The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-06 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-Aug. 5.

WORSHIP-STREET.—ATTEMP TED SUICIDE.
—.Rebecca East, a mild-featured girl, only 15 years
of age, was charged before Mr. Cooke with attempt-
ing to destroy herself by poison.
A week since evidence was given at this court by
the keepers attached to the Victoria Park and
others, of tho prisoner having been found in the en-
closure there in an excited and sinking state, that
she broke a small bottle labelled " poison" when
noticed, but denied that she had swallowed any of
the contents, and it was doubtful whether this
assertion was false, as, 'although an emetic was
administered, no certificate was put in showing the
result; but the girl admitted that her purpose was
self-destruction, and that she was induced to attempt
it in consequence of having been seduced by a young
man named Thomas Lee, who a fortnight previ-
ously brought her from the country and deserted
her after effecting her ruin. In reply to ques-
tions by Mr. Leigh, the then sitting ma-
gistrate, and Mr. Safford, the clerk, prisoner
said that she had a sister in or near Manchester-
square, but no other relative in London, conse-
quently a remand was ordered that inquiries might
be prosecuted.
Mr. Cooke now asked whether the girl's sister
was in attendance, and a very neatly dressed young
woman stepped forward and was sworn.
Mr. Cooke—Are you this girl's sister ?
Witness—Yes, sir; but I did not know she was in
London.

Mr. Cooke—Have you any parents ?
Witness—Only a mother, sir, and she is at Ports-
mouth.

Mr. Cooke—Have either of you the means of tak-
ing care of this poor girl ?
Witness—Oh, no, sir ; our mother can scarcely
earn her own living, and I am but a servant.
Mr. Cooke—What, then, is to become of her ?
Mr. Daniel Cooper, secretary to the Society for
the Rescneofyoung Women and Children, the offices
of which are in Queen-street, Cheapside, here ad-
dressed the magistrate, observing that his attention
having been drawn to the sad nature of this case,
he was prepared on the part of the society to receive
the girl, and provide for her in one of the twelve
" homes" attached to it.

Mr. Cooke—Have --any of those " homes" the
power to provide the admission of such as have
fallen from the paths of virtue ?

Mr. Cooper—:Most assuredly so, Sir; and there
are others for various classes of offence in their dif-
ferent stages, the result of which arrangements are
specially gratifying, the objects not being confined
to the reformation of lost character, but also to the
preservation and religious training of such young
persons as are deprived by circumstances of the ad-
vantages and blessings comprised under the term
"Home." I regret, however, that many deserving
cases have been and still are rejected solely for
want of funds.

Mr. Cooke—ls it compulsory for the inmates to
remain ?

Air. Cooper—Certainly not, Sir.
Cooke (to the prisoner)—The chaplain of the
House of Detention informs me that you are peni-
tent, and have promised,with apparent truthfulness,
never to repeat this great crime. Your relatives are,
from their position, unable to assist you. Here is a
gentleman who steps forward on the part of a most
praiseworthy society, and in its name offers to re-
ceive within its doors one who manifestly is in need
of rescue and protection. Will you go ?
The prisoner having obtained her sister's approval
of the worthy magistrate's suggestion, instantly ex-
pressed her desire to adopt it, and was discharged
from custody.

HAMMERSMITH.—IMPORTANT CAB QUES-
TION.—Mr. Ingham gave a decision in a case of
some importance both to the public and cab-drivers.
In consequence of complaints made by the visitors
to the International Exhibition of cabmen picking
their fares the police were instructed to take out
summonses in all cases in which there was a refusal
to be hired. In the cases proved the full penalty of
40s. has been imposed, which has had the effect of
rousing the whole body of cabmen to consider their
present condition. In the case of Alfred Rockall, a
licensed driver, which was similar to the others,-Mr.
Lewis, of Ely-place, defended. The evidence showed
that he was driving along the Brampton-road, when
he was hailed by two persons. He shook his head and
drove on. Sergeant Birch, who watched him, called
out " cab," but he again shook his head and drove on
faster. He afterwards took up a party of four per-
sons. The summons was taken out in accordance
with the terms of the 35th section of the Ist and 2d
William IV., cap. 22, as follows :—" That every
hackney carriage which shall be found standing
in any street or place, and having thereon any of
the numbered plates required by this act to be
fixed on hackney carriages, shall, unless actually
hired, be deemed to be plying for hire, although
such hackney carriage shall not be on any standing
or place usually appropriated for the purpose of
hackney carriages standing or plying for hire, and
the driver of every such hackney carriage which
\ shall not be actually hired shall be obliged and com-
pellable to go with any person desirous of hiring
such hackney carriage." Mr. Lewis argued at
some length that the act applied only to cabs found
standing, and that if they were going along they
were not to be deemed to be plying for hire. Mr.
Ingham was of a contrary opinion, and considered
that the Legislature intended the act to apply to all
persons plying for hire. He held that the defendant
was standing though he was going, so satisfied was
he of the intention of the act of Parliament. The
worthy magistrate consented to adjourn the case,
and several others, for the purpose, of conferring
with his colleague.
Mr. Ingham now gave his decision. He stated
that he had considered the point, and he. was
He
was of opinion that the statutea
per-
fectly satisfied that there was nothing
toln ts
appliedwas Plying
t
o pay
p ,ayl.ln
g for
cases
of plying for hire. As the defendant
hire he convicted him, and ordered
40s. and costs.
Several other cabmen were fined the full penalty
for the same offince.
William Smith was also summonedmoned for the same
offence, and he was
defended oy
of
Stepney.
In gentleman from
the office of Mr. Joseph Smith,ln this case the defenaant was driving his horse
through
Knightsbridge at a walking pace, and
hailed he shook his head, and repro.
was going to change horses. He
suepaotn e
dbetihnagt
he
afterwards took up a party of four persons.
Mr, Smith's clerk took the same objection as Mr.
Lewis. He also argued that, if the case held good, a
driver who had been out alb day with )114 12" go, 414

was just about arriving at his stables to change
horses, would be liable to be hired, though his horse
waq not in a fit state to go the journey.
Mr. Ingham said that if the driver in such a case
proved he intended to change horses he should take
upon himself the responsibility of excusing him,
but that was no excuse for not taking two persons
when he afterwards carried four. He never fined
cabmen unless he was perfectly sure that the case
had been proved. He had had many cases before
him in which the defendants had made statements
so probable that he had dismissed them. He thought
the case against the defendant proved, and he fined
him 402. and costs.
Mr. Smith's clerk then asked his worship for a
case, to settle the point as to the interpretation of
the 35th section. He stated that he had the autho-
rity of a noble philanthropist, who had interested
himself in the cabmen's behalf.

Mr. Ingham immediately granted a case.

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A YOUNG

JOAN FROM POISON AT ISIJNO2OS,

Yestcrday the investigation was resumed by Mr.
John Humphreys and Dr. Lankester, at the Castle
Tavern, Holloway-road, respecting the death of
Sarah Ryan, aged 22, who was found dying from
the effects of prussic acid in the house of a friend of
her's, under most ordinary and unexplained cir-
cumstances in July last.
Mr. Wainwright, solicitor, appeared on behalf of
Mr. Greening, a lodger, who was in the house ist,
the time the deceased was found in the agonies 01
death.

It will be recollected that the deceased, who was
a respectable young person, left her home in perfect
health on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, to see a
servant in the employ of a lady at Coles-terrace/
Barnsbnry-road, and that she partook of dinner,
after which the servant went out for some time,
leaving the deceased in the kitchen, Mr. Greening,
a lodger, being upstairs. After the lapse of a short
interval a lad called for deceased, and he knocked
for some time before he obtained admittance, when
on proceeding to the kitchen he found deceased in'
sensible upon the floor, with her clothes disarranged
and above her knees, and her hair tumbled and In
disorder. The lad stated that when he looked lips
his eye caught that of Mr. Greening, who was en
the staircase, looking over at the scene, and that
gentleman then came down stairs, and they at'
tempted to revive the deceased, but without suc-
cess. Ultimately death took place, and upon the
post mortem examination, Professor Harley found
prussic acid in the stomach, and a peculiar appear-
ance in the uterus, apparently as it pregnancy had
taken place about three weeks previously.
The coroner, Mr. Humphreys, upon taking 1115
seat, said that since the last meeting of the Court
every endeavour had been made to obtain evidence
which would afford a clue to the elucidation of the
mystery, but without avail. Such being the case it
would not serve the ends of justice to keep the mat-
ter open any longer, and he should therefore ask
the jury to come to their decision 'at once.
Mr. Ashley said that, on behalf of Mr. Greening,
he had to observe, with regard to what had trans-
pired on the previous occasions, that he had no ob-
ject in anything but the fullest investigation of all
the circumstances- However, after what had fallen
from the learned coroner, he (Mr. Ashley) should
not think it necessary to take the initiative in fur-
ther inquiry.
Mrs. Ryan, the mother of the deceased, said that
her daughter had evidently no intention of taking
her own life, and she was seen in good health and
spirits half an hour before she was found dying.
The Coroner then proceeded to read over the
voluminous depositions at length, and remarked thet
no phial had been found in which deceased could
have brought the poison into the house. The tumbler
found in the kitchen, however, was stated by Pro-
fessor Harley to have contained cyanide of petas"
slum. All endeavours to ascertain whether a young
woman had purchased poison had been futile, and
there did not seem to be the slightest evidence that
deceased had contemplated or threatened suicide.
The whole case was one of extraordinary mystery,
if not of suspicion, but the only safe course would
be to bring in a verdict that death resulted from
poison, but how the drug was administered there
was no evidence to show. Such a verdict would
leave the question still open, if by accident further
circumstances to elucidation should become known•
The jury, after a very anxious and protracted
consultation, asked for a further adjournment to
give time to the Home Secretary to offer a reward
for theelucidation of the mystery, and the discovery,
if possible, of the guilty party.
The Court accordingly adjourned for that pet'
pose.