The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-16 00:00:00

AMERICA.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY. 2
The United States mail steamship Arago, with the Frey,
and English mails from New York, arrived off Cores filo
morning, at eleven o'clock, en route for Havre.
The Engiisn mails and passengers have just landed here.
The advices from New York are to the date of the 3d ingt•e
The cotton market is reported as being quiet. Sales aro
limited, and without change in prices. Flour continu -
firm, while trade in ork was dull. ntg
Accounts received p
from California give gloomy aeon
of the state of business there. tte
The New York Journal of Commerce announces
Will.

arrival of the steamer Illinois from, AsPinsval''_.ul this
confirmatory details of the massacre at Panama. Fro mict
intelligence it app?ars certain that the Pavan"' Pin the
instead of quelling the riot, took part with the rioters sneer,
most scandalous and brutal manner. The Chief ErT ifiee
Colonel Totten, ha. sent to New York for fifty sharp
for the better protection of the company's elneer:.;e'iteeets
and property, on the Isthmus in time to come. -1- -',-ecs,
will be very apt to go armed hereafter, that, if ne"t- ;be
they may protect themselves. It is also kiln" tha
about
United States ship of war, last from Guayaquil, was 2 bad
to visit Panama, and indeed it was reported that she
already arrived there.
s•s
0,
b the
publl .
In addition to the above, we are enabled to
following reply of the secretary of the navy to Mr. Ae:Priier
wall, from which it will be seen that the s. t
Fulton, at Pensacola, is ordered to proceed to AsPinvia as
seer;"
soon as practicable. By this prompt action, the ho Lion, if
tary shows that he is determined to afford proteetle,"'„is
necessary, to the persons and property of American citlzt
on the aama route. en"
" TePlegrnaphic orders will be sent to the Fulton, at
sbe
sole, to touch at Aspinwall on her cruise, so soon age
can. J. C. Doenll4
ted
We further observe, that a resolution has been aliqr.
by the U. S. House of Representatives, on motion e'eige
Herbert, of California, instructing the committee of for
affairs to enquire if any, and whae, further
necessary to secure the lives and property of Amer
citizens irssinet across the Isthmus of Panama. the /00
On the subject of the Presidential election, •ndi-
state i_nd
Sentinel says, that the spring elections in that
cite a democratic majority of about three thTlsrrty.
Michigan has gone democratic by a stillilarger mai° the
In New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut,
and
demoeratics have gained thousands within a Year' tee
ther
lack but little in either state of a majority of all
Next November will very probably supply the defie•enoce.
Nearly the whole south is democratic ; in
in short, the 'prospects of the dernocraicpYetion,
reference to the approaching presidential e•—e the
are excellent. The Black Republicans, as well as Did
Know Nothings, are becoming disheartened ; and tlle.ther
Line Whigs, so far as they have co-operated with, .e,4 of,
isgislatio.o3ol,
of these factions, are hauling off, and preparing, le ',AI
for themselves. State Conventions which have re
round
been held in Kentucky and Maryland, take this g,rould
decidedly. Most of them had rather the Democrats " The
succeed, than either of the factions above na...3q. ther
Tariff question, the Bank question, and every Line
important question, which formerly divided the u","cd or
Whigs from the Democrats, is now 'either ad.inesiiste,
obselete—while on the question of Abolition Seetien-Line
which is now uppermost in the public mind, the Old
Whigs and the Democrats are agreed. A b eri
The New York Evening Express announces the -eat 'ioe
the Ist instant, of the Hon. Ogden Hoffman, of congefsfoa
of the liver, after an illness of a few days. bir•eiPceers
was a member of the state legislature, twenty-nre4oire
ago. and in 1838, he was a member of congress, a Pr" and
ent member of the committee of foreign üblie
distinguished for his eloquence and power as a P
speaker. , loc,
On the morning of Thursday, May 1, about one o
a fire was discovered in the large four story brick Wilts,
ing bounded by Centre, Elm, Franklin, and White-streeht
mainly occupied as the New Haven and Iflarlena Freifee
Depot. The fire spread rapidly, and, in spite of
ties
efforts of the firemen, the seeodd, third, and fourth stoo
on the Elm-street side, and for some distance on Frank •
esti"
and White-streets, were burnt out. The losses are
mated at LO,OOO dollars. b 1
The Philadelphia papers estimate the entire loss
000
affairs,
the great fire in that city at between 600,000 and 700,
dollars. The
The Boston Journal of May 1, has the follovving'
t rdlq
ship Enoch Train, which arrived in the harbour Yes-e,, five
morning, from Liverpool, brought a company of SO'',u for
hundred and thirty emigrants, all of whom are boun
the Mormon " land of promise " Utah. They are et°ch,
posed mainly of English people, with parties of Se°,.`fer
Welsh, and Irish. A few are from South Africa---si', in
have the Mormon missionaries pushed their trave'
their zeal to make proselytes. Many of then],
mechanics, and the whole of them are much more in°
gent than the ordinary class of emigrants.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK,

MAY 2

9 qtioteJ

AsuEs are unsettled, but pots are firmer, and may be to
at 7 dole to 7 dols 12-ac ; pearls are nominal at 7 dols .13c
8 deb,.
BREADSTUFF': State and Western flour is in better de-site
and with some speculative movement, and a little
pressure, prices have advanced 25c per brl, and it is diffieu tr. is
buy desirable lots at our inside quotations. Southern fl'f'de f,,r
firmer, with sales of 2,000 brls at 6 dole 25c to 6 dois ;
mixed to good brands, closing at 6 dole 37,÷0 to 6 dolfo s Ij;,a
an dols 87-41 to ole 5c for fancy and extr. ' /15e
flour 6 is firmer, with sales ofo 1,000 brls at 6 dolaa to 8 dOl5
for common to extra. _ _

COTTON : The market •continues to droop, and we. 't7irci"
reduce our quotations, making decline' within the la" „let
days. At this concession there is more demand, and the
are about 3,000 bales. ("Is t
IRON : The sales include 250 tons Scotch pig at 32 de
32 dols 50e, three months. ter
o
LEAD : There has been a better enquiry the last daY ,nr
and we notice sales of 75 tons English at 7c ; 100 tons Pail,o
ote
at 6/c cash and equal to cash ; and 70 tons Mexican on P'
tern

t en 3 joY
NAVAL STORES : Crude turpentine may be quoted a' tio
121 c to 3 dols 25r, with a steady market. Spirits turPisales
re in good demand at 39e to 40c. Rosin is firm, r'l3( beer'
) made at 1 dol 70e. Tar n' 2

2,500 hrl

ye.
Otr.s: Crude is still held above the views of mantlfac',', to
Linseed has been more active; 30,000 Gallons sold at
78c, the law-

it ot store. • mac"
Pork is quite unsettled, and mess '9 16
e notice sales of 530 buls, at 18 dols for 11',1,' 500
; 30c to 15 Bois 62tc for prime, and 17 dots to 17 "°,2000
for Western prime mess. Beef is steady, with sales °'n, to
brls, at 8 dots to 9 dols 30c for country 'mess, d°l' ro ;
8 dots for prime, 10 dots to 18 dots for repacked "resfitero
prime mess is dull, at 15 dols to 16 dols. Beef barns are legs
30 brls were sold at 14 dots. Lard is higher, but closo lec.
buoyant, with sales of 500 brls and tierces at 100 ta our
Bacon is scarce and firm. Cheese is also freely offered a'
quotations. 4 dol,'
BICE : We notice sales of 140 tierces, at 3 dole sc, tO
371-,c, the market exhibiting more steadiness at the c'o'-'1 do'
SALT ! The Ashton's reported yesterday were sold at
782 c ; 900 Marshall's, to arrive, were sold at 1 dol 60cle'veekt
SUGAR is heavy, end the decline in raw, during 2,0 Sc;
is about ; the sales include 900 lilt& Cuba, at 6je
59 libds, 49 tierces, and 124 brls Barbadoes, at 71°'
9 grAirl
FREIGHTS are firmer. To Liverpool, 28,0005b0r;bleie,,a600u
,r a
rt
were taken at 41d to sd, mostly in ship's bags;
Is 6d ; 1,500 brls rosin, Is 10d ; 360 tierces beef, '
boxes bacon, 15s to 20s; 200 brls pork, 2s. ,g bee°
MONEY MARKET, Friday Evening, May 2 : There it-ates of
a brisk letnand for umney, and the dvance noticed In flea'
interest has been fully maintained. Foreign Exchange i 9
as lot
some sales of bankers' bills on London have been ruaaent fof
as 1091, but the principal range is 1097 to 110, with h,:--;rl6-1.
offering below the extreme rate ; Paris is firm at 5-1%
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Liverr"'
ARRIVAL AT BOSTON, May I.—Messina, Trott, fora
March 25 iancl ;
ARRIVALS AT NEW ORLEANS, April 95 —Tariasca, f0r.14,00
las
St. Lawrence, Oram—both from Liverpool.-.
April 22. giscl"
Biddle, Gerrlsh, from Liverpool.
ARRIVAL AT PHILADELPHIA, April 29.—Richard Cobden,
from Liverpool

MR. WRAY.—This gentleman, rET -----o
well-known -
"I
assdPl:
organist and director of the excellent choir of our 9sfo
rable institution for the blind, left Liverpool soVvriiou °f
to try the influence of a milder climate, in 811°
symptoms from which serious consequences _a -
;Lig e
were .00
hendei, It is with Veasure that we hear of the " d that'
of the
addition, eve
btoepeessrfpilmtatihaeteimmtnri„gratioll/ an on the'
in Wray and pro"
rapid recognition by the Devoniaus, of that taleut,and ten"
fessional excellence which, in all who knew him ",„°,,,, fix°'
organ'riend and admirer sponimous terms. A °`„-r'easo"
oran the salary of which has been consider
sincet. his accession ; a choral society, a flattering for,.apidif
increasing webenefi t
privateco ncer t,prtaoegtieeteh,erw
iwlli with efxo
ateends,i v e anu:t 0o tf
admirable adjuncts to the fine air and beautiful so‘enei-praf
Torquay, in maintaining the health and spirits of r*, •e 0.14
in perfect unison with the sincere good Wishes of tho 'ri
he has left. ineetig
TuE WESLEYAN REFortmEas.--Last evening, a - id at
of the seceders from the Wesleyan connection was he
pia,
etharedQueeeeenv'esulliegall,thßeolmd
meeting stated,
for the purpose, as the rood
.refuting the priestley intolerance of the W"eosfle;axnP°Cs°i?fcretilloclei
ministers." Mr. G. W. Harrison occupied the ch3lr'etieg
ler a few brief observations, introduced to the o.l_e 0„a
from
r. Griffith, one of the expelled from the Conferenufeeo,
L slienied
the Wesleyan ministry. He in a very eloquen
animadverted on the Wesleyan Conference lavrs, arld 000,
that there ever was a Conference held, for this lora of
namely, that, the Wesleyans were opposed to fre' nress,
thought, freedom of expression, and freedom. of tr tirdee,
as much as Austria or Russia. Mr. J. Say, °f joys
next addressed the meeting, and concluded his observ. L3O
co,.
by urging en those who agreed with the movement I. Levee
tribute their money, and assist those few who had, f° f Ivor
years, carried on the war, for it was only the sinews 0 tben
Win. that were required. Mr. W. Chipfleld, of Londo°, iesau
addressed the meeting on " the principal
les of Wes °he,
reformers." Other members of the deputation '°l ou
and the meeting concluded with a collection in aid °
funds of the Wesleyan. Reform Society.

THE
RIJGELEY POISONINGS.

•
TRIAL OF PALMER AT THE CENTRAL

CRIMINAL COURT

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

SECOND DAY

This ,„ LONDON, THURSDAY.
re% 1 "le'rning at ten o'clock the proceedings in this
arkable and extraordinary case were resumed.
The inter
ra interest taken by the public in the matter seems to
for PidlY uPon the increase. Long before the usual time
u-:,,,tri°el)B.ll,lna_g the court, a large. crowd had assembled to
ati,l fitness asarrivl of the persons engaged in the trial,
ben
greatest gernss was evinced to learn anything
ben • What was' taking place in the eourt. Upon the
b-ree, alrnost the first to arrive, were the Earls Grey and
rnee verb in court there were a great many of the leading
eounrnbers °I the medical profession from the midland
geont.e Messrs, Aloselev and Minneley, the two sur-
ho
sir gave the direct evidence of the poisoning by
of Mrs. Dove, at Leeds, were also present.
Alleilerine-Zdsinaggasinir present a powerful array of medical
Benjamin Brodie, Dr. Taylor, Mr,
Xnic2.l arl4 Mr. Nunneley, surgeons, of Leeds. Dr.
of Stafford ; Dr. Bamford, of Rugeley ; Mr. Day,
rgeee, of Stafford ; Dr. Monckton, of Rugeley ; &e.,
physicie. Ides an immense number of foreign surgeons and
iihi.a,nS, Whose names we could not learn.
COffe- jUrYt Who had passed the night at the London
°our e;hll°llse, in charge of the sheriffs' officers, came into
for ht,ertlY before ten o'clock, looking none the worse
'lag been kept from their homes.
mr7•
eBrtly
after ter the learned Judges, Lord Campbell,
Usher Iren Alderson, and Mr. Justice Cresswell, were
ea to their seats on the bench by the Sheriffs and
(litthenr„eivie authorities. The Lord Mayor and the
The also took their places on the bench.
the tie
Prisoner was then put forward in the dock. Despite.
ab:ITY hue of his complexion, there was a heaviness
aiid it 'Yes that spoke forcibly of a sleepless night ;
tsar;
e ~was a general remark that his features presented a
Wo"e't change from the confident expression which they
trtieYesterda.Y. He still continued to take copious notes
ken, evidence, and, as points struck him, to pass corn-
,,,,leatiens to his ever-active legal adviser.
444d'einA.,t.torney-General was not present at the opening,
his absence, the case was conducted by Mr. Edwin
de4rees' (4'o. Mr. Serjeant Shee, as yesterday, led the
ten e'eloc ilee.
The Attorney-General arrived shortly after
Eli
htig; Mills, the barmaid of the Talbot Arms ,
called p' who Was examined in chief yesterday, was re-
Se g
' and cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee. Mr.
yon -vnt Shee ; How long before Mr Cook's death had
wi4. at thejalbot Arms ?
Air:us cgs: Two years.
had ergeant S.„,
hee : How long before Mr. Cook's death
- Yon se
Witt. aim at the Talbot Arms ?
la Ry About three or four months. I first saw him
kr. 8
x. wi ergeant
Shee: Was he ailing at that time ?
Dirt .negs: lie did not seem particularly so.
threat
kg Sergeant Shoe: Did you not hear him complain of
Wit,.
did.
Sergeant Shee How long before his death ?
aeBe
Mr. • ▪ About three months.
it 'ergeant
,r Shoe : Did he complain frequently ?
Scant •
„„.
o.
krfor
tip • -rgeant Shee : Do you know if he took any medi-
e
Wit„es
8: A gar I believe.
.He took a good man
bottles, I bel gle, y
ieve. I never saw but one.
serer. Sergeant Shee: Did you see that his mouth was

Witness : I did not
• c,
,oer
ngeant Shee : Did he not appear to have a diffi
i swallowing ?
rit.nce_s: •' I never heard him complain.
%at ~:etgeant Shee : Have you not heard him complain
tongue was sore.
tc, miLless : I have not. I have seen him with a loaded
/lege.
• 141 x•
Sergeant Shee : You mean foul ?
itat,qo
it. Yes. I do not know that caustic was applied
I knew Dr. Thirlby attended him.
e4e.a, Sergeant Shee : How recently before his death did
Wit_l3l43n of his tongue ?
kevlie•nnee" Ido not know. I did not know thatseweany pills
he took
befor:
th before his last illness. I did n
Rare en. He had a slight cough when his throat was
After was ailing when he came back from Shrewsbury.
to 41'• Cook's death I left the Talbot and went home
sill,: friends in the Potteries. I have been in serv.l: .•e
have have been chambermaid at Dolly's Chop-house•
at 9'N' um n Mr. Steven's since I came to London. I saw
4
i)oll7's e
did not think about six or seven times.
oo I will
net twelve W talk about Ck's death.
Driv:tke(l the bow I liked London. We did not have any
recollect conversation about the matter. I cannot
death, t what else we talke
~itkr. s
ergeant Shee : Did he ever give you any money
nege Never

d about excepting Cook's

141.
• ~eriy
'skittlegiant She_ _
kr, Qsa NO, never
wi:t'ergeant Shee : When did you see him last ?
qtr,Tis"s 01:1 Tuesday.
\Vit
Doll .t. meant Shee : What did he say then ?
at 'ess: Merely asked me how I was. lam not now
4 Q
t was there that I saw on Tuesday.
'"gealut Shee: What part ofhim Dolly's did you see

Or promise you any

la ?

cution.

Witpeg •
Jite. :Sere Th sitting-room. We were not alone.
Witn, $e ht
Shee: Who was there ?
Q.": Lavinia Barnes.
44Wit:eesrg..eant Shee: Oh, Miss Barnes.
.Who else ?
R,S4. 8 8, Two gentlemen.
Wit ergeant Shee : Who were they ?
: Ur. Hatton and Mr. Gardner.
3tLffor,i 7geaat Shee: What, the chief constable of
Witness
kr. •I do not know that he is chief constable.
1, 2 scant Shee : Will you swear that ,
14. —2" I only know it from what 1 have heard.
I Wit "'Mt Shee, Is not Mr. Gardner an attorney?
ites think he is.
' W.: "Pgeant Shoe • What did you talk about?
IVIr,;I cannot recollect.
Were °.ergearit Shoe: Did he ask you what evidence you
Witness t° give?
have--en: Rdid not. He did not read anything to me.
clet, seed did
Stevens. He did not read the coroner's Paper,
to me, neither did he read them from a news-
tinstta„
at ergeant Shee : How many times have you seen
Wit, 0y s coffee-house e
1114 a essri :
lam sure not half a dozen times. He might
re„tieP:keti
of Cook's death. I cannot remember or
time "if he did. I have seen Gardner three or four
40t an I have met him in the street and at Dolly's.
atter-3relle else was present. I have not been to any
The °Mee
with
him.
-aao -
e wthess, in answer to further questions, said she
there :living with her mother at Rugeley, and had. been
frie4a out three weeks. She had been living with her
e
was a She knew a man of the name of Dutton,
Dutton, his
re,theat. friend of hers. There was a Mrs.
hi"l vs He was a labouring man, and she had known
a cottage.
There two years. ~The residence
tee as were four rooms—two bed-rooms and two two sitting.
and
slut On all occasions she sler with Dutton's
d also been
4teyi who had a weekly income. She ha
__„..,s
kbet:lg With her cousin in the Potteries. She Left -u°")
'1,114 the ,4„,13/t/nth ago, of her own accord, as she did not
who wh- I'Lace. She had not read the case of Mrs. Dove,t
net 6.48 Poisoned at Leeds. She had heard it read, bu
Ilardibal'Y Person connected with the trial. She never
tIN a onaptoros of strychnine mentioned, but there
he made that that was another strychnine case•
th-441 rwt say when she first used the word twitching.
14', Pin c:lihht it Was first mentioned in a conversation with
The`°e: „-er .Thew word "jerking" had never been mentioned
.?
y ; sh was quite positive as to that.
twenty
t brothslle mentioned yesterday, which made
It
litY Canes, she never mentioned to the coroner.

' not she tho oce
w lir to her when she was being examine
lliq brotu4t of it three days after. She did mention that
hd:but
as
tNalled h had a Peculiar taste to the coroner when s
'''. . she had been examindd twice before the core
Iteoth (14
°lle occasion her attention was called to the
4; and she then stated that the broth was very good.
her sick occurred to her to mention that the broth made
ek. 811 e did not think at the time the sickness was

atised by the broth. She had bilions attacks, but not
strong ones. She did not mention the fact of her being
sick, because she could not account for it. The sickness
came on about half an hour after she had taken the broth.
On Saturday morning Cook had coffee for breakfast, but
she did not recollect who recommended the coffee to Cook.
She could not remember whether Palmer ordered the
breakfast. She stated it yesterday that Palmer ordered
the coffee, but at that exact moment she could not recollect
that she mentioned the subject yesterday. If she stated it
yesterday, it was correct, but she could not recollect so well
to-day as yesterday. She could remember whether she
stated anything about the coffee to the coroner. The pill-
box mentioned in evidence yesterday as being sent over
about 5 o'clock, and that she saw Palmer in the room about
eight o'clock, she did not remember to have mentioned to
the coroner. She might not have been asked the question.
She would swear Palmer was there between nine and ten,
as he brought a pot of jelly, and she opened it. It was
nearer ten than nine. She did not recollect, when she
left Cook, about half-past ten that evening, whether
Palmer was with him. She did not know when Cook
took the pills. It was Tuesday morning when she asked
Cook how he felt after taking the pills. She asked what
was the cause of his illness, and he said the pills which
Palmer gave him, but she did not mention that circum-
stance before the coroner. She had been questioned
about what she said about the pills, It was at
Fletchingly by Dr. Collier. She did not tell him
that a gentleman altered her evidence. Dr. Collier
said, "The coroner has not got down what you men-
tioned about the pills," and she said " No," but she
thought it was down somewhere, as she had mentioned it
to somebody. The evidence had been altered by her since

it was given. She could not tell who the gentleman was
to whom she mentioned about the pills, because she did
not know. She made the statement in question at Dolly's.
She was positive she could not tell the name of the gentle-
man. He came to her at Dolly's, and asked her if she
would answer a few questions. The interview lasted about
half an hour, and he was writing as she was answering
the questions. He did not tell her his name. Mr. Stevens
was with him. She did not mention that before, because
she was never asked the question. All she stated was
taken down. She did not recollect whether she mentioned
anything to the coroner about Cook being unable to lay
down. She mentioned something about Cooke throwing
himself about, but she could not say that she used the
word "jerking," but she might have said the body was
" jumping about ; " neither could she remember stating
that the fingers would not move. She did not remember
saying she saw Cook " twitch." She did not recollect
exactly what she said now before the coroner, but she
answered every question that was put to her. She did.
not tell the coroner that Cook snapped at the spoon
when she gave him the toast water, so that it was diffi-
cult to get it out of his mouth.
Lord Campbell thought the questions were unnecessary,
as the coroner's depositions must be read.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said the depositions were put in.
The Attorney-General said he was prepared to have the
depositions read, but he was also in a position to prove
that there were several omissions in the depositions which

called for some remonstrance on the part of the prose-

Cross-examination continued. : When I first was
examined, I was not required to disclose the symptoms to
Dr. Taylor. On the night when I rung for Palmer, he
had a cap on. That was on Monday. I don't recollect
how Palmer was dressed on the Tuesday. I don't
know whether he had his night or day shirt on, or
whether he wore slippers. The witness then stated that it
was not ten minutes after Jones left the room that she
saw Palmer searching for Cook's coat, but it was ten
minutes after she herself left the room. She stated to the
Coroner that she saw Palmer searching the bAI. clothes as
if he was looking for a watch. She remembered the room
in which the examination of Cook's body took place.

A model of the Talbot and :Palmer's house at Rugeley
was here produced, and explained to the court. The
prisoner eyed it with an eager and searching glance. The
model had been prepared for the purposes of the prose-
cut ion.

The witness here described and pointed to a door which
the doctors' entered at. She thought the people also
came in by the door. Another led to a bedroom, and the
other door led to the landing. There was a gas lamp over
the door of the Talbot. She did not know the exact dis-
tance between Palmer's house and the Talbot.

Mr. Sergeant Shee said he now proposed that the
depositions should be read.
The Clerk then read the evidence given by the witnesses

before the coroner

Re-examined by Mr. James : She was before the

coron Ir, and was examined several days. She was not
then examined on all the symtoms she noticed in the
deceased. The questions were then put to her by the

coroner, and her answers were written down by the
coroner's clerk. What questions the coroner put to her
she answered, but made no statement.
By Lord Campbell : The coroner asked if the broth
had any effect upon and I said not that I was aware
of.

Mr. James : That's not down in the depositions.
Witness continued : I am unable to say what brought it
to my mind afterwards, but I think some one mentioned
it to me first ; perhaps a week after I was examined by
the coroner. I think it was one of my fellow servants.
It is a fact that I was ill after taking the broth, and
Lavinia Barnes was aware of it. Cook said " the pills,
Palmer gave me after half-past ten o'clock made me ill.'
A person now in court came to me and repro_
sented himself as a solicitor for the Crown, and
asked me questions relative to this occurrence
He came to one about a month after the inquest. He
wrote down some of the statements I made to him, and
took it away with him. I was not asked by the gentle-
man [supposed to be stated by the counsel to be Dr.
Collier] to sign what he wrote. I don't think he read it
over to me. Other persons were with him. The broth
had no particular flavour with it. I have never tasted
tartar emetic. I have lived at the Talbot Arms for two
years. Cook had often gargled his throat in her presence•
The gargle he got from Thirlby, who succeeded to Pal-
mer's business. lam engaged to be married to one of the
Duttons, in whose house I am now staying.
Mr Sergeant Shee proposed to put a question to the
witness relative to Dr. Collier's statement,
Mr. Baron Alderson said that before it was put Dr.
Collier ought to leave the Court. In fact he ought not to
have been present.
I,Mr. Sergent Shoe then asked her if Dr. Collier did not
say he was not for the Crown nor the defence, nor for any
party, but for the truth ?
Witness replied—He said, "I am for the Crown, but I
want no favour or affection; all I want is the truth. Will
you answer me some questions ?" I replied, " Certainly.'

Mr. Gardner, solicitor, agent for the attorneys of Mr.
Stevens, step-father of the deceased, examined by the
Attorney-General: I attended the inquest on Cook, and
put questions occasionally to the witnesses. The coroner
also put questions, and his clerk wrote down the answers.
I had to expostulate with the coroner on several occasions
on the manner in which he conducted the inquest ; he
omitted on several occasions in the course of each day to
put certain questions to the witnesses under examination,
but not as to the particular case or words used.
Mr. Sergeant Shoe took an objection to this course of

examination.
Lord Campbell said that the court ought, under the
circumstances. to know how the inquest was conducted
by the coroner.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said he could not see any thing the
coroner said could affect the prisoner.
The Attorney-General said it was only tso rebut the
effect of the ,evidence which the learned sergeant had
introduced.
Lord Campbell said he thought the question should be

put.
The Attorney? General : I will put this question to the
witness: Did you expostulate with the coroner on his
conduct generally ?
Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to the question.
The Attorney-General then varied the question, but
Mr. Sergeant Shoe still objected, on the ground that it
was not evidence.

The question was not put.

Witness continued: I don't recollect Dr. Taylor expos-
tulating with the coroner at certain questions not having
been put to him.
The Attorney-General renewed his application to put
the above question to the witness, to show that the
evidence which the last witness had given here, being
different than that before the coroner, was not a contra-
diction, but an addition to her evidence under certain
circumstances The object of the evidence he now pro-
posed to give_was twofold; first., to show that questions

MEW T

r v-tro

were not put, to the witnesses that should have been put,
and ought to have been put ; and, secondly, when the
questions were put and answered, the answers were not
taken down. •

After some consultation their lordships ruled that the
question could not be put to show generally the manner
in which the coroner conducted the inquest.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : The jury put
many questions to the witnesses.
By the Attorney-General : The jury made very strong
objections on the coroner not putting certain questions to
the witnesses.

The Attorney-General; What were they?
Mr. Sergeant Shee : I object to the question.
Lord Campbell : That is a part of the proceedings at
the inquisition.
The Attorney-General varied his question.

Mr. Sergeant Shee again objected. The jury being at
liberty to put questions, it was not competent for the
prosecutor to put the question proposed to the witness
under examination.

• Lord Campbell said that the judges were of opinion the
question eonld not be put to the witness.

Mrs. Ann Brooks, examined by the Attorney-general,
stated she resided at Manchester. She was at Shrews-
bury is Nov., 1855, and she knew Palmer was at the
races, for she saw him there. She spoke to him on the
14th. She met him in the street, and she had a con-
versation with him. She asked him what horse was
to win, and he said Chicken. Palmer desired her to
call at the Raven the next day, about a horse called
Lord Derby. She accordingly went to the Raven
that evening, about half-past ten, and her friends,
which she had with her, waited below. She was posi-
tive as to the hour, as she passed a clock, and had it
been later she should not have gone. As she was going
uc stairs she met a servant, and asked her to tell Mr.
Palmer she was there. When she got up stairs she turned
to the left, as she knew what room Palmer occupied, as
she had called frequently at the hotel. The servant told
her Palmer was there (nodding her head towards the
door.) She saw Palmer standing in the room beside
a table. He had a tumbler in his hand with a small
quantity
.of liquid in it, which appeared to be water•
She did not see hi:n put anything into it ; but he
was shaking it round and round. There was a light
near him. He held the glass up to the light, and said he
would be with her directly. Palmer first saw her the
moment she got to the top of tho stairs, He stayed a
minute or two longer at the table with the glass in his
hand. He held it up to the light once or twice. Between
the intervals she observed him shaking it. While he was
standing with the glass she said to Palmer, " what very
fine weather," and shortly after this, there being a door
partially open adjoining his, he carried the glass into
that room, but she heard no one speak to him. He staid
there two or three minutes, and then returned with the
glass in his hand ;it had still the liquid in it. He then
took the glass into his own sitting-room. In three or four
minutes he again returned. She shut the door after him.
He returned with the glass like the one he had in his
hand ; it had brandy and water in it. She was certain
it was not the same colour of the liquid she first saw. He

then entered into conversation with her about the races,
and that he should back Chicken. She was present at
the races, and Chicken lost.

Cross-examed by Mr. Sergeant Shee : Her name was
Brooks. She was a married woman, and attended the
races, but her husband never went with her. Her husband
had a very high appointment, and he did not sanction her
going. She saw Herring for the first time at Shrewsbury
races. There was a good number of racing men taken ill
at Shrewsbury—one of the company was dreadfully so.
They thought the water had been poisoned at Shrewsbury
The persons suffered from sickness and were purged. A
lady who met me at Shrewsbury, and also another whom
she knew, suffered in that way. Palmer held the glass
between his eyes and the gas as if to see if anything was
in it. The passage led to many rooms. He said, " ril
be with you presently," as he held the glass to the light.
There was nothing suspicious about his conduct then.
thought it might have been a cooling draught.'; ~I was not
examined before the coroner.

By the Attorney-General : The brandy and water he
gave me was cold. I have been on friendly terms with
Palmer for a number of years.

Lavinia Barnes, waitress at the Talbot, examined by
Mr.. James : In November, 1855, I was waitress at the
Talbot Arms. I knew both Palmer and Cook, and saw
Cook on the 12th, before he went to the Shrewsbury
races ; he appeared very well, in much his usual health.
I saw him on the Thursday following, on his return from
Shrewsbury. I remember his retiring to the Talbot Arms
bet Ween nine and ten o'clock, after he dined with Palmer
on the Friday night. He was sober and spoke to me.
Elizabeth Mills attended him to his room. I saw him twice

on Saturday. I remember on that day some broth
was sent to the Talbot for Cook. I took it up to him.

He said he could not take it because he was too sick I
brought it down stairs and put it in the kitchen. After that
I saw Palmer, and I told him Cook could not take it because
he was too sick. Palmer replied, "He must take it." It
was afterwards taken to the deceased by Eizabeth Mills.
On the Sunday I did not see any more broth sent to Cook.
On the Sunday Elizabeth Mills was taken ill between 12
and 1 o'clock. She was taken ill with vomiting. She went
to bed. I saw her vomiting violently. She remained in
bed till between 4 and 5 o'clock. She complained of sick-
ness to me. I saw some broth in the kitchen on that Sun-
day, but I am unable to say where it was made, or where it
came from. On Monday morning I saw Palmer at the
Talbot Arms, between seven and eight o'clock. He told
Elizabeth Mills, in my presence, he was going to Landon.
The broth was in a sick cup in the kitchen; it had two
handles ; it did not belong to the Talbot - Arms.
The cup afterwards went back to Palmer's house. During
the Monday I saw Cook, but not till after dinner: Mr.
Saunders, the trainer, came and saw him, and I took brandy
and water to him in Cook's room. I slept that night in the
next room to Cook's. I saw Palmer at the Talbot Inn that
night, between eight and uine o'clock. I saw him go up
stairs in the direction of Cook's room. About twelve
o'clock (I had not went to bad) I was alarmed by Cook's
bedroom bell ringing violently. I was then in the kitchen.
I went upstairs, and found Cook very ill; he asked me to
send for Palmer. Cook screamed violen'ly, and cried
" murder," and said he was suffocating. His eyes had a
very wild appearance, standing a great way out of his head ;
he was beating the bed with his hands. I left the room, and
sent the boots for Palmer. I then called up Elizabeth Mills.
Cook cried out " Xunder," and Christ have mercy on my
soul?' I had never before seen any person in such a state.
Palmer shortly after came to the hotel and went up to
Cook.' I saw him afterwards vain Palmer came ; he was
then more composed. He said, " Doctor, I shall die."
Palmer replied, " Don't be alarmed, my lad." I did not
see any pills given him, but I saw him drinking a darkish
mixture be had in his hand whilst Palmer was present.
When he put the glass to his mouth I heard him snap at
it with his teeth. I both saw and heard the snapping of
the glass with his teeth. .He afterwards brought up the
draught. She left him that night between twelve and one
o'clock. He was then more composed. I saw him again
on Tuesday morning, I asked him how he was, and he
said " a little better." I sam him on several occasions on that
day, and each time he appeared better. On Tuesday night
about twelve o'clock I was alarmed by the ringing of Cook's
bell. I was then in the kitchen. The chambermaid who
was with me went upstairs and answered the bell. I followed
her up. I did not go into Cook's room, but I heard him
screaming as I stood on the landing near the door. Eliza-
beth Mills fetched Palmer, who came, and went to the
deceased. I saw Palmer, and said to him, " Mr. Cook is
ill again." Palmer said, Is re ?" There was nothing
particular in his dress. Palmer went into his room and
came out again, and said that Cook was not so bad by a
fiftieth part. Saw Jones in Mr. Cook's room attending
to him. Coek asked to be turned over. Palmer
wasa
went into the room and
m
I didnot see him die. - After
Mr.e iri
e outCookt'hsengdareion:tulh.and
I saw Palmer looking at Mr.
Cook's coat, and also under the bolster, I said, " Mr.
Cook can't be dead," and Palmer said, " Yes, he is. I
knew he wop.ld he." He was then in the room with the
body. Upon the Thusday following Palmer asked me for
the key of the room where the body lay, as he wanted sonic
books and paper. calmer went into the room with the
body, and when I got In there he sent rise to Miss Bond to
ask for some novels, which I got for him, and came back.
Palmer was then looking upon the drawers, and said he
cauld not find the paper-knife which he had asked for.
Mr. Jones, about four o'clock upon the Friday, asked about
Cook's betting-book, and I and Elizabeth Mills went to look
for it. Jones said it was of no use to any one but Cook.
We came back and said that we could not find it. Palmer

said, Ob, It will be found somewhere."
Cress-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee : When I told
Palmer Cook could not take the broth, Palmer said he must
take it. Ile did not say why. On that day Cook had not
had any solid food. I knew it was before the Monday
night that Palmer was there. I knew he had been to
London. Ido not know what time the train from London
comes in. The station is about a mile. I am rot certain
about the time. I think that some one was holding the
glass to Cook when be was biting at it, T did not look for
the betting.-book in the drawers, because the undeitaliers
were there. The undertakers used to have the key given
to them to go into the deceased'® rooms and the woman

used t,) go into the room.
Re-examined by the Attorney-General: The women
used to be left in the room. We used to be in and out at

POOE

r 4 ‘'.4r

MitY 16, 181 d.

the time. I saw the betting-book in Cook's room before
his death, but not after:
At the conclusion of the wi'ness's re-examination the
court adj,,urned fur a short time.
The Court having resumed, the next witness called was

Ann Rowley, wh—o proved that she had been employed by
Palmer as charwoman. On the Saturday before Cook died
Palmer sent me to the Albion for some broth. I took it to
Palmei's house, and then proceeded to do other work.
Palmer brought the broth in the broth-pot into the back
kitchen and told me to take it over to the Talbot-inn, and
say it was for Jeremiah Smith. Ire is a gentleman residing
in Rugeley, he is an attorney, and a friend of ,ir. Palmer's,
I took the broth to the Talbot Arms end gave it to Lavinia
Barnes. I did not at that time know anything about
Cook. The broth was made by the landlady of the Albion.

—.„..
By Lord Campbell : It was about five minutes between
the time when I first saw the broth i❑ the saucepan and the
time it was brought to me. _

Charley Horley, a gardener, residing at Eugelty, deposed
—I was occasionably employed by Palmer. fle asked me
if r would take sown broth to Mr. Cook ; it was between
twelve and one. The broth was in a small cup, with a
cover. Palmer told me to take it across to the Talbot to
Mr. Cook. I did so. I thought the broth woe hot, and I
could not say whether it was Mills or Barnes I gave it to.
Sarah Bond was next exim;ned, and proved that. she was
housekeeper at the Talbot, in November last. She knew
Cook,.as he was in the habit of stopping there. Cook weft
to the list Shrewsbury races. About eight o'clock on
Sunday evening I saw Cock, and he said he had been very
poorly. I saw the prisoner on-the same evening, I esked
him what he thought of Mr. Cook, and he said he was
better. On Sunday Palmer said Smith would sleep with him
that .night. Palmer said Cook would require some one to sleep
with him, and I asked if Jidgine should sleep with him,
but Cook objected. Palmer, when he ordered the coff_e,
did not say how it was to be made. I male the coffee and
gave it to Palmer. When I went into Cook's room, Cook
was sitting on the bed. I did not remain in the room.
Cook was resting on his elbow. On leaving the room I
remained on the landing. Palmer then came up and went
into the room. Shortly after Palmer left the room and
returned with some medicine. I heard Cook say he thought
he should die. Palmer cheered him up and said he would
do all he could for him.

Mr. W. H. Jones, a surgeon, at tutherford, examined by
the Attorney-general : I am a relative of the late Mr.
Cook's He was twenty-eight years old. I have known
him for six years. He studied for the law, but latterly
went to the turf, and agricultural pursuits. He kept
racehorses, and betted on the ground. He lived at my
house, and considered it as his home. I attended him
professionally. His health was generally good. lie hunt€d
very frequently. In . the month of November he went to
Shrewsbury races. He invited me to see his horse run,
and I went over. I was with him on the Tuesdey, when
his horse, Pole Star, won. I dined with him at the Rainbow
Hotel, with sever d other friends. The horse having won,
there was a little extra champagne. On our way to the
train there was a conversation between the clerk of the
course and Mr. Cook, and his betting-book was produced.
I saw that it contained figures. I continued to see Cook
until ten o'clock. He was not in a state of liquor, but
appeared in his usual health. On the Monday afterwards
I received a letter from Mr. Palmer. [The letter was pro-
duced and read. It stated that Cook had been taken ill at
Shrewsbury, and was still ill there (at Rugeley). That he
had had a very violent attack ; that medical men had been
called in to see him ; and that he, Palmer, thought it advi-
sable the witness should come over to see him Witness
went over to Rugeley on the following day, Tuesday, and
saw Cook. He said he had been very ill at Shrewsbury,
Mr. Palmer afterwards came into the room, and was present
while witness examined Cook. I felt his pulse. It was a
natural pulse, and his tongue was clean. I said. " this is
hardly a tongue for a diarrhoea tongue." I visited him
several times in the course of the afternoon. There was a
change for the better. That afternoon, Mr. Bamford, a
surgeon at Rugeley, came, and expressed an opinion that
Cook was going on satisfactorily. Cook expressed some
objection to some pills which he had had on the previous
night. He said that they made him ill in his inside.
Palmer proposed that Mr. Bamford should make up some
morphine pills, requesting me not to mention to Mr. Cook
what they contained. Mr. Bamford agreed. I was in Cook's
room several times after that, but did not observe any
billions symptoms whatever. About eight o'cleck that night
I went over with Palmer to his own house. Palmer brought
back with him a box of pills. It had a direction. It
was in gond writing, but I can't say what it was.
Palmer said that Cook must take the pills, when Cook pro-
tested against doing so, very much on the ground that he
had been so ill on the previous night. Palmer repeated the
request several times, and at las Cook took them. Cook
afrerwards vomited, and we looked to see if the pills had
been brought off. We could only find toast and water, the
pills had been retained. The contents of the pills would
not cause von)itiug, nor would swallowing them. Before
Palmer had given Cook the pills he had somewha, recovered
his strength. He ;sot up and sat in a chair. His spirits
were good, and he joked as to what he should do in the
winter. At his request it ha I been arranged that I should
sleep in his room that night, it was a double-bedded room.
which I agreed to do. A few minutes before 12 o'clock I
went np stars to his bed-room, and undressed. I had not
been in bed more than ten minutes when he started up and
said " Doc‘or, get up, I am going to be ill." I ran for the
chambermaid, and he called out "send for Mr. Palmer."
In a few minutes Palmer came, and gave him two pills,
which he said contained ammonia. After taking the pills
he uttered loud screams, and threw himself hack on the bed
in convulsions. Finding that he was getting weak, I spoke
to Mr. Palmer about getting some more pills for him, with
a view of rallying him, Palmer went out and returned in a
short time. When he came back, the action of his heart
was scarcely psrceptible, and life had almost passed
away. In a few minutes he expired. Not more
than ten minutes or a quarter of an hear he expired.
I cons;der that the proximate cause of death was tetanus.
The affection caused a cessation in the action of the heart,
and the sense of suffocation. I observed that the body was
very dark after death, and both hands were clenched.
Immediately death hid taken place I noticed that his
hands were clenched. When I rubbed him the body was
in the form of a bow. The head and the heels rested on
each other. After death I saw that the jaw had been acted
upon by spasms. Palmer remained about an hour after
Cook died. I noticed he had the deceased's coat in his
hands, and he said, " you being his nearest friend, you had
better take possession of what he has here." 1 took pos-
session of his watch, and his purse, containing five or six
sovereigns. The same night 1 had some conversation wfth
Palmer about Cook's death. He said—" It is a bad thing
for me that Cock is dead, as I am responsible for £4,000,
and I hope Cook's friends will not let me lose it, for if I do

all my horses will be sei7,9‘l upon for it." Nothing was said
about papers. I was present when Mr. Stevens, the step-
father, called about the funeral. Palmer said that if Mr.
Stevens would not bury him he would. On that day Mr.
Stevens, Mr. Bamford, Palmer, and myself dined together,
and Mr. Stevens requested me to go and look for Cook's
betting book. I went, and Palmer followed me. He said,
as he had said on the night of Cook's death. that his
betting book could not be of use to anybody, as all the bets
were void.

Cross•examined by Mr. sergeant Shee : Mr. Cook lived
a great deal at his house. He had had a sore throat for
some months, and it was slightly ulcerated. He knew
that he applied caustic to his tongue, but he had ceased to
do it for two months before his death. He did not, however,
cease to complain of occasional pains in his throat, and on
his tongue. He complained of having Lren affected
with secondary symptoms from a certain disease. He
had been rednced some tine before his death, but he was
redeeming his circumstances by racing. He was very
excited prior to Shrewsbury rac,.s ; the result was most
important to him. Mr. Cook was a temperate man, and
did not indulge at dinner on the day of the race.

Mr. Sergeant Shee remarked, that in his depositions
efore the coroner, the witness had not attributed death
D tetanus.

After some discussion on this point

• ".
The Attorney-General said he had before him the
original depositions, and he found that the clerk, not
understanding the witness, had first written compression
and scratched it out, then he wrote tetinus, not tetamr,
and then scratched that out, Afterwards he wrote
4‘ violent convulsions."

Lord Campbell objected to detached portions of the
evidence being real, and the whole of the witness's
depositions before the coroner were put in and read.
Cross-examination continued : Dr. Bamford expressed
his opinion that Cook died :from apoplexy, but witness
said it was more like epilepsy. When-he was at Rugeley,
Palmer showed him his racing stud. -It appeared to be
a valuable collection of horses, but he was not much of ft
judge.

113 Y the Attorney-General In epilepsy there was no
such rigidity of the muscles as was shows in this case.
In apoplexy no consciousness remained. He believed
that Cook's death arose neither from epilepsy nor
apoplexy,

Dr. -Savage said he was a physician, residing in
Gloucester-place, and said Cook had been in the habit
of Consulting him professionally during the last four
years He frequently complained of his throat. In
May, 1855, he Called upon witness. He was anxious
about some pale spots about his body. Fie had two shallow
ulcerations upon the tongue corresponding to two bad teeth
which no doubt caused them. Ile said he had been under-
going a mild mercurial course. Witness gave him quinine
and a tonic, and an aperient of cream of tartar, magnesia,
sulphur. gave him antimony.

and
Under

He never
that treatment the sores were quite
removed by the end of May. He continued under his treat-
ment until within a fortnight of his death. On the 29th
of October he called upon witness_ and he examined
him carefully, Witness recommended him to go abroad.
lie bid no other disease Ulan he had mentioned.
Cross-examined by lifr. Sergeant Shee s Cook was not
without common sense, but he was timid on the suhjedt of
his throat,

Charles Newton, examined by Mr. James, said he was
assistant to Mr. Salt, a surgeon at Rugeley. He saw Wil-
liam Palmer at Mr. Salt's surgery on Monday, November
la. Witness was alone in the surgery. He asked
for three grains of strychnine, lie weighed it accu-
rately, and gave it to Palmer in a paper. It-was a white
powder. He said " Good night,•' and took it away. He
did not pay for it. Witness made no charge, as Palmer was
a medical man. lie should not have sold it to an ordinary

person. He saw Palmer again on the 20th of Nov. in the
shop of Mr. Hawkins, a druggist, at Rugeley. Palmer
a-ked him how he was, put his hand upon his shoulder, and
said he wished to speak to him, Witness went to the door
with him, and thence into the street. When he got some
distance from the door he asked when Mr. Edwin Salt was
going to his tarm. The farm was at Sutbury, fourteen miles
from Rugeley. While they were talking, Brassington, a
cooper, came up, and entered into the conversation.
Brassington had two bil's for Mr. Salt. Palmer lett and
went back into Mr. Hawkin's shop. When he came out he
was still talking to 13rassington in the street. Palmer again.
came out and went towards his own, house. After his con-
versation with Brassington, witness went into Hawkins's
shop. There was an apprentice there named. Roberts, with
whom he had some conversation about Palmer. He knew
a man named Thurlby, who had been an assistant
with Palmee.. Thurlby dispensed Palmer's medicines. Ha
ranamberel Sunday, the 25th of November. On the
evening of that day he was at Palmer's house about seven
o'clock', in consequence of having been sent for. Palmer was
in the kitchen, sitting• by the fife, reading. He asked
witness how he was, and asked him to have some brandy
and water. No one else was present. He enquired
what dose would kill a dog, and Witness told him a
grain •He then asked, whit would be the appearate e
of the stomach after death, and witness told him
there would be no inflammation, and thoeght ho did not
think it would b 3 found. He then snapped his finger and
said, rather to himself than witness, '• All right." He was
with Palmer in the kitchen about five minutes. On the fol-
lowing day (Monday) he heard that the post mortem exami-
nation of Cook's body was ab)ut to take place. • Mr.
Salt went with witness to Dr. lsramford's to ask him
to let witness attend the post mortem examination.
Palmer was in Dr. Bamford's study.:and asked witness
• what he wanted. He told him that-he was going to the
post mortein, and he then asked whether Mr. Salt was
Witness told him he was engaged and could not go,

post martens took place at the 'Talbot. Before it com-
menced the other doctors went away for a short time,
and left wi:nesa and :Palmer together. Palmer said it
would be a dirty job, and he should go and have a glass
of brandy. He asked witness to go with him to his
house opposite, and he did so. Witness bad two wine
glasses of neat brandy, and Palmer drank two glasses.
While they were there Palmer said "You will find this
fellow suffering from a diseased throat—he has had syphilis."
He added that he had taken a great deal of mercury. They
then went over to the Talbot Arms, and the medical men
bad returned. While the examination was going on Palmer
stood with Dr. Bamford before the fire. He was examined
before the Coroner, and did not state to him that he had
given' Palmer three grains of strychnine on the 19th of Nov.
He just told the circumstances to Cheshire, the post-
piaster.
Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to anything the witness told
Cheshire being received as evidence against the prisoner.
Cross-examined by Mr. Grove, Q C.: He first men-
tioned the fact to Cheshire two or three days
after the inquest. He thought he could swear
it was in less than a fortnigle: after the inquest.
S thsequent to the inquest he was examined for the
purpose of giving evidence on the part of the Crown.
Ho did not say anything about Palmer's purchase of
the .three grains of strychnine, but he mentioned the
affair of the conversation relative to poisoning the dog.
He had previously mentioned the fact to Mr. Silt. He
did not tell 11-Ir. Salt anything about the three
grains of strychnine. He did not say anything at
the inquest about Cook's sore throat or rather diseases
of which Palmer had informed him. When he gave his
evidence at the inquest he had heard it alleged that Palmer
had mirth vied strychnine at Hawkins's shop. He was net
certain whether Palmer said, 0 You will find this fellow
ilied,o &c., or This poor fellow."
By the Attorney-General : He did not tell Mr. Salt
about Palmer getting the strychnine, because Mr. Salt
and Palmer were not friends.
Mr. Sergeant Shee wished to know whether he had not
given another and a different reason, namely, that he
should be indicted for perjnry.
Witness said he did not give it as a reason, but merely
stated that George Palmer threatened to indict -a young
man at Wolverhampton, for having stated, in the case of
Paltner's brother, that he hid sold Prussic acid to
William Palmer. _ _

The Court, at twenty minutes past six, adjourned until
ten o'clock to-morrow.

COUNTY COURT, -YESTERDAY

(BEFORE JOSEPH POLLOCK, ESQ , JUDGE.)

HARRISON Y. TIIE LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAIL-
WAY COMPANY.—The plaintiff in this case was one of
the proprietors of eotton mills, at Staleybridge, and the
action was brought to recover the value of 63 gallons of
olive oil, alleged to have been lost while in the custody
of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company.
Mr. Collier appeared for the plaintiff, ani Mr. Henry
Forshaw for the defendants. The oil in question, was
portion of two pipes. forwarded to plaintiff by the
Messrs. Bancroft, oil manufacturers, of this town..
When the oil arrived at Staleybridge station, the plain-
tiff's carter was told that a quantity had been spilt out
of one of the casks, and he was shown a quantity of
oil in a vessel lying at the station. The carter went
back and informed Mr. Goddart, bookkeeper to the
plaintiff, who went to .the station, and saw there, that
the oil had been spilt in consequence of the casks being
placed too closely side by side. He was asked if he
would take the oil which had been saved in the vessel,
but he stated that he could not take it, as it was now
gritty and wholly unfit for the purposes for which it was
required. He said it would be be:ter for the railway
comp fly to take the whole case and pay the plaintiffs for
it, but the railway clerk slid the company could not do
that, and recommended Mr. Goddart to send in a claim
to the beard. Finally, the railway company sent up the
cask to the plaintiff's mill, and it was there found that
the quantity deficient was 53 gallons. Evidence was
given to shew that the casks were in proper condition
when delivered into the custody of. the railway company
by Messrs. Beaucroft, and tint the note of the delivery
contained an intimation that if any casks were found
to be in bad order, it should not be forwarded. After
hearinc, the evidence on both sides, his Honour said he
should take time to consider the case, and would give
judgment on Tuesday fortnight.

THE SMOKE PREVENTION

TO TeE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES

_ .
Sir,—ln your editorial article in reference to the late
meeting of the Polytechnic Society, you have, unintention.
ally I feel persuaded, mis-stated what fell from me, and
will be obliged by your permission to be set right.
Mr. O'Regan having, in a late publication, designated me
as a quack, and as having learned from him how a furnace
should be constructed, I felt bound to attend the late
meeting, and, as Mr. O'Regan was present, I felt the less
restraint in contradicting his statement. I have no interest
whatever in the matter, beyond the feeling which every
Member of a community has in exposing error.
You ask in this day's paper whether Mr. Williams will
venture to state that leaving furnace doors open, and care-
ful stoking, will secure the employers of steam against
informations. I have only t) assure you and your readers
that I never advocated any such measures, but the reverse,
You have stated that " I rest my Pretentious on the
principles &aimed in my specification, without reference to
their application ;" my claim was the very reverse of this;
it then can be no patent for a principle; my patent was for
the mode of carrying it into practice.
The principle in question is the causing a more rapid and
intimate mixture of the air with the gal.., ray claim as to the
mode of carrying that out, by musing " the air to pass
through perforated air distributors."
. .

Ti diawings in the public journals only give same of
the modes'by which these principles ntly be applied; the
patent' right does not depend on drawings, but on the specific
claim in the specification.—Yours,
Nifty 12, 1856

C. W. WILLIAMS.

THE LANCASHIRE MILITA.—We understand that the
tad Lancashire (Duke of Lancaster's Own Royal Rifles)
Militia, are expected to arrive here this day from Glas-
gow. and that shortly, according to notice received from
the War Office, the regiment will be disembodied. The
Royal Lancashire artillery had received an intimation
which leads to the expectation that they will be disem-
bodied in the course of the present month.
rnESERVED FRESH MEAT.—There is no limit to science,
and certainly, in a domestic point of view, it is of impor-
tance to preserve fresh meat, in that state, as long as
possible. We saw, yesterday, at Mr. Morice 's store,
Coopers-row, a leg of mutton, which bad been six months
wrapped up in a tin ease, with merely a clean cloth about
it, and it was not only fresh in smell, but in appearance, so
much so, that the blood seemed to be almost issuing from
it. It appears the process of preservation, whatever it may
be, is applicable to any sort of provisions—fish, fowl, &c.,
and that all can be kept fresh for an unlimited-period. Mr.
Morice states that, in a day or two, he will be lble to give
more practical proofs of the utility of the invention, which,
for sea-going purposes, is invaluable. We only speak as to
what we saw; and about the freshness and consequent
sweetness of the meat, there can be no doubt whatever,
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. —A meet.: took
TipperD
plateuiee.
on
Tuesday evening in the Academy, No.
which was atteoded by about 100 of the ladies and
Maclean, the late secretary

street
gentlemen of the ohorn
of the 800

and wt

19 has lately written so strongly against
ita management, addressed the meeting for alaaut three
%carters of an hour upon the rise and progress, present posi-
tion, and future prospects of the society. His address,
throughout, nes a mast able one,:and Ica, listened to with
the greatest attention-7:repeated cheering testifying the
approval of the audience. He also gave a manly just;fica-
..
• • eference to his dispute with Mr.

titan of his oondt
'locket'

Maclea,

s next address will be

a to the

subscribers of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and it is to be
hoped he will have a bumper house, as the manly eloquence
he displayed, in handling his subject on Tuesday evening,
stamps Lim as a man of no ordinary abilities.—From a Cor-
respondent,

• --- - -

POLICE
COURT.-YESTERDAY

(BEFORE MR. ROMILY.)

WHAT IS A SUSPICIOUS CEIAHADTHR.?-George Fille t
and John Williameon;two young men, were brought up
by officers 301 and 764, who stated that they found
them in Gloucester-street, the previous night, after one
o'clock. and knowing them to be " suspicious persons,"
they took them into custody. Fillett they stated to be
the keeper of an improper house Mr. B!nelt. for the
prisoners, contended th it the police had acted outrage-
ously and illegally in arresting the prisoners, and called
for their discharge. Mr. Rornily discharged _them, but
.at, the same time he complimented theepolice for their
'vigilance in,arresting " suspicious characters."
(tiepin-us sissas. ROMILT AND STITT.)
How it Pm, Hieresee--.Mrs. Jessie Crosthwaite, of No.
7e. Weithourne-terrace, Shaw street, summoned Mrs,'
Martha Wignall for an assault.
_Both ladies are young
and handsome, and from their appearance, belong to the"
batter class of the community. The complainant gave
her eviden:e in a lady-like manner, and said the defen-
dant lodged in her house, and on Friday evening she
came home in rather an excited state ; she sat down in
the parlour and commenced using language' that ill
became a lady. She said the witness went to her room
and took a diemoni out of -Mr. Wignall's drawer, but
found it was only a chrysoliee. (A laugh) Site asked
where the sister of complainant was, and she said she
knew not. The defendant then followed her into the
kitchen, seized her by the throat, scratched and flung
her up against the fireplace, and hurt her side very
much. The defendant then requested Mr. WignalLand
Mr. Crosthwaite to leave the kitcheti'for about half an
hour; and thatiti tint period she would make food for
the worms of her. The gentlemen, however, not wish-
ing that any such thing should occur, separated'her from
the grasp of 'the defendant. Mr. Bluck, for the defen-
dant (who occupied a place beside the learned advocate)
asked, "Is that all?" Witness : That's all, sir, and
think it was too much for a lady. Mr. Block : She is a
respectable lady, I believe ? Complainant : 'She is, sir,
only for her conduct on that occasion. Mr. Black :
And how did it all happen ? Complainant : I have told
yon how it did happen, sir. Mr. Block : Well, what
was it all about ? Complainant : That I can't tell, sir.
Mr. Bluck : She asked for your sister, did she not ?
Complainant : Yes, and I told her I did not know where
she was gone to, as she had left that (lay and taken
another lodging. Mr. Bluck : She lodged with you
before that time, then? Complainant: She did, sir.
Mr. Block : And I believe there was some slight differ-
ence between Mrs. Wignall and her in reference to Mr.
Wignall? (Here the defendant exclaimed, not loud,
but deep, " That was how it did happen.") The witness
declared she knew nothing whatever about the matter
alluded to. (Here an elegantly attired young lady
presented herself, and said she was the sister of the
complainant alluded to, and tendered herself for exami-
nation, but lier offer was declined.) - Mr. Bluck
went on at some length to cross-examine the com-
plainant, who said she had no feelings of revenge
towards the defendant; there were marks on her neck,
left by the " fairy _fingers " of Mrs. Wignall, and
although there was not any mark on her side, yet it
was very sore. The servant; maid of the complainant
was examined, and she fully corroborated the original
statement, and added that Mrs. Wignall, she thought, had
taken more wine than agreed with her that evening. Mr.
Block addressed the bench for the defendant, and alluded
very feelingly to the state of a lady's nerves, who
imagined (whether correctly or not) that the affections
of her husband were not altogether " true." The bench
convicted Mrs. Wignall of the assault, and tined her 5s
and costs, which a highly respectable looking young
gentlemen (Mr. Wignall, it is said,) stepped forward and
paid, and then the parties left, by separate doors.

CAPTAIN FORBES, OF THE SCHOMBERG

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS,

Sir,—l learned on my arrival here on Saturday night,
by the Ocean Chief, that a report of an " indignation
meeting," held in Melbourne 3rd January last, by some
of the passengers who went out in the ill-fated ship
Schomberg, appeared in your columns. As that report
was entirely one-sided, and did me a grievous wrong,
I am sure yo 9 will have no objection to insert the
report of my trial and acquittal in the Supreme Court of
Victoria.

You will see that the court and jury did not require to
hear my defence; and you will see, by the letters I
enclose, that all the cabin passengers !mit one expressed
their sympathy for me, and were pleased to testify to my
conduct during the passage.' There were two charges
against me, one for immoral conduct and one for bad
seamanship. There was also a charge against the
ship of supplying bad provisions. The first charge
against myself and the charge against the vessel was
dismissed instantly by the court ; and in the report of the
trial you will see that my character as a -sailor, remains
unaffected.

11ty moral character is still more dear to me than even
my professionil character; and, unfortunately for me.
my accusers coupled with me in iniquity the surgeon of
the ship. That gentleman, you will see, by a report in
the Fifeshire Alvertiser of Saturday last, has been triel
in an ecclesiastical court, and, as might be expected
from his character and years, has been fully exonerated
from the infamous accusation. I need not tell yon
that I am sensitive on this point, and you will, I anl
sure, excuse me if I send for your perusal, if not for
insertion, a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ross, a, Wesleyan
minister, who was a passenger in the Schomberg, and who
I need not say would not have tolerated the gross im-
moralities- so vilely alleged against me.
I confess to a large amount of mental affliction at the
sad interruption to a voyage that so far I took pride in,
but perhaps you will not refuse the consolation afforded
me by reminding you that I was the first captain of a
vessel that made a rapid passage from Australia to Eng-
land, having on that occasion sailed round the world in
four mouths and thirteen days.—l am, &c.,
JAMES Mew. FORBES
Liverpool, May. 13. Late of the Schomberk.
- -

. -
[Captain Forbes will see by the Daily News of the 12tn
inst., that the report of his trial and acquittal was pub-
lished in our columns immediately upon its receipt in
England, and with it the complimentary remarks of
the Melbourne Argus. The letter of the Rev. 111 r. Ross,
which he encloses, is a most satisfactory answer to the
charges which have given him uneasiness.]

THE CASE OF AFFILIATION..—DA.VIS V. FENTON.—The
details of this case, which caused a sensation through
town, were published a short time since in our columns,
and it may be remembered that the decision of the
magistrates, on the hearing, was appealed from on behalf
of the defendant. This appeal was to have been heard
at the present sessions, but an application has been
made to the Deputy Recorder to have the appeal
poned to the next sessions. The app,:lriteaaptipft- wasw
refused, and immediately after the notice
withdrawn, the oounsel for the 11;;;r1 Davis applied
for the whole of the costs in ',lie case, which the court
granted ; and thus the decision of the magistrates,
ordering the defendant to pall a sum of 2s 6d a week
for the maintenance of the child, stands confirmed.
EXTENSIVE FlRE.—Shortly after twelve o'clock .on
Tuesday night, an extensive fire occurred in the neigh-
bourhood et Rochdale-road, Manchester, which, in a
short apace of time, destroyed about £2OOO worth of pro-
perty. The premises destroyed were three storeys high,
formed two sides of a square, and were in the joint occu-
pation of Mr, Buchanan, waste dealer, and a Mr. Wm.
Turner, leather dealer. The buildings were very old,
contained much wood and inflammable materials, and they
were in a blaze in an incredibly short space of time. The
inhabitants of the adjacent cottages, some of which
abutted on the burning 'building, were asleep in their beds,
and it was with some difficulty that the police and neigh-
bours could arouse them. They all escaped, and suc-
ceeded in removing some of their furniture. The fire,
burned fiercely till half-past one o'clock, floor after floor
fell in, and by two o'clock, the whole of the premises were
completely gutted. Much credit is due to the firemen and
the police for their exertions in chec.tking the fire, which
at one period threatened this ponulous neighbourhood
with destruci ion.

SOUND AND UNSOUND MANAoEMENT.-..The public atm
tion haring rebently been called to certain disci
with respect to the condition of some of tF

we newly-established
assurance companies, there is considerable danger that the
conclusion will be arrived at that what is really an excep-
tional case applies generally to such institutions as are of
recent origin, and thus material injustice •may be done to
the interests of those societies whose operations are pru-
dently and honestly conducted. Apart from any fraudulent_
dealing, it is our conviction that the unstable position of
the companies we allude to .has mainly arisen from that
eagerness to attract Inisiness which is exhibited by the falla-
cious system of too frequent distribution of profits—a fatal
barrier, in our opinion, to the attainment of perfect security
or

-astmg prosperity. •It is not our wish to draw invidious
distinctions, but we propose, as a matter of justice, to call
attention, as opportunity is afforded us, to the healthy pro-
gress of such of the modern offices as in our opinion deserve
the suppo;t of the public. We have, for ins
some particulars respecting the " S
Office• —4 deg

rrereign'

tance, recently
Life
)e, the result of a

_ hich-shows, in an unus
lOysomosa :lel ro
fs effectingm whomofl.-
sound system of management. That society has, during
h assurancesa
ve
fallen
the last ten years, received
lives,
comparativelyt9ol ; 14,858 to
discharge the obligations thereby created. These figures
show that the greatest care has been taken in the selection
of the lives, and evidence the fact, that as only one-six•h
of the prem,ituns paid have been required to, meet claims,
the funds of the office must be considerably augmented,
From other statements we have reason to believe that the
position of this officeis of the soundest character, and may

be safely resorted to t

e who wish to take the precai-

tion no prudent man now nenlecti.—Globe, May 9th.
[lt will be seen by an advertisement in another part of our
paper that the agents in Liverpool for this successful society
are—Mr. J. Butterworth, 2, Fair View-place, Toxteth-park,
And Mr. J. Doming, 8, Basnelt-street.