The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-19 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 19, 1866.

THE LOSS OF THE LONDON.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. •

To the harrowing narrative of the loss of the
Australian passenger steamer London given yesterday, a
number of interesting details of the most melancholy
event, taken from the lips of several of the survivors, are
now to be added. Very considerable astoeishment has been
expressed (says the Western Morning Nero) that no effort
was made daring the two days that the ship was in
Imminent danger of going down to prepare rafts and
nee similar means to give an additional chance for the
misty of the 289 souls on board. The testimony, however,
of both the passengers and the rescued crew goes to show
that Captain J. B. Martin—of whose skill as manifested
daring the storm they speak in terms of the highest cow.
imendation—did not order the construction of rafts because
the wind blew with such severity, and the waves leaped
over the steamer in etch quick succession and tremendous
force that no men could have worked on the deck, and
even if they had succeeded in building a raft there could
be ao hope of any of the unfortunate people being
enabled to cling to it alive for many miuutes in
such a sea. So soon as it was determined to launch
the lifeboat, plenty of assistance was at band to effect the
launching but the passengers and crew, who bad beheld
the starboard lifeboat washed away on the preceding
day, were horrified at observing their only remaining
lifeboat slip through the stern davit, break into two parts,
and of course become utterly useless. It was then
resolved that the iron 0111111 Ce, capable of carrying fifty
persons, should be launched, and by the aid of the doakey
imagine the pienate was raised and hung over the leeward
rail. When let go, however, she foundered, one man, a
Dutchman, being drowned, and three others, who were
rescued, being cast into the surf to leeward. Two of the
men who were overboard were John King, the able sea-
man to whose marvellous skill as ateerman the survivors
all entirely and with gratitude attribute their preserv►tion,
and Mr. Alunro, a passenger, who hung in the davit until
brought io by Edward Gardner, the steward. King had one
of his sides bruised, and his thigh cut by being beaten
whist the steamer, and Gardner received injuries iu his
back. Nothing then remained on board the ship but an ordi-
nary six-oared captain's gig and a still smaller boat on the
top of th J cuddy or cookhouse. After considerable hesitation
it was agreed that a boat should be launched for the second
time, and an opportunity wee presented for passenger' to em-
bark in her, but only 3 massagers and 11 of the crew availed
themselves of it, and if they had delayed three minutes
longer than they did they would have perished is the ship.
The precaution was take. that only three or four of the
sixteen of the crew who committed themselves to the boat
should be allowed to jump into her whilst she was being
lowered, and by this means she reached the water without
mishap, and the rest were enabled to follow. The crowd
oa board were afraid to leave the ship, having naturally
been frightened by the sinking of the iron boat, and those
who put off in the second boat were shouted to not to make
she atter.pt, as their chance was hopeless.
Some h. r c esc•ificts were made. One of the passengers
is the toot, Mr, John Wilson, a native of Montrose, went
down into the cabin and endeavoured to persuade a friend,
Mr. John Hickman, from Ballarat, and brother to
Mr. Hickman, solicitor, of Southampton, to attempt to
nave his life by going into the boat, but after being en•
treated, lie ani.l—"No, I promised my wife and children
to stay by them, and I will do so." The water was then a
considerable depth on the lee side of the saloon, indeed
over the top of the berths, and he asked Mr. Wilson to
help Ina. removing his four children to the windward
side, out of the water. This was done, ands then Le ,
shook Lads with Mr. Wilson, with "Good bye, Jack," and
mated frrm his freed for ever. When last seen Mr. Hick-
man was standing in a row with his wife and children.
This occ.rred about an hour before the boat put off, but
probably they had perished by that time, as the water had
before then poured into the steamer through her cabin
windows, and when the boat left the sea was flush with
the top of the poop deck, and the corpses of drowned ,
women and children were floating over the deck. When ,
the men were all in the boat, one of the seamen cried,
"There may still be room; fetch a lady." Mr. Wilson
then sprang over a portion of the deck in search of a lady ,
whom he knew, but not seeing her, and knowing that ,
every instant was precious, he said to a young girl, "Will
you go She did not refuse, therefore lir. Wilson seized
her and took her to the bulwarks ; but when she looked
over the :ails and saw the distance which she roust spring,
she said in despair, " Ob, I cannot do that!" There was no
time for persuasion or parley, and Mr. Wilson was obliged to
drop the girl and jump from the steamer to the boat, which
he fell into safely. The ship was being washed over to the ,
boat, towards which it lunged heavily. The captain ,
who was walking calmly up and down the poop, had re-
fused to leave his ship, but just before the boat put off he
bad the consideration and presence of mind to give those ,
in the boat their "course." He told them that it lay
E.N.E. to Brest, which was correct, and he is stated to
have added that the distance was 90 miles, but the boat's
company believe that King, the steersman, misunderstood
the captain as to the distance, insomuch as they were ifs)
miles from the French coast. Before the boat could be got
off it was in great danger of being sucked down with the
ship, which was rapidly settling beneath the water. The
swirl of so Ater round the stern that preceded the foundering
had already begun to be excessive, and the boat was there-
fore hastily cut away. At that moment those in the
boat were piteously called upon by a lady about twenty-
three years of age, who with a face which was, it is stated,
livid with horror, shrieked out an offer of " a thousand
guineas if you'll take me in." But in that solemn hour
millions of money would have been accounted valueless,
and to return must have resulted in destruction to all.
One of the seamen has stated that when the boat was
pushed off, and the captain had wished those in her "God
speed," the men resolved that no danger must be allowed
to accrue to them from further crowding, and that some or
them drew their knives with the determin►tion of cutting
off the hands of those who might leap from the ship and
endeavour to cling to the boat's gunwales. It is also
stated that long before this, when it was first made known
that the vessel must go down, a passenger brought on deck
a carpet bag, and that on his doing so the captain gave a
short melancholy laugh, and then smiled, as one of the pas.
sengers expressed it, " at the preposterous idea of the man's
thinking at such a time of his property."
Down ate the waves with so many others has sunk G.
V. Brooke, the famed tragedian, who was hound for the
country which had been the sce:e of a reverse of fortune to
him, but previously of many brilliant successes. fie will
be well remembered as a tall man, of powerful build, and
he is stated by the rescued passengers to have exerted his
strength to the utmost in helping to keep the ship afloat.
The Dutch portion of the crew, twenty-one in number,
refused to work, and, according to the English sailors who
were saved, these men went to their berths and remained
there, so that the passengers had to work at the pumps
worriedly for many hours with the English seamen. Mr.
Brooke exerted himself incessantly. Attired only in a
red Crimean shirt and trowaer,, with no hat on, and
barefooted, be went backwards and forw►rds to the
pumps until working at them was found to be useless ;
and when last seen—about four hours before the steamer
went down—he was leaning with grave composure upon
one of the half-doors at the companion. His chin was
resting upon both hands, and his arms were on the top of
the door, which he 'gently swayed to and fro, whilst he
calmly watched the scene. One of the passengers who
saw him bas said—" He had worked wonderfully, and, in
fact, more bravely than any man on board of that ship."
To the steward, who made himself known, Mr. Brooke
said—" If you succeed in saving yourself, give my farewel
to the people of Melbourne." The rescued men remember
with gratitude and respect the efforts put forth by ministers
on board. The Rev. Dr. Woolley—said to be a bishop—
encouraged the passengers to work at the pumps, in which
he was seconded by the stewardess, who had a son on
board, and cheered the passengers by her collected
demeanour and constant attentions. Next must be
mentioned a circumstance, the publication of which nay
prove to be of great importance. Mr. Munro states that a
passenger named Eastwood, with whom he bad been
acquainted prior to the voyage, said to him, " Well, Jack,
I think we are going to go." The answer was, "I think
we are, Eastwood." The reply was, " We cannot help it.
There's only one thing I regret about it ;of a draft for 500/,
ea the Bank of Victoria, Ballarat. I only received 201,
which f gave to the captain in the office of Money Wigram
and Co. I should have liked my poor father to have got
the balance." The speaker was amongst those who
wished, but fortunately and singularly enough his comma.
ideation was made to one of the three surviving passengers,
and as the deceased Mr. Nestwood's father is known to live
wear Liverpool, the probability is that Ws son's wish will be
fallilled—a wish that was so fervent that Mr. Eastwood
shed tears as he s:premed It,
We hen endeavoured to obtain informatics from the

survicora as to anyone whom they can recollect amongst
the passenger; and as to any word or act that may tend
to satisfy their friends of their state of mind. Mention
was made yesterday of the Rev. Mr. Draper's exhortations
to the unhappy people Ia the chief saloon. The women
sat round him roadie( bibles with the ehildreo, and
occasionally some man or woman would step up to Mr.
Draper and say, " Pray with me, Mr. Draper, '—a re-
quest that was always complied with. Up to the time
the ship went down the reverend gentleman ministered to
those amongst whom he moved constantly. He was heard
to say repeatedly, " Oh, God, may those that are not
converted be converted sow—hundreds of them." About
an hour before the vessel sunk Mr. Wilson snot Captain
Martin under the main deck aft, and asked him if it would
be of use to help in carrying out the water oa the second
deck. He replied, " I will see," and walked to the engine-
room, into which he looked down, when he turned
about, came back, and said, "You may do it, but I think
it is of no use." He then walked on to the poop, and
having declared that he should stay and sink with the
passengers, he walked about and silently looked down upon
what was going on. When the boat put off with the three
passengers, fourteen men, and two boys—one being the
youngest midshipman on his first voyage—many of the
moaners, who, although expecting death, little knew
how very very soon it was to come upon them,
waved their handkerchiefs and cheered when the boat
got about a dozen yards from the ship, being apparently
anxious that some should live to tell their hapless
tale. By the time the men had rowed the gig about eighty 1
yards the wind came down upon them from all quarters so
boisterously that they could not hear each other when
shouting, sad at this time they looked eagerly back, and
saw their noble new vessel sink rapidly by the stern. The
stem rthe so high that the keel wee observed for a moment
to be completely out of the water as far as the foremast.
The boatswain, Stedding, of Blackwell, who has left a wife
sad five children ; the butcher, from Blackwell, who has
left a wife and family ; Hann, the cook, a married man, and
• very old servant of the owners ; the baker (name unknown),
and the purser's mate, William Riley, had made up their
minds to leave the steamer in the remaining small boat
over the cuddy, and had provisioned and launched her ;
hut no sooner were they ready to put off than the
foundered ship quickly slid below the waves, and left
for a moment an awful gulf, within whose walls of
dark, whirling water they fell with every human being
and every article around, and were soon swallowed up.
Two passengers were seen with life belts, but probably
none were alive when they came to the surface.
The spectacle was only to be seen, for in the din of the
tempest no cry from the sinking multitude could be heard,
and soon not • vestige was visible. As the ship sank it
was seen that all on deck were drives forward, not by
water, bat by a tremendous and overpowering rush of air
from below, whir*, as it escaped through the deck as well
as the hatches, impelled all on deck forward with violence,
and their dreadful struggle must have been soon ended.
It was remarked that the third officer, who was named
Angel, stood to the last to his post at the donkey engine,
which was employed in working the pumps, and that his
hands were oo the engine even as the vessel disappeared.
The agony of suspense had been so long maintained that
on the day the Loudon foundered the passengers were per-
fectly quiet and unexcited, and • surprising degree of re-
signation was exhibited throughout. Miss Marks, of Old
Kent-road, London, was at first almost frantic ; yet, when
the boat left, she stood calmly on deck bare-headed, and
waved an adieu to Mr. Wilson. Mr. Grant, one of the
officers, was lively throughout, and encouraged many to
toil at the pumps—a work rendered by the wind highly
dangerous and difficult. Mils Brooker, from Pimlico,
was heard to say, as she wrung her hands,
" Well, 1 have done all that I could, and can do no
more." She then became outwardly calm. On Tuesday
night, after the passengers had teen alarmed by the ship.
ping of water, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Wood, who had with her
her husband and five children, Miss Brooker, sod Miss
Marks read the Bible by turns in the second cabin. It was
on that night that after the sea had poured down the hatch
the captain said, "Boys, you may say your prayers." At
12 o'clock on the following night Mr. Draper held • general
prayer meeting in the saloon. An extraordinary fact
deserves to be recorded. A poor old couple who had three
children with them had tried in vain three times to go upon
their voyage. First in a vessel uoknown, and which was
wrecked ; next in the Duncan Dunbar, which also was recently
wrecked ; and lastly, Gardner, the steward, saw the poor wife
washed overboard from the London, to leeward, her husband
following her presently beneath the billows. Amongst .
the passengers were two stout old people, who had become j
favourites on board, and who had been earth for by their
only son. The poor creatures, on learning that they must
drown, took a small quantity of brandy and went below to
die together in their cabin. Mr. Bevan, • wealthy coach
proprietor, and his wife, of Melbourne, who had been
enjoying a trip in Europe ; Mr. Lemon, ironmonger
Burke•street, Melbourne ; Mr. M'Lsan, owner of erten:
sive baths, opposite the Albion Hotel, Melbourne, who
bad brought his son to be educated in England, and
Mr. Barnett, Ithrell-street, Melbourne, were amongst
those who perished. The doctor on board had relatives
iu Plymouth. It is authoritatively stated that the emi.
grant steamer had no less that. 1,200 tons of iron in
her, and that there were 50 tons of coal on deck, which
was washed about and stopped up all the scupper holm.
Tho masts of the ship were of iron, and therefore could not I
be used for rafts. Several revolvers were seen in the hands
of passengers who did not conceal their intention of shooting
themselves when the last moment came, preferring to meet
death, whet inevitable, by a bullet rather than by drowning.
The steward indeed overheard an offer by the owner of a
pistol to a friend that he would shoot him if he desired. The
well-meant offer was at that time declined ; and whether
these intentions were carried into execution is not known,
but no reports of fire-arms were heard as the steamer
foundered.

Leaving the sad circumstances connected with those
who have perished, there is something to narrate con-
cerning the adventures of the small remnant of the crew .
and passengers who were saved. A compass had been
given them by the captain, and, under the directions of
King, the men agreed that whatever might happen they
would sit immovable except when pulling at the oars, I
Two worked at each oar, and they ran before the sea.
Every nerve was exerted to make the boat withstand
the tearful tossings and the strain as she mounted the
waves, and became surrounded by the surge. Before
daylight, and as the moon roes, the men were overjoyed
at descrying a vessel close alongside. They bailed the
ship and were heard, bet as they could present no light
they could not heaven, although they could see the ship
tacking about for an hour trying to find them. The search
was fruitless, and the ship was lost sight of. The boat
had not been rowed during the time the ship was sighted,
but simply kept away before the wind until daylight, when
no vessel was visible. The men adhered to their course,
and at nine o'clock sighted two vessels, but were prevented
from making for them by the cross seas. They rowed
for one of them, however, for five hours. When at
last they came up to her, they found her to be
an Italian barque, the Marianople, Captain Caves's.
Just as they were approaching the vessel they were struck
by a heavy squall and shipped a sea, so that all in the
boat gave themselves op for lost, but by only one of the
men moving in the boat to bale her out, and no fresh
sees striking her, they were enabled to bale her
clear, and bring up alongside the barque. A line was
thrown to them, and they were drawn up to the deck,
where they found themselves completely benumbed by the
exposure to which they had been subjected. Captain
Canna, who could speak little English, to whom the men
feel grateful to the extremest extent, used more means for
their recovery and for their comfort than simple humanity
would dictate. Be had the men stripped, rubbed, clad in
fresh warm garments, and killed for them a turkey, besides
providing tea and soup, and setting apart for them warm
beds. At that time the ship was in 46'48 N. latitude and
7.13 W. longitude, and was bound for Cork or Falmouth.
They were leaded at the latter port, and on Wednesday
proceeded by train to London.

THE REV. DE. WOOLLET..—RefOTHOCR is made
in the journals of yesterday to the Rev. Dr. John
Woolley, supposed to be the Bishop of Sydney, who
was wrecked in the London, on his way to Aus-
tralia. The bishopric of Sydney is held by Dr. Barker,
formerly of Jesus College, Cambridge, and the Rev. Dr.
Woolley, whose untimely fate so many friends have to
deplore, was an Oxford man, who was educated at Exeter
College, in that usiveesity, graduating in 1836, sad taking
a tint-Mau in classics in omnpany with Dr. Hussy, Mad
muter of Merchant Taylors' School, and the Venerable J.
S. Uttertoo, M.A. archdeacon of Sauey and vicar of Farn-
ham. Afterwards he became Fellow of University College,
and principal of the Northers Church of England School.
On the &medial= of the University of Sydney, about 12
years , ago Dr. Woolley was appointed its prionipal and
discharged the duties of his MSc° with the greatest ability
and zeal. Be had teen on a visit to his friends L &tend 1

COURT OP COMMON COUNCIL.

A Conrt of Common Council was held yesterday, I;
and as it was the first that has taken place since the elec. ,
!ions on St. Thomases-day, • great many of the new mere- '
bees emu up to the table to be sworn. The Loan Maros
presided.
Deputy Far (the chairman of the Holborn Valley Im-
prevenient Committee) brought forward a report from that '
committee in reference to the Holborn Valley improvement
works, and for authority to engage such professional assist-
ance for carrying out the same as may be deemed advisable
for the prompt and efficient execution of the works.
The Towx CLY3R (Mr. Woodtborpe) read the report in
question. It extended to very great length, but the mate-
rial points in it may be briefly stated. The committee re-
ported that in accordance with the directions they bad re- '
cerved from the court they had conferred with the City
'whited, under whose superintendence it was originally
intended that the work should be carried out, and by his
advice, and in accordance with his opinion that the works '
connected with the proposed viaduct should be commenced'
on the south aide of Holborn, they had given notices to the
owners and occupiers of the property on that side,
and they had awarded compensation to such owners
and occupiers, and the greater portion of the
property was at the present time in their hand+. '
When this had been done they took steps to obtain tenders
from some leading firms for the execution of the viaduct,
and five such tenders were sent in, the lowest of which was
239,0001., and the highest 245,000/. It appeared that the
original parliamentary estimate for the cost of the viaduct
was only 53.0001, which was subsequently increased to
110,0001., and the committee, finding this enormous discre-
pancy between the amount proposed to be expended and the
lowest tender sent in for the performance of the work, de-
clined to accept any of the tenders, and then proceeded to
consider what was best to be done under the circumstances.
The result of this was that they called in the assistance of
Mr. Heywood, the engineer to the Commissioners of Sewers,
and he had some communications with Mr. Horace Jones,
the City architect. Mr. Heywood had originally been con-
sulted in reference to the proposed improvements at Hol-
born-hill, and he had prepared a plan for the viaduct, which
he estimated would not cost more than 110,0001. After a
good deal of conference, it appeared that these gentlemen
could not agree upon the matter, and the committee, find-
ing themselves in this difficulty, resolved upon referring the
two plans to some eminent engineer, in order that he might
give them his opinion with regard to the plane for the via-
duct • proposed by Mr. Hey wood and the City architect, and
Mr. Joseph Cubitt was the gentleman seleted for that
purpose. Mr. Cubitt, it appeared, after a careful inquiry
linto the matter, made a report to the committee, in which
he appeared to give a decided preference to the plan pro-
I posed by Mr. Heywood, as being more simple and much leis
costly than that of the City architect, and he expressed Lis
opinion that it could be erected for the sum mentioned by
that gentleman, namely 110,3001. In the course of the
' subsequent proceedings it appeared that a 'ingestion was
made that the City architect should be relieved from the
special duty of superintending these improvements, but he
declined to accede to the suggestion, and gave as one of his
reasons for doing so that he considered it was due to bin
position as City architect that he should have the superin-
tendence of such an important work as that which was
proposed to be carried out. His own estimate for the COlll-
- of the work it appeared was 181,000/., and in a
letter written by Mr. Jones to the committee it appeared
• that he had expressed an opinion that his own plan for the
execution of the viaduct and that of Mr. Heywood were
nearly identical, and that if certain allowances and
• deductions were made, the cost would not be much
greater. In the course of the subsequent proceedings of
the committee it appeared that a resolution was come
to that, Mr. Heywood and the City architect should act
together in reference to the contemplated work, with
I power to call in Mr. Cubitt as cossulting engineer, but
I Mr. Heywood positively declined to agree with this propo-
' sition, on the grounds that the plan which had been agreed
to sou precisely the same as one he had sent in for compe-
titien originally, but which he was induced to withdraw ;
. that he wan well acquainted with it. details, and that he
' and the City architect differed so widely in their opinions
as to the best mode of carrying out the work, that it was
impossible they could act satisfactorily together. Mr. Hey-
wood bad also, it appeared, stated that he had obtained an
• estimate from an eminent and wealthy firm, and one that
had never failed to carry out any contract undertaken by
I them, of the cast of the viaduct he proposed to erect, and
the amount for which they had agreed to complete the
work and keep the viaduct in repair for one year was
109,6241., and he undertook, if the work was entrusted
solely to him, that it should be carried out upon this footing.
Mr. 31'CEoitGit expressed his concurrence in the able
statement made by the chairman of the Improvement Com-
mittee (Mr. Deputy Fry); but as a member of the com-
mittee he would move as an amendment to add the follow-
ing words to the report :—" That considering the reference
to Joseph Cubitt, Esq., engineer, and his report on this
subject, the Improvement Committee be instructed to make
such an engagement as they may deem advisable with Mr.
Heywood, architect of the Sewers Commission for the
construction of the structural part of the viaduct.''
The amendment having been seconded,
After considerable discussion the amendment was put
to a show of hands, and was declared to be carried.

The report, with the amendment added, sod that it be
referred back to the committee for execution, was then put
as a substantive motion and carried by a tarp majority.
The court shortly afterwards adjourned.

THE CATTLE PLAGUE.

RErtntss.

These returns do not profess to give the total
number of cases which have occurred in Great Britain, but
only those which have been ascertained from the official
information received at this office from inspectors, whether
appointed by the clerk of the council or by the local autho-
rities. The divisions of England are those of the census.
Column 1 only records the cases reported as having cons-
mewed during the weeks iodicated by the headings ;
`' back " cues being added to column 2.

• 1
Number Result of reported cans
attacked from the conimence-
toa meat of the disease.
_
76,61
I Census Divisions. I.• = . , • ,S
ma yw,P •
• :4 '; 14 X
- _
3letrop. police district Sb 07; 7395 3126 33114 312 503
South Rasta. Counties 30 107 4730 1475; 2031) 407 265
South Mid. Counties 6811 786, 1,337 16161 503 547. 71rj
ra.stern l'ountics ! 206 269, 7155 21.1661 3457 405 513
South West. Counties 4k: 59, 9u2 23:, 476 too 39
West MiJ. Counties 264 251 2105 455, 1415 212 393
.Nerth 3443. Counties 565 435 3531 453, 2377 265 496
North West. Cocuties , 2107 1961: 11.12 531 7656 775 2616
Yorkshire 1 1508 2928 14204 32:1 4)1103 1901 2011
Northern Counties ! 216 175 2019 6431 1149 206 319
31ouniouthsh. o: Wales 60! 3:9 3631 36' 2322 357 656
Scotland 1 2510 2619 27395 330,-15990 4105 4132
•
Totals I 9243, 91201 94256 15395.35391 19508 15442

(Signed) ALE
Veterinary Deperti
Office, 2, Victor

[DER
of the
eat, S.'

WILLIAMS, Secretary.
IPrivy Comma.
NT., Jan. 18.

TEE SPRING Cißcras.—The judges assembled
in the judges' room of the Court of Queen's Bench yester-
day, and made arrangements for the spring assizes. The
following are the judges who will proosed on the respective
circuits :—Home Circuit—Lord Chief Justice Ede and Lord
Chief Baron Pollock ; Norfolk-- Lord Chief Justice Cock-
burn and Mr. Baron Mattis; Midland—Mr. Justice Keating
and Mr. Justice Shee ; Orford—Mr. Baron Pigott and Mr.
Justice Smith ; Western—Mr. Baron Channel! and Mr.
Justice Byles ' • Northern—Mr. Justice Mellor and Mr.
Justice Lush; North Wales—Mr. Baron Bramwell; South
Wales—Mr. Justice Blackburn; and Mr. Justice Willes
will remain is town.

THE SHROPSHIRE MURDER. - BRIDONORTIf,
THURSDAY. —The prisoner James Childs was brought before
Mr. Thomas W. W. Browne Wyldebtowne, county magis-
trate, and the evidence produced was more in his favour
than against him. He was remanded to the petty sessional
division of Cleobury Mortimer. The weapon with which
there is every reason to conclude the murder was perpe-
tested has been found in the mill. It is • blacksmith's
steel punch, about eight inches long, and of the diameter of
a man's finger. With this the deceased was jobbed ou the
head. some twenty times, as is shown by the post-mortem
examination, and • portion of the skull, larger than a half-
crown, forced into the brain some four or five inches. The
deceased's hands have as many wounds upon them, pro-
duced in all probability by the murderer when the poor
fellow was putting up his hands to protect his head.
Near to the body and not far from the punch
a heavy stick was toned with much blood upon
it and split at the top. This also was probably used in
the murder, for there were injuries upon the face and head
which were inflicted with • blunt instrument. A reward of
501. is now offered for the apprehension of the murderer,
who is supposed to have taken from his victim a morocco
leather came containing an account book and 31. 10e. in
money. The deceased was buried this afternoon amidst
I very wide expressions of regret. The excitement around
Bridgnorth is very great, and great anxiety is displayed by
large numbers of persons to see the accused. Other arrests
are expected to be made. There is a blacksmith's shop
attached to the mill, but it was found closed on Sunday.
EPPS'S HOMMOPATHIC COCOA.—HOITIOSOpatbic
Practitioners, and the Medical Profession generally, recommend
cocoa as being the most healthful of all beverages. When the
doctrine of homoeopathy was tin: introduced into this country,
there were to be obtained no preparations of cocoa either attrac-
tive to the taste or acceptable to the stomach: the oat was
either supplied in the crude state, or so unskilfully manufac-
tured as to obtain little notice. J. Epee, of Loudon, homceo-
pethic chemist, was induced in the year 1839 to turn his atten-
tion to this subject, and at length succeeded, with the assistance
of elaborate machinery, in being the first to produce an article
pare in its composition, and so relined by the perfect trituration
it receives in the process it passea through, as to be most accept-
able to the delicate stomach. For general use, Epps's cocoa is
distinguished as an Invigorating, gratefnl breakfast beverage,
with a delicious aroma. Dr %mak In hie work, "Food and
Its Adulterations," says Cocoa contains a great variety of im-
portant nutritive principles : every ingredient necessary to the
growth sad sustenance of the body." Agate, "As a nutritive,
open stands very much higher than either coffee or tea." Moo-
tient :—Two teaspoonfuls of the powder in a breakfast cup,
filled no with boiling water or milk. Secured in tie-lined 1-lb.,
Fib., and 1 lb. labelled packets, and sold at is. ed, per lb., by
groan, ocelectiosin, anti chnniata.-lAdvartinement.l

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF EXCHEQITER.-JAx. 18.
SECOND COURT.

Sittings at Nisi Prins.l(Before:iciaron Bramwell and

Oonimcia Juries.)
BRYANT r. RICHARDSON.

Tbis was an action to recover 441. 141. for cigars, tobacco,
and pipes, supplied to the defendant during the period of
six months. The defendant pleaded infancy.
Mr. Willoughby appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr.
H. T. Cole for the defendant.

The plaintiff carried on business at 280, Regent-street,
and the defendant was an ensign in the 7th Fusiliers and
the son of Major Richardson, who resided in Portland-
place. The goods supplied to the defendant oonaisted of
1,200 cigars, at sixpence a-pieee, a silver fusee box, at
2/. 10s., a cigar cue, at 11. 125., sod various other articles.
In consequence of the nature of the defence, it was for the
defendant first to make out his plea.
Major Richardson deposed that he was a retired officer in
• foreign service, and that the defendant, who was his third
son, was born on the god of June, 1844. In August, 1864,
when the defendant was residing with him, be saw in the
ball a box of cigars, which had been supplied to the defend-
ant by the plaintiff. Witness sent it back with a
to the effect that he had given orders that no more
from the plaintiff would be taken in at his house.
At that time the defendant received all the necessaiOs
which a young man in his position required. The defendant
complained that the cigars bad been sent away, and left the
house. He obtained his commission on the 29th September
last year, and had since sailed for India.
Cross-examined—He is on his passage now. I have myself
a great objection to smoking. My son was educated at
King's College and Bonn. lam afraid he learnt smoking
at Bonn. The Germans are • nation of smoker. I never
allowed him to smoke in my presence, and I told him that
if he continued to smoke I would strike him out of my will.
I was in the next room when he was barn.

Counsel—Of course you did not thick it worth while to
bring a certificate of his birth
Witness—My solicitor told me that a certificate was not
necessary, but I thought I would bring it, and here it is.
rods certificate to counsel.)
Counsel—This is a baptismal certificate. I want a certi-
ficate to birth.
Witness—There is no other osrtificate.
_ _ _

Counsel—Did you not register your children?
Witness—The fact is I bad one or two of the children
registered, but the mother objected to the names in which
they were registered. The consequence was, they were re-
gistered in one name and christened in another.
The plaintiff's case was that the defendant called at his
ahop, and asked to be allowed to open an account with him.
He pledged his word of honour that when he came of age
he would have means of his own, and would pay what he
owed. The plaintiff made inquiries respecting him, and
ultimately consented to supply him with goods on credit.
Mr. Baron Bramwell, is summing up, said—it being ad-
mitted that the defendant was miler age when the goods
were supplied, the question was whether they were necessa-
ries for a young man in hie position of life. He considered
the amount claimed large, but it wan for the jury to say
whether, looking to his position and that of his father, any
portion of the goods might be treated as necessaries.
The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages,
204

DEATH FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF

CHLOROPOitiI.

Yesterday evening Dr. Lankeater held an inquest
at the Bank of England, Cambridgibplaos, Paddington.
on the body of Charles Cowdroy, of Ilarbieden-grove, who
died under the administration of chloroform at the St.
Mary's Hospital. It was alleged that the chloroform had
been administered without the patient's permission having
been previously obtained.
Mr. George /if shoe, surgeon and administrator of chlo-
roform at St. Mary's Hospital, having been sworn ( witness
was • young man), said he had administered chloroform
some 300 or 400 times. At 10 minutes to 3 Jul Friday
afternoon he was requested by the house surgeon to adminis-
ter chloroform to • patient whilst his toe nail wee re-
moved. Witness underthood that the patient (who was the
deceased) was willing to take the chloroform, but did not
himself hear him say so. It was DOS his business to question
the patient on that point. After examining as to the con-
dition of the heart, witness considering it in a healthy con-
dition proceeded in administer the chloroform. The appli-
cation was continued for about three minutes. Every pre-
caution was taken. Just as the surgeon was going to open
his box of iastrunieets doomed made • motion with his
hand, when witness remarked to him, " All right, my man,
we are not going to begin yet." At the moment the sur-
geon commenced cutting, deceased started, and seemed to
have • kind of fit. The chloroform was immediately re- ,
moved from his face, and he gradually sank quietly down
on the pillow. At that moment he ceased breathing. Arti-
ficial respiration was immediately commenced, and deceased
took some deep inspiratioes and expirations. The galvanic 1
battery was then applied to him, and he yawned once or
twice, but again relapsed and expired.
Wright,Mr. one of the governors of the hospital, here
made certain statements and asked questions, in answer to
which witness said he did not know that decaued had
previously (in December) had half his toe nail removed, and
had then refused to take chloloform. Did not hoar demigod
aay he had any wish to take chloroform.
Mrs. Cowdroy, widow of demand, here interposed, and
said that when her husband went last to undergo an opera-
tion, he told her he would not take chloroform ; he would
rather suffer the pain.
Mr. Wright said he sent deosased to the hospital, and he
could give evidence that the latter told him he would not
take chloroform. He (the speaker) did not think that
chloroform should be administered to • man who had
walked all the way from Harludeo-green just before.
Mr. Mahon (continuing in sourer to questions)—Should
not object to give a man chloroform after he had walked
three or four miles if his heart were in &healthy condition.
Deceased had been in the waiting room some time before
the application, and bad rested. There were three persons
present when the chloroform was administered.
Mr. Major, the house surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, said
he had been attending dose as an oat-patient for a
week, and told him he would have to have his toe nail
off, but sa the operation would be painful chloroform would
be given him. On Friday last witness saw deceased outside
the waiting-room at the hcspital, when the latter asked
him to take his nail off. Witness turned to Mr.
and said " Will you administer the chloroform r' aadd
did not say he would not have it, bat he was not asked
whether he would or not. He was then taken into
a room. The chloroform bad been administered three
minutes when, as witness commenced the operation, his
enaction was drawn to deceased's condition. Every effort
was made, as described by the previous witness, to restore
deceased, but without avail. Witness had made a post
mortem examination, and found the body healthy. He could
not account for death. It was very probable that the same
result would have followed if the administration of chloro-
form had been delayed to the next day. . .

Mr. Mahon (milled) said he pie deceased not more
than two drachma chloroform. lie had sometimes applied
u much as one or two OnDOO/1.

The jury having occupied a short time in deliberation,
The Foreman said—The jury are of opinion that deceased
died through the chloroform ; and tho jury are also
unanimously of opinion that more experienced gentlemen
ought to be employed at the hospital to administer chloro•
form, and that the patient ought always to be asked if he
were willing to take it.
The Coroner said he was very sorry indeed to hoar that.
He did not think they could oak the hospital authorities
to employ gentleman who had applied chloroform more than
300 or 400 times.

Mr. Wright hoped the jury would not return that
verdict. The hospital authorities went apecially considering
the matter, and would do what was necessary.
The Coroner hoped the jury would record a verdict of
"Accidental death," and if there was anything wrong, the
hospital authorities would see into it. He did not wish to
influence the jury though, and would record any verdict
they chose. He would write in a verdict of " Accidental
death," and it any of them chose they could object, and
he would alter it. The coroner then recorded a verdict
that deceased died of " Narcotissia, brought on by the
administration of chloroform, and that the death was
accidental," and then said, "Will that verdict do'"
Several of the jury replied " Yes," and the verdict was
accordingly allowed to stand.