until

      the next market day , when , on coming home again , the infuriated man beat her a second time . The son and mother were not alone , for there was a man-servant as well as another woman inthe house , and , strange as it appeared , both tbe man and the woman had permitted the prisoner thus to treat tho old woman without adopting any means to guard her against his violence , which was ofthe most savage kind , he having takeu a poker and fractured his mother ' s skull , besides doing her other violence . Thire appeared to be reason for supposing tliat the prisoner had , for a long time previous to the act , been in n state of unsound mind , and the jury , after hearing the defence upon tliat ground , returned a verdict to that effect .

      LMiCABTHi , August li . _—Shootisg at a Macistbate with Istest to Mueded . IIih . —Richard Bennett , a dejected , _squalid , spare , tali man , aged thirty , was charged with baring , upon the 2 nd of August last , fired a pistol at the Rev . ltichard Moore , a magistrate of this county , at Preston , with iutent to murder him ; also on another count with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm . The Rev . ltichard Moore deposed that he was a clergyman of the Established Church , at Lund , seventeen miles distant from Preston . His residence was at Kirfcham , and he had been many years a magistrate for tbe county of Lancaster . The prisoner also resided at Kirkham , and was a shoemaker . He had been brought before the rev . prosecutor upon some charge , but the witness could not sav that he had been bound over to keep the peace on

      that occasion . The witness on the 2 nd of August was going through Fisher Gate , in l _' rtston , to the Town Hall , when he heard a report of a gun or pistol , very near him , and found himself enveloped in smoke . He did not feel he was wounded , but in two seconds afterwards he found that he was struck violently by something heavy upou the right breast . Richard Bennett , the prisoner , was at that moment standing four yards from liim , near to a passage by which the prosecutor was to pass , near to Bailey ' s printing-office . The witness seized him , aud said he had been struck . A man who came up said , " But that man , sir , shot at you and then threw the pistol at you . " This man produced the pistol ; it was tho first time tho witness had seen it . The prisoner f aid nothing iu his defence when secured . On his cross-cxammalioii the witness said there

      were many persons in the . street at the time . The prisoner , when first seen , appeared to be staggering from the prosecutor . He seemed in great confusion at missing his aim . He did not offer to escape , nor indeed could he , as the witness and others immediately seized him . — John Harrison , an inmate of Ribchcster workhouse , said he was close lo Mr . Moore ' s right shoulder when the pistol was fired . Saw the prisoner pull out the pistol fronhis breast , which lie cocked and fired straight at Mr . Moore . A great smoke rose . The prisoner flung the pistol then at Mr . Moore , staggering forward aud approaching nearer to that gentleman . If loaded , it must have hit him . He had seen many a hundred pistols fired in his time . He had _bjen a soldier on foreign _si-rvice for ten years . He gave the pistol up to Williams , the constable . It had a

      screw oarrcl and a detonating lock . —Williams corroborated this statement , lie had diligently searched all about to find a bullet , but could not find any . There was a thatched house opposite , and the ball mighthave lodged in the thatch , or have gone a great distance down the street . —Mr . Brandt defended the prisoner . It had , ho remarked , been admitted by a competent judge of firearms and their use , that had the pistol been loaded it must , from the position in which it was held , have hit its object . No bullet could be found , notwithstanding a diligent search had been instituted . The inference , then , ought to be drawn , that as there was no circumstantial evidence that thc prisoner sought the death of Mr . Moore—such , for instance , as the purchase or making of bullets—he only intended to alarm Mr . Moore , and that having fired tlie pistol he threw it at Wm . That the man laboured under excitement

      approaching to insanity , he should now adduce proofs of . Mr . Shaw , surgeon , said lie knew the prisoner for sevcii years past . His temperament was reserved , and he would sometimes not speak to any one for two or even three weeks together , lie would remain in a state of desj _.-ondt-jjcy and low spirits , looking vacantly about liim for hours together . In Juno last he wns evidently insane , sleepless , and rambling about thehouse all night for a whole week together . Saw him a fortnight before this act of violence , and could perceive thc man ivas insane , though about thehouse and at liberty . In this statement he was corroborated by . other witnesses . Mr . _Ashc-roft , solicitor , at Preston , stated tliat , acting for the prisoner ' s father as his solicitor , he knew the younger Bennett , the prisoner , who used to write him anonymous letters . In one ofwhich were these lines of wild doggrcl : —

      " I am going to put a ball through my thick head , for something once I said ; , 1 wish to know Have you any commands to the shades below . " Another , written about some speculation of possible profit , without giving it a name , the letter concludes thus : — "The polka must remain incomplete , and that ' s poz . ( Signed ) " IUha Avis . " Othello in 3 parts . —A friend in need . " " _Pkank _Bnows . " The Jury after deliberating a few minutes , returned a verdict of Not Guilty on the counts , in consequence of its being their opinion that he was of unsound mind . He will , of course , be kept in confinement till her Majesty ' s pleasure is known with respect to his future safe custody .

      Srrteift, Wmue$, & Mmuste

      _Srrteift , WMue $ , & _Mmuste

      The Accident Ox The Eastern Counties Rai...

      THE ACCIDENT OX THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY . 1 XQUEST _TirOX THE GUAKD . _CAsinninaE , _Mosuay _Nigut . —The inquest on thc body of John Cauldwell , the company ' s guard , who died in Addcnbrookc ' s Hospital , in this town , on Friday night , from the effect of the injuries he received on the Monday previous , by the ovei * _turiiiii < r of the carriages ou tlic line in tiie neighbourhood of Littlcbury , took place in the Town Hall to-day , before C . II . Cooper , Esq ., and a jury summoned for the occasion . The first witness examined was William Thomas _Wiggins , of Chelsea-walk , Loudon , carpenter , a relative of the deceased , who deposed that the latter was thirty-six years of age when he died . This

      witness identified thc body , and said that deceased had been employed by thc Eastern Counties Railway Company . Mr . _Ferniboiigli , the superintendent of the locomotive department on the Colchester as well as the Cambridge line , deposed that * on thc occasion cf the journey down on Monday he had very little communication with tlie driver . He had no occasion to speak to him , as he perceived him doing his duty well . Everything went on safely and well to Wendon . The engine was more susceptible to some parts ofthe road than others , lie knew perfectly well when this was tlie case , lie saw the driver making the usual preparation for the inclination . In the case of one in 150 feet the custom was not to cut ' off the steam , but to increase the expansion , for whicli purpose there

      was a handle . They were travelling at what he considered the usual rate down the incline—namely , about thirty miles an hour , lie saw and felt the engine getting off thc rail and on to the ballast . lie was ou the left hand back corner ofthe engine , and he did not fed it jump . He held fast by a handle of a cock on the left side of the boiler . Witness described thc going oil' the rail as in his examinations at Littlcbury , with the addition that the tender went over two or three times , and a part of it was afterwards found on the top of the horse-box . lie saw deceased disabled shortly after ; ho escaped himself ; and he said he should have a medical man immediately _, lie eould not tell if the sleeper gave way near the spot where the accident occurred . Young

      was a good and careful driver , not too bold nor too backward ; perhaps , of thc two , inclined to the latter . There were more curves from the Hertford junction than on any other part of the line . There were a great many from Sawbridge , beyond Stortford , on the London side of Cambridge ; in fact they were all curves . With respect to the jumping oi the engiue , he never knew one jump more than a very few inches . No one could see the height to which the engine jumped , unless close by . When a driver went on the line for thc first time , he was always cautioned about the inclinations , all of which were pointed out to him . With respect to the speed , lie was quite certain it

      was not more than thirty miles an hour , and it was slower than the pace at which they came before Ihey arrived at Wendon . lie could not positively say what was the original . cause of the accident . It was all conjecture . It might , for instance , be imagined that the great weight ofthe engine caused a deflection of the rail , which caused the fore wheel ofthe engine to rear up , which coming down again with corresponding force effected the damage in the rail , whicli threw it on to the ballast . He was certain they were not going at thirty-five miles an hour . Mr . Joseph * Jackson , the superintendent of the line from Brandon to Cambridge , deposed to having been in the coupe of one of the first-class carriages on

      The Accident Ox The Eastern Counties Rai...

      Monday , and could see about him better than if he had b _.-en in any other situation . He could not speak positively as to the time they left Shoreditch . 7 As to the speed at which they were going , he thought . it the usual rate , and feltno shaking or jumping shortly before the accident occurred . The first : thing he felt was a change in the beating of the engine ; he looked out and saw the gravel flying about , theengine driving across the line , and the rails torn up . He then felt the shock , and afterwards got out . He _soiv n _.-inliKvcll about five minutes after the shock

      took place ; lie was lying between two of the carriages , with some pieces of wood upon his legs . Ho thought that he had fallen from his box or seat . ; He helped to extricate him , and gave him in charge to one of-the labourers and a passenger , who stated himself to be a medical man . He then proceeded to assist the passengers . Witness then described tiie appearance of the rails , and ofthe particular one from which the engine had gone off , as in his former evidence . The deceased was not the mail , hut the train guard , in the employment of the company . The first cause of tlie accident might possibly arise from an imperceptible flaw in the vail , near Uic end where the eng _' iHO jumped . As to .. the reason for the jumping , if such did take place , ho eould not account

      for it . Mr . Phepps , engineer ot the line , deposed that he had examined the scene ofthe accident , lie thought the iismcdiate cause of the accident was . the damage to the rail by the blow or jump of the wheel , and witness _described the mode as in bis former evidence . He thought that a slight curve was safer than a straight line , as it kept the engine to its work anil prevented oscillation . Mr . II . Mitchell , " house surgeon to Addcrbrooke ' s Hospital , deposed that John Cauldwell had been brought to the hospital on Monday evening last . lie died on Friday night . There was a post mortem examination by the surgeons of the hospital , at whicli witness attended . They found that the vessels of the brain were generally very much congested . There was an appearance as if the blood escaped from the vessels and got into the substance of the brain . The broken leg was set , but

      was not going on favourably . It must have been amputated . But for the _injury-to the brain , the deceased , in all probability , had recovered . The injury might have been , and , in all probability , was produced by a fall . The . inquest was then adjourned until five o ' clock At . five o ' clock the Coroner and Jury re-assembled , and , during their absence , the damaged rail had been fetched from the scene of . tho accident and placed in the _lu-ge room of the Town Hall , where the jury went and examined it . During the examination ; Mr . Anthony , one of the jurymen , had two of his fingers badly crushed , through those persons who held one end dropping the rail unexpectedly . The jury were , therefore , detained nearly half an hour , while Mr . Anthony went to a surgeon to have his wound dressed .

      John Young , the driver o f the engine , deposed that he lived at Stratford , and was a driver for seven years . Hewas five years on the Leeds and Manchester , before that on the North Midland , and-before that on the Southampton line , lie was about ten weeks in the employ of the Eastern Counties Railway Company . They were a few minutes behind time when they started from Shoreditch . Were in time at Wendon . " Bid not know the deceased . The train was going at from twenty-eight to thirty miles an hour . They were going with the third notch in the

      explosion gear . He observed nothing uneasy or unusual in the motion till the engine was thrown ou to the ballast . He was bruised in the chest . Could not say she jumped before she cot on tothe ballast . The reason for her getting off tbe rail , he thought , was that the road was not good in that part . Thejury then retired , and , after about a quarter of an hour's deliberation , returned a verdict of accidental death , witli a dcodand of one shilling on tlie engine and one shilling on the carriage . They also added a recommendation to tbe company to have direction posts at all inclines on the line _.

      _IUK _ADJOUUSED INQUEST OS THE STOKEK . _LiTiLEnunv , August 13 . —The adjourned inquest on the remains of Richard Peak was held here to-day at the Falcon . Thc proceedings opened at twelve o ' clock precisely , when , after the usual preliminaries , Major General l _' aslcy , the Government inspector of railways , was sworn . He deposed as follows : —I heard of this accident the day after it took place . I came down to visit the spot on Wednesday , the" Cth , and to inspect the line . I proceeded first to Chesterford , and after a few moments' delay there , I was conveyed by a locomotive engine to the scene ofthe accident in company with Messrs . 1 _'hipps , Hanson , Jackson , Randall , Fernihough , and one or two ofcher gcntlemen whose names 1 did not hear . 1 saw there two second-class carriages , a tender , and a horse-box on different sides of the line . They were near the

      spot where the accident occurred _^ but had been removed to their then respective positions for the _svlte of convenience . They wcreallmove ov less shattered and smashed . The engine was lower down , below Chesterford . The injured rails had been replaced , and nothing was wrong wilh the line when Isaw it on Wednesday . The spot where the accident took place was about one mile and a half from the summit of the incline . I asked a number of questions ofthe persons present , especially of Mr . Jackson , Mr . Randall , and Mr . Pliipps , the engineer of the line . I had also conversation with Mr . Lawford . the engineer of that particular portion of the line where the accident occurred . Neither this gentleman nor Mr . 1 'hipps had been present at it . From all I heard and observed I have formed my opinion decidedly as tothe cause of the accident , The Coroner . —What is that opinion ?

      Major General rasley . —That it must have occurred and arisen irom excessive speed on a new railroad , not yet thoroughly consolidated , whilst descending a gradient of 1 in 150 feet , and along a curve of two miles' radius . I think also that it is possible that the outer rail of the curve might not have been raised quite so high as is usual and proper on curves in proportion to the radius . The question was agitated amongst the persons present on the day of the investigation whether the wedge might not bave been removed so as to leave a bad joint , aiid that thus the end of the rail was thrown up . I did not think so , and I still do not , because the splinter on the rail was from a downward blow . 1 think the jumping of the engine was of such an excessive nature

      as to cause the injury , and this jumping was such as might have been caused by excessive speed . In lines newly opened the railroad may subside a little , the level of the sleepers giving way . Had the train been going at moderate speed , the accident , I am of opinion , would not have happened . I know several instances that prove this position , and knoxv them from my own experience . I think the proper speed for the incline where the accident occurred might be from eighteen to twenty miles an hour , so as to ensure perfect safety to the train . A much greater rate of speed than that might be safe , provided the line had been perfectly consolidated . As the line

      is at present , the steam ought to be shut off going down that incline . I consider thirty miles an hour dangerous on that incline at present . I am most distinctly of opinion that had the train been going at a moderate speed when the engine had got off the rail , the accident would not have taken place . In such case the engine , instead of running on thc bank , would liave stopped before it quitted ilie permanent way . I once witnessed an Instance of the kind , when the engine stopped the instant almost of getting oil the rail , and solely because wc were going at a slow rate . I think in this case it is probable the curve micht have contributed to the accident .

      The Coroner . —Do you know Mr . Phipps ' s ( the engineer's ) opinion on that point ? Major General Pasley . —I do not . Evidence continued . —I was told by Mr . Lawfovd , thc local engineer , who joined us on the day of the investigation , some time after I had begun it , that he had quitted thc train at Wendon , and that previously to that they had been going at a' very quick rate , and that he thought the speed was excessive . I do not think I asked Mr . Phipps or Mr . Lawford their opinion as to the cause of the accident . My

      object was not to get opinions from other people , but facts whereon to form my own . Mr . Lawford , during the course of conversation , certainly said that lie thought tliey had been going at an excessive rate of speed before he left the train . 1 reported this line myself before it was opened , and declared it to he in excellent order , and in all respects safe . Mr . Rush , of Elsenbam Hall , asked whether the end of the rail might uot bave been sticking up ? Major General Pasley . —I think not . The injury to the rail proves the contrary .

      A Juror . —Did you think it necessary to examine all the rails before you declared the road in excellent order , and safe in all respects ? Major General Pasley . —It would take me two or three months to go through such an inspection . Do you not take an accurate measurement of the curves and inclines before giving your reports ?—As to the curves and inclines I can only judge of ' them by my eye . To take the radius and level of each would occupy a . very long time indeed . l _ou said in evidence that you thought thc outer rail was not high enough for the curve . Did you think so when you made your survey ?—It did not then occur to mc .

      Have you not subordinates to look after such minor details ?—I have an assistant , but if you mcau to infer that every rail ought to be subject to my inspection on a survey of tho kind , I say that the thing is impossible , and what is more , it is unnccessarv . I examined bridges and viaducts carefully , and in one instance I reported a viaduct not stron _^ enough , and the line was not opened in consequence for a fortnight longer than tbe intended day . - ¦ : In answer to the Coroner . —I do not think the wedge was in ite place . 1 said 1 thought it was not on the day of my investigation The engine man ( the driver ) said it was . But I do not think the wedge being off its place . would cause the groove made , which was in consequence of a downward blow . Tho damaged rail was hero introduced tkroueh the window and examined by thc jury . _Major-General Pasley in cQiitinuation . —I have always found a solution for whatever accident I have

      The Accident Ox The Eastern Counties Rai...

      been appointed to investigate , however , mysterious it mav have appeared at first . 7 _'*'*' ¦' , " . ; _, ' _* ¦' TliO Coroner here asked Mr . Lawford if he remembered saying to General Pasley that they bad been going at an excessive speed , as . he had given a different opinion in his evidence on Thursday last ? Mr . Lawford .-1 have not the slightest _^ recollection of having made an observation ofthe kind . _M'ljor-General Pasley . —If you did not apply tlie word excessiveto the speed , you said it was alarm-10 Juror . —Do you not think that tliere ought to be nodule to see that the rails are sound I . _- _' -- ¦ _ ¦ _-.- ' Major General Taslcy .-The plate layers see to that . - „ ¦ •¦• •¦ : ¦ . ¦ ' ¦" - '' _ ¦ .. - :. ' . ,.,. that

      Evidence continued .-I am quite of--opinion - the curve and the incline together ought to be taken into account , and the speed consequently miieli slackened . 1 know two instances where accidents happened uiulcr the same circumstances-one on tlie Great Western , where the train going at an excessive speed was thrown on to a bank afterit had gotten oil _tl-. erail ; and the other on the _Glasgow and _Edinburgh , where the same thing occurred to an express train , and the engine man was killed . Had 1 been , in the case now before the jury , on the engine I should not have quarrelled with the driver for the speed at which he went , although J subsequently was of opinion that he-went too fast , and in all probability I should have shared his fate . Several other witnesses were examined , after

      which the . Coroner proceeded to sum up . The question for the jiiiT to decide was , whether the driver had gone at such an improper speed as to cause the accident , or whether it occurred from a casualty over . which hehad nocontrel . The Coroner then went through the facts of the case as detailed in evidence . If they believed General Pasley ' s evidence they could not help attaching blame to the driver ; and if that of Mr . Jackson , whosaid he discovered a flaw in the rail-, tliey would attribute to this cause the accident . It should be remembered that General Pasley had examined the line at first , and that he then did not think it necessary to caution the company to tell their , drivers to go at the moderate rate of eighteen to twenty miles an hour down the incline in question . No doubt he saw reason since for changing his

      opinion . -The jury , after two hours' deliberation ( from two to four o ' clock ) , returned the following verdict : — "Accidental death , and a deodand of £ 150 on the engine . " Thejury , with their verdict , expressoda hope that no swift train will be allowed to run upon any part of the line , below Stortford until it has become much more consolidated . They also hope that no train would be allowed to run without at least two trucks between the tender and the passengers' carriages , and that posts may be put up to mark where the incline _becins and ends _.

      _AppnEHENSio . v von a Highway _RonBimv Committed Foun Years ago . —On Saturday last an Irishman of the name of Henry Mooney was apprehended in _^ Liverpool , on a chavge of having , in company with another man named John Getty , stopped a mercantile traveller on the evening of the 27 th May , 1841 , on the road near to Greenhead , and robbed him of a large sum of money . A portion of thc money consisted of notes of various joint-stock banks iii Cumberland and Northumberland . Getty was shortly after apprehended , convicted , and sentenced to transportation . Mooney has ever since succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the police , until , on Saturday hist , he was arrested by one who formerly belonged to the Carlisle constabulary force . Hewas immediately lodged in the main bridewell , whence he will be conveyed to the gaol of Carlisle to-day . — Liverpool Albion of Monday .

      Sudbrx Death . —On the 12 th instant , as some of thc musicians belonging to Mr . Hughes ' s equestrian establishment , were walking together in the Highstreet , Chatham , one of tliem , named JolmVerry , suddenly fell dead on the pavement . An inquest was held the same day on the body . The surgeon , Mr . Robertson , deposed that the _^ _ileceasod died from disease of the heart , and the jury returned a verdict accordingly .

      Supposed Murder At Reading. ; Ilbading ....

      SUPPOSED MURDER AT READING . ; IlBADiNG _. SATDRnAY . —Throughout to-day this town has been in a state of great excitement , iu consequence of a report gaining ground that on the previous evening a woman , named Elizabeth Spieer , residing at No . 10 , Howard-street , had been found in a lifeless state iii the cellar of the house , under circumstances ' which led to the conclusion that she had come to an untimely end by the hands of her husband , William Spieer , a journeyman basket-maker , and who has been taken into custody on the charge of having . caused the death of his wife . Considerable sensation prevails throughout the town ; the more so ns happily so dreadful a crime has not been perpetrated in this borough within the . remembrance ofthe oldest inhabitant . The inquest was held this evening at

      the public office , beforo Mr . S . Morton , deputy coroner for tlie borough , and a respeotablo jury , irhcn the folloiring witnesses were examined - . —Martha Aubry deposed —I am on a visit to my sister , Mrs . Tomkius , of No . 15 , Howard-street , next d . _* or to- Mr . Spieer ' s . I knew the deceased by . her coming in and out of my sister ' s house ; saw , her . about eleven otlock yesterday , when she was in her usual good health . She came to borrow a clothes-prop of niy sister . We . dined between twelve and one o ' clock . Whilst at dinner we heard a noise in ; . the adjoining house , occupied by -Mr . and Mrs . Spieer , like- something : heavy falling down stairs , My sister said , V _. Ol : what can : that be ? surely that is never Mrs . Spieer fallen , down V I said , " Stop , don ' t you go , I'll run , " ' andinstantly ran out of the door

      into the front _giirden _, and looked through Mr . Spieer ' s window . I there saw Ilr .. Spieer looking down the cellar stairs , and I concluded tliat nothing serious had happened . 1 distinctly saw Mr . Spieer standing looking down the stairs . I went back intomy sister ' s house and said , " Ob , there is nothing the matter , Mr . Spieer is at home . " ft . t the tunc I saw Mrs . Spieer in thc morning sho appeared perfectly sober .. 1 heard nothing disagreeable pass between them beforo L heard the noise . —Henry Tomkins : I live at No . 15 , Howard-street , and am by trade a shoemaker . I live next door to Mr . Spieer . I have known Mrs . Spieer about two years . Last November they were married . I saw Mrs . Spieer about eleven o ' clock yesterday . She eame into my house to borrow a clothes-prop . About half-past twelve o ' ebek wo were at dinner , when

      we heard a tremendous crash in the next house , occupied by Mr . and Mrs , Spieer . We were all alarmed , having heard that Mrs . Spieer had a fit some time before . We said , " There is poor Mrs , Spieer fallen down Stairs , " I did not see Mrs . Spieer any time between hearing that noise nnd eight o'fclock in the evening . About eight o ' clock in the evening Mr . Spieer came out of his front door , and I . went out . He said , " Mr . Tonikins , have you seen anything of my wifei" I said , "No ; is she not at homo V He _suid , " I came home to my tea and did not find her . "I cannot make out where she is got to . " I said , " 0 dear , it is not she that has fallen down the cellar . " He said , " 0 dear , I do not know , " and went immediately towards the cellar door . I was in my own garden at the time . In about a minute he came out again and said , "Oh dear mc , my wife is dead . " It was near

      eight o ' clock , and he had no candle . Spieer then immediately got a light , and Mr . House , who had been in my house , went in to Spieer ' s , and took the candle , and both of us went down the cellar . Whilst we were in the cellar , Mr . Spieer was sitting down in a chair in his & ont room . We found the body of Mrs . Spieer at the bottom of the stairs , and her face against the wall . She was lying on her right side , with a great wound in her temple . The head was dreadfully cut and bruised , and there was a preat deal of blood on her head . Her cap was off her head , and her clothes smooth upon her body . Her legs were in an upward position , resting on the steps . I immediately went to inform Mr . Houlton , the superintendent of police of this borough . —After the examination of another witness , the inquest was adjourned till Monday .

      Readixg _, Monday Evening . —The inquest on the body of Elizabeth Spieer was resumed this afternoon , at one o ' clock . The following additional witnesses were examined : —Charlotte Tonikins , wife of Henry Tomkins , examined on Saturday , confirmed the evidence given by the witnesses that day ; the following are some ofthe additional points contaiucd in her evidence : —Mrs . Spieer has frequently complained to me of ill-treatment from her husband . She said , "Mr . Spieer has acted very 'indifferent towards mc , " and complained ofhis coming home tipsy and late of night . The week before this she complained to me of having missed some money from a little box in a large coffer up stairs . She said no one could take it but her husband , and she never knew him take any before without letting her kuow . I said to her ,

      " Mrs . Spieer , why don't you tell lum of it now I" She replied , " I must wait till a favourable opportunity , because ofhis ' glum' ways . " She said she went to London with lier liusbaud soon ' after the marriage , and he got her to _si-m her name , so that he eould touch her money with her consent , but not unless she signed her hand to it ; and she lias frequently told mc that he had ofteu upset her about her money , wishing to draw it to go into business ; and the answer she made was , " When , Mr . Spieer , I see a favourable opportunity of doing better then I will give my consent , and hot before . " She has told me , that after her death her husband could claim the property . I have heard her talk of £ ' 1000 , but could never understand if this was between her sister and herself . Seven weeks ago , on a Monday morning , I saw her in tho back garden with her head tied up with a handkerchief . All down tho right side of her face was quite black . I said , I" IIow did you come with sueh a dreadful face ?"

      She replied , " I hardly know how it was , All that I can tell you is , that Spieer was down inthe cellar , and I was up in the kitchen , aud that he called to me and said , ' Betsey , 1 want you a mom-mi . ' I said 1 was coming , and went down , and Mr . Spieer had something of a shelf in his hand . He said , ' Why was not this put up when the alterations wero made V I fancy I must then have been taken giddy , for I fell . When I came to my . self I found Mr . Spieer had hold of my " neck or throat with . both his hands . He hadgotme as far as the bottom ol the stairs when , he let me fall again . I suppose I must have struck my head against the post at the bottom of the stairs , I do not know how I got up , hut when there Spieer said , ' Tliere , sit yourself down lu a chair in the other voom' ( tlio kitchen ) , Just then there was a knock at the door , aud a woman came to ask for a book which liev son had lent to my husband . This person inquired how I was , and he replied , _< Poorly . She has

      Supposed Murder At Reading. ; Ilbading ....

      had a sort of a full and she has gone to bed . Bui I was not I was sitting . ™ the kitchen . He stayed for an hour and a half after _OAt , and he . _thon said to me , ' 1 am tired of being here , I shall go out . '" Witness continued- * never heard that Mrs . Spker had had a tit at any tine . Ifrs . Spieer said to me it was very unkind of lierhusbmid , for ho went out all the afternoon of that day , and wa * . not at home until late in the evening , and that was on the Sunday . She told me her husband was absentall the next day , and 011 the Tuesday he was out till very lute , she not knowing where he was gone . I asked Mrs . Spicer if her husband struck her , and she said "A 0 . I am _afruid to go out for fear people should say such _Uungs . Hut she said this very hesitatingly . When Spieer was

      sitting-in his . own ¦ 'room , it struck me how unconcerned ho . appeared about his wif- ' s death . 1 did not see him '¦ _crjiiw . * - His habits were not those of a stead ; , sober man , they were irregular _^ habits . Mrs . Sp . eer was a very peaceable , quiet neighbour . I saw _lic-r wilh a bhiuk eye about seven weeks ago . — Another witness , a relative of the deceased ' s , confirmed Mrs . Tomkins _' sstatcments os to the ill way in which Spieer used his wife . In relation tothe blow given to the deceased in the cellar she had said to the witness— " 1 don ' t like to say anything against my husband , but I was going to return upstairs out ot * the cellar , with my back to hhn , and all of a moment I thought I folt a blow as I thought on the side of my head , as if from a billet-stick , and I

      became insensible . " Ismdtohcr , - 'Do you suppose it was Spieer tliat did it I" , - .. She said , " I don ' t know . " I asked htr , " Who was in the cellar at that time « " And she said , "Spieer . " "When I canto to myself , " she said , " I found 11 pressure on my head and neck ; aud said ( speaking to Spieer ) , 'l _' ray don ' t hurt ( or rub ) my head . *" —Henry Houlton , superintendent of the Beading police : About twenty minutes before nine o ' clock on Friday eveuing last I received information from- Henry Tonikins that a woman was found dead in a cellar at No . 16 , _Howarditreet , and I went there immediately . I saw Mr . Spieer sitting in a chair in the front room . Several oilier persons were in thc room . I requested a person in the room to give me a lighted candle to go down stairs . I wentdown into tho cellar and there I saw tho body of the woman

      lying on her back , witli her arms bout upwards towards her head ; her hands were clenched . On tbe fingers was a quantity of blood , and a small portion of hair was between thein ., - . I examined ' and saw Jittle or no blood on the palms- of her hands . The faco was bloody , and I observed a wound on each temple . I took the head up , and from appearance I thought the neck was broken . 1 expressed my suspicion to Mr . Kingston , a neighbour , who was preseut , and requested him to take ehavge of tho house while I went to fetch Mr . Hooper , a _stwgeon . 1 should state that I saw a cap and some false hair ; also a _conilderablu _qumuiiy of Wood , a fork , apiece of bread , and a slipper , about the cellar . On the first step from tils cellar

      was a s uee of bread , and on the second another slipper . 1 afterwards discovered some spots of blood on the cellar stairs and side walls . I returned with Mr . Hooper . After he had examined the body I made a further search , and found two _spots-of blood on the stairs ; thero were several on the left-hand side wall going down , as if something had rubbed against it . I then searched the lower part of the house to ascertain if I could lind any _itintru . ment likely to have inflicted the wounds , and also if 1 could find any bread or victuals that had been used that day . All that 1 could find was a small piece of beefsteak and two potatoes , but no-bread . -- - There was only the lout in tlie front room and the slice on tho stairs before

      mentioned . Everything in tha lower part ofthe liouse appeared in good order . I then proceeded up stairs and found things in tlic same state . Next morning I found a small quantity ol blood on . the door-post on the left-hand side going down the cellar , -, just below the pitch . _Theie was a red mark on the toj > of the stairs ns if blood hud been wiped up , and also-on the fourth stair . I loft JamesGuttoridge , n policeman , in charge of the house ; and tin ' s morning I received from him a stone with a small quantity of blood on it . ( The stone was here produced by the policeman Gutteridge ; it resembled a

      pebble-stone somewhat of the size of an egg , but flat , and a stain of blood was quite perceptible on it . ) After examining tho house I told the prisoner , who was there , after cautioning him as to what he said , that it would he my duty to take him into custody on the charge of wilful murder of his wife . He said he knew nothing of it . The proceedings were then adjourned , at the late hour of eleven o ' clock , until Friday at two o ' clock , when other evidence will be brought forward . Considerable excitement still prevails in the town , and tho inquest room was filled throughout the day .

      Ths. Axdovefi Ux10x—Iiojijuble Wsclosmie...

      THS . _AXDOVEfi UX 10 X—IIOJIJUBLE WSCLOSMIES _, ( From the Times . ) Andoveii , Aucost 12 . —The shocking and disgraceful oecuweuces which have taken place in connection wilh the management ofthis union have , as far as they have been disclosed , caused great disgust and indignation amongst the inhabitants of the town and its vicinity . It appears that , _notwitlistaiWing Sir J . Graham ' s modest doubts ofthe accuracy of the statements made by Mr . Wakley , nnd his opinion that they were too horrible to bo-true , they turn out to be peii ' eetly true and horrible too .

      " For-some timo past rumours-had got afloat that the paupers who were employed in-the disagreeable and unwholesome process of bone-crushing wore in the habit ol gunning them ' like dogs to appease their hunger ; and whsu it was recollected that tliose bones were the bones of horses , as well as ot other animals , not excepting some from churchyards .-occasionally , the story did certainly seem to be too revolting to be believed , and on thatground the incredulity of the Home Secretary , whether assumed or leal , might be excused . Hut as he ordered an immediate investigation to be instituted , and as Mr .

      Assistant-Commissioner Parker came down here on Monday , the 4 th inst ., examined witnesses ,, and returned with his report on the next day , the evidence taken by him being fully confirmatory of the rumours abroad , Sir J . Graham must have had _sufih-ieut timo- between that day and the prorogation of Parliament , on Saturday afternoon , to have given a full and satisfactory answer to the question put to him by ihe . hon . member for lUnsbury , and to have proved tlio sincerity of the sentiments he expressed upon that occasion . But " a still tongue makes a wise head , " says thc proverb .

      The poor , and the fiiends of the poor , and I may add the lovers of truth and justice , arc indebted to the manly sB . _u-it ot Mr . Hugh Mutulay ,. one of the guardians and a borough magistrate , residing near Andover , for the publie notice which was taken of this matter in tin : House of Commons , and for the important consequences which have resulted , and must result , from that proceeding . Mr . Jlunday having received information upon which he thought he eould place full reliance corroboraliie ofthe rumours above alluded to , went to the union-house _, which is about a mile from thc town , taking with him

      Mr . Payne , who is a surgeon . He then desired _Macdougiil , the master of the liouse , to accompany hiin and Mr . Payne . 'illto the yard , and to call out ten of . the ' male paupers indiscriminately ., ' -. ' That ' being done , Mr . Mun-< iay , addressing them , said he was about to ask them some questions respecting statements whicli had got abroad , and which , if time , would bring great discredit upon the union . He desired them to speak thc truth , and they would be protected ; but should they state anything that was false they would be dealt with as they deserved ,. "Are you in the habit of crushing bones iu this house ? " The answer , was , — "We are . "

      "Can you tell anything , " they were then asked , ] " concerning the report whicli is going about the town , that the paupers engaged in bone-crushing have been iu the habit of eating what portions of flesh or gristle and marrow that might be found on or in them V " Oh , yes , " was the general reply - _, eight out of the ton men admitted that they had frequently partaken ofthe nauseous substances , because tlieir hunger was so . kecn that tliey could not keep from doing so . The two oilier men denied having done so , but said they had seen their companions eating what they had described ,. and that their statements were quite true . "Arc you anxious to get these bones'" was the next question . " We arc ready to fight over them , " they replied , "Did you ever fight over them ?"

      "No , we never did , exactly ; we manage in another sort ofa way . As soon as one sees a good bone which is unobserved b y the rest , he contrives to steal it away and hide it till he gets an opportunity to oat it . " Being asked if they had any bones hidden then , some of the men answered . in . thc affirmative , and went to the " ashy , " - a place in which ashes are deposited , whence they took two bones , which Mr , Munday examined and found that they stank dreadfully , directing _tlieattintion of the master to thc fact . At the next meeting of thc board of guardians Mr , Munday gave notice of a niotion * on tho subjeet for thc following melting , when he proposed a resolution to the effect that the Poor Law Commissioners should be made acquainted with these circumstances , and that their advice should be solicited as to what steps ought to betaken by the guardians , This resolution , however , was negatived on a division of the members of the hoard of guardians .

      ¦\ Vhcn Mr . Munday found his purpose , straightforward and honourable as it was , thus foiled , he and his friends who thought and acted with him got up a petition to the House of Commons stating the facts , and praying the attention of the liouse to the case . The petition was forwarded to Mi-. Eiwidl , M . P . fov the borough of Andover , and copies also to Mr . Wakley and Mr . Buncombe , the members for _Jinsbury , with a request that thay would support its prayer . As the railway business nt that time so much interfered with the attendance of lwa . members at the hour appropriated lo the presentation of petitions , itwas thought advisable not io present this one until a favourable opportunity of gaining general attention to it should arrive . The session rapidly drew to a dose ; and therefore Mr . Wakley , taking what he thought the best mode under the circumstances of bringing the _nistter before the Government and . the public , asked Sir J . Graham if he knew anything about it . What took place upon that discussion in the house has been already before the public .

      ' ¦ Hie result was ( hat Mr . Assistant-Commissioner Parker was sent down , ' as I mentioned before / to institute an inquiry iuto the facts . The course which ho took is admirably illustrative of the present Poor Law system . He collected part of his evidence by abruptly visiting gentlemen at their private residences , and ' other parts from paupers who _vyeve examined under restraint with closed doors , This statement _mayTappear too straD . ge to be true . It is a fact , however , that : _Mri . Parker , after taking up his quarters at the . Star Hotel , " _proceeded in s , ' gig to the _rcsidcr-co bf Mr , Munday , whom be began ' to

      Ths. Axdovefi Ux10x—Iiojijuble Wsclosmie...

      _option , _writing down his statements respecting the buticcrashing business , flaring-done _^ this , he demanded who - were the informants of Mr . Munday . Itso happened ¦ that one of them , a man who had been in the union-houw for some time , was then at work upon . Mr . Munday s farm . He wa _- _s-scnt for , and in answer to questions put by the _assistant-commissioner , confirmed the whole story . With rog ird to tSve examinations which took place m tie union _, liouse , I am informed that they were conducted in a vcrv _irregt-to way , the master being present , and several

      of the paupers being brought in together , He _suggesttng both questions and answers . Had they been examined separately , as in a fair investigation they would hare been , in the absence of the master , it is thought that _eridenceof a very extraordinary nature would have been elicited . As it was , there was adduced more than sufficient proof of lhe truth of the reports in circulation ; aud the men declared , their declaration being uncontradicted , that the irreguments attached to the bones and the marrow were green , stinking , and rotten * , but that they did not mind that so that they could get something to cat .

      The disgusting disclosures open this subject have led to an inquiry into the truth _orfnlsehooi of another report for a long time rife in the neighbourhood—that tho inmates of the union-house have been cheated of tlieir proper allowances by the master . Ths board of guardians on Friday and Saturday investigated Shis charge against the master , and though by reason of tlieir following the example of the _assistant-commissioner , they conducted their proceedings in secret , the evidence given before ihem (> .-. « been of so aerious n nature , that they have

      thought proper to make a special report to * the Poor Law _Cominisnioiters at Somerset-bouse , and suggest that the master is a pwson in whom they can no longer place con * _ndeiice . What "the three kings" may do is difficult to divine , bnt it is supposed that Mr . Assistant-Commissioner Parker must speedily take another trip to this place , and institute another inquiry , but some of tie guardians and the inhabitants are deicrmined , if possible , that it shall - not be conducted in secret . Tlio guardians , for the purgation of their own character , ought to-insist upon a public-investigation .

      I am not in » condition to furnish full and minute-particulars , but _T have good authority for stating , that on Saturday last , between twenty and thirty charges against the master weregone iuto , and that they were-of a very

      . For instance , it is alleged some of the able-bodied paupers have been mulcted of their rations withouteause , thc full charge _being made in the accounts . Women _. _-in . their confinement , for whom the medical man ( Dr . Westlake ) had ordered moat , porter , tea , arrowroor , « fcc , asthe case might be , are said to havo received none , _although all were charged in the master ' s accounts . Inone case , a poor creature in extreme exhaustion showed " the medical officer a piece-of what was called " bread and ; butter , " but which proved , on examination , to be nothing but bread and coarse dripping , which , in her delicate

      state , she could not take . This circumstance led the doctor to ask whether she- had received the allowanco of meat and porter which ,, during the month of her convalescence , he had ordered for her . Surprised at the question , the poor creature stated that she had not once tasted meat ov beer ; but that one day a piece of bacon was sent up to her , whieh-was so musty that she could not touch it . On another- - day , some stale gruel was brought to her ; she refused , it , but was told that she should have it to-morrow- ; , aud on the morrow , sure enough , it was sent to her , with a notice that she must take that or none .

      lit another case a woman , with a dropsical complaint , was ordered a certain quantity , of gin per week . Not a drop , it it said , did she get , but it was put down in the bill . Dr . Westlake frequently heard tbe sick inmates ask for beer and meat after he had ordered it for tliem ; and when hereplied tha t he had done _sojtlie master would inter _, fere with an ofl ' -himd— " 0 , ' yes- it is nil right , sir ! " And although the doctor heard various rumours from time to time , he did not suspect tho master of cheating the poor , more especially the sick , out of their proper allowances , but supposed that tliey originated in a discontented spirit .

      To the aged a small quantity of beer is allowed : but it is stated that one man got his allowance only two months ont often ; yet it was charged-in the accounts as if served to him . There were too many similar cases to enumerate . There aro various other accusations , such ii 3 cutting the fat from the meat to feed the pigs , keeping back potatoes for the same purpose , having shoes made and washing done at the expense ofthe rate-payers , _intei-eeptin- _^ tea , butter , milk , and other indulgences to the infirm and aged , a full note ofwhich has been taken by Ml-. Lamb , the clerk to the guardians , whose whole report was forwarded to the commissioners last night .

      The inhabitants feel that both themselves and the poor have been shamefully robbed , and if the _Poor Law Commissioners and the guardians do not act justly in this business ihey are determined to calla public meeting , and nt th . it meeting to adopt such decisive _incisures as the case may require .

      ^ &Gt;^Mmms^Mmtiimmm^A^M^Mm»Im:^I^Tmt^Mmmmmmw^^»A»Tr^ £Anlu*Upt$«*,&Jv

      _^ _>^ _Mmms _^ mmtiimmm _^ _a _^ m _^ Mm _» im : _^ i _^ _tmt _^ mmmmmmw _^^» _a » _tr _^ _£ anlu _* upt _$ «* , _& jv

      Bankrupts. (From Friday's Gazette, Anopu...

      BANKRUPTS . ( From Friday ' s Gazette , _AnopU 8 th , 1 S _45 . J Thomas Reeve , Ann ' _s-place , _H _.-. ckney-road _, and Castle _, street , Long-acre , victualler— Cotistiuitiiie Wood , ftyde , Isle of Wight , _hotcl-kcvper—John Winter ,. IIatton-gardeti , plate-glass-factor — Thomas Taylor , Nicholl ' s-squaro , ( _lattkiicy-road , wine-merchant—John Marland , jun ., Sun Vale Ill-Dei' Works , Todinordeu , Lancashire , rollermaker—John haw and E'd Hudson ,. Todmorden Lancashire , cotton-spinners—Jesse Banning , Liverpool , stationer —John Giles . Headless-cross , Worcestershire , victualler—James Ueimett , New Mills , Herefordshire , cattle-dealer—Johu Acton , Lichfield , farmer—William Heed Watts , Bath , chemist .

      BANKRUPTS . ( From the Gazette of . Tuesday , August 12 . Sharks Allen , Tadlcy , Hampshire ,. maltster—Edmund Kuyvett . Gre . lt Stiinmure , music-seller—J _obn W ake . Silverstone Northaniptoiishire , tiniber merchant—James Young , Bury St . Edmund ' s , tobacconist—Edward Mnllan , Brookstreet and . Oxfovd-struet , dentist . —Matthew Murphy , Shrewsbury , haberdasher—George Charles Crofts , Liverpool , _curn-mcrchant .

      DECLARATIONS _OJ _DIVinESDS . J . Brown , Manchester , carpet-dealer , first dividend of 5 s 3 d in the pound , any Wcdncsdav after Oetuber 5 , at the office of Mr . _I'ott , . Manchester . J . llrown and A . Urquhart , Manchester , _carpct-dealers , first dividend of 7 s Cd in the pound , Wednesday , August 13 , or any Wednesday after October . 3 , at the office of Jir . I ' ott , Manchester . W . _ArmJield , Northampton , ' -draper , * fin _.-il dividend oi - ls _'ijd in the pound , August 12 , 13 , 1-1 , or 13 , at the office ' of Mr . lielchcr , King ' s Anns-yard , Coleinaii-strcvt . 7 C . J . Carter , _Hurnscy-road , builder ,, first dividend of ; 3 s ( id in the pound , August 12 , 13 , 11 , and 13 , at the office of Mr . lteleher , King ' s Arms-yard , Cole ' niau-strect . C . Lewis , Hath , innkeeper , lirst dividend of is ' M in the pound , Thursday , August 14 , or . any Monday after October 4 , nt Ihe oflico of Mr . Miller , . Bristol . J Hill , Stroud , Gloucestershire , hatter , first dividend of 2 s ( id in the pound , Thursday ,. August U _> ur any Monday after Oetuber 1 , at the oiiice of . Mr . Miller , Hristol .

      J . Willis and , 1 , Swainsou , Liverpool , merchants , a fourth dividend of is 3 d iii the pound muter the joint estate , and a second dividend of Is _Dd in the pound under the separate estate of J . Willis ,. Wednesday , August 18 , or any Wednesday alter October . 4 , at the office of . Mr . Pollett , Liverpool . A . A . Dobbs , Liverpool , wine-merchant , dividend of 20 s . in the pound , Wednesday , August M , and anv ircdiicsday after Oetuber 4 , at the office of . Mr . 1 ' ollett , _llivcrpuol . 1 ) . ltuwlands . l _' wlholi , Carnarvonshire , dealer in wine , second dividend of 4 d in the pound , anv Thursday , except from August-18 until Oct . 4 , a ' t the office of Mr . Cazenove , Liverpiol . 0 . Mottrain and II . Hariri-caves , Liverpool , w _ool-ln'uUors , second dividend of _lojd in the pound , any Thursday , ej . cept from August 18 ' until Oct , 4 ,. at tlie office of Mr . Cazenove . Liverpool .

      It . Shepherd , _Liverpool , bootmaker , second dividend of Id in the pound , any Thursday , e . _tcept from August 16-until Out . 4 , at the oiiice of Mr . _Cazenove , J . iv . _irpoid . T . Parr , Liverpool , plumber , second dividend of 2 d ia the pound , auy Thursday , except from August JS until Oct . 4 . at the office of Mr . Cazenove , Liverpool . li . _Herrtll , Liverpool , merchant , final dividend of fid in the pound , any Thursday , except from August IS uutil Oct . 4 , at the office of Mr . Cazenove , Liverpool . ' " . ' J . Edwards , Much Woolton , Lancashire , grocer , _( itst dividend of 2 d in the pound , anv Thursday , except Irom August' 18-until Out . 4 , ut the office of Mr . Caueuove , Liverpool . T . Wood , Little Queen-street , Holborn , wine-merchant , first dividend of . 4 s yd in the pound , Saturday next , and three last Saturdays iu October , at the office ul Mr . Groom , Abchurch-lnuc , City .

      J . and A . _Enimutt _. Old Kcnt . i-o-. id , dairymen , mini ami final dividend of 2 s l ) d iu the pound , Saturday next , and three lust Saturdays iu October , at thc office of Mr . Groom , Abehureh-lane , City . W . Williams , Goudhurst , Kent , wheelwright ,. lirst dividend of 4 s 9 d in the pound . Saturday next , and three last Saturdays in October , at the oiiice of Mr . . Qrown , Abchui'ch-lune , City . J , Stevens , llhodeswcll-wharf , _Mile-cnd , wharfinger , second dividend of _lijd in the pound , Saturday next , and tlu : t-e last Saturdays in October , at the _oiiicaoi'Mr . Groom , Abehureh-lane , City , A . Laurier and J . Lock , Wood-street , Citv , importers of foreign goods , second and final dividend of . ' _-Jd in tho pound , Wednesday , August 13 , and threo last Wednesdays iii October , at the office of Mr . Tur ; iuaud , Old J . e > vry , City . " _Ceiitu-icatss to be granted , unless c _^ use be shown to tho contrary on the day of meeting .

      Sept . . 2 , H . Mackay , Liverpool , _mister _marinra-S ep _' _- _^ W . Lloyd , Liverpool , - wine-merchant— Sept . St ,.- * - ' ' ?*" more , West Derby , Lancashire _juiucr— Sept . 5 , ' 'f _*™' Birmingham , _card-nuinufacturcrr-Scpt . i _, - - - J { '' „ , _' _Hirmingham _, factor-Sept . 2 , IL Greenwood , !}«'" _" ''• Yorkshire , bookbinder-Sept . 2 , T . Harris , . Newtown . _Mc-iitgomervshirc , ' currier-Sspt , 2 , J- »' fj - ' Urquhart , Manchester , camc Uwareliousciiie » - _«» j ' ' KT . Jones and II . M . _CroasliiH , Hochdale , _LauuHiu _^ booksellers . PABTNERS 31 PS DISSOlVH _* . _...... _duaek . S . II . and S . Lueas-W .. _t \ Shaw and h . «• mUiill i Bath , _schoolmastcra-JO .. _""l ! _hf ' 15 _° ' , he > . ter , _nier-P _. iK- nMvsvfliHlf . _i-s— . l . ... „ 1 1 ! . SulltUi _M . uw . ., i :, „ . rs

      chants-M . A . Young and _U- Kent . _W _& _siilw , cum-—U . Green and J . _fcjfrowsmhh , $ »"" _S "' ue * . _Ciit-sti'ect . mon brewers—II . _Xpbeiiheiin _a-. di . _T , , y ,, s ; l „ d V . W dealers in wool mosaic tapestry— " V ' nidsdale and 1 \ Cleverton , _Vljmouth , solicitors- *¦ " _ _j llUl j K . M . B . Cooper , Burlington ,-Durham , _?*" « r L , C . aud Thompson , _ikanchestev , hosiers- ! - _.-r , _?'» ,. „ d W . C . A . Adcy ,, l _' oole , coal-merchants- " - _*«'' tIbul ... > b . Kirwood , 'old _Caveiidish-street , tin ors-i . M . and ' a . Sugden , _X _^^ _W _^ _Sb . shepherd , far as vtgartte S . _Sup den-J . M lvro » hc . u ,. t and F . W . Sutton , Earl . strcet , _^^ V M KroV'l' _"" ' - _stereotype-foundevs ; as far as raffia J . f _^^ . _^ - _rib . S , Gibbon , J . Mudduu an , _ and J _HenneU _, _t mmil __^ _l-on-manufacturersr as far as reg _^ _ds J * hau trQat Camden Town , _pianotorte-makei s o , : Co " Tood-stveet ; City , dealers in Idwt . __„__ ., *

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 16, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns4_16081845/page/6/