The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-10 00:00:00

LORD MAYOR'S DAY

The Banquet.

The Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs inaugurated
their: term of office with the usual banquet in the
anc',ent Guildhall. Invitations had been issued to
aln,ut 800 guests, including the Ministers of State,
the. Judges, members of both Houses of Parliament,
arid the corps diplonzatique. The hall was =gni-
ED3ntly decorated, most of the fittings and-orna-
ments which had contributed to the splendour of
the late civic ball in honour of the Prince and
Trincess of Wales being used to give eclat to the
present festivity. The entrance vestibule was
much enlarged, and appropriately arranged as a
guard ehaml-,erg the walls being hung with flags,
banners, a; ad antique armour, alternating with the
heraldic bearings of the 12 city guilds. Large mir-
rors, plP.ced at either end, enhanced the effect of a
fine perspective. Passing from the vestibule,
through the Gothic porch, itself also profusely de-
corated, the visitor found himself in the great hall,
where, of r,onrse, the grandeur of the scene culmi-
nated. The arms of an endless line of Lord Mayors
were emblazoned on the traceried walls, now, as at
the state bail, resplendent with gold and colouring.
Tice
tie columns were richly diapered, and the tracery
panels were filled in with the Royal and illustrious
personages who have at different times been enter-
tained by the Corporation ; the whole being sur-
mounted by the national ensigns and the banners of
the city companies. From the lofty ceiling de-
pended elegant gaseliers, attached to handsome gilt
wire baskets, filled with choice flowers. The noble
stained glass windows were brilliantly illuminated,
and displayed the arms of the Sovereign and those
of the City in tasteful designs. The east window
was further adorned with the Prince of Wales's
plume, in spun glass, forming the centre of a trophy
in complement to the birth-
surrounded by banners,
day of his Royal Highness.
The corridors and lobbies were embellished with
paintings, sculpture, exotic plants, and ferns, the
whole forming a gay and pleasing promenade for
the earlier guests. The Aldermen's court-room was
adorned with a beautiful panoramic view of Ohs-
mount by moonlight, the foreground afwiaichandwaas
artistically arranged with rockwork, ferns,
miniature waterfall.

The guests began to arrive shortly after 5 o'clock,
but it was a quarter past 7 before the whole had
assembled. When Lord and Lady Palmerston
entered the Hall they were greeted with a burst of
enthusiastic cheering.

Among the guests were Viscount and Viscountess
Palmerston, the. Duke of. Somerset, the Marquis of
Salisbury, the Earl Granville, the Earl of Hard-
, wicke, Earl and Countess de Grey and Ripon,
Viscount Torrington, Lord and Lady Saye and Sele,
t!ie Right Hon. Elward and Mrs Cardwell, the
Hon. 11. 13. W. Brand, the Persian Minister, the
Columbian Minister, General Sir George and Lady
Pollock, Sir C. Wentworth Dike, Mr Justice Erle,
enief Br.ron Pollock, Barons Martin and Pigott,
Justices Williams, Willes, and Keating ; Mr Ser-
geant Payne, Mr Sergeant Tozer, Mr Sergeant
Woolrych, Mr Se=rgeant Parry, Mr sergeant Spinks,
the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, Sir
Charlts Young, Sir Richard Mayne, Sir John and
Lady Bowring, Sir Harry Parkes, the Hon. E.
Ashley, Mr T. G. Baring, M.P., Mr S. Beale, M.P.,
Mr R. W. Crawford, M.P., Mr J. T. Norris, M.P.,
Mr Wm. Tite, M.P., Mr H. I. Holland, Deputy
Governor of the Bank of England, Mr A, Robarts,
Mr H. C. Roberts, Professor Donaldson and Mrs
i)onalthjon, Mr J. Hawkshaw, Captain Dent., Mr
J. Lublxick and Mrs Lubbock, Mr John Dillon and
Mrs Dillon, Mr Money Wigram, Mr C.
Mr Alderman Wilson, Sir James Duke, Mr Alder-
Man Sidney, Mr Alderman Finnis, Mr Alderman
Silornons, Sir Robert Waiter Carden, Mr Alder-
man Carter, Mr Alderman Allen, Mr Alderman
Hale, Mr Alderman Gabriel, Mr Alderman James
Clark Lawrence, Mr Alderman Abbiss, Mr Alder-
man Dakin, Mr Alderman Beeler, Mr Alderman
Waterlow, Mr Alderman Gibbons, Mr Alderman
Lusk.

The. dinner, provided by Messrs. Staples, of the
Albi au, was of the usual sumptuous character.
Tne loving cup having been circulated,
The LORD MAYOR rose to give the first toast. He
sairi—la that hail " The Health of the Sovereign" of
this country was always received with that enthu-
siasm and loyalty which it deserved. Ho proposed
it to them to enablo them to show not merely their
attachment to the head of a constitutional monarchy,
but also the respect and affection which the people
universally felt towards her most gracious Majesty.
(hear, hear.) Ho begged, therefore, to give " The
Health of the Queen." (Cheers.)
Tue LORD MAYOR said that the country had
lately shown what a deep interest it took in the
career of the Prince of Wales by the delight—he
might say the sympathy—evinced by all classes of
the community at the auspicious marriage con-'
tracted by his Royal Highness. He had much
pleasure in offering to their acceptance " The
Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the
other Members of the Royal Family." (Cheers.)

The LORD MAYOR said he agreed with those who
held that the best preservative of peace was to be
prepared for war, and he was happy to think
that our navy was never in a greater state of
efficiency than at that moment. Whether our
ships should be made of iron or of any other
material, whether they should be propelled by
steam or by electricity—(a laugh)—our main reli-
ance must always be placed on the hearts and hands
which manned them. (Hear, hear.) Our army,
also, he believed, was as able as ever to uphold the
honour of the country in any quarter of the globe.
The Volunteers,purpoeb a
.force organised for no aggres-
agaeinat e,b but simply to defend our own shores
anyo;
the country. He had, therefore, much
askingthev them to drink " The Navy, the
Army,
The Duke of solunteers." (Cheers.)
ladies, OMERSET said,—My Lord Mayor,
my 'lords,
haend gentlemen, I rise to thank
you on behalf
Majesty's navy. I can assure
you that, stationed in every parter of the globe,
and performing as theyl the do most arduous and
difficult duties, oftentimes in the most unhealthy cli-
mates, the officers and men of that service are up-
held by a sense of duty:tio) the Sovereign and an
earnest desire to win thee
said, as
of their country-
men. It may, indeed, b
the Lard Mayor
has stated, that although We
Change
ge the construc-
tion of our ships—although We
and shall
change again and again the Constructionanhe of our
armaments—yet while we maintain t
aali-
fications for our officers and the earn, spsiant.t "
in
eab
our
seamen, we have little to fear. (Hear.)llater
on
this occasion, as the Channel squadron te
visited many of the ports and harbours of this uly
try, and been received with the most kindly
wel-
come in every quarter, publicly to express on the
part of the Admiralty our thanks to those corpora.
tions and towns which have extended their hospi-
tality and kind feeling towards that squadron. That
hospitality and kind feeling will promote a good
understanding between all classes, and I am sure
will be as beneficial to the navy as they were
honourable to those communities who displayed
them. (Cheers.)
Earl DE GREY AND RIPON, in responding on be-
half of the Army and the Volunteers, said,—.l beg
to return you on behalf of the army my sincere
thanks for the manner in which you have received
the toast proposed in such flattering terms by his
Lordship. I know well that it is a source of gra-
tification and pride to the British army, scat-
tered, as it is, over every quarter of the habitable
globe,hailedwith towliearn from time to time that this toast is
lishreeie cordiality in every assembly of Eag-
I. am glad to be able to bear my testi-
mony
,that in the most recent operations in which
that array ha, be
under that and
ableceamh:_riti:eer,ea en:glg"l
ral' Cameron, in New Zealand,
where it
Que'n atid
utnereployed to restore the authority
of the
proteet the lives and property of
English colonist,
it has shown the same spirit of
courage, of devotion, and of discipline that has been
manifested by it on them
more arduous fl&ds of ore important hut scarcely
more arduous fie'ds of yiurn
warfare. (Cheers.)
e
More than three-fifths of our army
in time of peace
are employed on foreign servie
^nt moment, more than two out onfdeeveedr,yatthtrheee
pr. . se
reiriments are employed out of this country,
and
many cases in -oftd and unhealthy eikaatee
With

regard to the Volunteers, that noble force which has
sprung up within the last few years has added
essentially to the military strength of the country.
It is not designed to take the place of a single regu-
lar soldier, but simply to defend our sh nes against
any possible invader ; and I may mention on this
occasion that no part of that auxiliary force sur-
passes in efficiency the corps raised in the city of
London. (Cheers.) .

"Prosperity to the City of London and its Trade"
having been cordially drunk,
The LORD MAYOR then proposed the health of his
predecessor, Mr. Alderman Rose, who, he said, had
nobly performed his duty during his eventful year
of office. When they recollected with what eclat,
and loyalty and affection the city of London had
received the Princess of Wales on her arrival in
this country, they would, he was sure, fully recog-
nise the ability, the dignity, and the tact with
which the late Lord Mayor had presided over the
festivities connected with that auspicious event.
When the part which that city had borne in rela-
tion to the Royal marriage came to be read of in
future ages, it would be better appreciated
m immunities
nieist
was at the present moment. The late Lord Mayor
had also maintained the privileges anddim
magic..
of the city unimpaired, and following a chief
trate like the lamented Mr. Cubitt, he had succeeded
in investing his mayoralty with a character which
would stand high in the annals of the corporation.
(Cheers.)

Mr. Alderman ROSE, in acknowledging the com-
pliment paid him, rejoiced that it had been his
good fortune to fill the civic chair in a year when
that corporation set an example to the rest of the
country by its display of affectionate loyalty to the
person of our beloved Sovereign and her family,
thereby also evincing
its attachment to the glorious
constitution under which we had the happiness to
live. It also had been his lot to be the recipient of
nearly half a million sterling from all parts of the
world towards the relief of the distress in Lanca-
shire; and,
moreover, almost his last official act
was to hand over to the fund for raising a memo-
rial to the late Prince Consort the sum of £54,000.
lie trusted that the principle of local self-govern-
ment had not suffered in his hands, and that
altogether his year of office had not been an un-
successful one. (Hear, hear.)
The LORD MAYOR said it afforded him great
satisfaction to welcome to that festive board the
Ministers of foreign countries. The citizens of Lon-
don, in common with their fellow-countrymen
generally, were most anxious to maintain friendly
relations with every nation in the world. He had
much pleasure in asking them to drink " The
Health of the Corps Diplonzatique," coupling with
the toast the name of the Persian Minister.

His Excellency it—TAlimouD KHAN briefly re-
turned thanks in Persian.

The LORD MAYOR had now to offer to their accep-
ance " The Health of her Majesty's Ministers.'
(Cheers.) This country might congratulate itself
on the present position of its affairs. While other
States were unhappily ravaged by war England en-
joyed the blessings of peace and prosperity. Our
policy was a policy of strict neutrality and non •
intervention, and there, fortunately, did not appear
the least chance of our drifting into hostilities. At
all events, we desired to cultivate amicable relations
with all the world. That, however, did not prevent
our displaying our sympathy with foreign nations
who were struggling for their independence, and it
was a proud thing for England that it had at the
head of its affairs a veteran statesman who had the
confidence not of one party only, but of the country
in general. (Cheers.) He believed that since the
time of the late Lord Grey there had not been a
Prime Minister who was so popular or who had had
sucn a hold upon the masses of tee people as Lord
Palmerston. (Hear.) He hoped that the noble lord
would be long spared to guide the councils of his
Sovereign, for his name was looked upon as the
symbol of liberty in every part of Europe, and des-
rots everywhere feared him. (Cheers.) He now
gave them " The Health of Lord Palmerston and
her Majesty's Ministers."

The toast Was drunk amid vehement cheers.

Lord PALMERSTON, in rising to respond, was
greeted with loud and prolonged cheering. When
silence was restored he said,—My Lord Mayor,
Ladies, and Gentlemen,—For myself and my col-
leagues I beg to return you:their most sincere thanks
for the kind manner in which the last toast has been
proposed and received. I can assure you that those
who are charged with the conduct of the affairs of
this country must always feel the highest gratifica-
tion at being permitted to be present at the splendid
hospitalities of this great city. And not only do we
receive personal gratification, but we feel that on these
occasions that which takes place cements that union
between the different classes of the community
which is so important to the interests of the whole.
It is well that those who are engaged in carrying
on those commercial transactions upon which the
wealth, the strength, and the happiness of this great
country depend should mix from time to time with
the responsible advisers of the Crown in con-
ducting the political affairs of the nation. I do not
mean to say that when we meet at your festive
board matters of national importance are discussed
—we are too much engaged in enjoying the festive
hospitality which surrounds us for that—(a laugh)
—but acquaintances are formed on these occasions
which ripen afterwards into friendships; and it is
well known that the transactions of business are
made much snore easy when those who meet to carry
them on know and like each other. (Hear, bear.)
Therefore I say, these gatherings are of great politi-
cal importance by bringing together those who are
charged with the commerce of the country and those
who are responsible for its political government.
There have been occasions when it was the lot of
those who had to explain the state of affairs to con-
gratulate y al on the tranquil condition of the
civilised world. I am afraid I cannot do that in
the present instance; for, although I trust there is
nothing in our horizon which can grow into a cloud
of war, yet we see on all sides—in the far West and
in the distant East—straggles going on of the most
lamentable character, and scenes enacted which
make us shudder for humanity, and excite our deep
compassion for the countries in which they are oc-
curring. (Hear, hear.) In the far West we see
a nationlof the same race, the same language as our-
selves split into two, slaughtering each other by
hundreds of thousands, and carrying on a contest
the result of which it is impossible to foresee,
and the end of which now, after more than two
years' duration, he would be a bold man
indeed who ventured to predict. (Hear, hear.)
Lamenting that state of things, the Government of
this country have felt it their duty not to yield
either to the entreaties or the objurgations of the
one party or the other. (Cheers.) Blandishments
on the one side and threats on the other have equally
been fruitless to affect our course. (Renewed cheers.)
We have felt it our duty to abstain from taking any
Part in that deplorable conflict. If, indeed, we had
thought it had been in our power to put an end to
it by w
friendly intervention, no efforts would have
been
era.) But
to accomplish so holy an object.
maintain But we felt that our interference would
have b
that I ameen Tain, and we deemed it our duty—and in
sure we but followed the wishes of the
count
try-40
tra
a strict and impartial neu-
li y. (Lud e
In the East also scenes of
a lamentable characterr)a
barbarous
taking place. We there
see on the ono side a
system of deliberate
extermination carried out,B. and on the other side
revenge venting itself in
(Hear.) We of
murder and assassi-
nation.
endeavoured to enlist the
feelings and opinions of civilised
Europe in aejoint
e
remonstrance a,ainst that which we thought was
unjust. Those remonstrances have
failed. We
have done our duty; and we can only hope that
those who have the conduct of affairs in the Russian
a cease to pursue
empire may at length that course
which has drawn upon them the condemnation
of
Europe, and that peace may be restored upon terms
of equity and justice in that unfortunate country.
(Hear, hear.) 1% ell, though abroad things look
ill, and much misery and calamity arc sustained,
this country forms a happy exception to that which
' • of
seems to be the prevailing condition nations.
We have been blessed by Providence with an
abundant harvest ; we have been preserved by the
conduct of the Government and the sense of the
country ,from the misfortunes of war ; our PP'
Wien are contented and loyal, and they feel

that for a long course of years the Legislature has
been occupied in remedying grievances, in removing
defects from our laws, in sweeping away those ob-
structions which the less enlightened policy of
former times had placed in the way of the produc-
tive industry of the nation. By all these means, I
am happy to say, I believe that the commercial and
material prosperity of the country has reached a
point which it never attained at any former period.
(Hear.) Those who know the course of the com-
merce of the world will tell you that year by year
this great city of London is growing more and
more to be the centre of all the commercial trans-
actions of other States, that bills are draNin upon
London to pay debts all over the world, that com-
modities destined for other countries are sent in
deposit here—a tribute paid by the people of other
nations to the industry, good management, integrity
and high honour of our own commercial commu-
nity. (Hear, hear.) I congratulate you, my Lord
Mayor and gentlemen, on this happy state of things,
and I trust that they are greatly indebted for it to
the reign of that beneficent Sovereign under whose
mild and enlightened rule they have the good for-
tune to live. (Hear.) My Lord Mayor, I beg again
to thank you on my own part and that of my col-
leagues, and to assure you that we derive the
highest gratification from being allowed to join this
festive board. (Loud cheers.)
After a brief interval Lord PALMERSTON again
rose to propose the health of the new Lord Mayor.
He said—There are two aspects of human affairs—
the past and the future. You have done honour to
the past by drinking the health of the late Lord
Mayor. I now request you to anticipate the future
by drinking the health of "The Lord Mayor Elect,"
confident that at this time next year he will have
as well earned your approbation and thanks as you
have shown to-night that his immediate predecessor
has done. (Cheers.)
The toast having been duly honoured,
_ _

The LORD MAYOR briefly responded, expressing
his anxiety to discharge his duties to the best of his
abilities, and to maintain in their integrity the
rights and privileges of his fellow-citizens. He then
proposed " the House of Lords," which, he said, en-
joyed the respect and goodwill of the country, coup-
ling with the toast the name of Earl Granville.
(Cheers.)

Earl GRANVILLE believed that the Lord Mayor
had spoken truly in stating that the House of Lords
enjoyed the goodwill of the people of this country.
It was, perhaps, remarkable that the name of an
old institution, founded on hereditary right, should
be so cordially received among a people improving
in intelligence and public spirit, and which had the
freest expression of thought of any country in the
world: But, no doubt, the circumstance was partly
due to the House of Lords representing, though in a
different way from the House of Commons, the feel-
ings of a large portion of the community. Its ranks
were, moreover, recruited from all the various classes
of the country. To use a commerciarterm, the House
of Lords sometimes made loans of Peers. (A laugh.)
It had made a loan of the noble viscount who now
presided over the House of Commons in a manner
which they knew was acceptable to that body. They
had also lent Lord J. Russell to the city of London,
but now they claimed him for their own at last;
and they did not find that he had lost any of his
zeal for the honour and welfare of the coun-
i,ry at large through his connexion with that
commercial constituency. Oa the other hand, the
House of Lords borrowed in turn from the city
men whom the city especially claimed as its own.
Among these last were the late Lord Ashburton
and Lord Overstone, who were certainly found
to be very good bargains. (A laugh.) If the
Upper House remembered that it had its duties
as well as its rights, and really attended to those
duties, ho believed it would always be appreciated
by the intelligent country which in a certain sense
it might be said to represent. (Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR then gave "Her Majesty's
Judges," which was briefly acknowledged by Lord
Chief Justice ERLE. The next toast was " The
House of Commons," with which the name of Mr.
Cardwell was associated.

Mr. CARDWELL, in acknowledging the compli-
ment, said he was not surprised that in an assem-
bly of the citizens of London the toast of " The
House of Commons" should be received in a cordial
manner, for many of its most valued and able
members were connected with that mercantile com-
munity. They had been told that the English
House of Commons was powerful abroad, and the
secret of that power was that its voice was in har-
mony with that of the nation. The House of Com-
mons was the natural capital and crown of our other
representative institutions—those municipal bodies
which conducted the business and influenced the
mind of England, and of which that corporation
was the chief. It was the business of the House of
Commons—he would not say to promote their com-
merce, because that courted no patronage from any-
body and sought only a fair field and no favour—
but to remove obstructions which fettered the enter-
prise and industry of the people.
The LORD MAYOR then proposed " the Bar of
England,"ito which the Attorney-General responded.
The remaining toasts were—" the Sheriffs of Lon-
don and Middlesex," " the Lady Mayoress," " Sir
J. Duke and the City Members," " the Aldermen
and the City Judges."
An admirable selection of vocal music was per-
formed during the evening by Madame Rudersdorff,
Miss Lascelles, Miss A. Cox, Miss Messent ; and
Messrs. Wilbye Cooper, Cozens, Burgess, Young,
Henry, Percival, and Winn. The arrangements
were under the direction of Mr. Edwin Gray, Herr
Lutz acting as conductor.
The proceedings terminated at a late hour.

M. LOUIS VEUILLOT is preparing a refutation of
RCA:lan's "Life of Jesus."

IIIE MIDDLE LEYEL.—Some interesting infor-
mation may be afforded with regard to this district
of the fens, which excited so much attention last year in
consequence of the disastrous inundation near Lynn. It ap-
pears from the accounts for the financial year ending April
6, 1863, that £86,6.51 was disbursed during that period, of
which £57,744 was in reference to works consequent on the
failure of the out-fall sluice. The further sum of £1,996
was paid on account of law expenses, arising principally
out of the same calamity. About £B,OOO has since been paid
on account of the defensive works, and from £2,000 to £3,000
still remains to be paid, exclusive of the engineers' charges,
which have not yet been received. It was estimated a year
since that there would be a deficiency of £20,000, or there-
abouts, in the funds of the commissioners to provide for the
works contemplated by the engineers. The result has con-
firmed the estimate, but the commissioners do not propose
to take up formally any further sum or loan, but to provide
for their current wants through a temporary advance from
their bankers. Further argument in reference to the ques-
tions of law reserved for the opinion of the Court of Queen's
Bench with regard to the compensation claims preferred
during the great flood will take place during the present
term. A leakage and some disturbances at:the syphon dam
and works have lately occurred, and Mr. T. E, Harrison,
C.E., came down last week for the purpose of making an
examination with Mr. Lunn, the resident engineer. Mr.
Lunn has given directions to have some puddle prepared,
and the men employed will open out as far as they can the
course of the water, and will then fill the excavated space in
with puddle. The defective point is supposed to be close to
the syphons furthest from the engine-house, and the next
spring tides will prove whether this is or is not the case.
Mr. Harrison considers that no bad result is likely to arise
from the leak, but he will meet Mr. Hawkshaw, C.E., to-
morrow or Wednesday for the purpose of consulting with
that gentleman, and of ascertaining from Mr. Lunn the re-
sult of the work now being carried on. It will then be
practicable to decide whether any further steps are neces-
sary. The amount of rain which has fallen has been so un-
usually small that no opportunity has been afforded for
judging by actual experiment as to the probable efficiency
of the syphons ; but, acting under the advice of the engi-
neers, the commissioners propose to give them a .further
trial before disturbing them. It appears from the accounts
that in the commissioners' last financial year the amount
taken on loan was £71,000, the bonded debt of the com-
mission being thus increased to £161,000. The amount
paid for interzst was £16,693, and t,he sum received in taxes
was £24,691, while the other ordinary accessory receipts of
the year were £B2O, A temporary loan of £20,000, con.
rashesnL eutteryatno do h
trivial
m
con-
tracted in 1862-3, has been paid off.
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iseases to which the sufferer
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e tettte.J

THE MURDER IN A CAB,

Up to a late hour last night no information had been re-
ceived by the police that could give the slightest clue to the
discovery of the man supposed to be concerned in this hor-
rible affair, or lead to the identification of the bodies of the
murdered persons. The case is in the charge of Mr. Supe-
rintendent Tiddy, of the D division, assisted by a number of
detectives under Sergeant Tanner. The description of the
women and children was extensively circulated throughout
the country districts yesterday, and will, it is supposed, lead
at least to the identification of the bodies. During Sunday
and yesterday the cabman, James Parker, was taken to
various parts of the metropolitan police districts to identify
bodies supposed to include that of the missing man, but
without any successful result.

Yesterday evening Dr. Lankester held an inquest on the
bodies of the poisoned woman and children in the Board-
room of St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
The first witness called was Edward Wynne, a coachman,
living in Mornington-street, Marylebone, who stated that
while standing in front of the Royal Oak Tavern, West-
bourne-grove, about half-past 9 o'clock on Saturday night
last, a Great Eastern Railway cab drove up. Thinking he
knew the driver, he walked up to it and opened the door.
While doing so the cabman stepped down off his box, say-
ing, "I have got a queer job here, I fancy." On opening
the door witness found a woman crouched down in the bot-
tom of the cab, apparently dead drunk. On lifting her up
they found there were two little girls in the cab, also insen-
sible. Witness lifted the women up, and gave the cabman
one of the children to hold. He then went round the corner
to look for a policeman, but not finding one he returned to
the cab door, and found a policeman and a medical gentle-
man examining the bodies. He thought the woman was
drunk, and told the cabman so. He noticed a good deal of
vomit about the woman's clothes. He saw nothing in the
cab but a hatbox. No bottle was found while he was there.

By the Jury—The cabman was in the act of getting down
off the box when he used the expression, "I have got a
queer job here, I fancy." The younger child was on the seat
of the cab, the elder underneath the woman. Witness was
mistaken in supposing that he knew the cabman, who was
a perfect stranger to him. It was before the cab door was
opened that the cabman made the remark he did.
James Parker, badge 220, was then called. He said he was
a cabdriver, plying for hire at the Great Eastern Railway
Terminus. He was on his stand at the station between 8
and 9 o'clock on Saturday evening last, and was waiting for
the arrival of the 9 o'clock up train, when he was called by
a gentleman, who had with him a lady and two children.
They came from the departure platform. The gentleman
told him to drive to the Royal Oak, Westbourne-grove, and
got into the cab accompanied by the lady and the two little
girls. Witness heard no conversation between any of the
party. When they got as far as the Green Dragon Tavern,
in Bishopsgate-street, the gentleman stopped the cab, gave
him a shilling, and asked him to get down and bring him a
pint of half-and-half, telling him that he might have any-
thing he liked for himself. He did as he was requested, and
gave the gentleman the change out of the shilling and the
pint of half-and-half at the same tme. Heard no conversa-
tion in the cab at the time, nor did lie see who partook of the
half-and-halt, as he was standing at his horse's head. The
gentleman gave him the pot to take back to the publichouse,
emptying- what temaiued in it on to the pavement before
doing so. From the sound of the liquid falling on the stones
he should not think that any solid substance had been added
to the beer. He then drove on through Cornhill, as ho had
been directed, until they camo to Familiar s-inn, Holborn,
when the gentleman put his head out of the window and
called out, "Hold hard, cabby; I'll get out here." He
opened the door himself, and was out on the pavement just
as witness pulled up. Ile asked witness Lis fare, and he
told him 4e., whereupon ho gave him 4s. Gd., remarking
that the extra sixpence was fur himself, and telling him to
drive the others to the Royal Oak, Westbourne-grove.
Witness did not hear him say " Good bye" to the persons
in the cab. He was a dark, gentlemanly -looking man, about
5 feet 5 inches high, not very stout, with small black
whiskers, bushy moustache, and short black beard. He
had a foreign appearance, but spoke like an Englishman.
Ho had on a black coat and trousers and a black hat, and
walked away slowly in the direction of Holborn-hill. Wit-
ness then continued his journey to the Royal Oak, when he
pulled up and got dowd. As he opened the door he re-
marked to the last witness, who was standing near, " Look
here I hero is something very queer I" and pointed out the
woman lying at the bottom of his cab. She was on her face,
and the elder child was in her arms underneath. He tried
to get the child out of the mother's arms, and begged of
Wynne to fetch a policeman and a surgeon. A doctor who
was passing at the time came up, examined the woman and
children, and pronounced them to be dead. The policeman
then got into the cab, and by his direction witness drove to
St. Mary's Hospital as fast as possible.
By the Coroner—lt was certainly not till after he got
down that he said to Wynne " Here's a queer job I" He
could not see into the cab from his box. Wynne did not
open the door.

Policeman Tbomas Jones, 274 D, stated that he was on
duty opposite the Royal Oak on Saturday evening, between
eight and nine, when a man crossed over and said, "I
think you are wanted on the other side of the
road:, He crossed over and saw 15 or 20 peop:e standing
round a cab, among whom was a medical man, who was
examining a woman and two children, who were lying ap-
parently dead in the cab. He got in and supported the
woman's head with his knees, and took the children in his
arms. He directed the driver to drive to St. Mary's Hospi-
tal with all speed. When they arrived there the surgeon
inattendance pronounced the woman and children to be dead.
Inside the cab was found a leather hatbox, containing a few
figs and cakes, and a piece of newspaper. On the seat of
the cab was a bundle containing a lilac cotton skirt, two
pinafores, and a white pocket handkerchief tied up in a
black wrapper. Besides these articles were found a man's
new cap, a shilling, and a portmonnaie, containing a half
crown, a shilling, a sixpence, op. in halfpence, and two
postage stamps. After bringing the things into the hospi-
tal he found a cork, which might either have been among
them or on the table before they were brought in. There
was a good deal of vomit about the cushions of the cab,
which had, unfortunately, been washed away.
Mr. H, W. Kiallmark, M.R.C.S., was next called. He
was passing the Royal Oak on Saturday evening between
8 and 9 o'clock, when he saw a crowd round a cab door.
He pushed his way through to see if he could be of any as-
sistance. The first thing that struck him was a very strong
smell of prussic acid. He then saw the body of a child lying
on the front seat of the cab, and a woman and another child
huddled together at the bottom. On proceeding to examine
the bodies he Imiud them all to be dead, the youngest child
being nearly cold, the others still warm. There was no pulse
or any sign of life whatever, and the bodies were quite
flaccid. The child that lay at the bottom of the cab had
vomited.

Mr. Coombe, M.R.C.S., one of the house surgeons who
received the bodies:at the hospital, said that at about half-
past 8 o'clock on Saturday evening a cab came to the hos-
pital with three dead persons—a woman of about 35 and two
female children, apparently of the ages of seven and four.
They were quite dead, and all smelt of prussic acid; the
smell, however, was more particularly strong in the case of
the mother and the younger child. The bodies were quite
flaccid, and the fluid which exuded from the woman's mouth
smelt very strongly of prussic acid and porter. The eyes of
all three presented the ordinary appearance. On again exa-
mining the bodies at daylight he found a slight bruise on
the arm of the mother and one of the children. There was
also a sore on the mother's foot, upon which was a portion
of ointment, evidently taken from a box found on her per-
son. Mr. Coombe then described the appearances presented
by the different organs at the poet mortem examination. In
all three cases the brains were congested and smelt of prus-
sic acid. In the case of the woman half an ounce of fluid was
found in the pericardium. In all three the right auricles of
the heart were distended, the right ventricles flaccid, the
left auricles and ventricles being empty. The other organs
were health. The stomachs were tied up, sealed, and will be
delivered to Dr. Matthiessen for the analysis of their con-
tents to-day. The woman bore marks of having borne chil-
dren. There was no wedding-ring on her finger, but a dis-
tinct mark of one. From the likeness between the woman
and the children he should say they were mother and
daughters.
Mr. George Mahon, M.R.C.S., another of the surgeons,
stated that he had found a box of ointment, with lint and
strapping, inside the bosom of the woman's dress. It bore
a printed label, " William Hunt, chemist, Camberwell,"
and the words " Zinc Ointment" were written upon it.
Henry Beard, a detective, said he had taken the box of
ointment to Mr. Hunt, who identified it as having been
purchased at his shop within the last few days, but he could
throw no further light upon the matter.
The landlord of the Green Dragon was then called, who
fully corroborated the evidence of the cabdriver touching
the beer called for by him, and delivered to the man in the
cab. He noticed the man in the cab, and thought he should
be able to identify him if necessary.
Sergeant Mackrill, of the D division, then gave a minute
account of the clothes found on the bodies of the unfortu-
nate victims, a description of which was given in The Sun
of yesterday.
The inquest was then adjourned until Monday, the 16th
instant.

The bodies will be kept at the hospital doadhouse as long
as they remain in a state to be identified.

Her Majesty's Government has offered a reward of
£lOO for the apprehension of tho man who hired and left
the cab in which the dead bodies of the woman and two girls
were found,

KILLED BY AN EXPRESS TRAlN.—Shortly before
10 o'clock on Sunday night a shocking accident took
place at the Catford-bridge station of the Mid Kent Railway.
It appears that a young man, 19 years of age, named Fred.
Charles Drake, had taken a ticket to proceed to the Lady-
well station, Lewisham, where he resided, and had to cross
the line of rails to await the arrival of the train. At this
time the express train, which was some minutes overdue,
came up, and before the unfortunate young man had time
to escape the engine struck him and threw him with great
violence to a considerable distance. When picked up, one
of his legs was found to have been severed, and his body
otherwise presented such a mangled appearance as to leave
no doubt that death had been instantaneous. The deceased
was the son of the sexton of Lewisham Cemetery.

BETHNAL-GREEN GUARDIANS,

At the usual weekly meeting of the Bethnal-green Board
of Guardians, held at the workhouse yesterday, Mrs. Nor-
ton, midwife, attended to complain that Dr. Moore, one of
the medical officers, had refused to pay her half-a-crown in
respect to each of four midwifery cases she had attended on
his behalf. She said she understood that Dr. Moore was
paid a fee of 10s. in each case, and she felt it very hard that
she should not be paid by him when she attended and did
the duty. In reply to the chairman, Mr. Collins, she said
she could name the cases in which he had refused to pay
her. There was that of Mrs. Hill in East-street, Mrs.
Langton in Digby-street, Mrs. Bingley in Smart-street,
and Mrs. Marsh in James-street. The case of Marsh was a
difficult one. Dr. Moore was there, and he went away for
his instruments, but the child was born before he returned.
The clerk referred to the book and found that the certificates
of Dr. Moore had been paid. Mrs. Norton said, in continua-
tion, that she had been in the habit of attending midwifery
cases for Dr. Moore for eight years. Dr. Moore called after-
wards, perhaps the next day, but she always put the woman
to bed, and attended the child for a week afterwards. When
Dr. Moore paid her the last mosey he kept ls. off. He paid
her 4s. for two cases when he ought to have paid her ss.
She was dissatisfied, but she would not have complained if
he had paid her in the last four :lases. She had attended
nearly all the cases at the Folly for Dr. Moore. The chair-
man said they had had suspicion that something of this
kind had been going on for a long time, and that they were
obliged to her for coming forward and giving them infor-
mation. There was no doubt the physician had used her
very badly. The Board would probably require his attend-
ance in another place. Mrs. Norton then retired, and the
clerk read the report of the committee of the whole Board
on the case of Caroline James and the conduct of Mr,
Christy, the relieving officer. The committee after carefully
considering the evidence recommended that the following
opinion be forwarded to the Poor-law Board :—" That Mr.
Christy, after receiving the certificates of Dr. Moore, should
have admitted Caroline James into the infirmary, but on
visiting the deceased and seeing the van of goods belonging
to her being removed he did not consider it a case of desti-
tution. The guardians are of opinion that this is a great ex-
tenuation in the case." Mr. Faith moved that the report be
adopted, which was seconded by Mr. Englebert, and unani-
mously carried. The clerk was instructed to forward the re-
solution to the Poor-law Board. The clerk then read the
letter received from the Poor-law Board last week relative to
the resolution of the guardians asking the Board to sanction
the dismissal of Dr. Moore. As the Board had asked for parti-
culars respecting the various charges against Dr. Moore, it
was proposed by Mr. Goodwin that the clerk be instructed
to forward the information required. Mr. Englebert thought
the matter should be entrusted to a committee of the whole
Board, and not left with the clerk alone. The chairman
said he had got quite enough evidence before him to sub-
stantiate the whole of the charges spinet Dr. Moore, but
he thought it would be most desirable to refer the matter to
a committee. Mr. Faith said, after what they had heard that
day, the case of Dr. Moore assumed a very grave aspect.
He moved that a committee of the whole Board meet on
Thursday next to take the matter into further consideration.
This motion having been seconded, was put and carried, and
the clerk was instructed to summons such witnesses as
might be required. The Board then adjourned.

Unhealthy Homes in Norwich.