The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-16 00:00:00

[Stamped, id. Additional.]

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT AT WIMBLEDON.

Yesterday morning Mr. William Carter, the
coroner for Earl Surrey, resumed the inquiet at the Rose
and Crown TIMM. Wimbledon, upon the body of Thomas
Cooper, the private of the Coldstream Guard. who was shot
while acting as marker during the late arenas of the
National Itille Association.

It will be remembered that oa Thursday last, when the
inquest was opened, Thomas Hulme, a private in the lit
batWion of the Coldstream Guards, described what Cooper
was doing when the shot struck him. Law Waymen, a cor-
poral is the same battalion, proved that at two o'clock on
the 21st of July, the bong was stopped for an hour, end the
Eat stood at " diner " to keep people from firing. Just
before hearing at tan accident he law a rifle in the hands
of Sergeant Roberta (who was placed under arrest), but
be did sot know that be fired the shot which struck
Cooper, although be heard an explosion. The signals, he
mid, were up at the targets. Another witness examined
was Mr. Charles Hall, of the Middlesex Mifle Volunteer
Corps, who mid the " running deer " firing point, se well as
the bring from other points, could be made to bear upon the
place where Cooper was standing. After the medical art.
deuce the inquiry was adjourned, as no one was present who
saw the shot bred which struck the deceased.

Mr. Mackby, bon. solicitor to the Ride Ismociatioo, Oap.
tido Mildmay, secretary, aoo. also Mr. Superintendent Belt,
were pretest yesterday to watch the proceedings.
Mr. G. H. Barber was first called. He sad—l ant a
solicitor, midis( at Stanley-house, Addison-road. Ken-
sip/rtes. On toe 21st of July last. as a volunteer,
I was on Wimbledonoomnioo at about t o'clock io the
aftersooa at the WI) yards' pool firing point Mr. Charlie
Hall was also them to my company. The firing was to
conzinenos after dimmer. I looked through a small glees at
No. 6 toilet I did not notice say danger flag at No. 6.
They were flying at the other targets. I called Mr. Hall's
atteution to the goodness of the glass, and ha looked through
it. Lientenast Morrison was by me to the right He was
in charge of the target No. 6, which was to my left. At the
time I heard a shot tired. tad heard it strike a target
_Upon
that I said to Mr. Hall, "Wall you spot that shot!" He
mad* a reply, and I looked through the glass. I did sot
see who bred the shot. It appeared to come from the
right facing the target. I looked at the target sad noticed
the danger Sag lying oo the ground in front of the target
No. 6. I had not previously noticed it. I noticed that
otter the shot was fired another marker came up and
put up the danger flag. I know Sergeant Roberta. Ha
was the officer taking the mores. He was about live
or aim yards to nir right. He bad nothisg in his
hand then. I cannot say that I spoke to any one
on the subject of what followed the shot. I did not notice
soy other shot fired oo that day from the point. 1 believe
the tango was closed. I asked Mr. Hall to spot the shot
on account of the controversy that now prevails as to whe-
ther shot marks can be *nen with a glass on the pasteboard
targets. Theft was no flag io front of No. 6 target. 1 went
away and roiled with the crowd. I neat saw Sergeant
Roberts in the council tent, and I then told what I knew.
1 hay* sever said that bergamot Roberts tired the shot, or
that any one admitted baring find it.
By • juror—The signal gun had tired at least ten minutes
before toe shot. _ . _

The Coroner—Did you hear soy remark made by anyone
Auto the shooting having commenced before the signal shot
was fired
Witu.s—No. _ _

Captain E. li. st. John Mildewy being sworn, said—l am
secretary to the Natmaal Rifle Aseociatiou and equerry to
the Duke of Cambridge. I Lee at Arundel•villa, Balboni.
Oa the 21st Jolly I was cm WiinWeden-commeit. About 3
o'clock I was ie my official teat—the secretary's SODS. this
witness, who was closely examined, **id he knew Dallier/
of the matter. Hs said be had come simply to watch the
case and Dot to be examined as • tames. _ _

cap-
tain iu the 85th, now stationed at Shorncliffe. On lb. 21st
July I was at Wunbledoe. I was toe of the officers of the
regular army appointed by the National Association to awe
the regiatries kept and sad orders preserved Molise to the
&booting. At about 3 o'clock I was at the 500 yards' pool
target, sod bad charge of 1,2, and 3 ranges. At this time the
sgual gun bad tired before shooting re.coninseuced. The red

drags; signals were Byre( at the tirgeis—at 1,2, 3,4, 6.
At all but 6, which was sot visible to him. It was about
tea minutes after the gun bred that the accident took place.
I beard a shot It appeared to come from the right of me.
I got up and looked to see what wee its matter. I did not
notice any smoke. The screens between me and the firms
would pr that. I thee beard some say there was a
man shot. I asked who fired the shot. I did not uk of
soy one in particular. I Naked who fired the shot, and Ser-
geant Roberta said, " I tired the shot."
The coroner ordered Sergeant Roberts to be brought into
court, and C. plain Milton said be was the man.
Captain Milton proceedad—l thiak I said " You fired
the shot while the darner Lag was gyiag," bat I teapot
swear to it, Ido mot Rona 1 received an easwer frost any
one on that point. I did not bear Roberts make the admis-
sion to any one else. I ordered him to be placed under
arrest for tiring a shot while the danger signal was up.
Roberta was M e pcwatios to hoer me say that. Ido not
know that Roberta made any remark. I made the arrest on
the first instance, and Morrison took charge of him. That
was on the Bth day, 1 believe, that the shooting had been
carried on.
. . . .

The Coroner—Wen there any printed instructions gives
for the shouting !
Waste—The officers of the neonate employed at Wim-
bledon had been pre lonely instructed in their duties, and
were well acquaisted with the rules. No abet should be fired
when the equal was up as any of tie nese.
The Coroner—Do we uadented that a shot we not to
be made at any pertictdar tease; or at any of them !
Wanes—Not at any one of them.
The Coroner-1M you know whether Roberta had been
seeded there ell the sine days!
Warne-1 don't know. That wee the first time I sew
him there.

The Comma (to Itoberts)—Your name hoe been called
into nuestioo and 1 will read you what this gentleman 11111
(evideoce read).
Witness—l any add, that when the signal goo was fired
the markers ought to bare taken down the denier signals
sod gee. Into their huts. la the event of ti.mr Dot beiog
ready, the deem flags should have been kept up.
The Coroner (to itoberta)—Do you wish to ask any ques-
tions?

Wgeaut Roberta—were not all the sage up at tbe firing
point, la additive to the gun having fired!
Witneas-1 think two flap ware up, bat I csuinot posi-
tively wry.
The Coroner—Do you suggest any other question!
Sergeant Roberta—No,
The Coroner (to witoses)—Have you been engaged long in
superintending shooting
Witness-1 wee ride instructor is 1860 and 1861.
_ _

The Cormier— Have you ever kaowo shots to be 'mods
whoa signals wars tlyiug st tin targets for soy purpose
whatever?

WitheeS—No shot should be fired when the red flag was
at the target.
The Coroner—Than you cahoot say why Roberts should
have fired.

Wituese—No, I certainly cannot.
The Coroner—le the army each a thing is not allowed !
Witoess—No ; it is strictly forbidden.
Mr. F. Dammam Munition. being sworn, mid—l am an
maign of the 2d battalion of the lst Royal& On the 21st
of July 1 was in charge of Nos. 4,5, and 6 target. at
Wimbledoo, at the Stki yards pool. About • quarter after
three I went there, toe gun leiviog been bred about ten
minutes before that time. I noticed the danger flag was
dying from No. 6 target. It was put out horizontally in
front of the target. Sergeant Roberts told me that the
marker at No. 6 was keeping the whole of the ramp waiting.
I went round to No. 5 brim; point and told lb. hitiguismian,
or sergeant, to wave the red Sag low on the groirod,as • signal
for the removal of the danger-beg at the butts. The fatigue-
less did so. Mr. butter came up and asked me a question re.
have to some Mooting, and while easwerisig the question a
shot was tired. It was close to me, but there was a good
deal of bring going on at that time at other ranges. I en-
quired who bred the shot, and Sergeant Roberta replied,
•• I tired the shot." Roberts said he bad fired about 10
yards to the right hand of No. 6 target to call the marker's
&meatiest. Immediately upon dm abot l saw all the danger
signals put up. linty there must be something wrong.
The Coroner—ls it not a rule that no shot shall be tired
while one danger signal can be seen !

Witneas—Yes.
The Coroner—Yoa were placed wider arrest, I believe ?
Witness—Yes, but I don't kaow why, except that I bad
cbarge. I gave no orders for firing the shot.
TOO Comaer—Except what Sergeant Roberts said, you
can form so opinion why he shot at that tame!
Witoese—No.

The Cowneer—Do the maskers belong to his own regi-
meet•

DOS.—Yes, I believe they beloog to the Coldstream
The Coto's', addresaied Roberta, coiled hie attection to
the evidence oit the 'mime day. The amoral atomises
were culled and their evideoes reed over. Those who were
io the same rediemist with Roberts said they had never
heard him use any expresaima of to 'Wier of the
makers or to say ma else.
Seismal Roberts having bean called forward,
Th. Comber rid he would now be allowed, it be thought
it prudent to do so, to mike any statormat. He wee mot
Wood to make my szplimatios, sod anything be and would
be take" down wad need scatbst bias. Aay 'him; be might
may would b. • volant•ry sot, and be must use his own
discretion. _

Sergeant I:aborts—l have no statement to m►ke.
The men who had mud as markers mare called, mad in
answer to the foreman of the jury, mid they never knew a
shot to be fired to all the atteatioa tithe markers to their
duty.
Sergeant Roberta, in reply to the oorseer, said be bad no
WIUMOMIS to all.

The Coroner proceeded to sum up, ukias the jery to set
aside all personal fooling is corning to their malls% He

[TWOPENCE

had read over the evidence, and it would not be advisable
Ito read it mein. H. gave a sketch of the history of the
National Rite Ansociatioo, and called attention to the cif.
cumatences uuder which the shooting took plaos on the 2 las
of July. and the arrangements made to prevent danger.
The bent question for the jury to deteratioe was whether
Cooper died in oonsequeoce of a gunshot wound, end whether
it wu clear that Roberts, and no one else, tired. If they
foiled that I. the affirmative, then tame another important
I question, which he would explain. The coroner explained
the law bearing upon the ease, and said that if they believed
that Roberts disregarded the rules by which he ought to
have been guided. it would be their duty to send the matter
toa superior court foradjudication. Otherwise they would
acquit Sergeant Roberts by finding that death was mused
accidentally.
The room was then cleared, and after as boar's absence
the jury founds verdict of "Homicide by naisadvastare,"
accompanying it with an mantra that Roberts had been
careless. He was discharged amid cheers from the public
mumbled.

MRS. (LONGWORTM)
.YlLvspras AND THE

" SA TUIthA Y iffilli."

An action for damages, concluding for 3,0001.,
hes (says the Scotsman) been relied by Nis Longworth
against the Saturday Renew, for the attack pubhabed is
it on Saturday the 34.1 th July. The pees& of it can be
leveed yom thu nederiendenee, which Vas follows :

Con. 1. The defenders in this &Mimi are the proprietors
of the Saturday Berme, a weekly journal, published in
Leodoe. The articles in said journal consist entirely of
commente on current meta. sad reviews of books. For the
moat part, they are written with great ability, and in a style
indicating that their authors am educated gentlemen. The
mid journal is much read by the WNW. intelligent classes,
and has an extensive circulation in Britain and in the British
colonies, and is read in foreign countries also as a leading
enamel, of British public opinion.
Coe. 2. The pursuer has for several years been involved in
• litigation in which she amnia hot right to be declared the
wife of William Charles Yelvertoe, mice in her Majesty's
Royal Artillery. In 1861, • jury in Dublin affirmed that
she is the wife of Major Yelvertos ; and by interlocutor of
18th December, 1862, the First Division of the Court of
Session in Scotland found the same fact to be proved.
Coo. 3. The said interlocutor of the Court of Session was
appealed to to the House of Lords, and oe the 28th July,
1864, the said house, in accordance with the result of the
opinions of Lords Wensleydale, Chelmsford, and Kipp-
down, and in opposition to the opinions of the Lord
Chancellor and Lord Brougham, recalled the said inter-
locutor. In the Saturday Bcoicte published by the de-
fenders on Saturday, the 30th of July, 1864, the judgment
of the House of Lords is commented on and approved of
is an article heeded "The Velverton Cam* The conduct
sod letters of the pursuer are also commented on un-
favourably iu said article. The number of the Rtritu,
containing said article was sold extensively in Britain, and
has bees circulated is various parts of the world. More-
over, the article in itself was quoted, io whole or in part,
by tinny newspapers in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Con. 4. The article throughout abounds in direct or
covert attacks upon the pursuer's character. It suggests
that, bad she appeared peisonally, she would have enlisted
the feelings of that judges in the Home of Lords in the
same practical way or by some similar way to that
adopted in the case of "an Athenian lady of doubtful
fame," referring, it is believed, to Phryoe, the Athenian
courtesan, and insinuating, and intending to insinuate that
the pursuer is of profligate character or of doubtful fame, or
of both. It proceeds so state, falsely and calumniously.
that the pursuer's version of what occurred in Ireland was
absolutely untrue," sod Manatee that because of her false-
hood in this version her word is not to be believed. And in
damming, and in part condemning, the character of Major
Yelvertoo, it states that "he was much MOOD the pursued
than the pursuer." At any rata, he gave the lady fair
warning. He pointed out that her "ewe would be the re-
sult of • renewal of their acquaintance, and he gave her the
choice of renewing it or not, That renewal was her act, not
his." All this is (else in every particular, sod it is especially
falai, and is besides calumnious, in respect that it repre-
sents that her ruin was her owu ace, and was Mimeo by her
after warning, which is the meaning and effect of the pas-
ted.
sage
gn. —The concluding parer of the article is as fol-
lows:—" As to Miss Loogworth, we would now say se little
as we can. W hen all the world was on bet side—when she
was the triumphant object of what are callid Irish ovations,
when all Scotland made her virtue" as much an article of
Queen Mary's innocence, and when Dearly the whole
of England echoed their salutations—we expressed ourselves
intelligibly on this lady's lire and character. The highest
Englieh tribunal has DOW fully accepted that view which
tour years ago was both uticomuicn and unpopular. It
were ungenerous to press heavily on any cue who is
down ; doubly Ragmen= in the cam of a woman of
very remarkable powers, great intellectual accomplish-
merits, and now labouring under the heavy burden of
failure and humiliation. To my that, in our jade.
went, she fully deserves her fate, may sound harsh ;
but to say much lea were to compromise the interests of
truth sod morality. She has a thorny bed to lie os, but
she hes made it for herself. And if we express ourselves
strongly, it is chiefly because the Leal High Chancellor of
England has thought proper, is his judicial capacity, sot only
to pronounce • high eulogium on the imallectual capacity
displayed in Mies Losgworth's letters, but to declare
that their toe. is consistent with honourable courtship.'
The interests of morality would, we thlek, he seriously com-
promised were this judgment to rest on any higher grounds
thee Lord Weetbuiy s opiaion of what nut be the proper
style of correspondence between unmarried—or, for the
matter of that, between manied—perems. To right-
thinking perms them is mock is these terrible Maus
which is simply loathsome. We have no norm
of making a heroine of such • person se Miss
Loogworth. She is out of keep* with society,
beck se it is and as it ought to Sbe is an advesturess,
Lunched into the world nobody knows how, with a previous
history which has never been told. She le a Seer de Cheriti,
but she meets sad courts adventures little in keeping with
semi couventual dress and office. She timers it sod mists
it by turns or at once. She is made up of passim sad pro-
deuce, of hard intellectual vigour and sensuous thought. and
feelings. fib. writes as no sexiest woman writes, sad she
schemes as no modest woman would scheme. She has reli-
gious scruples, but they 4o not restrain her from provoking
at lam to sin. The best that can be hoped for her is that
she will abandon that world which will act most kiedl, by
forgetting her, and forgiving her otlenee against society.
line. 6.—The said article, as a whole, and putieularly
in the passages docessid, is false and calmatous, sad is
calculated and intended to represent the pursuer es en im-
moral, disreputable, immodest person, who was out of
keeping with or tribt for society, both es its sades it ought
to be; whose conduct was inconsistent with her religions
profemion, and was such that she fully deserves failure
and humiliation," sod ray; whose letters were in their
tone inconsistent with honourable courtship. and were seek
as no modest woman would write, and were of • style tot-
prover either for married or unmarried parties, and were
••simply loathsome" to right-thinking Parson, from
their immodesty and immorality —or it makes one
or more of these false and calumnious repreesstatioos
or insinuation. Although the history of her whole life
from childhood was folly investigated, in order that bar
character might be assailed, sad was made the subject of
lengthy evidence in the proof in the 000 joined 'crops epos
which the House of Lads gave judgmest, the said artiste
falsely asserts that "she is an adventuress, Lambed into the
world nobody knows how, with • previous
i history that has
never bees to issinoating, and intending to minuate,
by this false and ealumoious assertion, that her previous
history had bees of so disreputable • character that it could
not be told without shocking public decency, or moiling
some similar insinuation prejudicial to the pursuer's moral
cbsracter.

Coe. 7.—The said article, is whole or in part, is of and
ooteerting the pursuer, and is false sod mlninnious, and
'mastitis statemette for the making o! which lbws was
end is to probable came ; sou the said *Woman' are
malicious, and are not juatiliable as fair newspaper com-
ments npoe proceediogs taking place in a court of jastioe.
By the said alatderous statements the pursuer has been
greatly injured in her feelings and reputation, and this
adios is oecestery to the vindicatios of bet character, and
to restore her against patrimonial iejary.
Coo. 8. —The defeuslers do not reside in Boothia& bat
sum. of mosey due to them bare ben arrested, imriadie-
tionisfundanda timed, in the heeds of Messrs. Adam ea
Charles Black, booksellers and publishers is Edinburgh ;
Miura. William Blackwood and Soak bookseller' and
publiehere there ; Mesas. Edmonsiew and Douglas. book.
sellers and publishers there ; aud Mr. William P. Ninimo,
bookseller and publisher there.

Gaoes Otrmaos.—Arstovia, Anwar 12.—Last
night, about eight o'clock, as Thomas Danny, a farmer,
was retuning home after tishiog for eels at Castle
Sampson, sod what in the act of washing his feet in a pool
of water, his korner, being cff at the time, he was fired at
and wounded in the left thigh and both legs, from the
elects of which he could not move. and lay on the
ground for some 1301.111 until discovered by a woman, who
called some neighbours and hod him removed to his owa
house, whose ha now lies is • dangerous state. Several
grains of shot have been extracted from hi, legs. The
constabulary at limulumulla barn,' heard of the oceurrecce
proceeded to Downey'. home, who Wanted them it woe a
man amid Thema Simpson who fired at him, whom they
arrested about eleven o'clock the same night and brought
him before Downey, sed be at ones Wailed him. He
was the nail day brought Ireton Use resident magistrate,
who committed him for further examination to Athlone
Bridewell. No motive me be asvigned for this, but that
linniseemmid some time ago that any person he teasel tree.
paining oe his land he would shoot them.—Prerneit's

--Yesterday (Monday), being the Napoleon Nta
day. time was service is the priaaipal cabala, clauschas is
Litarpeul