The Express.
London, England, 1863-06-16 00:00:00

THE OXFORD COMMEMORATION,

(THIS DAY.)

(BT VIM= KINGDOM LID neenue TWAGRIPR4

(FROM OUR owit 'CORRESPONDENT.)
OXFORD, TUIRDAT.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived here
at half-past 12 o'clock, and were received on Mag.
dalen.bridge by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Archbishop of Armagh, the Bishop of London, and
the members of the University, in costume.
The people shamefully broke through the barrien
and destroyed the order of the procession. The day
is slightly wet.
Oxford is very gaily decorated.

THE PRIGHTPUL ACCIDENT OR THE LONDON,
BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.

OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION.—(THIS DAY.)
This morning Mr. Wm. Carter, the coroner for
the eastern division of the comity of Surrey, proceeded, at
the Pied Bull Tavern, Streatham Common, with the investi.
(ration into the circumstances attending the death of Mn,s
Lucy Elise Chasers, and George Bland= and Charles
Stone, the two soldiers of the Grenadier Guards, who
were killed by the frightful accident which took
lace on the London and Brighton Railway near the
Streatham station on the evening of Friday, the 2ilth
whew a very large number of people were injured.
Mr. Faithfull, the solicitor, appeared for the London and
Brighton Company, Mr. Sleigh (instructed by Mr. White)
attended on behalf of the Grenadier Guards. a number of
wham were injured and two killed, and Mr. Burgon
tended on behalf of Mrs. Salmon, the widow of the engine-
driver. Mr. Slight, the secretary of the London and
Brighton Company, audit:7ololml Yollend, the government in-
spector of the railway department of the Board of Trade,
who ham made his official inspection of the line, were also
preeent.
The jury having answered to their names,
The Coroner said the jury would remember that the in-
quiry was adjourned priucipally for the purpose of taking
the evidence of the engine-driver and fireman, but the
former had died, and the latter was unable to leave the
hospital. They would, however, go on with the inquiry as
fez as they possibly could.
James Walker was the first witness. He said—l live at
[Battersea, end em in the service of the London. Brighton,
and South Coast Railway Company, and have been so for
thirteen years. I have only been • guard in the service
eaves On Friday, the 29th of May last, I was acting
as headguard to the train on that line. It was • paasenger
train, ousisting of 16 carriages. I cannot tell you how they
were placed, but there were three brakes, and the remainder
were first, second, sod third clue carriages. They were
brake vans, one of which was next the engine, another In
the middle, sod the last at the end. The train formed
part of another train which had left Eastbourne,
Brighton, and Hastings. The carriages arrived at
Croydon at about four minutes past six o'clock.
I mean the East Croydon station. Oo the detachment
of these carriages, which were the hind pin of the train, the
front part proceeded, end the last part—the 16 carriages—.
was left behind, and the engine was thee attached to take
them on to the Victoria terminus. The engine lam speak.
Mg of was numbered 131, and John Salmon was the
driver and Edward Tribe was the stoker. I did
not den the train at Croydon, bat the bead
porter did. His name is Curies Hewitt. I
ootioed that we left at eight minutes mat six. It wee
an express train from there. and was not to stop at any eta.
tion. I did not speak to the driver as to the nature of the
transit at starting, or at any time. We were due at the
Victoria station at 6.20. We were four minutes behind
time in starting. I did not speak to the driver at this time
relative to the speed. I did not heir anyone speak to him
withard to the loss of time. On the journey something
On arriving near the distance signal at Streatham.
common I found the engine commenced oscillating, and then
the carriages. I was underneath the distance signal when I
first felt the oscillation. 1 was looking out of the frost
window watching the brake. I was standing up and could
see allover the train. I raw the engine oscillate and loom
mewed to apply my brake, but before I could get my brake
hard on, I found that the engine had left the metals. There
was no iodisation as to which side the engine had left the
rails. I should say that the distance we had travelled from
first feeling the oscillation to where the engine went
off the line was about 200 yards. We were
running at about 30 codes an hone and a little
over when I first felt the oscillation. After
the engine had left the rails she turned over, but did not be-
come detached, and the carriages stopped. It turned over
on the right, on the down line. The carriages then all came
into collision, and were on top of each other. They were
not all broken up, some of them are now standing on the
rails.
The Coroner—Did you see the engine-driver!
Witness —Yes, I saw him two or three minutes after; he
was lying amongst the nine. I was very much hart myself,
havieg been thrown out of the Make. He was removed,
and I think in a state of insensibility. I did not speak to
him, neither did he speak to me. Salmon had driven the
same engine from Victoria-station at 5.5 on the Friday
evening to Fast Croydon. It was attached to a
train which was to go on to Brighton. At East
Croydon the engine was detached, and put into
the aiding to wait for the other train, the
train which met with the soudent We wen
45 minutes between the arrival of the first and the
deur tore of the second train, and during that time I did
not see Salmon. Ido not know what became of him. I
saw him about • minute before we started from Victoria.
At that time be was perfectly sober. Upon feeling the
oscillation I was looking forward. I had • view of the hue
beyond the angine, but I did not observe scything like an
obstruction on the line, neither, from what I have since
heard, have I any reason to believe that there was anything
on the line.
The Coroner—Then can you account for the engine leaving
the line
Witness—No, I cannot.
The Coroner—Were you travelling at a greater or a lesser
speed at the time of the oscillation!
Witneen—We were not keeping time. We were not
travelling so feat as we ought.
By the Cormier—There is no communication from one
guard to the other. There is • communication from the
guards to the driver, but not from guard to guard. Upon
feeling the oscillation I did not communicate with the
driver. lat once commenced to put on my brake, that
being the first and best remedy. 1 could not do the two
things at the same time, indeed I was so knocked about I
could scarcely do the one.
[The inquest was proceeding when our report left.

Mr. William Currie, an English gentleman for
many years resident at the Villa Currie, on the Lake of
Como, has just died at Nice. Hs was a great collector cl
books, pictures, cameos, and precious stones, and had one of
the flutist collections in Europe. Mr. Carrie has left his
books to the Ambrosian Library at Milan.
THE GUILDHALL DgeolisTlo9B.--Yestertiat., the
Guildhall was thrown open to the public, free of all &Imo.
Mon charge ; and upwards of 2,503 persons entered by
tickets obtained from members of the court of aldermen or
common °puma. The last-named body, numbering 200,
have the power of issuing ten tickets each, or thirty for the
three days during which the decorations of the Guildhall
are to remain on view. The aldermen have the privilege
of distributing twice that number, sod the total is thus
raised to 2,580. Although the magnificent display of plata
and the collection of exotic plants have been removed,
there yet remains a sufficieocy of splendour to give an ides
of the appearance which the hall presented on the night of
the grand entertainment to the Prince and Princess of
Wales.
THE LATE LORD HERBERT'S STATTTE.—The public
Imiogorntioo of the statue of the late Lord Herbert of Lee,
which is now in course of erection in the city of Salisbury,
will take place oa Monday, the 29th instant, Viscount
Palmerston having. it is understood, consented to perform
the intereeting oereamoy. The statue is by Baron Msro
chetti.
THE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS.-011 &today last a
sermon was preached at St. Magnus' Church, Lower Thames-
' street, and a very able appeal made on behalf of the Asylum
for Idiots, Redhill, by the Lord Bishop of Tasmania, which
malted in a good oollectioa.
THE WAR IN POLAND.—MCASIR. Daviesand Co"
• of Finch-lane, have just published a uew engraved Map of
Poland. Besides the partition of the country in 1772, 1791,
1795, and 1815, the map includes all the railways, and de-
fins every railway station on the lines of railway borders
on Poland In Russia, Austria, and Prussia ; and shows
the telegraph line' and fortifications in Poland and the dis-
tricts adjacent.
RAILWAY AND PUBLIC COMPANIES IN PARLIA.
MENT.—RLIZCTION OF THE PROPOSED NEW Lutz TO BRlGS-
TON.—Yesterday, after •sitting of five weeks' duration sod
the expenditure it is estimated of ra,uoot. on the part of the
contending ...timpani's', or equal to au outlay of 1,0001. a-dab
the committee threw out the proposed new line to bights
promoted by the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway
Company, the chairman stating that the committee were
unahimously of opinion that the preamble of the bill was
not proved. Evidence in favour of the Welsh and Midland
Union &allay is still proceeding. The opts:dime
of the Great Northern to the South 1 orkshire
closed, tad the clauses of the Glasgow and
South Western were settled. The bills for the
Vermouth Gas and Edinburgh Water Companies pasted.
In the Lords the clauses in conoexioo with the Greet
• Western sad West Midland Amalgamation Bill were Pr°-
resda with, those proposed by the ()sentry lines for
working and other arramiements being deferred for subse-
quent oonaideratioo. The case for the Newport Piglet
Railway wss opened by Mr. Serjeant Bellasis and Mr.
Rodwell in Earl Stridbroks's committee, and that for the
new street between Blsckfriare and the
=l-bouse by Mr. Hope Scott, Q.C., io the com-
mittee of which Lord Portman is chairman. It is opposed.
as it was la the Commons. by the Corporation, who oo•
tend that they, and not the Metropolit in Board of Worts,
are entitled to the construction ol the street, and be
Commissioners of Sewers in CODOSIiOO, with the subway Rtheea
. the sewers.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
After Term sittings at Nisi Prius.—(Before the Lord Chief
Justice Cockburn, and a Special Jury.)

RANIVAY V. STEWART.7.I.XTRAORDINARY ueii CA.BIL.

The `further "ierring of this cue wu resumed this

morning.
Mr. liCaralaks, Q C., and Mr. Watkin Williams were
coumol for the plaintiff ; Mr. Serjaant Shea, Mr. J.
Morgan Howard, and Mr. Barclay were COllO/141 for the de-
fendant.

The defendant deposed—For the first six months of our
marriage our intercourse was not happy. 1 found the
Whatelays had thrown • cold veil between myself and my
wife. After that I believe we were one of the model
couples of the inland—daughter)—and we went on with
much pleasure and satisfaction to ourselves during the last
18 months. It almost broke our hearts to part. I wrote to
the What**a and they invited her to come to the palace
at Dublin to be confined. My wife wished to
take chloroform, and she had no confidence in the doctors
on the Woad. I reluctantly acceded to her leaving. We
did not part on account of domestic differences. I could
not obtain leave to ozooropeoy her home. I arrived in Eng-
land on the 10th June, 1861. My violence on two owe-
lions at St. Helena was ousaioned by the gross
provoation of my wife, and I so far forgot
myself as to strike her on both occasions by giving her •
slap on the face. I would rather not state what one pro-
vocation was, because she is still my wife and the mother
of my child. On the other occasion the clinched her
Sot, 'truck me, and drew blued. in consequence of
my taking • brother offices, who had come from
India, to dine with me at the mesa She did not
like my dining at the mem, but as she had behaved rudely to
this gentlemen I could only take him to the mew table to
dine with me. On soother occasion I but to turn her out
of the stables at St. Helena because she would not leave when
the groom was going to operate on her mare. I thought
she ought not to be there, and I took her by the shoulders
arid put her out of the stables. I never kicked her. On
my arrival at Portsmouth I received • letter from her, say.
ing that if I wished she sad the child would meet me at
Holyhead, and then I mold go sod visit my friends en
Scotland. I thought it very strange. Her previous
letters were very affectionate. I went to Edin-
burgh, sod called on Dr. Keith, who had attended my wife
in her confinement according to her request, became she
said he would inform me of her illness and of her troubles.
I had an interview with him, and he gave me his reasons why
Mrs. Stewart had better not return to me for two months,
On the 17th August, 1861, I went to Dublin to meet my
wife. She had written to me from Archbishop Whateley's
country residence that she would meet me at the pekoe.
I went there, but she was not there. She had left
• letter for me, stating that after my two
last threatening letters and my past illtreatment
of her, she could oo longer live with me, and
had left Dublin. The only threatening letters I ever wrote
her were to request that she would come home and live with
me, and in one of them I gave her eight days to pack up her
things sod come home. 1 was thunderstruck when
I received the letter stating she had left Dublin.
From inquiries I found she had left for Lon-
don, and I followed her there. At Dublin was
the first intimation I had of her change of feeling towards
me. In Febroary, 1862, I was cited in the Divorce Court,
and in January, 1863, the petition was din:dined on my ap-
Pplication. Oa the 16th July I went with Mr. Mullins to
eckolet, having previously ascertained from him that
my wife was there. We left the high road, sad
went into a geld adjoining the house. I saw
Mrs. Stewart ride by and go into the promises. A
short time after she came out on the lawn and eat down
with • newspaper in her hand. I went up to her and took
off my hat arid said, " How do you do, ma—l am very
glad to see you." She shook hands with me,
but immediately aftet, appearing confused, she
shouted " Help, help." I told her there was
not the slightest measles for feu, and I put my arm round
barmaid. Mr. Mullins was not present then. Three or
four 'errant' ran forward to Mrs. Stewart, and with an
evident intention of separating us. I then exiled for Mr.
Mullis, who came to my assistance. Some one took hold
of Mrs. Stewart. I told them she was my wife, and
that I had come in search of her, and having found her
I never intended to separate from her again, and that I
should defend my rights as • husband to the hat drop of
my blood. I told Mrs. Stewart she had nothing to fear from
me—that I was deeply attached to her and her child, and
wished them to come and live with me. She implored
to be allowed to see the clergymen of the parish, and
asked me to go into the drawing-room with her
to avoid the scene on the lawn. I consented, but I swear
most positively that Captain itamsay's name was not that
mentioned. I should have objected to any other per-
son than the clergyman being sent for. Captain
Ramsay and the Rev. Mr. Pratt canoe in about
twenty minutos, and were shown into the draw-
ing-room. Mrs. Stewart immediately said, "Oh,
Captain Ramsay, here is my husband come to take me
away, and General Chesney said I was not to be taker: away."
Plaintiff then, in what I considered • bullying tone
of voice, mid to Mrs. Stewart, "No one shall remove
you from here without your consent." I think
Mr. Mullimi said we were husband and wife, and
that as I had found my wife I intended to re-
move her from the house, and he added, " Now that you
have your arm round your wife the law will protect
you in that grup till you are deprived of your life." In
answer to an inquiry from Mr. Pratt Mr. Myllios said be
was • friend of mine. The plaintiff sat doe a about • yard
from the ottoman where I was sitting with my
wife, and the clergyman on the other aide of my wife.
Plaintiff again said she should sot be taken away against her
will. I could not conceive what business it was of the
plaintiff's, and I said, " Ramsay, I have been io the 42nd
with you, and I don't mean to give up my wife now that I
have found her ; and whoever attempts to separate us must
do so at the risk of his and my life." In the drawing.
room before anyone was sent for, Mrs. Stewart
Nuked for time to pack her things before she was taken away,
end I consented. I had not pistols with me, but being agi-
Wed I might have threatened what I would do, but I
certainly did not say I would blow anyone's brsios out.
piptain Ramsey said, in allusion to my defend-
ing myself, " How dare you may that to toe r
adl replied, the saying would be the least plot
at the matter. Mn. Stewart caught bold of my hand, and
asked me not to address such observations to Capt. Ramsay,
retaining her hold of my hand for a considerable time. lb.
Pratt said lives Were held cheep in that part of the °pastry,
and we had Letter take are what we were
about. Mr. Mullins called my attention to it, and embed
Mr. Pratt to repeat the words be had used. I expressed
my interstice of keying with Mrs. Stewart, but Captain
Ramsey sad Mr. Pratt said we should not as the magistrates
had been sent for. That was the fires time I heard
anything about the magistrates having been sent
for. I rid to Mr. Pratt, " You are taking • very
active part in the matter, why don't you send for
the police," as which he replied, with a grin and • leer,
" How do you brow I burial?" An altercation
took place between Mr. Pratt and Mr. Mullins. Mrs.
Stewart was sitting perfectly passive for some tines, and
Mr. Pratt on several occasions endeavoured to whisper in her
ear, but I would not permit it, and said what he had le
say should be said openly and in my presence. Captain
Ramsay said, " Why do you try to force a lady to go with
you against her will—no man would do such • thing—roe
gentleman would do such • thing r I bad great diflprinsel
to command myself from the many three it was repeated,
Mr. Mullins desired me to calm myself. Mr. Costae and
Mr. Moore, the magistrates, came, and Mr. Pratt informed
them that Mrs. Stewart was in danger of her Pile from bar
husband, and that I had come to take ber away against her
wilL They raised the quibble that how did they know
I was her husband ? and I appealed to Mrs, Stewart, who
did not dairy it Then the plaintiff said she was afraid of
her life, and that she wished to swear an affidavit against
me. Mrs. Stewart at that time had made no such re-
mark. She, however, appealed to Mr. Moore for protection
and for him to remove me from the house or *operate
them. Mr. Moore very kindly asked her what she
was afraid of, and she replied then that she was afraid of
her life—that she was afraid of her husband. I replied,
"My deer Elena, will you look in my face sod say that you
ace afraid of roe? but she looked down and made
so reply. I remarked, "No, my dear Nara, you are
not afraid of me. but you are ashamed, and deservedly so."
The witness further proceeded to describe the course which
was pursued by the magistrates. He stated that when he
lifted his wife from the sofa to remove her, she implored
him not to take her away, but " renutio with her as her
hothead." He consented on the condition that he should
occupy the same chamber as his wife. and on the assursoce
of the gentlemen present that no attempt should be made to
separate them as long as he remained io the house,
He lived on the most affectionate terms with his wife for
four days, sleeping in the same bed ; then he was trapped.
the was spirited away from him, and he was turned out
et the house.
[The cross-examination had just commenced when our re-
port left.]

THE POLICE COURTS.
(THIS DAY.)