The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-10 00:00:00

A HORRIBLE STORY.

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For some years past rumours have been current
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Falmouth, December 7, says :
that the brother of a mason named Porter, living in
comfortable circumstances, had been kept for many
years in close confinement in a small room at the
back of the premises in which Porter and his family
reside. Heartrending cries and howls have been
repeatedly heard by the neighbours, especially on
cold winter nights ; but, although the sympathy of
many was aroused, no one deemed it his duty to in-
quire into the circumstances of the case, not dream-
ing, probably,of the horrors that were to be revealed.
Rather more than a year ago Dr. Byrne, a well
known medical practitioner from the county of Dur-
ham, now residing in this town, was compelled to
seek the warm climate of Flushing for his health,
and incidentally heard these rumours. Not satisfied
to allow the matter to remain uninvestigated, he col-
lected all the evidence he could, and was so satisfied
that the case was one deman6ing a strict inquiry
that, with a most praiseworthy decision, he com-
municated the facts to the Home Secretary, who at
once appointed him special commissioner, and sent
down two other commissioners, who, in com-
pany with Dr. Byrne, went to Porter's house on
Thursday last and demanded admission to his
brother. Porter himself was absent, but, after some
little parley with the other inmates, Dr. Byrne,
who had obtained some insight into the plan of the
premises, led the way through the house across a
yard and up a flight of steps, where, concealed from
view round a corner, they found a door, which ad-
mitted them to the den in which the lunatic was
confined. The sight which met their gaze was too
revolting to be described with all its horrid details.
The place consisted of four bare, wet, plaster walls,
with a small window on one silo, and the door by
which they had entered; a doorway opposite, for.,
merly communicating with the house, was plastered
up, so as to cut off all communication, except, by
the flight of steps at the back. In one corner of the
room was a wretched truckle bedstead, with cross
pieces of wood, rotten with filth, about six inches
wide and the same distance apart. On these bare
boards was crouched a being more resembling a
baboon than a man, drawn and cramped, from long
exposure and suffering, out of ail form of humanity)
stark naked, and with only two old rotten bags for
a coverlet. I have said like a baboon, from the
peculiar form into which the limbs were drawn;
the knees almost touched the chin, and were pressed
close down upon the chest, I imagine for warmth ;

the feet close together and bent down one over the
other, also I imagine for warmth; the hands
clinched and brought up close to the chin ; the arms
closely pressed against the sides. The knee and hip
joints were anchylose; the elbow joints were also
stiffening. The floor and the walls were one mass
of accumulated filth, the flour rotten with it, the
stench horrible ; and there are other circumstances
of the case too dreadful for publication. For upwards
of 20 years the tender mercies of his nearest relatives
have consigned him to this living tomb—not a rag
to lie upon, not even a wisp of straw ; nothing but
the naked board, and the two old bags to cover him.
Would a raving maniac be consigned to such a
doom ? God forbid ! What, let us ask, is the
mental condition of this poor wretch ? Simply im-
becile. A most mild, benevolent expression of coun-
tenance, a childlike submission to all that is done to
him, no symptom of violence or even anger of any
kind, and strong indications of intelligence in many
things, even after these weary years of neglect and
cruelty.
Yesterday, in company with Dr. Byrne and some
friends, I visited the poor creature, for the purpose
of getting a sketch of the remarkable position in
which he had remained for so many years. The
arrangements being then completed, two intelligent
keepers from the county asylum washed, dressed,
and took him away to that admirably conducted
establishment at Bodmin, where we fervently hope
.that both his mental and bodily condition may Ebou
be improved. Of all the moving incidents of the

ease, nut the least was the scene on ewerging from

the house. Many hundreds of people were col-
lected round the conveyance, to which the keeper
carried him in his arms like a child. "My God !

Can that be a man" " God bless you, Dr. Byrne!"
were the exclamu.tions that burst from the lips of
the multitude. Few eyes were dry, especially when
home who had known him us a strong intelligent
youth pressed forward and shook him by the hand.
I am told the Commissioners suited that in an

experience of forty years they had never met with
case eo .wfu:. I trust, Sir, you will give it pro-
minence in your columns, for the terrible reflection

forces itself upon us, when we see of what
hum,nity is capable, that this case may not be
singular. Are there any other similar rumours of
cruelty that demand investigation ?

Alleged Negligence of the Police in the

Case of Mr. Law,

Yesterday Mr. John Humphreys, one of the Mid-
dlesex coroners, resumed at the Panther Tavern,
Hope Town, Bethnal-green, the inquiry relative to
the death of Mr. Charles Law, aged 45 years, a
surgeon lately practising in the cast end of the
metropolis.

On last Saturday fortnight the deceased was
arrested while in the act of surreptitiously disposing
of the dead bodies of two newly-born children in
the Kingsland-road. While in custody he mani-
fested symptoms of insanity, and on the Monday
evening, when he was liberated on bail, his
intellect was so completely gone that he could not
he made to recognise any of his family, and he spoke,
or rather raved of fairies dancing about him, and of
birds and fishes. He died in that condition on Wed-
nesday morning of delirium tremens.
It was alleged that his gaolers procured him no
assistance while in custody. They declared that he
was " only shamming," and it was said that the)
never called in any medical man to ascertain whether
the insanity was feigned or real. When the inquest
was opened, br. Wallace gave it as his opinion that
if the deceased had upon the outbreak of the attack
while in custody been attended by a medical man,
and had received the necessary nourishment and
stimulants, he would, quite possibly, be now alive.
The coroner adjourned the inquiry to the present
occasion for the purpose of investigating this serious
charge against the police.
Inspector Webster, N divißiott, said that he was
the acting inspector at the Holton police stgtion.
On Sunday fortnight he relieved Sergeant Smith at
9 o'clock in the morning: The deceased, Mr. Law,
was then in the cell. Another prisoner wag in the
same cell, Mr. Law made no cottplE.int of illness
whatever. lie got breakfast, dinner, and tea, which
were brought to him. Beer and other stimulants
were not allowed to prisoners. Witness was relieved
at night by Sergeant Kimburn, who had charge of
the prisoners till Monday mornings
Sergeant Kimburn said that he visited the deceased
six times during the night. He was awake each
time, but spoke quite rationally. He was taken to
the police court on the Monday morning, and then
appeared rot to be incoherent.

Inspector George Waldie said that he saw Mr.
Law on the Monday morning, before he went to the
police court, and he then did not appear irrational.
John Bendall said that he was gaoler at the
Worship-street Police court. The deceased was
given into Lis custody after 11 o'clock on the Mon-
day morning. The prisoners were not given into
witness's `.l-astody until after the magistrate had dis-
posed of them. In the course of the day witness
noticed the deceased appeared very nervous, and
was apparently ranch absorbed in thought. When
the deceased's bail came deceased said that he could
not go out as there was a river of water before the
door. Witness said, " Come, come, Mr. Law, there
wan_° i',uch thing take my arm, and step out." He
all,:a_'nsesu bailed out. Before that deceased had
Poken rationally when roused from thought.
Mr. Albert Phillips, 18 Weymouth terrace, said
that he knew the-
deceased, and saw him at the
police court. nu saw deceased as he came up in a
cab. Witness told him to ask that his case should
be put off until his attorney came. Deceased did
not appear to know what was said, and witness
thought he wes not in his light Ito did not
speak and answer rationally. On Sunday morning