The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-01 00:00:00

Causes not specified

DEATHS PROM ALL CAUSES
Population Deaths in corre- Deaths
Enumerated. sponding week in the
1851; 01853. Week
%Vest Districts
North Districts 490,396
Central Districts 393,256
East Districts 485,522
South Districts
------ -
Totals 2,362,236 1,334 1,604

Males
Females

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Males
Females

... 916
... 874

Total 3,780

TRIAL OF .21ID r,LE. DOUDET.

Tim Court of Assizes of the Seine hi's been for several
days occupied with the trial, not yet concluded, of
Mdlle. Celestine Doudet, charged with the manslaughter
of two children, the daughters of Dr. Marsden, a Lon-
don physician. Our Paris correspondent has at various
tunes reported on the preliminary states of the prosecu-
tion which led to the arraignment of Mdlle. Doudet, on
Wednesday last. The children, it will be remembered,
had been entrusted to the accused for education. The
trial, we are informed, excites great interest in Paris,
from the position which Mdlle. Doudet formerly filled
in the most distinguished household in the realm.
Having already published the indictment at length, we
now present a summary of the evidence from Galignani.
Dr. Marsden, the father of the two deceased children,
deposed that he had received, in London, several anony-
mous letters, informing him of the prisoner's harsh con-
duct towards his children. Witness at once despatched
to Paris a relative, who, however, did not speak French,
and allowed Mdlle. Doudet to act as interpreter to him.
Six weeks after witness heard of the death of Mary
Anne, and without any delay started for Paris. The
prisoner did riot expect him, and gave him a very had
account of the children, as being liar:;, thieves, gluttons,
addicted to most immoral pi notices. Witness found
two of his children tied down in bed. The prisoner said
that it was the medical man who had attended them
who had ordered them to be so tied. 'Witness had the
children immediately set at liberty, and took them out
with him. They looked so ill that he could not have
recognised them. Happening to take them into a cap,
they ate as if they were starved. On Mdlle. Doudet
afterwards accusing them of• being little gluttons, wit-
ness gave her money, and said, " Take them every day
to a confectioner's, and let them eat as much as they
like, that will soon cure them." She took the money,
but never laid out a sou of it for the children. Witness,
not being able to carry back the children to London at
the time, left them with their aunt, Mrs. Bradhall, and
as he was not then sure of the prisoner's bad conduct,
he allowed her to continue giving lessons to the girls.
It was afterwards, when he took the childven to Eng-
land, that he learned from them how cruelly Mdlle.
Doudet had treated them. Witness sent word to
the French police to keep a strict watch over the
prisoner, in order to prevent her from acting in a
similar manner to other children. On the other
hand, witness learned in Paris that Mdlle. Dondet calum-
niated him and the children, and ho at last determined
to proceed against her in a court of law. The eldest
daughter expired in England after her return, and up to
the last moment she declared that Mdlle. Dondet had de-
prived her of food and frequently beat her dreadfully.
After Dr. Marsden bad give❑ his testimony, his three
daughters were successively called forward, and they all
declared that Mdlle. Doudet had beat them most cruelly
with her hand, with a rule, or in fact with anything that
presented itself. With respect to the event of the 24th
of May, they all declared that Mary Anne was most
violently struck by Mdlle. Doudet, and knocked down,
and that she at last lay on the ground quite insensible.
In answer to a question from the President, the eldest
daughter stated that after their return to England they
had certainly written affectionate letters to Mdile. Dou
det, because they were not sure that they were not again
to be sent to Paris under her care.

The servant girl, Leocadie Bailleul, deposed that
Mddle. Doudet had always been kind to her, but that
she beat the children, and illtreated them most dread-
fully. As to the scene of May 24, witness corroborated
the accounts already given. Mdlle. Doudet afterwards
sent witress for a doctor, and she brought M. Godinot,
telling him that the child Mary Anne had thrown her-
self out of the window. Witness said so by the order
of Mdlle Daudet. Witness afterwards went for Dr.
Shrimpton, to whum'Mdlle. Doudet spoke in English.
Witness had some idea of mentioning to the police the
cruelties which she had witnessed, but always hesitated,
not liking to make herself enemies, being only a servant.
Dr. Godinot deposed that on the day in question ho
had been called in to attend the child Mary Anne, who,
he was told by Mdlle. Doudet, had a monomania of sui-
cide, but that in the present case she had fallen back-
wards after a violent fit of coughing. The prisoner also
informed him that the child was addicted to some most
vicious practices.
Mdlle. Doudet hera addressed the court, and denied
that she had ever spoken to the last witness of the child
contemplating suicide.
The witness Leocadie, the servant to the prisoner,
being recalled, declared that there were no fixed hours
for meals ; that the children
.eat bread and butter and
drank water, being allowed meat only twice a week.
She declared also that in the middle of the night, for the
slightest fault, Mdlle.Doudet caused the children to rise
from their beds and to stand with naked feet and out-
stretched arms for a considerable time. The prisoner
called that giving them lessons in deportment.'
Dr. Shrimpton deposed that he was called in one day
to attend the mother of the prisoner, when he remarked
on the back part of the head of Mary Anne a large
swelling, which, on his questioning, Madlle. Doudet de-
clared that the child hail thrown herself down in a fit of
passion. On his inquiring what could have caused such
an outburst, Madlle. Doudet declared that it was in con-
sequence of being reproached with giving way to prac-
tices to whit' all the children, she said, were addicted.
Drs. Tardieu, Jobert de Lambaile, and Logier deposed
to the state of the body of Mary Anne after death. The
autopsy of,the body showed them on thu back part of
the skull a black spot, apparently caused by a fall, which
must have produced an internal effusion of blood.
A wom in named Tessin, formerly the portress at-the
Cit 6 Odiot, deposed that the children were most dread-
fully ill-treated at Madlle. Doudet's. Whenever they
came into the porter's 1 Age and food was on the table
they seemed to devour it with their eyes. The children
were never gay and cheerful as children ought to be,and
the whole five were scarcely ever seen playing together
at the same time.

Mme. Poussielgue deposed that Zepherine Dondet
often complained of the brutality of her sister, the pri-
soner, to the little Marsdens.

The I-Zev. Mr. Bradshall, a clergyman, brother-in-law
of Dr. Marsden, gave an account of his visit to Paris to
see the little Mardens on their father hearing that they
were ill-treated. Witness came to Paris in June, 1853,
and although he called twice on Mdlle. Doudet on the
day of his arrival, he could not obtain admission into her
apartment. The next day he saw the children, and was
horrified at their wasted appearance. 'Witness had
several conversations with the prisoner, who gave him
a dreadful account of the vicious propensities of the chil-
dren. 'Witness, not placing implicit confidence in what
she said, endeavoured to obtain information in 'other
quarters, but not from speaking French, experienced
a certain difficulty in accomplishing his purpose. He
learned, amongst other things, that the governess so far
departed from all the received rules of propriety as to
think nothing of flinging- at the children what-
ever object might happen to be nearest at hand.
It was the following fact that put him on the
trace of her habits in that respect. Dr. Marsden had
given the children a very handsome Bible with 'silver
clasps, and on witness finding it all spoiled, and the
leaves torn, he remonstrated with the girls on their ill-
use of it. They, in order to exonerate themselves, in-
formed him, though with evident unwillingness, that it
had been spoiled by Mdlle. Doudet throwing it at their
head. Witness explained to the court the result of some
inquiries which he had made in the family of Admiral
Elliott, where the prisoner had lived as governess ; she
was there considered so eccentric as to lead to the idea of
a commencement of mentai alienation ; and there, as in
the present case, she endeavoured to set the various
members of the family against each other, and accused
any of them that displeased her of some act of improper
conduct.

The widow Espert, aged 50, living on her property,
deposed that she knew the prisoner and her sister.
The latter frequently complained of the great severity of
the prisoner to the little Marsdens, declaring that
she not only beat them cruelly, but deprived them
of a sufficiency of food. Witness spoke to the pi-
soner on the subject, and learned from her that tl.e
declarations of the sister were quite exaggerated ; that
she pursued the English system of education, and that
when once her sister left the house, and no one interfered
with her (the prisoner's) plans, everything would go on
in a superior manner. At last, the sister left the house,
but the children, far from Improving in appearance, be-
came absolute skeletcns. Witness feeling much for the
poor children often called to see them, and found them
always dispirited. When they played about they were
so weak that they could scarcely ran by the side of their
hoops. Witness at last, being more and more affected
by the state of the children, wrote to Mdlle. Doudet, re-
monstrating with her on her conduct, and beseeching
her to change it.
This letter was read in court, and the witness was
complimented by the president on the very proper feel-
ing which it displayed.
Several other witnesses were heard, and all confirmed
the evidence already given of the prisoner's cruelty to
the children.

Mme. Melingue deposed that Zepherine Doudet had
complained to her of her sister's conduct to the little
Marsdens. The children were in excellent health when
they arrived in Paris,. and everybody admired them ; but
it was soon reported in the neighbourhood that they
were shamefully beaten and half-starved by their gover-
ness. When Mary Anne became seriously ill witness
heard Zepherine Doudet exclaim—" God grant that
she may live, for if she dies my sister is undone."
The prisoner here declared that this deposition was
a tissue of lies.

Tassin, formerly porter of the Cite Odiot, deposed to
the wretched appearance of the children, and the reports
in the neighbourhood against Mdlle. Doudet were so
notorious that more than once persons have come to his
lodge to inquire who was the woman that behaves with
such cruelty to the children placed under her charge.
When Dr. Marsden was expected in Paris, Mdlle. Dou-
detealme to witness's lodge and said—" The father of
the children is going to arrive ; I am uneasy about the
bad state of their health caused by their vicious propen-
sities ; I hope you will support me."
The prisoner likewise denied the truth of this de-
position.
Mme. Hooper deposed to the dreadful state of the
children, and stated that once hearing several reports
concerning the conduct of the prisoner towards them,
witness went to remonstrate with her and was shocked
at seeing the children look so ill. The eldest, Lucy, not
having appeared, witness pressed Mdlle. .Doudet so ear-
nestly to let the child come down stairs tlat at last she con
sented, and witness was horrified at seeing her look quite
like a spectre. Witness finding how the children were
treated wrote to Dr. Marsden to inform him of the situa-
tion in which she had found them.
Mmes. Sudre, Perrett, Masse, Bonnet, and Chardon-
net deposed in a similar manner as to the shameful treat-
ment
of the children by the prisoner.
Mdlle. Doudet declared that all this testimony was
false and had been concocted amongst the witnesses to
ruin her.
Dr. Tessier, of Paris, who visited tiro children by
direction of their father, said that he had found them in

a deplorable state of leanness. Mdlle. Doudet told him
positively that they had brought themselves into that
state by a shameful habit, which was inveterate, and, in
which they indulged with a sort of pbrenzy. The witness
was confounded on hearing the children confess in tho
most cynical, unconcerned manner that what was said was
quite true. He advised a moral treatment, and the as-
sistance of a minister of religion. He also recommended
gymnastics ; but he strongly objected to the employ-
ment of coercive means. In the first interview, Mdlle.
Doudet spoke to him of Dr. Marsden as a frivoloui and
dissolute man, who thought more of pleasure than of his
children. Mdlle. Doudet said that she would write to
the father, but that she was sure he would consider
gymnastics too dear. When the accident occurred to
Mary Anne he was not immediately called in. When
he went, the accused said that the accident had been
caused by a fall, which followed a violent attack of
hooping cough, followed by convulsions. At that time
all the children had a frightful appearance, as if half-
starved. When reports began to be spread about, Mdlle.
Doudet sent for him, and said that in consequence of
them she desired that a physician of his standing should
be seen in the house. He went there and saw little
Mary Anne in a sort of lethargy. The witness was
shortly after visited by Dr. Maratm, and in consequence
of the grief which that gentleman manifested entertained
doubts that the detestable opinion which Mdlle. Doudet
had given of him was well-founded. Mdlle. Doudet,
after tire commencement of th© prosecution, twice
called on him, to beg of him to be favourable to
her. As he had not seen anything in the house
which did not appear regular and correct, he had
nothing to say against her. Two mouths after, at a
time when he thought the affair at an end, he recived a
second visit from Dr. Marsden ; he was accompanied by a
fine child, who was the very picture of health. It was
with difficulty that he could recognise in her one of the
poor creatures whom he had seen so ill. He asked him-
self if such a transformation could have been possible, if
the children had been guilty of the vice imputed to them,
and he was convinced that it could not be so. Assuredly
that vice had not existed ; if it had, its ravages, or what
he had considered its ravages, could not have ceased so
promptly.

The accused here said that she had not written to Dr.
Marsden, in conformity with the advice of Dr. Tessier,
because she had orders from the father how she was to
treat the children ; she affirmed that the witness was
mistaken in what she had said as to Dr. Marsden con-
sidering the lessons of gymnastics too dear. She added
that Dr. Tessier had, by his own observations, ascer-
tained the existence of bad habits in the children.

Dr. Tessier declared formally that he had never seen
anything himself. He had naturally believed the de-
clarations of Mdlle. Doudet, especially as she had stated
that it was the aunt of the children who had initiated
them in vice.

The accused replied that the doctor was mistaken ;
but the witness persisted in his statement.
"You see, accused," said the President,"" that your
system is constantly the same. To ruin all the members
of the family, and to accuse them of corruption—that is
what you do. Your acts are full of perfidiousness. We
have already twelve witnesses, before whom you have
been guilty of this shameful conduct. Have you any
motive for suspecting the doctor's testimony ?"
"I do not wish to suspect it," answered the accused.
The Advocate-General asked her why, in spite of the
orders of Dr. Tessier, she had employed coercive mea-
sures?

The accused answered, that it was by his orders that
she had tied the children's hands.

Dr. Tessier per4isted in saying that he had never ad-
vised anything of the kind.

Dr. Josse stated that in 1853 the young Alice Mars-
den was brought to him by her aunt for consultation,
principally as to the point of his believing her ad-
dicted to certain vicious practices. Witness, from her
clear complexion and frank replies to his questions, de-
clared that he wa,s firmly convinced that the child had
not by any means the propensities alluded to.
Mdlle. Dowman, governess, aged 23, deposed that
since January, 1854, she had been attending to the edu-
cation of the little Marsdens. Witness never saw any-
thing to lead her to believe that they were addicted to
vicious propensities. Their health had been since then
always good.
The prisoner here said that the witness had'several
times spoken to her of the vicious conduct of the chil-
dren.

Witness—Oh, never ! never ! that is altogether false.
Mademoiselle Zepherine Doudet, governess, aged 24,
at present residing at Pierrefitte, deposed to her living
for six months with her sister when she brought the
Marsden children to Paris. The children were, she
said, difficult to manage, and she herself had ascertained
that- one of them, Emily, was addicted to vicious prac-
tices: Dr. Marsden himself had mentioned to witness
and to her sister the' propensities of all the children.
Witness could not state any ono thing which her sister
could be reproached with in her mode of bringing up
the children, except perhaps a little extra severity.
Witness had not left the house because her sister
ill-
treated the children, but because a change of air was
prescribed for her own health. Witness never spoke to
any person whatever about her sister, as ill-treating the
children. Never said that she did not give them enough
to eat. Never said that her sister beat them.

Here the numerous witness6s who had deposed as to
the confidences of the witness to them repeated their
declarations, to which the witness persisted in giving a
most positive contradiction.

Some letters from the children to witness were hero
read, in which they speak most favourably of the pri-
soner, but the style i,va4 so different from what a chill
could be ,supposed to write that witness admitted it
to be her opinion that some one must have dictated
them to the writers. When asked whom she suspected
witness declared that it must be some of the Marsden
family.

Emily Marsden, being again called in, deposed that
the letter written by her had been dictated to her by
Mdllee. Doudet at the Cite Odiot. but that by her di-
rections it was dated from Chaillot, where witness's
aunt lived, in order to lead to the belief that it had not
been dictated.
The prisoner denied positively that she bad ever dic-
tated the letter in question.
This closed the case against the prisoner. Her own
witnesses and the addresses of counsel are still to come
on. The proceedings were then again adjourned.
At the sitting of the Co.ri on Monday, when the
laughter occasioned by the precipitate retreat of the
counterfeit advocates had subsided—
M. Nogent St. Laurens spoke for the defence, and
dwelt on the excellent testimonials which his client had
received from persoi s of the very highest consideia.-
tion, commencing by the Queen of England, who had
giien her the following certificate :—" I consider Mdlle.
Cdlestine Doudet an excellent person, of a mild disposi-
tion, and amiable character ; but her education has been
too good for her situation of wardrobe woman with me,
and I think that that of governess would suit her better.
I look on her as a woman of the greatest probity and
worthy of confidence.=Buckingham Palace, April Bth,
1842." Ho said he believed the whole to have had its
origin in calumny, and hoped the jury would acquit his
client. The case was at this point again adjourned.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

HALIFAX.

The following address from Sir Charles Wood was
posted in Halifax on Tuesday :

" TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF HALIFAX.

" Geutlemen,—At a period of no ordinary importance,
I have been called upon to undertake the heavy and re-
sponsible charge of-the direction of the naval resources of
this country.

" If I had only consulted my own wishes, I should have
remained in an office where I have taken the deepest inte-
rest in the administration of our Indian empire.
" I did not, however, consider myself justified in shrink-
ing from any post in which it was thought that whatever
service I could render would be most usefully given to my
Sovereign and to the country.
" My acceptance of the office of First Lord of the Ad-
miralty makes it necessary that I should appeal to you,
gentlemen, to pass an opinion upon my conduct by your
votes.

"I am more than usually anxious that, by again send-
ing me as your representative to Pali!' ment, you should
mark your approval of the course which I have taken, in
pursuance of what I believed to be the clear line of my
public duty.---I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your
grateful and obedient servant, " CHARLES WOOD.
" Belgrave-square, Feb. 26."
Sir Charles will address his constituents to-night, and
the nomination will tako place on Saturday. There is
a rumour that the seat will be contested by Major
Ed wards.