The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-28 00:00:00

Confession of Constance Kent.

We have been requested to publish the following
statement :

" Sir,—l am requested by Miss Constance Kent to com-
municate to you the following details of her crime, which
she has confessed to Mr. Rodway, her solicitor, and to my-
self, and which she now desires to be made public.
" Constance Kent first gave an account of the circum-
stances of her crime to Mr. Rodway, and she afterwards
acknowledged to me the correctness of that account when
I recapitulated it to her. The explanation of her motive
she gave to me when, with the permission of the Lord
Chancellor, I examined her for the purpose of ascertaining
whether there were any grounds for supposing that she was
labouring under mental disease. Both Mr. Rodway and I
are convinced of the truthfulness and good faith of what
she said to us.

" Constance Kent says that the manner in which she
committed her crime was as follows :—A few days before
the murder she obtained possession of a razor from a green
case in her father's wardrobe, and secreted it. This was the
sole instrument she used. She also secreted a candle with
matches, by placing them in the corner of the closet in the
garden, where the murder was committed. On the night
of the murder she undressed herself and went to bed, be-
cause she expected that her sisters would visit her room.
She lay awake watching until she thought that the house-
hold were all asleep, and soon after midnight she left her
bedroom and went down stairs and opened the drawing-
room door.and window shutters. She then went up into
the nursery, withdrew the blanket from between the sheet
and the counterpane, and placed it on the side of the cot.
She then took the child from his bed and carried him down
stairs through the drawing-room. She had on her night-
dress, and in the drawing-room she put on her goloshes.
Having the child in ono arm, she raised the drawing-room
window with the other hand, went round the house and
into the closet, lighted the candle and placed it on the seat
of the closet, the child being wrapped in the blanket and
still sleeping, and while the child was in this position she
inflicted the wound in the throat. She says that she
thought the blood would never come, and that the child
was not killed, so she thrust the razor into its left side, and
put the body, with the blanket round it, into the vault.
The light burnt out. The piece of flannel which she had
with her was torn from an old flannel garment placed in
the waste bag, and which she had taken some time before
and sewn it to use in washing herself. She went back into
her bedroom, examined her dress, and found only two spots
of blood on it. Those she washed out in the basin, and
threw the water, which was but little discoloured, into the
footpan in which she had washed her feet overnight. She
took another of her nightdresses and got into bed. In the
morning her nightdress had become dry where it had been
washed. She folded it up and put it into the drawer. Her
throe nightdresses were examined by Mr. Foley, and she
believes also by Mr. Parsons, the medical attendant of the
family. She thought the blood stains had been effectually
washed out, but on holding the dress up to the light a day
or two afterwards she found the stains were still visible.
She secreted the dress, moving it from place to place, and
she eventually burnt it in her own bedroom, and put the
ashes or tinder into the kitchen grate. It was about five or
six days after the child's death that she burnt the night-
dress. On the Saturday morning, having cleaned the razor,
she took an opportunity of replacing it unobserved in the
case in the wardrobe. She abstracted her nightdress from
the clothes basket when the housemaid went to fetch a
glass of water. The stained garment found in the boiler-
hole had no connexion whatever with the deed. As
regards the motive of her crime it seems that, although
she entertained at yne time a great regard for the present
Mrs. Kent, yet if any remark was at any time made which
in her opinion was disparaging to any member of the first
family she treasured it up, determined to revenge it. She
had no ill-will against the little boy, except as one of the
children of her stepmother. She declared that both her
father and her stepmother had always been kind to her per-
sonally, and the following is the copy of a letter which she
addressed to Mr. Rodway on this point while in prison be-
fore her trial:— _ _

"'Devizes, May 15.

"' Sir,—lt has been stated that my feelings of revenge
were excited in consequence of cruel treatment. This is
entirely false. I have received the greatest kindness from
both the persons accused of subjecting me to it. I have
never had any towards either of them on account of
their behaviour to me, which has been very kind.
" shall feel obliged if you will make use of this state-
ment in order that the public may be undeceived on this
point.—" I remain, sir, yours truly,

" ' CONSTANCE E. KENT.

" To Mr. R. Rodway.' "
"She told me that when the nursemaid was accused she
had fully made itp her mind to confess if the nurse had
been convicted, and that she had also made up her mind to
commit suicide if she was herself convicted. She said that
she had felt herself under the influence of the devil before
she committed the murder, but that she 'did not believe,
and had not believed, that the devil had more to do with
her crime than he had with any other wicked action. She
had not said her prayers for a year before the murder, and
not afterwards, until she came to reside at Brighton. She
said that the circumstance which revived religious feelings
in her mind was thinking about receiving sacrament when
'confirmed.
" An opinion has been expressed that the peculiarities
evinced by Constance Kent between the ages of 12 and 17
may be attributed to the then transition period of her life.
Moreover, the fact of her cutting off her hair, dressing her-
self in her brother's clothes, and leaving her home with the
intention of going abroad, which occurred when she was
only 13 years of age, indicated a peculiarity of disposition,
and great determination of character, which foreboded that,
for good or evil, her future life would be remarkable.
" This peculiar disposition, which led her to such singular
and violent resolves of action, seemed also to colour and in-
tensify her thoughts and feelings, and magnify into wrongs
that were to be revenged any little family incidents or oc-
currences which provoked her displeasure.
"Although it became my duty to advise her counsel that
she evinced no symptoms of insanity at the time of my
examination, and that so far as it was possible to ascertain
the state of her mind at so remote a period, there was no
evidence of it at the time of the murder, I am yet of opinion
that owing to the peculiarities of her constitution it is pro-
bable that under prolonged solitary confinement she would
become insane.

" The validity of this opinion is of importance now that
the sentence of death has been commuted to penal servitude
for life ; for no one could desire that the punishment of
the criminal should be so carried out as to cause danger of
a further and greater punishment not contemplated by tho
raw.
"I have thehonour to remain your very obedient servant,
"JOHN CHARLES BucKNILL, M.D.
"Hillmorton-hall, near Rugby, Aug. 24"

DR. PUSEY (according to the Reader) is said to
have in the press a formal reply to the letter which
Archbishop Manning recently addressed to him on behalf
of Anglo-Romanism. From what we learn of its contents,
says the Church, Times, it will be almost as remarkable a
work as the "Apologia" of Dr. Newman. It will contain,
we are informed, not only a personal defence of Dr. Pusey's
position and policy, but a full and complete vindication of
the catholicity of the Church of England. Dr. Pusey will
address the letter formally to Mr. Keble, preferring this to
entering into personal controversy with Dr. Manning.
MRS. FITZHERBERT BATHING.—The Prince of
Wales's " wife," Mrs. Fitzherbert, took the water
like a duck at Brighton. She might be seen walking in
her stately beauty, like a queen, down to the beach ;
trifle pale, perhaps, or a little flushed, from last night's
country-dances and late hours, but the salubrious waves
rushed up to kiss her feet. Martha Gunn, hailing her as
"Mrs. Prince," took her by both hands and buried her, an
it were, in Neptune's bosom ; as she turned in the water
the flash of her "beauteous ancles" might have been taken
for that which shot all silvery front those of Hesiod's
Amphitrite ; and as she rose from the waves and wended
towards the shore, Martha Gunn protested that she wont
in, a perfect lily, and came out "fresh as a peach, Ma'am,
if you please."--Athenawn.

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The Queen's Visit to Germany.
ROSENAU, COBURG, Aug. 24.
The Duchess of Holstein Augustenburg, niece to
her Majesty, arrived at the Calienberg, on Sunday,
on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg,
accompanied by her brother-in-law, Prince Christian
of Holstein.

The Duchess and Prince Christian visited the
Queen at the Rosenau, on Monday, and remained
to luncheon with her Majesty.
The Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, as well
as the Duchess of llolstein-Augustenburg and
Prince Christian, dined with her Majesty in the
evening.

Her Majesty continues to drive out every day.
His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, attended by
Major Elphinstone, arrived yesterday from Eng-
land.

The Duke of Hamilton arrived at Hamilton
House, Arlington-street, Piccadilly, from France, on his
way to Hamilton Palace and Brodick Castle, Scotland, for
shooting.

The Duchess of Hamilton (nee Princess Mary of
Baden) has arrived at Baden-Baden from Paris. The Duke
and Lady Mary have accompanied the Duchess.

The Earl Grosvenor, M.P., and Lady Constance
Grosvenor have arrived at Dunrobin Castle, N. 8., on a
visit to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, from the
south.

Lord and Lady Farnham have arrived at
Claridge's Hotel on their return from the Continent.

The Right Hon. William F. Cowper, M.P., and
Mrs. Cowper have gone on a visit to Viscount and Vis-
countess Palmerston at Brockett Hall, Herts.

Viscount and Viscountesa Sudley have arrived
at Brockett Hall, on a visit to Lord and Lady Palmerston,
from their residence at Kew.

Viscount Jocelyn and the Hon. Miss Jocelyn
lave arrived at Tullymore Park, county Down, the seat of
he Earl of Roden.

The Hon. Frederick A. Stanley, M.P., and Lady
Constance Stanley left Knowsley Park a few days ago for
Ballykisteen, Tipperary, which seat, we understand, Lord
Stanley, M.P., has given up to his brother.

_ .
The Right Hon. Sir George Grey arrived in
;own on Friday.

DEATH OF SIR G. BROWN.—General Sir George
Brown, of Crimean fame, died at Linkwood, near Elgin,
yesterday morning. He had been in poor health for
twelve months.

M. FECHTER is preparing a version of " The
Bride of Lammermoor" for his coming campaign.

THE ALOE, OR AGAVE AMERICANA. —A very fine
specimen of this plant may be seen in great beauty in the
gardens of the Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond-hill. The
flower spike is already 19ft. in height, and carries upon it
2,000 flowers. It is supposed to be nearly 100 years old.
TUPPER'S JOKE ABOUT VITUPPERATION.—In a
good-humoured letter, addressed to the Athenaeum and
dated Albury House, near Guildford, Aug. 22, 1865, the
author of "Proverbial Philosophy" says, "I for one re-
turn humble thanks to dear old Punch, and his younger
brother Fun, for many forms of (here's a new joke for
them) vitupperation ; I'm used to it, and take it as good-
nature, though perhaps not always so intended."
CLERICAL PEERS.—The following clergymen have
seats in the House of Lords as lay peers :—The
Rev. A. E. Hobart, Earl of Buckinghamshire ; Rev. W.
G. Howard, Earl of Canis() ; Very Rev. W. J. Brodrick,
Viscount Midleton ; Rev. W. Nevill, Earl of Abergavenny ;
Rev. F. T. Wykeham Fiennes, Lord Saye and Sole ; Right
Rev. J. R. Eden, Lord Auckland ; Rev. H. W. Powlett,
Lord Bayning ; Right Rev. T. Plunket, Lord Plunket ;
and the Rev. A. Curzon, Lord Scarsdale. In the Scottish
peerage there is not one clergyman. In the Irish peerage
there are only two clergymen, besides Lord Auckland
who is an Irish as well as English baron, viz., the Very
Rev. H. de Montmorency, Viscount Montmorres ; and the
Rev. J. Beresford, Marquis of Waterford. The heir pre-
sumptive to the title of Lord Arundell of Wardour is his
brother, a Jesuit priest. The heir presumptive to the Irish
barony of Ffrench is also in Roman Catholic orders. The
heirs to the titles of Sherard, Stuart de Decies, Buckhurst
Harberton, and Hastings, are also clergymen.--Guardian.
MONUMENT TO SIR D UNCAN MACD 0 UGa LL. —The
ceremony of unveiling this statue took place on Fri-
day in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral. Last year many
of the friends and admirers of the late Sir Duncan Mac-
Dougall, in consideration of his distinguished military
achievements, as well as his private character, proposed to
raise a monument to his memory. A subscription list was
opened, and eventually £3OO was collected. Among the
subscribers were the Duke of Buccleuch, General Sir De
Lacy Evans, General Maunsell, Colonel William Napier,
Major Manners, Captain Claxton, R.N., Dr. M'Lachlin,
Sze. The joint secretaries were Captain W. G. Furnival,
Adjutant of the 3d Middlesex Volunteers, and the Rev. G.
Mathias, of Chelsea Hospital, London. A considerable
number of the friends of the late Colonel were present. The
bust and tablet memorial were executed by Mr. George G.
Adams, of Sloane-street. A white freestone slab supports
a moulded marble base, on the plain part of which a sword
and musket are carved in relief, and united in the centre
by a wreath of bay. Above this base there is a block of
pure white marble. On this is the inscription relating the
loading events of the long and varied life of the deceased,
and over this, upon a plain plinth, with a cannon in bas-
relief, is placed the bust of Sir Duncan MacDougall. The
work is in every way highly creditable to the sculptor.
The friends of the late Sir Duncan pronounce the likeness
to be perfect. The subject was a good one. The General
had a lofty forehead, well-cut features, and a fine white
beard ; he had sat to Mr. Adams in his lifetime. The
monument is placed on the right side of the entrance to
the Nelson and Wellington tombs. On the left theta is
marble tablet, by the same artist, to the memory of Cap-
tain Langhorn Thompson, one of the defenders of Kars,
to which the Emperor of the French had contributed.
We copy the inscription in the "display," as it is tech-
nically called, of which great good taste is apparent :
" Erected to the memory of Col. Sir Duncan MacDougall,
S.C. S.F., of Sorada, Argyleshire, by those friends and
comrades to whom his public services and private
worth were known. He served with the 83d and
85th Regiments, at the Cape, in the Peninsula, and
in France; at the siege of Badajoz, Burgos, and St. Sebas-
tian, and at the battle of Salamanca, where, though
wounded, he gallantly saved the colours of his regiment.
In America, he was at the battles of Bladensburg, Balti-
more, New Orleans, and at the capture of Washington. lie
finally commanded the 79th Highlanders until he retired
from the British army to join the Auxiliary Legion in Spain,
under his friend Sir De Lacy Evans, and received the Order
of St. Ferdinand from Isabella 11. In his latter years he
raised the Lancashire Artillery Militia, and was among the
first to promote the Volunteers. He was a chivalrous sol-
dier and a warm -hearted friend. He died on the 10th of
December, 1862, in the 76th year of his age." Capt. Cita'
ton, R.N., who had served with the gallant officer at Bla-
densburg and in other American battles, was among those
present.
THE LADY'S MILE.—You recollect, gentle reader,
the first time you saw, in your earliest visit to the
great metropolis, that beautiful expanse of land, which is
part of the ancient manor of Hide, once belonging to the
monastery of St. Peter at Westminster, and which, with
most other church lands, became in the eighth Henry's reign
the property of the Crown: yes, you recollect, with as much
pleasure as you recollect your first visit to the theatre, or
your first trip to the seaside, your earliest visit to Hyde
Park. Truly, a noble place, with its gentle and varied
diversity of surface, and its umbrageous shades ; with those
great old trees, not manufactured to order, but dignified
oven where decay has begun, and proving itself to be
park of some noble house in the old, old days. Trulya noble
place—a place that no other city in the world can show, with
its beautiful women, splendid equipages, and fine horses ;
and as you saunter along the Serpentine—that fine sheet
of water which Queen Caroline made a hundred and
30 years ago—and feel the heat of the summer's day tem-
pered by the refreshing breeze from the largest lake marl I:
Cockney ever saw, you bless the memories of the monks
of
St. Peter and good Queen Caroline, for their gifts of laYcle"
park and the Serpentine. You recollect, specially too,
that beautiful carriage drive on the northern blink
of the Serpentine, called " The Lady's Mile ;"
thinking of its singular beauty, you will be glad to hec";
that the accomplished novelist, Miss Braddon, who is
clever as she is indefatigable, has chosen the name, "1°
Lady's Mile," for the name of her new novel, whose :11):
pearance thousands upon thousands of readers look foe,
ward to with right pleasurable anxiety. And NYIII,II,
ask you, is this new novel to appear ? Well, 1";
Braddon always selects a good vehicle conunurdoalewat
with her readers ; and she now selects that excellent
periodical, the St. Jamas Magazine, in the September n___,
ber of which, following her beautiful and very succo
tale, " Only a Clod," appears the first instalment of -ooa
Lady's Mile." Likest thou not this bit of news, g
reader ?—Paisley Herald.
LABOURERS' STRIKE.—The strike among the2lol_l;,
skilled workmen employed by Messrs. Trollopo and
Messrs. Smith and Taylor, and Mr. Freake is but a sprr:l4c.
one. It is only the men on a few jobs who havee
Oti
It would appear that, emboldened by the success ot
to Gd
skilled workmen, they have asked for a rise in wages
per hour. The demand will probably be met bl
ro
b,
masters giving the increase to some of the best. labour'in
g
and to the rest the option of leaving or remafikne
ifin be
lower rate of wages: It is unlikely that the strike
developed into any serious or general combination fs;rs.
cept the Grosvenor-square works, all the others Ne
Trollope and Sons have been going on as usual.