Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
8 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE EXPLOSION AT ERITH.
THE EXPLOSION AT ERITH. Adjourned Inquest. The adjourned inquiry into the death of the un- ortunate persona killed by the explosion of Messrs. Hall's gunpowder stores at Erith marshes was resumed on Tuesday morning, at the Avenue schoolrooms, Erith. The interest in the proceedings appeared somewhat greater than on the last occasion, there being a much fuller attendance. Mr. Poland again appeared to watch the case for the Messrs. Hall. The Lowwood Gunpowder Company was represented by Mr. Filby, the London agent; and Mr. H. S. Perrin and Mr. Morgan attended on behalf of some of the sufferers,. Notwithstanding the time that has elapsed since the explosion, many of the houses in the neighbourhood which had their windows blown in and their ceilings injured, still remain unrepaired. It is nowsupposed that £ 10,000 will be about the extent of the damage caused by the explosion; but some accounts state that the average amount of injury to the private houses will be at least X60 each. The evidence given by the first witness cleared up all doubt, if any existed, with respect to the explosion originating on one of the barges, &nd a good deal of the testimony adduced went to prove the excellence of their construction, as well as of the barrels in which the gunpowder was packed. It happened, however, that one of the barges lay at Erith, and the coroner and jury were invited to inspect it at the close of the inquiry. They accord- ingly proceeded thither, but the inspection appeared very far from satisfactory. The barge in question was one which had a fire-place at each end, and although the after cabin appeared to be entirely cut off from the hold with double bulkheads and protecting metal, the forecastle had nothing but a slight wooden partition separating it from the hold, and a door, very loosely fitted, led at once from the little cabin in which the stove was, to the hold, which of course is ordinarily filled with gunpowder 'barrels. In addition to this, there were two holes in the door, through which it was easy to put one's finger. This door was only fastened bya couple of common iron bolts. Although we must suppose that when a cargo is shipped :this door as well as f he partition is covered with saltpetre bags, yet nobody but men who had grown perfectly reckless by constant familiarity with this description of danger, could for a moment remain comfortably on board such a vessel when there were some 500 or 600 barrels of gunpowder on board. In addition to this, there was in the hold itself such a quantity of iron knees and joints as appeared quite to scare the Coroner and jury, who were certainly led by the evi- dence to suppose that although undoubtedly iron was used in the construction of the barges, yet it was so covered with leather and other proteetingmaterial as- to prevent it coming in contact with the barrels. A great number of witnesses were examined, the first of whom was Mr. James George Willey, merchant's clerk, of Bexley-road, Erith. He said— The back of my house overlooks the scene of the ex-! plosion. On the day in question I was outside of the house looking over towards the river, and I saw the i first flash and heard the flrst explosion. Both the magazines were standing after that. Then I saw a: second and third flash, and the magazines were no longer in existence. I am quite certain that I. saw both magazines after the first explosion. Indeed, I had no idea that there ere magazines there till after they had exploded, and I said to my wife that a powder ship in the river had exploded. The Coroner: You are quite positive that you saw both powder magazines standing after you witnessed the first flash and heard the first report P Witness: Quite so. The Coroner (addressing the jury) said: Gentlemen, I have a communication to make to you of something which has occurred since I last met you. On Friday last, I think it was, I received a communication from Messrs. Hall that, in company with you gentlemen, I should visit the manufactory at Faversham, and in. spect not only the stock but the cooperage, so as to ascertain the exact condition of the barrels which-are manufactured there. Messrs. Hall also stated that they would willingly pay all the expenses, the sugges- tion being made by them. I, in reply, expressed some doubt as to whether any practical good would arise from such an inspection; but as Mr. Hall seemed to press the matter, I stated that although nothing could fee determined ugon until you reassembled, I should he willing to receive any communication from him on the Subject, and would submit it to you. Accordingly, on the Saturday night I received a letter from Messrs. Hall's solicitor, which I will now read to you. The Coroner then read the letter, and said: I com- municated with your foreman, and he did not see the necessity of such an inspection, but we both agreed that nothing could be done until we all assembled foere, and it is now for you to decide what course shall be pursued, this being all that has occurred between Mr. Tassell and myself. I should be glad to hear your opinion on the subject. Mr. Mackinnon, the foreman of the jury, said that he did not think that there was the slightest occasion for the jury proceeding to Faversham to inspect the stock, although some evidence might be necessary as to the condition of the barrels. Mr. Poland: We have plenty of witnesses to that point. Mr. Maokinnon I should suggest that if we had a barrel or two of those recently delivered, and evidence as to the general condition of the barrels, that would be quite sufficient. Mr. Poland It has been arranged that several wit- nesses shall be hero who will speak to the condition of the barrels, and we have also some of the barrels themselves here to produce. The Coroner: Well, then, gentlemen, I think we may abandon the proposition to proceed to Faver- sham and all we have to do is to express our thanks to Messrs. Hall for the opportunity they have afforded to us of inspecting the stock. A Juryman: Nothing can be more satisfactory than Messrs. Halls' offer. The rest of the jury having concurred, the evidence was proceeded with. Alfred Rayner, son of the deceased foreman, sworn I am fourteen years of age. On the morning of the -accident I had not been up more than a few minutes before the explosion. The Coroner: What did you see or hear ? Witness: I didn't see or hear anything. I was smothered under the heaps of bricks and mortar. I was taken out. I was sensible. I knew the magazine had exploded, because it was gone when I got out of the rubbish. My father used to do his writing in the magazine always. I did not use to go into his room where he wrote, but I did once. I have aeen father's writing, and sometimes put -letters in the post for him, but not lately. About two months ago I posted a letter to Mr. Hall. I can read a little, and I could read that letter, and the direction was, "Messrs. Hall and Son." On the letter being handed to witness, he said: Father did not write on "paper like that. He used to write on blue paper. I never heard father reading letters to my mother, or my mother reading father's letters. I don't know Mr. Monk, but have seen him. By the Jury: I did not see the barges there the night before, but I have seen them there before. I have not seen men boiling their kettles or smoking. I go to Mr. Davis's school. I have nwer seen powder leaking from the casks when they have been unload- ing. I have been on the wall, but not on any of the barges. • William Mackay, of Faversham, master of the barge Black Boy; owners, Messrs. Hall, Faversham, said: 'The Black Boy was expressly built for conveying powder. She is thirty-six tons register. I carried only one man with me. I used to sail in the Good Design. At the time she left I was at Faversham. My barge came the week before. We came to and 'fro once in about nine or ten days. The average passage up is two days, perhaps more in winter. Sometimes we are up in seven or eight hours; some- times, when it was blowing heavy, we were a week on the voyage, laying to. I was delivering powder a fortnight previous to the blow-up on the Saturday. I delivered about 250 barrels, some in quarters, some in halves, some in barrels, the largest proportion being in quarter barrels. Mr. Rayner received them. We p At 'petre bags on the floor-what we call gunny bags. We have nothing else to use. We always sweep the hold clean, not swab it; then we put 'petro bags, and 1iben the barrels. Every one is handed. We don't foil them, but lift them. When the hold is full we fatten down the hatches, and put down a double set of tarpauling. I assist in unloading. At that time we use slippers, like those in the magazine. The Coroner: When do you have 'fires ? Witness: Not when we are loading, but we do when it is all battened down. The Coroner Had you any fire on the last passage ? Witnees Not when we were alongside unloading. The Coroner: But on your passage up ? Witness: Yes; on the passage when we were battened down we did. Are Messrs. Hall aware that you have fifes on board when the hatches are battened down ?-I don't know whether they are or not. You do as you like, I suppose ?—We are allowed to have fires then, I believe, but we let them out before we get alongside, when we are allowed to have our victuals cooked on shore. The jetty was always washed down when the tide Was up. We wear our ordinary boots when on the voyage, but not when we ceme to the wharf. All the barrels I brought up were sound, no leakage at all. The head of a cask never comes out, or the hoops come off. Never was such a thing as their coming to pieces in handling. Rayner used to send frequent messages by me. He iused to send letters by me. On last voyage I took no letter from Mr. Bayner to Mr. Monk. By the Jury: Are you not prohibited from burning a fire on board? Witness No, never, not that I ever heard of; but we never have any fire when unloading, only when the hatches are on. There is no regulation I know of pro- hibiting coasters from having fire, and we are coasters. We never carry barrels of powder on the deck. I have heard that they have done so, but don't believe it. If they ever have had anything on the top of the hatches it was empty casks. It is impossible for me to say whether either of the barges delivered powder in the river. I never delivered powder to a,steamer. Neither I nor nay mate smoke. By Mr. Poland: When the hatches are on and covered with tarpauling, in my opinion there is no danger, or when unloading. I have seen sparks fly on board of us many a time from steamboats when we are coming up the river. If anything occurs we are on the spot. Mr. W. W. Pocock, of Knightsbridge, architect and surveyor, sworn and examined by Mr. Poland: Made the drawings and specifications for Messrs. Halls' magazines. I remembered the old magazine now be- longing to the Government, and rebuilt it by direction of Mr. Hall, and subsequently it was transferred to the Government. The nails and hinges were entirely of copper. I superintended the building of it, and was not restricted to any expense. There was some little iron about the building. There was some iron braces for the ceiling. It was painted twice over before fixed, and twice after. There is no danger from any iron in such places, as there could be no concussion. The magazine was not built by contract, but by a schedule of prices, and there was no motive for the contractor or builder to scamp the work. I had it particularly examined, and, in my judgment, it was a suitable and safe building for the storing of gunpowder. I prepared the plans for the jetty, and they were approved by the Trinity Board. He then described the construction of the jetty. There was, of course, iron used to fasten the piles. Iron nails were used to drive through the boards, but in such a, way that they did not come up to the top at all. In my opinion the jetty was constructed on a sound plan, and one that was perfectly safe. The magazine stood on a large space of ground, eighteen acres in extent, in order to prevent the proximity of other buildings. I consulted with the Messrs. Hall several times as to the best mode of providing against danger, and also with Bayner, who was a sound practical man. The magazine cost between ^83,000 and £ 4,000. By the Coroner: The greatest source of difficulty and danger was the public footpath, the tramway run- ning right across it, so that any person walking along the footpath would step on the tramway and leave dirt. To remedy that we had a piece of wood put up for some distance, in order that people might first tread on it, and I believe that provision was made to stop the gangways while the barges were unloading. Mr. Pocock was recalled, and, in answer to a jury- man, said that Mr. Rayner was a very shrewd man, and not likely to write such a letter as had been pro- duced Unless he had good grounds for complaint. Mr. John Deacon Harry, assistant storekeeper at Woolwich, was then recalled, and produced a copy of an order made by the Government authorities conse- quent upon an examination and report of the -state of the magazine transferred from Messrs. Hall to the Government. He was sorry to say that it contradicted almost every word that Mr. Pocock had said. He then read the report, which stated where iron was used and what was to be done in consequence, and he added that the estimate for the necessary alteration's took three months to prepare. Sir.' Harry said that fee had examined the floor yesterday, and to his surprise he found that the nails fastening the flooring were made of iron. Cross-examined by Mr. Poland: I am aware that three officers inspected the building, and that not a word is said in the report about iron nails in the flooring. My attention was only called to the iron nails in consequence of one sticking up, and I said, "I hope at all events this is copper;" but to my sur- prise I found it was iron. The Coroner: Whether iron or copper, the responsi- bility rests with you now. Witness We have had orders for a long time not to place any more ammunition there. Benjamin Peene, a person employed at Messrs. Ibms, factory twenty-nine years, explained the process of dusting and removing the barrels, and stated that, to the best of his judgment, all the barrels shipped aboard the Good Design and the Harriet were per- fectly sound and in good condition. He stated that he was sent to Erith when the new magazine was built to instruct Bayner in his duty, and he had always found him a most truthful man, and certainly not likely to write such a letter as that produced unless he had good ground for complaint. Mr. W. D. Mason, olerk to Messrs. Robinson, ship- brokers, stated that they had last year shipped about 81,000 packages of Halls' gunpowder by clipper ships, all of which contained most valuable cargo, and it was almost impossible that anything at all defective could be shipped. They were especially careful with respect to gunpowder. He also bore testimony to the excel- lence of the barrels. The witness Silver was recalled, and, in answer to the Coroner, stated that he remembered, just after the explosion, he did say something about he ex- pected some day it would come to this;" and he had many times gone down there with his heart in his mouth." That applied entirely to the steamboats passing so near, but he was so confused after the ex- plosion that he really did not know what he did say. The Coroner: Have you ever had occasion to com- plain of the carelessness of the bargemen ?—Well, I never have complained. I have seen fire in the cabin when the barges were at the wharf, but it has been when the wind was blowing off the magazine. By Mr. Perrin: I have often seen two barges at the same time, and I have seen the smoke of a fire in the empty barge, and I believe it was to cook their victuals. On the morning of the accident I did not look to see if there were any barges there. I had not been on thebank,since the previous Thursday. I did not notice whether there was a fire on one of the barges on the previous night. Mr. Bayner was a very careful mam indeed. A Juryman: You yourself have been in groat fear sometimes r- Well, I must say that sometimes my heart has been in my mouth, as the saying is, when I have had a barrel of gunpowder in my hand and I have seen the sparks coming out of a steamer close by. The Coroner stated that he was afraid they could not bring their labours to a close that day. There were some other witnesses it was necessary to ex- amine who were not at present in a condition to appear before the jury. He had himself visited the hospital to inquire into the state of the sufferers. It was believed that Mrs. Bayner might be in a condition in about a fortnight's time to give some Important evidence with respect to the date of the letter which has been so frequently alluded to. At present she was so excitable that the least reference to, the event drove her almost mad, and at present it was quite certain that aha could not be examined. The Foreman And possibly when she is her tesbi- mony will not be very valuable. The Coroner: Perhaps so, though it is likely she will recover, and will ba calm enough to answer questions in reference to the sad event in a fortnight's time. We may also have Mrs. Yorke by that time, and an important witness named Singleton. The Foreman I think that under the circumstances it would be better that we should adjourn again. The Coroner; Mrs. Bayner, I believe, professes to have a knowledge of the letter which has been found, of where it was written, and also when it was posted; for there is some reason to believe after all that it may turn out to be a copy of one sent. It is, therefore, proposed, gentlemen, that you should adjourn till this day fortnight (Nov. 1). The jury, having assented, entered into the ordinary recognisances to be present on the day to which the inquiry was adjourned, aahd the proceedings were accordingly adjourned.
THE DEATH OF SIR ALEXANDER…
THE DEATH OF SIR ALEXANDER LA WRENCE. The Delhi Gazette, in recording the death of Sir Alexander Lawrence, which event was announced by telegram a few days since, says:—" The young gen- tleman was, it appears, travelling up North by the Hindostan and Thibet Trunk road, with his uncle, Colonel Lawrence, the deputy commissioner of Simla. They made ten or twelve marches in safety, and reached Torahon, the summer residence of the Eiajah of Bussahir, on Friday, the 26th inst. On Saturday morning they started on horseback for the next bungalow at Tarunda. About four miles on the road they had to cross a bridge which girdled an almost perpendicular cliff; on nearing this spot Sir Alexander's horse being somewhat restive, he passed his uncle to the front; on riding over the bridge rather hurriedly a large cross-beam gave way, and both rider and horse were precipitated violently down about three hundred feet of khud, and, of course, killed on the spot. This shocking and terrible accident happened about one hundred and twenty miles from Simla..The corpse was brought into the station on Monday morning, and buried on the evening of the same day. The funeral was attended-by the Viceroy and his staff; the Commander-in-Chief and his staff; the mem- bers of Council; Sir H. Edwardes; and all the principal visitors and residents of the place. The procession left Government House at four p.m. The chief mourners followed the bier on foot the whole way; at the gate of the cemetery the bier was rested and borne thence to the grave by the personal staff of the Governor-General. The funeral service was read by the Rev. J. Poynder, and, amidst universal tribulation and sorrow, the remains of Sir Alexander Lawrence were lowered into their last resting-place. Thus, snatched away as he was, in the midst of life and youth, and universally beloved, a melancholy gloom will overshadow Simla for the rest of the season. He has left behind him a young widow and a child to mourn his loss. Poor as the consolation may be, we feel assured Lady Lawrence will have the warmest and deepest sympathy of the community' in her sad bereavement."
SUICIDE OF A BANK MANAGER.
SUICIDE OF A BANK MANAGER. On Wednesday, an investigation of a. very painful character was held by Dr. Edwin Lankester, the Coroner for Central Middlesex, touching the death of Mr. Robert Henry Williams, twenty-seven years of age, who was the London manager of the Mercantile and Exchange Bank, at tha private residence of that gentleman, No. 9, New Cavendish-street, Cavendish- square. Mr. William Smith Williams, of 13, Ampthill- square, identified the body as that of his son, who was a bank manager. He saw him last alive on Sunday last, and he was then in his usual health, but much depressed in spirits, and harassed about the bank affairs. He had noticed a difference in him for the last few weeks. Witness's fears had been aroused as to the stability of his intellect, although he had seen no act that would lead him to suppose that he was labouring under insanity. He heard of his death on Tuesday morning. George Harley, M.D., analytical chemist and pro- fessor of medical jurisprudence at University College Hospital, said he had made a post-mortem examina- tion of the body. He described the result. Death had been caused by cyanide of potassium. Mr. G. N. Epps, M.B.C.S., said he was related to the deceased, and frequently saw him—sometimes two or three times a week. He saw him on Sunday last, but he was not as usual—he seemed depressed, which witness attributed to his overwork at the bank. He believed that deceased had overworked his brain, and his mind had given way under the pressure of anxiety. He received a message from Drake, the serving man to deceased, about eleven o'clock, on Monday night, asking him to come and see deceased. He went, and was shown into the parlour, when Drake said, in answer to an inquiry, "He is not here; he is in hia bed-room." Witness then went up-stairs, and spoke to deceased. He did not answer upon which witness put his hand on deceased's forehead in a friendly way, and found he was dead. This was at five minutes past eleven. He then called for assistance. Edward John Drake said he minded the house while Mr. Williams (the deceased) was out of town. He had been living there latterly. He slept there on Sunday night last, having come to town on the previous Friday. He did not say he was ill; in fact, he appeared in his usual health. On Monday evening he came in at seven o'clock, when he said he would have a bath. This was between eight and nine o'clock. He then went to see Mr. Epps, who was out. When he came back he (witness) asked him if he would have a little brandy, to which he agreed, and witness fetched some, having none in the house. That was about nine o'clock. About five minutes to ten he said, Go to Mr. Bpps—go round and tell him to came here," and witness went. By the Jury: Witness on his return let himself in with a key, as his wife was out, and he put somebrandy in a wine-glass for the deceased, and he placed it just inside the door on a. flower-stand, A brother of the deceased said that he was in'the habit of taking photographs, but he could- say whether deceased had possessed himself of any of his. cyanide of potassium. Drake (recalled by the Coroner) Deceased told witness that he had been round to Mr. Epps, but the was not at home, but witness thought nothing of it. This being the whole of the evidence offered, A juror wished to know where Mrs. Williams, the wife of the deceased, was at the time. Mr. Williams (father to deceased) said a brother.in- law had come to town, and had some tickets for the theatre. Deceased's wife accompanied tham there. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was found dead in his bed from the mortal effects of cyanide of potassium, which he had taken by his own hand while in an unsound state of mind.
A CLERGYMAN CHARGED WITH AN…
A CLERGYMAN CHARGED WITH AN ASSAULT. The Rev. Charles Ward, of No. 3, Gilton Villas, Tyrwhitt-roai, Upper Lewisham-road, was charged before Mr. Traill with assaulting Bichard Hartley. Mr. Coekle, solicitor, appeared for the'defendant. The complainant said that he had let a house at Notting-hill, Bayswater, to a person calling him- self the Honourable Edward King, and for whom the defendant had acted as representative. Find- ing that not only the goods which had been in the house had been removed, without the rent having been paid, but a part of the fixtures also, he called upon the defendant at his residence on Tuesday morning about nine o'clock. The door was partially opened by the defendant, who inquired what he had come about. He told the defendant it was respecting Mr. King's rent, and the de- fendant replied that he did not wish to have an interview with him about such a matter, and told him to put it into the hands of his solicitor. He observed that it was a matter which would not admit of delay, and the defendant having told him be could take proceedings, closed the door. In doing so his (complainant's) foot became shut in, and h& was unable to extricate himself. While so fixed the defendant called to a female in the house whom he styled the Hon. Lady Lawton, to bring him a poker, and this having been done the de- fendant struck him with it violently over the hand. He succeeded in seizing the poker, which became broken. The defendant then called for a pistol, threatening to shoot him immediately, after which the female before referred to com- f menced stabbing him. with a oarving-knife in the foot, in proof of which the boot he was wearing at the time was produced, the toe part of which was completely cut through, his foot fortunately escaping injury. In answer to Mr. Cockle, the complainant admitted calling on defendant at his residence, on the day previous to the assault. He said, that having been told by the servant that defendant was not at home, he left; but forgetting to leave a letter, he returned, and, believing de- fendant was at home, and would not see him, he had remained half an hour,, knocking at the door, at ipieFYals. Mr. Traill said, after the defendant. had declined to have an interview with the com- plainant, the latter had acted illegally in re- maining at the house, with his foot within the door, and he (Mr. Traill) could not interfere. The summons was then dismissed.
DEATHOPTIIE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
DEATHOPTIIE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. The Duke of Newcastle died on Monday, at his seat, at Clumber-park, The late Duke, Henry Pelham Clinton, Lord Lin- coln by courtesy, was born in 1811. At Eton and Christchurch he manifested the sound, substantial, but not brilliant quality of mind which made him for thirty years one of the most useful of public servants. He was a remarkable illustration of the operation of the moral on the intellectaal nature. It was probably on account of his moral qualities that Sir Robert Peel adopted LordLin<K)ln, as he did Sidney Herbert, into his political band. The young man entered upon office at three and-twenty, on the first oppor- tunity that occurred. He was made a Lord of the Treasury during the short administration of Sir Robert Peel, from December, 1834, to the next April. He had then been in Parliament two years, sitting for South Nottingham. Daring the interval till the return of Peel to power in September, 1841, Lord Lincoln won upon the expectation of the House and the notice of the country, so that when his opportunity arrived, he scarcely answered to the idea formed cf him. His ability and his reach of political view were as yet in no proportion to his activity and readiness; and that activity and readiness were easily mistaken for self-efficiency in a man yet so young. He was only First Commissioner of Inland Revenue; and he could hardly show what was in him to any one but his chief and master. Peel understood him rightly, and by his support enabled him 'to become what we J have since seen. In January, 1846, he became Chief Secretary for Ireland; bat the ministry went out in July, on the discomfiture of their Coercion Bill for Ireland,, which was understood to be an act of vengeance caused by the repeal of the Corn Laws. During the five years more that he remained in the Commons, as member for the Falkirk boroughs, because his father spoiled his chances in his own county of Nottingham, he was one of Pears most trusted lieutenants, and one of the securities that a Peel party should exist which, however small in numbers, should compen- sate by its character for some of the dangers attending the disintegration of parties which the policy of its chief had necessarily effected. From time to time, Lord Lincoln showed that he was not idle. One of the ablest speeches made by him in this interval of leisure was in 1847, on emi- gration from Ireland as a means of relief during and after the famine, and the disorganisation of affairs which it must occasion. While witnessing such an emigration as is going on at this day, we ought to re. member how sorely such a relief was needed and desired when the Irish were far greater in numbers and far poorer in food and work than now. At the beginning of 1851, Lord Lincoln succeeded to the dukedom, and left the House of Parliament in which he had built up the groundwork of the general expectation of good service from him. At the close cf the next year he became Colonial Secretary under Lord Aberdeen, little imagining what responsibilities and labours he was undertaking. The charge and government of half a hundred colonies has long been considered an absurdly onerous task for one member of an administration; but to this was in those days added the virtual management of war in its distant operation. When war with Russia was declared in March, 1854, the Duke was relieved of his colonial duties, which were undertaken by Sir George Grey, and the new Secretaryship for War was filled by the Duke. We all remember but too well what followed -the suffering and mortality among our troops in the East, and the too natural popular impression that the War ministers must be to blame, and the wrath and cavil and ostentatious disparagement with which those two men—-the Duke and his friend, Sidney Herbert—were treated while they were working their frames and faculties day and night as few men have worked before, and effecting achievements in the mere neutralising of other men's blunders and deficiencies which from another point of view would have excited admiration and gratitude. It was not their fault that our soldiers suffered and died; and it was their doing that many more-did not nerisb. Thelike joined Lord Palmerston's cabinet in June, 1859, in the midst of the excitement of the Italian war. He was again Colonial Secretary, as he was till his final resignation. It was in this capacity that he was naturally chosen to attend the Prince of Wales in his Canadian travels but, apart from the par- ticular fitness, he was the very man to discharge the office of temporary guardian in so responsible a case. There is no need to describe to the ex. isting generation what > the guardian's qualities were found to be on a triad so unusual and so stringent. Political wisdom and firmness were requisite,, as well as tho sense, temper, and manners needed in the guide, friend,, and compamion of the young heir to the throne. It is enough te mention the Orangemen of Canada to show what we mean. As to his management of his share of the American intercourses, it is not too much to say that the dis- position to peace between the two countries may owe as much to the exemplification the Duke presented of the English gentleman and statesman as to the genial and hospitable temper with which the American people welcomed and entertained the Prince and his guardians.
THE CHARGE AGAINST A LONDON…
THE CHARGE AGAINST A LONDON WINE MERCHANT. Charles Eton De Witt, wlio had previously been brought up at the Guildhall ohm-gad with having, by means of false a«id fraudulent pretences, obtained from Messrs. Garcia Eubet Brothers, wine-fmerchants, of Padding-lane, in this City, and af Cadiz, a qnnntity of wines, to the value of about £5,000, and also with forging, and uttering, knowing the same to be forged, several bills of exchange to about the same amounts was again placed at the bar before the Lord Mayor on Saturday, at the Mansion-house, to undergo a further examination. Mr. Sleigh, the barrister, insttiucted by Mr. Chidlev, appeared to conduct the prosecution, and Mr. Wavell, from the Universal Mercantile Association, 73, Cheapside, who are assisting in the prosecution, was present to watch the proceedings. Mr. Beard appeared on behalf of the prisoner. The pretences under which the prisoner is alleged to have obtained the wine were fully explained in the report of the examination which took place the pre- vious week, and it will be remembered that he repre- sented himself to be the agent of Messrs. John Stewart and Co., of Manchester, merchants and American bankers, and he, after having taken offices in Crutched- friars, obtained through a. gentlemen named Bama^e, to whom he had been previously known, and wlio believed in his statement that he was a member of the firm he pretended to represent, an introduction to Mr. Lopez, the London agent of Messrs. Rubet, whose head firm is in Cadiz, and that having obtained the wines, which he said were to be shipped to India, he paid for them with bills of exchange, which turn out to be forgeries. The only fresh evidence adduced on Saturday was to prove the mode in which the wines were disposed of by the prisoner, and Mr. Jenner Stannard was callea, who said he was a wine broker, having offices at I], St. Benet's-place, Grraoeohuroh-street. The prisoner was introduced to him in September last, and on the 16th of that month he deposited with him twelve wine warrants relating to seven butts of wine. He had not the twelve warrants, but he produced others, forty-two in number, which he said the prisoner had left with him on the Friday of the previous week, and upon which he had no claim. (Witness handed the warrants into court, and remarked that he was glad to be relieved of the responsibility of having them in his possession.) With respect to the twelve warrants left by the prisoner in September, however, the witness said he had been advised not to produce them, as he had a claim upon them. He advanced the prisoner £ 100 upon them, Which was to be paid back in a month, and, although they were forfeited, he had no desire to retain Possession of them if he were paid the money he had advanced. The witness, upon being told by Mr. Sleigh that he was merely required to produce the warrants, and not to give them tup, said he would take care to produce them on, the next examination, and was informed by the court that he could be compelled to do so; he, however, produced a memorandum containing all the particulars of the warrants, which was made out at the time they were deposited with him. Mr. Lapez examined the doccimsnt produced by the last witness, and said the marks and particulars agreed with those of the warrants he handed to the prisoner. Mr. Sleigh then asked that the prisoner might be again remanded, which application was complied with, and the prisoner was remanded accordingly. Upon the application of Mr. Beard, which was sanctioned by Mr. Sleigh, a sum of money which the prisoner had in his possession at the time be was ap- prehended was ordered to be given up to him.
THE TRIAL OF MULL EE.
THE TRIAL OF MULL EE. The Charge to the Grand Jury. The October Session of the Central Criminal Court was commenced on Monday morning before the Recorder, Russell Gurney, Esq., the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, and Alderman Sir J. Duke, Sir F. G. Mocn, Sir R. Garden, the tinder-Sheriffs. &0. The Recorder, in his charge to the grand jury, said, although the number of prisoners for trial was large, it was not more so than might be expected, taking into consideration the period which has elapsed since the last session. The charges generally wer not of a very serious character, aud although th*3; Were several cases the circumstances of whieh 'ii volved the loss of human life, there was only one charge of wilful murder, which was that against a German named Franz Muller, who was charged with the-murder oi Mr. Briggs. The Becorder then recapitulated the leading circumstances of the case, as they have been already before the public, and concluded by Baying that all these facts would be laid before the grand jury, and it would be for them to say whether they were sufficient to establish a prima facie case against the prisoner Muller, and if they returned a true bill the prisoner would have an opportunity of explaining these circumstances, or of producing evidence to con- trovert the facts which would be laid before them. After alluding to some other charges his lordship dismissed the grand jury, and the regular business of the court was proceeded with.
A PRETENDED HEIRESS. ' \
A PRETENDED HEIRESS. An Extraordinary Case of Swindling. A stylishly-dressed young woman, who had been apprehended in Dublin, and who gave the name of Mary Horsfall, was brought before Mr. Maude at the Greenwich Police-court, charged with fraud and robbery, under the following extraordinary circum- stances :— Mr. Sadgrove, solicitor, attended for the prisoner. The evidence taken was very voluminous, the court being crowded with tradesmen and others who .'b.ad been the prisoner's dupes. It appeared that in the month of August last the prisoner was admitted as a pupil at the scholastic establishment of Miss Harvey, Ashburnham House, the Grove, Blackheath, being taken there by two respectable looking persons, who gave references, and represented themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins, of 254A, Oxford-street, London. A day or two afterwards it was found that her educa- tion nad been so entirely neglected that she wa3 taken from the other pupils and admitted as a parlour boarder, her representation being that she was the niece of Mr. Horsfall, M.P., and of Colonel Horsfall, of Bath, and that she already possessed a fortune of X400 a year, with an expectancy of £800 per annum. Having been taken by Miss Harvey to a jeweller and silversmith's, at Greenwich, for the purpose of having her initials placed upon silver forks and spoons, the prisoner made use of the intro- duction thus obtained to call a few days afterwards and to select a gold watch, value < £ 15, which, she said, she intended making a present to a cousin, and desired it to be sent to Miss Harvey's residence, and promising to call on another day to choose a gold guard. Pre- vions to parting with the watch the tradesman called upon Miss Harvey to ascertain whether it would bo right to let the prisoner have the property, and the prisoner having made the representations named as to her assumed high connections, and also that she had a banker's draft in her possession for £ 40, Miss Harvey informed him that she thought he would be correct in letting the prisoner have the watch, and. it was ac- cordingly sent to her. The following day the prisoner again called at the shop, and having selected a gold guard, value £ 6, desired it to be sent to her at Miss Harvey's, and promised to send a cheque for both the watch and guard. Instead, however, of sending the cheque as promised, the prisoner, accompanied by Miss Harvey's housekeeper, called and apologised, saying that her solicitor was then out of town, and that, until his return she could mt obtain a remittance. A few days subsequently the prisoner paid another visit to the same shop, and saying that Miss Harvey had given her permission to have another watch and guard to be placed to her (Miss Harvey's) account, she selected the articles, which were sent by the apprentice to Miss Harvey's, with a note for that lady, but not directed, and instructions being given to him to see that Miss Harvey had the same. The servant who took the parcel in returned to the door and told the apprentice that all Was correct; but she appeared to have been met by the prisoner, who came from the parlour on hearing the apprentice, and so became possessed of the property. On 24th September the usual weekly vacation at Michaelmas commenced, and the prisoner having expressed her desire of spending such vacation at Bath, and visit her uncle, Colonel Horsfall, Miss Harvey, at her request, and she stating that her uncle (the colonel) objected to her travelling alone by railway, consented to accompany her to Bath, where they arrived the same evening, and at once proceeded to Amery's Hotel, in that city, where they remained the following day (Sunday) and Monday. On Monday afternoor, while on a visit to some of her Own friends in Bath with the prisoner, Miss Harvey was astonished at the arrival of her brother-in-law, bringing with him not only tradesmen's accounts for goods supplied to the prisoner, bat also iaforma-tion that a mysterious robbery had been committed at her residence at Blackheath, two diamond bracelets and several rings having been carried off, and which be- longed to a lady residing in the hease. Ne suspicion, even at this time, appears to have been entertained of the prisoner's real character and having declined to leave Bath until the end of the week, Miss Harvey left her there returning to Blackheath with her brother without delay, XHQ police authorities were soon after comma. nicated with, and on inquiries being instituted the conclusion arrived at was that of the prisoner not only being an impostor, but also the thief, the missing jewellery, which belonged to the lady, having been taken from a casket in a room in which she and the prisoner -were in the habit of sleeping. The case having been put into the hands of Margetson, a detec- officer of the B division of Metropolitan police, he ascertained that one of the stolon bracelets and also silk dresses had been received in pledge at Mr. Lawley's Farringdon-street, City, by a person well known at the shop, and who was identified as being the prisoner from a photograph likeness she had left behind her Margetson (a warrant h ving been obtained) at once proceeded to Amery's Hotel at Bath, when he dis- covered that the prisoner had unexpectedly taken her departure, leaving no trace of her whereabouts It was next ascertained by Margetsor. that the prisoner had visited Clifton, where, after staying at an hotel for the night, she had left for Bristol. At this latter place she appears to have had an interview with Mr. Benjamin Bedell, a local attorney, and acting upon representations made by the prisener that gentleman was induced to visit London, and to make inquiries at Blackheath, preparatory to receiving instructions to commence an action at law against Miss Harvey by the prisoner for defamation of character, the prisoner stating that she had been accused of robberv. On returning to Bristol, however, Mr. Bedell found that his fair client was non est, and the next trace of her movements was that she had been at Liverpool Birkenhead, and Holyhead, whence she had taken the packet-boat for Dublin. On Saturday last Maraetson left for Ireland, for the purpose of apprehending the prisoner, who was ascertained, through communica- tion with the Dublin police, to be staying at Luny's Hotel, College-green, Dublin, a-nd on Monday after- noon he effected her capture while she was walking ■along the streets of that city. When told the charge against her she made no reply. It has also since been ascertained that the prisoner formerly resicled at Leeds, a tradesman of which place she had defrauded out of a considerable amount. After leaving Leeds in May last, she came to London, and stayed a fort- night at the house of Mrs. Hiscock, 13, Bartlett's- buildmgs, Holbom, and then left for Paris, returning to Mrs. Hiscock's, and afterwards obtaining admit- tance to Miss Harvey's establishment upon false representations, no such persons as Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins being known at the address given in Oxford- street. The Prisoner, who was accommodated with a seat and remained with her face covered with her shawl during the examination, was remanded for a week an laWlication to admit ber to bail being refused.