The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-15 00:00:00

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Mr, George R. Roberts, a master baker at Wool-
wich, committed suicide under painful and extra-
ordinary circumstanceF. It appears that yesterday
a young woman named Frances Eliza Paxton, for
some months a servant in the house of Mr- Roberts,
surrendered herself to the police on her own confes-
sion of having attempted to poison her mistress 011
the previous Sunday. She stated that she had been
instigated to commit this act by her master, between
whom and herself an improper intimacy had ex-
isted. The young woman was removed to the
Woolwich police-station at noon, and subsequently
Mr. Inspector Linvell had an interview with Mr.
Roberts, and informed him of the charge wade
against him. He requested that he would volun'
tarily attend the police court at 3 o'clock, in order
to be present at the examination of his accuser, Pal'
ton. To this request Mr. Roberts readily assented,
but about one hour afterwards it was found that he
had committed suicide. His body was found sa'
pended to a beam in the roof of his stable.
Eliza Paxton, aged 18, was placed al the bar before
Mr. Traill, charged, on her own confession, with
attempting to administer to Etizabeth Roberts a
quantity of vitrol, with intent to commit tour;
der. The only evidence adduced was that
given by Police Inspector James Linvell,
the R division. He said that in the inilreleg
he went to the residence of the prisoner's father at
No. 3, Charles-street, Woolwich, and saw the pri-
soner, whom he asked if it was true that she bad
.
expressed a wish to make an important statement
to the police. The prisoner said it was, and
witness cautioned her in the usual manner. ,t
prisoner then said that on the previous Sunday
evening her mistress was away from home, and her
master sent her for two half-pints of beer, which
she obtained in two separate mugs. On her retoilru
she had her supper, and drank one of the half-pinto
of beer, the other being intended for her raistreee.
While the prisoner was having her supper her
that
ter was conversing with her, and complained ,
his wife kept such late hours. Her master tool
bottle from a shelf and gave it to the prisoner, sale
ing, " There, that will settle her." The
then, in the presence of her master, poured a coast
derable quantity of the liquid from the bottle lbt I
the mug containing the beer, and afterwards Weer
to bed. The prisoner also stated that her waste
had seduced her shortly after she entered his 8
ser-
vice. Inspector Linvell now produced the hnt,lis;
which was labelled " Vitriol, poison." Ile eOO
stated that on returning home Mrs. Roberts " ,
about to drink the beer, but rejected it in cell
quence of its unpleasant taste. She kept it 510",
the following morning, when it was handed to D;
Stuart, who at once stated that it contained POIOVO
The prisoner was then remanded, and the maxiatriltej
directed that the beer produced should be subject„
to analysis. Mr. Carttar, coroner for the district'
will hold an inquiry relative to the suicide.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

6.,

MANCHESTER—MAY 14.
ft°
A limited attendance to-day, with a slow deco-whilew
wheat, English being quoted at last week's Prices' $
American was at a reduc.ion of Id to 2d per 1001 b• trio
and oatmeal were each rather firmer. Flour a 010 W AO
and prices favoured purchasers. Indian corn ate
re sa
deciine. Egyptian beans as before, while English We
per qr higher.

BIRMINGHAM—MAT 14. nd Om
English wheat was sold at 48s to 66s for white' - a -
to 52s per 36 stone for red. Barley, new malting, 0300
42s per qr ; grinding, 24s to 28s Oats, old, `s qt'
per 30 stone ; Irish, 22s to 255. Beans, 36s to 4315,1
Peas, 36s to 44s per 36 stone.

EDINBURGH GRAIN—MAY 13. ID
EA
good supply of farmers' wheat to-day, which
fair sale at about the prices of last week. do.
ill''
Wheat on the top 2s Od down average
Barley on the top Os 6d down average eae
nt 1
vp .
Oats on the top Os bd down
Beans on the top 2s 6d down. ..... aavveerraagge is id
ciz'slik
e 2s 4'.'"

Total Supply and Sales.
Wheat ... 938 qrs Sold 655 tirs
8ar1ey........ 339 qrs Sold 258 cll.°
Oats -
Beans l7l qrs Sold 113 clll 11063;
Flour sells as follows :—Whites, 44s Od ; extras, '
superfine, 39s Od ; fine, 375 Od.
CORK—MAY 14.
The following were the quotations this morning : v"
wheat, 95 Od to Os 0,1; white, —s Od to —s Od , bar lelo tO,
8d to Os Od ; oats, 8s 9d to 9s 4d. ; black do., VI •
7s 3d.

DERBY SMITHFIELD—MAT 12. hehli
A plentiful supply of fat beasts to-day ; late pricelor
realised. The number of sheep in the pens was the go&
we have had this year, and the quality generally vless.,
Fat pigs were more plentiful. Fat and store calves /0
Beet 6ld to 71d Veal ........... acitolti
Mutton .. 6f dto 7id Pork ....... . . scl we'
Lamb —d to —d Rough ..... 3s 9d Per
Hides, 3d to 41d; calf skins, 5d to 6d.