The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-01 00:00:00

COMMISNION OF LUNACY.

A commission having been directed to F. Whitmarsh, Esq. bar-
rister, and %V. D. Whiimarsh and S. Foote. biers., attorneys, to
inquire into the state of mind of the Reverend Thomas Talbot, of
Sutton Mandeville, in the county of Wilts, a Jury was on Wed-
nesday summoned from the most respectable inhabitants of Salts-
bury; and an inquest was held at the Black Horse Inn, in that
city.
The warrant for holding the inauest having been read, the Com-
missioner in Chief, Mr. F. N'hitmorgh, described the characier of
insanity, in all its variations and degrees. Having stated who was
the snhjer t and what the oljert of the investigation,
Mr. Osmond deposed. that he had known 111 r. Talbot for fifteen
years; observed some difference in his behaviour about Michael-
mas 1823, but cannot speak precisely its to the day. Made an in.
quiry with regard to his health, said he was well, but pointing to
the air, said he •s wished if some of us could get rid of them." Saw
him again on Christmas eve, he was kneeling at the gates of some
of witilesit's friends ; asked who lie wanted ? Mr. Talbot said in
reply that he had a message for a friend of his in London; asked
him what one the matter? said he was harassed by innumerable
beings in the air, throwing balls, and be could not at all manage to
get out of the reach of them, either In one part of the country or
the other. Had been molested in London by them ; said he was
a liow.streei officer out of place, and many other inconsistent,
wild.,and extravagant things, which fully convinced witness he was
of insane mind ; he also stated, that he had killed a man and a
woman.

31r. William Target, a master tailor. of Salisbury, deposed to
similar language and conduct on the part of Mr. Talbot.
Two physicians, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Fowler, spoke to the
same delusion.

The unfortuna.e lunatic was brought In. He was most repect-
able in anpearance, and very healthy. He underwent a
long examination. Every reply, however, only served to depic-
ture a great mind in ruins--occasionally sensible of its original dig-
nity. Ile stated that all he wanted was liberty ; detailed the effects
of the air blazess ; confirmed in every point the assertions of Drs.
Fonder and Thomas; and cautioned the Jury how they found a
verdict against the hours anointed.
After the charge from the Learned Commissioner, the Jury re-
turned a verdict, " That the Rev. Thomas Talbot had been of
insane mind from the 24th of December, 1823."

RetattteY M►rHANlra' INSTITUTE.—The Committee
of the Keighley Mechanics' Institute has published their firm an.
numl report of the proceedings of the Society. It appears that
1361. 19s. 312 d. has been received in donations, fines, and weekly
contributions : the expenditure of the Society, in books, appara-
tus. &c. is 131/ Ifs. ; leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hand,
of V. :Is. 3itl The writer of the address, in speaking of the bene-
ficial tendency of Mechanics' Institutions, observe., that by means
of them, latent genius may be excited and promoted to action,
the dormant abilities of individuals, yet unknown, may be roused,
brought to light, improved, and exerted for the general good ; and
the Committee, indulging these hopes, looks forward with feelings
of pleasure to the time, when the moral and scientific benefits of this
yet infantile institution shall be more fully developed and acknow-
ledged."—Lerds Intrlligrneer.
_ _

SOMERSET ASSIZES.—Mr. Justice Burrough, in his
charge to the Grand Jury of the county of Sbmerart, censures the
prevalent practice of committing culprits to the Assizes far trial,
who might, with greater justice to themselves and the country,
have been disposed of at the Sessions. His Lordship regretted that
he had had to mention the circumatince in almost every town on
the Circuit, and he did hope that in future a different course would
be adopted, as, independently of the inconveniences above alluded
to, much:more of the valuable time of jurymen and witnesses was
consumed in attending the Assizes than would be required if trivial
cases were brought under the cognizance of an inferior tribunal. In
illustration of the Learned Judge's remarks on this erroneous prac-
tice we cannot do better than make public the manner in which the
Court was occupied the remainder of the day, in trying offences of
the moat unimportant nature ; such, for instance. as stealing a pint
of milk, a piece of sacking of the value of sixpence, a bundle of
straw, • basket of coals, and many others of equal insignificance;
and as short periods of imprisonment (in some instances a few
weeks, and in others days only) were considered a sufficient punish.
ment for such crimes, the Court again drew the attention of the
Magistrates to the impropriety of committing persons to prison for
many months before they were put upon their trials.
It is painful to find, when prosperity seems arising in
those parts of the country which have suffered by panic, and by
cortimer:ial distress, that a groundless panic in Hereford has occa-
stoned all its three banks to close their doors! Men rushing to
demand instant payment in gold ! Why, they may as well de-'
manes from bankers a diamond for every penny. %%'e announced
last week the bank of Messrs. Bodenham and Co. suspended their
payments; on the following day (in consequence of a severe
run) Messrs. Holloway, Cooke, and Carless. adopted the same
melancholy alternative—leaving Hereford without a Banking
Establishment! An account has been published of Messrs.
Halloway and Co.'s affairs, from which it appears that, after
every demand against them shall have been satisfied, the surplus
amounts to 66,48.1/., including the private fortunes of the partners,
and not taking into the account the property of the late head of the
firm, Colonel Matthews. Several gentlemen have examined the
accounts of Bodenham and Co. and state that after all demands are
paid, a very considerable surplus will remain. Mr. Bodenham,
Jun. has pledged himself that, if necessary, he will pay the debt
due front his father to the old firm of Bodenham, Phillips, and
Garratt, out of the hereditary estates. It is impossible ro describe
the distress occasiored in Hereford by the stoppage of the banks;
scarcely any money transactions can be carried on. There is, how-
ever, an immediate prospect of relief from these embarrassments.
The Hereford paper of Wednesday announces that within a month,
a new bank wili be opened by a gentleman of respectability and for-
tune.—ln consideration of the situation to which Hereford has been
reduced, the Lords of the Treasury have (upon the application of
Mr. Price, the county member) ordered the officers of the Excise to
afford every facility to persons who have duties to pay at this time.
Garrett and Co. commence paying their first instalment of lila. in
the pound to.morrow.—ShreWbUry Chronicle.
ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER.--A
circum-
stance occurred at Lancaster, about a fortnight ago, which caused
a good deal of mirth amongst the people resorting to the assizes.
A person from this town (whose name we believe is Woolley),
having given bail for an acquaintance named Blanchard, in an ac.
tion of debt, went to Lancaster with the debtor, for the purpose of
surrenderirg him into custody. Having arrived there in the even-
ing, they did not go directly to the castle, but spent the night at
an inn, and the bail, suspecting no guile on tine part of his pri-
soner, allowed him to have as much freedom as he chose. Blan.
chard requited this kindness by going to an attorney's office, where
he swore that Woolley was indebted In him, and took out a writ to
arrest him. The writ was put into the hands of a Sheriff's
Gfficer ; and at the very moment when the confiding bail was pre-
paring to lodge his prisoner in safe custody, he was himself arrest-
ed and carried to the officer's house, where he was kept until the
following day, and would have been detained longer, had he not
fortunately found out sonic acquaintances from Manchester, who
were attending the assizes. and who became security for him. It is
hardly necessary to add, that, on his liberation he found his pri-
soner had taken the first opportunity of returning to Manchester ;
and it was not withiut a good deal of trouble that he succeeded in
securing him a second time. It may be readily imagined, however,
that on his second journey to Lancaster he took better care of his
prisoner.—Manchearcr Paper.
HIGHWAY ROBBERV.—On Friday night last, as Mr.
Sudlow, of the firm of Ainsworth, Crossley, and Sudlow, solicitors
orthis town, was returning home, on the Cheetham Hill-road. he
was passed by a man, who turned round and seized him. Mr.
Sudlow called for assistance, when another .fellow came up, and
presenting a pistol, asked him to deliver his money ?, Mr. Sudlow
made considerable resistance, and struck the men several times. A
third man then came up ; he also presented a pistol at Mr. Sudlow,
who then, finding resistance of no avail, desired them to use no
violence. They then robbed him of his watch, chain, and seals,
and 7s. in silver, with which they got clear off On the following
day a man offered to pledge a chain and seals with Mr. Goodier, a
pawnbroker, but Mr. G. having had previous information of Mr.
Sudlow'a robbery, examined them minutely, and found that they
were part of the property stolen. He then caused the man to be
taken to the police office. where he was examined, but nothing
tending further to identify him with the robbery was found on him.
On looking under the Se./ t which he had occupied in the police
office, however, a pistol was found, which corresponded with the
description of those used by the robbers. The man, whose name
is Daniel Gaynor, was brought up at the New Bailey yesterday,
and these facts heir* waived against him, he was committed to
Lancaster to take his trial at the ensuing Assizes.—Monchcster
Mercury.