The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-02 00:00:00

THE AMERICAN MAIL.

The delay in the arrival of later advices from New
York is explained by the severe character of the
weather in the Atlantic, as experienced by the steamers
which have just come over.

AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH OF A BAR-
RISTER AT NOTTINGHAM.

A melancholy occurrence attended the holding of the
Christmas sessions for the county of Nottingham on
Monday. Henry Bell, Esq., of Leicester, a barrister of
large practice and great popularity on the Midland Cir-
cuit, was in the robing house about eleven o'clock in the
morning, with a number of his learned friends, who
were awaiting the commencement of business. Sud-
deuly he turned faint, and showed indications of sick-
ness. In a few minutes he became speechless, and a cab
was immediately sent for to carry him to the George the
Fourth Hotel, where he was staying. On his arrival
there, Dr. Ransom, Mr. J. Thompson, and Mr. Maltby,
surgeons, were quickly in attendance. Their efforts,
however, were unavailing, for, after lingering until four
o'clock, he expired. In the opinion of the medical gen-
tlemen, Mr. Bell died from a fit of apoplexy. He had.
long been subject to that complaint, and some time since
he suffered from a severe attack at Leicester. The
deceased had been a member of the bar for about
seven years, and was previously an attorney's clerk at
Leicester.

THE DOUBLE MURDER BY A SOLDIER
AT ALDERSHOTT.-THE EXECUTION.

Yesterday morning at eight o'clock, at the county
prison, Winchester, the wretched man, James Johnson,
expiated the crime of which he was found guilty at the
last Winchester assizes, viz., the wilful murder of Ser-
geant Chipts and Corporal Coles at Aldershott Barracks.
On the 29th of November last the criminal was at the
permanent barracks at Aldershott, having been punished
by Chipts, a lance sergeant in the 41st Regiment, for dis-
obedience of orders. In the evening the two victims were
at a table playing at backgammon, there being several men
watching the game. The murderer was a few feet behind
the sergeant, standing near his own cot, apparently
cleaning his rifle, when suddenly the report of a rifle
was heard, and the smoke was seen as just having pro-
ceeded from the rifle of the culprit, he holding it against
his hip. The ball from the rifle entered the back of the
unfortunate Sergeant Chipts, just under the right blade-
bone, and passing through him, came out in the centre
of the chest, and then penetrated the breast of Coles,
causing instant death. The words used by the murderer
left no doubt of his intention to kill Chipts. The
bullet passed out at poor Coles' back, and struck
against and broke a rifle leaning against the
wall near the spot. The miserable man through
the whole proceedings since the commission of the crime
has simulated insanity. The medical testimony has
been clear on the point that though the culprit is a
man of very excitable temperament, there was no real
symptom of aberration of mind. He has been in a low
and desponding state up to Friday last, when he be-
came apparently more resigned to his fate, although
maintaining a very reserved demeanour. On Sunday
week he attended divine service in the chapel for the
first time since his conviction. The wretched man also
attended service in the chapel on Sunday last. He
retired to rest at twelve o'clock last night, having been
reading until that time. He was somewhat restless
during the night, but arose at five o'clock this morning,
when the rev. chaplain attended him. The under-sheriff,
Mr. T. B. Woodman, arrived at the gaol at a quarter
past seven, and shortly afterwards Calcraft and the pri-
son officials entered the cell. The unhappy man bore
the process of piniouing with much firmness, and as the
clock struck eight the mournful procession moved towards
the fatal drop, the Rev. Mr. Rogers praying, and the
culprit joining with great apparent fervency. On arriv-
ing at the gallows, Calcraft quickly adjusted the noose,
and the miserable man was launched into eternity. The
condemned being of slight and short stature, the fall
was arranged longer than usual, and death ensued
almost instantaneously. The morning was very wet
and stormy, but upwards of 3,000 persons were present..
This morning the culprit told the chaplain that the
rifle was loaded only a few minutes before the shot wag
fired ; but it was not done with intent to kill Sergeant
Chipts, but only to disable him. He strongly denied to
the last that the threats deposed to at the trial had been
uttered by him. The unhappy man has a mother and
sister in Ireland, but they are not supposed to be aware
of the awful fate of their relative. The last words of
the criminal before reaching the drop were beseeching
the chaplain to comfort his mother and sister, and tell
them he died penitent.

THE BRITISH LEGION.

NAPLES, Dec. 27.

"I regret," says a correspondent, " having to an-
nounce the death of a fine young gentleman, a cadet in
the British Legion, a Mr. i3ontam, who was accidentally
shot yesterday evening by Mr. Thorn, a youngphysieian
of the same corps. This melancholy occurrence took
place in the hospital of St. Sebastian. The circumstances
attending it are as follows :—lt appears that some per-,
sonbrought a revolver to the hospital for the purpose of
selling it, not knowing, as I am informed, that the
weapon was charged. While Mr. Thorn was looking
at it Mr. Bontam was standing close to him; it is pre-
sumed Mr. Thorn inadvertently pulled the trigger, the
pistol was discharged, and the ball passing into Mr.
Bontam's heart killed him on the spot. Mr. &intent
came out in the Legion like many other gentlemen in
the capacity of a volunteer private ; but be received the
rank of a cadet shortly after the arrival of the Legion.
He was very much esteemed by his brother officers, and
his untimely death has created quite a gloom among
them."
It appeared that owing to the difficulty of obtaining
transports the second half of the British Legion has not
yet sailed ; the 4th of next month is the date now fixed
for their departure. The sooner, of course, they go the
better, under present circumstances. The general health
of the volunteers is reported as very satisfactory.