The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-05 00:00:00

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Raf4trit Ritti

ATURDAY,

NOVEMBER

5, 1853

IT is really sad that we are compelled over. ma
over again, with little or no respite, to record
deeds
_of inhumanity—not against private indi-
viduals'so much as against public bodies, upon
wh°SAYPIYe 1;t1R9,45441,-1.0 of relieving the

wants of" ihe'neee'ssitous, and ministering to the
diseases of the • corporeally and mentally afflicted. 1

We sometimes are disposed to believe, that much
of our boasted civilisation and progress consists
more in word than in deed ; and that in a com-
munity where such repeated and heartless cruelties
occur; the social machinery must be fearfully de-
ranged. The knowledge of a disease is said to be
half its cure. Let us hope that the exposure of
such maladies in our social system may lead to the
immediate application of the proper correctives, so
that the body-politic may be'restored to a morally
healthful condition. Oftentimes a medical prac-
titioner has to perform disagreeable offices. The
free use of the scalpel is frequently necessary, and
must needs be employed, 'notwithstanding the
feelings of the operator. Desperate diseases re-
quire desperate remedies ; and even the amount
of pain occasioned to the patient must not be
regarded, as long as duty remains to be fulfilled,
and the necessity of the case demands this pecu-
liar kind of therapeutic treatment.

We have always a great objection to summon
private individuals, much less corporate bodies,
before the bar of public opinion, to answer to grave
charges, fully substantiated, in order to receive
that punishment which their offences deserve, but
of which our laws do not always take cognizance.
Still, as private feeling should ever succumb to
public utility, we are forced, in the nature of
things, to adopt a course of policy, however ex-
tremely unpleasant to ourselves, yet perfectly
essential to public interests and social morality.
We only adopt the precedent of the physician
who suits the remedy to the character of the
disorder—looking not so much to the mildness of
the treatment adopted as to the beneficial end to
be achieved.

We recorded in our impression of Tuesday last,
the distressing death of a lunatic, named WILLIAM
PARSONS, under circumstances of peculiar atrocity,
which reflect considerable reproach both upon a
private gentleman and the medical officers con-
nected with two of our London Hospitals. Perhaps
it might be as well just to recapitulate the
main facts of the case :—WILLIAM PARSONS, a
butler in the service of one Squire WOODBRIDGE,
having exhibited indications of mental aberration,
is quietly despatched, in charge of a fellow-servant,
to London, and takes up his temporary abode in
a coffee-house, where lodgings had previously been
taken for him. Upon ascertaining the mental
condition of his new lodger, TILLEY most humanely
receives him into his house, attends to his neces-
sities, and has his wife brought to him. The
unfortunate man by-and-bye exhibits increased
symptoms of mania;. sudden paroxysms come on,
and he becomes wild, and somewhat uncontroul-

able. Some one hurries off to a disciple of Escu

LAPIIIS, who most imprudently prescribes a soporific
without seeing the Patient, and consequently un-
able to understand correctly the diagnosis of the
disease. The opiate, as might be expected, instead
of alleviating heightens the disorder, and renders
he wretched maniac more difficult of manage.
He is then removed to the Middlesex

iospital, a large building in the immediate neigh-

bourhood, supported by public benevolence, and
where those suffering from the most serious
and sudden " ills to which flesh is heir,"
are taken in —and, unfortunately, perhaps,
" done for !" Dr. CORFE, the resident medical

officer, thinks the case one of delirium tremens; and
adopts the old, and, as we thought, long discarded
regime for bringing the insane to their senses (?)
Whether or no he was drenched with pharmacopceial
potations. we cannot tell, but certain it is that no
sparing use was made of manacles, strait-waistcoats,
41•73 Viee
to keep maniacal patients within bounds !
After four or five days imprisonment in a dirty cell
of the Hospital, where the poor wretch underwent
untold sufferings, his case is considered either
entirely beyond their treatment, or at all events
such as was unfitted for . that institution, on the
ground of there being no apartments suitable for
such description of patient. He is next handed
over to the tender mercies of the authorities of
Maiylebone Infirmary; this was on the 14th of
October. His removal to this place proved literally
going from bad to worse. No attention whatever
appears to have been :shown him". He is ma-
nacled it is true; but there is no watch placed over
him; and he has been heard repeatedly tumbling
about and falling from the height of several feet.
His disorder now greatly increases; and it becomes
necessary that he should be sent to Hanwell
Asylum—a place exclusively apkopriated to the
reception of lunatics. Accordingly on the 22nd he
enters this excellent institution,..in a most ex-
hausted condition, suffering from.wounds, bruises,
and sores. In. this asylum the mode of treatment
is immediately altered, and the mild and soothing
effects thereof: are most potently exhibited both in

the character .of the patient, and the symptoms
of his disease, and within avery brief period. How-
ever, exhausted nature sinks—and on the 25th he

;xpires !

Upon the circumstances of PARSON'S case becom-
ing known, Mr. WAKLEY, the Coroner, considered it
proper to hold an Inquest. This was accordingly
done, when sufficient evidence was adduced to
enable the jury, after a seven hours' investigation,
to arrive at the following verdict—one which must
be entirely acquiesced in by all who are acquainted
with the atrocious nature of the case :—" That the
death of the said WILLIAM PARSONS was caused by
a mortal exhaustion, produced by bruises on 'divers

,rts of his body, caused by falls in an improperly

padded room in the Marylebone Infirmary ; and
the jurors further say they consider it was cruel of
his master, the said Mr. FREDERICK WOODBRIDGE,
to send the unfortunate WILLIAM PARSONS to Lon-
don, as he did, while the said WILLIAM PARSONS
was in an insane state of mind; and they consider
that the treatment of the said WILLIAM PARSONS in
Middlesex Hospital and in the Marylebone Infir-
mary was not at all creditable to the character of
those institutions." It was rather an unfortunate
oversight that PARSONS had not been removed to
Hanwell Asylum at the first instance. Had such

been the case there is every reason to believe that
not only would his life have been spared, but that
his recovery would ensue ; and the public sympa-
thies would have been spared the unpleasant shock
they in consequence have received.

Considerable blame unquestionably is attached
to the conduct of Mr: WOODBRIDGE, who certainly
should have made better arrangements and more
suitable provision for his unfortunate domestic,
than merely packing him off to London, and, of all
other places, depositing him in a coffee-house,
there to lie at the mercy' of strangers. Why not

av—e- J(5-fie—in-the beginning what had to be done

in the:end ? But great as is the reproach which
righteauilY lies at the door" of ...the' Aylesbury
Squire, .greater still'is the responsibility and op-
probrinnfthat.rest upon :the Medical Authorities
and Gtiyenioth 'of the Middle Sex Hospital and the
Marylebene Infirmary. • Not_very long' since, so
considerably did public benefactions increase,
that. the GOvernors were enabled
,tO
_erect a new
wing to the former Institution, andextensively
beautify the whole building. And yet such' a

necessary thing as apadcled room was unprovided ;
anti (16618" patients fg4Appe4mliwithout, a4y, pro-

per appliances , being ready to suit such cases.
save and excepting manacles to torture the un-
happy creatures to death. " Tell it not in Gath 1"

THE Bank of England returns of last night, are
a shade-more favourable than we anticipated. Yet
they are immeasurably short of what the public
might have expected; To increase the bullion
deposits to the extent of 319,4781., the bank has
been compelled -to curtail the active paper
circulation of the country 657,690/. ; and when we
add to this, the increase in the bullion in both
departments,' the aggregate contraction of the
circulation for one week amounts to 977,168/.
It is possible that a portion of the increase shown
in the bullion consists of some of the gold im-
ported within the period the return embraces.
But if we assume the whole of the increase was
drawn from that source, it would be but very
trifling, considering the large arrivals of specie
which took place during the week to which the
retuin relates, and which have been roughly esti-
mated at 1,514,4541. This large sum is composed
of the following importations :

FROM AUSTRALIA

Oct. 24, per ship. Eagle
„ 25, „ Charlotte Jane.. 155,288

Argo

97%0,65

FROM THE UNITED STATES.
Oct. 22, per ship America 98,389
„ 26, „ Baltic
„ 26, „ Arabia 243,000

541,38(

Total imported ...
Deduct gold exported

1,514,454

200,000

Total

X 1,314,454

„
This total, owing to the loose way in which the
returns are made, may be a few hundred pounds
more or less. In the meantime, they are suffi-
ciently correct, to show that the amount actually
'received by the Bank of England is but very little
Over a fifth of the amount imported for the week
ending. October_ 29. The question. then is : wh'at
has become of . the surplus in the imports
over the exports'? If the. next returns of the
Private and Joint Stock Banks do not show it in
their returns of bullion, they will leave an import-
ant mystery to be %unravelled. It is scarcely
poSsible that gold in dust, or in its crude state,
would be hoarded, or that it could pass into circa•
lation. The other banking institutions must thefore
havel:received it. The doubt however, which
hangs over' this subject, will render the next
monthly returns of the Joint Stock Banks most
interesting: If they shew that they have been the
recipients of the surplus of gold, the Bank of
England; as a matter of banking expediency, will
in all probability, apply the ” screw" with additional
force, and so produce a crisis with a view 'of
turning the current in its favour. - If on the
other hand, the rival institutions are not the
holders of an increased amount of bullion, then it
must be self-evident that there exists some sub-
current by which the gold is disappearing, and in
that case the bank would be justified in using its
Utmost power to check the evils to be apprehended
from such a cause.
The difficulties which beset the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, at the close of the last fiscal quar-
ter of the year, were of considerable magnitude,
and could not have_ been overcome without resort-
ing to various means, such as applying every avail-
ble shilling of surplus income, issuing Exchequer
Bills at advanced rates of interest, and seeking the
aid, of the bank to meet the immediate wants of
the Exchequer. The pressure thus caused, in
addition to the stringency of the bank's operations,
would have produced, at any other period, a most
ruinous state of things, but owing to the confi-
dence the public feel in the stability of trade and
position of the country generally, credit has been
fully sustained, 'and every day seems to promise

greater activity.
This is a most remarkable fact, considering the
sudden contraction of the currency amounted to
nearly 1,000,0001. in one week. Cutting off such a
sum from the pay-tables and general purposes of
the country, was enough to have produced a most
intense panic. Fortunately the returns before us
are in all other respects of a little better character.
The bullion mystery must soon be brought to light,
and should it appear that the commercial banking
institutions have the bullion-power in their hands,
we feel convinced that they will be found ready to
afford trade every accommodation on fair commer-
cial terms.

DARING ROBBERY.—On Thursday evening about
seven o'clock, whilst a young lady was passing through
Vine-street, a man dressecl, in the garb of a plasterer,
snatched her reticule from her hand. The reticule contained
a purse, in which was a ten pound note and a quantity of
silver. The thief got off with his booty.
OFFICE ROBBERY.—Thning Thursday night, a
sum of eight pounds in gold and silver, was taken from
different drawers in the office of Messrs. Stoddart and Co.,
5, Strand-street. The thieves it is supposed were concealed
in the office, when locked up.
The Royal Mail steam-ship Arabia sails from the
Mersey at ten o'clock this morning, for New York, with the
usual mails and passengers.

KIRKDALE SESSlON.—Yesterday was fixed for the
hearing of two appeals lodged by publicans in this borough
against the decision of the borough magistrates, who had
revoked their licenses. The appellants were lUr. W. H.
Spencer, Peter-street, and Mr. Berry, Vauxhall-road. In
consequence of the adjournment of the sessions on Thursday
evening, the hearing of these appeals was postponed until
January next. In consequence of the adjournment of the
sessions not being generally known, several parties were
in attendance with their witnesses, at the court-house,
Kirkdale, and more than one magistrate was made aware
of the adjournment only when he arrived at Court yesterday

morning,

AN ACTION FORA PENNY.—OPERATION OF THE NEW
Stun= AcT.—A case bearing upon . the. newly-introduced
penny receipt stamp, was decided by Sheriff Bell in Glasgow
on Thursday afternoon, which is of considerable importance
to auctioneers and the public generally. A furniture broker
summoned an auctioneer at the Sheriff's Small Debt Court,
for the sum of one penny, the price of a receipt stamp, which
the latter had compelled the former to pay, although the
broker was the purchaser, and the auctioneer the receiver, of
the money. The auctioneer said, however, that he had ex-
pressly stipulated in the conditions of sale that purchasers
were to pay for the receipt stamps. This decided the case,
the Sheriff ruling in favour of the auctioneer.
TRIAL TRIP OF THE LUSITANIA.—This splendid
screw steam ship, built by Mr. Laird,, for the South Ameri-
can Steam Navigation Company, proceeded on her trial trip,
having floated off the mud at Rockferry, where she got
aground on the previous day. We learn that the perfor-
mances of this fine vessel were most satisfactory, and fully
realise the expectations of her builder and owners. At the
measured distance from the Bell buoy to North West light
ship, the Lusitania made an average speed of 121 knots an
hour; being the greatest speed it is believed yet attained by
any screw steamer. The Lusitania sails on her first voyage
to South America about the 24th inst. She is perhaps one
of the most beautiful and elegantly fitted up vessels afloat.
Her cabin and saloon accommodation is very superior, and
will, no doubt, render her a favourite with passengers.
"ME PENINSULAR MAIL.—The Peninsular and
Oriental Company's steam ship, City of London,
arrival at Southampton, on Thursday night, with
advices from Constantinople to the 15th, Smyrna
the 19th, Malta the 23d, and Gibraltar the 28th
ult., ...TJaa.,Gibra/tar 'Chronicle of the' 28th ult. coti:
tains an official notice from the Governor abso-
lately_prohibiting) a public meeting, of the inhabi
tants, which had .been convened by a printed pla-
card, and threatening the interference of the police
if such meeting should take place. The, Governor
requests in his proclamation, that 'tiny persons
having grievances should submit, the same,
throiigh limSelf to Her Majesty's , Government.
It was decided :at Gibraltar that arrivals from
Great, .Britain should perform a quarantine of
eig4t. clays. The Governor had issued a :strong
roteoLagajnst the ,useleas , - vexatious' q'tiaran-
Ipine regulations of the Spanish ports.