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Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
13 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau
13 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
A CHANCERY LUNATIC.
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A CHANCERY LUNATIC. The admirers of Mr. Reade's novels arc familiar with the opinion which he holds, that the law of lunacy is systematically made an instrument of oppression and wrong. Indeed, it would appear that this opinion is not held by Mr. Reade exclusively. There is, or was, in existence a Lunatics' Protection Soeiet", which was got up by a gentleman who had been confined, as he con- sidered wrongfully, in an asylum. Cases constantly occur in which it is alleged, not only by lunatics but by some of their friends, that restraint is cruel and un- necessary. Evidence is usually forthcoming in such cases that the person so restrained is, in the opinion of the deponen s. rational and inoffensive; and, in fact, a per-on whom it would be rather pleasant than otherwise to have for an inmate of one's house. Such evidence may. at the time it is given, be difficult to explain or contradict, but it has happened before now that lunatics have become convinced of that lunacv which their friends have dsuoted, and have voluntarily returned to the very condition of restraint from which well-inter.ded but m> stamen efforts have delivered them. The storv of a protracted case of lunacy may almost always be told in two ways, and it may be interesting to take a case which L'telv came before the Court of Chancery, and look at it first from the popular and sentimental, and afterwai\j from the legal, point of view. Assuming as much as we can of the mental attitude of the sensation novelist, we will begin by stating that Mr. James Tovcy now aged thirty-eight years, was educated at Eton and Oxford, and afterwards at St. Bee's College, being destined for holy orders. In 1853, Mr. Tovey, bein^ then twenty-four years of age, was residing for the va- cation at Deal, where he formed an attachment to a young German lady. His father, Colonel Tovey, hear- ing of this affair, ordered him to London, and shortly afterwards placed him in a lunatic asylum in Epping Forest, where he remained upwards of three years. Whetocr he at that time showed lunacy only by falling in love with the young German lady, or by other and what signs, we are not informed. In 1856 he was re- moved to another asylum near Stafford, which is managed by Dr. Hewson, and he remained there about fire years. Early in 1862 the trustees appointed by his father, who was now dead, acting under eminent advice, caused him to be removed to the private residence of a surgeon at Dover, where he enjoyed free exercise in the open air. After a year's trial of this mode of life, it was considered expedient to relieve him from all re- straint, and to allow him to reside with his sister, who, after occupying one or two temporary abodes, went to live, in October, 1863, at Goring, in Oxfordshire. The life which he was permitted to live at Goring seems to have agreed with him very well. He was almost con- stantly rowing on the I h.,imes, which flows past the Tillage, and he was very active in skating and swim- ming during the appropriate seasons. The inhabitants of Goring and the adjacent villages have testified that Mr. Tjvey's conduct while he dwelt among them was quiet, harmless, and, according to their judgment, sane and there seems to have been no reason why Mr. Tovey should not have been dwelling among them still, but, unhappily for this poor gentleman, his uncle died last year, and he succeded to a large fortune, which caused the Court of Chancery to take an increased interest in the disposition of his person and estate. On February 24, 1866, Mr. Tovey was taken to the asylum kept by Dr. Hewson, near Stafford, where he bad been confined before. On March 4 following his nncle died, and he became entitled to what may be called, in a new sense, damnosa hcereditas in the shape of an entailed estate amounting to about X2,000 a year, and a sum of Z60,,000 which bad been accumulated for the purchase of other estates. On May 4 a Commission of Lunacy was held at the asylum by a commissioner, without a jury, and without the presence of any lawyer on behalf of Mr. Tovey, and be was found a lunatic. But the strangest part of this story is yet to come. On July 28 Dr. Hewson took a number of his patients, among whom tvas Mr. Tovey, to Scarborough, for the benefit of sea air and bathing. He was allowed to wander at his will all day, giving a promise to return at night. During his wanderings he met a lady. First he looked, next he raised his hat, and then he spoke. The lady did not repulse this overture, and why should, she ? Many flirtations, producing some marriages, arise at Scar- borough and if there is to be no beginning, t must be impossible to reach the desirable end. We believe that the correct thing is for the gentleman who seeks the in- troduction to make acquaintance with the lady's brother or other male friend, which may be done while bathing, or by offering or asking a light for a cigar. But if the lady has only female friends, it would seem that her ad- mirer must keep his admiration to himself, and see her complete her month's visit and depart without having told his love, unless she should happen to drop her flove upou tiio "Rsplnnade,. or meet with some other incident which may justify interposition OIl nilu uwuur without the previous ceremony of introduction. It ap- pears that in the case under consideration the lady had a brother so, if Mr. Tovey had been patient, he might kave attained his object with strict regard to conven- tionality. But Mr. Tovey was not patient. He spoke to the lady, and she did not refuse to listen. But we know that little sins lead to great sins, and accordingly this lady, who had been less regardful than she should have been of the conventional etiquette of Scarborough, "*1 not hesitate, a few days afterwards, to commit a contempt of the Court of Chancery. If a yourg woman does not fear either Mrs. Grundy or the Lords Justices, she is not likely, to regard anything that we may say, and therefore we will say nothing. But the beginning having been made, Mr. Tovey proceeded rapidly to the end. He explained fully his position, and stated fnmkly that he wanted somebody who would take an interest in him and see him righted. The lady did not find that he was mad, but, on the contrary, thought him a very I nice young man. He friends approved the step which she resolved to take, and, accordingly, on A. ugust 27 a marriage ceremony was performed between her and Mr. Tovey at Claremont Chapel, Scarborough. The bride and bridegroom spent the day together, but Mr. Tovey yielded to the obligation to return to appointed place with the fidelity of the Ghost n Hamlet. At nine o'clock in the evening he ndered himself at Dr. Hewson's house, and •j'ext day he was taken back to the asylum in Stafford- shire, so that he saw his bride no more. A secret cor- respondence was kept up between them for some weeks, but it was afterwards discovered and stopped. The lady's friends, acting on the authority which they allege themselves to fcave received from Mr. Tovey. have pre- sented a petition to the Lord Chancellor, asking that the finding of Mr. Tovey lunatic by commission may be superseded, or, at least, that his condition may be ameliorated by removing him from the asylum, and re- storing him to that enjoyment of air and liberty which was allowed at Goring. They produce evidence of clergymen and other respectable persons, among whom Mr. Tovey had lived for upwards of two years, to prove that he is not mad at all, or at any rate that his madness is neither dangerous nor disagreeable; and they urge against restraint the argument which has often been urged before, that to put a man into a madhouse is enough to make him mad. All readers will probably agree that they have now had laid before them the out- lines of a story excellently adapUd for embellishment by an artist of Mr. Reade's school. Some readers are probably indignant at the treatment which Mr. Tovcy has undergone, and expect to be informed that the Court of Chancery has ordered his release. But the Lords Justices, before whom the petition came last week, not only did not accede to it, but testified a strong inclina- tion to do what may be described as wiping their boots in it. And it is proper to say that the court had good legal reasons for what it did. The evidence of inhabit- ants of Goring as to Mr. Tovey's sanity was answered by the remark that there never was a disputed case in which such evidence was not forthcoming. Delusions may exist which justify the imputation of insanity, and yet the alleged lunatic may mingle in social intercourse without betraying that he is possessed by them. The court, when called upon to decide between such evidence and that adduced in support of a commission, may either examine the lunatic itself or rmv appoint for that purpose a physician of eminent skill who is above sus- picion of partiality. In Mr. Tovey's case the latter course had been adopted, and the Lords Justices stated that the physician's report satisfied them of his insanity. Whatever else may be said of the jurisdiction exercised over lunatics in Chancery, it must be admitted that the distinguished judges who exercise it arc actuated by a consele, Itious desire to do right. They must either pro- ceed by the light of their own intelligence, or they must seek the best assistance which the medical profession can supply. The popular belief that what are called mad-doctors will prove anybody to be mad is not desti- tute of foundation. But the Lords Justices can only take medical science as they find it. There is, however, lio difficulty in crediting the statement that Mr. Tovey showed himself a month ago to be indisputably mad. The only question is whether, if he was only disputably mad when he lived at Goring, it might not be better that he should be allowed to live there again. The technical answer to this question is that the committee of the lunatic's person is the proper judge of matters relating to his health and comfort, and unless it could be shown that the committee had misbehaved or was unworthy of trust the court would not interfere. A petition pre- sented in the lunatic's name by friends of the lady who had ventured, in defiance of the court, to go through a ceremony of marriage with him, was not, strictly speaking, entitled to be heard. Such persons could have ne proper locus standi before the court. It was urged that, whoever asked for the lunatic's enlargement, the court ought to grant it in the hope, which experience showed to be well founded, that his mental and bodily health would be improved. But the court answered that there was small encouragement to allow liberty, seeing how it been abused at Scarborough. The conclusion of the Lords Justices is. fiom their point of view, irre- fragable but it may perhaps be permissible to draw attention to some considerations which appear applicable ( to cases of this kind, although they are not dreamed of j in the philosophy of Lincoln's Inn. We will venture to | ask whether that which was done at Scarborough was really so very shocking as a Lord Justice thinks it? May we be allowed, without direspect, to hint that possibly the lady before mentioned could manage Mr Tovey better than the Lord Chancellor and the Lords Justices, with the help of the Masters in Lunacy, secretaries, and clerks P It may be for this purpose a bonnet covers more true wisdom than any number of full-bottomed and other wigs. We have not before us the medical opinions given upon Mr. Tovey's case, and therefore we shall not presume to form any decisive judgment on it. But we can easily suppose a case which is techni- eally one of insanity, but which, under judicious manage- meut, might pass from the cradle to the grave as one of eccentricity or infirmity of character. If a young gen- dernan who is not very strong in the head falls in love with a young German lady who plays seductively upon a cithern, and if the young lady is willing, and the young gentleman's friends can afford to allow them a maintenance, by all means let them marry; and it is probable that during their joint lives the world will hear nothing about lunacy in the gentleman. But parental authority interposes, and makes all the son's future life miserable. And when the father's control terminates by his death, the Court of Chancery steps into his place, and, with the best intentions, and acting upon established rules, makes the son's last state more wretched than his first. The proceedings in the matter of a lunatic who has a large estate, are conducted with all the solemn and cumbrous formality to which English lawyers an so devotedly attached. Such proceedings are profitable to the practitioners concerned, and bene- ficial to the lunatic's heir-at-law and next of kin, for whom his estate is preserved and augmented, and the only person who suffers under them is the lunatic himself. There can be no question that the Court does its best ac- cording to its lights and the powers at its command, but it is easy to conceive a case in which it might heartily be wished that the Court could have let the lunatic alone. The unfortunate Mr. Tovey seems to come near to, realizing that case which has been sometimes treated as impossible—namely, the case of a man who has been undone by having a large estate left to him. One of the clerical deponents whose affidavit was read to the court stated that during Mr. Tovey's residence at Goring he regularly attended the afternoon services in the church of the adjoining parish of Stoke, as also the services on the Saints'-day evenings in all weathers, and for these and other reasons he appeared to me to be a devout and religious man." There are perhaps people who consider that a man who goes to church on 3aints'-days gives prima facie evidence of his in- sanity and such people may possibly feel thankful that Mr. Tovey being immured in an asylum, is protected against indulging a tendency which seems to have existed in his mind towards Ritualism. It was gravely pro- pounded on one side as evidence of insanity, and denied on the other, that Mr Tovey put on board the boat a large image of the Virgin Mary, and rowed it up and down the Thames. But if such evidence could suffice to prove madness, sailors of the south of Europe are, and always have been, mad. Another deponent, who was ehief constable and parish officer of Goring, stated that he had been out boating with Mr. Tovey on r the Thames, and went with him to the Wallingford regatta. He rowed me there and back." If Mr. Tovey had been a dangerous lunatic, the worthy chief constable and parish officer would have been in a posi- tion calculated to excite lively anxiety in the minds of all inhabitants of Goring. The same deponent says that during all the time he knew Mr. Tovey, which was nearly three years, he always found him to be quiet and orderly. He never got into any trouble or disturb- ance, and I never heard him use any violent or bad language." Another important feature in the case was that the only act of violence which was distinctly alleged against Mr. Tovey was one which might very easily have been committed by a. perfectly sane man. It would show very small acquaintance with the character of mental disease to argue from such evidence as has been quoted that the finding of Mr. Tovey's in- sanity by the commissioner ought to be set aside. But it is possible that, if Mr. Tovey's rich uncle had not died, he would at this moment have been occupied in aquatic amusements on the Thames on week days, and in going three times to church, at Goring or adjoining parishes, on Sundays. The Lords Justices stated that £700 a-verr is now allowed for Mr. Tovey's mainten- ance, and that they were satisfied that nothing could be done for his comfort and happiness more than is done at the asylum. It may be assumed as probable that, if Mr. Tovey were allowed to live in Goring as little cared for by the court as in the days when he was comparatively poor, the sea-nymph whom he met last autumn would become a river-nymph. The result here indicated is doubtless shocking to propriety, and we are quite sure that the wiff of anv Lord Chancellor.. past or present, would stand on end at the tare thought of it. But perhaps the system over which those learned dignitaries preside is a little too elevated and spiritual for the capacity of average human nature. A lunatic cannot marry, and society would call his cohabitation with a woman by an ugly name.. There arc infinitely various forms ard degrees of lunacy,, and we must once more guard ourselves against being, supposed to pronounce an opinion upon the case of Me. Tovey. But that case suggests that it is possible for the Court of Chancery to take a man who has a large- fortune, and is in the prime of life, but a little touched in the head, and make a monk of him and then report to itself that the comfort and happiness of the lunatic have been effectually provided for at an expense of £ 700^ a-year..
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INDUCEMENTS TO SETTLE IN VIRGINIA.—The Rich- mond Dispatch of April 6 says :—" We learn from one of the principal real estate firms in this city that within the past few weeks many applicants from the North have called on them to inquire about lands and from the general tenor of their inquiries, they seem really anxious to make investments, and to settle amongst us. They seem, however, reluctant to invest at this timte doubt- less because they fear that our political affairs may not be speedily settled. On this subject no one desiring to remove to Virginia need have any fears. Our people will unquestionably take action under the Sherman law, and do whatever lies in their power to cause the settle- ment of the political affairs of the State, and secure the restoration o*f Virginia to her place within the Union, No other State can offer greater inducements to thrifty farmers. Our lands lie well, are abundantly watered, and susceptible of the highest state of improvement. Our climate is genial, and every region of the State healthful. East of us rivers, the best of the highways of trade and commerce, are numerous: while west of us railroads and the canal penetrate every section. Every denomination of Christians has a foothold here, and churches are found in every neighbourhood. The prices asked for our lands are remarkably low—lower, indeed, than those asked for lands in many less -favoured parts of the country. We can assure all persons desiring to settle in Virginia that they will be warmly welcomed, and will meet with no other treatment than such as Has made the Old Dominion proverbial for hospitality." THE DEFENCE OF i.NL)IA.-Itoyal commissions are not alwavs successful, but never was there a more im- portant duty connded to one than would be the con- sideration of the best strategic disposition of our troops in India, so important to the welfare both cf India and of England. There are so many clashing interests, that only such a commission could rightly undertake the task and when I see such officials as those mentioned underneath, who might compose it, and smooth away by co-operation the difficulties which surround each single government, I cannot but think that something might be done, and that such a commission might strike out a course of proceeding, which, with the final opinion of the (Governor-General, would be satisfactory to both countries Take the Commander-in-Chief of India, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, the Chief Com- missioner of British Burma, the Governor of Madras. the Commander-in-Chief of Madras, the Governor of Bombay, the Commander-in-Chief of Bombay, the Commisioner of Scindc, the Resident of Hyderabad, the Chief Commissioner of Mysore, the Chief Com- missionerof Central India, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjaub, the Chief Commissioner of Oude add to ths above a general officer or colonel of ar- tillery, a general officer or colonel of engineers, and a general officer of infantry, all from England: and they, with four secretaries,—an artillery officer from Bengal; a surgeon, ditto; an engineer officer from Bombay an infantry officer from Madras, all of the rank of field officers-would, under the presidentship of the Com- mander-in-Chief in India, form the working portion of the commission for drawing up a report, after visiting each government, to be submitted to the Governor- General. VALUE OF LAND ON THE SOUTH COAST.-r-,tlil(lilll land in the best positions is now fetching at Hayling Island from dE250 to XP,00 an acre at Hastings, £ 3.000 at Worthing, from X3,000 to X5,000 at Eastbourne, £ 6.000; at Southsea, from £ 5.000 to £ S,000 and at Brighton, from £ 10.000 to £ 20,000. Mr. Ross, a private citizen of Edinburgh, has offered the sum of £ '2,000 to the Town Council for the erection of an ornamental fountain in East Princes-street Garden, from a design by Durenne, of Paris. The fountain is to cost zE3,500, and the balance of the outlay is proposed to be raised fey public subscription. the Town Council granting a site and providing the water supply. The fountain, which is expected to be ready in August next, was exhibited at London in 18G2 and on the site selected, midway between the Scott monument and the Wilson statue, it will be a conspi- cuous decoration to the beautiful line of Princes-street The height of the structure is 60ft., and the diameter of the outer basin is a!so 60ft. The material is of cast- iron and bronze, and the ornamentation is rich and elaborate. A beginning has been made to the proposei public subscription, which, there is little doubt, will makeup the balance of the fend.
THE AMOROUS SCHOOLMASTER AND…
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THE AMOROUS SCHOOLMASTER AND THE B ARON'S HOUSEKEEPER. This was an adjourned action, brought by Thomas Amos, formerly a schoolmaster at Wye. but now living at No. 27, Great Quebec-street. Marylebone, to recover 61. from Miss Annie Whitehead, housekeeper to Baron de Bliss, Berkeley House, Cambridge-street, Hyde- park-square. Mr. Pain, Solictor. 163, Marylebone-road, appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Brighton, Solicitor, for de- fendant. The evidence given went to show that on the 7th April, 1866, plaintiff caused the following advertise- ment to be inserted in one of the London newspapers: -A gentleman, with a considerable sum, wishes to meet with a domesticated lady, with from 200I. to 3001., with a view to matrimony. Being brought up a farmer, he feels a desire to get married, and to become a farmer. Address, with full particu- lars, to B. D., Smith and Co., 181. Fleet-street, Lon- don." Upwards of twenty ladies took a fancy for a feminine bucolic life, and offered themselves as candi- dates for the honour of becoming Mrs. Amos but j plaintiff, although a cripple, was very hard to please, t and expressed a decided aversion to widows, to tooth- = less old women, and others who could not plainly d- monstrate that they were in possession of a good round sum of money. The advent of defendant was at a time when plaintiff almost despaired of getting suited but when Lie was introduced to her he viewed her noble proportions with many an admiring glance, and he be- came almost dazzled when he was informed that she was worth 5001. in ready cash; and his transports reachod their climax when she told him he was the beau ideal of what she longed for in a husband. This harmonious blending of spirits continued until defendant refused to pay 61. which she had borrowed from plaintiff, her defence being that she had paid it to Mr. Smith, their agent, to whom plaintiff had promised to pay 251. for commission and the trouble and expense he had been at in taking seven different cadets down to Gravesend to be inspected by the plaintiff. When the agent became aware that there was a hitch, be wrote to the plaintiff as follows :—" 181, Fleet-street, March 29th, 1867.—Dear Sir,—I have just received a note from Miss Whitehead as to your future proceedings, and that no marriage is likely to take place. Be good enough to say what you intend to do as regards marriage, and I'll see if I can interfere. Why, I thought you were as thick as thieves. Drop me a line at once and state everything, and the cause of breaking off the match. I'll stand to you, my boy, and see you righted, for it was me brought you together. Yours, very truly, H. SMITH and Co."—On ascertaining that plaintiff was determined to have the 61., and had taken out a sum- mons in the County Court, the agent wrote him the fol- lowing letter: 181, Fleet-street, April 18th, 1867. Sir,—We have deferred proceedings against you, think- ing that you would be honourable enough to come forward and pay us the balance- you owe. We have received your letters sent to servants, at Berkeley- house, wherein you mention our names in very nice terms, letters which we ought to prosecute you for, and probably shall do so before all is, over. Unless you call here before Monday next, we will cause a writ to be issued and cause you to change your lodgings once more,- and have your letters re-directed, as you did when we were hot after you before. We shall show. no mercy now, you false deceiver; to ruin poor girls-, You have made fools of some half-dozen ladies we in- troduced to you, and now you will not pay us. We shall produce on the hearing of your case of yourself w Whitehead, thirty ladies who would have married you if yon, had any ready money, but you have none, and yon 0nly wanted to take them in but to do us brown" We tell you this, Master Amos, if you think to play those schoolmaster tricks upon us you arc very much mistaken. We introduced you to a lady you was satis- fied with, and we must be paid our commission, and that down upon the nail.—Yours, respectfully, H. SMITH and Co.—P.S. If we write to your mother at Wye, and explain the matter, do you think she would pay us. You know the trouble we had in selecting a good one for you." TIle reading of these and other letters produced roars of laughter in court, and even the Judge himself could not refrain. The defendant, whilst in the witness-box cast many imploring glances at Mr. Pain, for him not. to cross-examine her so hard, and she occasionally looked demurely at plaintiff, who looked to be about the most unfortunate mortal who ever got up into a witness-box. His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, with all costs.
MANSLAUGHTER IN HADDINGTON.
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MANSLAUGHTER IN HADDINGTON. On Friday afternoon Dr. Lankester resumed an in- •v-j «.v^ XW..K P"I,li I-P.- lative to the death of George Chapman, aged 44, who was instantaneously killed by a blow on the head, in- flicted by a man named Arthur Hunt, aged 56, they both being engaged in a short fight in a workshop at- tached to the terminus of the Great Western Railway. The evidence showed that deceased was a carpenter, and the accused a labourer. On Saturday afternoon last some words ensued relative to a patent buffer, which was taken into the shop for repairs. This. led to a fight which lasted for some time, and then the parties were separated, but not before Chapman had said he had had enough. Hunt, however, as deceased stood up with his face towards him sideways, struck him a blow on the ear, and he fell dowa insensable and died on the spot. In defence, Hunt said he was so aggravated at being called a drummed out old soldier that he did not know what he was doing when he- struck the last blow. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Hunt, and he was fuBy committed for trial on that charge, and in the meantime he is admitted to bail.
-----.--FATAL EIGHT.—A BOY…
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FATAL EIGHT.—A BOY KILLED. At the Clcrkcnwcli Police-court, Henry Taylor, aged 16, a meek-looking young fellow, described as a pianoforte manufacturer, residing at 53, City-buildings, New Cattle-market, was charged before Mr. Barker with causing the death of Alfred M'Carthy, aged 17, whilst fighting in Suttcrton-mcws, Caledonian-road. The evidence showed that on Wednesday night last, the prisoner and the deceased had some words, and al- though a person who was present interfered both of them stripped to fight. They then adjourned into the mews, asd each began to fight, the deceased striking the first blow. The fight was a regular fair stand-up fight, and the deceased, it was stated, struck the first blow. They fought for about half an hour, and though not much damage was done by the blows, both of them tumbled a areat deal on the stones. The deceased, after some time, gave in, and said that he did so because he con- sidered the prisoner was the best man. The deceased then went into a stable, and having sat on a block for some little time, said he felt very faint and lay down on some straw. A witness saw him attempt to get up and then fall down. Fancying that the deceased was in a fit one of the witnesses removed him into the yard, and the prisoner lent all the assistance he could to re- store the deceased, holding up his head, and administer- ing vinegar. salts, &c., but without avail, as the de- ceased expired in his arms. Mr. John Thomas Slater, of No. 1, Thornhill- crescent, Islington, surgeon, said he was called to see the deceased about half-past seven, and found the de- ceased lying between the knees of the prisoner. There was only one mark of violence on the deceased, and that was on the nose between the eyes. The deceased had been dead about half an hour, but he could not say what was the cause of death. Inspector Barber sad that a post mortem examina- tion had been ordered, but the inquest had not yet been held. As far as he knew, the prisoner was a quiet, well-behaved lad. The Prisoner, who seemed to feel his position very acutely, said he had no questions to ask or any defence to make. Mr. Barker remanded the prisoner for a week, but consented to take bail, two sureties in the sum of X20 each, and the prisoner himself in £ 40. The prisoner was then removed.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A PASSENGER…
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SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A PASSENGER TRAIN. On Tuesday afternoon an accident of a serious cha- racter, but fortunately unattended by loss of life, happened on the Severn Valley Railway, between Shrewsbury and Worcester. The ordinary train left the latter town on the down journey shortly after two o'clock, and, when nearing Bridgnorth, the engine suddenly left the line, dragging with it the two leading carriages. After travelling for about a hundred yards, tearing up the rails for that distance, the engine fell over on its side, and so came to a standstill. The two leading car- riages also fell over, but the rest of the train, consisting of two carriages and the guard's van, kept the rails. It fortunately happened that the great bulk of the pas- sengers had seated themselves in the last two carriages, only four being in those which were overturned, and of these only one, a lady from Brosely, received any injury more serious than a severe shaking and a few scratches. The driver of the engine escaped unhurt, having suc- ceeded in gaining the upper side of the engine before it fell over, but the stoker, over whom the engine fell, re- ceived some injury to his back. The comparatively flight injury resulting from the accident may be attri- buted to the fact that the train, having just left a station, was travelling very slowly. It is supposed that the accident arose from the loose state of the rails, which were in process of lifting at the time when the train passed over the section. The Severn Valley Railway is I a single line, and is worked by the Great Western Com- pany.
AN AUSTRIAN COURT-MARTIAL.
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AN AUSTRIAN COURT-MARTIAL. We had to try one of the Hussars of the seventh squadron for shooting the sergeant of his troop. He was a Hungarian by birth, had served for two years, was a good horseman, a first-class soldier, and had never once been had up for any kind of punishment. One morning on turning out to the riding-schaol, his sergeant observed that the man's curb-chain was not properly cleaned, and told him that such was not a fit state for a good soldier to appear in. Nothing further passed, and they both entered the school, and afterwards returned to barracks. The man happened to be likewise on duty as reserve, and consequently had his carbine loaded on the stand in the guard-room; this he took away on some pretence, and waiting till he saw the sergeant, immedi- ately shot him dead, exclaiming, I shall not be a first class man much longer." He then threw down his gun, and went and surrendered himself prisoner. The ser- geant was a most inoffensive and good-tempered man, an excellent officer, and universally liked; the prisoner was one of the most magnificent-looking young fellows and best men in the squadron. Like most Hungarians of pure blood, he was excessively proud; and it would seem that this amour propre had been wounded by his fnult being noticed, and tllat this murder was in revenge. The witnesses were examined, but the prisoner pleaded guilty from the first; then the room was cleared, and the Regiment's auditor read over the evidence, explained the law for such offences, and urged all that was weak in the prosecutor's case, and all that could be said in favour of the prisoner, which indeed, except his former good character, was little enough, for he was taken red- handed and confessed his crime. At that moment, in the eye of the law, soldier and officer all held the same rank, the judgment and opinion of each was de- manded and respected, and if any greater favour and courtesy were shown to one more than another it was to the two privates who had to' condemn their own com- racie. For we all felt alike in the matter we would have given anything to save him, but not even a micro- scope could discover an extenuating feature in the ease. Even by civil law his punishment woiud have been death but here was, in addition, the grossest breach of discipline towards his superior officer. Having con- cluded our consultation as to our verdict, we resumed our places. The president asked each of us, commenc- ing with those lowest in rank, whether we had decided and receiving, an answer in the affirmative, he said, My opinion is that the prisoner is guilty, and must suffer as the law directs those who are of the same opinion as myself grasp side-arms." There was a heavy clash as each man grasped the hilt of his sword and let it ring on the ground; we were unanimous-, and the fate of the young Hussar was sealed, bitterly as we regretted it. ''Attention was called, and the prisoner was brought in, and told what our verdict was. It was then one p.m., and he was sentenced to be shot next morning at day- break, according. to military law. We were all marched next day to witness the execution, which took place ins the dry moat just eutside of the walls of he town, and close to the barracks. The prisoner had not even changed colour, and was perfectly calm and composed. It was a bleak morning, and he wore his fur jacket; this he took off, but was told by the" pr-opos sergeant to keep it on. "No," he said, "it is a new one; why should we let the bullets tear it ? My captain and com- rades have always- treated me well; let it go back into store." He then said to the men standing round, Comrades, my sentence is just," and in a few more instants he had ceased to live the three bullets had gone true and sure to their mark. No civilians were present, nor would they have been allowed to witness it. In our service men and officers had a great dislike to civilian interference of any kind, and next to that I think we held, in horror the sight of a woman on the field of battle. I am aware some ladies have made a point of trying to be present at such scenes, and have consequently beheld. very dreadful and revolting incidents, apparently for the object of putting their exploits into print; but according to our notions the proper place for women is not under firc. Reminiscences of an English Cadet in the Austrian Service,in the Cornhill Magazine.
AMUSEMENTS OF AUSRTRIAN TROOPERS.
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AMUSEMENTS OF AUSRTRIAN TROOPERS. While we were at Valeggio our amusements were chiefly riding, but often our work waa- so arduous that our horses were too tired for us to use them, conse- quently we often patronized donkeys, which happened to be plentiful in the neighbourhood. These we hired, and mounted in any absurd fashion which occurred to us and then a. number of us would meet at a given spot, and set forth, to have an excursion or to visit the officers on distant outpost duty, where we were sure cf a w,->vrn wplmmo "nil jrsvial ("lit. Oil one of these occasions we mustered about twenty, all mounieu on donkeys, and we agreed that we would give our general the favour of a visit. We formed into a column four abreast, and a captain, who was skilful in perform- ing calls on the bugle, was elected to command the squadron. Some of us wore hunting-caps, and our whips and sticks were adorned with flowers and greens, or with bunches of vegetables to be used in the fashion of a flail; one had a long pole with a cloth attached to it-he was our standard-bearer—and we carried our various weapons, as if they were our swords, in. our right hands, while in the left we held our reins in military fashion. We, first performed a few manoeuvre's and evolutions not to be found in the regulation book, and then proceeded gallantly on our road. We- had not got very far before we descried amid a cloud of dust a body of horsemen, and the word was passed Dei" Benedek Benedek is coming"—and this. he was cer- tainly doing, at a swing gallop. There was a general sensatian, but our captain ordered, "Attention, form in troop, right wheel, halt, fours about, from !uml there we stood, in double lines, at the side of the road. He then got his noble beast into some kind of pace, and re- ported to the general and his staff that a detachment, consisting of twenty officers on donkeys, awaited his commands. Benedek entered into the joke, accepted the report, and requested the captain to order his de- tachment to defile before him in a gallop and in single file, which order was promptly given and obeyed. Luckily we most of us wore spurs, but we must have looked sufficiently ridiculous;, and Benedek hailed us with roars of laughter as we defiled before him, especially when one very long-legged subaltern came on, who, in his zeal to obey his instructions, literally both carried his donkey and galloped for him. Meanwhile, our captain was on the left side of the General, sounding the bugle-call for attack with all the strength of his lungs, in order, as he said, to give spirit to the donkeys, and more effect to the whole performance. Having defiled, we drew up a little further on across the road, and awaited further commands. Benedek then rode up to us, and after expressing his admiration of the style in which we executed our evolution, and thanking us for the amusement we had afforded him, he maliciously re- quested us, as we were all going the same way, to gallop along by his side as a guard of honour. We set off with the best intentions, as hard as we could induce our long-eared steeds to go but the pace was too severe, and we rapidly tailed off. Benedek turned in his saddle, waved his hand, and shouted out to us that he would announce our coming to the General, in order that he might not be too much surprised at the advancing pro cession, and so saying disappeared.—" Reminiscences of an English Cadet in the Austrian Service," in the Cornhill Magazine.
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LAND.—" It is a comfortable feeling to know that you stand on your own ground. Land is about the only thing that can't fly away. And then, you see, land gives so much more than the rent. It gives position and influence and political power, to say nothing about the game. We'll go back now. I daresay your mother will be at home by this time." The archdeacon was striving to teach a great lesson to his son when he thus spoke of the pleasure which a man feels when he stands upon his own ground. He was bidding his son to understand 4iow great was the position of an heir to a landed property, and how small the position of a man depending on what Dr. Grantley himself would have called a scratch income—an income made up of a few odds and ends, a share or two in this company and a share or two in that, a slight venture in foreign stocks, a small mortgage and such like convenient but uninduential driblets. A man, no doubt, may live at Pan on driblets may pay his way and drink his bottle of cheap wine, and enjoy life after a fashion while read- ing Galignani and looking at the mountains. But,-as it seemed to the archdeacon,—when there was a choice between this kind of thing, and fox-covers atPlumstead, and a seat among the magistiates of Barsetshire, and an establishment full of horses, beeves, swine, carriages, and hayricks, a man brought up as his son had been brought up ought not to be very long in choosing. It never entered into the archdeacon's mind that he was tempting his son but Henry Grantly felt that he was having the good things of the world shown to him.— '■ The Last Chronicle of Barset," by Anthony Trollupe. CIVIL LIST PENSIONS.—The following pensions on the Civil List which exhaust the amount available for the current year, have been recently granted :— £ 100 a year to Mrs Chisholm, in consideration of the valuable and disinterested services rendered by her to emigrants in New South Wales ZCIOO a year to the family of the late Dr. Petrie, being pensions at the rate of zE25 a year to each of his four daughters, in consideration of the eminent services rendered by him to archaeological science, both as an author and as a public servant XIOO a year to Lady Harris, widow of Sir Wm. Snow Harris, in consideration of her husband's valuable invention of the system of lightning conductors dElOO a year to the Rev. Miles Joseph Berkeley, on account of his eminent services, as a botanist, to practical horticulture and agriculture and zC95 a year to Mr. George Cruikshank, on account of his great merit as an artist.
j CHARGE OF MURDER BY A SOLDIER.
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j CHARGE OF MURDER BY A SOLDIER. On Saturday morning last, Peter Byrne, a private soldier in the 3rd battalion of the 60th Rifles, who has been eleven years in the regiment, and who bears two good-conduct stripes on his arm, was brought up at the Guildhall, Winchester, before the Mayor (Mr. W. Fielder) aud a full bench of magistrates, charged with the wilful murder of William Brown, of the same bat- taliion (who had only joined on the first day of the present month), on Thursday night, in the barracks at Winchester. The prisoner is a fine-looking man, and has an open, intelligent countenance. The first witness called was William Colley, who deposed that he is a private soldier in Winchester Barracks, and at about five minutes to ten on Thursday night was in bed in No. Ill room. There were four other soldiers thero besides the deceased. The deceased was sitting on witness's bed-cot, when the prisoner came into the room and asked the deceased if he could fight, to which he re- plied No." The prisoner then locked the room door, aud after taking off his belt and jacket went back to the cot to the deceased, and asked if he could fight, when the deceased again replied No," and added, "You had better be quiet, or I will tell the colour-sergeant." The prisoner then struck the deceased witu his fist under or on the left ear, and knocked him dowa upon witness. The blow was a violent one. The prisoner then turned off the gas. Witness lifted up the deceased, who said I am dying." Sergeant Marshall then came to the door, and it was opened to him, and the prisoner was reported. The deceased was taken to the guard- room, and thence to the military hospital. Witness saw the deceased at eleven o'clock the same night, when he was dead. He had not heard of any quarrel between the deceased and the prisoner. The prisoner did not appear to be drunk. Privates T. Cause and Henry Jones corroborated this witness. Sergeant Marshall deposed that at about five minutes past ten o'clock on Thursday night he knocked at the door of No. HI room, and was admitted, when his attention was called to the deceased by the witness Jones. He was lying on the floor be- tween two cots. Witness took him to be drunk, and ordered him to be taken to the guard-room, where he was put in a cell. Soon afterwards, in the guard-room, witness was told that the deceased had been struck, and one of the guard said he was dead. Witness then felt him by the side of the neck, where it had been said he had been struck. The sergeant of the guard ordered deceased to be taken to the hospital, and witness went with him. This was about 20 minutes past 10. The prisoner was afterwards ordered to be confined in a cell. He was then drunk—not fit for duty, yet capable of taking care of himself. Dr. Patterson, staff-surgeon of the 'depot battalion, deposed that he bad made a post mortem examination of the body, and that in his opinion the cause of death was extravasation of blood at the base of the brain and upper portion of the spine, and he did not believe that this- could have resulted from natural causes. The Bench committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next Winchester Assizes for manslaughter. He also stands committed upon the coroner's inquisi- tion on a similar charge.
FRIGHTFULLY SHOCKING ACCIDENT…
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FRIGHTFULLY SHOCKING ACCIDENT ON THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY. On Tuesday Dr. Lankester and a jury held an inquest at the Hall Arms, Old Church-street, Paddington, touching the death of Sarah King, aged 66, who lived on her own means at 17, Augustus- street, Regent's Park. Mr. Crapp watched the case on behalf of the railway authorities. I The evidence given went to show that at half-past nine o'clock last Sunday night deceased went on the platform of the Bishop's-road Station for the purpose of going to Gower-street. On the arrival of the train from Hammersmith it was found to, be so crowded that but a few could be accommodated, and upwards, of thirty persons bad to wait for another train. The moment the train started, deceased was seen to get on to the step of a third class carriage, and then to fall between the carriage and the platform. On being picked up she was found to be dead, and that her head, legs, arms, and body were shockingly mangled.. It was proved to the satisfaction of the jury that the company's officers were not in the slightest degree to blame, and a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.
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SHOCKING MURDER OF A SON.-On Snturdny even- ing considerable excitement was occasioned at Dcptford in consequence of a rumour that a child had been murdered by its mother, and which, unfortunately,. turned out to be too true. Residing at 436, N ew-cross- road was a family named Bell, in w"cH-tu-ÙQ tireumr stances, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, a daughter about twenty years of age, and a son, the victim of the present tragedy, aged nine and a half years. There had been other children of the family, who had died, and their deaths appear to have had a great effect on the mind of the mother, who has for some time past been observed to be in a desponding state. On Satur- day she was noticed looking about the house, and was heard to say, I cannot find a knife sharp enough," but no notice was taken of this observation. Later in the day she went into the kitchen, where her son was alone, and taking hold of him she cut his throat with a table knife in a frightful manner, the head being nearly severed. Aid was of no avail. The wretched woman was at onee taken into custody. EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE.—On Saturday after- noon an inquest was held at Shildon, near Darlington, respecting the circumstances attending the death of Thomas Parker, an engine-driver, who was- killed by the explosion of a locomotive on the previous day. The evidence showed that the deceased was the driver of an engine which had brought a mineral train to. the Sim- pasture Junction on Friday. The train had been stopped about a minute when the engine exploded, killing Parker, who was underneath oiling the works. The upp:3r half of his body was blown into, fragments and thrown over the line and into a field twenty or thirty yards off. The fireman, Thomas Bendelow, who was on the engine at the time was blown into a fieldibout twenty yards distant. He was badly scalded about the head, and lies in a dan- gerous state. George Daggs, a pilot, who was on the engine instructing the other two men in their duties, they being new hands who had taken the places of the men on strike, had a most miraculous escape, being blown to the end of the tender and escaping unhurt. A man who. was ploughing in a field close by also had a-narrow escape. One piece of the engine, measuring twelve feet by five, was blown to a distance of 150 yards and the dome, which weighed several hundred-weights, was found embedded in the ground at least 100 feet from the line. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added the following statement: "We beg to state to the railway company that we think the deceased was inexperienced in the use of a locomotive engine, and we recommend, both for the safety of the persons employed on the line and the public in general, that more experienced servants should be engaged." This intimation the coroner was requested to. forward to the North-Eastern Company. A NEW PRESS LAW FOR FRANCE.—It cannot well have been forgotten that in an amendment on the bill relative to the French press, M. Mathieu proposed that every journal should be henceforward written one half by the regular editors, and the other by the administra- tion, to which every political article would, besides, have to be submitted twenty-four hours beforehand. A deputy of the Var, M. de Kerveguen, has just proposed a new amendment to the same bill, more original still. The following is a summary from the Débats of the long plan of M. de Kerveguen Every political journal must be printed on four pages, neither more nor less the first is to belong to the editors, who are to have the right of inserting on their own responsibility the articles and paragraphs which they may think calculated to please their readers the second and third are to be- long to the public, who, on paying 40c. per line in Paris, 30c. in the larger towns, and 20c. in the smaller, shall have the power of inserting any articles they may please; the last page would be devoted to advertise- ments and the Bourse reports. All Frenchmen of full age, being electors, and all martied ladies and spinsters who have attained their majority, are to have the right of requiring the insertion in any journal whatever of all the articles they may choose to carry to it no abatement of price is to be made, but on the other hand a correct orthography is not absolutely required. A journal re- fusing to insert an article may be cited before the tribunals. If by chance it accords this forced hospitality to writings attacking the constitution, the laws of the State, the sovereign, family ties, recognized forms ot worship, morals, or even to those of an injurious worship, good morals, or even to those of an injurious or defamatory nature as respects individuals—it is to be subjected to the same penalties as the authoi. It is evident that the position of gerant would become suffi- ciently dangerous, supposing the deputy tor the Var to ciently dangerous, supposing the deputy for the Var to succeed in carrying his amendment. We have no need to point out the impracticable or absurd nature of the project in question, for we do not imagine that any one in France can think for a moment of regarding it in a serious light. A very successful casting of a large statue to Mr. Ostler, so well known for his active labours to improve the condition of the youth employed in factories, was made by Messrs. H. Prince and Co., of Southwark. The statue is ten feet in height, the figure being posed in standing attitude, in a solid but very natural manner; the broad, benevolent features of the face are admirably rendered, and will no doubt carry an enduring fame for the artist, Mr. J. B. Phillips, who designed it. The fund for the monument has been raised by subscrip- tion in three of the principal manufacturing counties, in which Mr. Ostler's labours have hdped to realise such important ameliorations in the condition of the young factory people. Bradford will possess this artistic treasure on its completion.
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"><C'" ATHEJNiEA. Blackwood's Magazine for May has been seized at the Erench Post Of rice. Mr. James Andcrson left for Australia via Panama on the 2nd inst. Mr. Toole will probably play in Paris during the Exhibition. The conversion of St. Martin's Hall into a theatre will be at once proceeded with. A new drama will shortly be produced at the Adelphi, in which Miss Kate Terry will appear. A marriage is s.idto be on the tapis between Miss Kate Terry "and Mr. Lewis, of Lewis and Allenby. The Marylebone ^heatre will socii close for a short time, and will reopen on Whit Monday, June 10, under the joint management of Miss Augusta Thomson and Miss Estclle Bodenham. The Academy of Sciences, at Paris, have elected M. d'Abbadie to the vacant chair of Geography. The new Professor, who enjoys an European reputation as geo- grapher, was born in 1810. The French Academy have this year awarded the Grand Prix Gobert of 10,000 francs to Count Louis de Vielcastel for his History of the Restoration," and the second to M. Felix Faure for his History of Saint Louis." A historical society has been established at St. Peters- burg, with the object of searching for historical docu- ments of the time of Peter the Great. The Swedish Nightingale, Christina Nielson, has given a concert for the of the Protestant Church lately erected at Neuilly, under the auspices of M. Coqucrel, jils. Della Sedie also gave aid to the work, the result of which was an immense collection. The Chevalier Debranz de Siddapenna has announced in the Memorial Diplomatique that his connection with that journal has ceased. A new radical paper is being established at Florence under the title of La Reforma. Its editor is to be the. well-known deputy Signor Crispi. The Russian journal Moskwa, edited by M. Aksakoff. has been suspended for three months for criticising the acts of the Government. On Saturday the Anniversary Dinner of the Royal Academy of Arts took place in the rooms of the academy, Trafalgar-square, previous to the opening of the exhibition, when an illustrious and distinguished company attended in honour of the occasion. The Day, a new morning journal which came out a few weeks since as the organ of Constitutional Liberal- ism ceased to appear after Saturday last. The Day was a well-conducted paper, and often contained some very good writing. Mr. Stewart, the author of "The Practical Angler," has in preparation a new edition of his work, which is to include also salmon-fishing. It is said that the Emperor of the French has decided on suppressing all military bands, the regiments to be marshalled merely by trumpeters even the far-famed band of Les Guides is only to be spared for a while. The value of the jewels presented by the Count de Flandres to his wife is estimated at upwards of 60,0002. The stones formed part of the jewels of the Princess Charlotte, the first wife of Leopold I., the latter having bequeathed them to the Count. Sixteen workmen were occupied seven weeks in resetting the whole. Nearly twelve months after their delivery, a. few of the chief discourses given last year before the Archaeo- logical Congress in London have been published, under the title of "Old London" (Murray). The volume contains papers on Arcliseology in its Religious Aspects," by Dean Stanley, Solne Particulars con- cerning the Military Architecture of the Tower," by Mr. Clark, The Chapter House at Westminster," by Mr. Scott,—" On the Sculpture in Westminster Abbey," by Mr. Westmacott,—" Westminster Hall," by Mr. Foss,—" The Public Record Oflice," by Mr. Burtt,- The Election of Stephen," by Mr. Green, and Royal Picture Galleries," by Mr. Scharf. The absence of an international copyright law be- tween this country and the United States sometimes gives occasion for the display of honourable dealing by individual publishers. Messrs. Ticknor and Fields, having recently sent to Mr. Charles Dickens £ 200 as part profits of a diamond edition" of his works, have been mentioned by that author in a letter to an American friend in the following terms I think you know how high and far beyond the money's worth I esteem this act of manhood, delicacy, and honour. I have never derived greater pleasure from the receipt of money in all my life." But is it not a grave anomaly that the Ame- rican Government should stili subject its publishers to the satire implied in being thanked so warmly for dis- charging the mere obligations of common honesty ? Prince Oscar, the eldest brother of the King of Sweden, and heir presumptive to the Crown of Sweden, is at present staying at Paris for the purpose of making a careful examination of the French Exhibition. Prince Oscar has won a place of some distinction in rho list of Royal and noble authors. His more important works arc a translation of The Cid into Swedish, a volume of charming poetry, ar.d Contributions to the War History ol Sweden during the Years 1712-13 and 14." He has always manifested a deep sympathy with every- thing that concerns the intellectual, political, and social progress of his country. The King of Sweden also paints fairly, and writes poetry. He has published a p volume called Smarre Dikler (minor poems). The Museum of Geology at Calcutta now contains two hundred and twenty-seven specimens of meteoric masses, one hundred and thirty-seven being meteoric stones, the rest meteoric iron. A catalogue of these interesting specimens is published, and by it we see the oldest recorded is of 1492, found in France, the latest is that of 1865, from Jcssore, India. The eminent super- intendent of the Geological Survey of India has issued instructions to people who may find these curious. objects, and from these we gather that the stones are nearly always covered with a black vitreous crust, that this coating is smooth, pitted or wrinkled, and that much can be gathered from close observation no two seem to fall oa the earth at the same angle, and some in- structions are given how to. record their direction of flight, etc. Jemmy Catnach was a famous printer and vendor of street ballads the most celebrated of his productions was. an attempt to exhibit the leading events in. the Queen's life, in cuts and verse, price twopence, printed on folio sheets, adorned with twelve cuts, interspersed with verses of descriptive poetry, and bearing d.ate October 10th, 1821. Catnach was then at the height of his fame as a printer of ballads, in Monmouth-street, Seven Dials, where lie spent a hardworking, busy life, and amassed a fortune of £ 10,000. During the- Penin- sular war, and at the time of Queen Caroline's trial, his business had increased so enormously as at times to require two or three presses going night and day to keep pace with the demand. At a later period he turned his attention to the Gallows Ballads" and reaped a golden harvest. Zanzibar is the chief market of the world for the supply of ivory, gum, copal, and cloves. The export in the single year was 488,6001b. of ivory, worth nearly £ 147,000; gum is dug from the earth in places where no trees arc found, and is supposed to be in inexhaustible quantity, but from the indolence of the African negro only about zE.57,000 worth was sold in the year, while the cloves produced nearly £ 56.000. These clove trees of Zanzibar have been only introduced about thirty years, having come from the Mauritius (a fact well worthy the notice of our Acclimatisation Society). Cowries worth zC52,000 were sent to Africa with sesamum, red pepper, cocoa-nuts, cocoa-nut oil, sesamum also is of every recent cultivation, and arose out of a demand for this production for the French market in 1852, the receipts for it exceeded zC20,000, the value of the trade for that year altogether was il,664,587, and in 1834 the government report of the commander of the Imogene stated that the trade of Zanzibar is very trifling," a few cloves, a litttle gum and ivory being all that the, place produced. An offer has been made through the President and Council of the Artists' General Benevolent Institution, to give ground and build a Home for boys, orphans of artists, if the institution can obtain the necessary means for its maintenance. One gntleman has offered a gua- rantee of £ 2,000 and many smaller sums are as good as promised. With this encouragement, Sir Francis Grant, President of the Royal Academy, backed by a strong committee, is about to make an application to the lovers of art for means to carry out the project. The origi- nator of the scheme proposes to erect this home in the neighbourhood of some good school, such as Dulwich, so as to make use of existing institutions, and to avoid the expense of a large structure and separate scholastic establishments. 0 From the spring of 1761 there were two exhibitions of works of art in London. The exhibitors in Spring Gardens styled themselves the Society of Artists of Great Britain the old committee of sixteen being at the head of the affairs of the new society. The designs on their catalogue by Wale and Hogarth demonstrated their intention to devote their revenue to the relief of the distressed. Of the catalogue, rendered attractive by these embellishments, copies were sold. No charge was made for admission but the purchase of a catalogue was made imperative. The catalogue, how- ever, was a ticket of admission for the season. The receipts of the exhibition of 1761 amounted to 6502. At the other exhibition in the Strand, to which sixty- five artists contributed, the old system prevailed. Visitofs were at liberty to purchase a catalogue or not, as they chose but a check was placed upon the indiscriminate admission of all classes by requiring from visitors the production of tickets which had been distributed gra- tuitously by the exhibitors, and were readily obtainable. After defraying all expenses the exhibition produced upwards of 1501., which sum was appropriated to bene- factions—to the Middlesex Hospital, 501.; to the British Lying-ia Hospital, 501.; to the Asylum for Female Orphans, 501. • the small balance remaining after these donations being distributed among distressed artists.