The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-07-15 00:00:00

"THE BALHAM MYSTERY."

On Tuesday, the fresh inquiry ordered by the
Queen's Bench into the circumstances attending the
death of Mr. Charles Delanney Turner Bravo was
opened at the Bedford Hotel, Balham. Mr. William
Carter, the Surrey Coroner, who held the first inquiry,
is the presiding Coroner at this, assisted by Mr.
Burleigh Muir as legal assessor.
Mr. Gorst, Q.C., and Mr. Poland appeared on be.
half of the Crown; Sir Henry James, QC., and Mr.
Biron appeared for Mrs. Charles Bravo, the widow of
the deceased; and Mr. George Lewis, jun., watched
the case for Mr. Joseph Bravo, the stepfather of the
deceased, and for the relations of the deceased. •
_ _

The Court was opened with the usual formalities, and Mr.
Mark Cattley was appointed foreman of the jury.—We take
the follo.ving report of the case from The Times :

The Coroner, addressing the jury, said :—lt would be a
piece of affectation upon my part if I did not assume that
you will be well aware, from reading or from conversation,
of the nature of the case; but it is my duty to ask you to
try and banish from your minds, as far as possible, all that
you have heard ortread, and to remind you that you will
have to judge of how this gentleman came by his death
only from the evidence which is placed before you. I do
not want to take up your time or to make any unnecessary
observations; but I need scarcely ask you in making this
inquiry on behalf of the Crown, to give attention to it, so
that you may be able to give a verdict—a verdict you will
have to give without fear, favour, or affection, but according
to your conscience, and to the obligation which you have just
taken. We have first of all a duty to perform in viewing
the body—a duty with which I am sorry to trouble you. We
shall have to go from here to Lower Norwood, where every-
thing is prepared for us, and on our return here we shell
have to enter into the evidence. The first evidence I shall
then take will be that of the undertaker, who will prove
the identity of the body of the late Mr. Bravo with that you
will have seen, and I shall then call Mr. Joseph Bravo, the
father of the deceased in order to prove certain facts—some
in regard to registration. We shall then have to consider
the course to be pursued. Ido not think it will be prudent
to go into the evidence of Mrs. Cox to-day, but there is a
witness who is anxious to give his evidence as soon as pos-
sible. This Is Mr. Payne, the gentleman who made the post-
mortem examination of the body, and I propose to take his
evidence to-day if possible, as he has only to testify to the
results of the investigation.
The jury then proceeded to the Lower Norwood C,=metecy
to view the exhumed body—a necessary requirement of the
law. A small piece of the coffin lid had been cut away and
glass let in. The coffin was under cover on the ground, and
was rendered as free as possiblo from objection, the worst
part of the ordeal being the stench of carbolic acid and other
"disinfectants." On the return to Balham the inquiry pro-
ceeded.

John Mold, carpenter and undertaker, of 10a, S:reatham-
place, Streatham, was the first witness oalled. He said, in
answer to the Coroner: I knew the deceased gentleman, Mr.
C. Bravo, when living, and I performed the offices of inter-
naent—maldng the coffin and carrying out the funeral. I
will undersake to say that the body you and the Jury have
seen is that of the same Mr. Bravo. I knew him by the
features and coffin. I was with you and the jury when
they viewed the body this morning at Norwood Cemetery.
Mr. Joseph Bravo, who stated he was an Indian merchant,
residing at 2, Palace-green, Kensington, examined by the
Coroner, deposed: The deceased, the subject of this Inquiry,
was my stepson, Charles Delauney Turner, and he added to
that my name—Bravo. He was my stepson. He died on the
21st of lase April, at his own house, the Priory, Balham, in
the parish of Streatham. He was in his 30th year, and he
was by profession a barrister. His wife resided with him;
her name is Florence Turner Bravo. On Wednesday, the
19th of April, I arrived at his house, and I found him in his
bedroom and in bed. He was perfectly conscious. He com-
plained of no pain, but said be had great thirst. Mr. Royes
Bell, his medical adviser, was with him. To my know-
ledge he was seen by other medical gentlemen, and
the next morning—Thursday— he was seen by Dr.
George Johnson, and afterwards on the same day by Sir
William Gull. He was also seen on the same day by Mr.
Henry Smith, a medical man, in my presence I heard him
speak to Sir William Gull. Sir William Gull told me that
the deceased was suffsring from an irritant poison, and my
son said he had used laudanum for a pain in his face. Sir
William Gull said that that did not account for the symp-
toms The deceased said he could not help it—he could not
give any other information and he could not help if what he
said did not aceonnt for the symptoms. Dr. Johnson then
spoke to my son, telling him to think again—that in case of
accident some one might be charged with ciusing his death
in consequence or what might be found in the stomach—l
cannot recollect the exact words. The deceased said, "
cansiot help that, I cannot tell you more I have told you
all I know."

The Coroner: Did he ever account to you for the con-
dition you drat found him in?

Witness: No more than that.

The Coroner: Has there been any writing found in which
anything was stated to account for his death ?—There has
not to my knowledge.
The witness than, in reply to other questions by the
Coroner, said : The deceased was quite conscious, but he
did nob write In my presence. I have made a statement
to the authorities in regard to my son's death.

In answer to the jury, the witness said: It was perfectly
clear to the deceased that he was about to die, and he had
that before him when he answered the medical gentlemen.
He was told so many hours before he died, and he was told
It, in fact, when he became conscious. He was told so re-
peatedly, and he still answered that he could give no other
reasons —except having to put laudanum to his face—to ac-
count for his being iIL I never left his house after the
Wednesday until he died—that Is, I was there from the time
I arrived on Wednesday, the 10th, until after his death.
Sir Henry James now said the time had arrived when an
arrangement should be made for questioning the witnesses.
He understood that his learned friends, Mr. Gorst and Mr.
Poland, appeared for the Crown, and Mr. George Lewis for
the friends of the deceased. Mrs. Charles Bravo, the widow
as the executrix, had had notice to appear on the rule, and it
had been thought right, therefore she should be represented
on this inquiry, and she was so represented by himself
and Mr. Biro.n. He a ked that he should be permitted to
ask any questions which it might appear to him to be neces-
sary.

Mr. Gorst expressed his dtsire that this course should be
adopted, and that those who represented interests should
cross-examine the wimesses.

The Coroner concurred, and it was agreed that the wit.
netses might thus be subjected to examination by the legal
representatives.

The witness, Mr. Bravo, in reply to Mr. Lewis, then
stated: My son was married on the 7th of December last,
and as he died on the 21st of April he was married only
about four months—a few days more. He had received a
college education, and he was admitted to the Bar I think
eight or nine years ago. He became a member of the Inner
Temple at 18, and was called three years after. fle was a
man of great intellectual attainments. He was an Oxford
man. lie took great interest in surgical matters, and at-
tended operations at one of the hospitals occasionally.
I knew him Intimately down to his death—he was
ever my friend and companion. I brought him up from
a child and educated him; and it was his own wish
that he should assume the name of Bravo, which he did
when he came of age. lip to the time of his death he
was on terms of great affection wish me, and the greatest
love existed between him and his mother, his mother being
my wife. Knowing him thus intimately I can say that
he was not a man likely to commit suicide. The fact was
the reverse of that. He was a very courageous mar.. Ile
was certainly not in any pecuniary eifficulty—certairkly not
—to my knowledge he was not. At the time of his marriage
I made a settlement of £20,000, to take effect after the death
of the survivor of his parent!. I allowed him whatever he
tdoeshirimedztlo,ll3ooa .
.veFrßometnwoemennlDnenciecamtihoenrsalnhdaAnpmrialnle htoadhigen
rnivhe
knew he had only to apply to me for money to have it at
once. He had the first life interest in the setth ment, and
his wife the second, he having the power to dispose of the
deceased I
told the manager of that
d kept an account at the London
and
lityval
ebsytmwiinlis.
r establishment never to let the deceased's account at his
Westminster Bank, d
credit go down to under £lOO. About April 9, two days
before his illness, I received a letter from him. The letter
(handed in) is addressed to me, "My dear old Governor, '
'April 9,187 e. The Priory, Balham," and the other letters
handed in are those I have received from him.
Mr. Lewis then said he proposed to read these lettere.
The first was heeded as stated, and commenced by saying
that he wished his father wrote the " Money Article " of
The limes. It proceeded, "What you say about the
Khedive's paying off his debt in BO years is, of course,
right. He could pay the interest, but not the capitaL I
do not wonder at hts dislike to our collecting his revenue
and having a Resident at his Court. He would with our
aid find himself in the position of the horse in the fable
Who asked the man to get on his back to help him against
the stag. His repudiation would, however, be a national
calamity. " Our own financial position "—the deceased
went on, referring to his own life—" is improving
' steadily. We owe about £250, and we have in hand
at.).aboutemnpwotaniirond:i
65.1:0t6,
hOgot.tat
orAp soonesaxrs2t
eethe,
te
touchingaf
larrasee
weCepd,ahaepoai
rmi,n.
olbwfri
oyl
solvency,
olsw mvi
told dividends,
eolanlyndcoyißrain
rupa t
yet dndoouef
utetoahlmbane suyatwyyJpomddror loedel af
lee:vides:
t o rate,tr yhae
ghat o. naontnsewntilllll
go
oa bought-notein f o
r
Australian Agr: cuiturals at 00. He has not been able to do
as 00,
ws uipliptooslel
n;
iamt anyyt
mateinlit,vehruyt
ewaask.noutolt3tek eenouo you
h to find
some-
thing cheaper. I weut to your office twic t consult
es Yor deregher to re myoalt
rabooourtFtilzereinneve sits
in bed, which she is unwilling to do in this beautiful weather.
She is to go to the seaside as soon as she is well enoneh. Mrs
Cox is very kind and useful. I drove yesterday to Norwood
to see Mrs Harford, a hose husband I think you know. He
place,
where been good enough to get some oats at a wholesale .1a
where they are not only cheaper but better than they are
here. Our fields are to be bush-harrowed and rolled tomor-
row, with a view to our getting a good crop of hay from them.
Our second gardener has gone to Knowle-park, Sevenoaks, to
better himself; our third is too proud for us, and cannot
touch his hat or carry a parcel to the station, so lain going
to give him a chance of bettering himself. I will never keep
a servant who finds that it is 'not his place' to do what he is
ordered to do. Ihe second gardener was a really good man;

men like him are scarce ; but I won't regret the third. Is there
any chance for a Bill in Parliament for me?
"I am writing this iettter on my knee, which gives my
writing a paralytic look. We both send our best love to
Granny, Alice, Annie, and your dear set; and we desire our
campliments, and the dogs theirs, to Meg.
"Ever your affeztionate son,
"I. HA RLES BRAVO."
The Withers, in answer to questions, said that "Meg"
was a favourite dog, Another letter, dated from the Priory
on Good Friday, addressed to his mother as "My Dear Old
Granny," on "Good Friday," the 14th of April, says :

"I am sure I am very sorry if I have been negligent in
writing. I thought I had written two or three times a
week to you or governor since ycli left town. However, you
shall hear from me more often for the future. We are suf-
fering from horrible weather. My farming operations are at
a standstill. My fowls lay as if they were Turks, and their
eggs the money due on coupons, and my spirits are nothing
like what they would be if the sun was visible. Florence is
better, but very cross. I went to the library and brought
her six volumes of books. Three she had read, and three
contain the uninspired preachings of an idiot. She has
finished a pair of slippers for me in a rage, and is now slang-
ing me for not being able to tell a good book, as you tell
good music, by the look.'
After some pleasantries and jokes about the dogs, written in
the highest spirits, the letter went on,—

"I have bougnt a splendid lawn tennis. I intend to play
with you and Father Joseph [the name the senior Mr. Bravo
was called]. The good man's pictures pleased us very much.
I rode both the cobs the day before yesterday, and I feel
very much as if the muscles of my legs were ossifying. I
have difficulty in dragging my shooting boots, which I am
obliged, par ordre buperieure, to wear, in addition to a red
flannel garment, which is a cross between a kilt, a sporran,
and a pair of bathing-drawers, and has as many strings as a
harp. Nothing but great firmness on the part of my better
half, and an assurance that 'it became me,' made me put it
on. . . • _ _ . .

" I am always, dear Granny, your loving eon,
"CHARLES."

The next letter was written on the 16th of April (Easter
Sunday), as the deceased was taken ill on the Tuesday fol-
lowing. It was addressed, from "The Priory, Balham," to
his mother, and ran :

"My dear old Granny,-1 passed the whole of yesterday
most pleasantly. I rode Cremorne from 930 to 11, and on
Victor rode aftecwards by the side of Florence while she took
an airing in the family coach. We went to see if we eould
persuade the St. Anne's people to let Mrs. Cox's babes pass
this Holy season with us. We could not; but they are to
come on Monday. After lunch I put up the lawn tennis
with the assistance of Rowe, and under the superintendence
of Tit:mance, and after that great work was completed, I
naturally had a game with Rowe, and later on a very
vigorous one with Osman. Mrs. Tom Campbell came
over from Kingston, and Mrs. Fowke and her little girl
(with whom I had another game) from Norwood. Altogether
1 loafed vigorously and enjoyed myself The east wind made
this day rather less enjoyable than )esterday, and lawn tennis
was avoided, partly from a fear lest it might shock the good
people of Balham and Tooting, and partly because Rowe
was at church, and in his Sunday clothes, and Osman was
gone on a tour of visits to the neighbouring gardens, to see
what he could beg, borrow, or steal, in general; and in
partieular to see whether he could get any borage that I may
Indulge in a cup when 'I feel no dispoged.'
"There is a plant in one of the houses here—a noyau—
from Seville Great House. When it has brought forth seed
you shall have some for your conservatory. My barometer,
a ghastly record of late of shocking weather says that we
are going to undergo some more. I hope the instrument is
inoorrect.
- - •

While it is yet day I am going to take this to the post, so
accept my best love for yourself, and let Father Joseph know
that he is held in affectionate remembrance by your affec-
tionate son, " CHARLES."
To this was added a postscript in another hand. It said :
" P.S. My kindest love to you aIL I leave for Worthing
on Thursday. I hope you are better.—Your affectionate
daughter, FLORENCE BRAVO."
The witness, still answering Mr. Lewis, said: The de-
ceased was always a man of the highest spirits, and took an
interest in all questions, and we debated on everything and
all things. I had not previously seen him for a little time
before I saw him in bed, when I was called to him on the
19th of ApriL I had been out of town, and that is the reason
I had not seen him. When I went on the 19th of April I re-
ceived, before I went into his room, certain information from
Dr. Johnson, and receiving this information was the reason I
asked the deceased no questions. I was told to be watchful
of him, and to keep him quiet. The deceased's mother
and an old servant, Amelia Bushell, accompanied
me. When my wife went into the room she re-
marked to Mrs. Charles Brave that she had been
all her life the nurse of her son, and would be the best
nurse then, and Mrs. Charles Bravo (the widow) did not after-
wards interfere. I arrived at the Priory on the Wednesday
afternoon as my son was taken ill on the 'Tuesday night.
Mrs, Charles Bravo told me nothing to account for my
son's illness, and Dr. Johnson informed me the next
day that Mrs. Cox had told him that the deceased had said
he had taken poison. I said he never could have taken
poison. I disputed with Mrs. Cox that he could ever
have done anything like that, and I have disputed
that all through. On the Thursday Sir William
Gall attended, and with other medical gentlemen,
saw my son by himself. There remained in the room
Sir W. Gull, Dr. G. Johnson, and Mr. Ropes Bell,
my boy's cousin, with whom the deceased grew up. After
Sir William had left the deceased cried out loudly, "I
wish to see Sir William." The medical gentleman returned,
and I with them, and we found the attendants, his mother,
and his wife. The deceased said, "I desire to say that what
I have told you, Sir William, is true." Whathe said appeared
to me to show that the deceased had the impression that Sir
William thought he had not told the truth, and that he
desired to impress Sir William with the conviction that he
had told the truth. There is not the slightest doubt about
the deceased being a man of great truth. I was not present
afterwards when he asked for the Lord's prayer. I was not
aware that he had poison in his possession. I know that he
always held the theory that a man who-took his own life was
a coward. I did not leave the house until the post-mortem
was made. I gave the instructions for this to be made—it was
made on the day after the death. When I first came to the
deceased he knew me, and expressed great pleasure at
seeltig me and his mother. He said he was going to
die, and he was sensible till his death. The medical men
had told him that he was going to die, but I told him that
while there was life there was hope. I knew airs. Cox who
was there. I had known her from 1867 or 1868. I bad as-
sisted her in placing her children out at school. It was
through her that the introduction between Mrs. Charles
Bravo—then Mrs. Ricardo—and my son occurred. My wife
did not approve the marriage. After my son's marriage he
discussed with me the expense which Mrs. Cox was to the
establishment—a matter, he said, of £3OO to £4CO a year. I
agreed with him that it was not a wise thing to have a charge
of that kind, and about two months after the marriage I
advised Mrs. Cox to return to Jamlca. She said she shou/4
not return.

Mr. Lewis then opened another point in the inquiry by
asking: Did your son either by speech or manner ever
Indicate that he had any feeling of jealousy towards any
one?

The witness replied: Never neither by speech nor manner
has he indicated any such feeling.
Mr. Lewis pref Aced his next questim with the remark
that he had to introduce other names, and asked: Did
your son ever mention to you the name of a doctor—Dr.
Gully ?

The witness replied in the negative, and added—l never
saw any evidence cf jealousy between the deceased and his
wife. They were always most I. ffttionate to each other
when I saw them. The deceased never appeared unhappy,
and the only thing he ever said was that he did not make
so much money at the Bar as he thought he ought to make.
Ii was on the Thursday, the 20th, that Dr. Johnson told me
that my son was certain to die, and I told him, his wife, and
his mother,
,nn
Mr. Lewis: What did his wife say?

Witness: Shetsaid that the medical men had given up all
hope of his recovery ; bat that she desired to try some reme-
dies that she had been advised would be efficacious. lam
not giving her exact words, but this is the import of them.
Dr. Johnson asked what the remedies were. Shs stated them
to be a small Wapiti= on the spine, cold water, applica-
tions to the stomach, and small and frequent doses of
arsenicum. Dr. Johnson objected to the treatment of the
cataplasm and the cold water, saying that it would torment
the patient, but in respect to the medicine that might be
given ad libitum, as it would do neither good nor harm.
Mrs. Bravo had the medicine, but she did not say whence she
obtained it.

Mr. Lewis: Did any one say anything about this medi-
cine.
Witness: Dr. Johnson said it was honaceopathic. Mrs. C.
Bravo did not say whence she had this, or who advised its
use of the treatment. Mrs. Charles Bravo did not appear
much grieved in ary way at the state of affairs. There
were members of her family there, and the dinners at her
table were served in the usual way—in several courses. I
was upstairs with my son.
Mr. Lewis: Had your eon every any sickness?

_
Witness: I recollect my on coming early in the month o
March last to my house at Palace•green and complaining o
sickness. He never before his marriage suffered or com-
plained of nausea or sickness, Ile had been with me to
Jamaica several times, and never suffered from sickness even
on the voyage. My son died in the most dreadful agony;
there is no doubt about that.

The witness, in further answer to Mr. Lewis, said he ha
received letters since the death of his son from his daughter-
in-law, his son's widow. These were read.

The first was :
" Brighton, 38, Brunswick-terrace, May 6, 1878.

_ .
"Dear Father Joseph-_I am astonished to hear from my
solicitor, Mr. Brookes, that you had dear Charlie's drawers
sealed, as, legally, nobody but myself has the power to touch
one single thing belonging to him, he having left all he pos-
sessed to me, and I must ask you to see that nothing he pos-
sessed is touched by any one. With regard to what he died
pos eased of I must leave to you; he told me that he had
£2OO a year of his own exiling from investmen,s, and of
course his books, pictures, and private property at Palace.
green are now mine. His watch was left at your house, and
by his own wish I give it to Mr. Itoyes Bell; please see that
It is delivered to him My father will take care that I have
all my dear husband left to me. Poor fellow how he would
have grieved at all the unkind feeling shown to me —Hoping
you and Mrs. Bravo are better, believe me, yours sincerely,
"FLORENCE BRAVO."
"PA—Poor Charlie also told me that you promised to
allow him £BOO a year."
The second letter said :

39, Brunswick-terrace, May 6, 1876.
Dear Father Joseph,—A letter received this moning from
Royes Bell fully confirms my suspicions as to poor Charlie's
committing suicide. Hence his motive for reducing our ex-
penditure, as he could not tell me how hard lie had been
premed by that dreadful woman. I wish he had, poor fellow,
for I should rot have been hard upon him ; but it is a most
sad reflection upon his memory for me, and I intend to sift
this matter. We have Sir W. Gull's evidence, and I shall not
allow the living to lie under any imputation, such as is cast
upon them by such a wicked verdict. I leave It all in my
father's hands, and shall abide by his decision.
" Yours sincerely, FLORENCE BRAVO."
The third was as follows :

"33, Brunswick-terrace, May 8 1876.
"My dear Father Joseph,—The letter I wrote 'you on
Friday was written under the impression that you had
forced dear Charlie's drawers at the Temple and I regret
having been so impressed, as ever since I knew you I have
only experienced kindness and consideration. Please try,
and think of me as your loving daughter, and do not ad-
dress me as 'Mrs. Florence Bravo,' it pains me more than
I can tell you, and it is only in legal documents that I must
be so addressed. I hope you are all recovering from the
dreadful and sad last fortnight. My life I, a complete
blank, and lam very ill. With love to you and your; ever
your affectionate daughter, "FLORENCE BRAVO.
..p.B.—Have dear Charlie's photos been sent by mistake to
you 9"
Mr. Lewis ; Now, had the deceased at this time securities
at his stockbroker's?
Witness ; Yes, he he had £5OO in securities' and other
amounts were paid over after, making 11,100, paid in to us.
In answer to the Jury, who interposed some questions, the
witness said: There is no truth in the suggestion that the
deceased was pressed for money in any way. As to any
" horrible woman," I do not know that any so pressed him.
As to what Mrs. C a was—she was in the position of com-
panion to Mrs. Bravo, she had a salary, she had travelling
expenses, dress, and she eat at the same table ss ith them,
and she appeared to my son to entail a cost which might be
reduced—a cost of some £3OO or £lOO a year to his establish-
ment.
Questioned .by Sir Henry James, the witness said: I
arrived at the Priory, Balham, at three o'clock on Wednes-
day afternoon, the 19th of April. I was at St. Leonard's; and
on the morning of that day I received it telegram :rem Mrs.
Charles Bravo. I received it at nine or ten o'clock, and came
at once. I have not the telegram here, but I remember it. It
said "Charlie is seriously ill." He wants to see you. Come
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Johnson is a medical man of great eminence. It was on
Thursday that Sir William Gull's name was suggested, and it
was suggested by Mrs. Caarles Bravo. She wrote to him re-
questing him to come. There was some question of profes-
sional etiquette, but the difficulties, whatever they were,
were removed, and Sir William arrived in Dr. G. Johnson's
carriage. The medical examination Was by themselves ; they

.


requested that the interview with the deceased should be by I
themselves. This inliervievriVith the deceased on the part of
the medical men wsiton Thursday the 20th, at about 6.30 in
the evening. It lasted for about half an hour, or rather more.
Mr. Ray es Bell never left my ton urtil my son died. He came
on Wrdnesd. y morning, I am told, and stopped with my son
until the deathon Friday morning, the 21st. It was my wife's
wish to nurse my son, and she and the nurse took charge of
him. There were times when my son was alone with my
wife, our servant, feud Mr. Iloyes Bell—in fact he was almost
always so alone during his illness with some of us. Mrs.
Charles Bravo sometimes came, and so did Mrs. Cox. Ido
not think thlA Mrs. C. Bravo kept away from any other
cerise than that she knew it was the wish of my wife
to nurse the deceased. I knew that Mrs. C. Bravo had
been ill, and that she was advised to keep her rorm,
and had done so before his illness. I can make a sug-
gestion as to the reason my son made no communication
to me or his mother, and that is, that he was ordered to
be kept quite quiet. He did talk to me by making a
remark now and then, and that he knew he was in great
danger was shown by his having made his will before I
arrived. I was given to understand that the will was
made prior to my arrival, on the same day. Mr Reyes
Bell knew lig about it, for he Is a trustee under the mar-
riage settlement. With regard to this settlement the de- I
ceased read it when it was made, and ha, lug told me it was ,
all right, I Maned it. All my son had t.i leave he left to his
wife My wife, though the marriage was not agreeable to
her, has called at the Priory with me, but she has not
stopped there. Mrs. Charles Bravo has been with the de-
ceased to Palace-green. My wife hoped to love her
daughter-in-law in time; but hitherto she had known very
little of her. The remedies Mrs. Charles Bravo proposed to
us were becught out on the Thursday morning. As to
whether she said she had been advised by a friend to use them,
you must take my word that she said she "had been advised
to try them." It was Dr. Jchnson who said they formed
horr ceopathic treatment.
The Jury: Were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bravo acquainted
with the homceopathic treatment, or did they use It?
Witness: My son did not use it; but I do not know
about Mrs. C. Bravo. Her medical adviser was Mr. Royes
, Bell.

In answer to Sir Henry James the witness said: As to the
expression "that horrid woman," in the letter of Mrs. C.
Bravo, I take that to be only the expression of one woman
about another. After his death I was informed that he had
known a person who lived at Maidenhead. I have heard,
too, that this woman's sister had left in his hands £5OO I
have found out nothing about it, or that he had to Pay
£3O a year. I have only heard it That letter of Mrs.
Charles Bravo did not give the first information about
this acquaintance, for I was told elsewhere, and that the
woman had a boy 13 or 14 years of age—not his, but
whom he had promised to educate. The deceased was
not in want of money. Of the £l,lOO he had had since his
marriage from me I had given him £lOO in January. In Feb-
ruary he asked me for £5OO. In April he had £5OO which I
had to pay him. As he had told his wife, he had got about
£2OO a year from his x.rofession, and £BOO a year from ine,
mating about £l,OO 3 year. I know he was ill in Jamacia
from a reputed aunstr Ito. This was years ago, and he
recovered in three days, and took toe mail with me
to England. 1 did not see him show any violent
temper. He was quick in temper* I never told
any one be had a "horrible temper." I have
said he had a quick temper, and had a rough edge to his
tongue when he was put out. With regard to what Mrs.
Cox said about the deceased taking poison, this was on my
arrival on Wednesday. Dr. Johnson said, after telling me
the symptoms under which the deceased was suffering, "I
may as well tell you that Mrs. Cox informs ma (or has stated
to me) that he has taken poison." I said, "There is no
believing 'such a thing." It was with the knowledge of that
statement that I afterwards saw my son. My wife was not
informed about this suspicion of poisoning until Thursday,
when Sir William Gall came. I have made all inquiries
and communicated with the authorities of Scotland-
yard, and I have thought it right to take legal advice. I say
my son had a general knowledge of medicine, and he had a
liking for surgery, but as distinguished from surgery his
medical knowledge was only generaL Never to my know-
ledge had he any antimony in the house. With regard to
my observation as to my son saying that suicide was an act
of a coward, it was not that we had particularly discussed
the subject of suicide, but he has impressed my mind with
this idea of his view from general conversation, on discussing
cases which have appeared.
In answer to Mr. Gorst, the witness said the case of re-
puted sunstroke was many years ago, and left no after effects.
He was well in three days. My son had spoken of sickness
in March last. He came to my house early in the morning,
nine or ten. My son said that on coming up the lane
from his house to Balham station he had vomited so much
that people would have thought he was drunk the previous
day. He said he vomited very much, and said he was
afraid the passengers in the train, too, must have thought he
was drunk the day before. He came en from Victoria Station
to my house. His mother suggested various remedies. This
was between nine and ten o'clock, and the deceased at the
time looked very ill. He, refusing the suggested remedies,
asked to have a glass of curacoa. He took the curr caa, and
feeling better went to Westminster. I never knew him sub-
ject to vomiting and purging before his marriage. The con-
versation with Mrs. Charles Bravo as to the suggested
horn ceppathic remedies was on the Thursday and not on the
Wednesday. I abstained from making inquiries because I
was told that it was necessary he should be quiet.
In answer to the jury, the witness said Mrs. 'Charles
Bravo had very large means of her own. In reply to Mr. Lewis,
the witness said that the deceased, even if he had been
pressed for 00 for any one—to return it or pay it—or even
£1 000, could h.ve had it without trouble.
Sir Henry James asked from what sources this would have
come, and the witness z eplied from deceased's own resources,
for he had £l,lOO at his stockbroker's when he died, and he
could have got £l,OOO more at once for the asking for it.
There were other questions asked—chiefly about the sick-
ness in March, and the witness said the deceased did not say
he had dined out on the previous night to that, and if he
had—he being very communicative—would have been sure to
have said it, as it would have been a thing out of his usual
course.
The inquiry was adjourned.

We take the following account of Wednesday's proceed
ings from the Globe :
On the Coroner calling over the names of the seventeen
jurymen, one of them, Mr. George Gould•mith, put in a
medic‘l certificate frcm Sir H. Thompson, stating that he
was unfit for any public duty requiring confinement for
any length of time. Mr. Gouldsmith was allowed to with-
draw.

In reply to the Coroner, a juryman said he was a surveyor
He had examined the supports of the room in which the
ioqutst was being held, and in his opinion it was perfectly
safe to bear the weight of the people likely to assemble in
the room.
Mr. Lewis said a letter was taken possession of by the
advisers of Mrs. C. Bravo from the chambers of the de-
ceased, and as it referred to the £5OO said to have been
handed to Mr. Bravo, he tli-Jught it desirable it should now
be read.
-

The letter was handed to Mr. Lewis, who read it as
folio cvs

"March 22.
"My dear Charlie,—You can keep the money as long as
you wish. What made me write, I fancied it troubled to
keep it. I know you give me more interest than I could get
elsewhere, but with all I should be sorry to bother you.
God knows every five pounds is a consideration to so small
an income as mine is.—Trusting you and your wife are well,
believe yours ever, GI GI

"Wednesday, March 22.
"My dear Charlie,—Until after I got home yesterday I did
.not %trite understand what you meant about (letter torn)—
tot course it is—iurther use to you, and you do not want to
,be bothered with it any longer, and as I shall be very sorry
to give you the slightest trouble on try account, you can
send it to me, and I will do the best I can with it myself,
although I do not know what at present —Believe me, yours
truly,
The following letter was a copy of one sent by Mr. Bravo :
" Junior Carlton Club, March 20, 1876.
'My dear —,—lf I repay you the £5OO you lent me you
will not get more than £3O a year for it. I will, if you like,
keep your money another year, or repay you in June.
Perhaps, unless you doubt my ability or will to pay, you will
be wise to leave the money with me—you get more interest,
and your capital is not very unsafe. lam afraid you thought
sue unkind when I met you yesterday. I assure you I do
not intend to be so. Give my kind love to —, and believe
me ever to be your truly,
The following letter Was also found, dated June oth, but
no year :
" 4, Park-street.
"My's:tear Charlie,—Thanks very much for the money re-
ceived safely this morning. Toby is here with Admiritl, so
you must excuse haste, only I must not forget to thank you
for your kindness to me, which you know is thoroughly
appreciate(' —Believe me, yours affectionately,
Mr. Lewis: These letters were found in the drawers of the
deceased in his chambers.

Sir 11. James produced the will of the deceased, which was
as follows :--" I give all that I possess to my wife Florence,
whom I appoint my executrix." It is witnessed by Mr.
Royes Bell, who wrote it, and by Rowe, the butler.
- -

Mr. G H. Brooks, solicitor to Mrs. Bravo, examined by Mr.
Gore, Q.O , said he found the above letters in tne drawers in
the deceased's chambers, in the presence of Mr. Joseph
Bravo.

By Mr. Lewis : I offered a reward of £6OO for the name of
the person who purchased the antimony. I have not had
occasion to pay the reward.
Mr. Joseph Moore, examined by the coroner, said: I am
a doctor of medicine, and in practice in Balham. On the
night of the 18th of April I was sent for to go to the rest-
oence of the deceased. I went and saw Mr. Bravo in his
bedroom sitting in an arm-chatr. Mrs. Cox and Mrs. C.
eravo were with him, the former rubbing his chest a ith a
liniment. He was quite unconscious. The heart's action
was almost suspended. I couid just perceive it, and that
was alt. The beating of the pulse was imperceptible. I was
unable to account for it. He looked like a person under
the influence of a narcotic poison, but I could not
ascertain what Ile had a mustard plaster on his
chest, and there was a smell of mustard, but
beyond that I could not detect any Effluvium I did not
think he would live an hour. 'lhis was about 10 30 at night.
I could not form an opinion from anything I saw as to wins:
he had taken. Mrs. Cox told me she heard him call out,
and she went to him, and he complained of a great deal of
rain in his stromach, and she gave him mustard to make him
vomit. I asked her it he vomited after he had the mustard,
and she said he did. I did not see any vomit, nor did I know
whether he had vomited prior to tak,ng the mus-
tard. The butler and I put him on the bed. I
endeavoured to give hlm some brandy to sustain the
heart's action, but he was unable to swallow. Mrs. Bravo
and Mrs. Cox were in the room. They were in and out con-
stantly. I remained with him until five o'clock the next
morning, gr. Harrison, another medical gentleman, arrived
about three-quarters of an hour after Ps-lid. We consulted
together. Mr. Harrison suggested giving ether and I raid he
could not take it. We obtained a syringe and injected
brandy. In reply to a question from Mrs. Bravo I said
I did not believe he would ever recover. From the de-
velopment and formation of the body there was no indi-
cation ot any disease of the heart. Mr. Harrison and I
beached the room, but we found nothing to account for
the ssmptoms. The symptoms in this case were
riot those arising from chloroform. There was gas
burning and a fire in the room. Mr. Bravo did not at any
time in my hearing account for- his condition. Mr. Reyes
Bell and Or George-Johnson arrived about 2.30 am. on the
19th, and Mr. Bravo became conscious about half an hour
after their arrival. Mr. Bell said, "What did you take,
Charlie f" and at first there was no reply. When again
questioned he said he took nothing,
but afterwards that he
had rubbed some laudanum in his gums. Ile also said he had
taken a little laudauuru for the pain in his face. I saw Lim
again in the morning and afternoon of Wednesday. I heard
nothing said to him in which the word poison was used.
By the Jury: I had never attended Mr. Bravo before, bu
I had visited professionally some of the establishment. Mrs.
Cox said nothing to me at any time as to his telling her he
had taken poison. Mrs. Bravo was very much moved when
I told her he would not recover. At a consultation held by
the medical men we agreed it was a metallic irritant, and
thought it was arsenic. There was a bottle cmtaining
laudanum in the room, and it was left there. Laudanum
would dissolve very little of antimony. By being put in a
nWohtesneaMrcrh.tbthinegrlooumid wweasdtido
tumbler with water, antimony could be taken as a powder,
By Mr. Lewis : I found Mr. Bravo in his night-dress.
his
clothing. Harrison s d I were About
tbu searchingarat
lilt ham on the bed. I asked if either Mrs. Cox or Mrs. Bravo
knew anything to cause his illness, and then Mrs. Cox said
she heard him call out, and that was the distinct answer to
my Cistinct question, Mrs. Bravo said when she went into
the reom they found him on the floor and they lifted
tam into a chair. The butler assisted us to get him on
the bed. air Bravo told me he had been out on honeback,
44 The horse had bolted with him, and that he had,
been worrying himself about some stocke, and he mede
serue alfusion to his father. I understood he had been
Worried in his mind about the sale of some stocks in Ci.nse-
qiitnce of a letter from his father. They said in answer to
ray inquiries that he was subject to spells of feietness at
times, feeling occasionally well. The sul j•ict of poison had
Wassail through my mind before the other doctors arrived,
could not trace any poison to which the symptoms con
respoLded. I saw a bottle which contained laudanum, and
one containing chloroform, but the symptoms . were
not those produced by either of them. I did not ask
to tee the vomit, which Mrs. Cox said consisted of the
food he had taken. That was alter she administered the
Mustard. When Mr. Harrhon arrived I met him in an adjoin.
lug room and mid him what had happened since I was Called.
Mrs. Bravo and Mrs. Co, were then left alone in the bed.
room. I did no mention "poison" to Mr. Harrison. I

mentioned the symptoms and left hi draw his own in-
ference. Mr. Harrison and I left toge er at five the next
morning. I remained in the bedroom nearly all the time,
and Mr. Harrison and Mrs. Bravo and Mrs. Cox were there.
We asked the two ladies to retire once or twice. The
bottle of laudanum was near the bed, and when Mr.
Harrison found the battle we spoke about it, but I can-
not say whether Mrs. Bravo and Mrs. Cox heard
what we paid. When the bottle with chloroform and
that with liniment was found each was held up.
While this was going on Mre. Cox said nothing about
Mr. Bravo having taken poison, ard she said nothing which
would account or attempt to account for his condition. Mrs.
Cox was in the bedroom when the arrival of Mr. Harrison
was announced. When Mr. Bravo recovered consciousness
there were four medical men present, Dr. Johnson and Mr.
Royes Bell having arrived. When Mrs Bravo first saw him
after he recovered consciousness he asked her to kiss him,
and she did so. He treated her with affection, and there
was no trace of temper or bad feeling towards her. He
continued to treat her with every mark of affection up to
the last. When he'became conscicus he suffered great pain.
It was proposed to eive him a few drops of laudanum, but
he refused to take them. One of the ladies said he took a
little laudanum occasionally for tha..pain in his face. As
soon se 'he was capable of swalb,wing, some milk was ad-
ministered to him. He said nothing would make him better,
and in fact he used the expression that he was booked. He
was then in very great pain. I went to see him again abut
eleven on Wednesday morning. He shook hands with me,
thanked me for coming the night before, and said he hoped
to see me again when he was better. I never had a case of
polaoning by antimony.
By Sir Henry James: I was fetched by the butler in great
haste. My house is distant ebout quarter (.1 a mile from
the Priory, and there is no medical gentleman living nearer
than I do. Mrs. Bravo was wearing a loose dress. I heard
she had been unwell, and she appeared as if she had been
to bed and got up hurriedly. Mrs. Cox said she heard him
call out, she went to him at once, that he complained of
pain in the stomach, and it was in consequence of that she
gave him some mustard and water. It was a few minutes
alter I entered the room that Mrs. Bravo asked about
the gravity of his condition. At once, on receiving ray
reply, she burst kite a flood of tears. Her grief and conduct
altogether appeared to me to be quite natural under the
circumstances. She seemed entirely to reciprocate his
affection. Whilst he was unconscious she was lying on the bed
beside him, and I did not notice one trace of assumed con-
duct or grief. It was at Mr. Harrison's request she left the
bed. Until Dr. Johnson and Mr. Bell arrived she re-
mained by her husband's bedside. She evinced the utmost
anxiety in everything. It was at our suggestion that
further medical advice was summoned. Mrs. Bravo aug-
gested Mr. Royes Bell should be sent for, as Mr. Bravo's
mother had a very high opinion of him. The carriage was
sent for Mr. Royes Bell to bring Sir W. Jenner; Sir Wm.
Gull, or some other high medical authority, and Mrs. Bravo
seemed annoyed that the faster horses were not put in the
carriage. As far as my memory goes, not one single word
was said about poison to Mrs. Bravo. I did not know that
on the second day the suggestion of poison was kept back from
his mother. Mrs. C. Bravo told me that her husband had been
worried about some stocks, and that he need not have been
worried. He was perfectly conscious when he asked his
wife to kiss him. From what I saw on Wednesday I am
certain that if he entertained any suspicion of having been
treated foully he was in a condition to declare those
susiicions in a rational way. lam quite conversant with
the action of antimony in medicinal doses, and have used
It a good deal. The quantity to take life would depend
on the condition of the person taking it. The quantity
varies very much and the range is very large. A quarter of
a grain would produce a stringency on the tongue, that
would be followed by a momentary sweet taste, and then
there would be a metallic taste which, from the small quan-
tity, would last for from one to two hours. The effect of
swallowing 10 grains would be to induce vomiting in 16
minutes. Three grains, the ordinary emetic, would act in
about 20 minutes. Mr. Bravo did not complain of a
metallic taste or a burning in the throat. There would
b 3 nothing observable to the eye if 10 grains were mixed
in water. It might be taken in an effervescent draught
without the water becoming turbid. If ten grains
were taken, burning in the throat would immediately
ensue. Antimony would produce no perceptible effect on
sherry, but if mixed with burgundy it would produce a muddy
appearance. The effect of mixing ten or twenty grains of
antimony with food would be that vomiting would ensue
within a quarter of an hour. Before the vomiting nausea
would come on.
By the Jury: Mrs. Cox told me Mr. Bravo did vomit after
he took the mustard.

Sir H. James : I think it will be shown that Mr. Bravo
was sick out of the window as well as after the mustard.

By the Attorney-General: Tartarised antimony is used in
medicine Grven as an emetic, it is administered in doses of
from one to three grains. It is generally given in water.
About thirty grains of tartar emelc would dissolve in a pint
of cold water. One ounce of tartar emetic (about 480 grains)
would dissolve in two ounces of warm water. Antimony is
given sometimes to reduce the action of the heart, and a large
dose would stop it. Antimony will not dissolve in strong
alcohol. You could not dissolve sufficient antimony in
20 drops of chloroform to do any harm.
After the adjournment for luncheon the evidence of Dr.
mcvire was read over to him, and he desired to add that if
antimony were swallowed as a crystal it would dissolve in
the stomach and then act.

Mr. George Harrison, examined by the coroner, said:
am a surgeon in practice at Streatham. I was called to see
Mr. Bravo on the night of the 18th of April, shortly after ten'
o'clock. The door was opened by the butler, and Mrs. Cor
met me at the door. I asked her what was the matter, and
she stated that in consequence of hearing Mr. Bravo calling
for hot water she went to him in his- bedroom; that she
found him standing by the window and vomiting out of it;
that she sent for some mustard and water, which she
administered; that he vomited again; and she con-
cluded her statement by saying, "1 am sure he has
taken chloroform." I then went upstairs to a bed-
room and met Dr. Moore at the door, and I saw Mr. and
Mrs Bravo in the room. After a short consultation with i
Dr. Moore I examined Mr. Bravo, and found him in a com•i
plate state of collapse, utterly insensible. I did not detect the 1
Effluvium of chloroform or laudanum as emanating from his 11
breathing. There was a slight smell of mustard, which I
attributed to the emetic. At that time I had come to the j
conclusion that there was a failure of the heart's action from
some cause or the other. We thought (that is Dr. Moore and
I) that a large vessel near the heart had given way. Dr.
Moore and I consulted together as to what we should
eo. He might have been treated for collapse. I tried to
give him brandy and water by the mouth but he could not
swallow, so we injected some brandy and water. That had
the effect after some time of stimulating the heart. When
Dr. Johnson arrived he took charge of the case. When I lift
the house at live In the mornine, Mr. Royes Bell remained
as medical attendant of Mr. Bravo, who was his cousin. He
did not in my hearing say that he had taken anything, only
that he had rubbed his gums with laudanum. Be did not
at any time to me, or in my hearing, speak of poison. The
sjmptoms I first noticed were closely allied to those that
would be produced by taking chloroform, but there was no
smell (f it in the breath. '—'

By Mr. Lewis: It was very shortly after I got into the
room that I told Mrs. Cex I did not believe he would live for
an hour. We did all we could for him, and could not have
done more if we had known he was poisoned. My opinion
Is that if we had used a stomach pump it would
have instantly killed ',him. I told Mrs. Cox he had
not taken chloroform, and she then asked me if I
thuight he was dangerously ill, and it was then I said
I did not think he would live an hour. Dr. Moore and
I then jointly suggested further advice. I left the
root' to write a note to Mr. Royes Bell, and with that ex-
ception I remained ln the room from the time of my first
arrival until Mr. Bell came. Mrs Cox and Mrs. Bravo were in
and cut cf the room, but I think Mrs. Bravo left the room
more of ten than Mrs. Cox. The latter was in Mrs. Bravo's
room at the time she heard Mr. Bravo call out.
I called again on him at eleven o'clock, and. he was still
conscious. Mr. Bell pointed out a paper, which I cast
my eye over, and saw that it was a well; it was signed.
I formed an cpinion as to the cause of the illness very
soon after I sent for Mr. Bell; my opinion was that he must
have taken an irritant poison. Blood appeared in the vomit,
and the patient also passed blood, which confirmed. my sus-
picion of the presence of an irritant poison. When he re-
c,vered consciousness he was repeatedly asked what he had
taken by all the medical men, and he denied that he had
taken anything, but the exact words I cannot remember.
In searching the room I found three bottles, one
labelled laudanum about one-third full, obe containing
a small quantity of chloroform, and a bottle of camphor
liniment about three parts full. The water bottle was
on the centre table of the room, and my impression is
that the water was used for the brandy injection. I asked
Mrs. CA: to let me see the vomit after the mustard and watts'
had been administered, and she told me that it had been
thrown away. I was informed by Mrs. Cox that he had
been in the morning room, and had gone straight to his
bedroom. When Dr. Johnson arrived I told him
what Mrs. Cox had said. He and then went cut of
the room and saw Mrs. Cox. This *as about three in
the morning. Dr. Johnson asked Mrs. Cox to repeat the
statement, and Mrs. Cox then said that when she first
went to Mr: Bravo's room he had said to her, "I have
taken poison ; don't tell Florence." I then asked Mrs.
Cox why she had not told me that before, and she said she
thought she had told me. I believe my next words were,
"You certainly did not. You told me you were sure he had
,aken chloroform." I never entertained the least doubt as
to what she did tell me. She did not tell me that he had taken
poison. When he vomited and the vomit was tinged with
blood, Mrs. Cox said it might be the burgundy he took at
dinner. They told me he dined with them about 7 30, that
they afterwards went to the drawing•room, that Mrs. Bravo
retired about nine, and that. Mr. Bravo went upstairs about
9.30, and within a very few minutes afterwards he called
out for hot water. Ile twice repeated distinctly, in answer
to question; that he had taken nothing, and that all he had
done was to rub his gums with laudanum. Mrs. Cox was not
in the room at that time. I did not tell Mrs. Cox what he
said. Mrs. Bravo had previously told me that he was fre-
quently in the habit of using chloroform and laudanum for
the neuralgia, share seemed to be no ill-feeling between
Mr. and Mrs. Bravo it was not in his power to display
much affection. He could not say whether Mrs. Cox or Mrs.
Bravo spoke to him immediately he became conscious.
By the Foreman: Mr. Bravo was not conscious when I
desired Mrs. Bravo to leave the bed. I did so as she fell
asleep, and I was afraid she would press against him and
Interfere with his breathing.
By Sir H. James: I had attended Mrs. Bravo before her
marriage. -I did so in January. I have been on friendly
terms with her after her marriage. I understood Mrs. Cox
to mean that Mr. Bravo had taken chloroform in a
poisonous dose, so as to produce poisonous effects. When I
saw him I thought the action of the heart was failing. If
one were subject to heart disease the excitement of a horse'
running away with him would produce failing of the hearke
Mrs. Bravo told us that the horse had run away, and we
were of opinion that a failure of the action of the heart.
had occurred from some cause or the other. Mrs. Bravo
showed great anxiety as to the arrival of Mr. Reyes Bell and
he Johnson as quickly as possible, and both the ladies ex-
pressed a strong wish for further medical advice. I inspec-
ted some of the vomit with a spectroscope, to see whether le"
was t.nged with blood or burgundy, and I saw it was blood. At
heard, that the solid part of the vomit which remained on the
balcony outside the bedroom window was afterwardr
collected. I taw not the slightest sign of feigning or
acting on the part of Mrs. Bravo. She seemed to be natural
in her affectionate remarks to her husband. I knew she had
been unwell, and when she threw herself on the bed beside
him she said, "Do speak to me, Charlie; dear," and other en-
dearing terms, and she became exhausted and fell asleep,
By Mr. Gorst : Mr. Bravo was in terrible pain when I saw
lien. When I first went in the most urgent symptom was
the failure of the heart, which I thought would cause
Immediate death. I told that to Mrs. Cot. All our treat-
ment first was to produce reaction. The stomach pumps,
would have suffocated him Lie had not the strength tOb
bear such an operation . We came at once to the con-
clusion that the collapse was not occasioned by chloroform.
It was when he began to vomit the bloody fluid at about
a quarter to two that I could fern a po4tlve opinion as to
the cause of collapse. The system would become tolerant
of antimony after frequent small doses, and to a person so
accustomed to take it a largish dose could be given without
pre diming immediate poisoning. I never knew a case of
attic de by antimony. I had a glass of sherry brought up to
me in Mr. Bravo's bed:oom ; I saw no one partake of
burgundy.
Dr. Moore recalled, said he took a cup of coffee, and that)
the glass of sherry drank by Mr. Harrison was all the wine
he saw that night,

4 taken

The court then adjourned.

7. 7!'k - -

Pleuro-puenmonia has broken out in the neighbour-
hood of Sheffield. Several cattle have been destroyed, and a
meeting t waestrates is to bo immediately summoned to
take the neceesary steps to "declare" the district.
The Aeronautical Society, in their tenth annual
report, r( cently Issued, refer to the attempts which have been
made to sci'v. the difficulty of "11ght by man," and suggest
the question "whether the scciety should, by the aid of its
mr inners. ffer prizes for models which shall be capable of
imic ding the flight of selected specimens in nature, such,
for instance, as the ttng-beetle, the buttei fly, the dragon fly,
the hovering of the hawk, or the flight of the swal'ow."
An inquest Was held on Tue,,day at Datchett, near
London, on the body of the man who committed suicide last
week in a cab near the Victoria-bridge, Datchet. The
deceased had not been identified. It was stated that a woman,
whose name was not mentioned, had an interview with Dr.
Turrell, who had seen the deceased, and she stated her con-
viction that the man was her husband, whom she had not
seen for four or five years. She objected to give evidence.
The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased,
whose name was unknown, committed suicide, but that
there was no evidence to show the state of his hithd.

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