The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-01-01 00:00:00

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CORONERS INQUESTS.

Yesterday afternoon, at six o'clock, a Coroner's
Inquest was held at the house of ?dr. Macdonough,
the Blue Posts Tavern, in Bennett-street, before
ANTHONY Gear., Esq. Coroner for the City of
Westminster, on the body of a new born female
child, f. mild on Sunday last, in a box belonging to
the kitchen maid at Sir John Ho/I's, in Arlington-
street. The first Witness produced was Elizabeth
Wiliams, who deposed, that she had lived with Sir
John and Lady Ma. as housekeeper, for nine
years, and that Anne Jones, the smother of the in-
fant, had lived in :he family, as kitchen maid, for
one ye.tr and eleven months—she was a raw or ig-
norant country girl, but behaved herself well in
every reaper% Sir John Hort and family being in
Ireland, since July last, the house was left in care of
her, the porter, and the girl. For some months
past, Witness observed the said Anne Jones, in a
state of pregnancy, and often asked her several
questions respeeling her appearance, but the other
always denied it. Last week, her suspicion grew
mach stronger. On Thursday last she called her in,
arid told her not to deny her situation ; that if she
would eca.fe,s the truth, she would give her every
assistance in her power ; but the girl still persisted
in denying that site was in a pregnant state. On
Saturday evening last, she complained of a great
cold, and a sore throat, and went to bed early ; and
on Sunday morning, the Witness, who slept en the
same floor in a room opposite, went to visit her: she
said she was winch better ; the Witness requested
her to remain in bed, and that she would bting her
breakfast. Ahout ten o'clock she went upstairs
with tea and toast; and, after she was a few minutes
in the room, her suspicion was increased, and it
struck her that the girl had been delivered. She
immediately came down stairs, and ordered John
Hendry, the porter, to go for medical auistaetc,
and nut to return until he found a physician ; he
shortly after returned with Mr. John 11. Daubers,
Surgeon, of Warslour-street, who was soon con-
vinced of her having been delivered, an' asked
her what became of the child ? but she denied
positively that she was in that situation. He and
the housekeeper then proceeded to search the
room r• after opening two bores they came to a
third, which was locked ; the housekeeper demanded
the key, which being refused, they broke it open,
and found in it a female new born child, wrapped
up in flannel, just warm, with one side colder than
the other ; the child being shewn her she cried bit-
terly, and said, it was still-born ; that one side was
.warm and the other cold ; that she never heard it
cry nor breaths; she said, that the father was a
servant in the family, but now with them in
Ireland. This statement was corroborated by
the Surgeon's evidence. On being asked by the
Jury, if he then discovered any marks of violence,
or any cause that would lead him to suspect that she
had murdered the child ? He answered, that there
was no mark of violence whatever; from several
circumstances it might be strangled in its birth ;
but he could not pt.sitiv swear, whether it was
born alive or not.
The third evideneewas, r. Thomas Payne, Sur-
geon to St. George's Infirmary, who was called to
examine the body ; he stated, that there was no
mat k ul external violence whatsoever; that on open-
jie the thorax and abdomen, he found the lungs of
one side rather enlapsed, and was of opinion, that
though it was Ind grown, and in a healthy state at
its birth, yet, for want of assistance, it might be
strangled coming into the world.
The housekeeper being called a second time, was
asked, if there were clothes or any necessaries pre-
pared by the mother for the child ? this she did
not know, nor had she made any enquiries.
The Jury, after a very long deliberation, brought
in their veriliet—Srill torn.
On Thursday list, an inquest was held by
Esti. Coroner, on the body of Je/sis Pent,
di iver of the mail coach between Swansea aild
Car-
marthen, which, on Sunday se'nnight, was unfor-
tunately overturned about two miles from Swansea,
whilst driving with rapidity down a hill : it being
supposed that the coachman's hands were so be-
numbed with cold, that he valid not restrain the
horses speed. The unhappy consequence of which
was, that he was sa much bruised as to occasion his
death on Wednesday night. The guard was slightly
hurt, but the paasengers escaped uninjured.—Arci-
dental Death.

A most desperate attempt was on Sunday night
made in the neighbourhood of Westminster, to force
fr..ni the proteaion of her mother to the arms of her
lover, a young lady, who is intitled to a very
derable property when she becomes of age. A young
Gentleman of fashion and considerable cxpzetancics
was the offender. The Ladv is the only daughter of
a military officer of high rank, and we hear, has been
long and I. issionctely attached to the young gentle-
man ; hut alarmed by the piercing shrieks of her
mother, and anxious to return to her protedion. her
lover generously consented to condua bet home, and
delay the eansummition of his happiness. We heat.
they are to be almost instantly uuited by general
consent.

On Saturd ty morning last. at Birth, t: se Mr!iss•
tea of that put, was dmisessed t.. be on fire, and.
notwithstanding the exertions of th.- populace, s!.e
was con.umed Lathe water'sedge. It was forturiasly
flood tide, which enahled the other vessel. to shift
their stations, or the consequences would have been
dreadful. The fife originated in the cabal, and is
supposed to have been occasioned by the carelessness
of the boys.

•
At a weaum when people's hearts and purse* are
more especially open to the performance of gene-
rollll att t may he a question or some importance
to ask, how in such ads be the most profitably
conferred This question becomes doubly interest-
ing, at a moment whets an objesi prevents itialt,
that most prove to many a source of great saki.
It is submitted. therefore. whether families, who
wish to reward a 11441 son or dangirer. as lades-
trims a or a good servant, can bestow
either them so agreeable, or perhaps so valealsk
a New Trot; GI; as the Nhan, of a near. 111 the
ap;wroching Clued Lottery ! Such a permit may
turn n it of coesequesser. by producing a Plia• time
may lay a foundation of real hammerer sod loan-
Forklift theater We. to the Arica of their Ir.
peruser.