The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-08-22 00:00:00

...en at th
Job's s e, White Irian-street, Spit;!fields, before J.W . n
UNRINe
Esq. the Coroner, on view of the body of 31argarte Potts, a child
of seven months old. The following was the evidence adduces' ea
the occasion
Potts, the infant's mother, who appeared before the Jury
in estate of mind bordering on insanity, stated, that on Friday
morning about seven o'clock, she being obliged to suprrinters: 3
number of persons in her husband's employment, as silk weaves,
left her room for that purpose, first placing the infant on the bbl,
which is termed a press one, and giving particular directions to Lc
servant, Catherine Sweeney, to take care of it. About half an
hour had scarcely elapsed when the maid Sweeney conic down to
the workshop, and the witness asked her if the child had yet awoke!
She appeared confused at the question, and replied not; but
in a moment afterwards, as if recollecting herself, said, " the
child ! why, where is it ?" The witness told her in the bed, and
said, I hope you have not turned it up. Sweeney answered, `. In.
deed I have." tl'ilness instantly flew to the bed-chamber, and on
turning down the bed, found her baby quite lifeless. The pot
'mother, as she uttered thesewords, appeared almost hysterical.
She, however, shortly recovered herself, and proceeded to state
that a medical gentleman was on the instant sent for, and that
every means for the child's re.animation was resorted to, but all to
no purpose. %Viten the physician pronounced the infant to be be.
yond hope of recovery the maid-servant, Sweeney, started off, and
has not been .heard of. In answer to some questions front the
Jury, the witness replied, that it was her firm belief that the set.
vant.ntaid must have seen, or at least known that the child was in
the bed, from the circumstance of her (the witness) having placed
1 the counterpane under its head and shoulders when she left the
whidi counterpane was afterwards removed by Catherine
Sweeney, and thrown over the bed when closed. This, she ob.
served, could not possibly have been done without the child being
taken up, or at least seen. The maid Sweeney was in her service
only three weeks, and she had no reason to think that she owed the
intent, herself. (the witness) cr her husband any enmity; on the
contrary, she thought her rather partial to the deceased.
Charles Brackett, a Intl of about lti years of age, and brother to
the last witness, stated, that on Friday morning at a quarter pas:
seven o'doek, lie went into the bed-room, and seeing the infant
lying on the bed, he kissed it. The maid was then present, and he
warned her to be on her guard, and not close the bed on the baby.
In about 15 minutes afterwards, hearing of what had occurred, he
went into the room, anti then saw it dead.
111 m. Brackett, the mother of the two last witnesses, corroborated
their testimony in its most material points; and, in answer to the
Jury, said that from the servant's general conduct towards the
child, she could not think, though appearances were strong against
her, that she had wilfully deprived it of life.
The father of the deceased wan the next witness. He expressed
the same opinion, and also admitted haring made use of threats to.
wards the servant, on hearing the death of his child.
The father of the accused being in attendance, the Jury express.
ed a wish to have examined. lie appeared deeply affected
with the occurrence, as connected with his daughter, and shudder.
el with horror at the idea of her being supposed guilty of murder
He told the Jury that, even front an early period, she displayed the
most humane feelings; and that so great was her alarm at the
melancholy event, that she absented herself front hts paternal roof.
lie concluded by saying, while tears ran down his cheeks, that I e
feared lie would never again see his child, and thought, from the
state of her mind. that she would make sonic attempt on her
Several respectable persons in the neighbourhood gave testimony
in favour of the supposed murderess, and said that they had seen
her invariably attentive to the deceased chili.
The Coroner then summed up the evidence„ and told the Jury
that it was for them to determine whether the child was murdered
by Catherine Sweeney, or came ae:identally by its death ? They
Thad no middle course to steer—they must either bring in a verdict
of wilful murder. or accidental death. He left the case entirely w
their consideration, merely observing, that where a doubt existed,
and on this occasion he thought a very strong one did, it was but
reasonable and fair that the accused should have the benefit of it.
The Jury, after some deliberation, brought in a verdict of "Ac.
cidental death."

On Friday a young man of the name of Lee, a portrait
painter, was found dead near St. Domingo Pit, Lirerpoel.
It is supposed that he had shot himself, as he had in his
left hand a pistol firmly grasped at the time he was found
by some children. Ile was then warm, but the vital spa k
had fled.

AN OLD Tare' RETlVED.—Between eight and nine
o'clock, a few evenings ago, as a lad, in the service of Mr. Cater
hatter, in Pall-mall, was proceeding to the residence of his Royal
Highness the Duke of York, in South Audley.street, with its new
gold-laced hats for the domestics of his Royal Highness. he was
accosted in Curzon.street, May-fair, by n man dressed like a Sr. r.
vant, with his hat of standing at a private door. and requestid to
go round the corner to the Running Hone, in Shepherd's-market,
kept by Mr. Sutherland, and bring two pots of porter. andel e ba.
lance of half-a-crown (which the fellow gave the lad), that he would
take cam of the parcel till he returned, and then reward him for his
trouble. The unsuspecting youth believing the fellow to belong
to the house at which he stood, went as desired ; but on his mum
with the beer and the change he found the villain had fled with the
hats, value twelve guineas. Another suspicious-looking fellow was
seen lurking about the place some time, and the moment the I.d
had turned the corner they joined, and ran through a court ins
Shephenrs.market with great speed, and although quickly Id.
lowed they effected their escape. The Police are on the look-out.
and there is every reason to hope they will be brought to justice.

BI RTHS.
On the 18th instant in Wirnpole-streot, the lady of John 111 it..
obeli. Esq. M.P. of a son, still-born.
On the 18th instant, Mrs. Edmund Balfour, of Lincoln's-hr•
fields, of a daughter.

MARRIED.
At St. Mary's, Aldemanbury, Mr. George James Elwall. cf
Aldertnanbury, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mi illiam Stevens, Esc.
of Powis.place.
At Ketterirg, Mr. Thomas Hepburn, of Southwark, to Ma y
Anne, eldest daughter of J. C. Getch, Esg. of the former place.
On the 18th instant, at the Friends' illeeting.house. Wardin
worth, John Beaumont Pease, Esq. of Darlington. to Sarah, eld.
est daughter of Samuel Foasick, Esq. of Pensbury, Clapham.
On Saturday, at St. Georo's church, Lieutenant-Colonel the
Ilon. George Lionel Dawson, brother of the Earl of Porrarlingior.
to Miss Seymour, youngest daughter of the late Lord Hugh art
Lady Horatio Seymour.

DIED.
On the filth Inst. at hie father's house, in Stockwell-place, falter
a painful illness of many years' duration) henry Hodgson, Esq. (
the Tax Office, in the 34th year of his age.
On the 14th instant, at Edinburgh, sincerely regretted by his
I brother officers, Samuel Scat. Esq. of the 6th Dragoon Guards.
On Tuesday last, 1111 r. Richard G. Freehai-n, sculptor, aged 22.
He was third son of the late Robert Freebairo, the lst.dgespe
painter.
On the 11th inst. aged 44, Frances, wife of James Byrre, Esc.
Dyer's-court, Aldermanburv.
On the 9th instant, at Margate. need 42, Isabella, the wlfe of
31r. E. Wells, of the Sir LI agli Middleton, ttadlees Yells.
On the 17th instant, aged 52. Richard Deady, Esq. cf
runt-yen'. London.
On the 15th inst. at liarnfield, near Southampton, Preston Iltd.
ton, Esq. sincerely regretted hy a large circle of relations acd friends.
and highly respected by all who knew him.
On the 10th instant, at Sheldon, Devon, in the 34th year of
his age, the Rev. James Shalom*, late of Trinity Cortege, Cates.
bridge--a man deeply and sincerely lamented by his family and
friends, and whose Christian charity will render him a severe ices
to the poor around him.
On Friday morning, in the 61st year of his age, at his residence.
at Kentish Town, \\'m. West, Esq. many years an emirent Rdi-
eitor in Gray's-Inn.

LOH WATER AT LONDON BRIDE THIS 1).11:
Morning 27 min. after 8. II Evening 4 min. after 9.

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