The Sun.
London, England, 1837-08-22 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 22, 1837.

DREADFUL OCCURRENCE AT
SNARESI3ROOK, ON EPPING FOREST.

A very considerable and painful excitement has taken
place since Thursday last, at Snaresbrook, Wanstead, Ley-
tonstone, and other villages in the vicinity of Epping-forest,
in consequence of the body of a respectably-dressed man
being discovered in the Forest in a frightful state of de-
composition, and the contents of a large pistol dischargei
through his body, with other marks of external violence—
two pistols that had been discharged were found on the
ground close to the unfortunate man.
The Jury having been sworn, viewed the body. The
office was one of a truly disgusting and painful nature, the
corpse scarcely presenting a vestige of mortality, being one
mass of corruption and worms. Many of the Jury were se-
riously indisposed from the effect of the sight.
Henry Parsfield, in the employ of Mr. Spelling, farmer, I
of Wanstead, between five and six o'clock on Thursday
evening last, was in Epping Forest, when he was annoyed
by a very unpleasant effluvia ; a few minutes afterwards
witness was shocked at a most appalling and loathsome
spectacle presenting itself to his view ; as far as he (wit-
ness) was able to observe, it was the remains of a man very
respectably attired ; but the mortal part was in so decom-
posed a state as to exhibit nothing but one living mass of
worms. At the time witness discovered on the ground
neiir the body of the deceased two pistols.
By the CORONER-It was impossible for any person to
identify the body of the deceased—his skin was nearly as
black as soot, and his features were completely rotted and
eaten away by the worms.
By the Jury—l should consider that the deceased must
have lain in the situation where I found him ten days or a
fortnight. It was in a very retired place where the body
laid.

Mr. Franklin, a surgeon residing at Wanstead, had seen
the body of the deceased, but from the dreadful condition it
was in he felt reluctant to make any examination ; he
however, was enabled to detect the pistol wound, which
was right through the body, and from its proximity to the
heart, there was no doubt but that it was the cause of death.

A discussion took place as to the propriety of an adjourn-
ment, for the purpose of obtaining, if possible requisite evi-
dence touching the shocking and mysterious occurrence ;
but as it was thought very uncertain, the following ver-
dict was eventually returned :—" That the deceased was
found dead in Epping forest, with a pistol wound through
his body, but whether such was inflicted with his own
band or by any other party, there was no evidence to the
July."
The friends of the deceased on Sunday proceeded to
Snaresbrook for the purpose of identifying the body : but
to their great astonishment they found that the inquiry had
been held, and the deceased interred. But on the clothes
being produced the identification of the unfortunate gentle-
man was fully established. His name is Frederick Cooper ;
he was a single man, and had held responsible situations
under Government. He left his r.idence in Crown-street,
Westminster, on last Friday fortnight, at which time he
was in a very low dejected state of mind, arising from his
affections having been blighted. Soon after he absented
himself, his brother, who resides in the Regent's-park, re-
ceived a letter from him (deceased), the following of which
is a verbatim copy :
" Thursday Evening.
" DEAR BROTHER—I thought it best to send a few
lines to you, so that you might break the melancholy news
to my poor dear mother, who, I am afraid, will take it
greatly to heart. Ido indeed intend to make my exit. I
have provided myself amply with the means to effect my
purpose ; it is indeed a premeditated act, and which I
have contemplated for a long time. This is all owing to my
dear Emma. I wrote to her, saying she would hear dis-
agreeable news of me, but of what nature I gave her no
rea.on to guess. Dear Brother, support and strengthen
our dear mother for my sake. So far from being dejected,
I feel quite happy respecting, the change I am about to
undergo. Farewell for ever,
" F. COOPER."

VAUXHALL G liDEN3.—Yesterday afternoon a
great number of persons assembled to witness the ascent
of Mr. Green in the Royal Nassau Balloon. At about a
quarter past six o'clock the inflation was finished ; and, at
halfpast six, six gentlemen entered the car with this expe-
rienced aeronaut. Nearly ten minutes more were occupied
in adjusting the ropes and making other preparations ;
after which Mr. Green, by an artificial contrivance, re-
leased himself from the last rope, and the balloon ascenied
with great rapidity, taking a north easterly course, and was
soon lost in the clouds. The weather was rather unfa-
vourable and the wind high.

SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—Yesterday
the sixth anniversary of the opening of this picturesque do-
main was celebrated by a grand day fete, on which occa-
sion the Bedouin Arabs, for the first time, exhibited their
extraordinary evolutions in the open air, on an immense
floating stage, purposely constructed for them in the centre
of the ornamental lake. The new view of Mount Vesuvius
was exhibited during the day ; it is one of the most effse-
five scenic representations, on a large scale ever produced
in this country. As this picture is painted for day-light
effect, more attention has been paid to its details than is
u,ually bestowed on ordinary scenes for a theatre. But
the Vesuvius at the Surrey Zoological Gardens is ❑ot
merely a day-light exhibition ; last evening, soon after dusk,
the illusion was wrought up to reality by a mimic eruption
of the volcano. This was an ingenious performance of
pyrotechny, in which gunpowder was made to 4. play
many parts," and the multi-coloured varieties of flame were
turned to excellent account. The band of the fusiles r
guards were in attendance, and performed some beautiful
pieces of music on the lake, the banks of which were
crowded by a numerous host of visiters.
Yesterday afternoon, an immense crowd of Persons
wt re attracted in Leather-lane, Holborn, by the screams
and struggling of a boy about eight years of age, who was
in strong hysterics, who attempted to throw himself from a
first-floor window, but was prevented by a neighbour. It
appeared that his father and mother, the owners of a cat's-
meat shop, had been drinking until they were dead drunk,
and they had plied their child with gin until he raved and
fell into fits. He was eventually put to bed in a dangerous
state, and medical assistance sent for. The indignation and
execrations of the assembled populace against the unnatural
parents were strong and indescribable.

Yesterday morning, the body of a new born male
child, was found at an early hour, by a policeman named
Holmes, 72 K, in Hold-street, Stepney. The body was
in a very decomposed state, and wrapped up in a black
handkerchief. The policeman conveyed it to the house of
Mr. Storey, a surgeon, in the Blackfriars-road, for the pur-
pose of a post-mortem examination, and an inquest is to be
holden on the body this day.
LANARKSHIRE ELECTION.—At the poll at Air-
drie, on Monday week, Charles Cooper was not allowed to
v,te because his name was not to be found on the She-
riff's register. On that day, a letter was written to Glas-
gow on the subject, and the answer returned was, that
Cooper's name was scored out. He then voted, under
p,otest, on Tuesday. On the proper books being examined
after the declaration, it was found that the Sheriff, with
his own hand, had scored Cooper's name out, and added,
" Dead, A.A." Cooper went to the Sheriff on Thursday
night, and entered a protest against Mr. Lockhart's being
duly elected. Had this been discovered before the decla-
rgion, it might (the Sheriff willing) have made the votes
equal. How it is likely to end, perhaps the Lord Advo-
cate or Solicitor-General, to whom the matter is referred,
may be able to inform us ; but we should think the Sheriff
must stand in a ticklish position, if, by a dash of his pen,
he sets this extensive county in a blaze again, which may
cost each candidate some thousands of pounds.—Corrc-
spondent of the Mercury.
During the election race at Doncaster, between
Principle and Corruption, the latter ran so fast that he
was backed by the knowing ones to a large amount ; and
so reckless
.were they of money, and so determined to gain
the winning post at any hazard that they literally bought
every thing that could be considered an obstacle, or which
might impede their ultimate success. In proof of this, there
is amongst the articles in the catalogue under the head of
secret purchases, "to a load of chips, 61. 65." When this
circumstance was mentioned at the close of the contest, a
wag observed, " that the corruptors ought to be burnt with
their own bargain of chips, then they would be a burning
shame to all intents and purposes."
ORTHOGRAPHY.-IEI a window in Little Coram-
street, Russell-square, a placard is exhibited, on which is
written " Wanted a respectble yung femel to the abber-
dashrey, on applicasions, pertickler, will be anscred," In
t'le same street a window " sports" two bills, from which the
following are correctly copied ; one " Cubass siggars—mem-
murandun books, one penney and toopence a peece ;" the
other " A persun Bows out two washin and cleenin, and
logins for a singull women at No. 3, Abbey-place."
By accounts from Washington we learn that the
gold coinage during the month of May amounted in r,lue
to 268,000 dollars. Oa the 31st of May, there remained
uncoincd to the value of 113,535 dollars.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT—Ara. 19.
IN THE MATTER OF EDWARD ASHTON.

Mr. Cooke applied in this matter for an attachment to
issue, for the commitment of the insolvent. The case had
been before the Court in several forms, and much pertina-
city had been displayed by the insolvent against the orders
of the Learned Commissioners. He was heard on the
Circuit at Lancaster some time ago, and on the opposition of
his landlady, a Mrs. Ann Golightly, he was directed to give
up possession of her premises, she not wishing him to hold
her property without the equivalent of rent. He afterwards
applied to a full Court, alleging that he had yielded pos-
session ; but it turned out, that when Mrs. Golightly went
to take possession she was assaulted by the insolvent's son
and others, and from the effect of the injuries the poor
woman had died. The parties had been indicted, and
were now undergoing their punishment. The insolvent on
the following circuit appeared, and it. being understood that
the property bad been given up he was ordered to be dis-
charged ; he immediately took up his quarters in the
same house, where he had remained. Letters of ad-
ministration bad been taken out to the property of
Mrs. 6olightly, and application was made to the
insolvent to quit ; he, however, refused to stir or pay
real.' An application was then made to the. Court for a
rehearing to revoke the discharge, on the ground that it
had been improperly obtained ; the insolvent was ordered
to attend before Mr. Commissioner Harris at Lancaster,
on the last circuit ; he had disobeyed the order, and the
present application was for his commitment to Lancaster
Castle for contempt. _ _ .

Mr. Commissioner BOWIN granted the application.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.
ROBBERY AT THE EAST INDIA WAREHOUSES.

Yesterday John Hill (a master carman), Peter Reeves,
and John Seeley were indicted for stealing six chests, con-
taining 4.501b5. of tea, of the value of 1001., the property
of the East India Dock Company.
Mr. Sergeant ARABIA' summed up the evidence, and
submitted that with respect to Reeves it did not press
heavily in regard to him. With respect to the other pri-
soners the Jury had heard the evidence, and it was their
province to judge whether they were guilty or not.
The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty against Hill and
Seeley, and acquitted Reeves.
The Learned Judge having conferred with Mr. Alder-
man PIRIE, sentenced the convicted prisoners to be trans-
ported for the term of seven years.
Reeves was advised to be very cautious how be engaged
to do odd jobs in future.
The case occupied the entire morning, and great surprise
was expressed more than once at the facility which was
given to fraud by the careless manner in which tea was de-
livered from the warehouses.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A bOy'damed 'Callaghan, with his hair cut close in that
style known as the Bridewell crop, from the circumstance
of all young thieves having their hair cut off when com-
mitted to prison, was charged with having picked the
pocket of General Mundy.
The General was walking along Oxford-street, when he
noticed that be was followed by several boys. Suspecting
their object was his handkerchief, he placed it, as he thought
securely, at the bottom of his pocket, but in a moment af-
terwards a policeman came up with the prisoner in charge,
and the handkerchief.

General Mundy said if the boy was not a very bad cha-
racter he hoped the Magistrate would not object to the
charge being withdravra ; " for," added the General, " the
handkerchief is of no value, being, like the owner, much the
worse for hard service."

Mr. CHAMBERS said the young pickpockets were so nu-
merous and dexterous, that it was almost impossible to guard
against their practices. The other morning when passing
the end of Oxford-street, some boys were apparently
p!aying on the heap of stones there ; one of them jumped
down close to his toes, and having thus diverted his attention,
the accomplice adroitly extracted his handkerchief. He
said he should remand the boy, and if any circumstance of
a favourable nature were discovered, he should have the
benefit of it.

Yesterday Joteph Dearing, a half-starved looking young
man, dressed in the tattered remains of the uniform of the
late British Auxiliary Rifle Brigade, was brought before
Mr. CHAMBERS, charged with being found wandering about
the streets. _ _

•
Police constable No. 95 of the C division, stated that
he found the defendant sitting on the step of a door in
Sutton-street on Sunday night. Find:rig he had no place
of habitation, and was pennyless, he conveyed him to the
station-house. _ _ _

Dearing said he would endeavour to reach Dublin, for
the purpose of ascertaining if the money, for which he had
an order, was payable there, on which Mr. Chambers
ordered him Is. from the pOor-box, and he left the office.