The Express.
London, England, 1852-09-08 00:00:00

THE SUFFOLK CASE OF IMPOSTURE AND

CREDULITY.

The Ipswich Express, from which our accounts of
the case of Elisabeth Squirrel], of Shottisham, wu quoted,
has this week a number of communications from various
parties contributing facts or suggestions with reference to
this remarkable history.
The first of these is the girl's own statement, dictated to
her father, and addressed to the editor of the Ipswich Es-
py.,
Sir, with your kind permission, I will insert the follow-
ing in your chronicle of passing events as a lover of justice
and of those who, before setting the final seal to a case
which admits of no compromise, adduce lair proofs to sub-
stantiate their evidence against it. In consequence of ex-
ternal privations I am not in possession of all the editorial
details as given in the several journals of the county, but
enough has been communicated to make me fully aware of
the position in which I stand ; and if my case is marvellous,
most marvellous and unsystematic has been its treatment, for
had calm reflection and prudent discretion been wed
from the moment that suspicion was aroused, I should not
now breathe in an atmosphere of calumny, but as
the want of this has awakened a fearful excitement in the
public mind, and given the case much unguarded publicity,
it is our duty while defending ourselves to inscribe on the
pillars of that defence satisfactory information. 11, lure going
further, I would say that I am not a mad brain enthusiast,
nor has the mystic pall of fanaticism ever covered my case;
on the contrary, nothing has been manifested hut must tend
to confirm the close existing union of the visible with the
invisible world, for every chord of our life vibrates in
eternity, and every seed is a germ of immortality. Notwith-
standing the many conflicting reports of this tumult, not one
fact obviously clear Las been cited sufficient to brand me
with imposture, for gross misrepresentations have enshrouded
it in a kind of mystery, and wearing no tangible form, it is
' difficult for the public to conceive of the truth in its primitive
form. The man of evidence against me lies all couched in
the discovery of small pantiles of hard dried excrements,
which were found concealed under the side of my bed, most
undoubtedly placed there by me in moments of embarrass-
ment, and unintentionally forgotten. These identical cure-
' lions are preserved, and will, even on a cursory examine-
tiers, confirm beyond all doubt the truthfuleess of my
statement; for Ido most solemnly declare that neither
urine or material passed from me during the watch, nor
had done for weeks previous. But the mystery is un-
ravelled at once when it :a known that for 21 weeks I had
been unable to be removed off my couch to have the bed
thoroughly made, acute suffering at the heart causing an
utter inability of any exertion--sundry cushions, contrived
by a careful mother's hand, rendering my position com-
fortable. I feel it a privilege to be allowed to give my
version of the facts; and I hope, by a careful attention
to all inquiries, to merit from the public a credit to
my assertions ; and if a proper attention is given to all
the physical facts of my case, and • lenient spirit is mani-
fested to mc, considering my deep infirmities, I shall not
long writhe under the keen lash of antagonists, who would
cause my simple and hitherto unblemished name to be em-
blesoned in infamy and guilt. But to return, it is im-
portant, however, to state that the condition of the cloths
has been very much exagg d; for bad there been
such a mass of filth as represented, it would not have
remained so many weeks, as the discovery his, unnoticed.
It stings my heart to die very core to be thus openly
degraded—degraded to the full extent, swelling into a
prodigious beige of dishonour that which has unfortu-
nately remained unnoticed by me ; fur none who know me
would believe me so devoid ot decency as to allow anything
of the kind to remain under me if memory hod not failed.
But those who possess any feeling must be aware how
often circumstances like these have unguardedly be-
come incidental to a long and painful affliction ; but woe
to those who fall beneath the scrutiny of heart. as hard as
the nether millstone, for if they ever rise it is by the beauti-
ful simplicity of truth, whose genial rays never fail to dis-
perse all mischietboding rays. My conversation with the
nurses oo the night of my examination is, I find, adduced
as an evidence that I can hear ; but as I have a distinct
remembrance of all that paned between on, I am prepared
for any attack on that head. It is, therefore, useless for
them to fabricate any more falsehoods, as they have already
given evidence of swerving from truth. I will now sum
up my evidence of the discovery. The cloths were not
found under my arm, but close under the side of the bed;
there was not a drop of urine on any of the cloths, nor was
the linen under me even damped, save by the ordinary per-
spiration of the system. No proof has or can be given of
my taking either food or drink during the six days of the
watch. As to the absurdity of the parasol, and ouch aon-
sense, no sensible person would deem it necessary to notice;
for if two persons, sitting in the room, could out prevent
the possibility of giving me food, then their •11,i'lLI must be
eclipsed by a more than ordinary mist. Where, then, is
the evidence of guilt ? I now lay myself open to another
investigation, and such publicity has been given to the case
that I shall not have had justice until it is accomplished.
Meantime I commit myself into the arms of God, my only
supporter, and with all due respect end deference to the
public, I remain, Yr. Editor, your very grateful suppliant,
M. E. Suutauatt."
The next statement is that of the girl's mother, as fol-
lows:

I feel it my duty, in justice to myself and the public, to
contradict some of the reports that are circulated in tho
papers of last week, knowing them to be Wee.
lst. It is stated that I have received from visitors to my
house, in charity, a sum of money amounting to 3001. I
utterly deny the statement. I have not received in all
(during the affliction of my daughter) from the public to
the amount of 71. in charity, or u a present. Let all the
visitors combine together in one body, and prove it if they
can. Ido not say this to reflect upon anyone, but simply
for truth's sake. I acknowledge that there are persona who
have been to some considerable expense to bring the caul
clear before the public, to whom I shall ever owe a debt of
gratitude for their kindness, but this did not come into my
pocket, nor did I desire it.
2. It is stated that the ringing of the glass or tumbler is
caused by the sweep of the angers wing. Such an expres-
sion as that I never heard escape her lips.
3. It is also said that the girl had an open parasol, which
she often screened herself under. She has a parasol, which
she did use for that purpose previous to the setting of the
watch, which she at once declined using. This the watchers
ear. certify.
4. It is oleo stated that a harmonicon was placed close to
the tumbler, which by some steam caused it to ring ; but
how is it that the tumbler did not cease to ring at a time
when the barmonicon was at Ipswich to be repaired ? Mar.
sellout indeed would it be if there were that unity subsisting
between the harmonica' and glue that the harmonica&
should cause the glue to ring when at a distance of 14 miles
from it 1_ _

Dr. Matthias, of Ipswich, writes to the Ipswich Es.
preli
" I have been ansioudy waiting for the last week to
witness the 'Report of the Committee' who have inquired
into the Shottlisham case. Such report has not, however.
as yet, for very substantial reasons, made its appearance.
The public are promised, on the faith of gentlemen, that it
shall appear 'nest week.' What the contents of that
report' nay be time will show. [We here omit some ob-
servations of the writer which reflect on Messrs. Webb and
Whitby.] If I really thought the public had any confidence
in the statements of the two nurses, I would proceed is show
how utterly at variance their assertions have been to the
truth. I may mention that I bad a personal interview with
them, and in the presence of a witness they positively de-
clared that Elisabeth Squirrel! said, when the discovery wee
made, 'that the devil must have put them there.' I men.
tinned this to Elisabeth Squireell yesterday, and I shall
never forget the virtuous indignation she displayed at this
gross libel. As she intends replying to some of the most
outrageous statements herself (see above) I will not tree-
pace on your valuable space ; but I must say, after what
I have heard, I cannot believe any statements made by the
nurses.

" A sentence copied from the Journal was yesterday
communicated to Elizabeth Squirrel' by Mr. Hayward,
farmer, which, together with her reply, I enclose The
editor or correspondent of the Journal terms yours the.
" ravings of a diseased spirit." She immediately bunt
into a loud laugh, and then exclaimed, It is rather para-
doxical ; I thought in the spirit there was no combi-
nation of matter. Their hearts are better than their
heads ; they are not used to writing on lush
subjects. I thought that the spirit was an essence un-
contaminated by matter. The " spirit" is indissoluble ; it
partakes of no other existence bat its own, and we only
know of a "spirit " by its gleaming through the apertures
of its own organisation. It would be very awful to see a
spectre " raring," because no physician can heal the diseases
of an invisible; and I fancy that the moat subtle philoso-
pher would find his wits cracked in attempting te conceive
of a "diseased spirit." Howeveriwo will let this matter
rest, and earnestly pray that the journalist may never have
to witness the "ravings " of a "spirit" this side of eternity,
and lam sure I hope he never will on the other. Most de-
voutedly would I pray that he may realise in the invisible
world what the so-called " diseased spirit " has an ecstatia
glimpse of now.
"On visiting Elizabeth Squirrell yesterday, I was more
than ever satisfied of the genuine nature of the ease, and
cannot imagine how persons can so belie a girl of such trans-
cendent talent, and, as I believe, of exemplary piety. I
have felt great interest in this case, and am willing to
make any sacrifice to see justice done to the Squirrells.:Se-
'Feral gentlemen have kindly promised subecriptions to de-
fray the expenses of a second rigid and fair investigation.
Money alone will not do it; we must have the co-operation
of gentlemen of known respectability, who will engage to
watch the ease. It will milord me great pleasure to assist
in any way short of actually watching the case. This I feel
ought to be confided to such as have not publicly expressed
their sentiments.
" If any of your readers can suggest any plan to bring the
matter to a satisfactory conclusion, I should be happy to re-
ceive any suggestions. Allow me, sir, in conclusion, to ten-
der you my own thanks as well as those of Mr. and Mrs.
Squirrel' and daughter for your kindness in giving a plate
to my letter of the 30th ult., which I trust has Leen of se-
sential service in this unhappy affair—l am, sir, yours, de.
" ALFRED F. MALCIIRM, M.D.
" 10, Norwich-road, Ipswich, Sept. 6, 1652."
Another correspondent of the same journal writes :
"To assist in the detection of the profane fraud prac-
tised at Shottisham, it may be well to state that an ex-
I actly similar attempt was made, about 46 years since, at
Tutbury, in Staffordshire, by a most pious woman, named
Moore. She was assisted in her proceedings by her family.
She wee, after carrying on the deceit fur a considerable
time (though watched), at last detected. Amongst the plans
for obtaining nourishment, she pretended to require agroat
number of pocket handkerchiefs, which it was found were
loaded with as much starch as they could hold. These she
used to suck. At last, being so strictly watched that she
could obtain no food, she began to sink, yet would not ask
for food ; and an eve-witness informed me that, had she
not had food almost forced upon :or, she wou d fume died."