The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-12 00:00:00

THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

Another promenade concert woe got up on Bator-
day, but, the Woods sad Femme bawls. refused to permit
the introduction of militia/7 base. doe =oldest entertain-
Min was confined to Mr. Beet's peelkwysese• as the great
organ, said =wormed a eclectics of mired music from the
works of Hauck', Haydn, M Grans, Bach,
Moser'. as. The perforeametve es at three o'clock
wit, eclecticism beta the "Nerwieb,* and inielted at lee
o'clock with Idayda's grand "Nallehdah &was." Is the
early past of the day them were comperatively Ilem visitors,
but tower& three o'clock they began to Como Ia muck
more rapidly, and by four o'clock there were several
thousands collected in the western naves and gallants
near the organ, besides large numbers who had
evidently conic for the pleasure of the prune-
nide, and to see and be seen by their friends
and the public. Crowds lingered during the greater
part of the day in the transept, which is evi•
dcntly the favourite portion of the building, where
the young green leaves are again beginning to expand
upon the majestic elms, notwithstanding the prophe-
cies that were so rife twelve months egothet the trees would
decay for want of moisture, and fill the building with ants,
insects. end rubbish of all sorts. The second spring, how-
ever, finds them more vigorous and more forward than
those in the open air, and here were numerous groups
seated watching the stream of visitors pour in, listening to
the musical trickling of the fountain, or the fainter strains
of the groat organ, whirls, powerful as it is, was almost
lost bekwe it reached the centre of the building. Under
the trete in the north transept a very respivtable
, cascade was Rot up in the sole remaining fountain
of the Exhibition; and still further teeth, in the refresh-
' meet department, soda water, ginger beer, and bottled ale
were pouring out in continuous streams, the heat of the
building, when the sun shone powerfully on the glass roof,
being rather unplersont On one side of the transept opt-
I =mess of Mr. L min Ilaghe's paintings of the Exhibition
I were exhibited, including that which shows Sir Joseph
Pextun's design for converting the building into a winter
garden. On the other Boater's oil paintings were displayed,
tempting the visitors with their villa and glowing remi-
niscences of the past year. At three o'clock a general
meeting of the committee interested in the preservation of
the Crystal Palace took place in the large room near the
south entrance, and resolutions were unsnimoitely adopted
to organise district committees and get up public meetings
in verities parts of London, so that the metropoiitan
public generally might have an opportunity of express.
tog their views and opinions ugpn the subject.
Meetings with this object will tile place in the
course of neat week, aail on Monday, the 19th, then
will be a general public meeting of the people of London.
In the following week, commencing Monday, the 26th, the
whole of the steam boilers and steam en schinery connected
with tho building will be sold by auction. What-
ever success may attend the efforts now making for the re-
tenth= of the Crystnl Palace, the experiment of the last two
Saturdays has undoubted evidence of its popularity
with all classes of the people.

THE GREAT EXIIIBITION SURPLUS FUND.

The subjoined letters show that the Commission-
ers for the Exhibition of 1851 still keep a firm hold of the
surplus fund. It does appear to us, however, after com-
p_aring Mr. Edgar liowring'a letter to the secretary of the
Wamngton Local Committee, with Ids letters to the gentle-
men of the Cockermouth ebonies' Institution, that the
tenacity of their grasp is relaxing. The Warrington
Local Committee were bluntly told that the Commissioners
Do not feel themselves in a position to comply with the
application contained in the memorial." The Cuckermouth
Mechanics Institution is told that the Commissioners fear
it will he out of their power to comply with the wishes
" expressed in the letter of their Directors," When men
say they fear they mmy not be able to do something, the
natural inference is that they wish to do it. The
commissioners relent ; they incline to listen to the prayers
of the contributing local committees, sad local institutions
for promoting instruction. A little timely pressure will
confirm them in their good dispositions ; and if they can be
brought to re-consider %Le matter, they cannot fail to per-
ceive that to devote the surplus fund to the promotion of
local free libraries and museums, instead of being a " li-
mited, partial, or local" purpose, is in truth the most essen-
tially national and comprehensive plan that can be devised.
If other places which bate contributed hasten to follow the
good example set them by Wan ingtori and Coekermouth,
there can be little doubt that the attempt to job the surplus
fund for a local and limited " west-end of London pur-
pose will be defeated.
TO TIM 'EDITOR OP TIM EXPILF.BS.
-

Su,—lt is clearly evident from the enclosed copy of a
letter from the Royal Commissioners of the Exhibition,
that the " provincial " mechanics' institutions, libraries,
reading rooms, and museums, are not to participate in the
"surplus fund" iu their hands, amounting to uuwards of
one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, but will, in all
probability, be spent upon some object in the " metropolis,"
consequently will never be seen by hundreds of thousands
that contributed towards it. The press of England can do
much ; and if it keeps its eye upon the surplus, good may
yet come. With thanks for what has been already done,
I am, &c. WM. SMETHURST.
Cockermouth Mechanics' Institution, April 8, 1852.
Palace of Westminster, April 6.
Sir,—l am directed by her Majesty's Commissioners
for the Exhibition of 1851, to acknowledge the receipt of
the letter of the 26th ult., addressed to his royal highness
the President of the Commission, by yourself and Messrs.
Burnett and Yondale, on behalf of the Cockermouth Me-
chanics' Institution, submitting the claims of that institu
tion toparticipa.e in the surplus funds of the Exhibition.
The Commissi, UM din ct me to transmit torn], in reply,
the accompanying copy of the report on the subject of the
surplus, that has been already addressed by them to her
Majesty, wherein tiny intimate their opinion that it should
not be applied to purposes of a limited, partial, or local
character, and they therefore fear that it will be out of
their power to comply with the wishes expressed in your
letter.—l have the honour to be. air, your obedt. servant,
EDGAR. A. Bowntso.
Mr. William Smethurst, Cockermouth.

Tilt ARCTIC

-WOOLWICH, APRIL

10.—The Intrepid, serew steam vessel, Commander M'Clin-
tock, end the Viewer, Strew steam vessel, Lieutenant Com-
mander Osborn, were taken out of the basin to-day, and are
now at moorings in the stream in readiness to leave with the '
Assistance, Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C. 8., and the
Resolute, Captain Kellett, C. 8., when they are completed,
which they will ho in a day or two, and they still expect to
he able to leave Oreenhithe en Thursday next, the 15th
inst., as originally named. The Lords of the Admiralty in.
tend paying a visit of inspection to the vessels of the Arctic
expition at tireenhithe on Thursday. next, previous to
their departure for sea. A new frature is to be introduced
an* veseels of Captain Sir Edward Belcher's expedition,
Mr. Greener having bees ordered to supply several of his
haspeon guns with a view to enable the °Akers and Ines to
1111 whales sal ether large fish of the Arctic regime for the
Clegidi, their oil as fuel, and such porta as are lit
nu
e *ad. These means, with the addition of KUM
Ise killing birds or deer, will *sable the party to elle
tin vessurees hitherto unavailable by say of the preview
espeditions.
EXTENSIVE FIRE.—On Elatariay Wight, at a kto
host, the inhabitants of the City sea wet eal ether.= IMO
greatly alarmed, in emageteme of bare Ames of Gene
suddenly rising high alto the air mei habil', up bulb Mee
of the river Thames. We Meg iihtlaetly paispthie tesea
the various metropolitan teihget, Ile time wee lost I.
the necessary intelligence to the amine steams, la
the cosine of a few minutes nos.--,us erne situ Log-
. _ . _ _

dun Brigade. sad that of the West Regina eilles,
started for the scene of mallegraties. After pseessibeg
BOUM distance, the armee resetud isamales OM tie
Ire was raging at Mill wall, gopher. Ths 11,111111111 laving
arrived at that pint. they Rre that the dimmer had co.
cuffed in the maim el Xmas. area and Co., pitch,
tar, varnish, awl gaga amides usetategaren. When the
Mum was aide steak, 7 Mt deep god tiled with tar,
sesulag se au wharf neer the walseslie, was sue
vre
hubs begin basses* IV/A the biasing wind
ite tank after tisk Rye of OM Imams'
Were on fire. All heads this add be gemeered on
the aherf went to work, sad seaseguesd Is mean the
Ire by throwing sand and wad the swage of the
tar, bat without effect, and as bids, materials
overflowed the tanks, and ran lik• aegis of brat in into
the river. Fortunately so craft wee awed OW, other-
wise their destruction seat haw boa maple. te. The
=wen set to work deem a geed staglisef water bars
by the Zest LenityCestrmy, but spite of the
mat IMPS= .NW= of the ism the Immo 'gull
net be ssetiposisd di sane leas, end ma ma the assigns
of the ilwe sake and ths halals/tow ,hem wens asisped.
The gaga etas See is ma plea* haws, bet hem lbe
is of saes almegat Mobs age the bus of see of as 1
engines trait k wee being sat te weak, 'West pond is
entertnisted that the ems pasty hod ems he In 'dulling
the ere. The km is very ea.eidmrkhr, and unfortunately
the firm wee net iensged.
MTlinittollll 00001ISRMIS h Alt TARDROAI.
ilaste a:alumina hes boa tosimismiln the
of Mawr, in samingesemesf the diassery,V=
41011111111 of a
is
mysteries' of as lei of a tantanalamed
Janus Davis. TM win saved ilk It
thought, a little seesey, wee sec's 1• ye to Amlmillsh, sag
L understood to ban mulegempmeals for his side Mg.
grains to that ,sky. On Saturdity last be west a alas
eons , and was never again seen alive, or hued
at wan Use middle of last week, when some men, who
wen snagged iehanliag a seat tram ass of the .ad pats
the itaNwheed, diseseend •
eseditisa. Tie kit led gated tessidb"l:lC
he hed wandered in t. the pit, and by mare '.shat had
hiss down the *Or but th• apeaseless pat of as gait
reads to be told. WMa the mama mama M the
pit wet away from b—gbeight, they massesd moth
with lading doors, in suit a wig that it maid be say
orby force; sad spun the deers Utensil's' are marks
veiall eme having beat used ts melon then. The pike
authorities are engaged Mudd,' a aearehiu; inquiry into
the matter, and it is to be hoped Oat the 'r efforts may lead
to throw some light spew it.
POPERY IN THE CHURCH OP ENOLAND.—During
the put week some of the " Traetarisn " clergymen el
Exeter have astonished the citizens by their vagaries.
One clergyman (the Rev. S. Lee, of the parish of All
Hallows) announced his intension of holding a "midnight
service" to inaugurate Easter Sunday; but it is understood
that the anthoritice, being apprehensive of a disturbance,
communicated with the hilltop, who advised the rev. gen-
tleman not to hold the service.

r
THE EXPRESS,

MURDER OF A WOMAN BY HER SON.

On Saturday afternoon a sensation, which it would
be difficult to describe, was caused throughout the neigh-
bourhood of Kennington-road wed Lambeth, in consequence
of a frightful murder committed by a young man upon hie
mother, a respectably connected widow, named Elisabeth
Wheeler, about 44 years of ego.
The house in which the tragedy took place was No. 1,
Durham-place, Kennington-toed, and immediately facing
Bethlehem Hospital for lunatics. The building wee occu-
pied by Mr. Weckene, a dyer and scourer, a bonny named
Toms, the unfortunate woman who has been thus prema-
turely hurried into eternity, and her son, a young man
about 28 years of age.
On Saturday afternoon, at a few minutes before 1 o'clock,
Mrs. TOM., who was in the house at the time, lied her at-
tention directed to a loud scream proceeding from the upper
part of the building, which was succeeded by a heavy fall
of something on the floor. She immediately went to meet,
lain the cause, when the son of the unfortunate women
I made a hasty retreat out of the building, carrying in his
I hand a stick and a knife. Mrs. Taos having entered the
apartment occupied by the poor creature, was horror-struck
at finding the trunk of the woman lying on the floor iu a
pool of blood, and the head, whieh was completely severed
from the neck, was lying op the table in the same room, the
flush still moving to and fro. Mrs. Toms instantly hastened
I down stairs, and informed her husband that the young
man had murdered his mother. By that period he had
proceeded some distance up the Kennington-road in the
direction of the Common. Mr. Toms, however, never lost
sight of him, but billowed his track until ho gut within a few
yards of Chester street. At that point Police constable
Lockycr, Nu 135, Cottle along, and haying had his attention
directed to the murderer he forthwith secured him. He at
once admitted that he had murdered his poor mother, and
informed the officer that he had first struck her on the broil
with RR iron and afterwards cut her head off by means of
an ate and a knife. The constehle at once took the man to
the station bosom in Kennington-lane, and on his way
thither be told the officer he was now sorry that he had
committed the murder, but the fact was he mould not help
it, for his mother and other persons were continually tor-
turing him and following him about. He also informed the
some officer that he had been c mtined in a lunatic asylum
and had not been liberated long. The murderer, when
arfclltell, did not offer the least resistance, and to all out-
ward appearance did not feel the awful position he had
placed himself in.
From the state of the room there is no doubt entertained
but the unfortunate female was in the act of leaving the
apartment with a saucepan of greens in her hand in order
to strain off the water, when her son gave her a violent
blow on the head, which felled her to the floor, after which
he must have knelt upon her body and performed the act
of decapitation. In the midst of the pool of blood was
lying a pillow. which, it is believed, the murderer had
placed there le prevent the gore from flying over his clothes.
When appreissaded by Loekyer, not a snot of blood was
perceptible upon his clothes, and his hands were perfectly
clean, leading W the supposition that after perpetrating the
dread's& leek be beg washed his hands.
In the afternoon the prisoner was examined before the
lion. Mr. Norton, at Lambeth police.officr. The prisoner,
on being placed at the bar, looked wildly around him, and
appeared to be either unconscious or indifferent to the
114.16011 in which he was placed. He was dressed in a
leek frock coat, Week waistcoat, and light woollen
trowsers. He had a black scarf, or neckerchief, twisted
rather than tied round his neck. He is a well-made man,
with large black eyes, regular features, and an intelligent

Mr. Norton inquired—How old are you?
Prisontr (carelessly)—Twenty-eight.
Mr. Norton—What is your name
Prisoner—Thomas Cupper Wheeler.
The following witnesses were then called,
Eliza Phillips soil, in answer to questions from the ma-
gistrate-1 'wide at No. 1, Durham-place, Lambeth-road.
I hart known the prisoner from the time he was a little
Ashy. I knew his mother, whose name, I believe, was
Elisabeth Wheeler. I have resided in the same house with''
her since last August. She was there before we went there.
We found the prisoner and the listened there. They lived
on the second floor, and we lived on the first door. The
prisoner was living with her when I went there. His mo-
ther informed me, on more than one occasion, that
there was something the matter with him. I have fre.
quently seen him in the house with a fiat iron in his hand,
and also a hatchet. He used to go up end down stairs
with either a flat iron or hatchet in his hand.
The prisoner—My mother did not fear though, gentle.
men.

The magistrate—lt is impossible to conceive anything
more horrible than the crime w th which you are ch►rged ;
and it is my duty to inform you that every word you esy
will be taken down, and may be used in eridtnee against
you.
The prisoner—I don't fear anything.
The witness—l have seen him with the iron and the
hatchet in his hand, muttering to himself, at frequent in-
tervals. _ _ _ _ _

The prisoner—l have a habit of speaking to myself, as I
hare no ono else to 'pink to, and my mother was always
blackguarding me.
The witness—About three weeks ago I saw him with the
flat iron in his hand, muttering to himself. lie wu then
standing in the room. Ile was perfectly still. His mother
was in the room at the time, but she said nothing about it
then. . . .

The magistrate—Did he hold the iron in a threatening
manner?

The witness--No, sir, his hand was stretched down by his
side. He has been doing so for nearly • twelvemonth, ss
well as I can remember. About half.past 11 or • quarter
to 12 this morning I beard • sculling noise, and then as if
something had fallen heavily. I immediately ran upstairs,
calling " Mrs. Wheeler." I tapped hurriedly at the door,
hut got no answer. I taped more loudly at the door,
and said " Mrs. Wheeler," and then the prisoner partly
opened the door, perhaps about a foot, but not sufficient to
admit of any one going in. The prisoner had something in
bis hand. It was in his right hand, but I could not see
what it was. I think from the position of his hand he
wished to bide it from me. He stood with his right hand
down. He stood sideways at the door. Ile then hastily
closed the door in my face.
The prisoner—That is true.
The witness—Yes, he did ; and I ran down stain to my
landlord and his wife ; for I was fearful there was some-
thing the matter, end I told them of it at once. They then
listened on the stairs, and while they were listening they
heard him coming down stain.
The prisoner—l left the house directly.
The witness—When we heard him coming down stairs,
the landlady called us into the parlour for fear of meeting
him. When he went out and shut the door the landlady
instantly went up stairs and saw Mrs. Wheeler lying en the
floor, and when she told us we immediately sent a young
man for the doctor. When the doctor came my landlady
went up stain with him, and when she came down she said
Mrs. V 1 heeler was lying on the floor. I know not what
weapon it was done with. I saw the prisoner about 11
technic this morning as if ho was going for an erraad,
which be frequently did. I saw him from the window then.
He had a bWiet with him. I heard him again on his re-
turn gels mg stairs, when he was talking to himself as he
went up. He often talked to himself, but I did not bear
what he said. It was his usual custom, but on this occasion
he talked Wader than usual. Mrs. Wheeler had before
then ems into my room. I think that was about
halSveist or a quarter past ten. She said abe was so
mush frightened of him that she would and him away on
Monday, as she could not bear it any longer, and she had an
Mss last night to send to the workhouse that he might be
'ikon there. She asked me if my little boy would ca a
rry
litter to the post-office for her, and I said he would. She
said the letter was for her daughter, who was at Tunbridge
Wells. She told me the prisoner had been standing with a
Mt iron in his hand in the morning, sad was muttering
something that was most awful.
Mr. Norton (to the prisoner)—Do you wish to ask the
witness any question ?
The prisoner—The fact is that she has threatened to send
me to the workhouse for a great length of time ; and she
said she would have me dragged away, and I suppose they
cannot dreg people away in the most gentle manner.
Mr. Norton—Do you wish to ask the witness any goer
tion ?
The prisoner—All she has said is true.
The witness—He has been at the asylum at Wandsworth
for some time.

The primmer—lt is exactly 12 1111111.1611 ism I left.
Blisibeth T.., wife of Charts' now heated of No.
I, Durhassibes. My humbled is • seepshbag ineashr
tunr. I been la Ms 1, Durban-oms, dee an Ma
months, esti Assad the palms, sad Mb melba awe when
we sons. fey ocespied Ib Mp, or mom' leer. He did
nothing fir his liviatkiheteebe was est AM to do so. His
maw with U. smietemss ohs received
tillelbe=gliwit haw boss is timi As
I bate
sitsermil sometbkag insgsler ia his fussy.times he
was worm tins at ether times. Lately I observed Pat he
was getting wenn. Wins be bad his btubin be be
riga:sic semi -
psieeser—All without liberty-is wee begged—l
wee wearied.
Witmer—When I last saw him belle the ..der, he
was at the deer with a basket in Me bud will mom pews
is it. Tbat was at alines .'slosh, se belliteet eleven. I
think it was shunt an bows babies U. saneder. Shortly
after be went isp stain I booed swim, bed I filloreght it was
Mn. Phillips leatfog bar MIL Mn. PIM* ass same
down stain, sad is ounespense of whet she said I wiatig
stain sad the 'pelmet reseed down. The deer Wes iii
but I plumbed M spas sod saw something lying on the hese.
I aftestraelle hand it we. Mrs. Wheeler. She was Wag
chew le the door within about half • yard of it. I put my
hand es her feet and saw blood, and then ran down stairs.
1 The blood was on some clothes near her. I then sent for
Mr. Hutehioson, the surgeon, and when he came I followed
him up stain, and the first thing I saw was Mrs. Wheeler's
head lying on the table. The table wee close to her
shoulder. I went directly to my hatband, who went
instantly is pursuit of the prisoner. The prisoner was not
Mem& bask to the hew. Mrs. Wheeler bad three rooms,
in we et which she slam henelf, in another the prisoner
slept, and in a third the ledgerr (Edwards).
Mr. Thomas Hutchintrat, No. 1, Moor-street, Kenning-
ton-road, insistent to Mr. Berrell, surgeon, examined—
About one o'clock to-day I was celled to No. I, Durham.
place. On entering the front room I found the body lying
on the floor, with the head of the deceased on the table,
separated from the body. There was a knife lying partly
underneath the head, and a hatchet near it. The handle
of the hatchet was covered with blood; the edge of it sp
peered to have been wiped, but there was blood on other
parts of it. [The hatchet, a smell one, was hero produced.)
The prisoner—She deserved it, end I put her head on
the table ; however, it is of no consequence.
The witness—The knife is coveted with blood. The body