The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-03-24 00:00:00

THE DORSETSAIRE MURDERERS.

Two men are now lying under sentence of
death in Dorchester gaol, and unless the Home
Secretary can in the mean time be prevailed
upon by any representations that may be made
to him to recommend her Majesty to set aside
the sentence passed upon them, these unhappy
beings will, according to official arrangement,
suffer the severe penalty of the law on Friday
morning next Happy should we be to be spared
the revolting spectacle of a double, or even of a
single, execution in our ancient county town;
but in der the existing state of the law on what
grounds can we ask for a reprieve I In the case
of neither of the men is there any dispute as to
the facts—the only question the jury had to try
when the accused were arraigned at the bar of
justice was whether, when they committed the
deeds of blood, they were responsible for their
actions. The defence set up in both cases was
t Ist of insanity. In the case of nuke two or
three near relations gave evidence to show that
be was strange in his behaviour, and that he had
a Morbid dislike to his cousin whom he shot. He
at tunes suffered from pains in his bead and
nervousness. He was also exceedingly irritable,
mid of late his malady had increasea. He had
however managed his farm and kept servants;
no medical man had ever been consulted by bim
or by his friends for any malady connected with
his mind; and he had never been guilty ot any
irrational acts until that for which he was placed
upon his trial. In addition to the testimony of
his relatives, however, a medical man was
brought forward to talk a good deal of sham
sdientific nonsense tbont "homicidal and sui-
cidal tendencies which come on at any time."
Dr Tuke did not go so far as to say that Fooks
had a homicidel mania, all that he would venture
to say was, that he had a common mania with
only an occasional tendency to homicide. Ac-
cording to Dr. 'Puke, Fooks knew perfectly well
when he fired the gun that the shot would pro-
bably kill Stone, but had no power to restrain
tbe will—that he knew perfectly well what he
wet about, but was under an untrollable impulse
to kill his muffin. The reletives of Preedy
had no hundred guineas wherewith to fee a
medical witness, as in the case of Fooka, else
if they had, is all probability Dr. Tuke or
alma one else could have been found to prove
that he likewise was labouring under what
in the profession would be considered. "moral
insanity," or an "uncontrollable impulse." Now
let us ask what can Dr. Take or any other mortal
man, know of uncontrollable impulses I We
Me in the chits of these ter° unhappy men that
their impulses were not controlled. and we see
it also in every breach of law prompted by
cupidity and passion; but we cannot see whether
or not such impulses could be controlled. Such
things are negatiire, not positive, and as such
impostible of proof A dangerous manic is pro-
perly deprived of the power of inquiring himself
or others, but who can pretend to penetrate tie
working of his diseased mind, and to dis-
tinguished what is governable and what not I If
there be any truth in this belief in uncontrollable
impulses, why is the irresponsibility claimed fir
It in CUM of killing not extended, as in justice
It should be, to other acts contrary to !Awl A
thief who picks a pocket may have obeyed an
Impulse of temptation uncontrollable. A ruffian
Who commits rape may claim acquittal on the
ism* score. If the plea were to be allowed its
extension to Justice would be but fair, and Jus-
tice should have uncontrollable impulses to hani
homicides, and to punish with due rigour
ravishers and thieves. But if these "uncon-
trollable impulses" are to oonstitnte irresponsi-
bility, why not shut up our gao:ii, dismiss our
judges, and disband our policei tbt-, bad roan
has the diseased propensity for which our
"moral mania" doctors would claim impunity.
lii H rth's Progress of Cruelty we trace the
diseased propensity, from the torturing of an
animal to the cutting of • woman's throat. Dr.
Tuke would cull it uncontrollable impulse
We gib it the plainer name of criminal wicked.
flees. It may be perfectly true that some persons,
from various causes, loses their powerover them-
selves, and are benefited by being put under the
control of others. The extravagant man may by
this means be saved from ruin—drunkards may be
preserved from the horrors of delirium tremens
—passionate womeu may be saved from
disgrace but It does not follow that because
this control is limiting, eiery incontinent act
is to be excused, or that every violent man is to
be allowed to commit whatever crime be please
against his fellow creatures with impunity. This
homicidal mania and moral insanity doctrine is
most fatal to the interests of society and the
security of life ; contrary all' • te common-sew •
and to law. The rule as laid down by the judges
is inconsistent with such a view; for it is that a
men It responsible for his actions if he knows
the difference between right and wrong. Fooks
might have indulged in some hallucination with
regard to Stone and others annoyimg him; and
Preedy might have brooded over his fate in his
convict cell at Portland, till such brooding begat
• morbid desire for blood, but this is not de-
lusion. Delusion means a belief in what does
not exist. In the conduct of both men there
was undoubtably irrationality, but we are not
to make reason an attribute of crime, and the
irrationality consisting with sufficient under-
standing to distinguish right from wrong is not
the irrationality to which the law allows the
irresponsibility of inanity. We cannot deny
that of late years many a murderer has been
acquitted on the ground of insanity, upon quite
as slight evidence as that produced at Dorches-
ter; but this does not prove the decision in
these two cues wrong, but rather that juries are
no longer to be imposed urn by scientific medi-
cal jargon about wicomikollabl. impulses of
the will.

DORCHESTER. Coax Witten,
Baturderllareksl.—Theattendapos wasexceedingly
anti the litle business done was principally in
the seed trade, in which late prices were fully
maintained. In the eon trade there was DO material
alteration in tbe value of any article.
11.. T. Essok's Rsymirroar SALE, Saturday,
March 21.—This excellently conducted mart was
again well supplied with an unusual quantity of
stock—in fact It was one of the largest Wes hold
since the opening of the new repository—no less then
200 bead of cow stook and 500 sheep and lambs
were submitted to competition, and with one or two
exceptions the whole ware sold. There was • very
uumerons attendance of buyers. For beef Mere was
• brisk demand, and-realised from 11. to I2a. per
more_ mutton hid. per lb. • down tags from 210 a
to 36a., and elintlis 27e. to -80 s pet bead. At the
home repository in the albums= • mob', of useful
horses were disposed of
Tacimaa's K•LITD00001.1. —Oar readers will per.
waive by an advertisement in to-day's impression
that Messrs. Thomas and Co. have patented 'a novel
inventios bearing the above title, for &Hording
sumeelment to young people, • specimen of which
hoe been forwarded M. We can confidently say
that it is well worth the small charge at which it is
sold. It is unique in appearance, and the various
coaitioationa shown by it are both perfect mid
beautiful.

Tea Cosmic= OnNorm —During the past
week Preedy's *abduct has not been of so violent a
description as it was during the week after sentence
had bees pared epee him, although in the early
La* of am PIM week be gave way to fearful out.
rats of pinion. He is mill in irons. but we kvial'e
not of so heavy a character as them that were placed
Upon him at his trial. Feat; is very quiet, and
alike 'ugh he refuses to see any of his 'visa's*, is
preparing for %egret& change which so soon awaits
him, and receives the visits of the chaplain of the
prison. On Friday the underddieriff. T. Coombe
Esq., acquainted the unfortunate criminals of the
time appointed for their execution. Prior to that
Pried, refused to accept the advice of the Rev. H.
Motile, but after being informed how near the sands
of life were ruinous out,be has frequently envied in
earaent prayer with the rev. gentleman, sad it is
Loped the wretched culprit will make his pesos
with his Creator, awl obtain frem Him that
pantie which his fillow.mee related to give him.

Both of them are now very much cast-down and
dejected since they have heard that Friday mum-
init.' sun w be the last one that will ever shi,.
on them. The peti,ion which was got up on F.Aika -
behalf wet wi Ii hut very few signatures, thi
majority of Lir mi refir.ing to sign it. On Friday
the with wities at the 10..1 received a letter from the
Secretory of State stating that the lee ml 4 take
it. course, as there were no circumstances in either
of the muses that would justify a commutation of the
sentence& The unfortunate men will therefore
suffer the penalty of the law by the hands of the
common executioner Calcratt, on Friday morning at
eight o'olock, over the northern entrance hi the gaoL
As it has been publicly stated that Preedy is •
Roman ratbolic, it was very kindly suggested to
him that be might have the attendance of a clergy-
man of that church bat he declined. It seems his
object in once stating that he was a Roman Catholic
was to avoid attending church service at Millbank.
CoW3artTeD To Tut Do ken swine 0 &onions :
George (roan!, embezzlement at Bridport.—Hard
Labour: Thomas Mitcham, breaking windows at
Weymouth, I calendar month; William Barnes,
assault at Portland, 1 calendar month ; John
Campbell, breaking out of barracks at Weymouth,
21 days; Elisabeth Davis, misbehaviour at Dor-
chester Union, 7 day.; Luke Brown, stealing corn
at Shmborne, I calendar moth; Rowland Skinner,
steallnx • hat at Lytchett Minster, 1 calendar
month.—lnaprisouniest Tboaup Vile, drunk, tc.,
at Weymouth, 7 days.
TEA ?Alumni —On Ft-idsy the members and
Ineods of the Primitive Methodist cornea ton cede-
orated their annual meeting at the British School
Rom, by a social gathering around the tea table.
About fifty sat down to partake of the go,d things
so profusely provided, and the party sae of a very
convivial nature. After the tea a public meeting
was held, which was well attended, and was under
the presidency of Mr. Vernon. Very interesting
addresses were delivered by the Reeds. C. Merry'
man, J. Fox. 8.A., T. Lane, J. Beckham, and
Moms Lupton, of London, General Missionary
Sociebary. The Adana.= ww• listened to with much
attention, and every owe acknowledged that a very
pleasant evening had born spent On Sunday
Sermon. were preached in ib• Primitive hlethodisc
place of worship, Fordiagton Green, by the Rev. J.
Beckham, of We)mouth, and liberal collections
were made.

ACCIDENT. —On Monday afternoon, ass man named
Nathaniel Pike, in the employ of Mr. 'l'. Ensor,
auctioneer, was leading an entire horse aiteund the
town, the animal bit him. The horse, which is a
magiacient creature, had been purchased that morn•
lag hy Mr. Daniel Sheppard of Mr. Thomas Ensor,
and pike very foolishly was showing it about
the town without having a rod in the animal's
month, and was indalging in foolish freaks with the
horse. Hiving pulled the adimal'e month open for
the purpose of showing its teeth, his band Slipped
and the home severely bit it, The I orse
whose temper had been overtried, was about to do
further mischief, when it was prevented, and then
very guiroly went to ita stables. Pike at once
sought medical assistance at the Hospital and had
Lis hand dressed, which is severely bruised.

CutlifTT Feta Sanstottn, Satnrdsy.—Pessent : H.
Hoodden, Eq.. and bilsjor Steward
MISIIIHATIOUR AT Till llillolf.—Eligabeth Davis, An
inmate ot tho Dorchester Union, was charged by Igr.
Corsa, the master, with disorderly condect. it op.
pearled that defendant Ind some oakum to piek on
Friday. when she refund to do so and threw it in the
ire. The defendant wade no sumer to the charge, and
was sentenced to seven dap' bard laboar at the Bowe
of Cirrection. _ _ _

&MILLING WOOD.—Gotge Barrett waschsrzed with
Balding wood from a 6r1.1 in the occupation of Mr.
John panda. P.C. Florencc said that on the 2lst of
rellreery he was on the road leading from dingo:noise
to itruaptshant, when he heard sows one breaking wood
in • Geld occupied by Mr. John Pasch. Witness went
towards the ar; where the polio prooreded from, and
sa w Prisoner king op wood, but when be (prisoner)
sew witness he .aft, it and west in a contrary direetioe.
On witness procerding to the ipot Where prisoner bad
left, he found • large bundle of wood tied up sh,h a
piece of rope. It was obesnot wood, and on tooling
about be saw where it had been cot from, end the
boodle eorresprinded with the portions cut from the
toles. There Ina no evidence to show that the defend-
ant had eat the wood, and the ease was dismissed.
. .

Wibrob DAMAO/I.—John Trim was charged with
titling • quantity ot fume. the property of John
Brymer, Baq..tro the Stith February.—From the date.
went of P.C. Rogers it appeared that about eight o'clock
on the night in question he saw Hie defendant saltine
fetes on Puldletown Heath. Four bundles had been
out and tieri up. 'Witness naked him what he was
fib wt, when defendant replied that be was only cuttmg
Se n. farm to heat hit oven. Fore notice boards were
pissed about the heath, warning people not to tie-troy
t furze. The calm of it was 6d. The defendant, In
defence, said he was not aware be was doing wrong. as
people bad been &sustained to eat form on the heath for
an and yeam—Fined be. and coda, or in default
seven day.' hard labour.
ASSAULT. —Goons Boper was chart•i with indecently
assaulting Elise Crier:bal.—Mr. Howard appeared for
defendant—Prowentrix said that about seven
o'clock. on Saturday, the 2fith of February, *he wen
gang to Weymotrtb, when defendant accosted her, nod
wished her "good night," but she did not anseer. He
then caught hold of her, and sitempted to pull
up her clothes. Promentrix resisted and requested the
defendant to let her alone, bet he ri faced to do no, and
Gad be should welkin Wm I. o tth with r; He tripped
her up. but she dial oit, bncl defendant soon left her.
She afterwards fainted.—ln crumetarronation she said
she did not tell any one shout the assault until she
arrived at Weymouth. She bad dressed hermit
in • man's hat and trousers at Christmas.
Elisabeth Twinkles mid that about three weeks
aro she met complaMant at the White Horse,
Weymouth., She woe thee crying, and stated that a
young ,rian ned inddted her. On her way home cow.
plainant fainted. Croes-eaarhined She had known pro-
aeontrix drew in nian'eclothing ; but ihe bad never dam
tbe same. For the defence • young man owned War.
Bart and • woman named Edith Gale were celled, wbo
etved that they new the prosecutrix on the night of the
ell. gsl assault, but saw nothing the matter with her. '
Ti e:lefewlant was fined la. and sesta - I

Joseph Hiseotk smtsttud.ed for throwing a stone at
In 4:46.—Tliontaa Chaffene sdid be weeny engine &Jeff
on the Brulport ltethray. On the Ifth of Fe
liset as he we/ driving the 1145 p.m. train hoot=
port, whilst proceed4sg ender a bridge at Great Toiler,
a stone fell on the engine. He looted up and sow two
boys on the bridge. Had the atone touched himself or
the stoker the result wonld have been very serious, but
11 111 between them. On arriving at the Ore 0.1, he in-
' formed the station mastet of what had occerred.-111r.
Morrison a pubes ipspeetqr oh the (heat Wintery Rail.
way, said on the Ilhh of February A was reported to
him that • stone had been thrown dl the train at Groat
Toiler. The nest day he went tit, re, end from Si r-
m.tion which be received he proceeded to the •
school, and there found the defendant. Witness d
" I have come to see you 'boot throwing a stone at the
train yesterday." Defendant saki "Another boy gave
me the stone and naked we to throw it."—Jo•ei h lane
used he was with defendant on the railway bridge on the
dat in question. A boy named Green WM defendant •
Eons and dud him to throw it. Wittman did not no
the atone thrown, but it was not 10 defendant's hand
attar the train had pared by. Pined do. ine)uding anat..
STIALIIIO Tvsssr TOM—SUM] White, MiSabethi
Foe, Ann Winter, and Emma Woolens, were charged
with stealing turnip greens from • field at West
Stafford, the property of Mr. Joseph Vaisey.—fienteent
Viekery deposed that he waa on duty on the 27th Of
February, at &afford, when he saw the defendants' in
prosecutor's field. They bad a large bundle and • bag
of turnip greens tied up. They said Mr. Vosey's
shepherd had given them permission to take them.
They afterwards said they were very sorry, and hoped
sitting sonidbsot say anything about it.—lined 24. SI.
including co*.
Stumm Milan ZITIMOT &ALM—Ralph Swat-
ridge, • baker, if tnpisham, was thtarged by P.C.
Floranoe for gelling bread without ere4hte or scales.
The constable proved seeing the defendent delivering
breed from his wagon without haring weights or soaks.
For the defence, it was contended that it had newer bees
on.totaary to bare wales and weights for the sale of
bread at Rampisham, and the °llene* had arisen in con-
sequence of ignorance.—Fined Is. sod assts.
Vaoaance.—At the Bisirellasil. on Monday, before
G. T. Bullock, Fag., • young man named Samuel Moore,
was charged with vegrasey. Sergeant Holloway said
that about 10 o'clock on Satarday night, the 114 inst.,
he found the prisoner in Maiden Newton lying no some
timber by the nod side. Tbe constable asked what he
was there for, when he said he was going to sleep there
as be had no either place to lie in, and bad no money.
He tended to be taken into sathedy, and said be would
break some windows to be taken into charge.—The
magistrate discharged the prisoner upon his promising
to leave the town.

••••131..7 IT • 0111-14013= NAlL—Ffederiek Crone,
a one-legged man, end rejoicing in a wooden one, but
whore well acquainted with prison discipline, hewing
had board and lodgings eight times in the county prison,
appeared tbefore G. T. Bullock, end R. Moreton,
Feign., at tan Bhirehall, on Monday, charged with
violently anesulting Mr. Cores, the master of the Union
workhouse, at Dorchester, on Saturday.—Mr. H. Look
I.4.—Mr.
Coren stated that on Setarday, about
E:l77seven, be went in the workhoole and found
that Cram bad been admitted in his absence. One of
the men told whores that prisoner had tore out one of
the triathlon in the sick ward. He weld to hins and
inquired the eines, when he replied that it
was because be had not bad his dinner. Mr.
Corea remonstrated with him, end he then went
into the sick-ward. Upon prisoner's arrival there
be requested him to take out the thine. in his
pockets, which he did, but put something wider
him. Complainant pot his hands in prisoner's
pockets when he found emosthing ender his
waiataamt. Whilst endeavouring to do this prhonerbit
complainant upon the cheek, and after this he streak
him peer one of his eyes. Complainant took prisoner's
wooden leg from its socket and told him that if he did
not behave himself be would knock hiss down. Primmer
then took off another part of tbe log and threw
it at him, which contpleinant mesped by shutting a
door. almost which it cause with great violeace. Cross
used very violent langsage.—ln eroseesainination by
poisoner, Mr. Corso said he believed be oollered the
prisoner about four mouths ago, but not until he re-
fused to hes.azsltssl and give up a large stick which
he IsaL—Elias Carter, as inmate of tbe workhouse, s id
when the defendant came in, Gest of all demanded his
supper .ImA dinner, and sapper was supplied him. Hs
rent... Aerial Mr. Corm'. coming into the room where
Dross wee, and asking hits to take out the thing. is
his pockets. "Phis primmer refused to do so, and said he
would not give up Ws thing* for say man. Prom
miter then attempted to seereb bias. when a scuffle
ensue I. end they both fell epos the door and after-
werds defeadant threw the socket of his 'leg at eon,-
plainapt. Sent Vickery deramed that he was seat
For to attend ths workhouse on Ilatorday night, be-
tween 8 and 9 o'alcseft. •Upon his arrival they Jambe
senor said be wanted Win to take • was to dlogibrg

wasaulting him. Witnen went to Croat, who was In bed.
old told loin the charge, and he then derailed bin.sell
and went to t:.e stati .. .. Wiiee.s easy ome blood at the
••• of the priaon ea led. lie mod lie shoul not la.
• u k complainant if he had not •-riwis him flr.t.
•,ariter waited that as he was taking off his j.oket Mr
Como flung him on ,he bed and nearly strangled him,
ma as he could not liberate hilusa If he hit him in the.
face, and afterwards struck him. l'reaciner, in defence,
•tated that he came out on Saturday to be examined,
and on his return to the house he asked for his rations.
Sibley, a man who brought the food, said the mis-
treats had taken away his rations. lie rrquested
him to a.lc the matron for hie rations, but she refamol
to idae theta as also another person whom he sent.
Prisoner then went to the chapel, and slaked POMO of
the inmates to seek for hie rations, but they were all
refined. After soros time his sumer was brought but
not his dinner. He then went out fur the purpose of
baying some dinner, when he us. t the frisecutor, who
desired him to come in the sick-ward, which he did, and
Mr. Corea also refused to give him his dinner—Kr.
Bullock said he did not think Kr. Corers bad used 011-
necessary violence, and the primmer was sentenced to
two calendar _months' lard

PORTLAND. Ts7n. CosAtic-r Wrretsata 05
Paletiv's Taut-- Mr. Charles D. Crossley, of
Sun-court, Cornhill, writes to the Times suggesting
that " the two convicts who closed with the
wretched murderer Preedy, and prevented further
mischief with the knife, will obtain a free pardon,
and sincerely hopes that Government will grant it
for ecting in se leave a manner. Although cri-
minals they did not fail at that time to do their
duty."

ANOTHER FATAL ALVIDUNT.—Ort Thursday •
fatal /cadent happened to a convict, named John
Robinson, who was engaged in raising stone from
and five other convicts sere engaged in raising a
the public works here. It appears that the deceased
block of stone, weighing about four and • half tons.
by what is called a " travelling" wane, in the booth
ditch of the Verne fortifications. The "travelling"
crane is placed on lines of rails co that the stone
when removed from the ground can be deposited at
any required place. The metals where the accident
occurred are very much higher on one side then the
other, and when the stone was raised, it surged •
andthne pulled the crane off the lower rail and
turned it completely over, bringing the unfortunate !
deceased end another convict ender it. Robinwn
was killed Immediately, but the other impend
happily escaped without any ewers injuries. On
Friday morning, an inquest was held at the Portland
Convict Prison, before F. C. Steuart FN., and •
very respectable jury. The jury after having viewed
the body, the coroner remarked that this was a case
of death caused by the fall of a crew. Be suggested
that it would bs advisable for the jury to visit the
plea where the accident °warred. This suggestion
having been acquiesced in, the jury Proceeded to the
scene of disaster, and upon their return the following
evidence was adduced : —Captain Clay, governor of ,
the Portland Prison' said that on the 15th of July,
1809, I received the deceased into my custody from
Pententille Prison, under sentence of four yews'
wad servitude. He was about 36 years of age. On I
Thursday. about 11 o'clock, ft was reported to me
that the deceased bad been killed by the upsetting of
a crane. Adam Parsons, a warder of the prison, said :
was present in the south ditch of the Terre I
fortifications about • quarter-past 10, superintending
the lifting of some stone by • portable crane. I was
superintending the deceased and fire other convicts in
raising the stone. 1 was requested by Mr. Mullins,
an assistant warder, to leave the work which I was
engaged, to superintend the raising of some stone on
a truth. In about a minute and a half, when I
'Wilted at the spot, the deceased and three other
convicts Were in the act of raising the stone. I gave
I two of the convicts orders to be careful in slackening
the guiding rope. One portion of the rope was snide
fast around a large stone to Weedy it, as it was being
lifted by the crane to the truck. The stone had
been raised about an inch or two when ( raw it
make a "surge." and the convicts who held the
guiding rope were obliged to let go as they could not
hold on any longer. The crane then, immediately,
• owing to the " surge," turned completely over. and
I the deceased, who was on the crane, fell noda-
-1 heath the ballast hos, under which be appeared to
Ibe crushed cid sufiocated. Another convict was
I also badly injured. I then, with assistance, took
immediate steps to extricate the deceased, but he
I appeared to have died instantaneously. The weight
I of the stone was about four • ad • half tone—John
Goulborne, a convict, said: I was amp/eyed with
the deceased and four other prisoner, in the south
ditch of the Verne fortification in raising stone by a
portable crane to a trolly. Mr. Melling had given
as orders to rage the stone. The deceased and three
convicts bad adjusted the slings for lifting the stone,
and land another convietcaught hold of the guiding
rope to keep the stone steady. As soon as 1 saw the
stone raised, 1 cried out" high enough," end the
next moment 1 felt a "surge," and the rope was
palled away from us, and the wane went over,
1 topry turvy." I called out for de wen that were
I on the crane to look out, but the deceased and
another were not in time to get out of the war,
and fell under the ballast box. I believe the
laccident wow from the crane not being placed
on keel rails, one aide being higher than the
ether.— John Lan ,a convict, also gave oorroborat've
testimony. Mr. John Gihems, foreman of the works
in the Admiralty quarries, deposed: I know the
portable crew which the deceased was working at.
It had been employed at the Admiralty quarries,
but within the last two or three months it has been
employed to the fortifications. I have tested it, and
it would lift between five and six tons. One of the
officers of the Regiment had directed the remove/ of
some stone marked with the letter "J," and the
deceased and othen were employed in lifting that
atone on Thursday morning, about ten o'clock.
About ten minutes after the accident occurred, I ox'
endued the crane, sad I believe it was in pod
working order pi ior to the catastrophe. 1 attribute
the spesdent to the rope slipping, and the mid on
which the Mile were Owed not being level. This
portion of the ditch is on • curve, and this 'coolants
for one rail being Ifighet than the other. I believe we
turn of the rope around the stone would be sufficient
to keep the crane steady underord Mary eircumetanow
—Mr. Sydney Pole, one of the medical officers of
the prison, said: I was called to attend the demised
it a quarter to eleven on Thursday. He was dead.
I found the left arm fractured in two places; hie
nose was much flattened, and his month was full of
soil. I believe the pressure of deceased's now and
mouth in the soil reused sullocation.—The Coroner,
in summing up, said this was a ciase which required
very serious eciosideretion, and the slositdest bad
arisen from an error in judgment in the use of the
mane. He thought the parties who were engaged
in using It were not sufficiently acquainted with the
pnirets and capabilities of the crane, and believed if
some more *specie:wed periwig bad worked it, it was
possible that the pew wran's life might have been
saved. The authorities of the prison were acting ,
under the orders of a superior officer. 'lke only
questions were, whether the crane ought to have
beLnelaesd in such a position, or whether the d..
ceased met with his death by culpable neglect or by
accident ? He thought this was a case which called
for some remarks from the jury, as it might be the
Eocene of preventing similar accidents. The jury
returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and in-
timated that it was not desirable that "travelling"
cranes should be used in the quarries. At the con.
*beim of the inquiry, Captain Clay remarked, as an
instance of the care which was taken to prevent se- .
eidents amongst the convicts, he might state that the I
average loss of life for the past fifteen years had
been only one in 1,115.
BOURTON--Sonore Daarn.—A owe of sudden
death waned on Thursday night to Thomas
Clothier, a mechanic of this perish. The deceased
had been to Southampton on bestows, and had re-
turned by the train to Gillingham. On arriving
there he milled at the Red lion and said he did not
feel very well and asked for a pint of eider and •
biscuit. After this he appeared sleepy and did
not speak again. Dr. Mike was called in bulb.
died shortly after of diabetes. He was 41 jean of age,
and has left a wife sad tinnily.
SHERBORNE —The committee sppointed to super-
intend the arrengementa in oonneethai with the late
festivitits on the marriage of the Prince held • meeting
last week to wind up their accounts. The amount
oolleoled was VW, of which there had been expended
for meat, £72 3e.; bread, £93 5.. 7d. ; printing and ad-
vertising 5'6 S. ; band, kb ; ringers, ES 35.; cannon
sad ammunition, 111; Hodges for assistance, El St.;
Townhall. 18e. 151, and £5 18s. to each school, thus
leaving • b.husoe in hand of El lla.
A new Are engine, belonging to G. D. W. Dishy,
Req.. an 4 intended for use op the Shen:ores estate, was
tried for llis first tine on Tuesday. The engios, which
is on the Very best principle, is intended for 90 men,
and, if required, OLD throw water (ruin both sides at
once, and discharge upwards of a hogshead at once. It
is estimated to throw water a hundred feet high.
On Thursday morning last. the Sberbome Troop of
the Queen's Can Regiment of Dorset Yeomanry
Cavalry, assembled at 86i-borne Pare, tinder the com-
mand of Captain J. D. W. Digby and Lieutenant
Molts. This troop ha. recently received considerable
augmentation by the addition of new members, and
their object at assembling on this esessies, was tog,
through their various *vendetta and marierevres, pre-
paratory to their assembling at Weymouth in May next,
for their annual week's training LW assesise.
The Rev. E. Hardee gave a lecture at the National:
&boob last week, on "The Church's Poor." We need
scarcely say that the rev, lecturer handled his subject
in • vary able manner. In the eosins of his remerks be
forcibly set forth the wants of the poorer parishioners,
and was listened to moat attentively by • numerous
sadience. We trust that the mod sown will bring teeth
an •bnridant harvest.

CHARD.—Boanuou Fount, Thursday.— Before
T. H. Hughes, Esq., Mayor, and R. W. Spicier,
Req.—Jaime Watts, of the Carpenters' Arms, was
summooed by Inspector Evans, for having in his
possession on the previous Friday, a quart and three
pint cups which were short of the standard masonry.
—Complainant said that on the day in qoastion he
called at defendant's house to examine his 1110•1111 rel;
be examined 21 pinta and quarts, out of which
wore the three produced, which he nixed. The
were each about one-ninth shod of tee
Defendant admitted having the memares in his
suasion. but said he did not know tut that they
Were correct —lsned 11, and 9s. 6d. mew.
George Palmer, of the Crown Ina, was charged by
Inspector Everett with refusing to prodis• his
earthenware cups when reqlested to do so.—Com-
plainsat mid, when be first called to examine dike•
hisdaMbusi'm ileasissur, se,sedheemaiwpsiaostiblra. Unita
aersasit. He toth her
Lves

feet high, and said "Titers they are." He took'
.lown a quart pewter measure. Iles. Palmer than.
eviit into Om taller and bo.ught up a quart and •
pint pewter measures. He t.../d bar lie wanted to
vsnowne the earthenware cups also, and she replied,
"We don't sell by quarts and pints. we soll by
glasses ; we have no taproom custom." He raw
more than meaty earthen measures, and took memo
of them to measure. In the masatime Mr.
Palmer came in He told him what hire.
Palmer bad said above selling by glasses.
Defendant said be knew nothing about
g lassie —he told by the pewter remora Witness
then heard some rattling of cups, went to the hue-
door and maw Miss Palmer secreting four ceps. Ho
went to her and accused her of doing so, and she,
said "Her,, take them." He then went out of the,
bar, and immediately after saw Mrs. Palmer go in;
be watched her, and saw bar put three cups into
drawer. He told her of ikand she opened the drawer:
and replied "There, take what you like." Bbe war
very insolent, and brought him three water jogs to.
measure. Witness then measured the etme, sari
finding them "rather short." told defendant to,
destroy them. He then asked defends tto produce
the rest, but he refused. He asked him again, but
to DO purpose. Mn. Palmer Aimed to produce
them altar be found that she had been mor•ting.
them.—P.C. Atkins gave corroborative 'videos's.—
The defendant said he did not recollect refueing to.
give the inspector the manures. He called fat the
defame Martin Morse, alio said he oat an she
Crown on the previous Friday. Mr. Palmer mine
to him and said, "This is the inspector of weights
, and measures, who says I am concealing my ceps,
I bet I threw my bar and house open to him to Jae
: what he thinks proper." The inspector said it war
: not his place to take them. In reply to I
Everett, witness mid he beard Mr. and Mrs.=
tell him to take the cups. They were all talking
both loud and fast, and witnem told this to do
things mutually.—The Bench said that deitodant
had laid himself open to • very heavy penalty, as
he was bound to produce his measures to the in-
vestor when requested to do so. As, however, he
had, no doubt, acted in ignoraoos of the law, ha
would on this occasion be tined in the nonnall
penalty of Se. sad costs, makiygalotalo(lB.

CREWICERNE. -The mortal remains of the late
Mr. John Summerbayes, many years organist at oar
perish church, were interred on Pride,' last, in the
tremnoe of • large number of people, with great
lemnity. The °Olin was preceded to the ehirsh by
the timeshare of the Crewkerne Mastoid Society, of
which the demised was leader, and who, by his death,.
bam sustaleed • great lone. Next mine the Bev. Dr..
Penny, in his black gown, supported on tither aide by
the Rey. T. B. Stubbs, and tfer Rev. Hymn, siedi
followed by a large number of the gentlemen and trades-
men of the town. The roan was borne by six of the.
members of the church choir. The widow nod family
-
of the deoemed, contrary to fashion, followed to its Ira
resting-piece all that remained on earth of • kind and.
affectionate Mnbencl. en indulgent and loving father,
and • most invaluable friend. The procession halts&
at the churchyard ipio, while the Reeds. MOMBIS.
Stubbs and Hymn pat on their surplices for
conducting the services appointed for the burial)
of the dead They were attended by toeing et
the choral boys in their surplices sod black crape mark
setasing the left shoulder. On presiding the coffin Into
the chunk, the choristers, led by the Rev. Hyrum,
chanted the three passages of seripicie in the bmittiful•
and solemn service of our thumb, in an impressive and:
ittby creditable manner. The cois M reMed In the alas
ilei the service was being mad, the twelve choral boya
standing sir on each side. Tb. eherob was croweriC
during the time, and the scene was truly affeelisg. On.
arriving at the grave, the boys shoaled those seisms
words, "Men that is born of woman and while the.
tears tnokled down the cheeks of am* every one pre-
sent both old and young, thus testifying their heartfelt
mime* for the deceased and their revenues fro the
dead

BATH. —Ctuvta Arrant/smolt or Mem-
mussikane.—On Saturday afternoon a Oate-bsdiet,
oontaining a quantity of plate, was oku from the
residence of the Rev. J. C. Teaker,Lanerlown
Superintendent Morgan ascertained that about the
time of the robbery twis men were in the neighbour-
hood professedly with the view of purehmieg marine
storm. Two men of like appearance, with a pony
and cart, were men the preceding Tuesday at
Clevedon. s hen the house of lira Eton wee plun-
dered of plate. Superintendent llorgen,a eorapesy
with other officers, proceeded to Bristol es Monday,
and ascertained where the two men and a manes
who generally accompanied them bad been lodging,
and tbst they had gone out on another foraging ex-
pedition. The unloose awaited their return, and is
the afternoon caught them aS three in VI ine-strent.
with their pony and trap. The prisoners were
brought before the magistrates at Long dates as
Tueeday. Sufficient evidence wee taken lo warrens
their otaimittal on the charge of boonebresking
Clevedon, and they were remanded es the
of stealing plate from the house of the Rev. 3.
Tether.

EX ETER. —BATH AND WANT Or ENGLAND.
AONICULTUR•L SOCTITY.—EItiow OF &EMI Homes..
—An exhibition of entire bolero. preparatory lo•
the general meeting of the Society in June next,
took place on Friday in the St. David's Banaok.
Yard, Exeter, winch bad been kindly placed at time.
disposal of the Society by the =Monter of the We:-
Department. The entries for these prizes closed on,
the 7th of March.—The tboeeug'ibred were lir* ex-
lubited. The following were the entries :—Hunger.
ford, a cheenut horse, 15 year. old, the property of:
Mr. R. H. Watson, of Dorsley, Tomes;
a brown horse, 13 years old, the property of Mr.
Watson, Tomes; Mr. Barratt's wen Totals).
Mama bone Ratan, aged 22 pan. bred by Mr.
Crockford ; Mr. R. C. Riddle's (Spreacombe Park,
Barnstaple) brown horse Frederick, aged 8 years ;
Mr. Robert George Luxtoo's (Braskired, Womb-
worthy) assent bores The Baldfiload Stag. aged 8
tears, bred by General Peel; Mr. Jae Perrier'
(Gillingham, Dorset) bay bores Psalm, aged 6
year.; Mr. James Hollocosebe's (Coley Plum, Read-
ing) bay horse Voting Touchstre, aged 15 yeas,;
Mr. James Jebyll Newman • (Bradford Abbes,
Sherborne) black horse, aged 2 year.; and Mr.
Thomas Lake's (Huxville Wear Gifford, Toning.
too) cheesed hmse, Swaloliffe, aged tea yaws.
The Baldfsoed Stag was declared the winner.—be
the class for net stallions, not exceeding 6 yeses.
there Were fourteen entries. Mr Joseph Rwaeld's
(Perranzabuloe, Truro) dark bay half-bred bares
Young Oxford, aged 3 years and 10 months; Mr.
Ches. Noble's (Swansea, Glaroorpashire) Mows
Clydesdale home Young Redmount, aged 4 years
and 8 mouths; Mr. ha. Shapparde's (Stogreresy,
Bridgwater) brows net horse Prince, aged 2 years
11 mouths; Er. James Sheppard's Wows net hamar
Invincible, aged 1 year II mouths; Mr. Edward
Gibb's (Chiltern*, Heytesbury, Wilts) dark gray
North country bores, Sampson, aged 4 year. 11
months 2 week.; Mr. William King's (Withleigh
Inn, Tiverton) man cart bone Model, aged six yewsr
bred by Mr. Joseph Gibbons, Raokenfied, newton,
sire, Warrior; Mr. George (Swilley Farm,
Plymouth) black net bores Black Prism, aged 4
years and 10 mouth.; Mr. James Haswell's (North
Milton, Lew Down, near Exeter) dark brows
Clydesdale drasAt bone timpletea. aged 3 peers
and 10 mouths, bred by Mr. J. Moffatt, Damen-
steads, Stapleton, aear Briunptoa, sire, Yams
BIS,* ; Mr William Hawke's (Hadar*, Falmouth)
gray horse Volunteer, aged 5 year. and 7 ameba :
Mr. James Davis's (Clasen, Bristol) dark Wows
horse Clyde, mod 5 year. and 9 maths ; Mr
William Dicker Brook's (Credits.) black met bores,
Tome King of the Valley, aged 3 years aad
mouths • Mi. Edward Obarch'i (Godasy,
, black i;rt home Champion, aged 3 yams and 10,
mouths; Mr. R. H. Wateoes (Dore*. TOlOllO
brown Clydesdale bone Aberdeen. aged 1 year and
II mouths. The linet pries of £2O wee awarded to.
Model, and the second prise of £lO was declared to•
have been woo by &aping's.
The Paris Press. says The health of Garibaldi
gives great anxiety to all his friends. -Oar Traria
correspondent wr de some time ago that be did net
share the general optimism, and to-day be writes to
as, that not only is the instep taseiaed, but the
swelling is gaining on the leg, whit* Inz=
about grave result'. Garibaldi has hem e
to decline the visits which be has frequently received
at Capron."