The Express.
London, England, 1860-05-12 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.
(CoMinned from yerterday's Exprear.)
THE CASE OF THE REV. YR. HATCH.

Stephanie Augusta Plummer, an interesting child, eight
years of age, sister of the defendant, said—l remember my
sister going to Mr. Hatch's, and I remember going there
too • few days afterwards. We arrived at Wandsworth in
the afternoon, and I and my papa and mamma went into
the drawing room, and saw Mrs. Hatch there. Mr. Hatch
was not at home. My papa and mamma went away in the
evening, and sous afterwards I and Lucy Hatch were put to
bed together. My sister slept in an adjoining room, and
I could hear her come to bed. I could not sleep,
and began to my because my mamma had gone
away. After some time Mr. Hatch came into my
room. He was alone. He asked me how it was
I was not asleep, and I mode no answer. He then came ap
to my bed. (The witnees here detailed what afterwards
occurred, the particulars being, of course, unfit for publics-
tics.) Mr. Hatch had nothing but his night shirt on, and I
think he nuns from his own room. After this he wished
me good might, and left the room. I had heard him go
into my sister's room a few minutes before he came into
mine. On the following evening my sister told me that
Mr. Hatch had done something to her, and I mid he had
done the muse to me. Mrs. Hatch called me into her bed-
room on the same awrniag, and Mr. Hatch fetched my
eater from her room, and she got into he bed. Mrs.
Hatch was in the bed at the same time. We all
five were in the bed together—myself, Mr. and Mrs. Hatch,
my sister, and Lucy Hatch. Mts. Hatch got out of bed
Ent, and she then dressed Lucy, and I and my sister were
dreamed by the servant. My papa and mamma came to Mr.
Hatch's on the same day, and I saw my sister go with my
mammatothe water-closet. After this my papa, mamma, and
my sister and I went into the garden, and Mrs. Hatch ses
compelled us. At this time I had told my mamma what Mr.
Hatch had done. She asked me if I liked the place, and I
told her I did not, and shortly after this we all went away
in a cab to the railway station, and as we were going home
I Loud my slater my how Mr. Hatch bad treated her, and
I she told what had happened to me. On the following
macsi g Mr. Gan our surgeon, was sent for, and I sad my
sister what had taken place in his presence. flame
remained at home with my papa and mamma ever since.
Cross-examined by Mr. James—l had never been at
school before I went to Mr. Hatch's. I was on a visit to my
sister coos at a school at Southampton, and my loather came
down and fetched us both away. I cannot read or write. My
mother has never taught me either to read or write. Some-
times she used to take me to church. We went from our
house in Wiltshire to Mr. Hatch's. My motherused to take
me to church regularly every Sunday, but I have never
been taught to read my Bible or Prayer-book. My
sister first told me something Mr. Hatch had done.
I knew what she meant. I don't know where I learned
to know what she meant, but I did know.
She did not any anything more at that time,
and I told her he hod done the same thing to me. I did
not much like going to school, and I was anxious to get
away. I did not tell my governess anything about what
had happened. I don't Hunk I rid anything about it to
my mainnui while we were walking in the garden. I had
told her before, and as we were walking about I heard my
mamma tell my papa what Mr. Hatch had done. We all
had tea together after this, and my mamma gave Lucy Eve
shillings and a toy. Eugenie did not my anything to me
about Mr. Hatch until after school was over, at 12 o'clock.
On this same day, I think I was in nry bedroorn alone with
my mamma, aria told her then what 1&. Hatch had done. My
papa was present at the tune, and beard what I mid. I asked
my mamma to go upstairs, as Iliad something to tell
her. My sister heard what I said, but she did not say any-
thing. Mr. Hatch had a candle in his hand when be came
into my bedroom, and he placed it on the washstand. My
sister told all that had happened as we were -oing along in
the cab, and also in the railway tentage, am! before Mr.
Gay, and Mr. Pratt, the solicitor. I understood all that
she meant, and that it was something very bad and wicked.
My mother has talked to me about it several times, and she
spoke to me about it just before I was called into court. I
don't know what the mid. I forget it. I was in wen-
h.cieirterday with my mother, and sometimes she
to me shoat this matter. My sister Polly
has told me what Lucy Hatch said yesterday. I
call my sister Mary " A paper was read to us
last night by papa. He did not read the whole of it. I
don't know what paper it was that papa read to us. lam
sure my mamma did not tell me what I was to say in court,
but that I recollect. I saw Mr. Gay, the surgeon, yester-
day, and he has been walking about with me and my
mother.
Be-examined—l don't think I have been told by
anybody what I was to my when I came here. I have beet
waiting abort the court to be exam:ned, and when I was
celled I came in.