The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 30, 1861

does not admit the impossibility o'f 'anything, and
the safe retreat of General Lee across the Potomac
with bag and baggage, ammunition and artillery,
and all the immense supplies which he obtained iu
Pennsylvania, is held to be the unpardonable sin
which is to unfit General Meade for the future
command of the army of the Potomac. Already his
deposition is openly urged by the friends of the Go-
vernment in and out of the press. General Meade
has achieved glory enough. He must not be allowed
to gather any more laurels. Mediocrity in high
places is jealous alike of his merit and his modesty,
and he is forthwith to be consigned to an inferior
command in some less conspicuous place, or sent like
Burnside to dragoon his own countrymen, so that
he may become unpopular, and therefore innocuous
to the Administration.

JULY 18.

Contrary to all expectation, Provost Marshal
General Fry, instructed by the President, has offi-
cially notified that the draught is to be enforced in
every part of the country, and that the several Pro-
vost-Marshals charged with its execution will be
sustained by the military forces of the Federal Go-
vernment. It would thus seem that Mr. Lincoln is
resolved to try the strength of the Federal arm against
the strength of the States, commencing with the great
State of New York. It is a desperate venture, and
the direct inaugural of a revolution. Already the
alarm that it has created is excessive. Dreading a
renewal of mob violence, if not a contest between the
forces of the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal
armies and those of the equally legally appointed
Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and other forces
of the State of New York, crowds of timid people
are leaving the city, and those who have fewer fears
for their own personal safety are sending their wives
and children to remote rural districts and even to
Canada. Next week threatens to be an eventful
one. The city as yet is held by State troops alone,
under the supreme authority of Governor Seymour,
who has expressed his opinion that the draught is
unconstitutional, who has called upon the President
to postpone it until a legal decision could be taken
upon it, whose remonstrances have been treated
with contempt, and who, in case he should deter •
mine to make a stand in support of his opinions and
his position, will be supported by the vast majority
of the people of the State and city. Mr. Lincoln is
a rash man. It remains to be seen whether he will
be a fortunate one.

could be had. They were very quiet, and seemed
to desire that nothing should occur that should dis-
turb the peace. Half an hour before the appointed
time a cavalry patrol of seven men, under a lieu-
tenant rode up and down the avenue, but no notice
was taken of them by the people. At two o'clock
Archbishop Hughes appeared on the balcony, and
the crowd uncovered and began to cheer. In a
moment they were again silent,
and requesting
them to put on their hats he spoke as follows :
Men of New York,—They call you rioters, but I cannot
see a riotous face among you. I will call you men of New
York, not gentlemen, because gentlemen is so threadbare a
term that it means nothing positive. Give me men, for I
know of my own knowledge that if this city were invaded
by a British or any foreign Power—(laughter)—the delicate
ladies of New York, with infants on their breasts, would
look for their protection from men more than from gentle-
men. (Applause.) There is no reason why you should not
be gentlemen, for there is no real difference between these
terms. (Applause.) I address you of my own choice, and I
would so if I had to go on crutches. (Cheers.) My lungs
are stronger than my limbs. It gratifies me that you have
met in peace and good order here at this time. I do not ad-
dress you as President—(laughter)—or mayor, or as mili-
tary officer ; I address you as your father. (Cheers.) I am
not going into the question what has brought about this
nhappy state of things ; it is not my business, for I am a
minister of God. You know I never deserted you. (Cries
of " Never.") With my tongue and pen I have stood by you
in years past. I am not a runaway bishop. (Laughter.) It
perhaps is a calamity, but I have never been conscious of
fear till the danger was over. I could not fight for you or
with you; but I could stand by you and die with you. I
cannot go into what caused this state of things. I know of no
people on earth who have not had their grievances. A
change is not an improvement necessarily. When I cast
my eyes back to the land of my nativity, and when I think
of its oppressions, when I see the fertile west and south of
Ireland depopulated, and cattle browsing on the ruins of the
cottages of the noble people who had lived there, I thank
God that I came to a country where no such oppression
exists. (Cheers,) If you are Irishmen, as your enemies
say the rioters are, I am an Irishman, but not a rioter.
(Laughter.) If you are Catholics, as they have reported,
probably to hurt my feelings, then I am a Catholic too.
(Cheers.) I know under misguidance of real or imaginary
evils the people will get uneasy sometimes, and I do think
that every man has his troubles—for I have my troubles
too—but I think with the poet, that it is better to bear our
slight inconveniences than to rush on evil that we have not
yet witnessed. (Cheers.) In Europe, where the countries
call themselves constitutional, a fool or a wise man must
occupy the throne. (Laughter.) There is nothing for an
oppressed populace there but revolution. Now, revolu-
tion is a terrible thing. In this country the Constitution
gives the right of the people to make a revolution every
four years. You know what they do. They fire paper
bullets. Were you ever in Rome ? Walking towards the
Corso, the people there send off bullets—bullets of flowers at
each other. But in this country the Government is a foun-
dation not to be destroyed. It is the right of the people
every four years to correct or amend, as the printers say,
the superstructure. But let them preserve the foundation,
and let the American people build the superstructure every
four years. But they say, take away the foundation. If we
do, what shall you and I have to cling to as the best form
of human government ? (Applause.) I am too old now to
seek for another home and country than the one I have. I
wish to cling to the old foundations of this one. But I want
the men who may constitute the housekeepers of the super-
structure to be the right kind of men. (Applause.) How-
ever, I have no opinion ou this subject. (A rough voice
from the crowd—" Let the niggers stay in the South I") I
am not a politician, but you all know that everything is in
the hands of the Supreme Government of the United States,
and the majority of them, whether they make a blunder or
not, in any system of legislation, if they are elected, have a
right to govern, and I am always ready to be governed by
the majority. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen—I beg pardon.
men—(loud laughter)—l may call you children—there is
one thing, one question, which I wish to ask you, and which
I desire you will answer. You will also forgive me if 1 ask
your counsel on another point. I am nearly done, but if
you are willing to hear me, as Archbishop of New York, I
am willing to give you a word of advice. (Applause.) I
have not scolded you ; no, I hope you would not and do not
deserve it. But I will conclude with the observation with
which I began, that I have not seen in this vast audience
one single countenance that appears to be that of a man
who could be called a rioter. (Applause.) Then is this
business to go on ? Are we to be kept in trouble ? Is not
every man bound for his own sake, as well as for the sake
of his neighbour and of the city in which he lives, to be-
come, in his own modest way, a preserver of order and of
peace ? (Cries of " Yes, sir," and cheers.) Now, I have been
told, and 1 have seen it in the papers,that not a little property
has been destroyed. I do not say by you. I hope not.
But I remember the anecdote of a lady who had a little
.
boy about seven years of age, and she said to " Come,
darling, it is time to get ready to go to church." " Well,"
the child answered ; " well, ma, I am
to go where:
ever you go ; but as to going to church, what is the use ?
Well, that was the expression of a child, and I hope he has
learned better since. But if property be destroyed, what is
the use ? It must be all paid for. By whom ? By you
no. Let us be careful of that, because property can be re-
and me and everybody. What is the use ? No, no—no,
placed ; but if lives are lost, the departed soul cannot be re-
called from the other world. Although in case of any in.
justice—a violent assault upon your rights without provo-
cation—(" Hip, hip, hurrah, that's it")—my notion is,that
every man has a right to defend his shanty if no more—
(cries of "So we will," and cheers)—or hie house, or his
church—(loud hurrahs)—at the risk of his life. But the
cause should be always just—must be defensive, not ag-
gressive. By the by,
will you permit me to give you an
advice ? (d Yes, yes; that's what we came here for.")
Well, do you know what my advice would be ? I will ex-
press it briefly. It would be strange if I did not suffer much
in my feeling by these reports?by these calumnies, as I hope
they are, against you and against me—that you are rioters,
and that you are this and that—and that you can imagine
I can so hear such things without feeling deeply. Is there
any way, directly or indirectly, that you can put a stop to
these proceedings—at least, such of you as love God and
revere the laws of the country, of which not a single
statute has been enacted against you, either as Irishmen or
Catholics, but whose justice has brought you here in
crowds ? Because you have—l, as well as others—suffered
enough already. Governmentßecauseniocentmay b
e se hao d
n stand,
can protect itself, unless it shall be able to protect its
people. (Cheers.) Because, perhaps imprudently how-
ever, military force may be let loose amongst you—and you
The innocent know what that means.t own;
and, if there be guilty ones, they, they are those most
likely to escape. Now for a word of advice. Would it not
be better, if you regard me, to retire, calmly and quietly,
but not give up your opinions and convictions. (" That's
it." Cheers.) But to keep out of the crowd within
which immortal souls are launched into eternity without a
moment's notice ? Would not that be good advice ?
(Cheers.) Well, and now there is another thing on which
I would ask your advice and counsel. It is this, namely—
that when the smoke clears away, the responsibility of these
so-called riots should be thrown upon the Catholics, and
especially upon the Irish Catholics, and concentrate upon
my heart. (Here the archbishop struck his breast.) I wish
Ireland,
roeul tellatnod,
that
h ra
te never in what I should claim to have boen
a committed country
by her own sons, or on her
born. (Cries of "Ireland, of course.") Yes, but what would
you say if these stories are true ? What would you say ?
own soil, till she was oppressed, a single act of cruelty—
Ireland, that has been mother of heroes and poets, but never
the mother of a coward. (Never, never, and loud cheers,
with you will think that this is
blarney. waving(
(Laughter,
ghahttes.r and
nd Perhapscrie
so f
Oh, no, sir ; its true as
goepel.") No. It is a fact; it is a fact. (A voice, " His-
tory tells it.") Of course. When the first apostle of Chris-
tianity went to Ireland—his name was not Patrick; he had
been preceded by Pelagius—he went through his course,
uelletaitrueddet,haendwtahyeyby which Patrick came, and spoke
tof listened to him and to the truths
of Christianity,
perhapst
Chhermistianity, just as you have been patient enough to
listen to me here. Look here, men ! the soul of Ireland was
never crimsoned nor moistened by a single drop of martyr's
blood, and that is what no other nation can say. In fact,
it pains me deeply to have to revert to that country, I know
so many things that are characteristic of the Irish. I know
that Ireland is not a country that produces fools. Some-
times there are idots—a few there—and yet even those have'
always the spark of Irish wit. And yet the feeling of deli-
cacy in that country is so nice that they never use the word
idiot in Ireland; but they call a person of that description
an innocent, because by their religious training they know
the difference between moral right and wrong. But
whether it be a poor boy or girl that is in that way, they
call them and speak of them in a delicacy of language that
even the French language cannot imitate. They call them
innocents. But amongst them there was one who was no
longer a boy, and he was very fond, it appears, of taking
away eggs, and sometimes they were not quite as fresh as
they might be. (Laughter.) And it appears that once when
he was swallowing his favourite beverage, a little:chicken—
(laughter)—began to cry out in his throat. He said, Ah,
I'm sorry for you, but you spoke too late." (Continued
laughter.) But there are very few of that stamp in Ireland.
That is a soil for other productions, even when these pro-
, ductions cannot be employed for the good of the country
that gave them birth. Oh ! what a scene arises up before
my memory just now, When I think of the noble men that
have been exiled under circumstances mere trying than
those which you have had to experience—the O'Donnell of
Spain, who is at the head of that nation—Field-Marshal
Nugent, whom I know intimately—the O'Donnell who
saved the life of the young Emperor by interposing his own
body between his sovereign and the assassin. When I
know that most of the universities on the continent of
Europe were founded and established by the sons of Ireland
—(hurrahs)—when I know that in later times of persecu-
tion the blood of your brethren has stained the Balaklava
and the Crimea, and has crimsoned the streets of Delhi in
India—when I think of the cruelty of the Government that
has so treated them, leaving them no door open to fair ad.
vancement, without any favour, except in the United States
—when I think of all this, be assured of it that I do not
envy the policy of John Bull—(laughter and applause)—

in replacing a noble population by a race of fat bullocks,
(Applause.) Now I took upon myself to say that you
should not be molested in paying me a visit or in returning
to your homes. I thank you for your kindness, and I hope
that nothing will occur until you get home at least --(A
voice—" When you want us again, sir, let us know, and we
will pay you another visit")--and if by chance you should
see a policeman or a soldier—(here the archbishop paused
for a few seconds and added)—just look at him.
At the conclusion of the archbishop's speech, and after
he had retired frotn the balcony, the vociferous calls of the
immense throng for his reappearance induced his grace
again to present himself. Deafening cheers greeted him,
and as he stood, bowing his acknowledgments, it was not a
difficult matter to perceive the strong hold which the vene-
rable prelate had in the hearts of the men who rallied to
his invitation. Not yet satisfied with the demonstration,
and still anxious to exhibit their manifestations of profound
respect, they in the most respectful manner solicited his pa-
ternal benediction. To ask was but to receive, and reappear-
ing at the window of his library, where he was again re-
ceived with almost tumultuous applause, he pronounced his
benediction, every one with uncovered head receiving it,
making at the same time the sign of the cross. Once more
the archbishop exhorted them to repair immediately to thoir
homes, and with a lusty " We will," they wended their ways
to their respective domiciles. Ina few moments the crowded
streets and avenues wore their usual tranquil aspect.

The Archbishop then retired, and the throng dis-
persed, cheering him enthusiastically.
A list of losses caused by incendiary fires has been
compiled up to Thursday morning. Seventeen dis-
tinct fires are enumerated, comprising one or more
buildings, and the estimated loss is 400,000 dols.
Fifty-six patients have been taken to the Bellevue
Hospital, of whom 13 have died. Fifteen dead
bodies have been brought to the deadhouse of the
hospital; the names are unknown. Alost of the in-
jured seem to have received gunshot wounds. About
30 persons concerned in the riots have been cap-
tured by Gen. Brown, and are held as military pri-
soners. It is stated, however, that they will be
handed over to the civil authorities. On the 17th
Brooklyn was quiet, though threats of sacking and
burning bad been made, the measures of the autho-
rities having been complete. A riot was attempted
in Portsmouth, but was suppressed. The Boston
riot was entirely quelled. At Tray there was some
rioting, but it was put down by the military with-
out firing. At New Haven there was a call made
upon the Governor of Connecticut to give permis-
sion for the formation of a home guard as a protec-
tion against riot. The provost-martial of New
Jersey, in order to prevent any outbreak, announced
that no direction for a draught had been received.
Soldiers in Rochester, State of New York, had made
an attack upon Frederick Douglass, jun., son of
the anti-slavery advocate. The Poughkeepsian
mentions the following :
The milk train on the Hudson River Railroad last night
brought down from Albany a portion of the 25th Militia
Regiment. At the station the soldiers tried to break into
the refreshment saloon of William Johnson. Failing in
this attempt, they came up into Main-street, and attacked
the fruit and confectionary store of J. B. Clifton. Breaking
the door in, they helped themselves to fruit, candles, nuts,
&c., robbed the money drawer, and left, bent on other mis-
chief. These soldiers were part of a regiment ordered to
New York city to assist in quelling the riot there.
Heavy firing has been heard off Portland. The
following despatches have been received :

Portland, Maine, July 17.
The captain of the steamer from New York reports hear-
ing, about 10 o'clock, 12 heavy guns south-southwest of
Cape Elizabeth, apparently 18 or 20 miles off, he being
within seven or eight miles of the vessels, in a thick fog."

ANOTHER REPORT.
A fisherman reports coming up from Harpswell this
morning he heard, from 10 to 11 o'clock, about 15 miles
south-east from Portland, heavy firing, apparently from two
vessels firing broadsides. One vessel apparently to have
heavier guns than the other.

A number of despatches of an unauthenticated
character, announcing the fall of Charleston, have
been received. They are as follows:

Philadelphia, July, 17.
The Inquirer of this city has the following posted on
their bulletin board:—" Information from Washington re-
ceived hero leads to the belief that Charleston was captured
on the 14th inst." Another report on the streets is as
follows General Beauregard has evacuated and burnt
Charleston." This last statement is said to have come via
Chattanooga. A rebel picket is reported to have told the
story.

Philadelphia, July 17,
It is understood, on good authority, that the Government
has received a despatch from General Rosecrans' Head-
quarters, stating that the Chattanooga Rebel announces the
capture of Charleston on the 14th inst.

Nashville, Tennessee, July 17,
News received from Chattanooga to-day says that
Charleston is in possession of the Federals. Major-General
Gordon Granger takes command of the district of Cumber-
land with his Headquarters at Nashville.

Washington, July 17.
The city was wild with the rumour to-day that Sumter
had fallen, the news corning through rebel sources, but it is
believed that it must refer to the capture of Morris Island,
as the Government has yet no advices of so brilliant a vic-
tory. They are, however, daily expected.
A letter to the Boston Herald dated off Charleston,
the 12th of July, says the grand and final attack was
assigned for Tuesday the 14th. The letter says—
Everything is working well here. Morris Island is ours.
Charleston and the forts are completely besieged. Five iron-
clads and 15 gunboats are off Sumter. Ten gunboats, one
48-gun frigate, and the New Ironsides will come over the
bar to-night at high water. Three more ironclads will ar-
rive this afternoon. Six hundred fresh men to assist in the
ironclads and gunboats have arrived. Batteries with 200-
pounder rifled guns erected on Morris Island by our troops,
will take part in the bombardment of Sumter.

A special despatch to the Chicago 7imes gives the
following particulars of the surrender of Port Hud-
son. It is dated from Vicksburg, July 10 :

After his unsuccessful assaults upon the enemy's works,
of which you have already been informed, General Banks
laboured to reduce the place by continuous bombardment,
and by closing all avenues by which the enemy could pro-
cure a supply of provisions. On the evening of the 7th
General Gardner sent cut a flag of truce. He had heard of
the capitulation of Vicksburg, and desired General Banks
to give him such information as he might have concerning
the truth or falsity of the rumour. General Banks sent him
a copy of General Grant's despatch, giving full particulars
of the capitulation of Vicksburg. General Gardner then
expressed his willingness to surrender upon the same terms.
General Banks declined, and announced that he would ac •
cept nothing short of an unconditional surrender. General
Gardner had before expressed his determination to hold to
the last extremity, and seemed sanguine both of the ulti-
mate success of the Confederate arms in holding the Missis-
sippi, and his own ability to defend the works until he
should be relieved by an attack upon General Banks' rear.
The intelligence of General Grant's splendid triumph at
Vicksburg, however, and the advance of a strong column
into the interior of Mississippi, cutting off his expected re-
lief, speedily dispelled General Gardner's hopes. Dis-
heartened and discouraged by the news he had received,
General Gardner surrendered his force unconditionally on
the morning of July 8. The garrison consisted of 6,000
effective men, in excellent condition. There were 60 pieces
of artillery in the various batteries along the river and in
the rear of the place, many of them of very large calibre.
The magazines contained an abundant supply of powder,
but a small quantity of shot and shell. This deficiency ac-
counts for the rebel fire having been so slack during the
last two or three days of the siege. General Gardner was
evidently husbanding his resources to repel an anticipated
assault, and had an abundant supply to have worked all his
guns for several days continuously, without entirely ex-
hausting his supply. There was no beef in the possession
of the rebels at Port Hudson at the time of the surrender.
The flesh of mules had been dealt out for some days in
short rations, to supply the want of beef. There were quite
a number of mules inside the rebel works and anabundance
of corn to have sustained the garrison for weeks longer if
they had had the heart to fight.
A despatch from Cairo to the same journal, dated
the 15th, says :—" The informal surrender of Port
Hudson was made by Major-General Gardner on
Wednesday, July 8. Just and formal possession was
taken of the rebel works and forts on the morning
of the 9th. The surrender was unconditional. The
number of prisoners will not exceed 7,000; one in-
formant places them at 6,000. There had been no
general engagement at Port Hudson for some days
previous to the surrender, all having been quiet, ex-
cepting that artillery practice was kept up on our
part, and fully replied to by the enemy. Provisions
had been short with the rebels for some time, and
their communications having been cut off they could
not obtain more supplies. There were no hopes of
succour from the forces known to be in the vicinity ;
hence there was no alternative but surrender or
starvation. The results immediately consequent
upon this last grand victory of the Union arms
over the rebellion can hardly be estimated at pre-
sent, but one great fact is now established—the
Father of Waters, the Mississippi river, is to-day
open to navigation by Union steamers from its
source to the Balize. The above is enough, but
lesser results may be stated. We captured the
enemy's works at Port Hudson, which are deemed
very strong and well protected, naturally and
artificially. We have more small arms and ammu-
nition than we Shave prisoners. We have taken
60 cannon, mostly field pieces ; one major-general,

one brigadier-general, and four colonels, with the
line and field officers of three or four more regi-
ments. I have been able to learn only the follow-
ing names of the rebel officers captured :—Major
General Gardner, Brigadier-General Beall, Colonel
Miles, Colonel Steadman, and Colonel Marshall
Smith."

Advices from Memphis to the 12th say :
"General Sherman is pursuing Johnstone, with
every prospect of destroying his entire army.
General Dodge at Corinth, reports that he has
routed the rebel forces under Forierit and Biffies,
which have been scouring the country north of his
lines, killing, wounding, and capturing quite a
number, General Hurlbut's cavalry scouts report
Colonel Blythe with 100 men and four pieces of
artillery, at Coldwater station, and General
Chalmers at Panola. A letter received at Hernando
states that Johnstone has been fighting near
Jackson, and was falling back. Richard Non Was
still in the north of here enforcing the conscription.
General Dodge will attend to him."

Extraordinary Charge of Murder in

Pentonville.

Last night Dr. Lankester held an investigation at
the Salmon Tavern, Penton-street, Pentonvilie-road,
respecting the death of Mary Ann Best, or Berridge,
aged 37 years, who was alleged to have been mur-
dered under very extraordinary circumstances.
Mrs. Harriet Swan, 78, High-street, Hoxton, said
that deceased was her sister. Deceased was a single
woman, but she had two children—one by a solici-
tor, named Clarke, and the second by Peter Best.
She was for some time past in service, but she left
her place on Sunday evening last. She went to lodge
in Best's house. Witness believed she had not come
by her death fairly. Best had frequently of late
wanted to renew his intimacy with her, but she
always refused. Witness believed that he had endea-
voured to do so again on Sunday night, and not being
able to get the better of her had strangled her. He
used to beat her and treat her shamefully before ; and
when witness wanted her to leave him and reside
with her he said that he would do for her and put a
bullet through witness. Witness often saw bruises
on the deceased. When deceased was in service he
used to go after her and stand outside and get her
wages. Deceased often said that she gave him her
wages to keep his tongue quiet and save her cha-
racter. Neither Best nor the woman he was now
living with let any of deceased's relatives know of
her death.

Margaret Lacey, 2, Warren-cottages, said that she
lived with Best as his wife. Deceased came to lodge
at their house'at half-past seven o'clock. She ap-
peared ill, and said she was to stop for two or three
days till she was better. Witness believed she was
Mr. Best's sister, and she was always called so. She
went to bed at half-past eight o'clock. Witness
saw her two or three times afterwards, and last at
ten o'clock before going out. She was then in bed
and looked better. She said she Was very com-
fortable. Witness returned at two o'clock, and
found her dead. Witness had left the knife pro-
duced on the kitchen mantelshelf before going
out. Best was to have met witness in Holborn at
one o'clock, but he did not because witness did not
stay. She had left him at home. Deceased never
said she would tyke her own life. Witness
was much surprised to find her dead. Witness had
had no idea that she was other than Best's sister,
and was almost sure that there had been no inti-
macy of late between there.

Mrs. Emma Hobby, a lodger in the same house,
said that she knew deceased as Best's sister. Saw
deceased come on Sunday night, and saw her the
next day at half past 12 in the yard sitting on a
chair with her hands before her. Heard Best ask
her if she wanted anything, and she said no. He
went out at 10 minutes to 1. Witness did not see
him go out. At a quarter to 2 he must have come
in, and he holloed up the stairs, "My God! my
sister has committed suicide." Witness came
down and saw her sitting in a chair in the room,
with a handkerchief round her neck. Best took
the handkerchief cff her neck and told witness to
go for Dr. Luke. He then went for the doctor
himself.

Wm. Busson, 3, Warren-cottages, said that about
10 or 15 minutes to 1 o'clock on Monday he saw
deceased sitting in the yard. Best was in the
kitchen preparing to go out. About 2 o'clock
Best told witness his sister had destroyed her-
self. He asked witness to take charge of her purse,
which contained four sovereigns and two three-
penny bits.
Dr. W. Sheehy said that at two o'clock on Mon-
day Best called him to deceased, Witness found
her lying on the floor. Best said he had removed
a handkerchief from her neck and mouth. Wit-
ness found a wound in the right arm at the bend
of the elbow. Some of the veins were cut through,
but none of the large arteries. The penknife pro-
duced was on the floor by her side. It was stained
with blood. The wound was an inch and a half
long. Death resulted from strangulation. The
post mortenz examination showed deceased to have
been a very healthy young woman. The wound
was of a character that might have been inflicted
by the person herself. Deceased was not enciente.
There were no marks of violence.

Miss Julia Armstrong, 32, Pen tonvill2-road, said
that deceased had been nine years in her service.
For three weeks past she was ill, and the doctor
said that she had low fever, which might turn to
typhus, and therefore she left on Sunday to go to
her brother's. She was perfectly sane. There
was no delirium or despondency—quite the con-
trary. Best had called during her illness, and up.
peared very kind.

Th?, Coroner then addressed Best, and said that a
most serious charge had been preferred against him,
and though he might make a statement, the court,
to save him from cross-examination, would not
swear him.

Peter Best said that he would prefer being sworn ;
and having been duly cautioned, he said that he
had known deceased 12 years. Her last child, a
girl 9 years old, was his. The child was at Miss
Armstrong's.. She came on Sunday night, and
could hardly walk without a stick. She said she
had eaten nothing for a fortnight, and she only
took a little gruel. Witness went to Miss Arm-
strong, and fetched some pills, which he gave her.
At nine o'clock on Monday she said she was better,
and that sbe would go to Miss Armstrong's during
the day. When sitting in the yard subsequently,
she said she felt comfortable, but that something
went " pop" in her head. She attributed that to
weakness. Witness was in all the morning. He
went out just before and walked to the end of
Gray's-inn-lane to see Mrs. Lacy, but could not.
He walked about Holborn, and, on his return, he
nodded to a policeman whom he knew. He saw no
one else that knew him. When he got back he
found deceased sitting in the front room with her
head thrown back. He believed she had fainted.
He took a handkerchief off her neck, which was
tied tightly round it, after he gave an alarm. There
was an apron in her mouth. The bloody knife lay
on the table.

In answer to the Jury, the Coroner said that the
great necessity would be for the accused to establish
the fact that he was out on the day in question.
He had not done that yet. The deceased was not
left-handed, though the wound was on the right
arm.

Several of the witnesses here said that both arms
were wounded, and, in consequence, Dr. Sheehy
was requested to make another examination of the
body. He did so, and stated that there was a
slight cut on the left arm, but not deep enough to
draw blood, and not nearly so large as that on the
other arm.

The woman Lacey said that there was a person
in court who saw Best return home at 2 o'clock.

Philip Lowther, 24, Warren-street, said that he
was standing at his door, and saw Best go into his
house about 10 minutes before 2 o'clock on Monday.
Witness next saw him going in with Dr. Sheehy,
about 10 minutes after:

By the Coroner—Had not seen him go out mean-
while. Had seen him go out during the morning,
but could not say as to the time.
The Coroner said that though the man Best had
given his evidence with what appeared to be great
straightforwardness, it was not yet established that
he had been out all the time between half-past 12

during which hours the
and 10 minutes to 2 \,
,:ven sacrificed. He should
woman's life might have
therefore adjourn the eot for further evidence,
m
and Best could of course proAsuce any witnesses that
might prove he was out as he PL'a ted •
Best said he only saw the poiceman he referred
to, and he did not know his name.
The Coroner said that he could no doubt find him
out.
The court was then adjourned.