Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-12 00:00:00

LANCASHIRE WINTER ASSIZES.

FRIDAY.
BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WIGIIT3IAN.
RnEBsRY AT CIIIRLBY.—In this case, which was heard
on Thursday, the jury were locked up until a late hour of
the night. They found a verdict of guilty against the
prisoner Daniel Chamberlain, acquitting the other four
prisoners.

ARSON.—John Cc dy, brickmsker, aged 36 years, and
James Cody, brickmaker, egad 33, were charged with
having, at Ms.nchester, on the Bth of November, feloniously
set fire to a certain shell, with intent to injure Thomas
Toplin. Mr. Sowler, and iitr Cross prosecuted. Mr.
Wheeler, Mr. Ovens, and Mr. Tort. defended the prisoners.
The prosecutor was a partner of Mr. Stockdale, manufac-
turer cf patent be eke in Manchester, and the prisoners
were brickmakers formerly employed by him. On the
premises, at Rochdale Read, there was a large shed con-
taining a number of patent bricks, and a man named
Tiplady, usually slept in the shed for the protection of
the property. At the time of the offence charged against
the prisoners, they were not in Mr. Stockdale's employ-
ment. On the night Of the Sth of November, Tiplady
stated that he went to sleep as usual in the shed,
and had not ben more than half an hour asleep
when he was awal;ened by voices, and saw that
there were several men in the shed. He was afraid to
make his presence known to them, and, keeping quiet, he
heard a voice ask; «Is the candle all right?" A candle
was then lighted, and he saw the prisoner James Cody
make a wall of bricks inside of the shed to hid© the candle.
He then got up, and made a noise, on which the two pri-
soners pulled h m out of the abed an I made him swear that
he would never tell what he saw, threatening to blow his
brains out with a pistol if he refused compliance. He
stated that ho was then removed by force from the shed
to some distance, and that while there he heard a crackling
and saw light. The shed was subi.equently found to have
been completely burned. The whole case depended on the
evidence of the witness Tplady. The 'defence set up was
that at the hour in question, on the night of Sunday, the
Bth of November, the prisoners were not in the vicinity of
the shed at all, and witnesses were called to prove that
they were at a christening up to a late hour of the night.
The jury found the prisoners guilty. His Lordship sen-
tenced the prisoners to four yeara' penal servitude each.
WOUNDING. —Peter Gullies was indicted for having, at
Windle, on the 28th of September last, stabbed his
brother. Wm. Gillies. On the night of the day mentioned
the prisoner was quarrelling with his wife, and the prose-
cutor, who lived in the same house, came down to
endeavour to pacify him. When the prosecutor endeavoured
to come between the prisoner and his wife, the prisoner
rushed upon him, and g him a stab with a knife. The
jury found the prisoner guilty of unlawfully wounding.
His Lordship sentenced him to two months' imprison-
ment,

BASS Cone --Thomas Taylor, aged 28, was found guilty
of having uttered a counterfeit half-crown and a counterfeit
shilling, at Ashton, on the 21st of November. His Lord •
ship sentenced the prisoner to nine months' imprisonment
with hard labour
UNLAWFULLY Kteerse Pies —John Alcoek, eged 35,
was charged with havirg, on the 19th of November last,
unlawfully kil'ed two pigs, the property of John Hayes, at
Inca Blundell. The prosecutor was a farmer, and the
prisoner had been in his employment. but was discharged
from it. On the 19th of November, two of the prosecutor's
pigs were found dead, and on having the contents of their
stomachs analysed, poison was discovered in them. The
police, on examining the premises, found footprints close
to the place where the pigs were kept, which
corresponded to the shoes of the prisoner. On searching
the prisoner's house, some poison was also found. It was
further deposed that the prisoner had uttered threats
against the prosecutor. The poison found in the house
was composed of sulphate of zinc and alum, and that found
in the stomach was st ,ted to be of similar ingredients.
Mr. Bowler and Mr. Wheeler appeared for the defence.
The defence was that the material found in the house of
the prisoner was only used for the pnrpese of taking out
stains. The jury aequitted the prisoner.
THE ThLTON Mueuan —ln this case, in which the
prisoner lies under sentence of death, his Lordship, Mr.
Justice Wightroan, stated yesterday that subsequent to
the trial it had come to his knowledge that a mistake had
occurred which required consideration. When the jury was
being empanelled, the name of Joseph Henry Thorne was
Jellied, and by some mistake a person named William
I'hornley veered, believing himself to be called, entered
the box, and was sworn. The prisoner, it he had known
that the name of William Thornely was called, might
possibly have exercised the right of challenging that
person. His Lordship stated that a similar case occurred
in 1783, but the mistake was then apparently held to be
only a ground of challenge, and not a ground for a writ
of error. It was, however, a matter of the least impor-
tance that such a case should be conducted strictly ac-
cording to the rules of law, and his Lordship, therefore,
intimated his intention to respite the sentence of the
prisoner for the present until the opinion of the Criminal
Court of Appeel had been ascertained. The prisoner will
be brought up this morning to hear the respite announced
to him.

THE LATE CHARGE OF ATTEMPTING TO POISON A WiFE
In the case of John Gay, who was .committed a few days
ago for an attempt to poison his wife, he was discharged,
his Lordship saying that, on the cross-examination of the
witnesses at the police court, by Mr. Goodere, who got the
cross-examination taken down by the clerk at the time,
there was no case against the prisoner, and he ordered his
discharge, and the prisoner was accordingly set at liberty.
The court adjourned at six o'clock.

•
GAS EXPL:,STON AT THE LINCOLN LUNATIC HOSPITAL.—
A mostextraordinary explosion of gas took place at this
institution, about six o'clock on Tuesday morning last,
which, though doing considerable damage, was fortunately
unattended with any fatality. It appear ed that one of
the keepers took a lighted candle to call the patients up,
when on opening the door of a room he had to pass
through. the gas exploded with a terrine noise, burning
the man's fcrehead and hair, smashing numerous panes of
glass in the corridor and smaller rooms adjoining, and
splitting several doors from top to bottom. The explosion
was caused by an escape of gas, from a slide burner,
which moves is water, through there being a deficiency of
water. Not a single individual in the establishment,
beside the keeper, sustained the slightest injury.
SUDDEN DEATH OF JAMES FeNTON, ESQ., OP BAMFORD
HALL.—On Wednesday, the intelligence reached Rochdale
of the death of this gentleman, banker, of that town. On
Monday. Mr. Fenton being then in gold health, left
Bamford Hall (his usual residence) for Bailey, near Stony-
hurst, where he has a large estate. for a few days' shooting
He was aterwaris joined by his Eon, Joseph Fenton, E-q ,
the Rev. Mr. Hereby, rector of Bury, and J. S. Entwisle,
Esq. During Tuesday in' ruing Mr. Fenton appeared to
enjoy the sport; but, after lunch the party want out again,
when he complained of headache and cold. He was taken
into a farm-house and medical aid procured. As he began
to shiver, he was placed near the fire; but he gradually
sunk into a stale of insensibility, and died a little before
nine o'clock in the evening. He was 65 years of age, stout
and robust, and his death is attributed to apoplexy. In
the earlier part of his life, the deceased, in conjunction
with his brother, Mr. John Fenton, of Crimble Hall (for-
merly M.P. for Rochdale), carried on an extensive business
in flannel manufacture; the mill at Clegg Hall being
erected by them. This business was given up in 1829 ;
and, on the death of his father, Mr. James Fenton applied
his attention to the banking establishment of the family.
When hie brother (a liberal) retired from the rep -esentation
of Rochdale, Mr. James Fenton contested the seat on
conservative principles, against Mr. Sharman Crawford, in.
January, 1841, and received 335 votes ; his successful
opponent having 399: In January, 1843, he qualified as
a county magistrate; but he has only occasionally sat on
the bench cf late years. He was one of the visiting
justices of the hundred prison.— Nfanchev'er Guardian.
ENGLISH PATENTS.—The following patents, amongst
others, sealed during the week, are from Messrs. Hughes
and Bloodworth's list :—Newton Bentley, of Salford, eegi-
neer, and John Alcock, of Little Bolton, millwright for
improvements in machinery or apparatus for forging and
stamping metals, which is also applicable to pile-driving,
crushing ores and seeds, beetling and fulling woven fabrics,
and other similar purposes ; dated June 2, 1837. Thomas
Lathem Boote and Richard Boote, both of Burslem, Staf-
fords'.ire Potteries, for improvements in the manufacture
of ornamental pottery and articles made of clay and other
like plastic materials ; dated June 4, 1857, Robert Hat-
tereley, of Ardwick, near Manchester, engineer, for
improvements in machinery for distributing and setting up
or composing type ; dated June 26, 1857. Thomas Hard-
castle, of Bradshaw, near Bolton-le-Moors, dyer and
bleacher, for a machine for doubling, winding, plaiting,
and measuring cotton and other fabrics ; dated June 30,
1857. Richard Talbot, of Blackburn, overlooker, and
Benjamin Croasdale, of Wieton, near Blackburn, joiners,
for improvements in looms ; dated August 17, 1857.
Thomas Bradford, of Salford, ironmonger, for certain
improved apparatus for washing clothes or articles of
wearing apparel, which apparatus is also applicable to
churning ; dated September 1, 1857. Edward Hirst
Hudson, of Burley, Yerkehire, spinner and stuff manufaco
turcr, for improvements in means or apparatus to prevent
driving straps lapping on the shafting, when they shift off
their pulleys; dated June 6 1857. James Morris, of
Clapham, Surrey, gentleman, for certain improvements in
connecting the rails of railways, and in supporting the
same ; dated June sth, 1857.

THE PR.O3ECIITION OF " MADAME Aerete."—Johanna
Rosenburg, generally known as " Madame Annie," was
placed in the dock, on an indictment, charging her in the
usual phrases, with keeping a house of ill.fame. The
court was very much crowded. Mr. Simon and Mr. Littler
appeared for the prosecution. Mr. Brett and Mr. H.
Mansfield for the prisoner. The prisoner pleaded guilty.
Mr. Simon said, although it was not usual to address
the court when a plea of guilty had been entered, yet that
was a case, as he was instructed, of peculiar nature, and
which it was thought desirable for the ends of justice, and
for the public benefit, should be dealt with in a different
manner from the course usually pursued on occasions of
the kind. The prosecution, as he was instructed, was
instituted at the instance of several gentlemen of the
highest standing in Liverpool. The Recorder: Well,
that does not signify. Mr. Simon said he only wished to
mention that it was a private prosecution, and instituted
by persons in the most respectable position in life. The
Recorder It does not signify who institutes the prosecution.
Mr. Simon said he was also instructed that he should be
able to prove, if the court desired the evidence, that this
woman had, for the last six or seven years, kept a how e of
ill-fame in Hothare-street ; that although there were seven
other houses in the same street, there was more disorder,
more disturbance, and more annoyance arising from that
one house, than all the other houses put togethr. It was
a continual scene of contention, quarrelling, and fighting—
of violence, indecency, and obscenity of every description.
Three times in one year the prisonerhad been summoned and
finetifor obscenelanguage,assaults, and fighting in the streets.
Mr. Brett contended that Mr. Simon was opening mat-
ters -which could not, possibly—even if he could prove them
—have anything to o with the present charge. Whether
the person in the dock had ever been guilty of an assault
was a matter of which he knew nothing. He was cot there
to answer, and could not have the means of answering such
'charges. Mr. Simon : My friend does not know that
I am in a position to prove it all. Mr. Brett :
But it is no part whatever of the case.
Mr. Simon said it was part of the disorderly conduct of
the house, and it was legitimate evidence to show that there
had been quarrelling and fighting in the house, and that
the prisoner had been cenv,cted, and fined. In addressing
himself to a question of punishment, he submitted, th it it
was a very material point for consideration, how far the
prisoner had continued in a course of improper conduct
after she bad been warned of her misconduct. Among
other things, he was instructed that she kept five or six
young girls, from the ages of fifteen to twenty, in the eetab
lishment, and that there were no girls admitted or retained
there above the age of twenty ; many of them being foreign
girls, absolutely imputed into this country for the purpose,
whilst, in point of fact, there oas an exportation carried
on as well by this woman, of English girls to Hamburgh,
for large sums of money. He had affidavits by Mr. John
Cropper, and Mr. Nathaniel Caine, based upon the report
of Inspector Horne, made at the request of the Home
Office, some time ago, with reference to the offence of pro-
curing young girls, under a recent statute. That report,
he believed, set forth the most harrowing descriptions
regarding the treatment of these young girls It would
appear that the prisoner had been in the habit of
decoying them from their homes, taking them
abroad, and actually selling them there. Some
of the girls had come home again, and related
tales of distress and horror, as he was told he should
be able to prove. Under these circumstances she
was considered to be a person who carried on avocations
so injurious to public decency and public morals that it
was very necessary, for the public good, some example
should be made. There were several cases, which, he was
informed, could be proved. of young girls having been
brought from distant parts of the kingdom who had been
found in her house. Their unhappy mothers came,
wretched and disconsolate, looking out for them, not
knowing where to find them, until ,he police discovered
them in that house. There were instances of young girls
of fifteen having been found there, decoyed in a similar
manner, and handed over to their parents, who had come
in quest of them. He was prepared to call witnesses, if
necessary, in support of these statement-, and to put in
affidavits and informations upon it. Under those circum-
stances he contended that the case was one which
ought to be severely dealt with by the Court.
Mr. Brett said that he shoul confess himself utterly
astonished at the way in which his friend had dealt with
the case HeeiLl not know whether his learned friend
would have been able to prove all he had stated, but, cer-
tainly, it did seem to him (Mr. Brett) that the greater part
of what had been stated could never be made part of the
charge which was now brought against the p isonen There
was an Act of Parliament as the Court well knew, with
which, if one tittle of the charge of procuring young
girls to be defiled could be supported, the prisoner could
at any moment be tried ; and if that were a separate and
known offence to the law, nothing could be more clear
than that they could produce no evidence of it on the
present trial. It was therefore most unfair for his learned
friend to urge it against the prisoner, and still more unfair
when he knew that she could not he prepared to answer
it. His Worship was now called upon to exercise one of
the most important functions of the office, which, as
Recorder, he held in the town. He had heard it declared
before him that there was a number of gentlemen in the
town of great wealth, of great power, and of great good-
ness, of course, who had taken upon themselves being one
section of the inhabitants of the town, to act within
the criminal law against another portion of the inhabitants
in the town, who were, no doubt, poor and miserahe,
wicked and weak; but (and he did not say they were
doing wrong—he would enter into discussion on it) if
they took cn themselves to be private prosecutors, acting
under the criminal law of the country against another
section of the town, then it was the duty of his Worship,
as Recorder, to see that they did so according to the rules
of justice, and that they slid not, rich though they were,
take any unfair means of carrying oat what doubtless
might be a proper object for them to desire for the good of
the town. The Recorder : As I have already raid, it does
not signify who aro the prosecutors. All that I have to
do is to know and judge of the offence. Mr. Brett con-
tinued : The great object of such prosecutions was, fo put
an end to the keeping of houses of the improper character
of that with which the prisoner was charged wi'h main-
taining. The Recorder said that he did not quite agree
in that proposition. The object of such prosecutions was
not only to put an end to the keeping of such houses,
but to visit what was passed with proper punishment.
Mr. Brett continued : He could only submit that the
great object of punishment should be to prevent the
recurrence of crime, and that that, also, should be the aim
of the present prosecution. The prisoner, acting under
the advice of himself and Mr. Mansfield, af er a careful
consideration of the entire case, had submitted herself
without reserve to the law, which she had, no doubt,
violated.. It had been suggested to him, that witnesses
might have been called—that something like etaliation
might here been practised but he had advised her--and
she had submitt d to that advice— that the best course
she could pu"sue was, to submit herself entirely,
and without receive, to the law. He would now mention
to the Court the way in which the prosecution had been
instituted, and the Oa ge on which she had been celled to
answer. His friend mentioned that the prisoner had kept
a house of the character described in the indictment,
within the knowledge of the authorities, for the space of
seven t ears, and the usual course for putting dawn such a
home won' I be on the information of any two of the
inhabitants for a nuisance. But the usual course had
not been observed on this occasion. The personis
who instituted the prosecution did not summon her,
or warn her in any way, but when she was absent from
Liverpool and out of the country, without summons or
notice to her, they went before the Grand Jury, preferred
their bill, and had it found. Mr. Simon here
observed that the prosecution were not at the
time aware that the prisoner was out of town.
Mr. Brett replied that it was unfortunate they had made I
no inquiry before proceeding with the bill, but the bil,
having been found against her they waited until she re-
turned to Liverpool, an i then took her into custody; and
when before the magistrate, every opposttion was made to
her procuring bail, a course than which, ho should say,
nothing more herd• more improper, or disgraceful, could
be conceived. Bat the prisoner had suffered even a still
greater hardship, and one to which he could not avoid
referring. From the lime that it was known that a bill
ead been found against her, that she had been charged
with a grave cdtance, and that in all probability she would
be tried by a jury to be taken from the town, from that
time the newspapers of the town were filled with the
gravest acmes/aliens. against her, Now, that was a most
disgraceful hardship to press on any person about to come
before a jury on her trial. No doubt, she had been guilty
of the offence with which she was charged, but he did
believe that she had a complete and ample answer
to any other accusation that might be brought against her;
and if it were even then thought proper to insist on an
indictment against her for the other offence which his
friend alleged against her, she had an ample answer, he
(Mr. Brett) believed, to any such charge. The learned
gentleman then referred to the affidavits of Mr. Cropper
and Mr. Caine, and asked what could they speak to of
their own knowledge as to the character or house of the
prisoner. The affidavit of the police inspector was even a
rigmarole of what other parties had told them ; and so
they made affidavit that they had been informed by such
a person, who again had been informed by so and so, as to
certain circumstances which hail been related to them.
Was it on each affidavits that his learned friend could ask

The election for East Kent took place on Thursday. Mr.
D?edes, it Conservative, the defeated candidate at the last
election, was returned unopposed.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT NEAR ROCIIDALE.--On Monday
morning, Mr, Sylvester Littor, skinner, of Heywood, was
proceeding to Rochdale with his son, in a drag, when, at
Marland, one of the wheels coming in contact with a large
stone, Mr. Litton was thrown out, bat remained in some
way entangled with the reins, and the horse, taking fright,
dragged him 30 yards along the road. One leg was frac-
tured, and he was otherwise injured. The horse ran to
Sudden Brow, and the vehicle was much broken. Mr.
Litton was removed to the Success and Plough Inn,
and surgical aid called in. He is upwards of 60 years
of age.
ALLEGED MURDER AT DURHAM.—On Tuesday, an
adjourned inques:, was held at the Union Workheu.se of .the
village of Chester-le-Street, a few miles from Durham, on
the body of John Flinn. Flinn went t 3 Chester-le-Street
on ee 23rd ult., and a:few days afterwards was admitted
into the workhouse. At that time be was severely cut
about the head, was injured on his side, and was seriously
ill. He became worse, and died on the 3rd ioat. During
his il:ness he stated that his injurirs resulted from an attack
made upon him in Durham by some men, who robbed him.
A pose mortem exanainatina has been made, and the surgeons
stated, on Tuesday, that his skull was fractured, and that
he was wech hurt about the abdomen. These isjuries, it
was stated, had caused death. It was also proved by a
man named Prancis Claik., that John 1-laslop (who had
been app-eherded by the polic-), on the night of the 21st
tilt., in Framwellgatc, Durham, struck the deceased
repeatedly on the head with a large stick. Clarke also
stated that Flinn was severely kicked at the same time. A
man named John Wilkinson, was apprehended on Tuesday,
evening, es being concerned in this outrage. The inquest
was adjourned.
SALE OF Porsosrs.—A large and influential meeting of
the chemists and druggists of Manchester and Salford was
held on Wednesday, in the Mechanics' Institution, to con-
sider the provisions of the Sale of Poisons Bill, introduced
last session into the House of Lords, and to take such steps
as might lead to security against intentional or accidental
poisoning, without, at the same time, interfering unneces-
sarily with the convenience of the public, or the legitimate
business of the pharmaceutist. Mr. S andring was called
to the chair, air!, in the course of conversation, opinion
was expressed that the restrictions imposed by the proposed
bill on the sale of some of the most important and useful
medicines, as well as many substances of daily use in the
arts ant manufactures were such that it would be exceed-
ingly difficult for any person, even in case of great emer-
gency, to obtain, for instance, a dose of antirnonial wine as
an emetic, or the smallest quantity of laudanum or opium,
either for internal or external use, whether alone, or mixed
with any other ingredient ; and that this also applied to
many domestic recipes; and that every person, without
exception, requiring any of those medicines,would be com-
pelled to furnish the seller with his or her name, surname,
occupation, place of abode, and the purpose for which
required, all of e hick must be entered in a book kept for
the purpose, and Vie register signed by the purchaser ;
and any person, if not known to the chemist, would, in
addition, be compelled to bring a witness of the sale, or a
certificate that he may be trusted with such and such
articles. The same rule also applies to salt of lemons,
and other drugs, used in taking out stains, &c., to almond
flavour, and a great varie yof other articles. It was also
shown that whilst a limber of drugs and medicines in
constant and daily use are Ito be subjected to those
restrictions, a far greater number of other more deadly and
dangerous substances were allowed to be sold without any
restriction whatever, thus proving that whilst the act,
would be productive of great inconvenience to the public,
it would entirely fail in the object which it was intended
to secure, viz., the prevention of secret or accidental
poisoning. A resolution in accordance with the above
een invents was passed, and a committee was appointed to
watch the further progress of the bill, and endeavour to
obtain some modification of its provisions, whereby its
intentions might be carried out without at the same time,
causing such unnecessary obstructions in supplying the

iegitimate requirements of the public. All present agreed
that some legislation on the subject was desirable, but they
had more confidence in an improved education amongst
the pharmaceutists, and a higher sense of their responsi •
bility, as the greater safeguard.
AN ATLAS (RATIS WITH THE Enseairca."—On and after
Sunday, October 4th, 1857, each copy of the Disi.alch will be
accompanied with a map, a chart, or the plan of a principal town,
so as to furni;ll to each subscriber, gratis, the enost comprehensive,
complete and generally useful isles hitherto published in Great
Britain. 'The size of the engravings will be that of ode page of the
newspaper, six snips and two piens, in each year, will be of double
the size-17 inches by 25. The ordinary maps will be correc ly
tinted, the charts will be properly relieved in blue, and Vie plans
will be printed in a rich colon. The double maps will he the object
of great atte tion in the desire to make them beautiful specimens of
map colouring. It is hoped, in the course of no unreasvinahly pro-
tracted time, that the Dispatch Atlas will contain more names and
positions of places than any other English publication of the kind.
he counties wit be given separately, and where they are large and
populous, as li, the case of Lanea,hire, each division of the county
will occupy a lege; again, the States of Italy will be the sub-
ject of six distinct maps. The names of the draughtsmen and
engravers will be the best guarantee for perfect accuracy. The
maps will be as full as clearness andreference will allow. correctio, s
and discoveries will be given from the best authorities. The
engravings will be in the highest style of art, many thousands of
pounds being devoted to their cost, and they will be tt-tken from
original drawings expressly prepared for the series. Directors of
mechanics institutes, the conductors of all educe-kitel estabilsh-
meats, the proprietors of hotels, reading rooms, and coffee heases,
will, in possessing Vie Dispat h Atlas, be supplied with a daily want.
The money value of the completed work may be test ascertained by
inquiring the selling price of any large and trustworthy collection of
maps. The Dispatch Atlas will be forwarded with the numbers of the
paper at the usual price, bd per cops, or 6d stamped. Gn the first
issue some hints will be given for preserving, indexing, and binding
the Atla,. Orders recei ted by every news agent and bookseller in
the kingdom, and at the Dispatch office, 139, Fleet-street. The
Friday evening edition may be received in the most distant parts of
kingdom on Saturday morning.