The Sun. — London, England, 1845-01-02 00:00:00

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. I FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OP YESTERDAY. GLOBE.—Another year has been added to British , history—and a remarkable one it has been. Our in- terest in the present is apt at such a time to give way to a keener interest in the past, and the indications it may yield of the future—and we willingly obey the , impulse. The first glance at the doings of the past , year is a satisfactory one. We see an aggregate of advancement which es gratifying to us as men, and especially as Englishmen. But how much of this is due to the people, and how little to their Government ! —the former everywhere using their energies, already more fettered by legislative restrictions than those of any other people on the face of the earth, for great and good purposes ' • the latter looking idly on, or only adding to the fetters ! The last virtue which it is permitted to a weak Government to retain is cast overboard in the effort to magnify its waning strength. Laissez faire is impossible with a Govern ment whose chief desire is to be thought stronger than it is—so impertinent interference has, at length, be come the chief characteristic of British legislation. Of the more important Acts of an entire session, by far the greater number are for " regulating " matters which all political economy, worthy of the name, has hitherto deemed best left to themselves. We have stepped into the cotton factories and regulated their internal arrangements with a minuteness whieh might even excite the envy of some of our continental neighbours, and added one or two more (whether wisely or not, the result will show) to the restric tions which already hamper the poor in disposing of their labour to the greatest advantage. We have separated the Bank of England, at one stroke, into two departments, and imposed upon its operations a check, the effect of which no one pretends to foresee with any degree of certainty, but which all allow can only cease to be entirely inopera tive by becoming at least highly dangerous. We have taken all the railways in the kingdom under the especial charge of the Government ; and dictated the amount of profit which private enterprise shall make under free competition. Joint-Stock Compa nies and Joint-Stock Banks have shared the same fate, and now find themselves very much at the mercy of the Board of Trade—a branch of the Government once known to the public chiefly by name, but now apparently intended to wield powers such as the British people have never yet accorded to any branch of their Government. The good measures proposed in the earlier part of the session were nearly all dropped in succession, for want of power to carry them through. Where legislation was most required nothing was done, or the evil was but tampered with. The only material step taken in a right direction was taken by stealth. Mr. Gladstone has yet to explain his views of the Sugar Duties Act. Two good old causes—the Corn-laws and " the Church"—have been severely damaged, rather more by their friends than their enemies. Societies for the Protection of Agriculture have been got up and leeiught into a state of activity only to have their attention directed to the ample means of natural improvement, which are necessarily neglected under a protective system ; and their discussions turned unwillingly from the monopoly interests of the landlord to the just interests of the labourer. And at the same time the Church is shaken to its centre by paltry squabbles about matters of form. Education, under the auspices of Government, loss made but little progress ; though the measures of the late Government have been distinctly adopted by the present, and have even found an able and energetic ex positor and defender in Lord Wharncliffe. And, in il lustration of what we have already said, we may observe that the attempt to introduce the obnoxious educational clauses into the Factories Regulation Bill bee caused the people to do more for themselves than they have ever attempted at any former period. Abroad we owe much to fortune, something to the ability of subordinate officers, and nothing to the Ministry. In conciliating the great Powers of Europe, her Majesty's hospitality has been substituted for those great reforms of our international inter course which a wise regard to the demands of our most pressing internal wants, and the safety of our immense interests abroad, combine to urge upon the attention of the British statesman with a force which increases with every year of neglect. In India, if we have removed a Governor-General whose policy has done more to endanger the con tinuance of our ascendancy in that part of the world than all the errors and all the misfortunes which have marked our Indian Government since the days of Clive, we owe it to the independent spirit of a body of merchants having triumphed over the endeavours of the Cabinet to preserve its protege at his post. In Canada, if the clouds which have so long obscured the horizon begin to disperse, it is because the'Whig policy has been adhered to, and the skill and firmness of Sir Charles Metcalfe have escaped the pervert ing influence of a home Government conducted without any fixed principle. In New Zealand, the best promises of a rapid and successful colo nisation, and the formation of a new and most important branch of our colonial empire, have been cheated of their due performance by the blun dering obstinacy of a Colonial Secretary whose per sonal qualities have recently been well summed up in the single term, " school-boyish." Unnecessary im port duties levied on articles the importation of which is most necessary to the advancement of the colony, and the extensive issue, among a scattered and strug gling population, of a small and inconvertible paper currency, sufficiently mark the competency of those who are at present entrusted with the direction of the affairs of one of the most valuable colonies we possess. These are no isolated instances of the policy of the present Government, at home and abroad. The same course, and the same results, meet us at every turn; and we are compelled to see in them the natural fruit of an attempt to rule this country by the combined agency of a body of men who can only act together by a sacrifice of principle to expediency, and who can only retain power by adopting, as their own, measures which in other hands have received their strongest condemnation. The coming session, how er, promises a change for the better. The present Cabinet is evidently not fitted to weather the storm which must assail it in any attempt to hold on its present course. The departure of Lord Stanley from the House of Commons leaves the Premier without a rival, and his present followers with out a leader to rally under, should they abandon himself. A wide margin of surplus revenue gives scope for the application of a sweeping measure of fiscal reform ; and though the attempt to reduce to practice any large additional modicum of Sir R. Peere tree-trade theory might result in an extensive seces sion from the ranks of his supporters, we have no reason to believe that the attempt, if judiciously made, will fail of ultimate success. And whatever else may arise from such a movement—whatever particular benefits may accrue from it to the great commercial interests of the country—will certainly be insigni fisant in comparison with those which must spring from the substitution, for a Ministry like the present, of one whose principl end conduct will be in accord ance, and to whom slaelling and hypocrisy will Le unnecessary. STANDARD.—The former appeals in which it was once the custom of the conductors of news papers to address their readers, at the commence ment of each new year, have been pretty gene rally laid aside, from a sense of the inconvenience of binding ourselves to speak fully to some topics when there may be no topics presenting any very high or very satisfactory interest to treat. If the custom had not been upon these prudent grounds abandoned, there would be a great tempta tion to resort to it this day—for never in our hiStory had an English journalist so many and so solid grounds of congratulation to offer at the commencement of a year, as we have at this day. Thanks to the Giver of all Good, the whole of our political horizon scarcely presents a cloud, save one or two slight specks that are rapidly diminishing in distance, and upon the very verge of sinking altogether from our view. Peat•e abroad, established upon principles of reciprocal ad vantage and reciprocal good-will, that afford the best pledge for its per manent cont i nuance —peace at home, resting upon a b as i s no less firm—the rea l su b stant i a l union, and conc urrence in the same honoura bl e per suits of industry, of all classe s of the people. Dimi nished crime, to be for the first time n o - ticed in the .i re cords of a nation advancing in population l and material wealth, and in refinement. Improved education. Commercial Commercial prosperity unexample m d Financial pr os perity never exceeded. The disturbing ne influences lA. that threatened disorder or evil—the , thrauTnrdactarian Associa tion, a - tion, the Anti-Corn-law League e ri a ll- I ,: pices er the heiesy—all, if not extinct, stagg death blow. Under such happy the year which we commence this day. opens we not, as a nation and as individuals, a 4" solemn duty to pour out our heart s in thaelt fulness to Him to whom all this is due Have we not new cause to cherish the gi9ue duty of hope—additional reason to abhor tie , sites of "fearfulness anti unbelief?" The history of the last few years tells us plainly, as if the truth vt ere written in characters of light, that our confi - ;Uwe in the mercy of our Creator, andin the practica bility of improving the moral and material conditiee of our fellow creatures, ought to be unbounded. The numerical diminution of detected crimes in the last year—a diminution absolutely considerable, but much more considerable when we take it into ac count that every day adds to the amount and effi ciency of the means by which crimes are detected— this single testimony to the change in our social state, proves all that we claim to have conceded—proves that if only the Legislature, the Executive, and the more affluent classes of the nation do their duty—the people may be indefinitely elevated in the moral scale. The Legislature, the Executive, and the affluent classes have begun the work, and they are already witnesses to its great success ; the current of crime, which from the beginning up to the present time had been increasing, has been effectually TIIIC SUN, LONDON,- THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1845 checked—has been even made to retrogade. Is not this the highest of encouragements to persevere ? The Legislature, the Executive, and the affluent, thus encouraged, are persevering, and under the pro vidence of Him who has prompted them so far, they will persevere. They have made the dis covery, a discovery, alas ! too long concealed or neglected, that the character of the humble class of Englishmen comprises all the elements of good ness that can be found in human nature, and comprises them probably in richer abundance than they can be found in any other order of mankind. Our people are naturally patient, laborious, enterprising, firm lovers of truth, just, grateful, affectionate, merciful, and with thf. strongest tendency to religious feeling. These are the materials upon :which those who wield the power of the community, whether they are in ' public or in private stations (and immeasurably the greater portion of that power is in private hands) have to deal. And for the result they who have the power owe a heavy responsibility here and hereafter. THE PAST YEAR. The year that is past has been, beyond all recorded parallel, a year of successful peace. As such, one can hardly expect it to contain much that is remarkable. The events of peace are seldom so conspicuous as the events of war, and regular legislation passes almost un observed by that vast majority of minds which suffer themselves to be dazzled by sudden and violent change. Yet the quiet developments of tranquil days are often far more important and abiding in their real issues than the showy miracles of war. The most prudent, as well as the most audacious conqueror, in the justest as well as in the most flagitious cause, may live to see all the fruits of con quest torn away, or all the careful settlements of dearly purchased treaties utterly annulled. An empire may boast an unrivalled series of victories and conquests, which to all profitable purposes, might as well have been performed in the cheap and bloodless arena of the theatre or the circus, for the amusement of chil dren, instead of the vexation and hurt of man kind. They only warn the world of an ambition perpetually overreaching itself. By no sound test do we fear a comparison of the past year with any former eras, however they may seem to stand out in the page of history ; nor are we afraid to predict that prs terity will thus regard it. There are grounds for a con fident hope that we are at a turning point in the path of civilisation, at a beginning of better things. Even in a world of unforeseen accidents, incalculable forces, and passions ever ready to burst their bonds, honest endea vours after the general peace and welfare, though ever so thwarted, are never quite thrown away. To say that we are still at peace with all the world might seem only an old story. But the last year has singularly abounded in earnests of international amity of a most encouraging character. Teo of the most powerful potentates of Europe and the world have personally interchanged with our Sovereign assurances of affection and respect. Usually regarded as the heads of opposite principles and interests—as the two extremes of the European family, we have seen them bent on the same errand, accordant in the same peaceful design, of which our Sovereitea has been made the felicitous type and centre. In the one visit we beheld the renewal of a long friend ship ; in the other, the now happily established re paratien and oblivion of a long and disastrous hostility. It is thirty years since this island was equally, if thee equally, honoured. It was then to heal a feud, and in cidentally to humble a rival. The reception our yisi• tors then met with was of that mixed sort which agreed too well with the painful variety of its circumstances, and the scarcely extinguished fires of war. The less questionable object of our recent visitors secured for them an unanimous welcome. But compliments and professions are proverbially , hollow. Trial is necessary to ascertain their value. On two occasions the necessi ties of empire, and the impetuosity or personal vanity of subordinates, have threatened to cloud our relations with one of these great Powers. More than ordinary wisdom, and something more than wisdom itself, was called for to - avert, without weakness and discredit, a collision really so dreadful and seemingly so near. Passions had betrayed themselves which needed only to be met in kind, as apt to be, to involve all Europe in a blaze, and cast away. in one idle hour the care fully-saved and accumulated benefits of a whole age of peaceful progrees. Both parties came with honour out of these perilous differences. They showed to the world that they were rather maintaining a friend ship than overcoming a jealousy. In the largeness of one common cause, the common cause of all nations. they perceived the just dimensions of a false nationality and an empty glory. And it is only expressing a general belief, to say that such are the growing feelings of the whole European continent. All seem conspiring for peace. No one now apprehends a war, even of prin ciples, or claims for his country the solitary and dubious honour of holding the balance in that fearful struggle. Not so unsocial is the part each nation now demands, not so intrusive are the methods it proposes to employ. Yet in a sure but silent way, the British empire is ful filling a peaceful and beneficent destiny, which tells rather in other nations than upon them, anti is matter as much for their domestic as for their political historians. It is becoming an European conviction that every par ticular State is deeply interested in the peace and good government—the prosperity and improvement of every other. As it is an unspeakable benefit to us that our island is not planted in an impassable ocean, is not sur rounded by deserts, or savages, or indolent and unproduc tive tribes of men, but by brothers in race, and genius, and cultivation, so is every step of our further progress tied to theirs. The more we can refine their habits, the mm e will they be ready to receive ; the more we can increase their resources, the more will they be able to give. Their crippled powers, their burdened finances, their restricted commerce, their discouraged industry, their humbled spirits and checked expectations, are little less our injury than theirs. Never was this community of interest so recognised as at the present moment. Never was it S 3 proved by the universal evidence of facts, by the political and commercial condition of every nation in the world, as in this past year. And, as far as this country is con cerned, to the existing Government must be conceded a chief share in establishing that opinion, and still more in bringing about those facts. In no former year has the commerce of the country been more flourishing and more hopeful. Never was the national credit iu a better state, and Government able to assume so bold a tone with the public creditor. Never before did so grievous a burden as the income-tax lie so lightly on the industry and temper of the people. Never was there so large a surplus. Never was the currency and the banking system in a healthier and securer state. And these are important, though not very poetical, superlatives. Further from home, the Chinese treaty has thus fur not disappointed the most sanguine anticipations. In India, thus far, the ambitious temerity of the late Governor-General has not been convicted by any further ill results. The sub stitution of a wiser head has arrested the danger. Still the empire increases. In the universal wreck of native thrones, the British name is the only stability, and grows by surviving change. Scarce a whisper of resist ance, scarce a tremour of agitation remains. To all ap pearances a long and prosperous dominion is there be fore us. In British America, thus far, firmness and dis cretion have built on the ruins of rebellion a loyal and reasonable Legislature. These are but fleeting pros perities, and therefore to be thanked for year by year. Within our own shores, the year has been marked by the absence of any serious political agitation. Be it good or ill, party has been all but confounded and destroyed. The Anti-Corn-law League has been stroked down to civility, and almost to si lence, by some concession and much prosperity. Their craft has been taken from them. The determination exhibited against the Trish Repealers appears to have answered all the purposes of a verdict. To a judicial storm has succeeded comparative national calm. The faction enjoys the name, rather than the fruits of victory. Meanwhile, methods securer than State trials are already in various stages of design and actual operation, which promise to impart to Ireland at last the duties and the blessings of the British rule. Pity that there should be one dark spot to mar the brightness of this re trospect, and this still brighter future. But that one is oo dark, too large to be hidden, and will be told. The nation thrives, but the people deteriorate. The Irish peasant and the English labourer have not seen this year any remission of their wretchedness. The sun of pros perity shines, but not for them. The departing year has left their condition the subject of the day—but no me-e.— Times. CORONERS' INQUESTS. DEATH OF A GENTLEMAN OF FORTUNE FROM PRUSSIC AClD.—Tuesday afternoon, at three o'clock. Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest at the Holly Bush Tavern, Hampstead, on the body of Frederick Clissold, Esq., aged 52. who died at that house on Saturday last, under very painful and singular circumstances. The deceased belonged to one of the oldest and most opulent families in the county of Suffolk. Three brothers of the deceased, and several other relatives were present at the inquest, amongst whom were observed the Rev. Augustus Clissold, M.A., rector of Stoke Newing ton ; the Rev. W. Clissold, rector of Wrenton, Suffolk ; and the Rev. Arthur Clissold. The evidence in substance was as follows : waiter at the Holly Bush Tavern, de pd was the person who saw Mr. Clissold after heo s G w e e as r dead. oa I d was then in bed. On Friday after noon he came to the Holly Bush and ordered dinner, with which he drank half-a-pint of port. He took tea at seven o'clock, and immediately afterwards retired to rest, giving me specific directions not to call him. He remained in his bed-room until two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when I went and knocked at his door several times, but receiving no answer, I entered the room and found him in bed. Life was extinct, and had apparently been so for some time. When deceased went to bed on the Friday evening he was quite sober. The Rev. Augustus Clissold said—l am rector of Stoke Newington. The deceased was my brother, and during the last few months he has been residing at 21, Henrietta-street, Cavendi s h- sq uare. Ho has for a long time laboured un d er extreme mental depression, and has b to e o e k n under the of ecardeigoiftalDisr, and .Copeland. At one time he course to tobacco and op i um as su a b r s e e in qu e e d n y tly he for h had sco r tn e : plaint. A short time since he said to me, 6 , I have found out a medicine better tha n any I have ever yet used, and I now think I shall be well." Mr. WARLEY—It was another poison, I sum ? The Reverend Mr. Clissold—Y es , Sir. It-,i-eacsse prussic acid, of which afterwards he took l arge quantities. He was a man of very studious habits, and has for some years been engaged on a metaphysical work, which he expected to complete in about fifteen or sixteen years. I do not think my brother took an over-dose of poison with a view to destroy life. No man would sooner have revolted at the idea. My belief in this respect amounts to a moral certainty. _ _ Mr. Herbert Evans, surgeon, of Hampstead, deposed to being called in to see deceased, who had been dead some hours. He did not smell of poison, but there were two bottles on his table, one containing laudanum, and the other prussic acid. Both were labelled " poison." Had no doubt but the immediate cause of death was an over-dose of prussic acid. Verdict, " That the deceased died from taking an over-dose of prussic acid." SUICIDE IN CRIPPLEGATE.—Tuesday evening, at six o'clock, Mr. Payne, the City coroner, and a respectable jury, assembled in the board-room of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of Noah Flood, aged 40, lately carrying on the business of newsvender in Whitecross-street, Cripple gate, who committed suicide, after first attempting to destroy his only child. Mrs. Alice Smith, of No. 206, Upper Whitecross street, after describing the discovery of Mr. Flood in a dying state, said, I knew he was very much depressed in his mind on account of recently losing his wife, whom he buried but a few days previousl.y. He often said to me that he was in such trouble he did not know what to do. He was much attached to his wife, but never spoke to me of destroying himself. The child is about eight years of age. By the jury—The child was out of bed and retching, but I cannot say whether she had taken anything dele terious or not. The deceased was very much attached to the child. Mrs. Catherine Scott, of No. 51, Whitecross-street, said—l have known deceased and his late wife about five years, and attended her during her illness. I saw the deceased at half-past ten o'clock on Friday night, when he appeared very much depressed. I had been ill that day, and not able to dress the child, which I had done for him since the death of his wife. On telling him of my illness, he said, " If anything occurs to you what will become of my child ?" After some further conver sation, he made use of the following :—" If I should die, Mrs. Scott, I have one request to make—that is, that you will bury me by the side of my wife, and follow ma as you did her." Shortly after I left him. By the jury—He shook hands with me, and hoped I should be better. One thing that greatly depressed him was the refusal of a Mrs. Thomas to watch over his child, after she had promised the mother, in her dying moments, so to do. He was a most kind father. The child had been put to bed before I saw him. Robert Groom and Daniel Douglas, two City police constables, spoke to going into the room and finding a bottle and glass which had contained laudanum, and a piece of paper to the following effect : " My wish is to be buried with my poor wife ; and Mrs. Scott, of 51, Whitecross-street, and Mrs. Kings mill, living at a cornchandler's, near St. Giles's Church, should bury me, and have all my goods. " NOAH FLOOD." Mr. J. P. Hurlock, resident medical officer at St. Bar tholomew's Hospital—On Saturday last, about one o'clock, all moans were resorted to to try and rouse him, but without effect, and he died in two hours after his ad mission. The cause of death was opium. Catherine Elizabeth Flood, an intelligent child, raid— I am eight years of age, and was in the habit of sleep ing with my father, in the same bed. On Friday tight I was awake when ray father came up to bed. When he came into the room, he poured some stuff out of a white bottle into a wine-glass. I heard him drink it, but I did not see him, and then he got into bed. After he had been there about five minutes he got up again, and I, suppbsing he was going for his papers, said, " Father, do not go yet ; you are such a comfort to me." When I saw him take the stuff, I screamed, but no one came. I sat up in bed all night, and did not sleep. I put my hand to his mouth, and found he did not breathe. lie was habituated to breathing hard. By the jury—He put me to bed between nine and ten o'clock, when he gave me a table spoonful out of the same bottle.—(Great sensation.) I felt a burning pain in my throat and chest when I drank it. When he gave it me he said, " Here is some medicine I have brought from Mr. Doughty's, and I am going to take some my self." I drank all he gate me, and was sick in a minute or two after. He asked me if I would have any more, and I said, "No ; I can't take any more." lam posi tive I was awake all night, as I heard all the clucks strike. Mr. William Ponder, of Rcdeross-street, surgeon, found the deceased in a state of coma, evidently from the effects of some narcotic poison. The child had been violently sick. Verdict, " Temporary insanity." COMMITTAL OF A DRUGGIST FOR MANSLAUGHTER, —On Tuesday, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an adjourned in quest at the King's Army, llawstorne-street, Clerken well, * on the body of William Watts, aged 24, a cab driver, lately residing at 4, Brewer-street. Elizabeth Watts, widow of deceased, stated that her husband complained of a cold on the 7th instant, and that he went to Mr. Watkins, druggist, Myddelton street, to purchase two ounces of Epsom salts. After he had purchased the Epsom salts he observed in the shop circular that there were tasteless salts, and asked the shopman to take back the Epsom salts and give him one ounce of the tasteless salts instead. The shopmau com plied, as he imagined, and he (her husband) upon re turning home melted them in warm water and drank them. His face instantly became as red as fire, and he exclaimed that he was on fire inside, and that he was poisoned. Mr. Broad, surgeon, Goswell-road, was in stantly sent for, who, having applied the necessary re medies, pronounced that he had taken some deleterious staff. Her husband, who had previously enjoyed robust health, never afterwards left his bed, where he remainee in the most excruciating agony until his death, on thd 16th instant. Mr. Broad, surgeon, examined—About five o'clock on the evening of the 7th inst. he attended deceased, who was in great agony and extremely sick. He complained as suffering from the effects of the oil of vitriol. Wit ness tested the drains that remained in the cup, and found deceased had taken tartaric acid. He applied every remedy, with the exception of the stomach pump, that his experience could suggest, but without avail, as the vomiting, pains, &c., continued unabated. Not wishing to depend upon himself, he called in Dr. Major, who prer ! ounced it to be a hopeless case. He attended to deceased until the Wednesday preceding his death, which took place on the following Monday. Mr. Watkins, who wished him to attend deceased, acknow ledged the fatal mistake. By a juror— He did not use the stomach pump, because deceased's throat was so inflamed be could not introduce it. When he vomited deceased said that he felt us if he threw up the oil of vitriol. Dr. Major approved of wit ness's treatment of deceased. Mr. Gill, surgeon, White Lion-street, Islington, performed a post mortem examination. The body, with the exception of the lips, which were excoriated, showed no external injury. The stomach and the whole intestinal canal were much inflamed, as were also the mucous membrane, an . ; they were exter nally of a purple red colour. After describing other appearances of the body, the witness said that the result of the examination, and of the evidence he heard that day, led him to the conclusion that the deceased died from the effects of some poisonous matter or cor rosive acid, such as " tartaric acid ;" but when he stated that the " tartaric acid" was the cause, he said so as he understood that that was the acid which had been administered. The CORONER, having duly cautioned the Messrs. Watkins, asked them whether they admitted having sold the tartaric acid in mistake to deceased ? Several jurors—Yes, they have admitted this on the first day. Mr. Watkins, sen.—l admit that it was sold in my shop. Mr. Watkins, jun.—l cannot deny having made the mistake. CORONER (addressing Messrs. Watkins)—You had better retire, and consider what reparation you can make the widow for the loss you have inflicted upon her. Messrs. Watkins retired, and after a short absence returned, when they said that their means would not allow them to do more than pay the medical expenses consequent upon the melancholy catastrophe. Mrs. Watts recalled—All she received from Mr. Wat kins amounted to 25., which he gave her mother when she informed him of their poverty. She had obtained further assistance from the parish. _ _ The CORONER recapitulated the evidence at great length, and The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Charles Watkins, jun. The CORONER wrote his committal, and he was con veyed to gaol. The jury afterwards raised a subscription on behalf of the widow. DEATH IN THE QUEEN'S PRlSON.—Yesterday after noon Mr. William Payne held an inquest in the Queen's Prison, upon the body of Edward Bluck, aged 69 years, a prisoner. 'Mary Black, the deceased's widow, said that her hus band was admitted into that prison on the 20th of February, 1826. He was formerly a farmer, and during the time he had been under confinement he received every attention from the prison authorities, and wanted for nothing. _ _ _ _ Mr. Edward Solomons said that he could have arranged with his creditors, in order that the deceased might have been released, but he objected to his doing soy and said that if he left the prison he did not know what he should do for a living. Verdict—" Natural death." THE MURDER AND SUICIDE AT ASHFORD. Immediately after the verdict of felo de .se was re turned by the jury, Mr. Wakley handed to the con stable his warrant for the interment of the deceased, that referring to the man specifying that he should be buried between the hours of' nine mid twelve o'clock at night, and without any funeral ceremony. The unhappy woman was buried on Sunday after noon, and her remains were followed to the grave by a vast concourse of persons, who appeared. to take a deep interest in the melancholy affair. :The mur derer was not buried until Monday night, About ten o'clock, in the presence of Messrs. Signet and Mer rick, the churchwardens of Ashford, the constable, and a few other persons, the only relative of the de ceased that was present being his mother. The place that was selected for the grave was a. corner of the churchyard which has before been the recep tacle of the remains of two persons - who some thirty years since destroyed themselves, and against whom verdicts of de ae were returned, and dur • ing the whole period that has since elapseil there has not been a single suicide in the parish. One of the men referred to was a master butcher, named Lewis, who carried on a respectable business at; Ashford, but was suspected of sheep-stealing, and Ns rits taken into custody on the charge, but while at the public - house awaiting the time to be examined before: a magistrate, he asked permission to leave the room for a short time, and the moment he got into t: 3e passage he drew a knif e f rom hi s poc k et an d cut hi s throat in such a dreadful manner that he died almost. immediately. The other case was that of an exciser pan in Wales, named Davis, who had been ordered up to London by the Commissioners to be reprimanded for some mis conduct. It appeared that the ciremrstailce prayed upon his mind, and he destroyed himself in a corn at Ashford by opening veins in different parts of his body, and then cutting his throat. The remains of the miserable murderer and•suicide were laid by the side of these companions in crime. When the coffin had been lowered into the grave, the mother looked on it for the last time, and exclaimed, " Ah, my boy, they have buried you like a dog; but, never mind, God will forgive you, and take you to heaven !" She then walked away, apparently very little concerned at what had taken place, or the awful ceremony she had just witnessed. Since the inquest every inquiry has been made to endeavour to ascertain where the de ceased man had obtained the poison, which was the cause of his death, but hitherto without success. The little boy and girl are perfectly recovered, and they have since been removed to the Brentford Union, to which they belong. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) MANSION-HOUSE. A young man, named Thomas Smith, was brought before the Lord ayor, charged under the following circumstances : Henry Cabrow, a person in the employment of Messrs. Price and Co., perfumers, stated that the de fendant called at the shop at a little after seven o'clock on Tuesday morning, and asked for Mr. Price. Al though it was intimated to him that Mr. Price was not in the way, and a request was made of him to call at ten o'clock in the morning, at which time he could see the gentleman, he insisted upon remaining in the shop, and declared that he would not leave it until he could communicate with Mr. Price. As the conduct of the defendant was calculated to -impede the business of the shop, witness called a policeman and gave him into the custody of that officer. The LORD MAYOR—WeII, defendant, what have you to say to this charge of interrupting the business of the shop?—The defendant said that a friend of his had sold a horse to Mr. Price, for which another horse and a cheque for the difference, amounting to, as we understood, 501., was to be given by that gentle man, and he (defendant) called at the time appointed at the house of the purchaser with the horse, at the desire of the seller. Upon going to the house he saw Mr. Price from the street in the shop, and he en tered, and, upon inquiring, was told by a young lady that Mr. Price was not within. He observed to her that he had seen Mr. Price in the shop a little while before, and that the gentleman had promised to leave a cheque for him, and he would wait. The shopman then told me to sit down, and immediately went to a person at the back part to communicate something. Upon his return the shopman told him he could not stay there ; and when he said he should wait for what he was entitled to receive, the shopman, who had before invited him to sit down, called a police man and gave him into custody, and he and the horse were taken together. The Loma MAYOR (to the shopman)—Who called you at the back of the shop ? The shopman--I don't consider that I am bound to answer that question, my Lord. The LORD MAYOR—You must answer, Sir. The shopman—Miss Price told me to go there. The LORD .MAYOR—Answer me, Sir. Was i` Mr. Price that called you ? You are upon your oath. The shopman—lt was Mr. Price, my Lord. The LORD MAYOR—I discharge the defendant. The shopman—My Lord— The LORD MAYOR—There is no occasion for more words. Defendant, you are discharged. A female of respectable appearan .le, but appearing to labour under much mental distress, who stated her name to be Hannah Haines, was charged with having contemplated self-destruction. One of the City police stated that he found the prisoner in the neighbourhood of the river Thames in a deplorable state of mind, and when he inquired the cause of her distress, she stated that her husband had deserted her, and /Abed her of all her clothes, and taken away with him the servant-maid ; that she had struggled with adversity and actually with starvation, until that day, when her landlord threatened to seize what trifling matters of furniture she had for rent, amounting to 3s. 9d., and that she had come to the place in which she was apprehended for the purpose of putting an end to her existence. The witness added that she had given to him the names of very respectable relations of her husband, and their ad dresses, and seemed desirous, upon his suggestion, to seek the humane interference of the Lord Mayor. The LORD MAYOR—What do you say, prisoner? The prisoner—l am plunged, my Lord, into the deepest poverty and distress by the conduct of my husband. He sold the business which he had been carrying on, and abandoned me twelve months ago, taking with him and his paramour everything of the least value. He had commenced the world with property and good expectations, equal, I believe, to those of the rest of his family, but his prodigality de. stroyed all. The LORD MAYOR—I perceive that the names to which you have referred are respectable, and I am surprised that you should contemplate so awful a crime as self-murder. Do you suppose that any of those individuals will be willing to serve you ? The prisoner—l think they would not refuse, my Lord. Those of my own family who are within my reach are poor, with large families. The LORD MAYOR—You shall be taken care of by the matron at the Compter until Friday, and, in the meantime, I shall cause inquiries to be made into the particulars of your statement. The prisoner expressed her gratitude in a few broken but intelligible phrases. BOW-STREET. STEALING IN A DWELLING-UOUSE.—A young man named John Oxford, was brought before Mr. Twyford, charged with stealing a silver watch and a quantity of wearing apparel from the house of Mr. Joseph Jewel, 17, Alfred-street, Tottenham-court-road, under the fol lowing circumstances : It appeared from the statement of the prosecutor's wife, that at about half-past seven o'clock on Tuesday evening her brother paid her a visit, and on showing him over the house she attempted to open the door of the back parlour, but finding some obstruction from the in side, she used more exertion and forced it in, when she found the p r i sone r staring her full in the face. Sh e im mediately called him to account how he dared to enter her house, and her brother coming to her assistance, the prisoner was brought into the front parlour, until a c,,n stable could be sent for, when he fell upon his knees and prayed that he might be forgiven and liberated. On searching the back parlour it was discovered that the prisoner had lighted a taper on the mantelpiece, and had filled a large black bag he had brought with him with every portable article in the room, consisting of shirts, dresses, bed furniture, trousers, and a flageolet, which had been taken from a chest of drawers, together with a mantle and dress that hung behind the door. The silver watch was subsequently found concealed in the bed, and, on the arrival of the constable, he found eight skeleton keys and a quantity of lucifer matches upoa the pri soner's person. In answer to the charge, the prisoner said the servant girl having gone for beer, left the street door open, which enabled him to enter the premises, and to act in the manner described. He was fully committed to New gate for trial. CHARGE OF STABBlNG.—Laurence Wright, a shoe maker, was charged with stabbing Joseph .John Corn wall, his landlord, in the temple, with a case knife. The complainant stated that the prisoner was his lodger, in Ship-yard, for about two months, and occa sionally worked for him. On Tuesday morning his wire went into the room for the purpose of cleaning it, which the defendant objected to in such terms as to compel her to leave the place. In the course of the day, understand ing that some articles of furniture had been removed, he went to the room, thinking the defendant was out, to ascertain if such was the case, and finding him there, he told him, as he had conducted himself in such a manner towards his wife, he should in future cease to occupy the room, and must seek an apartment elsewhere; when he instantly seized a knife, similar to that produced, from the table, and rushing at him, drove it into his temple, within the eighth of an inch of his left eye, from the effects of which he instantly fell down stairs, and was conveyed in an exhausted state to Kiag's College Hospital. Mr. Cannon, house surgeon of the hospital, proved that shortly before nine o'clock the complainant was brought in, having a punctured wound about an inch deep, inflicted with some sharp instrument, near the orbit of the left eye, and as it was of a dangerous cha racter he considered it necessary he should still remain in the house under medical care. The constable who was called in said he found the defendant in the room, and he instantly admitted having committed the offence, at the same time pointing to the knife produced, which lay on the table, as being the in strument he had made use of, adding that he would re peat the same if the complainant made a similar attack upon him, which he repeated at the station-house. The defendant accounted for his conduct, by saying that the complainant struck him on the previous night because he refused to allow his wife to dash a quantity of water on the fluor of his room, as he was in a delicate state of health, in consequence of having some of his ribs broken when he was in the army, from which he was discharged and then entered the police force, which he was also obliged to leave from ill health. When the com plainant, who was well skilled in the art of " self-d- . fence, " entered the r oom h e put himself in a fighting attitude, threatening to throw him out of the house, al though lie owed no rent, and upon his putting his threats into execution he seized a weapon (not the knife pro duced) which he used in his trade, and defended himself in the best manner lie could. Mr. TWYFORD said the charge was of too serious a nature for him to deal with in a summary manner, and in order to enable th e surgoon t o give a decisive opinion on a future day, he sho u ld or der the defendant to be re manded ft r that purp ose . IVIARLBOROUGg- STREET. Mr. Joseph Salomon s , o f N o . 7, Windmill-street, Fitz roy-square, charged Robert Franklyn with having as saulted him, crested a disturbance at his house, and threatened to do him at a future time some bodily harm. Mr. Salomons said the defendant, who was one of his late clients, came on Tuesday afternoon to his house, and though he had received a message left for him with the clerk, he insisted on obtaining admission into the office, and staying there until be got some money. In effecting his entrance, the defendant struck him on the cheat, and when he did get into the office, began using threats and gross abuse, calling him (complainant) a n7,nclrel, a swindler, and a rascal, and swearing that lie .nut ::1 tear out his - guts. Complainant begged the defendant to go away peaceably, but the defendant dec:ared he would stay and smoke his pipe there, and unless dragged out he would not leave the place until he got some money, fur money he had come for, and money he would have. It was necessary to send for the assistance of the police. The c•nnplainain. said sorry to have occasion to appear against a person f whom he had transacted business, but as the defendant had used threats of vengeance at some future time, he had found it necessary to press the charge. The defendant said the complainant had conducted a suit for him, and had received all the money recovered, not a farthing of which would he refund, either to him or to the witnesses for their expenses. An old man gut into the box and slid he be!ieved the defendant's story was true, for he had been obliged to get a judge's writ against Mr. Selomons. Mr. Salomons said he had his bill of costs and legal charges to show how the money had been disposed of. At all events, if the defendant thought he was wronged, there was a very easy remedy which ho might adopt. Mr. MALTBY fined the prisoner 31.. or one month's im prisonment. Edward Morgan and John Attwood were charged with having committed a violent assault on Thomas Redford, one of the constables at the Princess's Theatre. The constable said the prisoners wanted to pay but threepence for admission into the gallery, and because refused they caused a disturbance. He was called to re mov e them, when he was violent►y assaulted by Morgan, who struck him, bit a piece out of his finger, and threw him down. Attwood assisted Morgan in trying to get away, and was also very violent. The prisoners said they offered copper at first, but afterwards they paid a shilling, and receiv, d two checks, one of which was still in Attwoad's possession. The money-taker said he could not say whether the defendants paid or not. Mr. MALTBY fined Morgan 4/., or six weeks' imprison ment, and Attwood 305., or 21 days. CLERKEIV WELL. BURGLARY.—James Horne was charged with burglari ously entering the house of Mr. John Cox, No. 9, Gib son•square, and stealing therefrom a large quantity of plate, consisting of silver forks, spoons, goblets, ewers, &e. The evidence went to show that on Friday night last the plate was deposited in the locker in the parlour. The prosecutor and Mrs. Cox returned home between eleven and twelve o'clock, examined the windows, and found the shutters secured. On the following (Saturday) morning the servant, on entering the parlour, found that the window had berm broken open, and that the plate was missing. Early on the same morning, police constable Miles, 110 N, met the prisoner, carrying a bundle, in Maiden-lane, which he (the prisoner), upon being interrogated, said was a piece of beef that he was carrying home. The constable, however, insisting on knowing the contents of the bag, he threw it down and attempted to run away, but was arrested. The bag, which was nearly full, contained the stolen property. Mrs. Cox and Mary Skelton (her servant) having identified the plate, the prisoner, who reserved his de fence, was fully committed for trial to the Old Bailey. SUPPOSED INFANTICIDE.— Fra n cev Holmes was charged with concealing the birth of her child. The prisoner was in the service of Mr. Jay, a solicitor, residing in Harper-street, Red Lion-square, and her pregnancy was noticed by some of her fellow servants. On the 16th ultimo the body of a full-grown child, much lacerated, was found in a water-closet in Mr. Jay's house. Mr. Jay at once gave information of the fact to th.• The prisoner admitted that she had given birth to Use child and placed it there, but alleged that it wes born dead. She has been since the 14th in St. Giles's workhouse, and during a great portion of the time v.-ea dangerously Mr. COMBE decided on committing the prisoner for trial. WORSHIP-STREET Wet. Fraser, a middle-aged man of respectable ap pearance, was charged before Mr. Broughton with hay in g obtained, by false pretences, a large quantity of spirits, from various licensed victuallers in the neigh. bourhood of Spitalfields. It appeared from the evidence of Mrs. Elizabeth Con nor, of the Elder Tree, in Norton Folgate, that the pri soner called at her house on the 23d ult., and ordered a gallon of the best gin to be sent forthwith to the residence of Mr. Matthews. in Spital-squsre—it was wanted for immediate use. She accordingly dispatched the liquor by her servant, who, on reaching the house, found the prisoner on the door-steps. After severely chiding him for his delay, the prisoner told him to leave the spirits and hasten back for two bottles of th:e best sherry. The man did so, but the prisoner not being there when he returned with the wine, he knocked at the door, which was answered by the servant, who told him no spirits had been left there, and that the parties in the house were entire strangers to the transaction. The second charge was preferred by Mr. George Smith, landlord of the Salmon and Ball, Lamb -street, whom the prisoner visited on the 26th ult., and ordered a gallon of gin and half a gallon of ruin to be sent to the house of Mr. Poole, a manufacturer, in Spital-square. The goods were accordingly sent, and received by the prisoner under precisely similar circumstances to those in the last case ; and a subsequent application for the money exposed the imposition that had been practised Mr. Gill, a publican, in Gun-street, Spitalfields, stated that between seven and eight o'clock on the preceding evening the prisoner called at his house and gave direc tions for the same quantity of spirits as in the second case to be instantly sent to the residence of one of his customers, named Good, in Church-street, Bethnal green. Having, however, been previously informed that numerous robberies had been practised on publicans in the neighbourhood by means of fictitious orders, witness determined to accompany his messenger, and, on reach ing Mr. Good's house, left the spirits with the servant, who was not aware of any such order, but received the spirits, her master being absent. Witness then returned home, but, soon after his arrival, the prisoner (who had evidently missed them on the road) called again and de manded to know why the order had not been executed. The character of the transaction being uow quite mani fest, a policeman was sent for and the prisoner was given into custody. Police-constable, H 46, produced a hamper containing half a dozen of wine and two stone bottles, which he found at the prisoner's lodging; and two of the prosecu tors identified the bottles as having held the spirits ob tained from them by the prisoner. The prisoner was recognised by . the officers in Court as having formerly carried on business in the district as eed had, himself from in- v a e r t e e s r p a e t c e ta h b a l b e it l s ice o n f siendtetcptuearlalneer,e, ed whobu r t u gra dually to disgrace and ruin. The prisoner, who appeared overpowered with shame and grief, and buried his face in his hands in the front of the dock, on being called upon for his defence, de clined saying anything. Two of his daughters were present in a state of pitiable affliction ; and it being evi dent that they had been suffering from extreme want and privation, the magistrate ordered them some tempo raty :, , lief from the poor-box, which they gratefully accepted. Sergc,ant Coleman requested that the prisoner might be remanded, as he was satisfied he should be able to establish many more charges of a similar description against him. Mr. Broughton at once acceded to the application, and the prisoner was accordingly remanded. LAMBETH. George Je f ferson, a highly respectable looking elderly man, was brought before Mr. Henry, the sitting magis trate, charged with being drunk and disorderly. Mr. HENRY, the magistrate, asked the defendant what he had to say to the charge ?-11 7 by, said the veteran, it is all owing to the lumbago, and seeing the old year out and the new one in. The MAGISTRATE—Yes; but that is no excuse. The prisoner pleaded hard for forgiveness, for he would shortly have the honour of making a declaration before his worship for half-pay. He had served his king and country faithfully for these last forty years. Ile had honourable scars, besides a severe wound in his head. He had fought bravely his country's battles, and had even rescued his commanding officer from great peril, "when bullets around him flew ;" but the "lumbago," and the parting glass with the old year had overcome his reason. Upon the understanding that the prisoner would turn over a new leaf with the new year, the magistrate said, in consideration of his services, he was disposed to let him off. The prisoner promised amendment, and thanking the magistrate for his kindness, was discharged. GROSS CRUELTY OF A FATHER TOWARDS HIS CHILD. —Robert Pratt was placed at the bar before Mr. Henry, on a charge of grossly ill-treating his son, Richard Pratt, a child of five years and a half old. The first witness called was Eliza Kingate, who de posed that she resided next door to the prisoner, in Hooper-street, Westminster-road, and that the first time she had observed the child was about eight weeks ago, when he was crying bitterly at his father's door. The house was occupied by the prisoner, his wife, and brother, and the child was frequently left alone, and shut up from morning until a late hour of the night, which was the time its parents were in the habit of re turning home, and frequently complained to her of being cold and hungry. About four weeks ago she (witness) took the poor little fellow into her house, and gave him some food, and while at her house the pri soner came home, and called out for him. So great was the horror of the child at hearing the voice of his father, that the poor fellow rolled down the whole of the stairs. On that occasion she heard the prisoner ill-use the child, and make use of horrible expressions, and say he would do for him, while the child cried out for mercy, and said he would not go out again ; so that from this she inferred that the cause of his ill-usage was that of his child's coming to her house. On Tuesday morning, about half-past two o'clock, she was awoke by the violent screams of the child. and distinctly heard him cry out to his father for mercy, while the latter was evi dently severely ill-using him. She knocked at the wainscot, and also threw up her window, and upon her doing so the prisoner ceased. So frequent and severe were the injuries inflicted upon the poor child, that the witness went on the same morning to the police station house to request the interference of the police, and was told that this must be done by the parish officers. Be tween ten and eleven o'clock she saw the child with its head through a broken pane of glass in the bed room window, and he then complained of being fastened in and very cold and hungry. Some of the neighbours had resolved upon taking him out of the room. A young man, named Cronin, succeeded in doing so, but lie was found to be in so shocking a state that they put him into the room again until the police or parish officers arrived. In a few moments after the prisoner came home and went up stairs, leaving the street-door ajar after him. Witness went to the door to listen to what took place, and distinctly heard the prisoner say, " Up with you, up with you," and immediately after the violent screams of the child. She knocked at the door, and upon the pri goner making his appearance she asked him '; , :hat he was doing to the ebill? th9t. it. IV f . I.S no bur:inf.t4p, of hers, and begun to abuse her, and soon al;tr left tiw , house. In reply to the Magistrate's question, the witness said she had never heard the child's mother ill use him. On the contrary, heard her once beg of the prisoner to desist from ill-using the child. Witness, however, thouAht she could have very little of the feelings of a mother about h'r to f illow h,r ont'ortunate offsprip,7 to be tre,ted hi s‘, Four other witnesses cm roOorated e evidenci of the last witness in every particular. One of them, a trades man who lives opposite the prisoner, added that one day he heard a violent screaming issue from Pratt's house, and on hurrying across, and looking through the window, he saw the child hanging from the top bannister by a rope, with a noose round his neck, and his feet about six inehes from the gr 'Mid. He instantly forced open the window sufficiently to pot in a Ltd wt.) was in his elle rloyinent, and who cu: the down. The wittr. as added, that he did not int i •nte to the prisoner ur the others in the house the dreadful crime of attempting to hang the little fellow, but his impression was that he had been tied to the top bannister, and by endeavouring to relieve himself had got into the position in which he had before described, and had he nut been observed so soon, his death in a few moments must have been the conse quence. Mr. HENRY observed that the witness had put a very charitable construction upon the act. The prisoner in reply to the charge, declared that the greater part of what the witnesses had stated was false, and wished to have the child examined. _ _ . . _ Mr. HENRY observed that the witnesses had given their evidence in such a way as must convince every person of their truthfulness. They could have no motive for coming forward as they did, except one, namely, that of humanity ; and their conduct reflected so much credit upon them, that he would order them five shillings each, for their lots of time in attending. The prisoner again requested that the child should be examined, upon which Mr. Henry remarked that he had examined the poor child, who was really in a shocking state, and what he said fully confirmed the evidence of the witnesses. Mr. HENRY, addressing Dunn, one of the beadles of Lambeth, said the case was one which should be prose cuted by the parish, and he should therefore request that the vestry-clerk should be informed of the pa. ti culars, with a view of prosecuting the prisoner at the session. To afford the necessary time for this, he should remand the prisoner until Monday next. The prisoner was accordingly remanded. THAMES POLICE. WORKING AN ILLICIT STILL.—TWO young men, brothers, named Edward and William Smith, were charged with working an illicit still, in Feedeeick place, Bedford-street, Stepney. Colley Atkinson Davis, an officer of Excise, stated that from information which he received, he watched the house, No. 11, Frederick-place, about nine o'clock last night, and saw the two prisoners go into it. He waited awhile, and having stationed a constable and another Excise officer. named Pearce, to watch in the front, be succeeded in effecting an entrance at the back door. On searching the place, he found a copper still in the kitchen. It had recently been worked, and the end of the worm tasted of spirits. The prisoners were out then, so he secreted himself in the front parlour, and shortly after heard a low knock at the front door. No answer being returned, the door was opened from the outside with a key, and the two prisoners entered. He seized the elder prisoner, Edward, on which a struggle en sued, and they both rolled into the street. William, who ran on, was arrested by the constable and the other officer. In the pockets of each there were bladders, still wet, strongly smelling of spirit, and books containing memoranda of _materials used in distillation. The head of a button, which corresponded with those on the elder prisoner's coat, was found on the still, and such a one was missing from the hack of the coat. A deposit bank tke teene of Richard l'hanpsou, we: tetnto the elder pi ii)l3+.l. ['her, , 6i'verity g, U;re, et' ash on the promises. which hails su b seq ,„.,,o, worked if. and it produc , d six eallens rpm , . 20 de grees abovt• pro , .f. Pearce and the constable confirmed the evidence as far as they were concerned in the t-a7ts:trtion. pri-;on , ,rs boldly &Med th:sT they had any con -oexion with the insisted that they had 11>t. been in the house at all. The ~ Hirer, they 11: , nticcd on them us they were passing by the door, and they were taken on a groundless suspicion. Mr. BRODERIP thought otherwise, and ordered them to pity a tine of 30/. each, or be eemmitted to hard labour for three calendar months. [ADVERTISEMENT.] ANNUAL REPORT of the BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH, NEW-ROAD, LONDON, FOR 1844. TO THE PUBLIC. During the last year four most important matters connected with the Medical liberty of the subject have occurred. In the first place, Sir James Gra ham's Medical Reform Bill has been introduced, and by it free trade in medicine is acknowledged. The consequence is, that the worthy Baronet has brought about his ears the whole of the Doctors interested in keeping up a delusion as regards the treatment of diseases. That Sir James is deserving of the appro bation of all lovers of civil and religious liberty can not be doubted. The next point is, that the Doctors have suf fered a complete defeat at the Chester Assizes, in the ca3e of a Mr. Port, who, not being a regu lar or licensed practitioner, was indicted for having caused the death of a woman by plasters made of arsenic (a poison often used as a cure ! ! by the Doctors themselves), for the cure of can cer. It appeared that he had a good practice at Birkenhead, and no doubt took a good many fees which would, perhaps, have gone into the Doctors' pockets. A case was, therefore, got up against him —the jury, in spite of the evidence of Doctors, which was as strong as they could make it, triumphantly ac quitted him, upon which a simultaneous burst of ap plause rang from all parts of a crowded Court. This case is most important, as being another instance where a jury has been independent enough to think for themselves. It also establishes the Medical Li berty of the Subject. We have, therefore, copied in the 42d number of The Hygeist (which may be had at 368, Strand, price ld.) the whole trial of Mr. Port, as it appeared in The Times newspaper of the 11th of December, 1844, in order that you may judge for yourselves of the extraordinary admissions made by the Doctors on cross-examination on that trial, and to what lengths they will go, in order to prop up their false and interested Organic Theory, by which medicine is made a trade of, at the expense of the diseases of mankind. Though we wholly disagree with Mr. Port's treatment in using arsenic, still the principle of the Medical Liberty of the Subject is the same. The third point in our favour is what Lord Stanley stated in respect of the benefits arising from drainage of the land, at the Liverpotal Agricultural Meting. It is Just the Ilygeian System, as propounded {ay the late James Morison, and the article writreir by him in 1825 may be found in the " Abridged Alorisoniana," page 26. Such a truth, propounded by such a man as Lord Stanley, cannot fail to be of vast importance to all persons engaged in the Hygeian cause, for drainage is to the land what proper purging is to the human body. It should stimulate them to renewed exertions. It at once accounts for the universal sue cess of the Vegetable Medicine, in spite of all the interested opposition which we have had to contend against. From henceforth Lord Stanley's name should be associated with Hygeism. This great principle of drainage, as applied to the human body, is made manifest in a lithographic Print, which may be had of the Hygeian Agents (price 6d.), who agree that it is a complete illustration of the truth of the Hygeian System, and the fallacy of the Organic Theory of the Faculty. Another great blow to the Doctors and their Organic Theory has been the cause of " Temperance." Thousands will now be saved from disease, poverty, and death, by that cause. A few years back we used constantly to hear, " Oh! I am taking Brandy or Port Wine medicinally, by the advice of my Doctor." Now the people have found that all spirituous liquors undoubtedly are most injurious to health, whether taken medicinally or not. Father Mathew stands as the great Apostle of Temperance, and as such deserves universal support ; but you should not forget that the first great blow aimed at the faculty for advising and recommending spirituous liquors in certain diseases, is contained in the work of James Morison, the Hygeist (" The Morisoniana"), published as far back as 1825, and at page 60 of that work you will find the article, wherein he not only strongly recommends total abstinence as essential to the cure of all diseases, but contends that the desire for drink proceeds from a morbid state of the blood. Two hundred thousand copies of the original Edition of that work have been disposed of; and we are now circulating 40,000 of the abridged Edition, price 6d. ; which you will ad mit must have tended, in some measure, to establish the cause of Temperance. Every Hygeist subscribes to that great work of Father Mathew. No doubt the charge of self-interest will be brought forward against us. We would, however, appeal to an impartial public, whether it was possible to com bat (as we have done) the combined interests of the faculty, comprising a great portion of the press, for the last twenty years, without having funds necessary to answer the attacks which have from time to time been brought forward by interested Doctors against us ? Were you to see our printers' bills, and the charges for advertisements, and other expenses, in all parts of the world, you would not think that it has been such an interested affair as our enemies would make it appear. Would any man, out of his private fortune, have stood the enormous expenses which we have been put to by the Doctors ? Again, if the Hygeian System had been merely propounded without a medicine to carry out its principles, would it not have been said that it was utopian, visionary, &c. ? We should have been told—" Yes ! it's all very well, hut how will you carry it out ?" and so forth: there fore we repeat, that the Vegetable Purgative, known as " Morison's Pills," or " Vegetable Universal Me dicine," is the best medicine known to us. It has been tried by hundreds of thousands throughout the world during the last twenty years, with the happiest ereeits. le' the ['nesters: e.r.i I .7.ring out a better pur gltive, and prove it to be so by practical experience, ours must of course give way, but at present we ins'st, that the purgatives used by Doctors are not intended to cure diSeases ; they are merely an apology f.)r purgatives. Good and proper purgatives have been studiously kept from the public; or else, why have Doctors allowed the important facts, propounded y the late Dr. James Hamilton, of the Edinburgh Infirmary, in his book, " Hamilton on Purgatives, to die in the shade ? The cases of cure therein re ported by the Learned Doctor are quite as extraordi• nary (if extraordinary they can Lsrmed) as any that ever issued from the British Cele. , ; ee ef Health. However, wo peesume it would leve answered the purpose of the medical body to nave brought these important truths to lig:it. As regards the progress of the Hygeian System, we have the satisfaction to state, that it is spreading every day more and more throughout the world, and that before many years are over, it will be univer sally acknowledged. Being founded in truth, it must progress; whereas the Organic Theory of Doctors, being founded in error, must retrograde. We are unanimous. The Doctors are all at variance, and must be, so long as they proceed upon a false and interested theory. One word on what are termed diplomas. They prove nothing, unless there be unanimity in the body granting them. They are to be bought by any per son for 301. or 401. Hygeists treat them with the greatest contempt, because, in the first place, they tes tify to an untruth, in stating that the holder is initi ated into the art and mystery of medicine, and in the next, because they are, or profess to be, only granted to those who will conform to the opinions of an in terested body. Let us for one moment test the me dical degree of Doctor by the following :—An igno rant Doctor of Laws can easily be detected ;—an ignorant Doctor in Divinity can easily be detected ; —an ignorant Doctor in Music can easily be de tected ;—an ignorant Astronomer can easily be de tscted ;—the same may be said of a Navigator, a Watchmaker, and, in fact, of any other artist ;—but as to an ignorant Doctor in Medicine, him you can never detect : he may send people to a premature grave without the least suspicion ; provided he only know how to read, write, and spell, he will pass muster anywhere—and why not? Are not Doctors most conveniently all of different opinions as to the cause and cure cif diseases—don't they all prescribe differently ? And is not the public in a state of pro found ignorance of medicines ? Hoe can he, there fore, be detected ? Ile must be very stupid indeed who cannot keep up the role of a Doctor in Medi cine. This accounts at once for the poor Universities on the Continent selling medical diplomas to any ho ly wl.o will have them for 301. or 401.; and thougli it is, in truth, an imposition, we do not see mush difference between a diploma thus obtained and Isny other. It is only diplomas in medicine that will sell, all others are useless, inasmuch that an ignorant holder would be immediately detected. In conclusion, we have only to say, that our cause is yours. Every man should be his own doctor, and for this purpose, " A Guide to Patients," containing Cases of Cure of every disorder, with the names and addresses of the parties, in all parts of the world, is published at the low charge of 2d., in order to put it within the reach of all. It is one of the prominent features of the Hygeian System, that every one should be his own doctor. It certainly is to our interest that the Vegetable Universal Medicine should cure as speedily as possible, whereas, with the Doctors, it is their tl•:py • nor their attend e eyes) kPep 3 ,vn tL, iist as long as they can. In short, it would mu pa:i them to simplify the mode of cure. The British College of Health owes its rise and progress entirel'.' t peor.,:le, and (unlike the trade of Doctors) does net require protection by arbitrary Acts of Perliament, the support of partial i4r the s.lll,scriptioc s of the rich to support " Hospitals," where a false decteine (the Organic Theory) is fostered, by cutting making useless experiments on the ignorant anti poor people who are so unfortunate as to fall into these houses of torture and death. We contend that the Organic Theory of the faculty is completely wrong, and a curse to man kind, for it enslaves both body and mind; every day proves it to be so. MORISON, MOAT, and es., For and on behalf of the body of Hygeists. British College of Health, London, Ist Jan. 184.5. N.B.—Morison's Pills of the British College of Health, London, are riot sold by Chemists and Druggists. FATAL ACCIDENT on the LIVER POOL AND LEEDS JUNCTION LINE. On Monday last a fatal accident occurred on that part of the North Junction Railway, which is carried on pillars between the New Bailey prison and the Bolton Railway, and near New Bailey-street, Salford, by which the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Com pany have lost one of their oldest servants—a man well known and respected—Mr. John Forsyth, who has been in the service of that Company, and generally stationed at Ordsal-lane, for a period of seventeen years. The day was a very foggy one ; and he was proceeding along the junction line towards Ordsal-lane, where he re sided, when, a train coming on from Liverpool, he stood close to the iron parapet on that side of the line next the New Bailey prison. When the train had passed, being deaf of the right ear (the side next the rails), he did not hear or perceive an engine and. tender coming just behind him ' • and he stepped across the rails, when he was knocked down, his head lacer* ~ t ed, and the engine ,heel-: passed over the toes of his right foot. The engine was instantly stopped; hut the poor man was found to be quite dead. What ren ders the case the more painful and distressing is, that Lis son was upon the engine, and saw the unfortu nate catastrophe, without having the least power to prevent it. Both father and son were on their way home, to attend the funeral of a daughter of the de ceased. The son was upon the engine, having lost a. leg some time ago by being run over by an engine. Another daughter was burned to death about twelve months ago, so that this may with truth be called an unfortunate family. An inquest was held on the body on 'Tuesday, be fore Mr. Rutter, at the nearest public-house, one ad joining the railway, in Ordsal-lane, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death." The saine grave will receive the remains of both the father and daug hter.-1 1 / a nchester Guardian. We are informed that, in commemoration of tho honour conferred on the mercantile community of the City of London by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, ja laying tle• first stone , of the Nt- w Royal Exchange► op-ned for business yesterday aftern. bon, and in testimonl of their loyalty and devoted attachment to her Majesty sad her illustrious Consort, who itoootir9d with their pre sence the ceremonial of its ittangt,ration, rho merchants. bankers, shipowners, underwrit,rs, and others interested in the commerce of the City of London, propose (if the royal permission be obt.tined) to yreet, by subsiviptionr a full-length statue in marble of his Royal Highness; Prince Albert, to be placed in the vistibule at Lloyds, or in such other situation in the Royal ;^, .change as may. with the approbation of the Gresham Ccmmittee, be: hereafter determined upon. A Committee of so me of the most influential merchants of the City is in coarse or formation to carry out the object.—Shipping Gazette. BIRTHS. On the 27th ult., at Newick, Sussex, the lady of Jame. Henry Hurdis, Esq., of a son, still-born. On the 28th ult., in Upper Charlemont-street, Dublin, the lady of Captain Money Kyrie, 32d Regiment, of a son. On the 29th ult., the lady of Thomaa klarwood D a rtot Esq., of Preston, Herts, of a daughter. On the 29th ult., at Lonsciale-square, the wife of J. Lord, o f the Inner Temple, Esq., barrister-at-law, of a daughter. On the 31st ult., Mrs. Eldred, the wife of Edward Eldreao Esq., of the Middle Temple, of a son. On the 31st ult., at Springfield, Herefordshire, the lady of J. W. R. Hall, Esq., of a son. On the 31st ult., at Islington, Mrs. Charles Furlonger, of 0 , daughter. _ On the Ist inst., at Bedford-Mr, the lady of. Edward C• Holmes, of a daughter. HARRIED. On the 31st ult., at Trinity Church, Colden-common, tba Rev. Edward Kilvert, 8.A., Curate of Binsted, to EliaabO t , Emma, second daughter of the late Major J. E. Gabriel, the Hon. East India Company's Service. On the 31st ult., at Wedmore, Somerset, William, second son of John Golding, Esq., Ditton-place, near Maidstone , t ° Sarah, third daughter of J. Barrow, Esq., Manor Hous e ' Wedmore. On the 31st ult., at Speldhurst, the Rev. George TYn— Rector of Lapworth, late Fellow of Merton College, Oxford' to Jane Pow e ll, d aug h ter o f t h e l ate Joseph Kaye, Es+ , - Wandsworth-common. DIED. At Downham-road, Kingsland, Mr. William Locke, tall o r 9 of Walbrook, City. On the 4th ult., at Jersey, Edward George Boningt ol2° Esq., late a Lieutenant in the sth Dragoon Guards. On the 27th ult., at Denmark-hill, Camberwell, Sara h ' relict of the late Rev. John Madgwick Jones, M.A. Ann* On the 28th ult., at Ch a th am - p l ace E ast, H ac k ne y, Bailey, widow of J. Bailey, Esq., of Dalston. On the 30th ult., at Chertsey, Surrey, Mrs. Sarah Baker. a On the 30th ult., Mr. Aaron Carter, of the King's ne s Inn, High-street, Southwark. Oa the 30th ult., at Saville-place, Mile-end, 1 13 ° 11123 Daplyn, Esq., aged 85. Oa the 30th ult., in the Close, Winchester, the Ite v •,,, Vaux, 8.D., Prebend ar y o f Wi nc h ester C athedra l , aged ovi, On the 30th ult., M rs . M ary B agnall, of l3arn abury.P3r relict of the late T. Bagnall, Esq, aged 85. alas On the 31st ult., a t th e Fi shery, Boxmore, Herta, l'•-• h °- Reynolds, Esq., aged 75. On the 31st ult., Mr. Thomas Delarne Kipling, of St. tin's-lane. On the 10th alt., a t Ad r i anop l e, John Kerr, Esq., h e r 13ri tannic Majesty's Consul at that city. On the 24th ult., Mrs. Elizabeth Woodham, aged 86. On the 27th ult., Mi ss C harlotte Jones, of Upper Seri°tir. street West, Connaught -square. On the 28th ult., at Abbey Lodge, Merton, Surrey, f °- a t both, wife of Capt a i n G . 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