The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-10 00:00:00

HORRIBLE COI

OF A NAN FOR
TWENTY YEAR&

Mr. Sidney Hodges, secretary of the Royal Corn-
wall Polytechnic Society, writes from Falmouth to the
Pima: . . . .

T 'circumstance ao horrible that, but for the evidence
of my own eyesight, 1 should scarcely have deemed it cre-
dible, has just been brought to light is a village near this
town. For some Sean pest rumours have beet current that
the brother of a maim named Porter. living in comfortable
circumstances, had been 'liege for meat' yams is clone ems-
foement in • small room at the beak of the pessiss la
which Porter and his family reside. Healtilledilig SASS
and howls have hem repeatedly beard by the neigh-
bours, especadly on cold winter eights; but, althoegls
the sympathy of rimy wee aroused, no one deemed M hie
duty to inquire tete the circumstances at the ease, net
dreaming, probably, of the horrors that were te be re-
vealed. Bather more than a year ago, Dr. Bytom a well-
known medical practinimer from the 061% of
now residing in this town, was corn to seek the
warn' climate of Flushing for his limit and imideetelly
beard them rumours. Not satisfied to allow the 'miter to
remain tudevertigated, he collected all the evidence be
could, and was so satisfied that the cam was Gee demiseding
a strict inquiry that, with a most praiseworthy decision,
he communicated the facts to the Home Senrstarv,
who at once appointed him special comroissioaer, and
sent down two other commissioners, who, in am-
,

palmy with Dr. Byrne, went to Parkes house on
Thursday last and demanded admierion to his brother.
Porter himself was absent, but, after some little parley with
the other inmates, Dr. Byrne, who had obtained some in-
eight rain the plan of the promises, led the way through the
hones across a yard and no a flight of steps, where, con-
ended from view roiled a corner, they found a door, which
admitted them to the den in which the lunatics was confined.
The sight which met their gaze was too revolting to be de-
scribed with all its horrid details. The place consisted of
four bore, wet, platter walls, with • small window on me
side, and the door by which they had entered ; a doorway
opposite, formerly communicating with the house, was plas-
tered up, so as to cut off all communication, except by
the flight of stops at the bock. In ooe corner of the room
was a wretched truckle bedstead, with cross-pthoss of wood,
rotten with filth, shout six thats wide and the same dis-
tance apart. On them bare lidera. was crouched a beim
more resembling • baboon than a man, drawn and cramped,
from long exposure and suffering, out of all form of huma-
nity, stark naked, and with only two old rotten bags for •
coverlet. I have mid like • baboon, from the peculiar
form into which the limbs were drawn ; the knees alined
touched the chin, and were premed clots down upon the
chant, I Mamie. for warmth ; the feet close together and
bent down one over the other, also, I imagine, for warmth.;
the hands clenched sad brought up close to the chin ; the
arms closely pressed against the sides. The knee and
hip joints were anebylme ; the elbow joints were
also stiffening. The floor and the walls were one
mass of accumulated filth, the floor rotten with it,
the stench horrible ; and there are other circumstances of
the awe too dreadful for publication. For upwards of 20
years the tender movie. of his nearest relatives have coo-
signed him to this living tomb—not a rag to lie upon, not
even • wisp of straw ; nothing but the naked board, and the
two old bags to cover him. Would a raving maniac be con-
signed to such • doom ! Gal forbid ! What, let us ask, is
the mental condition of this poor wretch! Simply imbe-
cile. A most mild, benevolent expression of countenance,
'childlike submission to all that is done to him, no symp-
tom of violence or even anger of any kind, and strong indi-
cations of intelligence in many things, even after these weary
yearn of neglect and cruelty. Yesterday, in company with
Dr. Byrne and some frituda, I visited the poor creature, for
the purpose of getting • sketch of the remarkable
position in which he had remained for so many years.
The arrangements being then completed, two Intelligent
keepers from the county asylum washed, dreamt
and took him away to that admirably conducted
establishmeot at Bodmin where we fervently hope that
both his mental and bodily condition may soon he im-
mured. Of all the moving incidents of the ems, not the
least was the scene on emerging from the house. Many
hacdrede of people were collected round the conveyance, to
which the keeper carried him in his arms like • child.
"My God! Can that be • nun!' "God bless you, Dr.
Byrne !" were the exclamations that burst from the lips of
the multitude. Few eyes were dry, especially when some
who had known him when a strong intelligent youth
pressed forward and shook him by the hand. lam told
the commissioners stated that in an a:perisms of testy

yams they had never met with a case so lwful. I trust.,
sir, you will give it proruineuce in your columns, for the
temble reflection forces itself upon us, when we see of
what humanity is capable, that this came rosy sot be sin-
tia.r.,d Are there any other similar rumours of cruelty that
investigation r

ACTION FOR LIBEL AGAINST LORD LEITRIM.—
An eitraordinnry action for libel, in which the Earl
of Leitrim is defendaut, and Mr. John Stridden, sub-
inspector of constabulary, is the plaintiff, came on for trial
in the Court of Common Pleas, Dublin, ow Tuesday. Mr.
Stu,Mart seeka to recover the sum of 5,00 W. for several
libels on his character, written by his lordship to the Lord
Lieutenant and Sir Henry Eroworigg. So far as they have
yet , the facts areettese :—The plaintiff was sta-
y at Hillsborough, county of Down, in the year 1560,
and, on being removed to Milford, in the county of Do-
negal, wrote to a friend inquiring about • house.
The only brutes available was one of Lord Leitrim's,
out of which the former tenant bad been ejected,
and the plaintiff felt determined to take it,
despite an anonymous letter which he received,
warning hint not to have anything to do with it. On a
personal inspection of the house, however, he found that it
would not snit him, and be declined to enter into =ups-
ilon. Upon this Lord Leitrim wrote to Sir H. Brownria
a long letter, which contained the imputation that the
plaintiff was a coward, nod was &trod to take the
house, and that his conduct was discreditable. At •
subsequent period his lordship received an infamous
letter threatening his life, and signed "Good Shot."
This letter his lordship at more enelto-d to the Lord-Lieu-
t.'s:ant, and stated his belief that Mr. Stoddert was the
writer of it, and seven days after this be inquired from the
Lord-Lieutenaot if it was the intention of government to
bring the plaintiff into a cnurt of law for writing the letter,
reiterating his belief that he was the guilty party. The
government informed him that a prosecution would not be
instituted, and his lordebip demanded the return of the
letter, made some remarks about not receiving proper pro-
tection, and expressed • hope thatliir. Studded would be
removed to some other county. The defences pleaded were
that the letters were privileged communications, and were
written without nmlice. The cartels coicouclusled.
Daily irprias.
DEMOLITION OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION &LLD.
I:ca.—Yesterday the contractors. Masora Keith and Lucas.
comrneorol active operations for thedeinolitiou and removal
of the Exhibition building. Its interior is already dis-
mantled of its fittings and fixtures. The scaffolding origi-
sally emyloyed for the building is being erected to pull it
down, the operations being oommenord at the east eidof the
building by the dome in the Exhibition-road. All the iron
work, joist., beams, ke., in the nave and Demerits have
already been removed, together with about 10,000 feet of
gas and water pipes. Tho two great domes and the ma-
terials forming the nave and transept are to be removed for
egoonstructio• to the Alexandra-perk. All the glass is the
domes has bees destroyed by the late galew. It is calculated
that 'complete clamenee of the structure cannot be effected
in hen than six or seven mouths. - - _

OTESOOATE.—Gentlemeu passing through London
are iiivitad to Inspect a stock o' first class 11 MM. Os ercoate, at
Resin. Hamilton and Riwpton s, 10:N glean& tipmito
Halt —(Ailvestiatroent.)

TROUSERS.—SpeciaI attention is called to the
new WINTER STOCK ; and gentlemen who do not mind
Ming a fair price for a good pair of Trousers can depend on
naterial and patterns that cannot be welled, at
HAMILTON and KIMPTON 8,
w, 80884 opposite litter Ball.

ALFRED WEBB MILES,
trerybody knows Mr.
BEMOV3D from Bond-street, to 73. BROOK 812Krr. HAMM'
wpm., lu 1559. The 16e. ribitilltitB (originated by him) to all
the New Waitress' forW.lute!," Imittarloo•rpn.7

arecini .Oaks TO e=Nriwisx.

A. W. Mar Wet; inPtr;sisrctinilytoainsosince that his
Kock In the various departnienta of his establishment is now
replete for Overcoats, Vesting% Bedford Conic, and scarlet
waterproof cloth for hunting. The wool-dyed Black and Blue
Frock Coats, 50s. A choice *l5O pieces of indeetructlble woaded
West of England Cloths. ESTABLISHED IStL Only address.

D 0 NOT FORGET YOUR APPOINTMENT !
We sup at EVANS'S, Covent-prase, after Jullien's
Concert.
Fairest and most Intending of Cabbies I—drive country gen-
tlemen to the Rue de Kydney, Coventyardss.

HOW COLD IT HMI BEEN.-NEGRETTI
and ZAMBRKS celebrated TtIEIIIIOII2TIIIB will cor-
rectly register the lowest temperature. Price, 3s. Hatton-
garden: 69, °anthill . 153, It-street and 122. ltegent-atreet.
Agana wanted.

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the recent
heavy (aka. moms of the Boats of the NATIONAL LIFE.
BOAT LNSTITUTION saved one hundred and seventy-eight
persons from different wrecks. The Committee of the Institu-
tion earnestly APPEAL to the public for AESIATANCE to enable
them to meet the continued heavy demands on We Insidtution's
12S lofeboat Nistablislimeota

.--Ci7tirsibutiona are recei7eal by all the London and Country
Bankers : and by the Secretary, RICHARD LIMB, Seq., at the
Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphl

gitt erlititoo.

.70. OpkiIIBPONDINTS.

Lavertlwwwwlo Mended roc " Th• ltzpross" London
Paper wool be 24 the aloe, 10, bouvorlowiroot, by Two
o'clock ow S day of publkekka.

COVENT-GARDEN.

Tins WHIM, BLANCHE DE NEVEM Mem W. H.
Weld, H. Oust, A. Cook. A. St Albyo, and W. Hanisou : Mims
L Prue, Hiles, end HeyernoLL—And the Sod Act of THE DESERT
?LOWER. —Conductor, Mr. A. Mealon.-oohneemos at T.

HAYKAALIT.

TEM ElEttn, USED UP. Messrs Howe. Clark, stet
C. Mathews ; Mrs. E. Flimflam —TMIGOLDIN MAW& Mr.
sad Mrs. C. Mathewa—GOOL AS A CIICUMBYR. Mr. C.
Mathews.—Aad MY MUMIANT/S GHOST. Mr. Clark.

LYCZyII.

Tau Brema, UNCLEBABY. Mr. Wieldkomb sad
NW C. Leclerc,' —BEL DEMONIO. • Low Story. Mora
Yachter. Brougham `h , Marks, mad Jankis ; Mama
Tarry, Laramie, and Huweatl, old Met La,

TAM EMMA THE DAYS of LOUIS ET. Mesdames 8.
Lane and E. Yarnold.—Mr. J. Taylor, Peal Dean. and Madams
neon.- THE 'IMAM OP TUE TEMPLE. MUG 8. Mike. -
And THE GREAT °Hoer IPPECT. -Commemos at 61.

EWE WA= AT 1011 DON
ins DIT —Mendes lb. La— .Alkevese. le. 10s.
TOiIOSIKOW ilfxSta& lh 9116111-

LONDON, TE URSDA Y, DECEMBER 10.

ONE of the dreariest of all dreary social specta-
cles, perhaps one of the choicest miseries of vulgar
wealth, is the failure of • "party" to which two
or three distinguished persons have been invited,
and at which only the crowd of respectable no-
bodies who were to be astonished by the presence
of the great appear. The conspicuous absence of
the titled guests in that gorgeous drawing-room
creates a fearful void—a void that can be felt in
the chilled atmosphere, and in the dismal resigna-
tion of the victims who have piled np the
domestic altars in vain with costly sacrifices
of comfort and self-respect. Thanks to the
friendly frankness of his nearest neighbour, the
Emperor of the Trimics has been spared the
odious disappointment of throwing open the
best apartments in his palaces to a number of
invited and expected personages of the highest
order, who would fain have accepted the
Imperial hospitality "in principle," but in person
have stayed away. No lose of dignity has been
incurred, since the entertainment has nut come off,
and but for the indiscretion of certain too forward
friends in giving the names of the great personages
who had promised (in principle) to be present,
the world need not have known, and would cer-
tainly not have asked, who accepted or who de-
dined the invitation, or who accepted on condition
of being " indisposed," at the last moment, to
appear.

It is no concern of ours to be too susceptible on
our 11eighb011et account. But we cannot help
regretting the precipitation of those untoward semi-
official papers which beg►n with one consent to an-
nounce that all the Powers in Europe bad eagerly
accepted the invitation to the Congress of Paris,
as soon as the letters of invitation were despatched.
On the day after the Imperial Speech wu
delivered, the Cunstitationtiel, the France, the
Pays, thePresse, the Petrie gave out, like so many
singers of a glee, first one, then another, then all
together—that all the Great Powers accepted the
Congress, in principle ; then, that all the Powers
did homage to the great ides of the EMPZROR'B ;
then, that the replies were decidedly favourable ;
and only on the eve of the publicity of the Eng-
lish reply was it even hinted that some reservations
had been suggested by certain of the Powers on
questions of detail. The acceptance of the invita-
tion " in principle" by all the Powers was still
treated as a positive engagement to attend the Con-
gress. So that when it became known that England
had in so many words declined the invitation, after
doing homage, like every other Power, to the
Imperial idea, the brilliant bubble suddenly
collapsed. Yet before the tempest of wrath against
England had subsided it was discovered that while
every one of the great Powers had accepted the in-
vitation in principle, they had each and all reserved
the consideration of the programme. The acceptance,
in effect, was embodied in a formal and compli-
mentary letter to the EMPEROR ; the reser-
vations were contained in the accompanying de-
spatches, to be read to M. DROUTN Da Larva.
The tenor of these several despatches was found,
if not to imply the impossibility of the Congress,
at least to assign some interested motives for
attending it " Every one for himself " was
the response to tho grand idea of " NAPOLEON
for all."

It is characteristic of the modesty of the French
ruler that he has delayed so long to make known
to the world the replies of all the Sovereigns and
Governments. Assuredly their appearance in the
Moriteltr would redound to the honour and glory
of the strong man armed who cast the idea of a
Congress of peace upon the troubled waters of
Europe. Perhaps in order to make amends
in some degree for the unexpected " rude-
ness" of the Euglis Foreign Office, it would
be proper to print the despatches which
appear in most, if not in all, cues to
have accompanied the complimentary replies.
Switzerland, for instance, through the PRESIDENT
and Chancellor of the Confederation, welcomes
with eagerness the proposal of the Congress.
But in the despatch addressed to the Swiss
Minister in Paris, some considerable reservations,
which found no place in the letter to the EMPEROR,
are exprenmd with singular precision. The
Swiss Government claims the right, as an inde-
pendent State, to accept or reject the decisions
of the Congress—a right which it would be difficult
to refuse to any independent State represented at
a Congress, but which practically limits the action
of the Congress to the discussion of subjects
upon which no difference exists. The Swiss
Note, moreover, insists on the vitality of the
Treaties of 1816, which the Emperor NAPOLEON
had declared to be defunct, and describes them as the