The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-16 00:00:00

THE RIJGELEY POISONINGS. • TRI AL OF PALMER AT THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) SECOND DAY This ,„ LONDON, THURSDAY. re % 1 " le ' r ning at te n o ' c l oc k th e p rocee dings in this arkable and extraordinary case were resumed. The inter ra interest taken by the public in the matter seems to for Pidl Y uPon the increase. Long before the usual time u-:,,, tri ° e l) B. ll , l n a_ g the court, a large . crowd had assembled to ati,l fitness asarrivl of the persons engaged in the trial, ben greatest gernss was evinced to learn anything ben • W hat was' taking place in the eourt. Upon the b-ree, alrnost the first to arrive, were the Earls Grey and rnee verb in court there were a great many of the leading eou n rnbers °I the medical profession from the midland geont.e Messrs, Aloselev and Minneley, the two sur ho sir gave the direct evidence of the poisoning by of Mrs. Dove, at Leeds, were also present. A l lei l er i n e -Z d s in a g ga s in ir present a powerful array of medical Benjamin Brodie, Dr. Taylor, Mr, Xnic2. l arl4 Mr. Nunneley, surgeons, of Leeds. Dr. of Stafford ; Dr. Bamford, of Rugeley ; Mr. Day, r g e ee, of Stafford ; Dr. Monckton, of Rugeley ; &e., physicie. Ides an i mmense number of fore i gn surgeons an d ii h i . a , n S , Whos e names we cou ld no t l earn . COff e - jUr Yt Wh o h a d passe d t h e n i g ht a t th e London °our e ; h ll°lls e , in ch arge o f th e s h er iff s ' officers, came into for h t , ert lY before ten o'clock, looking none the worse 'lag been kept from their homes. mr 7• e B rtl y after ter the learned Judges, Lord Campbell, Ush er Iren Alderson, and Mr. Justice Cresswell, were ea to their seats on the bench by the Sheriffs and (l it the n r „ eiv ie authorities. The Lord Mayor and the Th e also took their places on the bench. the tie Pri soner was then put forward in the dock. Despite . ab: I T Y hue of his complexion, there was a heaviness aiid it 'Yes that spoke forcibly of a sleepless night ; tsar; e ~w as a general remar k th a t hi s f ea t ures p re sented a Wo"e't c hange from the confident expression which they t r ti e Yester da.Y. He still continued to take copious notes ken, evidence, and, as points struck him, to pass corn ,,,,leatiens to his ever-active legal adviser. 444d'einA.,t.torney-General was not present at the opening, his absence, the case was conducted by Mr. Edwin de 4 r e es ' (4 ' o . Mr. Serjeant Shee, as yesterday, led the ten e ' eloc ilee. T he Attorney-General arrived shortly after Eli hti g ; Mills, the barmaid of the Talbot Arms , call e d p' w ho Was examined in chief yesterday, was re- S e g ' and cr oss-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee. Mr. yo n -vnt Sh ee ; How long before Mr Cook's death had w i4. at thej a lbot Arms ? Air:us cgs: Tw o years. had ergeant S.„, hee : How long before Mr. Cook's death - Yon se Wit t . aim at the Talbot Arms ? la Ry About three or four months. I first saw him kr. 8 x . wi erg eant Shee: Was he ailing at that time ? Dirt . neg s: lie did not seem part i cular l y so. t hreat kg Ser g e ant Shoe: Did you not hear him complain of Wit,. did. Sergeant Shee How long before his death ? a eBe M r. • ▪ About th ree mon th s . it 'ergeant , r Shoe : Did he complain frequently ? Scant • „„. o. kr f or tip • -r g e ant Shee : Do yo u know if he took any medi e Wit„ es 8: A gar I believe. .He took a good man bottles, I bel gle, y ieve. I n ever saw b u t one . serer. Sergeant Shee: Did you see that his mouth was Wit ness : I did not • c , , oer n geant Shee : Did he not appear to have a diffi i swallowing ? r it . n c e_s: •' I never h ear d hi m comp l a i n. % at ~:etgeant Shee : Hav e you not h ear d hi m com pl a i n tongu e was sore. t c , miL less : I ha ve not. I have seen him with a loaded /l ege. • 141 x• Sergeant Shee : You mean foul ? ita t , qo i t. Yes. I do not know that caustic was applied I kn ew Dr. Thirlby attended him. e4 e. a , Ser geant Shee : How recently before his death did Wi t _ l3l43 n of his tongue ? kevli e • n n e e " Ido n o t k now . I did not know thatse w eany pills he took b efor : th before hi s l ast i llness. I did n Rare e n. He h a d a s li g ht coug h when his throat was After w as ailing w h en h e came b ac k f r om Shrewsbury. to 41 '• Cook' s d eath I left the Ta lb ot an d wen t home si ll ,: fri ends i n t h e Potteries. I have been i n serv.l: .•e have have been chambermaid at Dolly's Chop-house• at 9'N' um n Mr. St even ' s s i nce I came t o L on d on . I saw 4 i)oll7's e did not think about six or seven times. oo I will n et twelve W talk about Ck's death. Driv:tke(l the bow I liked London. We did not have any re colle ct conv ersation about the matter. I cannot de ath, t what else we talke ~itkr. s ergea nt Shee : Did he ever give you any money nege Never d about excepting Cook's 14 1 . • ~ e riy 'ski ttle giant She_ _ kr, Q sa N O , never wi:t 'ergea nt Shee : When did you see him last ? qtr,Tis"s 01 : 1 Tuesday. \Vit Doll .t. m e ant Shee : Wh a t did he say then ? at 'ess: M erely asked me how I was. lam not now 4 Q t was there that I saw on Tuesday. '"gealut Shee: What part of him Dolly's did you see Or promise you any la ? cution. Witpeg • Jite. :Sere Th sitting-room. We were not alone. Wit n , $e ht Shee: Who was there ? Q.": L avinia Barnes. 44Wit:eesrg..eant Shee: Oh, Miss Barnes. .Who else ? R,S4 . 8 8, Two g en tl emen . W it ergeant Shee : Who were they ? : Ur. Hatton and Mr. Gardner. 3t Lffor,i 7 gea at Shee: What, the chief constable of Wit ness kr. •I do not know that he is chief constable. 1 , 2 scant Shee : Will y ou swear that , 14. —2 " I only know it from what 1 have heard. I Wit " 'Mt Shee, Is no t M r . Ga rdner an attorney? ites think he is. ' W.: "Pgeant Shoe • What did you talk about? IVIr,;I cannot recollect. W ere °.ergearit Shoe: Did he ask you what evidence you Witness t° gi ve ? have --en: Rdid not. He did not read anything to me. cle t , seed did Stevens. He did not read the coroner's Paper, to me, neither did he read them from a news tinstta„ at er g e ant Shee : H ow many t i mes h ave y ou seen Wi t , 0 y s coffee-ho use e 111 4 a essri : lam su re no t h alf a dozen t i mes . H e m i g ht re„ tie P:ke ti of Cook's d ea th. I canno t rem ember or time " i f he did. I h ave seen Gardner three or four 4 0t an I have m et him i n th e street and at Dolly ' s. atter-3relle else was present. I have no t b een t o an y The °Mee with him. -aa o - e w thes s , i n answer to further questi ons , sa id s h e there :living with her mother at Rugeley, and had . been fri e4a out three weeks. She had been living with her e was a She knew a man of the name of Dutton, Dutton, his re, the a t. friend of hers. There was a Mrs. hi " l vs He was a labouring man, and she had known a cottage. Th ere two years. ~The residence te e as were four rooms—two bed-rooms and two two sitting. and slut On all occasions she sler with Dutton's d also been 4 te yi who had a weekly income. She ha __„..,s kb et : l g With her cousin in the Potteries. She Left -u°") '1,114 the , 4 „, 13/t/ nth ago, of her own accord, as she did not who w h- I'Lace. She had not read the case of Mrs. Dove, t net 6 .48 Poisoned at Leeds. She had heard it read, bu Il ard ib al 'Y Person connected with the trial. She never t I N a onaptoros of strychnine mentioned, but there he made that that was another strychnine case• th -441 rwt say when she first used the word twitching. 14 ', P in c : li h ht it Was first mentioned in a conversation with The`°e: „-er .Thew word "jerking" had never been mentioned .? y ; sh was quite positive as to that. twenty t brothslle mentioned yesterday, which made It lit Y Canes, she never mentioned to the coroner. ' not she tho oce w lir to h er when she was being examine ll iq b rot u4 t of it th ree days after. She did m ention that h d : but as t Nall ed h had a Peculiar taste to the coroner when s '''. . she had b een examindd twice before the core It eoth (14 °lle occasi on he r attention was called to the 4 ; and she th en stated that the broth was very good. her sick occur red to h er to mention that the broth made ek. 811 e did not think at the time the sickness was atised by the broth. She had bilions attacks, but not strong ones. She did not mention the fact of her being sick, because she could not account for it. The sickness came on about half an hour after she had taken the broth. On Saturday morning Cook had coffee for breakfast, but she did not recollect who recommended the coffee to Cook. She could not remember whether Palmer ordered the breakfast. She stated it yesterday that Palmer ordered the coffee, but at that exact moment she could not recollect that she mentioned the subject yesterday. If she stated it yesterday, it was correct, but she could not recollect so well to-day as yesterday. She could remember whether she stated anything about the coffee to the coroner. The pill box mentioned in evidence yesterday as being sent over about 5 o'clock, and that she saw Palmer in the room about eight o'clock, she did not remember to have mentioned to the coroner. She might not have been asked the question. She would swear Palmer was there between nine and ten, as he brought a pot of jelly, and she opened it. It was nearer ten than nine. She did not recollect, when she left Cook, about half-past ten that evening, whether Palmer was with him. She did not know when Cook took the pills. It was Tuesday morning when she asked Cook how he felt after taking the pills. She asked what was the cause of his illness, and he said the pills which Palmer gave him, but she did not mention that circum stance before the coroner. She had been questioned about what she said about the pills, It was at Fletchingly by Dr. Collier. She did not tell him that a gentleman altered her evidence. Dr. Collier said, "The coroner has not got down what you men tioned about the pills," and she said " No," but she thought it was down somewhere, as she had mentioned it to somebody. The evidence had been altered by her since it was given. She could not tell who the gentleman was to whom she mentioned about the pills, because she did not know. She made the statement in question at Dolly's. She was positive she could not tell the name of the gentle man. He came to her at Dolly's, and asked her if she would answer a few questions. The interview lasted about half an hour, and he was writing as she was answering the questions. He did not tell her his name. Mr. Stevens was with him. She did not mention that before, because she was never asked the question. All she stated was taken down. She did not recollect whether she mentioned anything to the coroner about Cook being unable to lay down. She mentioned something about Cook e throwing himself about, but she could not say that she used the word "jerking," but she might have said the body was " jumping about ; " neither could she remember stating that the fingers would not move. She did not remember saying she saw Cook " twitch." She did not recollect exactly what she said now before the coroner, but she answered every question that was put to her. She did . not tell the coroner that Cook snapped at the spoon when she gave him the toast water, so that it was diffi cult to get it out of his mouth. Lord Campbell thought the questions were unnecessary , as the coroner's depositions must be read. Mr. Sergeant Shee said the depositions were put in. The Attorney-General said he was prepared to have the depositions read, but he was also in a position to prove that there were several omissions in the depositions which called for some remonstrance on the part of the prose- Cross-examination continued. : When I first was examined, I was not required to disclose the symptoms to Dr. Taylor. On the night when I rung for Palmer, he had a cap on. That was on Monday. I don't recollect how Palmer was dressed on the Tuesday. I don't know whether he had his night or day shirt on, or whether he wore slippers. The witness then stated that it was not ten minutes after Jones left the room that she saw Palmer searching for Cook's coat, but it was ten minutes after she herself left the room. She stated to the Coroner that she saw Palmer searching the bAI. clothes as if he was looking for a watch. She remembered the room in which the examination of Cook's body took place. A model of the Talbot and :Palmer's house at Rugeley was here produced, and explained to the court. The prisoner eyed it with an eager and searching glance. The model had been prepared for the purposes of the prose cut ion. The witness here described and pointed to a door which the doctors' entered at. She thought the people also came in by the door. Another led to a bedroom, and the other door led to the landing. There was a gas lamp over the door of the Talbot. She did not know the exact dis tance between Palmer's house and the Talbot. Mr. Sergeant Shee said he now proposed that the depositions should be read. The Clerk then read the evidence given by the witnesses before the coroner Re-examined by Mr. James : She was before the coron Ir, and was examined several days. She was not then examined on all the symtoms she noticed in the deceased. The questions were then put to her by the coroner, and her answers were written down by the coroner's clerk. What questions the coroner put to her she answered, but made no statement. By Lord Campbell : The coroner asked if the broth had any effect upon and I said not that I was aware of. Mr. James : That's not down in the depositions. Witness continued : I am unable to say what brought it to my mind afterwards, but I think some one mentioned it to me first ; perhaps a week after I was examined by the coroner. I think it was one of my fellow servants. It is a fact that I was ill after taking the broth, and Lavinia Barnes was aware of it. Cook said " the pills, Palmer gave me after half-past ten o'clock made me ill.' A person now in court came to me and repro_ sented himself as a solicitor for the Crown, and asked me questions relative to this occurrence He came to one about a month after the inquest. He wrote down some of the statements I made to him, and took it away with him. I was not asked by the gentle man [supposed to be stated by the counsel to be Dr . Collier] to sign what he wrote. I don't think he read it over to me. Other persons were with him. The broth had no particular flavour with it. I have never tasted tartar emetic. I have lived at the Talbot Arms for two years. Cook had often gargled his throat in her presence• The gargle he got from Thirlby, who succeeded to Pal mer's business. lam engaged to be married to one of the Duttons, in whose house I am now staying. Mr Sergeant Shee proposed to put a question to the witness relative to Dr. Collier's statement, Mr. Baron Alderson said that before it was put Dr. Collier ought to leave the Court. In fact he ought not to have been present. I,Mr. Sergent Shoe then asked her if Dr. Collier did not say he was not for the Crown nor the defence, nor for any party, but for the truth ? Witness replied—He said, "I am for the Crown, but I want no favour or affection; all I want is the truth. Will you answer me some questions ?" I replied, " Certainly.' Mr. Gardner, solicitor, agent for the attorneys of Mr. Stevens, step-father of the deceased, examined by the Attorney-General: I attended the inquest on Cook, and put questions occasionally to the witnesses. The coroner also put questions, and his clerk wrote down the answers. I had to expostulate with the coroner on several occasions on the manner in which he conducted the inquest ; he omitted on several occasions in the course of each day to put certain questions to the witnesses under examination , but not as to the particular case or words used. Mr. Sergeant Shoe took an objection to this course of examination. Lord Campbell said that the court ought, under the circumstances. to know how the inquest was conducted by the coroner. Mr. Sergeant Shee said he could not see any thing the coroner said could affect the prisoner. The Attorney-General said it was only tso rebut the effect of the ,evidence which the learned sergeant had introduced. Lord Campbell said he thought the question should be put. The Attorney? General : I will put this question to the witness: Did you expostulate with the coroner on his conduct generally ? Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to the question. The Attorney-General then varied the question, but Mr. Sergeant Shoe still objected, on the ground that it was not evidence. The question was not put. Witness continued: I don't recollect Dr. Taylor expos tulating with the coroner at certain questions not having been put to him. The Attorney-General renewed his application to put the above question to the witness, to show that the evidence which the last witness had given here, being different than that before the coroner, was not a contra diction, but an addition to her evidence under certain circumstances The object of the evidence he now pro posed to give_was twofold; first., to show that questions MEW T r v-tro were not put, to the witnesses that should have been put, and ought to have been put ; and, secondly, when the questions were put and answered, the answers were not taken down. • After some consultation their lordships ruled that the question could not be put to show generally the manner in which the coroner conducted the inquest. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : The jury put many questions to the witnesses. By the Attorney-General : The jury made very strong objections on the coroner not putting certain questions to the witnesses. The Attorney-General; What were they? Mr. Sergeant Shee : I object to the question. Lord Campbell : That is a part of the proceedings at the inquisition. The Attorney-General varied his question. Mr. Sergeant Shee again objected. The jury being at liberty to put questions, it was not competent for the prosecutor to put the question proposed to the witness under examination. • Lord Campbell said that the judges were of opinion the question eonld not be put to the witness. Mrs. Ann Brooks, examined by the Attorney-general, stated she resided at Manchester. She was at Shrews bury is Nov., 1855, and she knew Palmer was at the races, for she saw him there. She spoke to him on the 14th. She met him in the street, and she had a con versation with him. She asked him what horse was to win, and he said Chicken. Palmer desired her to call at the Raven the next day, about a horse called Lord Derby. She accordingly went to the Raven that evening, about half-past ten, and her friends, which she had with her, waited below. She was posi tive as to the hour, as she passed a clock, and had it been later she should not have gone. As she was going uc stairs she met a servant, and asked her to tell Mr. Palmer she was there. When she got up stairs she turned to the left, as she knew what room Palmer occupied, as she had called frequently at the hotel. The servant told her Palmer was there (nodding her head towards the door.) She saw Palmer standing in the room beside a table. He had a tumbler in his hand with a small quantity . of liquid in it, which appeared to be water• She did not see hi:n put anything into it ; but he was shaking it round and round. There was a light near him. He held the glass up to the light, and said he would be with her directly. Palmer first saw her the moment she got to the top of tho stairs, He stayed a minute or two longer at the table with the glass in his hand. He held it up to the light once or twice. Between the intervals she observed him shaking it. While he was standing with the glass she said to Palmer, " what very fine weather," and shortly after this, there being a door partially open adjoining his, he carried the glass into that room, but she heard no one speak to him. He staid there two or three minutes, and then returned with the glass in his hand ;it had still the liquid in it. He then took the glass into his own sitting-room. In three or four minutes he again returned. She shut the door after him. He returned with the glass like the one he had in his hand ; it had brandy and water in it. She was certain it was not the same colour of the liquid she first saw. He then entered into conversation with her about the races, and that he should back Chicken. She was present at the races, and Chicken lost. Cross-examed by Mr. Sergeant Shee : Her name was Brooks. She was a married woman, and attended the races, but her husband never went with her. Her husband had a very high appointment, and he did not sanction her going. She saw Herring for the first time at Shrewsbury races. There was a good number of racing men taken ill at Shrewsbury—one of the company was dreadfully so. They thought the water had been poisoned at Shrewsbury The persons suffered from sickness and were purged. A lady who met me at Shrewsbury, and also another whom she knew, suffered in that way. Palmer held the glass between his eyes and the gas as if to see if anything was in it. The passage led to many rooms. He said, " ril be with you presently," as he held the glass to the light. There was nothing suspicious about his conduct then. thought it might have been a cooling draught.'; ~I was not examined before the coroner. By the Attorney-General : The brandy and water he gave me was cold. I have been on friendly terms with Palmer for a number of years. Lavinia Barnes, waitress at the Talbot, examined by Mr.. James : In November, 1855, I was waitress at the Talbot Arms. I knew both Palmer and Cook, and saw Cook on the 12th, before he went to the Shrewsbury races ; he appeared very well, in much his usual health. I saw him on the Thursday following, on his return from Shrewsbury. I remember his retiring to the Talbot Arms bet Ween nine and ten o'clock, after he dined with Palmer on the Friday night. He was sober and spoke to me. Elizabeth Mills attended him to his room. I saw him twice on Saturday. I remember on that day some broth was sent to the Talbot for Cook. I took it up to him. He said he could not take it because he was too sick I brought it down stairs and put it in the kitchen. After that I saw Palmer, and I told him Cook could not take it because he was too sick. Palmer replied, "He must take it." It was afterwards taken to the deceased by Eizabeth Mills. On the Sunday I did not see any more broth sent to Cook. On the Sunday Elizabeth Mills was taken ill between 12 and 1 o'clock. She was taken ill with vomiting. She went to bed. I saw her vomiting violently. She remained in bed till between 4 and 5 o'clock. She complained of sick ness to me. I saw some broth in the kitchen on that Sun day, but I am unable to say where it was made, or where it came from. On Monday morning I saw Palmer at the Talbot Arms, between seven and eight o'clock. He told Elizabeth Mills, in my presence, he was going to Landon. The broth was in a sick cup in the kitchen; it had two handles ; it did not belong to the Talbot - Arms. The cup afterwards went back to Palmer's house. During the Monday I saw Cook, but not till after dinner: Mr. Saunders, the trainer, came and saw him, and I took brandy and water to him in Cook's room. I slept that night in the next room to Cook's. I saw Palmer at the Talbot Inn that night, between eight and uine o'clock. I saw him go up stairs in the direction of Cook's room. About twelve o'clock (I had not went to bad) I was alarmed by Cook's bedroom bell ringing violently. I was then in the kitchen. I went upstairs, and found Cook very ill; he asked me to send for Palmer. Cook screamed violen'ly, and cried " murder," and said he was suffocating. His eyes had a very wild appearance, standing a great way out of his head ; he was beating the bed with his hands. I left the room, and sent the boots for Palmer. I then called up Elizabeth Mills. Cook cried out " Xunder," and Christ have mercy on my soul?' I had never before seen any person in such a state. Palmer shortly after came to the hotel and went up to Cook.' I saw him afterwards vain Palmer came ; he was then more composed. He said, " Doctor, I shall die." Palmer replied, " Don't be alarmed, my lad." I did not see any pills given him, but I saw him drinking a darkish mixture be had in his hand whilst Palmer was present. When he put the glass to his mouth I heard him snap at it with his teeth. I both saw and heard the snapping of the glass with his teeth. .He afterwards brought up the draught. She left him that night between twelve and one o'clock. He was then more composed. I saw him again on Tuesday morning, I asked him how he was, and he said " a little better." I sam him on several occasions on that day, and each time he appeared better. On Tuesday night about twelve o'clock I was alarmed by the ringing of Cook's bell. I was then in the kitchen. The chambermaid who was with me went upstairs and answered the bell. I followed her up. I did not go into Cook's room, but I heard him screaming as I stood on the landing near the door. Eliza beth Mills fetched Palmer, who came, and went to the deceased. I saw Palmer, and said to him, " Mr. Cook is ill again." Palmer said, Is re ?" There was nothing particular in his dress. Palmer went into his room and came out again, and said that Cook was not so bad by a fiftieth part. Saw Jones in Mr. Cook's room attending to him. Coek asked to be turned over. Palmer was a went into the room and m I didnot see him die. - After Mr.e iri e out Cook t ' h s eng d ar e ion :t ul h .and I saw Palmer looking at Mr. Cook's coat, and also under the bolster, I said, " Mr. Cook can't be dead , " and Palmer said, " Yes, he is. I knew he wop.ld he." He was then in the room with the body. Upon the Thusday following Palmer asked me for the key of the room where the body lay, as he wanted sonic books and paper. calmer went into the roo m w ith t h e body, and when I got In there he sent rise to Miss Bond to ask for some novels, which I got for him, and came back. Palmer was then looking upon the drawers, and said he cauld not find the paper-knife which he had asked for. Mr. Jones, about four o'clock upon the Friday, asked about Cook's betting-book, and I and Elizabeth Mills went to look for it. Jones said it was of no use to any one but Cook. We came back and said that we could not find it. Palmer said, Ob, It will be found somewhere." Cress-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : When I told Palmer Cook could not take the broth, Palmer said he must take it. Ile did not say why. On that day Cook had not had any solid food. I knew it was before the Monday night that Palmer was there. I knew he had been to London. Ido not know what time the train from London comes in. The station is about a mile. I am rot certain about the time. I think that some one was holding the glass to Cook when be was biting at it, T did not look for the betting.-book in the drawers, because the undeitaliers were there. The undertakers used to have the key given to them to go into the deceased'® rooms and the woman used t , ) go into the room. Re-examined by the Attorney-General: The women used to be left in the room. We used to be in and out at POOE r 4 ‘'.4r MitY 16, 181 d. the time. I saw the betting-book in Cook's room before his death, but not after: At the conclusion of the wi'ness's re-examination the court adj , ,urned fur a short time. The Court having resumed, the next witness called was Ann Rowley, wh — o proved that she had been employed by Palmer as charwoman. On the Saturday before Cook died Palmer sent me to the Albion for some broth. I took it to Palmei's house, and then proceeded to do other work. Palmer brought the broth in the broth-pot into the back kitchen and told me to take it over to the Talbot-inn, and say it was for Jeremiah Smith. Ire is a gentleman residing in Rugeley, he is an attorney, and a friend of ,ir. Palmer's, I took the broth to the Talbot Arms end gave it to Lavinia Barnes. I did not at that time know anything about Cook. The broth was made by the landlady of the Albion. —.„.. By Lord Campbell : It was about five minutes between the time when I first saw the broth i❑ the saucepan and the time it was brought to me. _ Charley Horley, a gardener, residing at Eugelty, deposed —I was occasionably employed by Palmer. fle asked me if r would take sown broth to Mr. Cook ; it was between twelve and one. The broth was in a small cup, with a cover. Palmer told me to take it across to the Talbot to Mr. Cook. I did so. I thought the broth woe hot, and I could not say whether it was Mills or Barnes I gave it to. Sarah Bond was next exim;ned, and proved that. she was housekeeper at the Talbot, in November last. She knew Cook,.as he was in the habit of stopping there. Cook weft to the list Shrewsbury races. About eight o'clock on Sunday evening I saw Cock, and he said he had been very poorly. I saw the prisoner on - the same evening, I esked him what he thought of Mr. Cook, and he said he was better. On Sunday Palmer said Smith would sleep with him that . night. Palmer said Cook would require some one to sleep with him, and I asked if Jidgine should sleep with him, but Cook objected. Palmer, when he ordered the coff_e, did not say how it was to be made. I male the coffee and gave it to Palmer. When I went into Cook's room, Cook was sitting on the bed. I did not remain in the room. Cook was resting on his elbow. On leaving the room I remained on the landing. Palmer then came up and went into the room. Shortly after Palmer left the room and returned with some medicine. I heard Cook say he thought he should die. Palmer cheered him up and said he would do all he could for him. Mr. W. H. Jones, a surgeon, at tutherford, examined by the Attorney-general : I am a relative of the late Mr. Cook's He was twenty-eight years old. I have known him for six years. He studied for the law, but latterly went to the turf, and agricultural pursuits. He kept racehorses, and betted on the ground. He lived at my house, and considered it as his home. I attended him professionally. His health was generally good. lie hunt€d very frequently. In . the month of November he went to Shrewsbury races. He invited me to see his horse run, and I went over. I was with him on the Tuesdey, when his horse, Pole Star, won. I dined with him at the Rainbow Hotel, with sever d other friends. The horse having won, there was a little extra champagne. On our way to the train there was a conversation between the clerk of the course and Mr. Cook, and his betting-book was produced. I saw that it contained figures. I continued to see Cook until ten o'clock. He was not in a state of liquor, but appeared in his usual health. On the Monday afterwards I received a letter from Mr. Palmer. [The letter was pro duced and read. It stated that Cook had been taken ill at Shrewsbury, and was still ill there (at Rugeley). That he had had a very violent attack ; that medical men had been called in to see him ; and that he, Palmer, thought it advi sable the witness should come over to see him Witness went over to Rugeley on the following day, Tuesday, and saw Cook. He said he had been very ill at Shrewsbury, Mr. Palmer afterwards came into the room, and was present while witness examined Cook. I felt his pulse. It was a natural pulse, and his tongue was clean. I said. " this is hardly a tongue for a diarrhoea tongue." I visited him several times in the course of the afternoon. There was a change for the better. That afternoon, Mr. Bamford, a surgeon at Rugeley, came, and expressed an opinion that Cook was going on satisfactorily. Cook expressed some objection to some pills which he had had on the previous night. He said that they made him ill in his inside. Palmer proposed that Mr. Bamford should make up some morphine pills, requesting me not to mention to Mr. Cook what they contained. Mr. Bamford agreed. I was in Cook's room several times after that, but did not observe any billions symptoms whatever. About eight o'cleck that night I went over with Palmer to his own house. Palmer brought back with him a box of pills. It had a direction. It was in gond writing, but I can't say what it was. Palmer said that Cook must take the pills, when Cook pro tested against doing so, very much on the ground that he had been so ill on the previous night. Palmer repeated the request several times, and at las Cook took them. Cook afrerwards vomited, and we looked to see if the pills had been brought off. We could only find toast and water, the pills had been retained. The contents of the pills would not cause von)itiug, nor would swallowing them. Before Palmer had given Cook the pills he had somewha , recovered his strength. He ;sot up and sat in a chair. His spirits were good, and he joked as to what he should do in the winter. At his request it ha I been arranged that I should sleep in his room that night, it was a double-bedded room. which I agreed to do. A few minutes before 12 o'clock I went np stars to his bed-room, and undressed. I had not been in bed more than ten minutes when he started up and said " Doc‘or, get up, I am going to be ill." I ran for the chambermaid, and he called out "send for Mr. Palmer." In a few minutes Palmer came, and gave him two pills, which he said contained ammonia. After taking the pills he uttered loud screams, and threw himself hack on the bed in convulsions. Finding that he was getting weak, I spoke to Mr. Palmer about getting some more pills for him, with a view of rallying him, Palmer went out and returned in a short time. When he came back, the action of his heart was scarcely psrceptible, and life had almost passed away. In a few minutes he expired. Not more than ten minutes or a quarter of an hear he expired. I cons;der that the proximate cause of death was tetanus. The affection caused a cessation in the action of the heart, and the sense of suffocation. I observed that the body was very dark after death, and both hands were clenched. Immediately death hid taken place I noticed that his hands were clenched. When I rubbed him the body was in the form of a bow. The head and the heels rested on each other. After death I saw that the jaw had been acted upon by spasms. Palmer remained about an hour after Cook died. I noticed he had the deceased's coat in his hands, and he said, " you being his nearest friend, you had better take possession of what he has here." 1 took pos session of his watch, and his purse, containing five or six sovereigns. The same night 1 had some conversation wfth Palmer about Cook's death. He said—" It is a bad thing for me that Cock is dead, as I am responsible for £4,000, and I hope Cook's friends will not let me lose it, for if I do all my horses will be sei7,9‘l upon for it." Nothing was said about papers. I was present when Mr. Stevens, the step father, called about the funeral. Palmer said that if Mr. Stevens would not bury him he would. On that day Mr. Stevens, Mr. Bamford, Palmer, and myself dined together, and Mr. Stevens requested me to go and look for Cook's betting book. I went, and Palmer followed me. He said, as he had said on the night of Cook's death. that his betting book could not be of use to anybody, as all the bets were void. Cross•examined by Mr. sergeant Shee : Mr. Cook lived a great deal at his house. He had had a sore throat for some months, and it was slightly ulcerated. He knew that he applied caustic to his tongue, but he had ceased to do it for two months before his death. He did not, however, cease to complain of occasional pains in his throat, and on his tongue. He complained of having Lren affected with secondary symptoms from a certain disease. He had been rednced some tine before his death, but he was redeeming his circumstances by racing. He was very excited prior to Shrewsbury rac , .s ; the result was most important to him. Mr. Cook was a temperate man, and did not indulge at dinner on the day of the race. Mr. Sergeant Shee remarked, that in his depositions efore the coroner, the witness had not attributed death D tetanus. After some discussion on this point • ". The Attorney-General said he had before him the original depositions, and he found that the clerk, not understanding the witness, had first written compression and scratched it out, then he wrote tetinus, not tetamr, and then scratched that out, Afterwards he wrote 4 ‘ violent convulsions." Lord Campbell objected to detached portions of the evidence being real, and the whole of the witness's depositions before the coroner were put in and read. Cross-examination continued : Dr. Bamford expressed his opinion that Cook died :from apoplexy, but witness said it was more like epilepsy. When - he was at Rugeley, Palmer showed him hi s r ac i n g st u d. - It appeared to be a valuable collection of horses, but he was not much of ft judge. 113 Y the Attorney-General In epilepsy there was no such rigidity of the muscles as was shows in this case. In apoplexy no consciousness remained. He believed that Cook's death arose neither from epilepsy nor apoplexy, Dr. - Savage said he was a physician, residing in Gloucester-place, and said Cook had been in the habit of Consulting him professionally during the last four years He frequently complained of his throat. In May, 1855, he Called upon witness. He was anxious about some pale spots about his body. Fie had two shallow ulcerations upon the tongue corresponding to two bad teeth which no doubt caused them. Ile said he had been under going a mild mercurial course. Witness gave him quinine and a tonic, and an aperient of cream of tartar, magnesia, sulphur. gave him antimony. and Under He never that treatment the sores were quite removed by the end of May. He continued under his treat ment until within a fortnight of his death. On the 29th of October he called upon witness_ and he examined him carefully, Witness recommended him to go abroad. lie bid no other disease Ulan he had mentioned. Cross-examined by lifr. Sergeant Shee s Cook was not without common sense, but he was timid on the suhjedt of his throat, Charles Newton, examined by Mr. James, said he was assistant to Mr. Salt, a surgeon at Rugeley. He saw Wil liam Palmer at Mr. Salt's surgery on Monday, November la. Witness was alone in the surgery. He asked for three grains of strychnine, lie weighed it accu rately, and gave it to Palmer in a paper. It - was a white powder. He said " Good night,•' and took it away. He did not pay for it. Witness made no charge, as Palmer was a medical man. lie should not have sold it to an ordinary person. He saw Palmer again on the 20th of Nov. in the shop of Mr. Hawkins, a druggist, at Rugeley. Palmer a-ked him how he was, put his hand upon his shoulder, and said he wished to speak to him, Witness went to the door with him, and thence into the street. When he got some distance from the door he asked when Mr. Edwin Salt was going to his tarm. The farm was at Sutbury, fourteen miles from Rugeley. While they were talking, Brassington, a cooper, came up, and entered into the conversation. Brassington had two bil's for Mr. Salt. Palmer lett and went back into Mr. Hawkin's shop. When he came out he was still talking to 13rassington in the street. Palmer again. came out and went towards his own, house. After his con versation with Brassington, witness went into Hawkins's shop. There was an apprentice there named. Roberts, with whom he had some conversation about Palmer. He knew a man named Thurlby, who had been an assistant with Palmee.. Thurlby dispensed Palmer's medicines. Ha ranamberel Sunday, the 25th of November. On the evening of that day he was at Palmer's house about seven o'clock', in consequence of having been sent for. Palmer was in the kitchen, sitting• by the fife, reading. He asked witness how he was, and asked him to have some brandy and water. No one else was present. He enquired what dose would kill a dog, and Witness told him a grain •He then asked, whit would be the appearate e of the stomach after death, and witness told him there would be no inflammation, and thoeght ho did not think it would b 3 found. He then snapped his finger and said, rather to himself than witness, '• All right." He was with Palmer in the kitchen about five minutes. On the fol lowing day (Monday) he heard that the post mortem exami nation of Cook's body was ab)ut to take place. • Mr. Salt went with witness to Dr. lsramford's to ask him to let witness attend the post mortem examination. Palmer was in Dr. Bamford's study.:and asked witness • what he wanted. He told him that - he was going to the post mortein, and he then asked whether Mr. Salt was Witness told him he was engaged and could not go, post martens took place at the 'Talbot. Before it com menced the other doctors went away for a short time, and left wi:nesa and :Palmer together. Palmer said it would be a dirty job, and he should go and have a glass of brandy. He asked witness to go with him to his house opposite, and he did so. Witness bad two wine glasses of neat brandy, and Palmer drank two glasses. While they were there Palmer said "You will find this fellow suffering from a diseased throat—he has had syphilis." He added that he had taken a great deal of mercury. They then went over to the Talbot Arms, and the medical men bad returned. While the examination was going on Palmer stood with Dr. Bamford before the fire. He was examined before the Coroner, and did not state to him that he had given' Palmer three grains of strychnine on the 19th of Nov. He just told the circumstances to Cheshire, the post piaster. Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to anything the witness told Cheshire being received as evidence against the prisoner. Cross-examined by Mr. Grove, Q C.: He first men tioned the fact to Cheshire two or three days after the inquest. He thought he could swear it was in less than a fortnigle: after the inquest. S thsequent to the inquest he was examined for the purpose of giving evidence on the part of the Crown. Ho did not say anything about Palmer's purchase of the .three grains of strychnine, but he mentioned the affair of the conversation relative to poisoning the dog. He had previously mentioned the fact to Mr. Silt. He did not tell 11 - Ir. Salt anything about the three grains of strychnine. He did not say anything at the inquest about Cook's sore throat or rather diseases of which Palmer had informed him. When he gave his evidence at the inquest he had heard it alleged that Palmer had mirth vied strychnine at Hawkins's shop. He was net certain whether Palmer said, 0 You will find this fellow ilied, o &c., or This poor fellow." By the Attorney-General : He did not tell Mr. Salt about Palmer getting the strychnine, because Mr. Salt and Palmer were not friends. Mr. Sergeant Shee wished to know whether he had not given another and a different reason, namely, that he should be indicted for perjnry. Witness said he did not give it as a reason, but merely stated that George Palmer threatened to indict - a young man at Wolverhampton, for having stated, in the case of Paltner's brother, that he hid sold Prussic acid to William Palmer. _ _ The Court, at twenty minutes past six, adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow. COUNTY COURT, -YESTERDAY (BEFORE JOSEPH POLLOCK, ESQ , JUDGE.) HARRISON Y. TIIE LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAIL WAY COMPANY.—The plaintiff in this case was one of the proprietors of eotton mills, at Staleybridge, and the action was brought to recover the value of 63 gallons of olive oil, alleged to have been lost while in the custody of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company. Mr. Collier appeared for the plaintiff, ani Mr. Henry Forshaw for the defendants. The oil in question, was portion of two pipes. forwarded to plaintiff by the Messrs. Bancroft, oil manufacturers, of this town.. When the oil arrived at Staleybridge station, the plain tiff's carter was told that a quantity had been spilt out of one of the casks, and he was shown a quantity of oil in a vessel lying at the station. The carter went back and informed Mr. Goddart, bookkeeper to the plaintiff, who went to .the station, and saw there, that the oil had been spilt in consequence of the casks being placed too closely side by side. He was asked if he would take the oil which had been saved in the vessel, but he stated that he could not take it, as it was now gritty and wholly unfit for the purposes for which it was required. He said it would be be:ter for the railway comp fly to take the whole case and pay the plaintiffs for it, but the railway clerk slid the company could not do that, and recommended Mr. Goddart to send in a claim to the beard. Finally, the railway company sent up the cask to the plaintiff's mill, and it was there found that the quantity deficient was 53 gallons. Evidence was given to shew that the casks were in proper condition when delivered into the custody of. the railway company by Messrs. Beaucroft, and tint the note of the delivery contained an intimation that if any casks were found to be in bad order, it should not be forwarded. After hearinc , the evidence on both sides, his Honour said he should take time to consider the case, and would give judgment on Tuesday fortnight. THE SMOKE PREVENTION TO TeE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES _ . Sir,—ln your editorial article in reference to the late meeting of the Polytechnic Society, you have, unintention. ally I feel persuaded, mis-stated what fell from me, and will be obliged by your permission to be set right. Mr. O'Regan having, in a late publication, designated me as a quack, and as having learned from him how a furnace should be constructed, I felt bound to attend the late meeting, and, as Mr. O'Regan was present, I felt the less restraint in contradicting his statement. I have no interest whatever in the matter, beyond the feeling which every Member of a community has in exposing error. You ask in this day's paper whether Mr. Williams will venture to state that leaving furnace doors open, and care ful stoking, will secure the employers of steam against informations. I have only t) assure you and your readers that I never advocated any such measures, but the reverse, You have stated that " I rest my Pretentious on the principles &aimed in my specification, without reference to their application ;" my claim was the very reverse of this; it then can be no patent for a principle; my patent was for the mode of carrying it into practice. The principle in question is the causing a more rapid and intimate mixture of the air with the gal .. , ray claim as to the mode of carrying that out, by musing " the air to pass through perforated air distributors." . . Ti diawings in the public journals only give same of the modes'by which these principles ntly be applied; the patent' right does not depend on drawings, but on the specific claim in the specification.—Yours, Nifty 12, 1856 C. W. WILLIAMS. THE LANCASHIRE MILITA.—We understand that the tad Lancashire (Duke of Lancaster's Own Royal Rifles) Militia, are expected to arrive here this day from Glas gow. and that shortly, according to notice received from the War Office, the regiment will be disembodied. The Royal Lancashire artillery had received an intimation which leads to the expectation that they will be disem bodied in the course of the present month. rnESERVED FRESH MEAT.—There is no limit to science, and certainly, in a domestic point of view, it is of impor tance to preserve fresh meat, in that state, as long as possible. We saw, yesterday, at Mr. Morice 's store, Coopers-row, a leg of mutton, which bad been six months wrapped up in a tin ease, with merely a clean cloth about it, and it was not only fresh in smell, but in appearance, so much so, that the blood seemed to be almost issuing from it. It appears the process of preservation, whatever it may be, is applicable to any sort of provisions —fish, fowl, &c., and that all can be kept fresh for an unlimited-period. Mr. Morice states that, in a day or two, he will be lble to give more practical proofs of the utility of the invention, which, for sea-going purposes, is invaluable. We only speak as to what we saw; and about the freshness and consequent sweetness of the meat, there can be no doubt whatever, SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. —A meet . : took TipperD plate ui e e. on Tuesday evening in the Academy, No. which was atteoded by about 100 of the ladies and Maclean, the late secretary street gentlemen of the ohorn of the 800 and wt 19 has lately written so strongly against ita management, addressed the meeting for alaaut three %carters of an hour upon the rise and progress, present posi tion, and future prospects of the society. His address, throughout, nes a mast able one,:and Ica, listened to with the greatest attention- 7: repeated cheering testifying the approval of the audience. He also gave a manly just;fica .. • • eference to his dispute with Mr. titan of his oondt 'locket' Maclea , s next address will be a to the subscribers of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and it is to be hoped he will have a bumper house, as the manly eloquence he displayed, in handling his subject on Tuesday evening, stamps Lim as a man of no ordinary abilities.—From a Cor respondent, • --- - - POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY (BEFORE MR. ROMILY.) WHAT IS A SUSPICIOUS CEIAHADTHR.?-George Fille t and John Williameon;two young men, were brought up by officers 301 and 764, who stated that they found them in Gloucester-street, the previous night, after one o'clock. and knowing them to be " suspicious persons," they took them into custody. Fillett they stated to be the keeper of an improper house Mr. B!nelt. for the prisoners, contended th it the police had acted outrage ously and illegally in arresting the prisoners, and called for their discharge. Mr. Rornily discharged _them, but . at, the same tim e h e comp li mente d t h eepo li ce f or t h e i r 'vigilance in,arresting " suspicious characters." (tiepin - us sissas. ROMILT AND STITT.) How it Pm, Hierese e --.Mrs. Jessie Crosthwaite, of No. 7e. Weithourne-terrace, Shaw street, summoned Mrs,' Martha Wignall for an assault. _Both ladies are young and handsome, and from their appearance, belong to the" batter class of the community. The complainant gave her eviden:e in a lady-like manner, and said the defen dant lodged in her house, and on Friday evening she came home in rather an excited state ; she sat down in the parlour and commenced using language' that ill became a lady. She said the witness went to her room and took a diemoni out of - Mr. Wignall's drawer, but found it was only a chrysoliee. (A laugh) Site asked where the sister of complainant was, and she said she knew not. The defendant then followed her into the kitchen, seized her by the throat, scratched and flung her up against the fireplace, and hurt her side very much. The defendant then requested Mr. WignalLand Mr. Crosthwaite to leave the kitcheti'for about half an hour; and thatiti tint period she would make food for the worms of her. The gentlemen, however, not wish- ing that any such thing should occur, separated'her from the grasp of 'the defendant. Mr. Bluck, for the defen dant (who occupied a place beside the learned advocate) asked, "Is that all?" Witness : That' s a ll, si r , and think it was too much for a lady. Mr. Bl oc k : She is a respectable lady, I believe ? Complainant : 'She is, sir, only for her conduct on that occasion. Mr. Black : And how did it all happen ? Complainant : I have told yon how it did happen, sir. Mr. Block : Well, what was it all about ? Complainant : That I can't tell, sir. Mr. Bluck : She asked for your sister, did she not ? Complainant : Yes, and I told her I did not know where she was gone to, as she had left that (lay and taken another lodging. Mr. Bluck : She lodged with you before that time, then? Complainant: She did, sir. Mr. Block : And I believe there was some slight differ ence between Mrs. Wignall and her in reference to Mr. Wignall? (Here the defendant exclaimed, not loud, but deep, " That was how it did happen.") The witness declared she knew nothing whatever about the matter alluded to. (Here an elegantly attired young lady presented herself, and said she was the sister of the complainant alluded to, and tendered herself for exami nation, but lier offer was declined.) - Mr. Bluck went on at some length to cross-examine the com plainant, who said she had no feelings of revenge towards the defendant; there were marks on her neck, left by the " fairy _fingers " of Mrs. Wignall, and although there was not any mark on her side, yet it was very sore. The servant; maid of the complainant was examined, and she fully corroborated the original statement, and added that Mrs. Wignall, she thought, had taken more wine than agreed with her that evening. Mr. Block addressed the bench for the defendant, and alluded very feelingly to the state of a lady's nerves, who imagined (whether correctly or not) that the affections of her husband were not altogether " true." The bench convicted Mrs. Wignall of the assault, and tined her 5s and costs, which a highly respectable looking young gentlemen (Mr. Wignall, it is said,) stepped forward and paid, and then the parties left, by separate doors. CAPTAIN FORBES, OF THE SCHOMBERG TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS , Sir,—l learned on my arrival here on Saturday night, by the Ocean Chief, that a report of an " indignation meeting," held in Melbourne 3rd January last, by some of the passengers who went out in the ill-fated ship Schomberg, appeared in your columns. As that report was entirely one-sided, and did me a grievous wrong, I am sure yo 9 will have no objection to insert the report of my trial and acquittal in the Supreme Court of Victoria. You will see that the court and jury did not require to hear my defence; and you will see, by the letters I enclose, that all the cabin passengers !mit one expressed their sympathy for me, and were pleased to testify to my conduct during the passage.' There were two charges against me, one for immoral conduct and one for bad seamanship. There was also a charge against the ship of supplying bad provisions. The first charge against myself and the charge against the vessel was dismissed instantly by the court ; and in the report of the trial you will see that my character as a -sailor , remains unaffected. 11ty moral character is still more dear to me than even my professionil character; and, unfortunately for me. my accusers coupled with me in iniquity the surgeon of the ship. That gentleman, you will see, by a report in the Fifeshire Alvertiser of Saturday last, has been triel in an ecclesiastical court, and, as might be expected from his character and years, has been fully exonerated from the infamous accusation. I need not tell yon that I am sensitive on this point, and you will, I anl sure, excuse me if I send for your perusal, if not for insertion, a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ross, a, Wesleyan minister, who was a passenger in the Schomberg, and who I need not say would not have tolerated the gross im moralities- so vilely alleged against me. I confess to a large amount of mental affliction at the sad interruption to a voyage that so far I took pride in, but perhaps you will not refuse the consolation afforded me by reminding you that I was the first captain of a vessel that made a rapid passage from Australia to Eng land, having on that occasion sailed round the world in four mouths and thirteen days.—l am, &c., JAMES Mew. FORBES Liverpool, May . 13. Late of the Schomberk. - - . - [Captain Forbes will see by the Daily News of the 12tn inst., that the report of his trial and acquittal was pub lished in our columns immediately upon its receipt in England, and with it the complimentary remarks of the Melbourne Argus. The letter of the Rev. 111 r. Ross, which he encloses, is a most satisfactory answer to the charges which have given him uneasiness.] THE CASE OF AFFILIATION..—DA.VIS V. FENTON.—The details of this case, which caused a sensation through town, were published a short time since in our columns, and it may be remembered that the decision of the magistrates, on the hearing, was appealed from on behalf of the defendant. This appeal was to have been heard at the present sessions, but an application has been made to the Deputy Recorder to have the appeal poned to the next sessions. The app,:lriteaaptipft- wasw refused, and immediately after the notice withdrawn, the oounsel for the 1 1; ; ;r1 Davis applied for the whole of the costs in ',lie case, which the court granted ; and thus the decision of the magistrates, ordering the defendant to pall a sum of 2s 6d a week for the maintenance of the child, stands confirmed. EXTENSIVE FlRE.—Shortly after twelve o'clock .on Tuesday night, an extensive fire occurred in the neigh bourhood et Rochdale-road, Manchester, which, in a short apace of time, destroyed about £2OOO worth of pro perty. The premises destroyed were three storeys high, formed two sides of a square, and were in the joint occu pation of Mr, Buchanan, waste dealer, and a Mr. Wm. Turner, leather dealer. The buildings were very old, contained much wood and inflammable materials, and they were in a blaze in an incredibly short space of time. The inhabitants of the adjacent cottages, some of which abutted on the burning 'building, were asleep in their beds, and it was with some difficulty that the police and neigh bours could arouse them. They all escaped, and suc ceeded in removing some of their furniture. The fire, burned fiercely till half-past one o'clock, floor after floor fell in, and by two o'clock, the whole of the premises were completely gutted. Much credit is due to the firemen and the police for their exertions in chec.tking the fire, which at one period threatened this ponulous neighbourhood with destruci ion. SOUND AND UNSOUND MANAoEMENT.-..The public atm tion haring rebently been called to certain disci with respect to the condition of some of tF we newly-established assurance companies, there is considerable danger that the conclusion will be arrived at that what is really an excep tional case applies generally to such institutions as are of recent origin, and thus material injustice •may be done to the interests of those societies whose operations are pru dently and honestly conducted. Apart from any fraudulent_ dealing, it is our conviction that the unstable position of the companies we allude to .has mainly arisen from that eagerness to attract Inisiness which is exhibited by the falla cious system of too frequent distribution of profits—a fatal barrier, in our opinion, to the attainment of perfect security or -astmg prosperity. • It is not our wish to draw invidious distinctions, but we propose, as a matter of justice, to call attention, as opportunity is afforded us, to the healthy pro gress of such of the modern offices as in our opinion deserve the suppo;t of the public. We have, for ins some particulars respecting the " S Office• —4 deg rrereign' tance, recently Life )e, the result of a _ hich - shows, in an unus l O ys o m o sa : l e l r o fs effectingm whom ofl.- sound system of management. That society has, during h assurances a ve fallen the last ten years, received lives, comparatively t9ol ; 14,858 to discharge the obligations thereby created. These figures show that the greatest care has been taken in the selection of the lives, and evidence the fact, that as only one-six•h of the prem,ituns paid have been required to, meet claims, the funds of the office must be considerably augmented, From other statements we have reason to believe that the position of this officeis of the soundest character, and may be safely resorted to t e who wish to take the precai- tion no prudent man now nenlecti.—Globe, May 9th. [lt will be seen by an advertisement in another part of our paper that the agents in Liverpool for this successful society are—Mr. J. Butterworth, 2, Fair View-place, Toxteth-park, And Mr. J. Doming, 8, Basnelt-street.