The Express.
London, England, 1847-03-02 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

SUPPOSED POISONING OF • Five CHILDREN, AN,
OV THIS MOTHEIL—Tn the following case we
yesterday alluded On Saturday morning n report
was circulated in Preston that a woman of respectable family
named Leadbetter, residing at Walton-k-Dale, about one
mile and a half from that town, bad commined suicide by
drowning herself in the river Ribble, alter having adminis-
treed ponon to her five children. It appears that Mee
Leadbetter, whose husband is • sharelsoker in Manchester,
has for the last 12 months been residing at Walton-le-Dale
with her children at the house of Mr. Livesey, ber father, a
highly respectable man, who some time ago retired from the
cotton trade. About 8 o'clock on Friday evening lest she left
the house of her father, unknown to the family, niter having
&misted an attendant in putting the chillers to bed : previous
to which she administered a dote of what she called medicine
toeacb, in the presence of the servant About ten o'clock in
the evening, all the children complained of ilium, and soh
appeared to he affected in a similar manner. This
circam-
stance alarmed the inmates of the house, and Mrs. L
better not having returned, information was given tt the
neighbours, with a view of making inquiry for her. It
should he stated that for some days previously the nnforti,
nate woman hid been exceedingly low-spirited, and the fact
other leaving the house on Friday and not returning, taken
in connexion with the children's sudden illnere, induced
the family to suspect that something was wrong. The
whole of the evening was spent in the village in a,
fruitless search for Mn. Leadbetter, and towards morn-
ing a fisherman on the river Ribble went in • boat
in search of her ; and after some time he discovered bet body
in that part of the river called the Walton Salmon Fishery.
It wta immediately forwarded to the house of Mr. Livesey,
there to await a coroner's inquest. In the meantime tho
children had continued to get worn during the evening, and
• surgeon was sent fee, who applied the usual remedies,
when four of them began to improve. One, however, gra-
dually got wpm, and eventually died about four o'clock on
Saturday afternoon. The other children are considered to
be out of danger. An inquest was held on the bodies, w hea
• verdict of " Found deo* ned" was returned, as regarded
the mother, but the inquiry relative to the death of the child
was adjourned, that a post mortars examination might be
made.

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CONCERT FOR THE RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSED
HIGHLANDERS —The Grand Scottish Concert for theatres*
purpose, under the immediate patronage of the Queen.
Prince Albert, the Queen Dowager, the Ditches, d
Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and •
large body of the nobility and gentry, is to take place in the
Hanoveraquare Rooms, on Friday evening next. It wee
originally fixed for Thursday last, but was postponed on
account of the performance for the relief ot the destitute Irish
and Scotch at her Majesty's theatre. The programme of
the concert, which Into be conducted by Mr. T. G. Reed, ta
exceedingly attractive; and those who attend it will gratify
themselves sa well as contribute to a most benevolent object.
THE SOCIETY OF BRUISE! MeSICIAN4 have an-
nounced a concert in aid of the funds for the relief of the
distressed Irish, to take place at the Hanover-square Ronnie,
tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. The orchestra is to con-
sist of above seventy performers, and a numbs of the most
eminent performers are announced. The committee and
members of the Irish Society are to give their patronage and
assistance ; and we trust that the public will do their part
towards rendering the concert productive.