The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-11 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS', TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 11; 1800.

v, 4

- -
ZHE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHCW.

Two circumstances of special interest attend this
year's return of the English bumf gras. In the first
linos our minds are filled with the ravages of the
riuderpest ; and in the second, our pockets are
daily emptied by the exactions of the butchers,
no that it will be an almost instinctive impulse
with everyone to rush to the show and ascertain
whether after all there may not be yet soma balm
left in Islington. With respect to the rindexpest,
we are happy to say that no traces of it are to be
bend in the Agricultural Hall this year, although
the graziers still shake their heads ominously, hint
at isolated cases which have very recently occurred
is various places, and predict that, following the
'readout of last century, •we are certain to
lave another outbreak next year, until which time
we suppose the butchers will not deem it expedient
to reduce their prices. The cattle, in fact, never
looked more healthy or cheerful, although not
quite so numerous as at former shows, and the
general quality is quite up to the average. Prob-
ably we should have had a greater number, but
that the exhibitors of Birmingham had been for-
bidden to come up, fifteen fatal cases of rindt
laving, it is alleged, occurred in Warwickse
within the last fortnight. With respect to prices,
the fathers of large families will derive little com-
fort from a visit to the Agricultural Hall, the in-
mate conviction of every exhibitor there being
that prime must go up still higher ; in fact,
and, speaking conscientiously, not a man you
speak to there would attempt to fix a maxi.
mum. Still, the Dutch mutton is coming in of
excellent quality, and in daily increasing quantity.
It is sold at the wharf, East-lane, Smithfield, by
the carcass, carefully trimmed and ready for the
block, at from fourpence to sixpence the pound,
and is, it is said, largely patronised by the metropo-
litan butchers, who retail it at from ninepence
to tenpenoe the pound. There is something
pusiding in all this, and the Smithfield show is
exactly the place where one would naturally go
for some enlightenment, but no one knows, or
would condescend to know, anything about Dutch
mutton there ; all they know is that English
mutton is not half dear enough, but must ine-
vitably rule much higher before the termination

of next year.
However, putting the vulgar questions of price
and the stomachsi of the poorer classes aside, the
Smithfield show of this year is well worth
a visit. The Herefords display all their pen-
drous dignity, coupled with a considerable
advance in symmetry, and would have had this
year the gold medallist in their ranks but for a
sad accident which happened to Mr. Bethridge's
magnificent oz. The poor animal had its leg
broken in transit, and had at once to be slaugh-
tered, leaving the red ribbon of the year to deck,
for the second time since the institution of the
show, the brow of a cross bred animal. The for-
tunate winner of the first prize, known as the gold
medal, but which is in fact a silver cup, was bred
by Mr. R. H. Harris, Earn Hill, Forree, Moray-
shire, and is a cross between our English short
horn and the Scotch polled breed. It is a splendid
animal, red, and smooth in the body like the
English cattle, but fierce and hirsute about the
head, like the Highland steers, and is perfect in
all the points of a good ox. The select few who
visited the show yesterday unanimously concurred
in the award of the judges in this case. We have
put the cross-breeds first because one of their class
took the first prize, but except for that reason
there is nothing in the class, as a class, to entitle it
to prominence above the pure breeds. Speaking
generally, the Scots form the finest portion of the
exhibition. For years past we have gradually ob-
served their approximation to perfection, and now
it is conceded to them on all hands. Fierce,
rugged, and leonine, or at least bisonie, as they
are in appearance, they have the finest forms, and
are convertible into the finest beef in the world.
For the first three years of their lives they roam
about wild in their native heather, where their
rugged coats stand them in good stead, and then,
when they are taken into the stall, the tine
constitutions which they have acquired in
the bracing mountain air enable them
thoroughly to assimilate their food, and thus
to make the beef which is the pride of the London
market. The finest Highland steer in the show,
perhaps in the world, is the animal exhibited by
James Stewart, of Newmarket, Aberdeen, and
which gets the first prize in its class. The judges
bad great difficulty in deciding between this beast
and the cross-breed, and it was only some minor
points of symmetrical detail, which would be mere
caviare to the general, that decided them in favour
of the latter.
The Devons, although still represented from the
Windsor farina, have not the prominence they used
to obtain during the life time of the Prince Con-
sort. They are less numerous than on former
occasions, and there is no particular case of excep-
tional beauty to attract the public to the
class. The short horns are a remarkably fine class,
but the various other breeds have sent up
nothing very remarkable, although all may be said
to present a high average quality. A special
word must, however, be said for the cows in the
various classes, many of which are remarkably
tine, and would, if it were possible ever to make cow
beef equal to ox beef, run a hard race with their
competitors of the rougher sex. Foremost amongst
the cows is the short horn exhibited by Mr. Strat-
ton, a name often recorded in the chronicles of
Islington. This splendid creature is nearly four
years old, has had two calves, and yet is expected
to give considerably upwards of two hundred atone
of prime beef.
The sheep muster numerously and well, and
thrust their heads over their pens with a trium-
phant expression of countenance, as if they knew
that a single chop of them would not go under
eighteen pence a pound. The strife between the
Duke of Richmond and Rigden of Hove no longer
gives interest to the show, for the great patron
of the South Downs is dead, and his
sturdy antagonist, as if despising any meaner
rival, no longer seeks a front rank place. We
were happy to see, however, that the present
Duke of Richmond preserves the famous Goodwood
breed, and still more rejoiced to learn that he had
obtained a high prize. The head of the class is,
however, Lord Walsingham, whose pen is every-
thing that could be desiderated both in wool and
mutton. We observed that the sheep, like all the
other animals, looked much fresher and livelier
than we had noticed them at previous shows, a
fact which we attributed to the comparative
coolness of the day and the excellent ventilation
of the hall. We must except, however, the prize
cross-bred ox from this eulogium. It was with
great difficulty he could be persuaded to stand
whilst the judges scanned hie points, and from
the moment the red rosette had been stuck under
his number he laid himself comfortably down, and
refused to give up his recumbent posture for the
rest of the evening. He had done enough for
fame, and felt that he was entitled to rest on his
laurels. _ _

Pigs, which, in consequence of the enormous
prices of beef and mutton, are becoming daily of
greater importance, are this year a tine show—as
fat, but more shapely, more lively, and decidedly
more rational and well-behaved than in former
years. When they stana, they stand with grace
and dignity ; when they lie down, they recline with
tranquil composure. They make no unearthly
noises, but seem bent upon enjoying the short span
that remains to them of life in a becoming manner.
The secret of this is that they have plenty of room
and plenty of fresh air ; they are neither too hot
nor too cold, and they have not been fattened
up to the point of disease and semi-suffocation.
Like all the rest of the world, the swineherds are
beginning to be rational. They breed carefully, feed
scientifically, and give their interesting stock
plenty of exercise during the period of youth and
adolescence. They do not now try simply for a
fat pig, but a fat pig that has plenty of lean in him ;
and this year they confidently believe that they
have achieved their object. Anothel thing they
have discovered is, that a pig that is fed until all
his hair drops off is not a wholesome animal to eat.
Every hog has now a reasonable quantity of hair on
his hide: and he feels vastly more comfortable—
Mr. Christopher Cattle, of Wisetoa Grange, Barmy,

Yorkshire, a gentleman who has devoted forty
years to the culture of pigs, is the most successful
exhibitor in this class. Like the gold medallist
amongst the horned cattle, Mr. Cattle's pigs are of
mixed breed, and are admirable specimens of shape,
meat, and liveliness. Wales sends nothing to
the show in any class, except three or four steers
and one venerable cow, that looks like a relic of
the Druidical times, and whose chief merit, like
that of the Dorsetahire labourer, is that she has
brought up a large family without any maistance
from the parish. Ireland sends nothing, but for a
reason which is not after all unsatisfactory. The
indigenous cattle of " Old" Ireland—of the Ireland
of Malachi and Brian Borohme—were of only two
aorta—the tall, bony cows o 2 the plains with tre-
mendous horns, and the sprightly little " Kerries,"
which take their name from the picturesque counLy
in which they are "raised." For years the Irish
farmers have been improving both breeds " off the
face of the earth " by the introduction of the Eng-
lish short horn, which has thriven so well in Ireland
as to have almost exterminated the aboriginal cettle.
Ever since the rinderpest commenced its ravages in
England we have been indebted to the slater
country for abort-horn " stores," and it is to the
preference given by the Irish farmers for the
Saxon short-horn that we are to attribute the ab-
sence of the sprightly Kerries and the long horned
Milesians from this year's Smithfield show. The
club which is the promoter of the annual exhi-
bition was established o-iginally for the purpose
of encouraging the fattening of cattle, and therefo-e
confined its attention exclusively to the larger
breeds. Now, however, that physiological science
has discovered that mere fat is not always an ad-
vantage, but often a disease, it might be possible
to give greater variety as well as utility to the
show, by encouraging the exhibition of every
variety of cattle. Tbere is ro pure race that has
not some special good quality of its o-rn' and the
advantages o. cross breeding are proved already,
by the success of Mr. Stewart's ox and Mr.
Cattle's pigs.
The arrangements of the Hall, for which Mr.
Samuel Sidney is specially responsible, are excel-
lent. The cattle are well placed both for exhibi-
tion and for their own comfort, and the classes are
easily found by reference to the catalogue. Every
precaution has been taken in case any symptom of
illness should appear, and disinfectants have been
copiously used in every quarter of the interior.
The refreshment department, which is under the
direction of Mr. Rndkin, of the " Salutation," is
admirably arranged and abundantly supplied with
substantial viands, and the bazaar at the end of the
Hall, which was, we believe, opened for the first
time last year, is again filled with every article
likely to be in demand amongst the show visitors.

tato inteffignue.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—Dsc. 10.
After Term Nisi Prins Sittings st Westminster.--glefore
the Lord Chief Justice end Common Juries.)

HARWOOD r. THB SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY.
This was an action to recover damages for loss resulting
from the non-delicery of 700 sacks b 1 the defendants.
Mr. J. Browne, Q.C., and Mr. Ridge were counsel for
the plaintiff ; Mr. Buller wu counsel for the defendants.
The cue involved no point of interest, and ultimately a
verdict was taken for the plaintiff with nominal damages,
la. ; with leave to move the full court to increase the
I amount.

THODSHAII V. BALTZL
This was an action to recover the sum of 5&. on a bill
of exchange.
Mr. H. James was counsel for the plaintiff ; Hr. Hoff
appeared for the defendant.
The plaintiff is a bill discounter, and it appear's d that
the defendant and a person called Ford bad had bill trans-
actions together. The bill in question was discounted for
Ford by the plaintiff through a friend giving 471. odd for
it. The defence was that the bill was a forgery.
The jury ultimately returned a verdict for the de-
fendant.
This closed the sittings. The court will sit to-day at
Guildhall.

supper, Mrs. Dolton interfered, and the prisoners theneir
violently aniaulted her, and succeeded in making th
way Thurkettle, and wounded him so seriously' that he
had to be taken to the hospital. The prisoners then left
the house, but were apprehended the same nht..
Mr. Yeatman said, as the prisoners had pleaded guilty
to unlawfully wounding, be should not offer evidence on
the charge of intending to do grievous bodily harm.
The learned Judge thought that all parties had acted
wiser. As the prisoners had alreedy undergone some im-
prisonment, he should sentence them to one month's im-
prisonment with bard labour.

NORTHERN ClRClllT.—MArrosgsrag., Dac. 10.
Osovrer COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.)
RANCRESTER STAMP OFFICZ ROBUST.
Charles Batt, 49, Charter Leeson, 86, William Douglas,
34, and Thomas Douglas, 41, were charged with entering
the Stamp-office at Manchester on May 26, and stealing •
number of bill stamps, value 10,0001.
Hon. A. Liddell, Q.C., Mr. West, Q.C., and Mr. Hutton
wee for the prosecution ; and Serjeant Simon, the,
Mr. Cottingham, Mr. Helsel, and Mr. Holks for pri-

sonars.
Mr. John Halton, chief clerk to the Hon. Edward
Howard, distributor of stamps at Manchester, said he had
held that office 21 years. The office was in Cross-street,
Moult-street, Newmarket, and Robinson-street
at
the office on the 26th May, and left at noon, the day being
a half-holiday. Left by the back entrance. Before leav-
ing saw the patent safe and locked it, putting the key in
his pocket. Did not see bow the doors were secured, ex-
cept their own. They had three doors (inner doors), all of
which were locked by himself. The stamps left in the safe
were to about 16,0001. They had received a consignment
on the 19th May of stamps, of which be signed the in-
voice. Amongst those were 192 1/. inland bill stamps on
the usual paper sent to ns at Manchester. They were safe
there on the Saturday. Went to the office again on Mon-
day morning at nine. Entered by the passage in Cross-
street. The locks of the first two doors were as usual,
but the doors were obstructed, and there were 6,0001.
transfer stamps on the obstruction left in the safe on
Saturday. For this and other reasons he suspected some-
thing wrong, and went into the office, where he found the
safe had been opened. (Described its position.) The pri-
soner Batt came in shortly before the office closed on the
Saturday before the robbery, and purchased a half-crown
bill stamp.)
Jas. Bates said he went to the stamp-office on the Satur-
day preceding the robbery. Saw Batt in the lobby. He
saw him standing there between 12 and 1 o'clock. It was
in the batik entrance from Cross-street. At the door of the
same entrance saw another man, who asked him if there
was a closet there. Batt walked out while he was speak-
ing to the other man. Next saw Batt when he was be-
fore the Manchester magistrates.
Joseph Swain German was at the beginning of the year
in Leeson's service, at the Crystal Fountain, Kennington-
road, as potboy. Knew Thomas and William Douglas.
Had seen them often atLeeson's house.' They came two or
three days a week. Sometime* they went into the bar, and
sometimes to Hyde-park, for betting. Sometimes saw a
wooden-legged man, named Shaw, there.
Robert France, a messenger in London, standing at the
corner of Wellington-street. Was there on 19th July, and
Butt and Leeson come to him, and two others were near.
They asked him for direction to the Stamp Department of
Somerset-house, and asked him to show them. Leeson gave
Batt a piece of paper, something like a Si. note folded. Butt
went into the office and Leeson went away. That was
about one o'clock. About three or four in the afternoon the
other two prisoners came to him and said they had loot
their friend, Mr. Rawlinson,land they came again at eight,
When Butt went into Somerset-house Leeson said he
should have to go there next morning. The Douglasses,
when they came to him at eight, asked about
a nice place of amusement. Saw them again
wt. the place where he stood next morning. Saw Wil-
liam Douglas afterwards at Lewes races, and pointed him
out to Thompeon, police officer.
Cross-examined by Mr. Holker—Remembered the date
of the 19th August, because it was the day he went on an
important message fora gentleman. Did not put it down
in his diary.
Did you tell a lie, then, when you said so before the
magistrate?
Mr. Liddell objected to the question.
Mr. Milker pointed out • passage in the examination as
justifying the question, but the judge ruled otherwise.
William Moller, of the Manchester police, said in Whit-
sun week he was on duty in Cross-street, and saw the
prisoner William Douglas on the 26th May. Saw him five
or six times between 9 and half-past ten at night. Saw
him once within • few yards of the Stamp-office. He was
always on one side the street—opposite the Stamp-office.
By Serjeant Simon—Picked him out from eight or nine
others. Saw him on the night of the robbery in Cross-
street, and passed him within a quarter of a yard. Next
time he saw him was at the Albert-street police-station.
William Henry Floyd, clerk in the Stamp-office, was
there on Friday, 25th May. Sold no I/. bill stamp on
that day. Saw the prisoner Leeson coming down the
stairs at the back of the office. Picked him out from 14
or 15 other prisoners at the police office.
George Ranger, of the Metropolitan G division of police,
said in July last he went to Leeson's house, and saw Butt
there talking to Leeson. That was before Butt was ap-
prehended. When Butt was examined the second time at
Bow-street he saw him brought out and placed in the van.
Saw something which be took to be a paper of tobacco
given to a man named Shaw, whom he traced to Leeson's
beerhouse. Had since seen W. Douglas there.
Joseph Peen, messenger, said he was at the corner of
Wellington-street, Strand, opposite to where France stood,
on the 19th July. Saw three persons, including Thomas
and William Douglas, come up and speak with France,
and afterwards saw France direct one of them to Somerset-
house who resembled the prisoner Bum t. William Douglas
came and asked him which was the commissionaire.
Richard Peacock Walker, examiner of spoiled stamps
at Somerset-house—On the 19th July the prisoner Batt
came and presented aIL spoiled bill stamp. He said it
was his property, and he spoiled the stamp. Witness
related some questions he put to the prisoner, with the
answers. Meanwhile he referred to a list of the stolen
stamps at Manchester, and finding the one presented to
correspond-17-5-66—he consulted with the secretary, and
gave him in charge.
By Mr. Hoiker—lf all had been right the prisoner
would have got another stamp and the money.
William Cumming, of the warehouse department at
Somerset-house, said the stamp produced was of the same
size and quality of paper as that supplied to Manchester,
Liverpool, and Blackburn.
Henry Charles Ready, originator of warrants for stamps,
issued from Somerset-house, proved that the stamp pro-
duced was one of those issued to Mr. Howard, of the Win-
chester Stamp-office, on the 17th May. The stamps bear
the date of stamping.
A London detective, who took some drills in Batt's
lodgings, was examined, and an expert in such tools was
under examination when our report left. It was doubtful
whether the case would be completed yesterday.

Mr. Gabriel Berlin wee them caned, and proved that he
was one of the firm of Meyer and Berlin, the claimants in
the present case. On receiving notice to treat and agree
on the :7th February last they consulted Mears. Green,
the accountants, of Bt. Ilichaersalley, to prepare ther i
claim for compensation, which was duly made out and
delivered to the company (who sent to Messrs. Green for it)
on the 15th March last. After that some gentlemen from the
firm of Capes and HAMS called to inspect the books of the
firm on the part of the company. This was done, and he
(witness) WU told by_ them that the claim was very fair, and
the company wouM require parades of the premises
very soon. The premises were afterwards inspected by
the surveyor and valuer, and witness and his partner
out for, and after great difficulty obtained and took otherlooked
premises in which to carry on their business.
In his cross-examination by Mr. Burchell,
The witness stated that the business was chiefly carried
on by correspondence, that the firm kept no shop, and did
not pend upon chance business.
Hr. Bacot Green, the ainountant. was called, and
proved that he had pared the claim in the present case,
and that it was fair equitable.
Mr. Barton was recalled, and stated that the firm had
received a letter from the company demanding payment to
them of the rent of the premises. This was after the com-
pany had settled with the landlord, Mr. Sheen, for his
interest.
Mr. Bernard Cowin was also called, and proved that he
heard the conversation between the claimants and the
gentleman who attended from Messrs. Capes and Harris,
in which the latter stated that the claim was trite fair,
and that the company would require the premaes soon,
and that they (the claimants) had better look out for other

premises.
Mr. Burohell said that the case of the claimants having
closed, it became his duty to repeat the objection he had
raised at the outset to the jurisdiction of this court in
the matter. He submitted that under the authority of
the Court of Queen's Bench, in the case of " The Queen v.
Alderman Stone," something mare was necessary than the
service of a notice to treat and agree, end that to give a
magistrate jurisdiction there must be a notice demanding
ion of the premises besides. This was distinctly
'd down by Chief Justice Cockburn, and that decision
had been confirmed, as he bad already elated, by the
learned judges, Mr. Justice Blackburn and Mr. Justice
Lush. The only attempt to prove natioe for possession
was in the casual conversation which had been spoken to as
having passed between the claimants and the gentleman
sent by Messrs. Capes and Harris, who could not be held
to be the agents of the company for that purpose. On
these grounds he contended that the question of compen-
sation could not be entertained for want of jurisdiction,
and therefore he submitted that the summons must be

dismissed.
Mr. Russell replied at some length, maintaining that the
acts of the company showed the intention to take posses-
sion of the premises, and were equivalent to a formal
notice. The inspection of the claimants' books by the ac-
countants of the company was consistent only with their
intention to take possession of the premises.
The Lord Mayor (after conferring with the chief clerk)
observed that he had carefully reed and considered the
decision of the Court of Queen's Bench to which he bad
been referred, and which clearly showed that something
beyond a notice to treat was essential. Had there been
the requisite notice for possession ? That rested upon the
evidence of • mere casual conversation, which he could
not construe into a notice. The conversation was vague
and indefinite, and did not amount to a notice for posses-
sion. It therefore appeared to him, looking at the lan-
guage of the Lord Chief Justice in the case " The Queen
v. Alderman Stone" that in this case the requofirements of
the 'Ands Clauses, Consolidation Act of 1845 had not been
complied with, and therefore the present summons must
be dismissed.
Mr. Burchell said that on behalf of the company he
should not ask for oasts.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Vitioire de Last*, a French prostitute, was charged
before Mr. Tyrwhitt with stealing two 5/. Bank notes and
a half-sovereign, the moneys of Mr. Charles Fyddon,
surgeon, Highworth, Wilts, and James Kay, described as
a lodging-house keeper, of 39A, Howland-street, Fitzroy-
square, and formerly a police-sergeant, was charged with
being concerned in the robbery. Mr. Abrams appeared
for the prisoners.
The prosecutor met the female prisoner in Regent-street
on Saturday night, and accompanied her to 39A, Howland-
street. There he missed the two 5/. notes and • half-
sovereign. He then got a constable, and gave the female
prisoner (who denied the robbery) into custody. Subse-
quently the male prisoner, who was known by the police
to be living with the female prisoner, was suspected of
being concerned in the robbery, and he was taken into
custody.
Mr. Abrams cross-examined the prosecutor at some
length, and he admitted that he bad been the same even-
ing to the Haymarket Theatre and the Alhambra Palace,
and that he had not seen the notes since the afternoon,
but that he had several times felt them in his pocket.
Sergeant Banger, E division, said that he was fetched by
the prosecutor to take the prisoner into custody. He went
to the house, and told the female prisoner the charge, but
she denied having the prosecutor's money. He searched
the house, and there was no one in the house butthe female
prisoner. He could not find the notes. 'He took the pri-
soner to the station.
Mr. Abrams addressed the magistrate for the prisoners,
urging that it was only • case of suspicion.
Mr. Tyrwhitt remanded the prisoners till Monday, and
refused bail.

THE SUPPOSED MURDER AT ROMFORD.

Mr. W. H. Clifton, the coroner for the liberties,
opened an inquiry on Friday evening at the Rising Sun
Tavern, Render& into the circumstances touching the
death of Simon Godfrey, whose body was found on the
preceding morning in the river Rom, under circumstances
that gave rise to suspicion of the deceased gentleman
having met with foul treatment. The jury having viewed
the body,
Rowland Gregg Godfrey, son of the deceased,was called,
and deposed to the identification of the body as that of his
father. lie lived at 209, City-road. He was a boat-
builder. Witness last saw him alive on Wednesday
night, at his own house, about a quarter-past 7 o'clock.
At that time the deceased appeared as usual, namely, in
very good spirits ;he was ordinarily cheerful. Witness
said ho knew nothing whatever—either pecuniary, domestic,
or otherwise - that could have induced his fatherto commit
suicide. The deceased left home with the intention of
taking ',walk. He was not in the habit of staying avray from
home all night without first of all making his family ac-
quainted with his intention to do so. Witness did not
think that his father intended staying out all night, from
the fact of uis taking the latch-key with him. He had
some money when he left, but witness could not say how
much. He also wore a great coat. Deceased lived with
his family, and had not been in any occupation e urir.g the
past three months. Three months ago he worked for a
boatbuilder, bet he had means independent of work. His
habits were regular. He was a particularly sober man.
William Henry Barlow, • labourer in the employ of the
Great Eastern Railway Company, said that as he was going
to his work on Thursday morning, about half-past five,
he saw s. hat and umbrella on the embankment of the
river. The hat was much besmeared with blood and dirt.
The umbrella was also very muddy. Witness could not
say how far the umbrella lay from the hat, but certainly
not more than four or five feet. Witness did not see any
great coat, nor any wearing apparel whatever.
Robert Gregory, who was in company with the foregoing
witness, corroburated in detail the evidence adduced by
him.
William Dennis, the police-constable who found the
body, having deposed to receiving the hat and umbrella
produced from the last witness, went ou to state that he
and Sergeant Gilpin found • large quantity of blood on
the rails of the bridge ovet the river, and • small quantity
on the footway of the bridge itself. The body was subse-
quently found in the river, and conveyed to the Sun Inn.
Witness subsequently went to London, and found that the
deceased lodged at the address which was written in his
hat, namely, "'lO9, City-road." Witness saw nothing of
the greatcoat thc deceased was said to have had on when
he left home. When the deceased was taken out of the
water his pockets were turned inside out.
George Sbee, sergeant of police, said that be searched
the cloth.s of the deceased. In the waistcoat pocket he
found four halfpence, a latch key, a pair of spectacles and
case, and a small piece of pencil. In the cost pocket a
pair of gloves and a pocket handkerchief. The waistcoat
was nut unbuttoned.
Mr. Levey, surgeon, at Romford, deposed that he had
viewed the body of the deceased. In the throat there was
a large transverse wound between four and five inches in
length, exposing the upper part of the windpipe, which
was notched in front with two parallel notches, but not
penetrated. None of the large vessels of the neck
were severed, and no structures of importance so injured
as to constitute the cause of death. Upon care-
fully examining the edge of the wound witness found
that the division of the skin had not been effected by
one, but by repeated cuts, the notches in the edges of
the skin showing at least eleven strokes of • cutting in-
strument. Such • wound would not only be insufficient
to cause death, but it would not cause sufficiently copious
and sudden flow of blood to speedily induce faintness.
Witness examined the bead, neck, hands, and wrists of
the deceased, but found no traces of contusions. He also
observed that there was no cut in the neckcloth or band
of the shirit. The deoeased, he said, was a man of power-
ful build and large muscular development. He further
stated that the distance from where the deceased's body
was found to the river side was so short that • man with
such a wound in his neck would have had no difficulty
in walking it. In witness's opinion the wound was
self-inflicted, and death was produced by drowning.
He then went on to say that during the infliction of the
wound the head and neck must have been steadily kept
in one position, receiving at least eleven strokes of
the instrument with which it was done, and the chin
must have been raised. Those two reasons, in his
opinion, strongly controverted the idea of murder, for he
believed it would be impossible to keep • man of the
powerful build of the deceased sufficiently quiet during
the infliction of so many strokes of the knife as that all
these strokes should be in the same straight line of wound
as in the case of the deceased. Moreover, a man defend-
ing himself from the attempt to cut his throat would in-
stinctively bring down the chin towards the cheat, which
would make It extremely difficult, if not impossible, to
iniliet just molt a wound es that in the threat at the